Bitcoin may be approaching a more consequential upside move if current technical and on-chain trends hold, according to Capriole founder Charles Edwards, who argued in a new market note that a cluster of macro, sentiment and blockchain indicators has shifted in a more constructive direction despite a volatile geopolitical backdrop. Edwards framed the current environment as unusually difficult to navigate, with markets swinging between war fears, oil spikes and a fast-moving AI threat landscape. Even so, he said the underlying signal from Bitcoin and broader macro data is increasingly hard to ignore, particularly if BTC can sustain a monthly and weekly close above $71,500, a level he described as a critical threshold. Bitcoin Technicals And On-Chain Turn Bullish On price structure alone, Edwards said a close above $71,500 would mark Bitcoin’s strongest technical monthly finish in a year. On the daily chart, he described the recent move as even more encouraging, citing an engulfing advance and notable relative strength against other markets since the start of the Iran war. That relative performance matters in his framework because Bitcoin had largely traded like a risk asset over the prior nine months. Related Reading: What Presidio Bitcoin Found About Quantum Computing: Threat Timeline And Next Steps He paired that chart view with a series of on-chain signals that, in his view, resemble prior accumulation zones. Normalized dormancy is low, which he said suggests long-term holders are not distributing into weakness. He also pointed to renewed “restacking” by longer-dated holders, including a recent turn in the 2-year-plus cohort, and to deeply depressed SOPR readings, which historically have often coincided with stronger forward Bitcoin opportunities. Miners are sending a similar message, he argued. Edwards said the market remains in a deep miner capitulation phase, referencing Hash Ribbons, while miner sell pressure is also unusually subdued. He added that one of the most important charts in his stack now shows institutions as net buyers again, a backdrop he said has accompanied every major Bitcoin appreciation phase of the last five years when demand exceeded newly mined supply. Taken together, the message was straightforward: “Amongst this swathe of data (and more) it’s hard not to be bullish on Bitcoin above $71.5K.” Macro Fear Is Fading, But Not Gone Edwards also tied Bitcoin’s improving backdrop to traditional market gauges. He highlighted a recent VIX macro buy signal after volatility dropped from above 30 toward the 20 area, a CNN Fear & Greed reading back in buy territory, and what he called the biggest weekly jump in US liquidity since May 2025. In his telling, those shifts suggest markets are beginning to move past the sharpest phase of geopolitical panic. That matters because, in his reading, markets are increasingly treating the Iran conflict as a contained risk rather than a lasting macro shock. Oil has moved back below $100, the US-Iran ceasefire is in place, and Bitcoin has outperformed equities by 11% since the war began, according to Edwards. For an asset that had spent months in a broad downtrend, he sees that as a meaningful change in character. He went further, arguing that markets may now be entering what he called “volatility fatigue,” a phase in which investors begin discounting daily headline reversals and return to pricing liquidity, growth and fundamentals instead. Related Reading: Bitcoin Whales Ramp Up Accumulation: Holdings Hit 2-Month High Still, the note was not purely a bullish market call. Edwards spent substantial time on what he sees as a growing AI-driven security threat to crypto infrastructure, especially DeFi and complex smart contract systems. He argued that increasingly capable models will compress the time needed to discover and exploit vulnerabilities from months to minutes. His advice was blunt: “If you don’t have a really good reason to use complex DeFi protocols and smart contracts, you probably shouldn’t be as we enter this new AI realm. Think about it. Is it really worth the complexity of juicing out that extra few basis points to lend/borrow/bridge/stake/restake?” That caution sits alongside the bullish case rather than against it. Edwards’ broader argument is that the market is starting to reward opportunity over fear, but only for investors who remain disciplined on risk. “Let’s not overweight the problems in our head, but be prepared accordingly,” he wrote. “Long-term performance has historically rewarded those that position for the optimistic outcome, while concurrently managing risks, diligently monitoring the data and acting with strong conviction. In short, if the current move breaks down next week, and risk metrics start flashing, our systematic portfolio will pivot accordingly. Until then, things look great for Bitcoin and equites today.” At press time, BTC traded at $74,117. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Brix plans to bring emerging market assets onchain, launching a Turkish lira-backed token as its first product on MegaETH.
The broker said prediction markets are scaling into a trillion-dollar asset class, driven by regulatory clarity, crypto rails and distribution via major trading platforms.
The project would burn 4.5 billion tokens while beginning to vest 40.7 billion tokens for founders and the team, restructuring locks that were originally set to be indefinite.
Solana and XRP are showing significantly higher unrealized losses compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. On-chain data from Glassnode reveals that a large portion of SOL and XRP holders remain 65 to 75% in loss in unrealised loss. This signals weaker positioning in altcoins and slower recovery strength. SOL and XRP Holders In Deep Loss According …
Kevin Warsh is holding Solana, Polymarket and more. Goldman Sachs is filing for a BTC ETF. And Circle stock is jumping on news of a token.
White House study sharpens CLARITY’s core fight as Senate execution remains the real test A recent White House economic study has changed the focus of Washington’s debate over the CLARITY Act. The report addresses the main issue slowing the bill in the Senate: whether limiting stablecoin yields actually protects the banking system. The study’s findings are […]
The post White House study exposes stablecoin yield ban does little for banks, raising the stakes for CLARITY in the Senate appeared first on CryptoSlate.
eToro's acquisition of Zengo could accelerate the integration of decentralized finance, enhancing user control and expanding digital asset services.
The post eToro agrees to acquire Zengo for $70M to deepen digital asset strategy appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
What you need to know for April 15, 2026
Fireblocks launched Earn, giving institutions direct access to Aave and Morpho-based stablecoin lending as firms seek yield on idle balances.
Pakistan is the third largest crypto market in the world. For eight years, none of its 27 million users could access a bank account to run a crypto business legally. That has changed. The State Bank of Pakistan issued BPRD Circular Letter No. 10 of 2026 on April 14, formally reversing a 2018 directive that …
One analyst on social media platform X has taken the optimism on XRP to an extreme, arguing that a $1,000 XRP price is no longer a stretch scenario but something that is almost certain within the next year. The claim arrives at an unusual moment. XRP has not had a green month since September 2025, and the cryptocurrency is currently trading around $1.35, down 63% from its $3.65 all-time high. Here’s Why XRP Will Reach $1,000 A crypto analyst known as Pumpius on X has outlined a powerful bull case for XRP, declaring it almost certain that the cryptocurrency’s price will reach $1,000 by 2027. The foundation of the analyst’s argument begins with a factor that has defined XRP’s recent trajectory, which is the resolution of its long-running legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Related Reading: It’s Too Early For A Bitcoin Price Bottom, Here’s What You Should Be Looking At According to Pumpius, the case closing in 2025 removed a barrier that had suppressed institutional participation for years, effectively repositioning XRP alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum as a compliant digital asset. On March 17, the SEC and the CTFC issued new guidance formally classifying XRP as a digital commodity, also ending the legal overhang that had persisted since 2020. Spot XRP exchange-traded funds arrived shortly after. Seven spot XRP ETFs are now live, holding combined assets under management around $1 billion. The early months were stronger; total assets under management in these ETFs peaked at $1.24 billion in January 2026. Outside regulatory clarity, the analyst pointed to continued expansion from Ripple as a major factor behind the bullish outlook. Over the past year, Ripple has leaned deeper into institutional finance, strengthening its positioning through acquisitions. Developments connected to RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin initiative, alongside growing activity on the XRP Ledger, were also presented as evidence that the network is growing past simple payments. Can XRP Realistically Reach $1,000 By 2027? According to Pumpius, macro winds are perfect for XRP to reach $1,000 by 2027. Pro-crypto rules, banks jumping in and altcoin season rotation all line up. Bitcoin ETFs showed the path. XRP brings efficiency plus real-world breakthroughs like DNA. Related Reading: Why A Bitcoin Price Breakdown To $50,000 Could Be Important For Long-Term Bullishness Speaking of DNA, this is in reference to the integration of DNA Protocol, which introduces zero-knowledge proof functionality to the XRP Ledger. The DNA Protocol lets people tokenize their own genetic data, KYC credentials and personal identity into private portable tokens. This functionality with billions of users could dramatically increase demand for the network if adopted at scale. This, in turn, would create utility that multiplies the cryptocurrency’s value. Despite the conviction behind the forecast, reaching $1,000 from current price levels around $1.35 to $1,000 is a 74,000% increase, and this comes with many challenges. At a circulating supply of over 61.4 billion tokens, such a move would imply a market cap of $61.4 trillion, far exceeding the entire GDP of the United States. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
Pakistan has formally allowed banks to serve licensed virtual asset service providers under new rules issued by the State Bank on April 14, 2026. The decision overturns the 2018 ban and follows the Virtual Assets Act of March 2026, which established the PVARA regulator. Banks must conduct strict due diligence, verify licenses, monitor transactions, and …
Pi Network is back in focus as price continues to hover near key support levels, even after successfully rolling out its latest mainnet upgrade. The move marks a significant step forward in its roadmap, yet market reaction remains muted. The divergence is becoming hard to ignore, development is accelerating, but confidence hasn’t followed. As the …
The bitcoin 30-day average funding rate has been negative for 46 consecutive days, matching the duration of the 2022 bear market bottom.
Bitcoin is struggling to break and hold above the key $75,000 resistance level while ether, solana decline.
Virginia signed a law bringing digital assets into unclaimed property rules, requiring in-kind transfer and limiting how quickly the state can sell them.
Bitmine's significant losses highlight the volatility and risks of digital asset investments, potentially impacting investor confidence and market stability.
The post Bitmine books $3.8 billion quarterly loss on digital asset holdings appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Pakistan’s central bank has allowed banks to open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, ending years of restrictions and marking a shift toward a regulated framework.
eToro has agreed to acquire crypto wallet startup Zengo for $70 million, adding self-custody and Web3 capabilities after a New York debut.
Bitcoin’s oldest and most dormant wallets, including those believed to belong to Satoshi Nakamoto, could be permanently frozen under a new developer proposal called BIP-361, introduced in April 2026. The idea has split the Bitcoin community, with some supporting stronger security and others calling it a violation of Bitcoin’s core principles. New Proposal Introduces Quantum-Resistant …
EU officials plan to reassess MiCA as companies test its limits, with industry feedback set to shape potential changes to the bloc’s crypto framework.
Bitcoin hit a 24-hour high of $75,886 before pulling back to $74,025, rejected at the $75,000 level again, and the conditions surrounding this attempt look nothing like before. Analyst Michaël van de Poppe flagged the setup in a thread published today. Yes, a shooting star candle formed on the daily timeframe after the latest rejection. …
The IMF warns that global public debt could reach about 100% of world GDP by 2029.
eToro has announced plans to acquire Zengo, a company known for its secure and easy-to-use crypto wallet. The move aims to expand eToro’s digital asset offerings and give users more control over their crypto investments. Zengo, founded in 2018, provides a keyless wallet system that improves security while keeping things simple for everyday users. According …
The State Bank of Pakistan ended a 2018 ban, allowing regulated entities to open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers.
The exchange said the new product is available across the European Economic Area through its Malta-based MiFID business, with up to 10x leverage and multi-asset collateral.
Tax season is now more connected to Bitcoin’s retail demand. Bitcoin has spent the first half of April trading in the low $70,000s, with recent moves through the $71,000 to $75,000 zone keeping the asset close enough to its highs for retail attention to return quickly. But there’s a more important change happening beneath the […]
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eToro is set to acquire self-custodial wallet provider Zengo, and the trading platform’s CEO predicted a Bitcoin rally above $250,000 after another quarter of crypto market downside.
Ethereum’s derivatives market on Binance is flashing a setup that could leave short sellers exposed if the recent move higher continues. According to analysis shared on X by CryptoQuant contributor Darkfost, positioning has become increasingly one-sided even as ETH has rebounded sharply from its February low, creating the conditions for further short squeezes. Ethereum Bears Crowd In On Binance The core of the argument is a mismatch between price action and trader conviction. Darkfost said that since February, around 350,000 ETH has been added to open interest on Binance, which now represents roughly 37% of total market share. At current prices, that amounts to more than $1 billion flowing into Binance’s ETH derivatives complex. Related Reading: A Historic Ethereum Signal Just Fired – Discover What Happens Next What stands out is not just the size of that increase, but the direction of positioning behind it. “What is paradoxical is that despite the recent price increase (+35% since the February low), the majority of investors appear to be positioning for a correction by shorting the market,” Darkfost wrote. “This can be observed through ETH funding rates on Binance, which have reached levels not seen since the previous bear market.” That matters because funding rates offer a read on which side of the perpetual futures market is leaning more aggressively. Darkfost said Binance funding has remained mostly negative since late January, suggesting traders have continued to pay to hold short exposure rather than chase the rebound. In other words, the move higher has not fully reset bearish conviction. Related Reading: Ethereum Profit-Loss Indicator Is Hovering Just Below Neutral – The Market Waits for A Catalyst The post argues that this skepticism has now reached a level that is unusual even by recent standards. “Observing such negative levels, with funding rates dropping below -0.01%, is relatively rare and indicates a significant buildup of short positions while investors remain in disbelief,” Darkfost wrote. “When this level of consensus forms, it is not uncommon for the market to move against the majority, triggering liquidations of the most aggressive positions and leading to short squeeze events, like the one observed yesterday.” That squeeze dynamic has already started to show up in the liquidation data. Darkfost noted that more than $3 million in short positions were liquidated twice within a single hour on Binance, a sign that even modest upside extensions are capable of forcing leveraged bears out of the market. In crowded setups, those forced exits can become self-reinforcing, as liquidations add incremental buy pressure and push price into the next pocket of vulnerable positions. The broader implication is not necessarily that Ethereum is entering a straight-line rally, but that the derivatives structure has tilted in a way that can amplify upside if sentiment remains slow to adjust. Darkfost framed the recent rally as the “early phase of the uptrend,” arguing that months of short accumulation could continue to provide fuel if traders remain positioned for reversal rather than continuation. There is, however, one important shift underway. Funding rates are now beginning to turn positive again, with Darkfost citing a reading around +0.01%, though the day’s data was not yet complete. If that change holds, the market structure would begin to look different: less driven by disbelief-fueled squeezes, and more by traders starting to align with the move. For now, the message from Binance’s ETH derivatives market is fairly clear. Shorts have piled in aggressively, but the more crowded that trade becomes, the more fragile it is if Ethereum keeps grinding higher. At press time, ETH traded at $2,318. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com