XRP shows strong momentum with consistent higher lows and breakout volume suggesting further upside potential.
Crypto analyst Titan of Crypto has raised the possibility of the Bitcoin price rallying to as high as $137,000. The analyst highlighted a bullish pattern that shows the flagship crypto can reach this ambitious price target. Bitcoin Price Could Rally To $137,000 As Bullish Pennant Forms In an X post, Titan of Crypto suggested that the Bitcoin price could reach $137,000 at some point. This came as he revealed that BTC has formed a bullish pennant on the daily chart. The analyst remarked that if this plays out, a new all-time high (ATH) could be reached, regardless of the current market sentiment. Related Reading: This Crypto Analyst Predicted The Bitcoin Price Crash At $97,000, He Just Released Another Forecast His accompanying chart showed that $137,129 was the target for the Bitcoin price as it eyes a rally to new highs. The analyst indicated the key was to see if the flagship crypto could break to the upside in the coming weeks. In the meantime, BTC looks to be facing a lot of resistance and bearish pressure. In his Ichimoku cloud analysis of the Bitcoin price action, the analyst stated that BTC is now facing resistance with a fair gap value and entry into the Kumo cloud. He outlined two scenarios that could play out for the flagship crypto. The first is a continuation through the cloud, while the second is a retest of the Kijun and the trendline before continuation. His accompanying chart indicated that the key was to break above the range of around $84,000. A successful breakout from this range could lead to a rally to as high as $92,000. This could eventually pave the way for the Bitcoin price to rally to new highs, especially with the psychological $100,000 level in sight once BTC reclaims $92,000. Key Resistance At $86,000 In an X post, crypto analyst Ali Martinez revealed that $86,000 is a key resistance zone for the Bitcoin price. He stated that a rejection from this zone could send BTC back to $79,000. However, a breakout might open the path for the flagship crypto to rally to as high as $97,000. Related Reading: Crypto Analyst Warns Of Volume Drop That Could Trigger 60% Bitcoin Price Crash To $49,000 Crypto whales are still actively accumulating BTC, which is positive for the Bitcoin price. Martinez revealed that 37,000 BTC have been withdrawn from exchanges in the past 24 hours, which the analyst noted is a strong signal of accumulation. Crypto analyst Kevin Capital believes that the Bitcoin price structure is still bearish for now. In an X post, he stated that a break above $89,000 would mean BTC is back in action. Until then, he asserted that there is no real reason to get overly hyped at the current level. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $84,600, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
Bitcoin-focused firm Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy) has added another 3,459 BTC to its balance sheet. According to an April 14 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the purchase was made between April 7 and April 13 and cost the company roughly $285.8 million. Following this transaction, the firm now holds a […]
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Mining profitability worsened due to a 11.2% decline in the bitcoin price and a 9.1% slump in transaction fees, the report said.
The crypto lending market’s size remains significantly down from its $64 billion high, but decentralized finance (DeFi) borrowing has made a more than 900% recovery from bear market lows.Crypto lending enables borrowers to use their crypto holdings as collateral to obtain a crypto or fiat loan, while lenders can loan their holdings to generate interest.The crypto lending market is down over 43%, from its all-time high of $64.4 billion in 2021 to $36.5 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a Galaxy Digital research report published on April 14.“The decline can be attributed to the decimation of lenders on the supply side and funds, individuals, and corporate entities on the demand side,” according to Zack Pokorny, research associate at Galaxy Digital.Crypto lending key events. Source: Galaxy ResearchThe decline in the crypto lending market started in 2022 when centralized finance (CeFi) lenders Genesis, Celsius Network, BlockFi and Voyager filed for bankruptcy within two years as crypto valuations fell.Their collective downfall led to an estimated 78% collapse in the size of the lending market, with CeFi lending losing 82% of its open borrows, according to the report.While the overall value of the crypto lending market has yet to reach its previous highs, DeFi lending has made a significant recovery according to some metrics.Related: Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance RedefinedDeFi borrows grow nearly 10-foldThe crypto lending market found its bottom at $1.8 billion in open borrows during the bear market in the fourth quarter of 2022.However, DeFi open borrows rose to $19.1 billion across 20 lending applications and 12 blockchains by the end of 2024, representing a 959% increase over the eight quarters from the 2022 market bottom.“DeFi borrowing has experienced a stronger recovery than that of CeFi lending,” wrote Galaxy Digital’s research associate, Pokorny, adding:“This can be attributed to the permissionless nature of blockchain-based applications and the survival of lending applications through the bear market chaos that felled major CeFi lenders.”“Unlike the largest CeFi lenders that went bankrupt and no longer operate, the largest lending applications and markets were not all forced to close and continued to function,” he added.Related: Google to enforce MiCA rules for crypto ads in Europe starting April 23Outstanding CeFi borrows are worth a collective $11.2 billion, which is 68% lower compared to the peak $34.8 billion combined book size of the CeFi lenders achieved in 2022.CeFi Lending Market Size by Quarter End. Source: Galaxy ResearchThe three largest CeFi lenders, Tether, Galaxy and Ledn, account for a combined 88.6% of the total CeFi lending market and 27% of the total crypto lending market.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research
The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.
Coinbase’s Canadian boss discusses how the country can create a better business environment for crypto. Matheson is a speaker at Consensus by CoinDesk in Toronto May 14-16. Interview with Afra Wang.
Michael Saylor’s digital asset firm, Strategy, purchased 3,459 Bitcoin for $285.5 million, signaling continued confidence in Bitcoin even as global markets face trade-related headwinds.Strategy acquired the 3,459 Bitcoin (BTC) for $285.5 million at an average price of $82,618 per BTC. The purchase brings Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 531,644 BTC, acquired for a cumulative $35.92 billion at an average price of $67,556 per coin, achieving an over 11.4% yield since the beginning of 2025, Saylor wrote in an April 14 X post.Source: Michael SaylorThe $285 million purchase marks Strategy’s first Bitcoin investment since March 31, when the company acquired $1.9 billion worth of Bitcoin, Cointelegraph reported.According to data from Saylortracker, the firm is currently sitting on more than $9.1 billion in unrealized profit, representing a 25% gain on its total Bitcoin position as of 12:20 pm UTC.Strategy total Bitcoin holdings. Source: Saylortracker Strategy’s continued accumulation comes despite a broader market pullback and declining appetite for risk assets. The downturn has been largely attributed to uncertainty surrounding global trade policy after US President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs.Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs on April 9, reverting the tariffs to the 10% baseline for most countries, except for China, which currently faces a 145% import tariff.Related: New York bill proposes legalizing Bitcoin, crypto for state paymentsThis is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.
Visa's entry into the stablecoin consortium could accelerate mainstream adoption of digital currencies, bridging traditional finance and crypto.
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A Swedish Member of Parliament has officially requested a review on the establishment of a national strategic Bitcoin reserve. This proposal aims to assess the potential benefits and risks of adding Bitcoin to the country’s financial strategy. The move reflects growing interest in digital assets and their role in strengthening national economies. If approved, the …
Crypto Exchange Kraken has started rolling out commission-free trading for over 11,000 US listed stocks and ETFs. The service is now available for users in New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Alabama and the District of Columbia, who can trade stocks and ETFs directly within their Kraken account. Seamless Trading of …
Crypto exchange Bybit has partnered with lending protocol Avalon to offer Bitcoin yield to its users.According to an April 14 Avalon Labs X announcement, the centralized decentralized finance (CeDeFi) protocol will now be a part of the exchange’s yield product, Bybit Earn. Avalon said it will allow the platform’s users to earn yield from Bitcoin (BTC) by arbitrating on its fixed-rate institutional borrowing layer.Source: Avalon LabsAvalon Labs announced in March that it raised a minimum of $2 billion worth of credit with possible scaling as the need arises. The product allows institutional borrowers to access USDt (USDT) liquidity without liquidating their Bitcoin holdings at a fixed 8% borrowing cost.In February, Avalon Labs also announced it was considering issuing a Bitcoin-backed debt-focused public fund. Venus Li, co-founder of Avalon Labs, said at the time that the fund could be issued by leveraging a Regulation A US securities exception:“We have spent years researching how Regulation A has been applied in traditional finance and whether it could be a viable path for crypto companies. While successful precedents in the crypto industry are limited, our analysis of previous SEC-approved cases suggests a viable path forward.”Related: Bitcoin yield opportunities are booming — Here’s what to watch forCentralized and decentralized finance uniteAvalon Labs’ product is a CeDeFi protocol, somewhere between decentralized finance (DeFi) and centralized finance (CeFi). This product category — with increased control over capital flows and access — often has advantages in meeting regulatory requirements for integrating with CeFi platforms.The Bybit Earn integration leverages Avalon Labs’ 1:1 Bitcoin-pegged token FBTC, developed by DeFi protocol Mantle and Bitcoin-centric crypto developer Antalpha Prime. These tokens are then bridged onto Ethereum and other blockchains.Related: Ethena Labs, Securitize launch blockchain for DeFi and tokenized assetsA multi-protocol systemAvalon Labs’ platform accepts FBTC as collateral and lends it at fixed rates. The borrowed USDt stablecoin is then deployed to high-yield strategies through the Ethena Labs synthetic dollar protocol. The assets employed in those strategies include Ethena USD (USDe) and Ethena Staked USD (sUSDE). The announcement claims:“Returns are stable, secure, and passed back to Bybit Earn users—making Bitcoin a productive asset while maintaining simplicity and risk control.“In other words, Avalon Labs serves as a bridge between Bybit and the yield-earning potential of Ethena Labs’ protocol. Avalon Labs describes this as a “CeFi to DeFi” bridge.The news follows Ethena raising $100 million in late February to deploy a new blockchain and launch a token focused on traditional finance. In January, Ethena also announced plans to roll out iUSDe, a product identical to USDe but designed for regulated financial institutions.Bybit did not respond to Cointelegraph’s inquiries by publication.Magazine: The real risks to Ethena’s stablecoin model (are not the ones you think)
Cryptocurrencies backed by gold, such as Paxos Gold ($PAXG) and Tether Gold ($XAUT), have not only matched the growth of gold price but also outperformed the wider crypto market. The gold spot price has surged around 24% since the beginning of this year. In comparison, $PAXG has increased around 23% during the same period, while $XAUT also surged by 24%. Read on to know what this gold-driven bull run means for your crypto portfolio and how investing in the best crypto presales right now could be one of the smartest financial moves you can make. Gold: The Safe Haven Bitcoin has fallen around 12% year-to-date, whereas the wider crypto market capitalization plunged by almost 30%. The first quarter of the year also saw the highest inflows in gold ETFs since 2022, totaling around 226.5 tonnes. The global economy is still recovering from the US-China tariff war, which brings along a lot of uncertainty. Precious metals such as gold emerge as safe investments in turbulent times like this. Goldman Sachs has, for the third time, updated its year-end price target for gold, setting it at $3.7K an ounce. This translates to a 12% increase from the current trading levels of $3.2K. Initially, the investment giant had set a target of $3.1K per ounce, which was revised in March to $3.3K. Swiss Bank UBS has also upgraded its 2025 projections from $3.2K to $3.5K. After the announcements of tariffs on April 4, gold fell by more than 5%, making a low of less than $3K. However, since then, it has made a remarkable recovery, soaring around 8.5% and hitting a new all-time high. Government Spending May Not Reduce Dr. Jan Wüstenfeld, an economist and Bitcoin researcher, took to LinkedIn to explain that the US government spending may not reduce and, in fact, may keep increasing. The federal debt may balloon to 169% of GDP by 2055 from the current level of 123% of GDP. This translates to higher interest payments, which is why it will become essential for the government to keep interest rates low. That will then lead to monetary expansion and ultimately inflation. While this might not be good news for traditional markets, hard assets like $BTC and gold will become more attractive. Gold is a proven safe investment, and increasing interest payment pressure will only make it more alluring. As uncertainty increases, investing in cryptos that are currently in presale can help you diversify your portfolio without taking on much risk. That’s because these assets aren’t yet listed on exchanges, which is why they’re immune to the market’s volatility. To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve handpicked three top altcoins you should consider buying. 1. Solaxy ($SOLX) – Best Crypto Presale with over $30M in Funding When it comes to cryptos that offer relatively safe investments, Solaxy ($SOLX) stands out as the top choice. This new meme coin on presale is one of the very few to offer real-world application and utility, which is why our Solaxy price prediction suggests it could reach $0.2 by 2030. That would be a nearly 11,800% gain in less than five years. But to realize such gains, you’d need to buy Solaxy while it’s still in presale. One token is currently available for just $0.001694, but hurry because the price increases in just a few hours. It’s also worth noting that the project has in total raised a staggering $30M. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to buy Solaxy. As the first-ever Layer 2 solution on Solana, Solaxy aims to restore the popular blockchain’s glory, which has been blunted due to an overload of investors on the network. Solaxy will help Solana’s mainnet by processing some of its transactions on a sidechain. Because it’s a multi-chain token, $SOLX will make use of both Ethereum’s liquidity and Solana’s speed to crank up Solana’s efficiency and reduce congestion and scalability issues. Moreover, Solaxy’s whitepaper has laid out that it will process multiple transactions at once, i.e., in batches. This will improve Solana’s affordability. 2. Best Wallet Token ($BEST) – Top New Altcoin Powering the Fastest-Growing Wallet Ecosystem Best Wallet Token ($BEST) is another utility-based altcoin that could be the perfect solution if you’re looking for a safe but potentially extremely profitable crypto investment opportunity. As the native token of the Best Wallet app, $BEST powers the entire Best Wallet ecosystem. $BEST token holders will get exclusive perks as a reward for their loyalty. These include lower transaction fees, 133% staking rewards, and access to the best cryptos before they become available to the general public. It’s worth noting, though, that the biggest reason we predict $BEST climb to $0.07 by 2030 is the explode-worthy prospect of the Best Wallet App. It’s an easy-to-use crypto wallet that takes security seriously, which is a huge deal, especially in an industry rife with cybercrime. Remember Bybit’s $1.5B hack? In addition to offering top-notch security settings, such as 2FA/MFA and class-leading encryption, Best Wallet is also self-custodial. This means only and only you will have access to your crypto assets. What’s more, Best Wallet’s team also verifies each token before listing it on their app. This will protect you from scams and rug pulls. $BEST is currently in presale ($11.6M+ raised), and each token is selling for only $0.024725. Here’s how to buy it. 3. PepeX ($PEPX) – AI-Powered No-Code Launchpad for Meme Coins Although potentially not as safe as the two presales mentioned above, PepeX’s revolutionary proposal is nothing to sniff at, as it could very well attract the market’s favor. $PEPX claims to build the first-ever AI-powered no-code launchpad for meme coins. By allowing crypto enthusiasts with no tech knowledge to enter a prompt and create a meme coin, PepeX wants to liberalize the meme coin industry like never before. At the heart of PepeX are its cutting-edge AI agents. They will help users create, manage, and even promote (on platforms like X and Telegram) their tokens. We’re also impressed by how PepeX has addressed security concerns. It will leverage on-chain monitoring and anti-sniping tech to eliminate the possibility of any malicious activity during the distribution and trading of your meme coins. Currently in presale, $PEPX has already raised over $1.3M. Each token is available for just $0.0268, which makes it one of the best cheap cryptos to buy now. Bottom Line While the above-mentioned cryptos are certainly safe investments now, once they’re listed, they’ll have to put up with the market conditions to climb higher. And as you must know by now, the crypto market is highly unpredictable and volatile. In addition to only investing small, you must also do your own research before investing. Kindly bear in mind that none of the above is a substitute for financial advice.
The digital asset market faced another challenging week, with $795 million in outflows recorded across crypto investment products, according to CoinShares‘ latest weekly report. This marks the third consecutive week of declines, underlining growing caution among investors navigating global economic headwinds. The ongoing streak of negative sentiment has pushed total outflows since early February to $7.2 billion. […]
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Visa is joining the Global Dollar Network (USDG), a stablecoin consortium led by Paxos. This group also includes major players in the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, such as Robinhood, Kraken, and Galaxy Digital. The move reflects Visa’s growing involvement in the digital asset space and highlights the increasing collaboration between traditional financial institutions and crypto-focused …
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) rose 8.0%, joining Solana (SOL) as a top performer.
While the global crypto market is slowly recovering from the impact of Trump’s tariff talks, one altcoin is stealing the spotlight — Pi Network (PI). In just a week, Pi coin has gained nearly 50%, climbing to $0.75. And now, with a new integration by Chainlink, the Pi community is seeing bullish hope. Will this …
Digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw almost $800 million in outflows last week, marking their third consecutive week, according to a report from crypto asset manager CoinShares. On April 14, CoinShares reported that crypto ETPs saw $795 million in outflows last week, with Bitcoin (BTC)-based products accounting for $751 million, while Ether (ETH) products followed with $37.6 million. While the major tokens saw increased outflows, some altcoins went against the flow, seeing small gains. These included XRP, Ondo Finance, Algorand and Avalanche. According to CoinShares, the total outflows of crypto ETPs since February have reached $7.2 billion, nearly wiping out the year-to-date (YTD) inflows from the investment products. Tariff activity weighs in on crypto ETPsCoinShares head of research James Butterfill attributed the outflows to the recent tariff-related activities initiated by United States President Donald Trump. On April 2, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries. The president also set reciprocal tariffs for countries that charge tariffs on US imports. The Trump administration then continued flip-flopping over tariff policy, bringing market uncertainty. Butterfill wrote that the “wave of negative sentiment” that started in February has resulted in record outflows of $7.2 billion. The outflows have nearly wiped out all the YTD inflows, now amounting to $165 million.In addition to Bitcoin and Ether-based products, altcoins like Solana, Aave and Sui also collectively saw outflows of over $6 million last week. While Bitcoin-related products have also seen huge outflows, its YTD gains still stand at $545 million. Furthermore, short-Bitcoin products also saw outflows totaling $4.6 million. Related: This year’s top ETF strategy? Shorting Ether — Bloomberg IntelligenceBlackRock’s iShares lead crypto ETP outflows BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) had the most outflows among ETP providers. CoinShares data shows that BlackRock’s ETFs saw $342 million in outflows last week, putting its total month-to-date outflows at $412 million. Crypto ETP flows chart by asset provider. Source: CoinSharesEven though BlackRock had massive outflows this month, the ETF issuer still has about $2.8 billion in YTD inflows. The asset manager also holds over $49.6 billion in assets under management (AUM).Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research
Last week was defined by simultaneous declines in US equities, Treasurys, and the dollar—an exceptionally rare trifecta that macro investor Jordi Visser described as the moment “the system officially broke”—Bitcoin’s price action has remained conspicuously muted. Despite gold rallying over 4% in just a few days, Bitcoin has failed to respond with comparable strength, a divergence that Visser attributes to deep-rooted skepticism from institutional finance. Visser, president and CIO of Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisers and a veteran of over three decades on Wall Street, sat down for an in-depth interview with Anthony Pompliano to unpack what he called a historic rupture in the global capital structure. Central to his thesis is that US government bonds—long considered the most risk-free asset in the world—are no longer behaving as such. “The top of the global capital structure, the safest asset in the world, is falling,” Visser said, referring to US Treasurys underperforming even against other sovereign debt. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Last Drawdown To $74,000 A ‘Healthy Correction’ — Analyst Says Month-to-date, he noted, US bonds are down over 5%, equities have also dropped more than 5%, and the US dollar index is off by a similar magnitude. “The currency, bonds, and stocks all going down in a panic way—that doesn’t happen. The last time I saw that was in emerging markets,” Visser said, drawing parallels to financial crises he observed firsthand in Brazil during the 1990s. What This Means For Bitcoin The implications for Bitcoin in this environment are complex. While many in the crypto community expected BTC to surge amid macro instability, Visser says Wall Street still views Bitcoin through an equity-like lens. “Wall Street doesn’t believe in Bitcoin,” he said bluntly. “The problem is the view on Bitcoin is that it’s NASDAQ. So I don’t think it should be skyrocketing like gold yet. That happens when we get the printing press turned on again—which is going to have to happen.” According to Visser, Bitcoin’s underperformance relative to gold is not a repudiation of its long-term thesis but rather a reflection of who holds what, and when they’re allowed to act. “Gold’s a different story. Sovereign wealth funds already own it. Central banks already own it. Hedge funds love to buy gold. Bitcoin? Not yet.” He emphasized that Bitcoin’s moment will likely come not amid the crisis itself, but in its aftermath, when monetary authorities begin resorting to aggressive stimulus—what he termed “debasement,” historically the go-to solution in past crises. Visser was adamant that despite Bitcoin’s price inertia, it is in fact doing its job: “Bitcoin is the digital asset of the digital economy.” In his view, the current turmoil marks the transition from a unipolar, dollar-centric world to a fragmented, multipolar one. “We’re entering a new world, and this new system is decentralized,” he said. That transition, accelerated by both geopolitical fragmentation and advances in AI, is unlikely to be smooth. Visser predicts increased volatility and declining trust in legacy financial infrastructure, which could serve as long-term tailwinds for Bitcoin. His analysis ties Bitcoin’s trajectory closely to global liquidity cycles, noting that much of the world’s debt is denominated in US dollars. As such, a falling dollar paradoxically boosts liquidity globally, particularly for emerging markets and risk assets. “Bitcoin will be four to eight weeks—four to 10 weeks—later,” he said, referring to its lagging correlation with liquidity expansions. “You’ll look back eight weeks from now and say, ‘I can’t believe I didn’t see they were going to print to stop this thing.’ They do it every single time.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Long-Term Holders Are Buying Again — Can They Push BTC Price Higher? Still, he was clear-eyed about the near-term structural headwinds. Institutional allocators, especially hedge funds, face two major constraints: investor redemptions and prime broker margin requirements. “Wall Street has an embedded side that prevents them from going through it,” Visser explained. “Retail just buys more on the dip. Wall Street can’t.” Even in the face of institutional hesitancy, Visser underscored that the global conversation around trade, capital flows, and currency trust is now permanently altered. “Does the US want to be the reserve currency anymore?” he asked. “From a government official perspective in trade, it’s no longer the reserve currency. The trade deficit has been put in by the administration.” The consequence, he warned, is that the US is now effectively exporting fiscal deficits to other nations as global trade recedes. In such a world—where nationalism replaces globalism and bilateral trust continues to erode—Visser believes decentralized systems will inevitably grow more relevant. “I do think the agreement will end up being that decentralization will speed up from here because of AI and because of crypto,” he said. But he cautioned that while the architecture is being laid, mainstream acceptance remains gated by perception, policy, and institutional adoption cycles. In sum, Visser sees Bitcoin not as a failed safe haven, but as an emergent asset still waiting for its structural breakout moment. Until Wall Street stops viewing Bitcoin as a risk-on tech proxy—and until central banks inevitably revert to monetary stimulus—BTC will remain in the shadows of gold. But he was unequivocal in where he believes it’s headed. “We are getting closer to that day every single day,” he said, referring to the moment when Bitcoin’s role in the global capital system finally clicks into place. As Visser sees it, the system may be broken—but that’s precisely how something new gets built. At press time, BTC traded at $84,689. Featured image from YouTube, char from TradingView.com
With more than a dozen groups advocating for crypto policies, including two new ones, the field of associations, political operations and lobbyists are legion.
JPMorgan's Kinexys now supports British pound accounts, adding to its already existing U.S. dollar and euro offerings.
Key takeawaysStablecoin attestation reports provide third-party verification that each token is backed by real-world assets like cash and US Treasurys.Attestation ≠ audit: Attestations are point-in-time checks, not deep financial audits, so users should still perform broader due diligence.Not all tokens are redeemable. Time-locked, test or frozen tokens are excluded from reserve calculations to reflect only actively circulating coins.USDC sets an industry benchmark with regular third-party attestations, transparent reserve reporting and compliance with MiCA regulations.Stablecoins play a crucial role in the digital asset ecosystem, bridging traditional fiat currencies and the decentralized world of cryptocurrencies. How can you be confident that each stablecoin is backed by real-world assets? This is where stablecoin attestation reports come in. Understanding how to read attestation reports is essential for anyone interacting with stablecoins like USDC (USDC) or Tether USDt (USDT). This guide explains everything you need to know about stablecoin attestation reports, how they work and why they matter.What is a stablecoin attestation report?A stablecoin attestation report is a formal document issued by an independent third party — a certified public accountant (CPA) firm — that verifies whether the stablecoin issuer holds sufficient reserves to back the coins in circulation. Unlike full audits, which evaluate broader financial systems and controls, attestations are narrower in scope. They confirm specific facts, like whether reserve balances match circulating supply at a single point in time.Think of an attestation as a snapshot taken by accountants saying, “Yes, we’ve checked, and the money is there right now.”It’s not as deep or wide as an audit, but it still builds trust.For example, if a stablecoin issuer claims that each token is backed 1:1 by US dollars, an attestation report would provide evidence supporting that claim. Stablecoins like USDC regularly publish such reports to prove that their coins are fully backed, helping to build trust in their ecosystem.Attestation reports are especially critical for investors and institutions that depend on stablecoins for cross-border settlements, collateral in lending protocols and participation in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Without confidence in the reserves’ authenticity, the stablecoin system risks collapse, which can impact the broader crypto market.Purpose of stablecoin attestations: Why transparency matters?Transparency is essential in the crypto space, especially for stablecoins, which serve as a medium of exchange, a store of value and collateral on DeFi platforms. Attestation reports offer a window into a stablecoin issuer’s reserves and disclosure practices, allowing users, regulators and investors to evaluate whether the issuer is operating responsibly.Issuers like Circle, the company behind USDC, publish attestation reports to demonstrate compliance with regulatory expectations and assure users that the coins they hold are not only stable in name but also in substance. In doing so, they promote stablecoin investor safety and support market integrity.This transparency builds the foundation for regulatory trust and helps attract traditional financial institutions into the space. It also aligns with broader industry goals for increasing stablecoin compliance, particularly as governments worldwide explore stablecoin-specific regulations.Who conducts the attestation?Stablecoin attestation reports are prepared by independent accounting firms. For instance, Circle’s USDC attestation reports are conducted by Deloitte (as of April 13, 2025), a leading global audit and advisory firm. These firms follow professional standards set by bodies like the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).Independent attestors are essential because they remove conflicts of interest. Having a third-party review reserves ensures that the information is unbiased, credible and aligned with global assurance standards.AICPA’s 2025 criteria: Standardizing stablecoin attestationsIn response to growing concerns over inconsistent stablecoin disclosures, the AICPA introduced the 2025 Criteria for Stablecoin Reporting, a standardized framework for fiat-pegged, asset-backed tokens. These criteria define how stablecoin issuers should present and disclose three key areas: Redeemable tokens outstanding.The availability and composition of redemption assets.The comparison between the two.What makes the 2025 Criteria important is its emphasis on transparency and comparability. For example, token issuers must clearly define redeemable versus nonredeemable tokens (such as time-locked or test tokens), identify where and how reserves are held and disclose any material legal or operational risks affecting redemption.By aligning attestation reports with this framework, accounting firms ensure that evaluations are conducted using suitable, objective and measurable criteria, a key requirement under US attestation standards. This gives investors, regulators and DeFi users a more consistent and reliable basis for evaluating stablecoin solvency and trustworthiness.As adoption grows, the 2025 Criteria may become the industry benchmark, especially as regulatory bodies increasingly rely on standardized reporting to assess stablecoin risks and enforce compliance.Did you know? Not all stablecoins in circulation are redeemable. Some, like time-locked tokens, are temporarily restricted and can’t be accessed until a specific date. Others, known as test tokens, are used only for internal system testing and are never meant to be redeemed. These tokens are excluded from reserve calculations in attestation reports to ensure an accurate picture of what’s backing user-accessible stablecoins.Behind the peg: How to read a stablecoin report and spot real backingReading a stablecoin attestation report isn’t just about scanning numbers. It’s about knowing whether the stablecoin you’re holding is backed. Here’s how to break it down step by step and spot what really matters:Check the report date: Attestations are point-in-time reviews. Look for the exact date the report covers (e.g., Feb. 28, 2025). It confirms reserves on that day only, not before or after.Compare circulating supply vs reserves: Find the number of tokens in circulation and the total value of reserves. The reserves should be equal to or greater than the supply. If not, that’s a red flag.Look at what backs the reserves: Reserves should be held in safe, liquid assets like US Treasurys or cash in regulated financial institutions. Watch out for risky or vague asset descriptions.Review custodian and asset details: Check who’s holding the funds (e.g., major banks or money market funds) and where they’re stored. Remember, reputable custodians add credibility.Understand the methodology: The report should explain how the review was conducted, what data was verified, what systems were used and which standards (like AICPA) were followed.Identify excluded tokens: Some tokens, like test tokens or time-locked tokens, are excluded from circulation counts. Look for notes explaining these exceptions.Check who performed the attestation: An independent and recognized accounting firm (like Deloitte or Grant Thornton) adds legitimacy. If the attestor isn’t disclosed or independent, treat with caution. A signed statement from the accounting firm verifies the accuracy of the issuer’s claims.Investors may also look for supplementary notes within the report, such as jurisdiction of reserve accounts, legal encumbrances on assets or clarification of valuation techniques. All these elements help paint a fuller picture of risk and reliability.What the February 2025 USDC attestation report revealsIn March 2025, Circle released its latest reserve attestation report, offering a transparent look at what backs one of the most widely used digital dollars in crypto.The report was independently examined by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms. Deloitte confirmed that, as of both Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, the fair value of Circle’s reserves was equal to or greater than the amount of USDC in circulation.The below snapshot from Circle's February 2025 attestation report shows that the amount of USDC in circulation stood at $54.95 billion on Feb. 4 and $56.28 billion on Feb. 28. The fair value of reserves held to back USDC exceeded these figures, totaling $55.01 billion and $56.35 billion on the respective dates.What’s in the reserves?Circle holds its USDC reserves mainly in:US Treasury securitiesTreasury repurchase agreementsCash at regulated financial institutionsThese assets are kept separate from Circle’s corporate funds and are managed through the Circle Reserve Fund, a regulated money market fund.The attestation also accounts for technical factors like “access-denied” tokens (e.g., frozen due to legal or compliance reasons) and tokens not yet issued, ensuring an accurate measure of circulating USDC.For users, this means greater confidence that every USDC token is backed by high-quality, liquid assets, just like the company claims.Did you know? As of Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, 993,225 USDC remained permanently frozen on deprecated blockchains, including the FLOW blockchain. These tokens are excluded from the official USDC in circulation totals reported by Circle.How are stablecoin reserves verified?Stablecoin attestation reports serve as a form of proof of reserves, providing independent confirmation that a stablecoin issuer holds enough assets to back the tokens in circulation. The verification process typically involves several key steps:Reviewing bank statements and financial records.Confirming cash balances held by custodians.Cross-checking reported reserves with third-party documentation.Comparing the supply of stablecoins onchain with the reported reserve amount.As mentioned, these procedures are carried out by independent accounting firms and are designed to ensure that the reserves are not only sufficient but also liquid and accessible.Some attestation reports also include details on the tools and technologies used to maintain transparency, such as real-time API integrations with custodians and onchain monitoring systems. These advancements are helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain, reinforcing trust through verifiable, tamper-resistant data.What happens if reserves don't match supply?If an attestation report reveals that a stablecoin issuer does not hold sufficient reserves, the consequences can be severe. The issuer may face:Regulatory scrutiny: Noncompliance with financial regulations.Market sell-offs: A drop in user confidence may lead to mass redemptions.Price instability: The stablecoin may lose its 1:1 peg.These concerns highlight the need for regular, transparent crypto reserve reports. For instance, Tether has faced ongoing criticism for the lack of clarity surrounding its reserves, fueling demands for greater disclosure. This opacity has also led to Tether’s delisting in Europe under Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations as exchanges brace for stricter compliance requirements.Lack of transparency can also invite speculation and misinformation, which can cause unnecessary panic in the markets. As a result, proactive disclosure is not just a best practice; it’s a business imperative for stablecoin issuers.Limitations of stablecoin attestation reportsWhile attestation reports are crucial, they are not a cure-all. Here are some limitations:Point-in-time snapshots: Reports only verify reserves on a specific date.No forward-looking guarantees: Attestations don’t predict future solvency.Limited operational insight: They typically don’t cover risks like hacking, mismanagement or liquidity issues.For example, the latest USDC attestation (as discussed in this article) confirms full reserves as of Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, but it says nothing about what happens on March 1 or any day after. Users must understand these limitations and avoid assuming that attestation equals absolute safety.This is why combining attestation reports with other forms of due diligence like reading legal disclaimers, following regulatory updates and tracking company behavior is key for responsible crypto participation.Not just a report — A roadmap to trust in cryptoReading a stablecoin attestation report is more than scanning numbers; it's a key step in assessing the trustworthiness of a digital asset. By understanding how to read attestation reports, crypto users can make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary risks and support projects that prioritize stablecoin compliance and transparency.With clearer frameworks from institutions like the AICPA and growing public pressure for stablecoin disclosure practices, the ecosystem is moving toward greater accountability. As regulators sharpen their focus and investors demand more visibility, learning to navigate crypto attestation reports will become an essential skill for all participants in the crypto economy.Whether you're a retail investor, developer or institutional player, mastering these reports helps protect your assets and support a more transparent and trustworthy crypto future.This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Flowdesk CEO Guilhem Chaumont discusses the tariff-induced market volatility and crypto's increasing role in institutional portfolios.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has revealed that the company saw a significant uptick in users during the first quarter of 2025 amid the broader crypto market volatility. In an April 14 post on X, Ardoino announced that the number of USDT users rose by 13% during the period. Although he didn’t provide an exact figure […]
The post Tether sees 13% user growth amid global volatility, plans US expansion appeared first on CryptoSlate.
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Blockchain analysts have identified large-scale token transfers by major Mantra investors in the days leading up to the sharp collapse of the OM token, raising questions about insider activity and the stability of the project.Laser Digital, a strategic Mantra investor, reportedly cashed out large portions of Mantra (OM) tokens before the cryptocurrency collapsed on April 13, onchain data suggests.At least two wallets linked to Laser Digital were among 17 wallets that moved a combined 43.6 million OM tokens — worth about $227 million at the time — to exchanges before the crash, according to blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain, citing Arkham Intelligence data.The firm has since denied the reports, claiming that the referenced wallets were not associated with Laser Digital.Source: LookonchainMillions in OM moved to Binance, OKXLaser Digital is a digital asset business backed by Nomura. The firm announced a strategic investment in Mantra in May 2024.According to Arkham data, one Laser Digital-linked wallet has moved about 6.5 million OM tokens ($41.6 million at the time) to OKX in seven transactions since April 11.The last recorded transaction from the wallet occurred on April 11 at around 10:00 pm UTC, days before the Mantra crash, which took place on April 13 at roughly 7:00 pm UTC, according to data from CoinGecko.Another wallet sent about 2.2 million OM (worth $13 million) to Binance in a series of transfers starting April 3.The data also indicates that Laser Digital may have started reducing its OM holdings as early as February. The wallets linked to the firm reportedly received a large portion of their OM from crypto trading firm GSR in 2023.Mantra (OM) outflows from one of the wallets linked to Laser Digital. Source: ArkhamLaser Digital subsequently denied reports alleging its involvement in the OM volatility, claiming that the referenced wallets did not belong to it.Source: Laser Digital“Laser has no involvement in the recent price collapse of $OM,” Laser said in an X post on April 14. “Assertions circulating on social media that link Laser to ‘investor selling’ are factually incorrect and misleading,” the firm added.Arkham did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request to comment on Laser Digital’s wallets’ tags.Action from other Mantra investorsLaser Digital wasn’t the only Mantra investor active before the OM collapse.According to Lookonchain data, a wallet associated with Shane Shin, a founding partner of Shorooq Partners, received 2 million OM tokens on April 13 at 11:52 am UTC, hours before the crash.The tokens came from a previously dormant wallet that received 2.75 million OM in April 2024, Lookonchain reported.Mantra (OM) flows by a wallet potentially linked to Shorooq’s Shane Shin. Source: ArkhamBoth Laser Digital and Shorooq were among the investors in the $109 million Mantra Ecosystem Fund (MEF) announced on April 7.Related: Mantra bounces 200% after OM price crash but poses LUNA-like’ big scandal’ risk“It is important to note up front that Shorooq (its funds and founding partners) and Mantra (management and team members) have not sold OM tokens in the lead up to, or during, this crash,” a spokesperson for Shorooq told Cointelegraph.The representative also emphasized that Shorooq is an equity investor in Mantra, not solely a token investor. “This means that our focus is on the long-term growth of the project,” the spokesperson added.Cointelegraph contacted Mantra regarding the OM token collapse and its implications for the MEF but had not received a response by the time of publication.Binance attributes OM collapse to “cross-exchange liquidations”As OKX and Binance were among exchanges that saw significant OM activity before and during the crash, both exchanges addressed the issue directly. OKX founder Star Xu called the incident a “big scandal to the whole crypto industry.”While Mantra CEO John Mullin attributed the OM crash to one exchange, Binance hinted at “cross-exchange liquidations.”“Our initial findings indicate that the developments over the past day are a result of cross-exchange liquidations,” Binance said in an announcement on April 14.In an update on April 14, OKX said that Mantra’s tokenomics had gone through major changes since October 2024 and flagged suspicious activity across multiple exchanges.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express
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Strategy formerly known as (MicroStrategy) has acquired 3459 BTC for ~$285.80 billion at a price of ~$82,618 per bitcoin. Meanwhile, it has achieved a BTC Yield of 11.4% YTD 2025. As of 04/13/2025, the firm holds 531,644 BTC acquired for $35.92 billion at an average price of ~$67,556 per bitcoin. Strategy: Acquire 3459 BTC for …
Strategy has added 3,459 Bitcoin to its holdings, spending approximately $285.8 million at an average price of $82,618 per BTC. This move has resulted in a 11.4% BTC yield year-to-date (YTD) for 2025. As of April 13, 2025, MSTR’s total Bitcoin holdings have reached 531,644 BTC, acquired for around $35.92 billion, at an average price …