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Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has quietly funneled roughly $5 billion of its earnings into a mix of US businesses and government debt over the past two years. It’s putting money where its mouth is. According to CEO Paolo Ardoino, these moves are meant to show how tied the company is to the American economy, even as it dominates markets abroad. Related Reading: Investors Pour $2.75 Billion Into Bitcoin ETFs As Price Skyrockets Big Bets In Tech According to Ardoino, Tether invested $775 million in Rumble earlier this year, scooping up more than 103 million shares of Class A stock. The firm also put $200 million into BlackRock Neurotech in 2024 through Tether Evo, its venture arm. That move made Tether the majority owner of the brain‐interface startup. These aren’t small stakes. They’re big plays on what could be the next wave of tech growth in the US. In the last 2 years Tether Group reinvested almost 5 billion USD of its profits within the United States economy and into US based companies. Some examples: Rumble, Blackrock Neurotech, XXI and different Bitcoin mining ventures. (That’s on top of having more than 120 billion in… — Paolo Ardoino ???? (@paoloardoino) May 26, 2025 Tether Gets Into Bitcoin Mining Based on reports, Tether has also built positions in several US‐based Bitcoin mining firms. It recently boosted its holding in Bitdeer to 21%, making it one of the top shareholders. On top of that, the company is routing hash power to the OCEAN pool, tying its crypto reserves even more directly to American mining operations. It’s a mix of finance and hardware. Treasury Holdings And US Debt According to filings, Tether holds more than $120 billion in US Treasury bills. That makes it the 19th‐largest holder of US debt, ahead of countries like Germany ($111 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($104 billion). These Treasury bills back most of the USDT in circulation. In a way, Tether has become a major player in the bond market, with a clear interest in keeping US fiscal matters steady. Plans For A New Stablecoin Based on statements from Ardoino, Tether plans to launch a new dollar‐backed coin for the US market once federal rules are in place. While USDT will stay active in developing nations, a fresh token could meet upcoming US stablecoin laws. Related Reading: XRP ETF At 83% Approval Odds—Is The SEC Losing Grip? With $153 billion in USDT out there—about 60% of the total stablecoin supply—Tether still leads globally. But in the US and Europe, USDT has seen some exchange delistings over MiCA compliance worries. A homegrown coin may smooth those relations. Regulatory Headwinds Tether’s strategy isn’t without challenges. It faces calls for more transparency on its reserves and criticism over the use of USDT by bad actors. The company insists it works closely with law enforcement when criminal funds surface. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

As Bitcoin (BTC) continues to trade near its recent all-time high (ATH) of $111,980, activity on major crypto exchanges suggests that institutional investors may be strengthening their BTC holdings. Most notably, Coinbase – the leading US-based crypto exchange – recorded a net outflow of 7,883 BTC, raising speculation about renewed institutional demand and a potential continuation of the rally. Coinbase Sees 7,883 Bitcoin Outflow According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor burakkemeci, Coinbase experienced a daily outflow of 8,742 BTC on May 26. After accounting for BTC deposits, the net outflow stood at 7,883 BTC – marking the third-largest single-day BTC outflow from the exchange in the past month. For the uninitiated, daily BTC outflow refers to the total amount of Bitcoin withdrawn from an exchange within a day, while net outflow is the difference between BTC withdrawn and deposited – showing the actual net movement of funds. A positive net outflow means more BTC left the exchange than entered, often signaling accumulation. Related Reading: Bitcoin Near ATH, But Long-Term Holders Aren’t Selling – More Upside Ahead? Historically, large BTC outflows from Coinbase are often followed by institutional announcements or spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows. Since all US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs – except Fidelity’s – source their BTC from Coinbase, the scale of this transaction suggests potential ETF involvement or a corporate acquisition. One likely candidate is Strategy, led by Michael Saylor. The company recently disclosed a purchase of 7,390 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 576,230 BTC. Saylor has also hinted at another large acquisition, although only time will tell whether the latest Coinbase outflows are connected to the firm. Supporting this institutional narrative is the Coinbase Premium Index, which has remained consistently positive over the past month. This metric reflects stronger buying pressure from US-based investors, often linked to institutional demand. The analyst concluded: These outflows reflect sustained demand from U.S.-based institutions. If this appetite continues, it may lay the groundwork for another leg up in Bitcoin’s price. Especially when fueled by ETF inflows, such moves can lead to sharp price breaks and new highs. New BTC ATH Soon? At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $109,589, just 1.9% below its all-time high. However, multiple on-chain and technical indicators suggest that BTC could soon break into uncharted territory. Related Reading: Bitcoin Rebound Signals Healthier Bull Market Without Overheating, Analyst Says CryptoQuant contributor ibrahimcosar recently noted that Bitcoin may be targeting the $112,000 mark after forming a double bottom pattern on the hourly chart. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Spot Taker CVD (Cumulative Volume Delta) has flipped back to positive, signaling bullish momentum. Moreover, on-chain metrics show that holders are not rushing to sell, even while sitting on significant unrealized gains, suggesting belief in further price appreciation. At press time, BTC trades at $109,589, down 0.3% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant and TradingView.com

After a slight weekend slump that saw Bitcoin (BTC) dip to $106,600, the leading cryptocurrency has recovered most of its losses and is currently trading close to the $110,000 level. With bullish momentum building, several crypto analysts now believe that BTC may be on track to hit a new all-time high (ATH) in the coming days. Bitcoin To Surge To $112,000? Analyst Says Yes According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor ibrahimcosar, Bitcoin is forming a classic bullish pattern on the hourly chart – the double bottom. The analyst described this setup as “one of the strongest reversal signals” in technical analysis. Related Reading: Bitcoin Rebound Signals Healthier Bull Market Without Overheating, Analyst Says Ibrahimcosar explained that this pattern signals a weakening of bearish pressure, with buyers poised to regain control of the market. The first bottom of this formation was observed on May 23 at $106,800, followed by a second low on May 25 at $106,600. For the uninitiated, the double bottom is a bullish reversal chart pattern that forms after a downtrend, characterized by two distinct lows at a similar level with a moderate peak – called neckline – in between. According to the CryptoQuant contributor, the current neckline is around $109,000. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is hovering just above this neckline, confirming the breakout. Importantly, the breakout was accompanied by a surge in trading volume, which analysts interpret as a sign of robust bullish momentum. If $109,000 holds as support, then price levels beyond $112,000 could be on the horizon. The analyst explained in their Quicktake post: Double bottoms are where the market says: ‘We’ve sold enough.’ When buyers defend the second bottom, it sends a message: Now it’s our turn. But remember, not every pattern plays out. Know your risk, make your decision. Fellow analyst Ali Martinez echoed this sentiment in a recent post on X, sharing the following BTC hourly chart that highlights a breakout from the recent downtrend. According to Martinez, Bitcoin is now targeting the $110,000 level and potentially higher. Good Days Ahead For BTC Following a rough first quarter in 2025, Bitcoin has shown significant recovery, surging from a local bottom of $74,508 on April 6 to nearly $110,000. This recent rally has revived bullish sentiment across the market. Related Reading: Technical Analyst Predicts Bitcoin Price Blow Off Top To $325,000 – The Timeline Will Shock You ​​Fueling the optimism are strong inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), indicating renewed institutional interest. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s open interest recently hit a fresh all-time high, reinforcing expectations of continued price momentum. However, not all indicators are aligned. Bitcoin whales – large holders of BTC – have shown mixed behavior, with some accumulating while others appear to be taking profits. At press time, BTC trades at $109,998, up 2.2% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant, X, and Tradingview.com

Crypto assets to the tune of over $3 billion are heading into circulation in June. That marks a 32% drop from May’s haul of $4.9 billion. According to crypto vesting tracker Tokenomist, investors and traders will face new supply pressure again this month. Related Reading: Buy XRP Before It Explodes To $1,000, Market Expert Says Total Token Unlocks Dip In June June’s release of $3.3 billion is down sharply from May’s nearly $5 billion. A lot of that change comes from projects finishing earlier vesting schedules. But $3.3 billion is still a heavy weight on token prices. Markets usually wobble when billions of dollars suddenly become tradable. Cliffs Versus Gradual Releases About $1.4 billion of June’s tokens will hit wallets all at once in what’s called a cliff unlock. That means a lump sum becomes liquid on a set date. The rest— nearly $2 billion—will drip into the market bit by bit with linear unlocks. A slow trickle of new supply can soften the blow, but it still adds up over time. Source: Tokenomist Big Names On The List Several major projects lead the pack in June. Metars Genesis (MRS) will drop over $190 million worth of tokens on June 21 to back an AI partnership. Since March, MRS has unlocked 10 million tokens each month, pushing nearly $1 billion into circulation so far. On June 1, SUI will unlock 44 million coins—about $160 million in value. Over $70 million of that goes to Series B investors. To date, SUI has released more than 3 billion tokens valued at roughly $12 billion, or about 33% of its total supply. Another 5.22 billion tokens, worth nearly $20 billion, are still locked without a set date. Other Projects To Watch A handful of well-known tokens also have vesting dates in June. Fasttoken will hand out 20 million tokens—around $88 million—to its founders. LayerZero plans to unlock 25 million tokens worth over $70 million for core contributors and strategic partners. Aptos will release 11.30 million tokens, about $60 million, to its team, backers and community fund. ZKsync sets free over 760 million tokens valued at almost $50 million to investors and staff. Even Arbitrum joins the list, adding to the pressure on Layer-2 markets. Related Reading: Investors Pour $2.75 Billion Into Bitcoin ETFs As Price Skyrockets What This Means For Traders Based on reports, big unlocks tend to spark price swings. Cliff events often trigger fast sell-offs as holders gain full access. Gradual releases can drag on prices over weeks. Those who trade around these dates should be ready for volatility. For long-term holders, dips caused by fresh supply might offer a chance to add to positions. Either way, tracking vesting calendars could help time moves and spare traders from nasty surprises. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin is grappling with intensified volatility following a sharp selloff triggered by US President Donald Trump’s abrupt announcement of a sweeping 50% tariff on all EU imports starting June 1. The unexpected macroeconomic move sent shockwaves through assets, and Bitcoin was no exception, dropping aggressively from all-time highs near $111,800 to lows around $107,500 in a matter of hours.  Related Reading: Investors Pour $2.75 Billion Into Bitcoin ETFs As Price Skyrockets Although there was a brief recovery towards $109,000, the ensuing price action now shows an intense battle between the bulls and bears, with technical analysis on the 1-hour candlestick timeframe showing the two ways Bitcoin can play out this week. Bitcoin Compression Structure Between Fair Value Gaps According to crypto analyst TehThomas, Bitcoin’s current price structure is defined by two opposing 1-hour fair value gaps (FVGs). The lower FVG zone identified by the analyst is around $107,500, which showed up during the rally towards $111,814 ATH and is now acting as the first significant reaction point post-rally.  The upper FVG range is between $109,800 and $110,700. This level, previously the base of a breakdown candle, flipped into strong resistance on Friday. Interestingly, a rejection was confirmed inside this upper FVG, which showed there were many sellers present in that zone. Notably, the 1-hour chart shared by the analyst points to a deadlock scenario for the Bitcoin price. A breakout above or below the identified fair value gaps will likely define the directional bias for Bitcoin’s next major leg. Bitcoin’s next impulsive move will likely come with volume confirmation, either with a bullish displacement above resistance or a bearish rejection that pushes the Bitcoin price toward a lower demand target. Chart Image From TradingView Bullish And Bearish Scenarios For Bitcoin Interestingly, since the analysis, the ensuing price action has been marked by Bitcoin’s failure to reclaim the upper FVG and more of a consolidation around the lower FVG at $107,500. This places the most significance around this level, as Bitcoin’s reaction here could either cause a rebound upwards or a significant price retracement. For the bullish scenario, a bounce at the lower FVG will send the Bitcoin price towards the upper FVG. A sustained move above the upper FVG at $110,700 would indicate a bullish reclaim and might bring a new all-time high around $113,000 back into focus.  Related Reading: Think Big? Multiply It By A Billion — XRP Tied To ‘Greatest’ Global Meeting: CEO For the bearish scenario, especially with a clean loss of the $107,500 level, the path opens for a move toward $106,000.  This level is aligned with a liquidity pool left behind from consolidation early last week. If the structure breaks downward below $106,000, sellers may seize control in the short term. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $107,017. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Ethereum’s recent price momentum, along with the rest of the market, kept investors on edge during the week as it pressed closer toward the $2,800 level. However, Ethereum struggled to push past $2,750 during the week, briefly hitting resistance as bulls tried to extend the current uptrend.  Interestingly, on-chain data shows that this may be a reaction to a major cluster of buy levels around $2,800, which may increase sell-side pressure in the coming days. Related Reading: Buy XRP Before It Explodes To $1,000, Market Expert Says $2,800 Zone Heats Up With Investor Cost Basis Cluster After rebounding from a low near $1,600 in April, Ethereum recovered more than half of its losses last week from its peak near $3,800 in December 2024. According to on-chain analytics platform Glassnode, there is a significant accumulation of Ethereum supply held by investors who bought in near the $2,800 price range. This concentration, visualized in Glassnode’s cost-basis heatmap, shows a notable density of wallet activity precisely at this level.  The implication of this concentration is simple: a large number of ETH holders who have been underwater since early 2025 are finally seeing a chance to exit at breakeven as the Ethereum price approaches $2,800. As such, selling pressure may increase as the Ethereum price approaches this level. The logic is that these investors who have been underwater may use this rally to secure neutral exits. That sort of sell-side pressure can act as a cap on the rally, unless demand is strong enough to absorb the supply hitting the market.  The heatmap below shows a large cluster of supply density just below $2,800, which Ethereum must decisively overcome to continue its path toward reclaiming $3,000.  Image From Glassnode Some Resistance Above, But Strong Support Below Given the possibility of the $2,800 level acting as a challenging price ceiling during the week, different on-chain data shows Ethereum enjoying strong support beneath the current price level.  According to a post on X by crypto analyst Ali Martinez, blockchain data from Sentora (formerly IntoTheBlock) shows that Ethereum holders have built a robust demand zone between $2,330 and $2,410. This area hosts 2.58 million addresses holding over 63.65 million ETH, making it an important support floor. Image From X: @ali_charts At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading around $2,500, down by 2% in the past 24 hours. The current price range puts the price of the largest altcoin squarely between a band of selling pressure overhead and a solid cushion of demand below.  Related Reading: Investors Pour $2.75 Billion Into Bitcoin ETFs As Price Skyrockets Interestingly, there are no significant resistance walls aside from the cost basis levels around $2,800, meaning that a convincing breakout above $2,800 could push the Ethereum price quickly towards $3,000. The balance of probabilities now rests on whether bullish momentum can break through the resistance cluster or whether a pullback toward the $2,370 zone will reset the rally.  Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

As the Bitcoin price skyrockets past former all-time highs (ATH), one technical analyst has ignited a wave of excitement across the crypto community with his bold new prediction. According to the forecast, Bitcoin could blow off to an astonishing $325,000 price peak — and the most shocking aspect of this analysis is not just the price target but the accelerated timeline for this meteoric rise.   Related Reading: Traders Pile In: Bitcoin Open Interest Hits All-Time High As Price Nears $112K Bitcoin Price To Peak At $325K? The $325,000 Bitcoin price forecast by Gert van Lagen, a prominent crypto analyst on X (formerly Twitter) is based on a technical analysis chart spanning BTC’s movements from 2009 and 2025. The chart applies Elliott Wave Theory on a High Time Frame (HTF), tracking a massive five-wave impulsive structure, with each wave representing a major bullish cycle driven by halving events.  Lagen disclosed that Bitcoin is currently in Wave 5, the last wave of this mega-cycle, suggesting that the market is on the verge of its final parabolic blow-off. Each of Bitcoin’s past bull markets, according to the analysis, has ended with a near-vertical explosive surge, where price accelerates rapidly before crashing into a corrective phase. This surge has always been defined by a price angle of at least 82 degrees from the bottom.  The crypto analyst has drawn a trendline connecting the peaks of Wave 1 and 2, creating a rising wedge pattern. The lower boundary of this wedge is represented by the 210,000 block SMA, which acts as a long-term support.  Additionally, the upper trendline of this wedge intersects with the forecasted market top of Wave 5, which sits at around $325,000. Notably, this bullish prediction relies heavily on Bitcoin maintaining strong momentum and completing Wave 5 as a single clean impulse move, without any deviation or elongation, just like past cycles.  Lagen’s bold $325,000 price forecast for Bitcoin comes with an exceptionally near-term timeline. The market expert predicts that BTC could reach this ambitious target as soon as July 5, 2025, which is just over a month away.   Interestingly, this timeline is grounded in the movements observed in previous post-halving cycles. The analyst’s projected trajectory of Bitcoin’s surge to a market top also aligns closely with the past patterns that followed each Bitcoin halving cycle.  These halving events have triggered strong bull markets during past cycles. The current rally also follows Bitcoin’s fourth and most recent halving event, which took place on April 20, 2024, reinforcing the repetitive and cyclic nature of Bitcoin’s price movements.  A Historic Correction Could Follow This Price Surge Beyond the dramatic $325,000 Bitcoin price prediction, Lagen’s analysis also carries a foreboding bearish outlook. He cautions that after Bitcoin reaches this projected market top, what comes next may be a high time frame price crash, possibly lasting several years.  Related Reading: Buy XRP Before It Explodes To $1,000, Market Expert Says Once the five-wave structure is completed, Lagen expects Bitcoin to enter its first true Wave 2 correction at the highest degree. Historically, Wave 2 retracements are deep, and given the current backdrop of global tightening and recession risks, the post-peak environment could challenge even the most seasonal holders.  Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Crypto analyst DOGECAPITAL has highlighted a Bitcoin-like pattern on the Dogecoin chart, which could trigger a parabolic rally. Based on his analysis, this rally could send the DOGE price above $10, marking a new all-time high (ATH) for the top meme coin.  Related Reading: XRP’s $5 Dream Ride Hinges On This One Chart Setup – Analyst The Bitcoin Historical Pattern Which Could Send Dogecoin Above $10 In an X post, DOGECAPITAL predicted that the Dogecoin price could rally above $10. He alluded to the weekly chart and compared the historical price cycles of Bitcoin and DOGE, while pointing out what tends to happen when BTC closes a weekly candle at all-time highs (ATHs). In the first cycle, which was in 2017, DOGE surged and achieved a 94x gain in the following months after BTC closed the week at its ATH.  In the second cycle, which was in 2020, Dogecoin witnessed a more explosive 190x rally in the following months after Bitcoin closed the week at new all-time highs. Meanwhile, again in the third cycle this year, BTC is currently trading around its ATHs. However, it needs to confirm a weekly close above this level to validate a DOGE breakout.  Based on history, DOGECAPITAL noted that this could set the stage for Dogecoin to “dramatically” outperform Bitcoin again. DOGE could also surpass its gains in previous cycles. The analyst’s accompanying chart showed that the meme coin could even rally to as high as $69 on this explosive move.  The analyst urged market participants to watch the weekly close as the last two times Bitcoin confirmed new highs, Dogecoin didn’t just surge but “launched.” In the short term, crypto analyst Ali Martinez indicated that the foremost meme coin could rally to $0.31. In an X post, he stated that DOGE appears to be breaking out of a bull pennant, which points to this target.  DOGE’s Uptrend Is Still Strong In an X post, crypto analyst Trader Tardigrade stated that Dogecoin’s uptrend remains pretty much solid. His accompanying chart showed that the meme coin still has enough room to rally to the much-anticipated $1 price level. In another analysis, the analyst stated that DOGE will likely break the recent high at $0.25.  Meanwhile, crypto analyst Master Kenobi stated that his short-term roadmap for Dogecoin is going according to plan so far. His chart showed that he expects the meme coin to consolidate in this range for 17 days before it then breaks out and rallies to $0.75 sometime in June. This will mark a new ATH for the DOGE price, with its current all-time high at $0.73.  Related Reading: Traders Pile In: Bitcoin Open Interest Hits All-Time High As Price Nears $112K At the time of writing, the Dogecoin price is trading at around $0.2286, down over 6% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.  Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

As Bitcoin (BTC) hit a new all-time high (ATH) of $111,980 on Binance crypto exchange yesterday, technical data suggests that the latest BTC rally is being dominated by buyers. If this trend continues, BTC may see further price appreciation in the near term. Buyers Regain Control Of Bitcoin Spot Market According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by crypto analyst ibrahimcosar, buyers appear to be dominating the BTC spot market. The analyst observed that the Bitcoin Spot Taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) has shifted back into green territory. For the uninitiated, Bitcoin Spot Taker CVD measures the difference between taker buy and taker sell volumes on spot exchanges over time. A rising Spot Taker CVD indicates that aggressive buyers are dominating the market, signalling potential bullish momentum. Related Reading: Bitcoin Retail Demand Rises 3.4% As Small Investors Return To The Market – New ATH Soon? BTC Spot Taker CVD turning green is signficant. Most notably, it means buy orders have regained dominance after an extended period in which sell orders led the market. A higher volume of buy orders over time suggests that Bitcoin’s current bullish momentum may persist. As shown in the chart shared by ibrahimcosar, the CVD remained mostly red for the majority of Q1 2025 – indicating strong selling pressure. This selling behavior aligned with BTC’s price action, which saw the asset fall from its previous ATH in January to a low of around $76,000 in April. The fact that BTC’s Spot Taker CVD has turned green while the asset is setting fresh ATHs makes this trend especially noteworthy. It indicates that buyers are willing to accumulate BTC even at historically high prices, likely in anticipation of continued upside. That said, recent price action might temporarily interrupt BTC’s momentum. In an X post, crypto analyst Ali Martinez suggested that BTC could soon break down from its current range of $110,400 to $111,100. A Different Kind Of Rally Typically, BTC hitting a new ATH is usually met with wider market euphoria, leading to a sharp price decline that catches most investors off-guard. However, experts opine that the current rally is different from previous cycles. Related Reading: Bitcoin Near ATH, But Long-Term Holders Aren’t Selling – More Upside Ahead? Recent analysis by CryptoQuant contributor Crazzyblockk suggests that new and short-term BTC investors are sitting on substantial unrealized profits, and not showing any signs of panic selling amid the cryptocurrency’s price surge to new highs. Similarly, whale reaction to BTC’s bullish price trajectory has been mixed. While new whales have been taking major profits during the ongoing rally, old whales have resisted selling their holdings, showing minimal selling activity. Finally, the neutral funding rates in the BTC futures market reinforce the idea that the current rally is more organic and less driven by speculation than those in the past. At press time, BTC trades at $108,553, down 2.6% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant, X, and Tradingview.com

Bitcoin futures open interest has climbed to fresh record highs this week. Traders have piled into contracts betting on rising prices. Open interest topped $80 billion on May 23, up roughly 30% since the start of the month. That shows more money is riding on Bitcoin’s next moves than ever before. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s $10K Rhythm: Steady Climb Signals Strong Push To $115K Rising Futures Interest According to CoinGlass, more than $80 billion of Bitcoin futures contracts remain open. That’s the largest total on record. Traders have boosted positions by about 30% since May 1. Many are using borrowed funds to bet on higher prices. Big moves in either direction could trigger forced sales if the market flips. ETF Inflows Provide Support Based on reports, spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted over $2.5 billion in inflows this week. Those are real coins moving into vaults. Institutions aren’t just trading on paper—they’re buying actual Bitcoin. Those flows help steady the market when risky bets start to wobble. They add a layer of demand that didn’t exist in past rallies. Option Bets Cluster At High Strikes Bitcoin options open interest is also at eye-catching levels. On Deribit, traders have piled in more than $1.5 billion of bets at the $110,000 and $120,000 strike prices. There’s over $1 billion at $115,000, $125,000 and $130,000 strikes too. That shows people are thinking the price could keep climbing well above six figures. But it also means there’s a lot of money riding on a narrow band of outcomes. Expiry Risk Looms Over Market Nearly $2.76 billion of Bitcoin contracts are set to expire today, May 23. Based on reports from Deribit, the put/call ratio stands at 1.2, meaning there are slightly more bets on a price drop than on a rise. The so-called max pain level sits near $103,000—the point where the largest number of options will finish worthless. If price drifts toward that level, it could trigger squeezes or sudden moves as traders scramble. Related Reading: Bitcoin Goes Corporate In Indonesia With $100 Million Treasury Shift Bitcoin Price Nears $112K Bitcoin’s spot price climbed to around $111,150 in late trading, reaching as high as $111,999 earlier in the day. That’s a new high, but it came in a steadier climb than past breakouts. Many point to easing trade tensions between the US and China. Others highlight Moody’s downgrade of US sovereign debt as driving interest in alternative stores of value. That mix of drivers has helped carry prices higher without the typical fireworks. Looking ahead, traders will watch whether ETF demand can keep counterbalancing the risks from crowded futures and options markets. A small pullback could spark a wave of liquidations that sends prices tumbling fast. But continued big inflows into ETFs could give longer legs to this rally. Either way, volatility looks set to stay high in the weeks to come. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Yesterday, Bitcoin (BTC) made a fresh all-time high (ATH) of $111,880 on Binance crypto exchange following months of downward action during the first quarter of the year. The leading cryptocurrency has rebounded over 45% from its April 6 low of approximately $76,000, and recent whale behavior suggests that long-term holders see further upside potential. Bitcoin ATH Sees Mixed Reaction From Whales According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor Crazzyblockk, new whales – wallets that have held substantial BTC amounts for less than 30 days – have been aggressively taking profits during the current price rally, contributing to increased selling pressure. Related Reading: Bitcoin Retail Demand Rises 3.4% As Small Investors Return To The Market – New ATH Soon? In contrast, old whales – wallets holding significant BTC for over six months – have shown minimal selling activity. This indicates long-term confidence in Bitcoin and expectations of continued price appreciation. Meanwhile, whales active between 7 to 30 days ago have engaged in moderate profit-taking, suggesting cautious participation in the ongoing rally. While the restrained activity from old whales is a positive signal, some indicators point to caution regarding the rally’s sustainability. For example, the Net Realized Profit/Loss (NRPL) during the current price surge is significantly lower than levels observed during previous 2024-2025 market tops. This indicates weaker overall profit-taking momentum among investors. For the uninitiated, NRPL measures the net profit or loss investors are locking in when they sell their Bitcoin, based on the price difference between acquisition and sale. A high NRPL indicates strong profit-taking behavior, while a low or negative NRPL suggests reduced enthusiasm or capitulation. Is The Market Headed Further Up? Although a low NRPL may imply that the market is not yet euphoric – a potentially healthy sign – it also raises concerns about the strength and sustainability of the ongoing rally. These dynamics could influence BTC’s price trajectory across different timeframes. Related Reading: Buy Bitcoin, Ditch The Banks Before It’s Too Late—Kiyosaki In the short-term, continued profit-taking by new whales may trigger a price correction to neutralize overheated market conditions. A drop in price could send BTC back to the $100,000-$105,000 support zone. In contrast, in the mid-term, the ongoing inactivity of old whales coupled with low NRPL levels could support a bullish continuation after a consolidation phase. Investors may view pullbacks as opportunities to accumulate more BTC. To conclude, while a short-term price correction remains possible, the mid-term outlook for Bitcoin is largely optimistic – assuming old whales maintain their positions and NRPL remains low. This aligns with recent on-chain analyses showing that many new BTC investors are sitting on solid unrealized gains and are not showing signs of panic selling, despite Bitcoin trading close to ATHs. At press time, BTC trades at $111,500, up 4.2% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant and TradingView.com

Bitcoin continues to show upward momentum as it has now finally reclaimed a critical price mark. As of the latest data, BTC briefly traded above $109,000; however, it has since retraced, now trading at $108,959, marking a 3.5% increase over the past 24 hours. This puts the asset less than 1% away from its all-time high of $109,958 recorded in January. The rally builds on weeks of gradual price appreciation, suggesting persistent bullish sentiment among investors. However, while price action appears strong on the surface, market metrics suggest a more nuanced picture underneath. New data from CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn sheds light on a shift in trading behavior, particularly on Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume. Related Reading: Is Bitcoin Ready For New ATHs? What The Charts Say Bitcoin Futures Activity Surges as Spot-to-Futures Ratio Hits 1.5-Year High In Maartunn’s recent QuickTake post titled “Spot to Futures Ratio (Binance) Hits 1.5-Year High,” the analyst pointed out that the ratio between spot and futures volume has reached 4.9, its highest level in 18 months. On May 12, Binance recorded $30.17 billion in spot trading volume versus $115.56 billion in futures trading. This 4.9x difference indicates that speculative interest, often driven by leverage, currently far exceeds direct buying pressure seen in spot markets. The Spot to Futures Ratio provides insight into the balance between actual asset purchases and derivative-based speculation. A higher ratio means that trading is more heavily concentrated in futures markets, where traders bet on price movements without owning the underlying asset. This pattern often reflects short-term sentiment and positioning rather than long-term conviction. While elevated futures activity can amplify market moves in either direction, it may also signal caution, as traders hedge rather than accumulate. The sustained gap between spot and futures volumes indicates that speculative leverage is playing a central role in Bitcoin’s current rally. Balanced Profitability Suggests Market Stability Meanwhile, on-chain metrics presented by another CryptoQuant analyst, Crazzyblockk, further contextualize the broader market sentiment. According to his data, profitability across investor cohorts remains high: wallets holding BTC for less than one month are up 6.9% in unrealized gains, while short-term holders (less than six months) are seeing 10.7% gains. Despite these elevated profit margins, there has been no significant sign of mass profit-taking or distressed selling. The Unrealized Profit/Loss (UPL) Ratio reveals that while the majority of the network is in profit, the distribution of gains across different investor groups remains relatively balanced. Related Reading: This Bitcoin Level Could Be To Watch In The Short Term, Glassnode Says This type of evenly distributed profitability has historically been associated with reduced volatility and a lower risk of sudden corrections. Crazzyblockk noted that, in previous cycles, extreme profit concentration among one group, typically short-term holders, often preceded major selloffs. However, the current structure appears more stable, with no signs of excessive selling pressure. Although macroeconomic risks and external volatility remain factors to watch, the combination of strong price action, steady accumulation, and limited distribution suggests that the market may be preparing for a new phase, potentially leading to a breakout beyond Bitcoin’s existing all-time high. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

On May 21, Bitcoin (BTC) achieved a remarkable milestone, reaching a new all-time high (ATH) near the $110,000 mark. This surge was fueled by significant buying pressure, elevating Bitcoin’s market capitalization to over $2.1 trillion.  As a result, the market’s leading cryptocurrency has now positioned itself among the most valuable assets globally, ranking fifth in market capitalization and surpassing major firms like Amazon and Google. Will Bitcoin Surpass Gold? According to the Companies Market Cap web page, Bitcoin’s price surge pushed its market capitalization to approximately $2.182 trillion. Currently, Bitcoin trails only behind tech giants Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, as well as the traditional safe-haven asset, gold, which holds a staggering capitalization of over $22 trillion. Rob Nelson from The Street reported insights from Gracy Chen Chen, Bitget’s Managing Director on a roundtable discussion back in February, highlighting the transformative nature of the cryptocurrency market. Related Reading: Shiba Inu Bulls Roar To Life After Breakout—Next Price Targets With increasing institutional adoption, evolving regulations, and new real-world applications, Chen expressed optimism about Bitcoin’s future. “Bitcoin will definitely surpass gold in terms of market cap, at least for a while, maybe this year or in the upcoming few years,” she stated, suggesting that Bitcoin has the potential for another two to threefold increase in price. Historically seen as “digital gold,” Bitcoin’s role has evolved significantly. Initially perceived as an anti-risk asset, it has become more correlated with traditional financial markets, especially following the anticipated approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024.  “In the early days, Bitcoin was much considered as digital gold. Right now, it’s still digital gold in my opinion, but now it’s more like a risky asset,” Chen explained, noting its increased correlation with the US stock market. Analysts Predict Potential Surge To $150,000 Positive regulatory developments in the US have further bolstered investor sentiment, fueling expectations for price discovery phases for BTC. Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of the digital asset trading platform Nexo, commented on the current market landscape:  Now that January’s high has been surpassed—and the 50 percent upside from April’s lows has been achieved—Bitcoin enters blue sky territory with tailwinds in the form of institutional momentum and a favorable US regulatory environment. Related Reading: Litecoin Eyes $117.50 As Price Rebounds From Key Support – Analyst Trenchev also emphasized that the market’s still in the fourth year of Bitcoin’s price cycle, traditionally seen as a pivotal period following a halving event—when miner rewards are cut in half.  Historically, this phase has led to significant price increases. “While macro uncertainty and the threat of further volatility remain, a target of $150,000 in 2025 is still very much on the cards,” he concluded. At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $109,570, which is up by 3% and 25% on the 24-hour and 30-day time frames, respectively. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The broader cryptocurrency market has been on an upward trajectory over the past few weeks, partly driven by improving global macroeconomic conditions. Recent policy shifts between the United States and China, two of the world’s largest economies, have helped fuel investor sentiment. Both countries have agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs: the US cut rates from 145% to 30%, while China lowered its own from 125% to 10%, each over 90 days. These decisions have been interpreted by some as a step toward easing global trade tensions, supporting risk-on assets such as Bitcoin. In response to the broader bullish environment, Bitcoin has seen a steady rise, currently trading at $106,574, up 1.7% in the last 24 hours. The price earlier reached a 24-hour high of $107,844 before retreating slightly. Despite the pullback, Bitcoin remains just 2% below its all-time high of $109,000, recorded in January 2025. The consistent climb has led analysts and traders to monitor on-chain metrics more closely to gauge market behavior and possible future movements. Related Reading: Binance Bitcoin Outflows and MVRV Ratio Point to Sustained Bullish Setup, Analyst Reveals Realized Capitalization Surges as Accumulation Phase Strengthens A recent analysis from CryptoQuant contributor Carmelo Alemán has brought attention to Bitcoin’s realized capitalization, a metric that measures the total value of Bitcoin based on the price at which each coin last moved on-chain. According to Alemán, the realized cap jumped by more than $3 billion in a single day, marking a 0.33% increase in the total capital invested in Bitcoin. This significant uptick signals renewed capital inflows, and more importantly, it points to a recurring pattern of accumulation and consolidation. Alemán identified a repeating cycle beginning in April, where Bitcoin has shown sharp price increases followed by sideways movements lasting 8 to 10 days. These lateral phases, supported by rising realized cap, form a staircase-like chart structure with each step building upon the previous one. From an on-chain perspective, the steady climb in realized cap suggests buyers are entering the market at higher levels, lifting the network’s aggregate cost basis and demonstrating long-term confidence in the asset. On-Chain Trends Suggest Investors Are Positioning for Continuation Alemán also highlighted that the behavior of realized capitalization in the current market mirrors patterns seen in previous bull cycles. Historically, spikes in this metric during consolidation phases have preceded large-scale price movements. The current rise indicates that capital entering the market is doing so with a long-term view, rather than speculative short-term intent. This positions the market for a potential continuation, especially as accumulation appears to intensify around the psychological $106,000–$109,000 range. Related Reading: $3.8 Billion In Capital Inflows Behind Ethereum’s Post-Pectra Surge, Data Shows The analyst concluded that tracking realized cap in the days ahead will be essential to confirm whether the current phase evolves into another upward price impulse. If the trend persists, it could support another leg higher, reinforcing the view that Bitcoin remains in a broader accumulation structure. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Having surged about 22.5% over the past 30 days, Bitcoin (BTC) has sparked concerns in the crypto market that its rally may be nearing exhaustion, with a potential price correction on the horizon. However, the latest on-chain data reveals that despite elevated unrealized profits, there are still no signs of increased selling pressure for the leading cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Unrealized Profits Remain High But No Panic Selling Yet According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by Bitcoin analyst Crazzyblockk, the cohort of new investors – those who have held BTC for less than one month – is currently sitting on unrealized profits of 6.9%. Related Reading: Bitcoin Near ATH, But Long-Term Holders Aren’t Selling – More Upside Ahead? In the same vein, short-term investors – holders who have held Bitcoin for less than six months – are sitting on unrealized profits of 10.7%. These figures highlight that the unrealized profit/loss ratio remains elevated, with unrealized profits far outweighing unrealized losses. Crazzyblockk noted that while historically, a high percentage of unrealized profits across the network tends to precede sharp price corrections, the current setup appears different. They added: Past cycles have shown that extreme profit concentration tends to precede volatility; however, current market structure shows no outsized concentration of risk in one participant group. The relatively narrow spread in unrealized profits between new and short-term holders indicates that profit distribution is balanced. Furthermore, although profit levels are high, loss levels remain compressed, suggesting limited pressure from distressed sellers. The contributor remarked: While macro conditions and volatility risk remain elevated, and a price correction cannot be ruled out, there is no strong behavioral signal suggesting a high willingness to trigger major distribution or selling. Further Upside For BTC? Meanwhile, seasoned crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently predicted further upside for Bitcoin. In a post on X, Martinez noted that BTC has undergone another bullish breakout, with the potential to reach a new all-time high (ATH) around $111,500. The current momentum has also drawn in retail investors. According to CryptoQuant contributor Carmelo Aleman, wallets holding less than $10,000 worth of BTC are steadily returning to the market – a sign of growing retail participation. Related Reading: Bitcoin Market Cycle Indicator Hints At Bullish Breakout Ahead, Analyst Says That said, some warning signs may still dampen BTC’s current bullish trajectory. For instance, despite the recent encouraging price action, Bitcoin’s Demand Momentum remains subdued.  Similarly, Bitcoin’s “supply scarcity” narrative still lacks meaningful strength, as Aleman recently stressed that despite depleting exchange reserves, BTC is not likely to face genuine supply scarcity in the near term. At press time, BTC trades at $106,528, up 1.8% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant, X, and TradingView.com

As Ethereum (ETH) continues to hover around the $2,500 mark, signs of market exhaustion are beginning to emerge. Analysts suggest the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap could face a short-term pullback before attempting to break through higher resistance levels. Ethereum Showing Signs Of Overheating According to a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor ShayanMarkets, ETH is beginning to show signs of an overheated rally. The analyst shared the following chart illustrating ETH’s total trading volume across various crypto exchanges. In this chart, each bubble’s size reflects the magnitude of trading volume, while the color indicates the rate of volume change, categorized into four groups – Cooling, Neutral, Overheating, and Highly Overheating. Related Reading: Ethereum Gains Momentum Amid Flat Funding Rates – Is This A Healthy Uptrend? Ethereum’s ongoing price rally, which began in mid-April 2025, has seen a notable surge in trading activity. Within just a month, the asset’s market condition shifted from Cooling (green bubbles) to Overheating (red bubbles). The current overheated condition may lead to a short-term correction as the market cools and enters another accumulation phase. However, the depth and duration of any potential pullback remain uncertain. The CryptoQuant contributor attributes this spike in volume to profit-taking and significant resting supply at the psychologically important $2,500 resistance level. Data from CoinGecko shows ETH has jumped an impressive 59.7% over the past 30 days, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC) during the same period. ShayanMarkets concludes: Consequently, Ethereum is expected to continue its consolidation phase until fresh demand emerges to drive a breakout above this resistance range in the mid-term. In a separate post on X, veteran crypto analyst Ali Martinez pointed to Ethereum’s Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) extreme deviation pricing bands. He emphasized that ETH must hold above $2,200 to maintain bullish momentum. Should this level hold, Martinez believes ETH could target $3,000, or potentially even $4,000, if buying pressure strengthens. Where Is ETH Headed? Analysts Weigh In Ethereum’s impressive performance of late has attracted attention from several crypto analysts, who are now speculating the digital asset’s future price trajectory. According to crypto analyst Ted Pillows, ETH’s 12-hour chart recently confirmed a Golden Cross, a bullish signal that typically precedes major price rallies. Related Reading: Ethereum Holders Stay Committed Despite Unrealized Losses – Signs Of An Incoming Rally? ​​In another analysis, Pillows forecasted that ETH could be eyeing a move to $4,000, noting that the asset has traded within a massive symmetrical triangle since Q3 2020. The $4,000 level lies just below the triangle’s upper boundary. In contrast, crypto analyst Gianni Pichichero warned of a potential retracement to $2,350, citing the emergence of lower lows on Ethereum’s daily chart as a bearish signal. At press time, ETH trades at $2,500, up 3.6% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant, X, and TradingView.com

Shares in Indonesian fintech firm DigiAsia Corp jumped sharply on May 19 after it revealed plans to put Bitcoin at the center of its future. Related Reading: XRP 100x Gains Coming? The Future Is Closer Than You Think—Analyst The company wants to raise $100 million to start building a BTC reserve, and it says half of its net profits will go toward buying more. The announcement got a lot of attention—maybe too much, too fast. Stock Soars On Bitcoin Reserve Plan DigiAsia’s stock, which trades under the ticker FAAS on the Nasdaq, closed the day up more than 91% at 36 cents, Google Finance data shows. But the excitement didn’t last long. After hours, the price dropped 20% to 28 cents. That sudden move shows how quickly investor mood can shift, especially when crypto is involved. Source: Google Finance The stock had been down around 50% this year before the announcement. It was trading close to $12 back in March 2024. Now, it’s nowhere near those highs. This latest surge looks like a shot of adrenaline, not a long-term fix. Bitcoin Reserve Plan And Profit Pledge DigiAsia isn’t just talking about Bitcoin—it’s making it part of its future profits. The company’s board has already approved a plan to treat Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. That means it’s not just holding cash; it wants BTC in its back pocket. It also said it would put up to 50% of its net profits into acquiring Bitcoin. The company is currently looking to raise up to $100 million to get that plan moving. It might use tools like convertible notes or crypto finance products to do that. Management is also in talks with regulated partners to figure out how to earn yield on its holdings, possibly through lending or staking. Revenue Growing But Still Small Based on an April 1 financial update, DigiAsia brought in $101 million in revenue in 2024, a 36% jump from the year before. It’s aiming for $125 million in 2025, with projected earnings before interest and taxes of $12 million. That’s solid growth, but the company is still small compared to others getting into Bitcoin. Related Reading: Analyst Drops Dogecoin Bombshell: 174% Surge To $0.65 In Sight Some are questioning whether it’s ready to play in the same league as firms like Strategy or even GameStop, which raised $1.5 billion earlier this year. DigiAsia’s numbers show ambition, but also limits. Bitcoin Adoption Among Public Companies More and more companies are buying into Bitcoin, currently trading around $105,116, with a market cap close to $2 trillion, as a long-term strategy. MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, holds over 576,000 BTC—worth around $60.9 billion. Strive Asset Management also announced it’s shifting into a Bitcoin treasury approach. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

With Bitcoin (BTC) surging back above the $105,000 mark and nearing its record high set in January, market expert Doctor Profit has outlined bullish predictions for the leading cryptocurrency. In a recent post on social media platform X, he detailed the dynamics he believes will drive Bitcoin toward new highs. Bitcoin Breaks Key Levels As Institutional Demand Surges Since hitting $77,000, Doctor Profit identified $100,000 as the first significant target, which has now been achieved. Looking ahead, he sees the next breakout target between $116,000 and $120,000.  His confidence stems from several positive indicators, including a strong bullish divergence observed on the daily chart—a technical signal often associated with forthcoming price increases. He emphasized that daily divergences tend to have a higher success rate than those seen on longer time frames. Related Reading: Coinbase Confirms DOJ Investigation Following Major Security Incident Additionally, Doctor Profit pointed out that the funding rate is currently stable, with no over-leveraged positions in the market. He noted that BTC recently broke out of a significant double bottom formation and is now testing previous highs.  A critical factor in his outlook is the substantial accumulation by US exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are reportedly purchasing Bitcoin at a rate eight times greater than its current mining output.  This aggressive accumulation phase, according to Doctor Profit, indicates institutional interest remains robust, even as retail traders have largely stayed on the sidelines during recent volatility. BTC Could Dip To $90,000 The analyst also highlighted that the strongest retail buying occurred around the $90,000 mark, which also represents a liquidity hotspot. Should the market revisit this level, he sees it as an optimal entry point, perfectly positioned at the bottom of the established trading box. Looking ahead, Doctor Profit anticipates volatility, particularly in light of Moody’s recent downgrade of the US credit rating from AAA to AA1—the first major downgrade since S&P’s similar action in 2011.  Historical context suggests that such downgrades can lead to swift market corrections. In August 2011, following a downgrade, markets dropped by 5.5% in a single day. Doctor Profit believes that Bitcoin could similarly dip into the $90,000 range to capture liquidity before rebounding. Related Reading: Dogecoin On The Edge: Major Breakout Or Breakdown Imminent? Despite potential short-term fluctuations due to the downgrade, Doctor Profit maintains a bullish outlook for Bitcoin, reiterating his target of $116,000 to $120,000. He noted that the market had largely priced in the downgrade, and historically, stocks have rallied following such events.  With major institutions, including BlackRock, increasing their Bitcoin purchases in the exchange-traded fund arena, Doctor Profit sees no signs of weakness in the market, pointing to further price gains for the market’s leading cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $105,400, marking a 12% increase over the past two weeks and a nearly 24% increase over the past month. Year-to-date, the cryptocurrency has gained 60%, lagging behind XRP’s gains of over 300% in the same period. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Bitcoin (BTC) continues to show signs of strength despite experiencing a minor pullback in its most recent trading session. After briefly reaching a 24-hour high of $106,518, the asset retraced slightly and now trades at $104,820, reflecting a modest 0.5% decrease over the past day. Still, the cryptocurrency remains just 3.8% below its all-time high of $109,000 set in January, keeping traders and analysts closely focused on its next move. Notably, the current price action comes as changes in trading behavior emerge across major exchanges. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bulls Face Make-Or-Break Moment At $106,500 Resistance – Details Binance Spot Volume Signals Renewed Interest Amid Controlled Market Activity One notable development is the return of positive spot net volume delta on Binance, according to a new analysis by CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost. This metric, which measures the net difference between buying and selling volume on spot markets, suggests that spot demand for Bitcoin is increasing once again. Darkfost emphasizes that while rising spot volume can reflect growing interest, sharp spikes, especially during euphoric rallies or profit-taking phases, can sometimes coincide with local tops. Darkfost notes that previous surges in Binance spot volume were often linked to key market tops, driven by rapid sentiment shifts. Such volume expansions tend to result from two primary drivers: enthusiasm that leads traders to chase price action, and experienced investors taking profits after breaching key resistance zones. While these volume shifts don’t necessarily point to imminent reversals, they highlight periods where risk management becomes increasingly important. In the current cycle, however, the uptick in volume appears more gradual, which the analyst views as a healthier sign for market continuation rather than a sign of overheating. Binance’s position as the top global crypto exchange gives these trends additional weight. According to data referenced in Darkfost’s analysis, Binance accounts for more than 26% of global spot volume, far outpacing other platforms like Coinbase. Monitoring activity on such a dominant exchange provides useful insights into broader market sentiment, especially in periods where Bitcoin approaches key psychological levels like $100,000 or higher. Bitcoin MVRV Momentum Divergence Highlights Short-Term Risk Pockets In a separate report, another CryptoQuant analyst, Crazzyblockk, examined the market through the lens of MVRV (Market Value to Realized Value) momentum across both short- and long-term holders. The analysis found that while both groups are sitting on significant unrealized profits, short-term holders have seen their weekly MVRV momentum decline. This means that those who entered the market recently may not be achieving expected returns, which could increase the likelihood of short-term sell pressure. Related Reading: Bitcoin Up $18,000, But HODLer Profits Same As On April 1—Here’s Why The divergence in MVRV momentum between long-term and short-term holders is often seen as an early signal of a shift in market dynamics. If long-term holders begin to distribute profits while newer market entrants grow frustrated, short bursts of volatility could emerge. However, broader positive momentum and the resilience of spot market demand suggest that Bitcoin remains positioned for continued strength, provided these emerging risk signals do not escalate in the near term. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Unlike previous market rallies, the latest rebound in Bitcoin (BTC) – pushing it from a potential cycle low of $74,508 on April 6 to slightly above $100,000 at the time of writing – is characterized by healthier price movement. Current Bitcoin Rally Not Showing Signs Of Overheating According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktakes post by contributor avocado_onchain, last year’s BTC bull cycle – which saw the leading cryptocurrency create and break multiple all-time highs (ATHs) – was accompanied by sharp spikes in Binance market buy volume and funding rates. Related Reading: Bitcoin Stochastic RSI Signals Brewing Bullish Momentum – ATH Incoming? Notably, a sudden increase in funding rates was twice followed by a sharp price pullback due to overheating. In this context, overheating refers to excessive bullish leverage in futures markets that drives up the cost of long positions, signalling overly aggressive sentiment that often precedes a market correction. The following chart illustrates these corrections triggered by excessive leverage in BTC futures. Specifically, boxes 1 and 2 show sharp rises in Binance funding rates, initially accompanied by price increases, then extended periods of correction. However, the current rally appears different. According to avocado_onchain, Bitcoin’s ongoing rebound is occurring without an overheated funding rate. In fact, Binance market buy volume is trending downward – as shown in box 3 of the chart – which contrasts with previous bull cycles. The analyst argues that these are signs of a healthier rally, as earlier bull runs were marked by overheated funding rates and abrupt corrections, which weakened investor sentiment. In contrast, the current rally has maintained relatively stable funding rates, suggesting more cautious and sustainable market behavior. Despite short-term price fluctuations, market buy volume has shown a steady upward trend since 2023, as marked by the yellow arrow in the chart. The analyst notes: This indicates that buying sentiment remains favorable for further upside, suggesting that it’s not yet time to consider an exit. We can’t predict exactly when Bitcoin will break its previous high, but current on-chain and market data signals remain very constructive. Other Indicators Point Toward New ATH Besides the stable funding rates and encouraging market buy volumes, BTC is also showing several other positive signs pointing toward a new ATH for the flagship digital asset in the near future. Related Reading: Bitcoin Market Cycle Indicator Hints At Bullish Breakout Ahead, Analyst Says For example, on-chain data shows that long-term holders are not selling, even as BTC trades near its previous ATH of $108,786, recorded in January. This behavior suggests that these investors anticipate further upside. That said, analysts caution against overly optimistic expectations, noting that Bitcoin may still be far from experiencing a true supply shock. At press time, BTC is trading at $102,393, down 1.4% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant and TradingView.com

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into a significant security breach at Coinbase, the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange.  According to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg, the DOJ’s criminal division in Washington is examining the circumstances surrounding the breach, which has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity within the crypto sector. Coinbase Collaborates With DOJ Amid Major Data Breach  Coinbase disclosed that the breach involved criminal actors bribing employees and contractors in India to gain access to sensitive client data. Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase, stated:  We have notified and are working with the DOJ and other US and international law enforcement agencies and welcome law enforcement’s pursuit of criminal charges against these bad actors. Related Reading: Dogecoin On The Edge: Major Breakout Or Breakdown Imminent? Importantly, the exchange’s CLO clarified that while Coinbase itself is not under investigation, the DOJ is focused on the criminals involved in the breach. The incident first came to light when Coinbase received an email from an unidentified threat actor on May 11, claiming to possess information about certain customer accounts alongside internal documents. The company anticipates losses ranging from $180 million to $400 million due to the cyberattack. $20 Million Reward Fund After Rejecting Ransom  While the attackers managed to steal some data, including names, addresses, and email addresses, the exchange confirmed that login credentials and passwords were not compromised.  In a statement on May 15, Coinbase reassured its users via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that it would not succumb to the attackers’ demands. The criminals had requested a ransom of $20 million.  Related Reading: Pundit Says XRP Price Will Stabilize At $1,000 And Become ‘Very Expensive’ Instead of paying the ransom, Coinbase announced the establishment of a $20 million reward fund aimed at encouraging information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack. At the close of trading on Monday, the company’s stock (COIN) was trading at $263. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

According to a recent video by Edward Farina, founder of Alpha Lions Academy, XRP holders should think twice before selling every time the market dips. He pointed out that on May 12, XRP fell from $2.47 to $2.33—a 5.60% drop in 24 hours. Such moves stoke fear. But Farina says sticking around might pay off in the long run. Related Reading: Trump Token Mania: Over 6,000% Pump Or Classic Solana Trap? Strong Reminder To Hold Farina urged investors not to let a 20–30% pullback scare them out. He warned that selling during a small slide often kicks people out just before the next surge. When XRP fell to around $0.50–$$0.70 in past years, many sold. Those same coins later climbed by hundreds of percent. Holding through the downturn would have turned a small stake into a much larger gain. Big Gains Lost By Early Sellers Based on reports, people who bailed at $0.60 missed out on big rallies. That drop to the $0.50–$0.70 range represented a massive buying opportunity. But paranoia took over. Investors sold to shield themselves from more losses. They thought the dip would last. It didn’t. XRP’s price shot up, leaving many behind. When the $XRP train ???? leaves the station it won’t stop to take more passengers. Make your choices NOW or regret later, unfortunately 95% will be left behind. REPOST ???? only if you are still holding! pic.twitter.com/mcGk5urQdd — EDO FARINA ???? XRP (@edward_farina) May 12, 2025 Simple Three-Step Approach Farina laid out what he calls a clear plan: buy the coin, hold it long term, and stay brave when the market gets shaky. He dismissed the need for complex tactics like day‑trading or staking. He even said you don’t need a huge pile of cash to get started. Instead, courage during volatility is what counts. That message is meant to be easy to follow. Institutional Interest And Conviction He also spoke about doing a “conviction move” by studying XRP’s tech, financials, and geopolitical role. According to Farina, XRP serves as a bridge currency for fiat transfers. He claims this has drawn the eye of big players like the IMF and the Bank for International Settlements. He believes this backing shows that demand could stay strong. Warning On Risks And Reality Farina admitted he once sold in panic and missed out. Now, he says he’d hold his XRP even if the price fell to zero. That’s a bold stance. Yet, real markets can be unpredictable. No amount of courage can replace the need for risk checks and exit plans. Related Reading: XRP 100x Gains Coming? The Future Is Closer Than You Think—Analyst XRP Price At A Glance At press time, XRP traded at $2.37, down 3.25% over 24 hours and 1.7% for the week. Farina warned that when XRP takes off, it could move so fast that 95% of investors get left behind. He urged people to act now if they want a seat on the “XRP train.” Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

In his latest market rundown, Amsterdam-based trader and educator Michaël van de Poppe warns that “retail isn’t here in the markets as of yet” and notes that the widely-followed Altcoin Season Index is still languishing around 29—well below the 50-point threshold that would signal a rotation out of Bitcoin and into the broader market. Against that still-cautious backdrop, Van de Poppe argues that the recent 38–42 percent rebound in the ETH/BTC pair is the first concrete sign of capital rotating down the risk curve, echoing on-chain data that show Ethereum clawing back ground after months of under-performance. “We’ve had a 40% return against Bitcoin in just a week,” he says, “and therefore the blue chips or the large caps are the ones to watch.” Crypto Watchlist: Top 5 Altcoins Van de Poppe’s thesis rests on a classic money-flow model: funds move from Bitcoin to Ethereum, then to large-cap altcoins, mid-caps and, finally, into the smallest caps once animal spirits truly take hold. With that framework in mind, he singles out five names that he believes sit at different rungs of the risk ladder, each with a specific macro- or sector-level tail-wind. Related Reading: Crypto Bulls Just Got Their Macro Wake-Up Call: Here’s Why The first pick, Chainlink (LINK), is Van de Poppe’s “easiest play” on institutional adoption because “we require oracles to provide data in the web-3 space to connect between web 2 and web 3.” The analyst emphasises that LINK’s bitcoin-denominated chart is “still at an all-time low,” suggesting asymmetric upside if a true altseason materialises. Next on the large-cap list is Aave (AAVE). Van de Poppe calls the decentralised lending protocol “a large cap which implies less risk,” but adds that the market is under-pricing its role in bringing bank-grade yield products on-chain. Notably, the token has attracted high-profile flows this cycle—Donald Trump–linked World Liberty Financial disclosed cumulative AAVE purchases alongside LINK and ETH earlier this year. Moving down the capitalization spectrum, the analyst turns to Wormhole (W), a cross-chain messaging and liquidity layer he describes as “being used to transfer between the chains,” with revenues that cycle back into the protocol. He flags its selection as exclusive bridge infrastructure for multiple real-world-asset initiatives in which “tokenised T-bill funds” migrate across networks. Wormhole’s fundamentals received a liquidity boost when Binance listed the W token with four trading pairs on 3 April 2024, broadening access for retail and institutional desks alike. Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month For investors willing to venture further out on the risk curve, Van de Poppe highlights Peaq (PEAQ), a layer-1 focused on DePIN and the machine economy. “It’s the largest ecosystem within the machine economy and … finally waking up again,” he says, citing on-chain data that already show more than 50 companies and six-million devices active on the network. He argues that growing transaction counts and cross-industry partnerships make PEAQ “interesting for an investment thesis” at current valuations. His smallest-cap mention is Alkimi (ADS), which he dubs “an advertising project” whose revenue “has gone 4x from $1.2 million to $5 million” even as the token corrected from $0.50 to $0.10 during the recent macro-driven sell-off. Alkimi positions itself as a decentralised ad exchange designed to cut supply-chain fees and provide on-chain transparency, a use-case the company claims can slash CPMs by over 200 percent for advertisers. Van de Poppe closes with portfolio construction advice rather than price targets. “The larger the market cap, the longer it’s in business, the larger your allocation can be because the lower the risk involved. The smaller and newer the project, the smaller the allocation,” he says. At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $3.18 trillion. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Solana (SOL) has struggled to maintain momentum after a rally that saw it peak around the $183 level on May 14. Since then, Solana’s price action on the 4-hour chart hasn’t given a clear direction, with the cryptocurrency pulling back to retest a key support zone near $166.  Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month At the time of writing, Solana is trading around $169.43, up slightly by 0.70% on the day, as it attempts to defend this crucial support level and build a foundation for another upward move. Interestingly, a technical outlook on the TradingView platform has pointed to the paths Solana might take in the coming days. $166 Support Holds Repeated Tests, Break Above $177 Or $183 Will Be Bullish According to a recent analysis posted by TradeCityPro on TradingView, the $166.82 level is serving as a key short-term pivot for Solana. After a bullish leg that began at $142.25 and extended to $177.51, the asset experienced a fake breakout attempt beyond that resistance and was swiftly rejected at $183.86. This rejection brought the price back below $177.51 and into a retest of the $166.82 region. Notably, this support level has been tested twice so far and has held firm. The 4-hour chart is showing strong bullish candles forming around $166, which is an indication of a strong buying interest at this price level. Keeping this in mind, a breakout above either the $177.51 or $183.86 resistance would be the go ahead for a long position, especially if accompanied by the formation of a higher low and higher high beforehand. Until such a breakout occurs, the current setup is one of indecision. A successful breach and daily close above $177 backed by rising volume would likely set the stage for another move toward the $190 to $200 region for Solana. Chart Image From TradingView Short Trade Also Valid Below $166 Support Zone Market volume, however, has declined from last week’s levels. At the time of writing, Solana’s 24-hour trading volume is $2.3 billion, a 36.15% decrease from the previous 24-hour timeframe. As such, a new wave of momentum will be required to drive Solana through the resistance levels at $177 and $183. For now, the Solana price is consolidating tightly above $166, and failure to hold this level could open the door for a retest of the deeper $142.25 support. Related Reading: ‘Judgment Day Is Coming’—XRP Set To Explode, Analyst Warns If bears gain control and push the price lower, the next significant demand zone lies back at $142.25, which is the origin point of the previous bullish move. Given how the price reacted from this level earlier on April 30 and on May 6, it is expected to act as a strong support again if tested. At the time of writing, Solana is trading at $171. up by 1.6% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

After a powerful rally earlier this month, Bitcoin’s price action has stalled just above $103,000 and has been caught in a tight consolidation range for over the past week. The daily chart shows consistent resistance just above $107,000, with the latest candles forming in a compressed horizontal band, indicating indecision and low momentum. Related Reading: ‘Judgment Day Is Coming’—XRP Set To Explode, Analyst Warns This price behavior could be seen as a pause before the next leg higher. However, it could also be a trap that could cause a reversal towards $98,000. Daily Close Above $107K A Clear Breakout Signal Bitcoin’s current consolidation around the $103,000 price level has dragged on for over a week, and an eventual breakout could happen into any direction. In a recent post on social media platform X, crypto analyst Ali Martinez noted the importance of a daily close above $107,000 for a bullish Bitcoin.  His chart illustrates that price has approached this threshold multiple times since December 2024 but failed to sustain a close on the daily timeframe. This, in turn, has led to the formation of a horizontal barrier just beneath $108,000. Notably, even Bitcoin’s all-time high of $108,786 on January 20 failed to close above the $107,000 price level on that day. According to Martinez, a confirmed close above this level could open the door for further upside movement toward new all-time highs. However, until this threshold is decisively cleared, Martinez warns that traders should be cautious and avoid forcing positions. Image From X: @ali_charts Potential Bitcoin Trap Setup And Liquidity Sweep To $98K A separate technical breakdown by crypto analyst TehThomas, published on TradingView, presents a far more cautious outlook for Bitcoin. Similarly, the analyst noted that Bitcoin has spent more than eight days locked in a narrow range between roughly $100,000 and $105,800. According to his liquidity-based framework, this range is likely being used as a trap to invite both long and short traders into premature breakout trades. His 4-hour candlestick timeframe chart shows a clear consolidation block, with price failing to escape either end, and liquidity pooling above $105,800 as well as under $100,000. TehThomas believes the equal highs near $105,800 are acting as bait for breakout longs. He expects Bitcoin to briefly sweep these highs, only to cause a fast and decisive move downwards into the lower demand zone between $98,000 and $97,500. This zone, marked as a large unmitigated fair value gap and golden pocket level on his chart, is where he expects the price to react next, once the liquidity on both sides is taken. Image From TradingView: TehThomas However, this short setup towards $98,000 would be invalidated if the Bitcoin price manages to hold above $105,800 and shows a continued strong volume and follow-through. Related Reading: Trump Token Mania: Over 6,000% Pump Or Classic Solana Trap? At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $103,914, down by 0.06% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin is still trading around the $103,000 mark, although the upward momentum it started in May has exhibited a slowdown in the past seven days. Although a short-term volatility is currently playing out, the long-term outlook is undoubtedly bullish. Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month Some analysts are looking to long-term cycle indicators for direction. One such tool, the Golden Ratio Multiplier, which called the Bitcoin top in 2021, has resurfaced with another interesting top for the current Bitcoin cycle. Golden Ratio Multiplier Identified 2021 Top, Now Points To New Peak Taking to a post on social media platform X, popular crypto analyst CryptoCon highlighted the reliability of the Golden Ratio Multiplier in predicting Bitcoin’s price top in each cycle. The Golden Ratio Multiplier is a logarithmic model that incorporates Fibonacci-derived multipliers to anticipate Bitcoin’s macro trends. Notably, this metric was among the few to accurately call the April 2021 cycle top in real time, the same as the 2017 and 2013 price tops. This cycle, the model has already flagged a significant peak in March 2024, although the crypto analyst interpreted this not as the final high but as a mid-top. CryptoCon explained that Bitcoin’s price action has already hit Level 4 of the multiplier chart this cycle, but this isn’t the final peak. “We’ve already hit our cycle top level this cycle once, but this was for the cycle mid-top in March 2024, which means we’re bound to do it again,” he wrote. The Level 5 band now sits around $160,000 and continues to trend upward. Drawing a parallel to past cycles, CryptoCon noted that the structure of the current cycle shows strong similarities to the 2015 to 2017 period, when Bitcoin saw a gradual build-up followed by an explosive breakout. Based on this comparison, the current market phase is seen as equivalent to April 2017, right before Bitcoin went on a rally in the months that followed. Golden Multiplier Ratio Suggests $160k Is Next Major Target The chart accompanying CryptoCon’s post paints a familiar picture with the Golden Multiplier Ratio. Each band, ranging from Level 1 to Level 10, is based on a multiplier level derived from the 350-day moving average.  Bitcoin has topped at various levels: Level 10 in 2011, Level 9 and 8 in 2013, Level 7 in 2017, and Level 6 in 2021. The current cycle’s peak should most likely be Level 5, but the Bitcoin price is yet to get there. Related Reading: ‘Judgment Day Is Coming’—XRP Set To Explode, Analyst Warns Should the market continue to respect this structure, Bitcoin could be preparing for a rally toward the Level 5 mark of $160,000 sometime later in the year, which could mark the final high of this cycle. The current range around $103,000 may well be the calm before the final breakout. “Slower buildup, then all at once,” the analyst said. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $102,971. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

According to blockchain data, a new Solana token named Eric Trump shot up 6,200% in just 24 hours. It sprang to life on May 16 via the Pump.fun launchpad and swelled to a market cap of 140 million. Traders piled in fast, but on‑chain detectives noticed more than 80% of the supply parked in just 10 wallets. That kind of concentration often signals a setup for a sudden collapse. Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month Political Name Exploitation Using a well‑known figure’s name can be a quick way to grab attention. Based on reports from Bubblemaps, the token’s ties to “jv7d” on Solana raised red flags. When insiders hold most of the coins, they can dump them at will. Retail investors end up holding what’s left—and that often means heavy losses. a rug in the making#ERICTRUMP is currently trending on most platforms. avoid it. pic.twitter.com/g1KE7wKMCA — Bubblemaps (@bubblemaps) May 16, 2025 Warning Signs On-Chain Cluster analysis showed the top 250 holders are linked through a handful of addresses. That pattern mirrors the WOLF token, which hit 42 million before plunging to almost nothing. Analysts say these moves fit the classic rug‑pull script, where early backers cash out at the peak, then vanish. Copycat Tokens Multiply The same wallet, known as “BjTm,” has already launched three other Eric Trump tokens that fizzled quickly. Based on CoinMarketCap data, more than 736 imitation tokens have been pushed into the official Trump wallet space. Of those, 192 use Trump family names, and 67 claim to be “official.” Even Elon Musk’s name crops up in at least 35 of them. Global Political Targets Scammers aren’t stopping with US figures. In April, the verified X account of UK MP Lucy Powell was hijacked to promote a fake Solana token. It tapped into her 70,000 followers and netted just 225, but it showed how a trusted badge can fool people. Related Reading: ‘Judgment Day Is Coming’—XRP Set To Explode, Analyst Warns Investor Warning Lights Based on this pattern, analysts urge caution. When a token’s value spikes without clear backing—and most coins sit in a few wallets—that’s a signal to step back. Blind loyalty to a name, political or otherwise, can turn into financial pain. What Comes Next As more political meme coins pop up, the risk grows. Every high‑profile name could become bait. Investors should check who holds the tokens, watch for rapid launches on cheap networks like Solana, and keep in mind that hype can vanish as fast as it appears. In a space where hype often trumps fundamentals, staying alert might be the best way to stay afloat. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Dogecoin (DOGE) is up 48.7% over the past month, as the broader crypto market rallies amid easing concerns over a potential global tariff war. Although the leading memecoin has posted impressive gains recently, analysts believe there may still be room for DOGE to climb before reaching a cycle top. Analyst Identifies Signal That May Predict Dogecoin Top According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor burakkemeci, DOGE price tops often align with a surge in retail futures trading activity. The analyst shared the following chart illustrating the relationship between DOGE price peaks and periods of heightened high-frequency futures trading by retail investors. The above chart features red bubbles that mark periods of excessive retail trading activity in the DOGE futures market. These bubbles consistently appear near major price peaks, suggesting the market may be overheating during those phases. Related Reading: Dogecoin Hits Critical Zone—Here’s What 3 Leading Analysts Are Watching In contrast, green and pink bubbles on the chart represent periods with lower retail participation. These phases typically coincide with more stable or “healthier” market conditions, which could offer better entry points for new investors. The analyst emphasized that monitoring these red bubbles may help both traders and investors anticipate potential short-term tops in DOGE. Spikes in retail participation often reflect heightened market greed – frequently a precursor to sharp price corrections. At present, Dogecoin futures activity appears to be in a neutral zone, indicating that the asset may still have room to grow before nearing an overheated state. This view is echoed by crypto analyst Anup Dhungana. In a recent post on X, Dhungana shared the following weekly DOGE chart showing a breakout from a long-term falling wedge pattern – a bullish technical setup that often precedes price rallies. Based on this breakout, the analyst forecasts that DOGE could reach $1 in the current market cycle. All Eyes On $1 DOGE The $1 price target has long been a symbolic milestone for Dogecoin enthusiasts. During the 2021 bull run, DOGE reached an all-time high (ATH) of $0.73 but ultimately fell short of the coveted $1 mark. Related Reading: Dogecoin Pullback May Be Short-Lived—Here’s The Next Price Target This time, however, several analysts believe that Dogecoin could finally hit the $1 milestone. Noted crypto analyst Kevin recently pointed to $1.10–$1.25 as a plausible target, based on Fibonacci retracement levels. However, seasoned market watcher Ali Martinez cautioned that DOGE must first overcome a significant resistance level at $0.36 to sustain its bullish momentum. At press time, DOGE trades at $0.22, up 1% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant, X, and TradingView.com

An unprecedented surge in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey has jolted global risk markets and given crypto asset traders their clearest macro catalyst of the year. The Future New Orders diffusion index leapt by forty-plus points, a move that Julien Bittel, head of macro research at Global Macro Investor (GMI), called “literally” historic. Crypto Bulls Can Rejoice Bittel’s commentary on X framed the print with statistical precision: “Philly Fed data for May dropped yesterday – and the Future New Orders index just made history. Literally. … Expectations for new orders posted the largest monthly spike ever recorded – going all the way back to the index’s inception in May 1968. A staggering +4.3 standard deviation move. He underlined the shock with a comparison few macro watchers will forget: For perspective: that’s an even bigger move up than the downside collapse during the depths of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (-4.1σ). Let that sink in…” Bittel then set the surge in a broader narrative that has animated his research since late last year. “Q1 growth was weak. The reason is straightforward – financial conditions tightened sharply in Q4. The dollar ripped, bond yields surged… a classic tightening phase,” he wrote. Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month The proximate trigger, in his telling, was “businesses panic‑loading inventories ahead of Trump tariffs, and markets front‑running the inflation narrative.” Those dynamics, he argued, are a replay of Donald Trump’s first term: “We’ve highlighted repeatedly: this had all the hallmarks of Q4 2016 during Trump’s first term. Just like early 2017, that tightening spilled over into slower growth momentum in Q1.” Where 2017 began with doubt and ended in a synchronous global boom, Bittel believes 2025 is rhyming. “Those Q1 headwinds have flipped into Q2 tailwinds,” he insisted. “Everything flows downstream from changes in financial conditions… Purchasing managers’ expectations are shifting – and shifts in thinking eventually translate into action. Sentiment shifts first. Action follows. It always does. Bullish.” The crypto market responded muted. Bitcoin reclaimed the $104,000 level in early‑European trade, but lost it later on. Ether steadied near $2,600, and high‑beta layer‑one tokens such as Solana and Avalanche moved in tandem. Related Reading: Ethereum Gains Momentum Amid Flat Funding Rates – Is This A Healthy Uptrend? Giancarlo Cudrig, head of markets at Immutable, said the scale of the shock is less important than how under‑positioned investors are for an upside growth surprise. “An upside economic shock like this – +4.3σ on new orders – is rare. But the bigger story is market positioning. Asset prices are not prepared. The melt‑up is the asymmetric risk. Now it’s being repriced.” Independent analyst Market Heretic struck a similar note on X: “When this dropped, markets didn’t even blink. Because the shift’s already in motion. This wasn’t news, it was confirmation. That’s the real tell, when markets shrug off a four‑sigma upside shock. It means the turn is already upon us – and it’s just getting started.” For crypto investors, the implications are immediate. A softer dollar and retreating real‑yield expectations reduce the opportunity cost of holding non‑yielding assets, while the early phase of a reflationary turn historically favours high‑beta exposures. Bittel’s own playbook is unambiguous: “Sentiment shifts first. Action follows.” As long as that chain reaction continues, the crypto bulls appear to have both math and momentum on their side. At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $3.28 trillion. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Eric Trump, speaking at the Consensus 2025 conference in Toronto on May 15, painted a picture of a world scrambling for Bitcoin. He said he hears the same thing everywhere he goes—on planes, in boardrooms, even from big state funds. His comments came as he joined Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot on a panel about where Bitcoin is headed next. Related Reading: XRP Frenzy Builds: Over $1 Billion in Open Interest Signals Breakout Tension Global Bitcoin Hunt According to Eric Trump, “Everybody in the world is trying to hoard Bitcoin right now.” He added that sovereign wealth funds and the wealthiest families are all in on the rush. He even mentioned hearing the buzz from some of the world’s largest companies. His point: Bitcoin isn’t just a niche play anymore. It has moved into heavy‑duty territory where major players compete for every last coin. Major Mining Merger Based on reports, American Bitcoin—a unit co‑founded by Eric Trump and his brother and owned by Hut 8—struck a deal on May 12 to merge with Gryphon Digital Mining. The structure is an all‑stock exchange, meaning shareholders of both firms will wake up next year with shares in the same new company. The partners say that this combined group will list on Nasdaq in Q3 2025, opening the doors for regulated markets to tap into mining profits without holding Bitcoin directly. Shares Jump After Deal Investors reacted fast. Gryphon’s stock jumped over 200% after news of the merger hit, and Hut 8 also saw gains. That kind of move tells you how hungry Wall Street is for anything tied to the next Bitcoin halving cycle. Mining companies tend to gear up for halving‑driven scarcity. By merging, these two hope to share resources, boost hash power, and raise their profiles before the reward cut in 2024 pushes prices up. Related Reading: Analysis: Crypto Heats Up As $35 Billion Enters Market In Under A Month Political Pushback Grows Not everyone is on board. A group of House Democrats walked out of a digital assets hearing earlier this month, upset that questions about ethics slipped by. On May 13, Senate Democrats sent a letter urging US President Donald Trump to unload all cryptocurrency stakes, including stablecoins tied to hard assets. They’re worried about conflicts of interest if the White House can tweak rules that affect family ventures. One watchdog group, State Democracy Defenders Action, says crypto holdings make up about 40% of the Trump family’s worth, which is close to $3 billion. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView