The markets are recovering from the trade-war turmoil, which has dragged the Solana price below $100 for a while. The bears did try to drag the price below the range for two consecutive days but failed, with the price reclaiming $120 in no time. Since then, the price has been consolidating around the gains, aiming …
Coinbase has filed a legal objection to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) latest attempt to delay the release of key documents related to the alleged debanking of crypto firms. On April 10, the exchange opposed the FDIC’s request for a 16-day extension in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. Paul Grewal, […]
The post Coinbase accuses FDIC of stalling crypto debanking document release appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Even with the Ethereum price struggling amid the market downturn, there are still some who remain bullish on the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. One of those is pseudonymous crypto analyst NotWojak, who took to the TradingView website to share a rather bullish prediction for the Ethereum price that goes contrary to the current market sentiment. Bearish Ethereum Price Downtrend Coming To An End The Ethereum price is still stuck in an apparent downtrend. However, according to the crypto analyst, this could be ending anytime soon with two supply zones coming up. So far, there have been multiple liquidity sweeps across major levels, sending the Ethereum price towards lower lows. Nevertheless, this could turn bullish soon as they could suggest a reversal is coming for the cryptocurrency. Related Reading: This Crypto Analyst Predicted The Bitcoin Price Crash At $97,000, He Just Released Another Forecast Currently, the two supply zones called out by the analyst are the $1,425 and $1,600 level. As they explain, the $1,425 level has already been mitigated during the latest retracement. So, this leaves only the $1,600 level unmitigated. As such, this could easily turn this level into resistance in the event of an uptrend. Despite sellers still dominating currently with high volumes pouring into the market, the crypto analyst puts the bottom before $1,350. In this case, this level could be potential support and the breakout could begin from here. The target for this major breakout has been placed 20% above the current level, with the analyst setting a high $1,835 target. This could lead to further upside, especially if resistances are easily cleared from here. ETH On-Chain Ethereum’s profitability has plummeted with the price decline as only 32% of all investors are seeing any profit on their positions. On the other side, 65% of all holders are in losses and only 2% are sitting at breakeven price, according to data from the on-chain data aggregation website, IntoTheBlock. Related Reading: XRP Price Forms Rounded Bottom Within Descending Channel, Target Set Above $3 Ethereum whales have also been very active during this time and this could mean that large investors have been behind the selling that has crashed the ETH price. Large transactions rose from $4.8 billion to $6.48 billion by April 9 as the Ethernet price dropped back below $1,500. Average transaction size also grew during the this time from $4,048 to $5,415. This suggests that investors are moving more coins at the time, which could explain the increased selling that has plagued the cryptocurrency. If this continues, then the ETH price could see further crashes from here. At the time of writing, the Ethereum price was trending at $1,544, down 4.56% in the last day. Featured image from Dall.E, chart from TradingView.com
An elderly crypto whale known as “HEX 19” lost nearly $4.5 million in a slow-moving hack that drained his staked HEX over multiple years. At first, it looked like a HEX whale was cashing out. But it wasn’t long before the community realized he didn’t voluntarily unstake his tokens — he had become a victim of a major exploit.The cyberattack started in November 2021, touched multiple phishing wallets and was traced back to an online entity known as “Konpyl,” a threat actor familiar to crypto investigators.The breach not only shook the token’s price but also exposed a web of fraudulent operations tied to Inferno Drainer and the $1.6 million fake Rabby wallet scam of February 2024.HEX token price sinks following the HEX19 hack. Source: CoinGeckoHEX hackers and the web of connectionsA blockchain investigator who spoke to Cointelegraph on condition of anonymity said, "There’s direct counterparty exposure with wallets used in the fake Rabby app scam as well as the HEX19 Victim’s funds flowing directly into wallets used to launder illicit Inferno Drainer phishing scam proceeds." The first major batch of outflows from the victim’s wallet occurred in November 2021 and has continued over the years as assets locked away in decade-long stakes continued to unlock, some prematurely closed by the hacker with penalties. HEX19 wallet loses almost $4 million on Nov. 21. Source: Arkham IntelligenceRelated: THORChain at crossroads: Decentralization clashes with illicit activityThe deeper investigators dug into the wallets tied to the HEX19 hack, the more it became clear that this wasn't a one-off for the hacker. The same addresses appeared again and again across phishing campaigns, wallet drainers and laundering trails.Wallets used by the HEX19 hacker, the fake Rabby wallet scam, and several schemes related to Inferno Drainer, share a common address: Konpyl.In an October 2024 investigation, Cointelegraph Magazine analyzed on- and offchain evidence gathered by an investigator and a US government agency which links Konpyl to Konstantin Pylinskiy, an executive of a Dubai-based investment firm who uses the nickname in his online activities. Pylinskiy has denied any involvement with scams.The investigator said the attack on HEX19 was possible because the victim had stored his seed phrases in the cloud. Transaction records show that the hackers use victim funds for initial transfers to their illicit accounts, a common trait of Konpyl-linked schemes. “The HEX19 hacker follows similar patterns from other scams by ‘Konpyl,’” they said.In a November 2024 report, Cointelegraph learned that Konpyl-linked wallets had a high number of interactions with scams connected to Inferno Drainer, a scam-as-a-service threat actor. Fantasy, a forensics specialist and investigations lead at crypto insurance firm Fairside Network, told Cointelegraph that Konpyl may possibly function less as a direct attacker and more as a laundering proxy.Inside the HEX hackThe first batch of funds started moving out from the wallet on Nov. 21, 2021, but blockchain records show that the wallet may have been compromised as early as Nov. 3, as the victim wallet (0x97E…7a7df) had an outflow to one of the hacker’s wallets.On Nov. 21, the HEX19 was drained nearly $4 million across nine separate transactions. The majority of the losses were in HEX tokens. The primary destination was address 0xcfe…8A11D, which we will call HEX Hacker 1 (HH1).That same day, HH1 began splitting the stolen funds. It sent $2.64 million (12.33 million HEX) to a second wallet 0xA30…2EA17, or HEX Hacker 2 (HH2).A follow-up transaction on Dec. 10, 2021, sent another 616,700 HEX (worth around $86,700 at the time) from HH1 to HH2.Then, on Feb. 18, 2022, HH1 transferred 5.2 million HEX (worth about $1 million at the time) and some Ether to yet another address: 0x719a...4Bd0c, where the funds remain parked to this day.The HH2 wallet appears central to laundering efforts.From December 2021 to March 2022, HH2 sent over $1 million to Tornado Cash, Ethereum’s best-known anonymizing protocol.HH2 also transferred $106,758 in DAI to an intermediary wallet, 0x837…2Ba9B, which was used to interact with DeFi platforms like 1inch to further obscure or swap funds.The intermediary interacts with 0x7BF…C4eAa, a wallet that received direct inflows from Konpyl (an online persona that has appeared in numerous phishing and draining operations).HH2’s laundering chain also intersects with a high-risk wallet — 0x909…e4371 — flagged for over 70 suspicious transactions.On May 16, 2024, a third wallet Hex Hacker (HH3) wallet 0xdCe…4f0d8 began withdrawing funds from the compromised HEX19 address.HH3 has received around $108,000 in HEX from the victim’s account. HH3 connects to 0x87B…53d92, an address previously Cointelegraph’s November investigation as part of an Inferno Drainer-linked scam. That same wallet shares a commingling address (0xF2F...6a608) with Konpyl, which connects a March 2024 Inferno-linked scam and the Rabby wallet phishing incident.Finally, a fourth wallet 0x7cc…59ee2 — HEX Hacker 4 (HH4) — enters the picture. Beginning on Jan. 12, 2024, HH4 began siphoning funds from the HEX19 wallet through March.Related: From Sony to Bybit: How Lazarus Group became crypto’s supervillainThis wallet interacts with 0x4E9…c71C2, which is a known address used by the fake Rabby wallet scammer.Lessons from the HEX19 HackHEX19, the retired tech veteran, has been through booms and busts before — just not ones that emptied millions of dollars from his digital wallet in a single day.He filed police reports, and exchanges couldn’t do much to help, he said. The remaining staked funds, including 10-year HEX locks, became ticking time bombs. He knew the hackers had access and were just waiting to extract more.Cointelegraph has found at least 180 suspicious transactions from November 2021 to October 2024, totaling over $4.5 million. The victim's wallet still has nine active stakes remaining, though their values aren’t as significant as those prematurely closed and withdrawn by the thieves.The active stakes are not as valuable as those closed by hackers. Source: HEXscout“You have this feeling in the pit of your stomach and you say, ‘Oh my God.’ And then you say, ‘Oh, geez, I gotta tell my family that I’ve screwed up again,’” HEX19, purportedly a retiree in his 80s, said in an interview with HEX community member Mati Allin soon after the exploit. Cointelegraph attempted to get in touch with HEX19 but did not receive a response.Despite the loss, HEX19 maintains a surprising sense of calm: “We’re retired. We live without debt. We live very simply. We have a great family, awesome daughters, granddaughters,” he said in the 2021 community interview. “There’s more to life than money.”While he doesn’t expect to recover the funds, he does hope his experience helps others think twice before storing their seed phrases online.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again
A member of Sweden’s parliament proposed adding Bitcoin to the country’s foreign exchange reserves, suggesting increased openness to cryptocurrency adoption in Europe following recent moves by the United States.Swedish MP Rickard Nordin issued an open letter urging Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson to consider adopting Bitcoin (BTC) as a national reserve asset.“Sweden has a tradition of a conservative and carefully managed foreign exchange reserve, mainly consisting of foreign currencies and gold,” Nordin wrote in a letter registered on April 8, adding:“At the same time, there is a rapid development in digital assets, and several international players regard bitcoin as a custodian and a hedge against inflation. In many parts of the world, bitcoin is used as a means of payment and as security against rising inflation.”“It is also an important way for freedom fighters to handle payments when under the oppression of authoritarian regimes,” he added.Open letter from MP Rickard Nordin. Source: Riksdagen.seRelated: US Bitcoin reserve marks’ real step’ toward global financial integrationThe Swedish proposal echoes a recent move by the United States. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a national Bitcoin reserve funded by cryptocurrency seized in criminal investigations rather than purchased through market channels.The order authorized the Treasury and Commerce secretaries to develop “budget-neutral strategies” to buy more Bitcoin for the reserve, provided there were no additional costs to taxpayers.The governor of the Czech National Bank has also considered Bitcoin as part of a potential diversification strategy for the country’s foreign reserves, Cointelegraph reported on Jan. 7.Related: Bitcoin reserve backlash signals unrealistic industry expectationsEuropean lawmakers silent on Bitcoin legislation amid CBDC pushEuropean lawmakers have remained mostly silent on Bitcoin legislation, despite Trump’s historic executive order and Bitcoin’s economic model favoring the early adopters.The lack of Bitcoin-related statements may stem from Europe’s focus on the launch of the digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC), James Wo, the founder and CEO of venture capital firm DFG, told Cointelegraph, adding:“This highlights the EU’s greater emphasis on the digital euro, though the recent outage in the ECB’s Target 2 (T2) payment system, which caused significant transaction delays, raised concerns about its ability to oversee a digital currency when it struggles with daily operations.”ECB President Christine Lagarde is pushing ahead with the digital euro’s rollout, expected in October. Lagarde has emphasized that the CBDC will coexist with cash and offer privacy protections to address concerns about government overreach.“The European Union is looking to launch the digital euro, our central bank digital currency, by October this year,” Lagarde said during a news conference, adding:“We are working to ensure that the digital euro coexists with cash, addressing privacy concerns by making it pseudonymous and cash-like in nature.”Source: CointelegraphThis is in stark contrast to the approach of the US, where Trump has taken a firm stance against CBDCs, prohibiting “the establishment, issuance, circulation, and use” of a US dollar-based CBDC.Magazine: SCB tips $500K BTC, SEC delays Ether ETF options, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 23 –March. 1
Key takeawaysBear raids involve deliberate efforts by whales to drive down crypto prices using short-selling, FUD and large-scale sell-offs to trigger panic and profit from the dip.These raids create volatility, trigger liquidations and damage retail confidence. However, they can also expose weak or fraudulent projects.Signs include sudden price drops, high trading volume, absence of news and quick recoveries, indicating price manipulation rather than natural market trends.Traders can guard against bear raids by using stop-loss orders, diversifying portfolios, monitoring whale activity and trading on reputable, regulated platforms.Not all market moves are organic in the dynamic world of crypto trading; some are engineered to make quick profits. One such tactic is the bear raid, often driven by powerful market players known as whales. These traders strategically use short-selling, where they borrow and sell assets at current prices, aiming to repurchase them cheaper once the price drops. So, how exactly does this tactic play out? This article dives into what a bear raid is and how it functions. It also covers how bear raids impact the crypto market, what the signs are and how retail investors can protect their interests. What is a bear raid?A bear raid is a deliberate strategy to drive down the price of an asset, typically through aggressive selling and the spread of fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD). The tactic dates back to the early days of traditional stock markets, where influential traders would collaborate to manipulate prices for profit.Execution of a bear raid involves selling large volumes of a targeted asset to flood the market. The sharp increase in supply creates downward pressure on the price. At the same time, the perpetrators circulate negative rumors or sentiments, often through media, to amplify fear and uncertainty. As panic sets in, smaller or retail investors often sell off their holdings, further accelerating the price drop.Bear raids differ from natural market downturns. While both lead to falling prices, a bear raid is orchestrated and intentional, meant to benefit those holding short positions. Natural downturns are driven by broader economic trends, market corrections or legitimate changes in investor sentiment.Bear raids are generally considered a form of market manipulation. Regulatory agencies monitor trading activities, investigate suspicious patterns and penalize fraudulent practices such as pump-and-dump schemes or wash trading. To enhance transparency, they require exchanges to implement compliance measures, including KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols. By imposing fines, bans, or legal action, regulators work to maintain fair markets and protect investors. Regulators attempt to deter cryptocurrency market manipulation by enforcing strict rules and oversight. In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) focuses on crypto assets that qualify as securities, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates commodities and their derivatives. Under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) law, enforcement in the EU is the responsibility of financial regulators in the member states. Did you know? In 2022, over 50% of Bitcoin’s daily trading volume was influenced by just 1,000 addresses — commonly called whales — highlighting their market-shaking power.Who executes bear raids?In the crypto world, “whales” are big investors capable of executing bear raids. Because of their substantial holdings of cryptocurrencies, whales can influence market trends and price movements in ways smaller retail traders cannot.Compared to other traders, whales operate on a different scale, thanks to their access to more capital and advanced tools. While you might be looking for short-term gains or simply following trends, whales often use strategic buying or selling to create price shifts that benefit their long-term positions. Their moves are carefully planned and can affect the market without you even realizing it.If you are a regular crypto trader, you might be aware of the massive crypto movement between wallets. Such large-scale transfer of crypto causes panic or excitement in the cryptocurrency community. For example, when a whale transfers a large amount of Bitcoin (BTC) to an exchange, it may signal a potential sell-off, causing prices to dip. Conversely, removing coins from exchanges to self-custodial wallets might suggest long-term holding, which can lead to a price upswing.The relatively low liquidity of crypto markets gives whales such influence over crypto trading. With fewer buyers and sellers compared to traditional financial markets, a single large trade can dramatically swing prices. This means whales can manipulate market conditions, intentionally or not, often leaving retail traders struggling to keep up.Did you know? Bear raids often trigger automated liquidations in leveraged positions, sometimes causing crypto prices to nosedive by over 20% in minutes.Real-world examples of whales profiting from falling pricesIn crypto, cases of bear raids are generally hard to confirm due to anonymity. Nevertheless, these examples of incidents when whales made profits from falling cryptocurrency prices will help you understand how such scenarios work:Terra Luna collapse (May 2022)A Bank for International Settlements (BIS) report disclosed that during the 2022 crypto market crash, triggered by the collapse of Terra (LUNA), whales made a profit at the expense of retail investors. Smaller retail investors predominantly purchased cryptocurrencies at lower prices, whereas whales primarily sold off their holdings, profiting from the downturn.In May 2022, the Terra blockchain was briefly suspended following the failure of its algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST) and the associated cryptocurrency LUNA, resulting in a loss of nearly $45 billion in market value in one week. The company behind Terra filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 21, 2024. FTX collapse (November 2022)In November 2022, close financial ties between FTX and Alameda Research set off a chain reaction: a bank run, failed acquisition deals, FTX's bankruptcy and criminal charges for founder Sam Bankman-Fried.Yet again, as FTX collapsed, retail investors rushed to buy the dip. Whales, however, sold crypto in bulk right before the steep price decline, according to the same BIS report that discussed the fall of Terra Luna.Graph 1.B illustrates a transfer of wealth, where larger investors liquidated their holdings, disadvantaging smaller investors. Furthermore, Graph 1.C reveals that following market shocks, large Bitcoin holders (whales) reduced their positions, while smaller holders (referred to as krill in the report) increased theirs. The price trends indicate that whales sold their Bitcoin to krill before significant price drops, securing profits at the krill's expense.Bitconnect (BCC) shutdown (January 2018)Bitconnect, a cryptocurrency promising unusually high returns via an alleged trading bot, experienced a dramatic collapse in early 2018. Despite reaching a peak valuation of over $2.6 billion, the platform was widely suspected of operating as a Ponzi scheme. The token suffered a steep fall of over 90% in value within hours. While this was not a classic bear raid, the sudden exit of insiders and whale sell-offs, combined with negative publicity, created a cascading effect that devastated retail investors.Did you know? Whale wallets are tracked so closely that some platforms offer real-time alerts for their trades, helping retail traders anticipate possible bear raids.How whales execute bear raids in crypto, key stepsIn the crypto space, whales can execute bear raids by leveraging their massive holdings to trigger sharp price drops and profit from the following panic. These tactics typically unfold in a few steps:Step 1: Accumulating a position: Whales begin by taking positions that will benefit from falling prices, such as shorting a cryptocurrency or preparing to buy large quantities once the price drops. Step 2: Initiating the raid: Next, the whale triggers the sell-off by dumping large volumes of the targeted crypto asset. This sudden surge in supply causes the price to drop sharply, shaking market confidence.Step 3: Spreading FUD: To maximize the impact, whales may spread FUD using coordinated social media campaigns or fake news. Rumors like adverse regulatory action or insolvency can spread quickly, prompting retail traders to sell in panic.Step 4: Triggering sell-offs: The combination of visible large sell orders and negative sentiment induces other investors to sell their holdings, amplifying the downward pressure on the asset's price.Step 5: Profiting from the dip: Once the price plunges, the whale steps in to either buy back the asset at a lower price or close their short positions for a profit.The whales’ playbook: How do they manipulate the market? Crypto whales use sophisticated tactics to carry out bear raids and manipulate the market to their advantage. These tactics give whales an edge over retail traders, enabling them to manipulate prices and profit while the latter are left to deal with the chaos:Trading bots and algorithms: Advanced bots allow whales to execute large sell orders in milliseconds, triggering sharp price drops. Before the market can react, the whales turn the situation in their favor.Leverage and margin trading: Whales rely (to a large extent) on leverage and margin trading to make profits. Borrowing funds enables them to increase their position size and amplify the sales pressure. It triggers stronger market reactions than would be possible with their holdings.Low liquidity on certain exchanges: Whales can place large sell orders in illiquid markets with fewer participants and a low volume of trades, causing disproportionate price drops. They may even manipulate order books by placing and canceling large fake orders, known as spoofing, to trick other traders.Collaborate with other whales: Whales may collaborate with other large holders or trading groups to coordinate attacks, making the bear raid more effective and harder to trace.Impact of bear raids on the crypto market Bear raids can significantly disrupt the crypto market. Here is how they impact different players and the broader ecosystem: Effects on retail traders: Retail investors tend to react overwhelmingly during a bear raid. The sudden price drop and spread of fear often lead to panic selling, resulting in heavy losses for the investors who exit at the bottom. Most retail traders sell emotionally, not realizing they are playing into the whale’s strategy. Broader market consequences: Bear raids increase market volatility, making it riskier for new and existing investors. These events can shake overall confidence in the crypto space, leading to reduced trading activity and investor hesitation. In extreme cases, they can even trigger liquidations across multiple platforms. Potential positive outcomes: Bear raids can sometimes have cleansing effects on the crypto market. Market corrections induced by such raids remove overvalued assets from unsustainable highs. In some cases, these raids may expose weak or fraudulent projects, forcing investors to reassess their choices.Signs of crypto bear raidsBear raids are misleading market moves that resemble genuine downturns, often tricking traders into selling too soon. A quick drop in price may look like the start of a bearish trend, leading to impulsive decisions by retail traders. Often, these dips are short-lived and followed by a swift recovery once the whales take their profits. Recognizing the signs of crypto bear raids is key to avoiding losses.Here are a few signs of crypto bear raids:A sudden price drop that seems to break support levels Spike in trading volume during a market declineQuick rebound after the dipNegative sentiment causing trader panic No major news to explain the dropHow to protect yourself from crypto bear raidsTo safeguard your investments from crypto bear raids, you can use the following strategies:Conduct thorough technical analysis: Regularly analyze price charts and indicators to discern genuine market trends from manipulative movements. Implement stop-loss orders: Set predetermined sell points to automatically exit positions if prices fall to a certain level, limiting potential losses during sudden downturns. Diversify your portfolio: Spread investments across various assets to mitigate risk. A well-diversified portfolio is less vulnerable to the impact of a bear raid on any single asset. Stay informed: Monitor market news and developments to better anticipate and respond to potential manipulative activities. Use reputable exchanges: Engage with trading platforms that have robust measures against market manipulation, ensuring a fairer trading environment.The ethical debate: Crypto market manipulation vs free market dynamicsThe principles of free market dynamics starkly contrast to market manipulation tactics, such as bear raids. Proponents of free markets favor minimal regulatory intervention, arguing that it fosters innovation and self-regulation. A free market is an economic system in which supply and demand determine the prices of goods and services. Still, the decentralized and often unregulated nature of crypto markets has made them susceptible to manipulative practices. Bear raids require coordinated efforts by perpetrators to drive down asset prices, misleading investors and undermining market integrity. Such tactics bring losses to retail investors and erode trust in the financial system. Critics point out that without adequate oversight, these manipulative strategies can proliferate, leading to unfair advantages and potential economic harm. While free market dynamics are valued for promoting efficiency and innovation, the implications of unchecked market manipulation in the cryptocurrency space can be disastrous. Incidents like bear raids highlight the need for balanced regulation to ensure fairness and protect investors.Crypto regulations worldwide for market manipulation tacticsCryptocurrency market manipulation, including tactics like bear raids, has prompted varied regulatory responses worldwide. In the US, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) classifies digital currency as commodities and actively pursues fraudulent schemes, including market manipulation practices such as spoofing and wash trading. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also taken action against individuals who have manipulated digital asset markets. The European Union has implemented the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation to establish a comprehensive framework addressing market manipulation and ensure consumer protection regarding stablecoins.These efforts notwithstanding, the decentralized and borderless nature of cryptocurrencies presents challenges for regulators. Global cooperation and adaptive regulatory frameworks are essential to effectively combat market manipulation and safeguard investors in the evolving landscape of digital finance.Progression articlesLong and short positions in crypto, explainedA beginner’s guide on how to short Bitcoin and other cryptocurrenciesWhat is a bear trap in trading and how to avoid it?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.
The market for AI technologies is worth around $244 billion in 2025, and while that number seems impressive, the forecast is even more so: it will exceed $800 billion by 2030, according to Statista. In light of this, the Internet of Things (IoT) has transitioned into the Internet of AI Agents (IoAA), a decentralized network that …
A known maximal extractable value (MEV) white hat actor intercepted about $2.6 million in crypto assets stolen from Morpho Labs’ decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol. On April 10, Morpho Labs implemented a front-end update on its Morpho Blue application. A day later, a hacker breached an address through a vulnerability caused by the update. Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported that an address lost $2.6 million due to the vulnerability. However, the security firm noted that “c0ffeebabe.eth,” a known white hat MEV operator, had front-run the transaction, effectively intercepting the stolen funds.At the time of writing, the funds had been transferred to a different wallet address. It’s unclear whether the funds have yet been returned to their original owner.Morpho Labs reverts front-end updateResponding to the incident, Morpho Labs reversed its front-end update. In a post on X on April 11, the team confirmed it had been alerted to the issue and rolled back the changes. The team also said that normal operations had resumed:“All funds in the Morpho Protocol are safe and unaffected. The Morpho team will provide a detailed update later today in this thread.”After further investigation, the team confirmed that its front-end was safe and that users don’t need to perform additional actions to secure their assets. The team said the update was pushed to enhance the transaction flow. However, specific transactions on the front-end were incorrectly crafted. The Morpho Labs team said they’ve identified the issue and applied a fix. They added that they would publish a more detailed explanation of the incident next week. Cointelegraph reached out to the Morpho Labs team on X but did not receive a response by publication. Related: MEV bot loses $180K in ETH from access control exploitWhite hat MEV operator c0ffeebabe.ethC0ffeebabe.eth is known to have contributed to the recovery of funds during DeFi hacks. In 2023, the white hat MEV operator retrieved around $5.4 million in Ether (ETH) from the Curve Finance exploit in July 2023. During the incident, c0ffeebabe.eth used a bot to front-run a malicious hacker to secure 3,000 ETH. The funds were then returned to the Curve deployer address. In 2024, the mysterious white hat actor also recovered funds stolen during the Blueberry exploit. In an update, the DeFi protocol said all drained funds had been front-run by c0ffeebabe.eth and returned. Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express
Oxycoin’s price is rising again and shows the potential to revive the bull run it demonstrated in the first few days of 2025. The price has surged by over 2000% in just two weeks, which soon faced a massive bearish activity, leading to an 85% drop in the next few months. However, the steep descending …
Your day-ahead look for April 11, 2025
With inflation eroding the value of fiat and traditional assets under pressure, a growing number of companies are exploring a bold shift: putting Bitcoin on the balance sheet. On Thursday, April 17 at 2PM ET, The Block and Bitwise are hosting a live webinar with two of the most influential voices in the space: Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), […]
The flatulence-themed token is up nearly 99% on a seven-day average, showcasing its explosive growth follows Trump's tariff pause.
On-chain data shows the Bitcoin Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) Ratio is currently on a record streak against the metric for Ethereum. Bitcoin Has Continued To Dominate Ethereum In MVRV Recently In its latest weekly report, the on-chain analytics firm Glassnode has discussed about the divergence forming between Bitcoin and Ethereum. First, below is a chart that shows how the two cryptocurrencies have compared in terms of the Realized Cap growth since the start of the bull cycle. The “Realized Cap” here refers to an indicator that measures the total amount of capital that the investors of a given asset as a whole have invested into it. Changes in this metric, therefore, reflect the amount of capital going in/out of the cryptocurrency. Related Reading: Bitcoin Breakout Above This Level Could Set Stage For $208,550 Top, Analyst Says From the graph, it’s visible that Bitcoin has observed a massive increase of $468 billion in the Realized Cap since the bear market bottom back in November 2022. In this same window, Ethereum has seen inflows amounting to only $61 billion. As the analytics firm explains, This disparity in capital inflows between the two assets partly underscores why these assets have experienced diverging performance since 2023. Ethereum has experienced a relatively smaller inflow of demand and fresh capital this cycle, which has resulted in weaker price appreciation and a lack of a fresh ATH, despite Bitcoin prices reaching over $100k in December. Divergence between the assets has also formed in another metric: the MVRV Ratio. This indicator keeps track of the ratio between the Market Cap of an asset and its Realized Cap. Since the Market Cap represents the value the holders are carrying in the present, its comparison against the Realized Cap in the MVRV Ratio tells us about the profit-loss status of the investors as a whole. As is visible in the above graph, Bitcoin’s MVRV Ratio diverged from Ethereum’s around the start of the bull market. This implies that BTC investors have consistently enjoyed a higher amount of unrealized profits in this cycle. In the recent market downturn so far, ETH has taken a larger hit than BTC, so its MVRV Ratio has also declined at a faster rate. BTC investors as a whole are still in the green, but ETH holders are now underwater as the indicator for it has dipped under the 1 mark. Related Reading: 62.8% Of XRP Realized Cap Held By New Investors: Sign Of Fragility? To better showcase the disparity in the MVRV Ratio of the two coins, Glassnode has charted the difference between the two. As displayed in the graph, the difference between the Bitcoin and Ethereum MVRV Ratio has remained positive for 812 consecutive days now, which is the longest streak in history. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $79,300, down over 3% in the last seven days. Featured image from Dall-E, Glassnode.com, chart from TradingView.com
The Federal Bureau of Prison has moved Sam Bankman Fried, the former FTX CEO to a Southern-California prison which is known for brutalism and violence. Sam Bankman Held at Victorville According to a BOP inmate locator, he is now being held at a medium security facility in Victorville, as of Wednesday. Before the transfer, Fried …
Bitcoin (BTC) is exhibiting familiar “bottom” behavior at current prices, according to one of its best-known leading indicators. In an X post on April 10, John Bollinger, creator of the Bollinger bands volatility metric, revealed good news in progress for Bitcoin bulls.Bollinger bands %b metric teases BTC price comebackBitcoin may already be establishing a long-term bottom, the latest Bollinger bands data suggests.Analyzing weekly timeframes, Bollinger himself drew attention to one of his proprietary indicators, known as “%b,” which offers further clues about market trend reversals.%b measures an asset’s closing price relative to Bollinger band position, employing standard deviation around a 20-period simple moving average (SMA). Among its insights is the “W” bottom formation, where a first low beneath zero is followed by a higher low retest later — something that could now be in play for BTC/USD.Bollinger confirmed to X followers:“Classic Bollinger Band W bottom setting up in $BTCUSD. Sill needs confirmation.”BTC/USD 1-week chart with Bollinger bands data. Source: John Bollinger/XOn both weekly and daily timeframes, Bollinger bands show no trend shift has taken place yet. Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows that the daily chart continues to walk down the lower band, with the middle SMA acting as resistance.BTC/USD 1-day chart with Bollinger bands data. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewTurning to stocks, with which BTC/USD has become increasing correlated, Jurrien Timmer, director of global macro at Fidelity Investments, drew similar conclusions.“Revisiting the Bollinger Bands, we have gone from 2 standard deviations above-trend to on-trend to now almost 2 standard deviations below-trend,” he noted about the S&P 500 on April 9. “Again, oversold but not at an historic extreme.”Bitcoin bounce may follow 10% Nasdaq plungeAs Cointelegraph continues to report, BTC price bottom targets increasingly center around the $70,000 mark.Related: Bitcoin, stocks shun CPI print win and give up tariff relief gains — Will BTC whales save the day?That level is significant for several reasons, including as a psychological barrier and its status as a liquidity magnet.Network economist Timothy Peterson, whose Lowest Price Forward metric previously offered 95% odds that $69,000 would stay intact as support, now sees Bitcoin reversing only after stocks find their own floor.“Bitcoin led NASDAQ on this decline. As the asset perceived to be at the top of the risk pyramid, I would expect NASDAQ to rally first, and then Bitcoin. Just something to look for,” he revealed this week. “But I think NASDAQ has another -10% to fall.”Bitcoin vs. Nasdaq comparison. Source: Timothy Peterson/XThis 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.
Trump’s tariff war and pause theory has given many ups and downs to the crypto market. Following the current market sentiment, Ethereum’s price recently made a push past $1,550, even touching $1,687 at one point, but the rally was short-lived. The asset has since lost steam, slipping below key resistance levels and trading under $1,580. …
The US Securities and Exchange Commission and blockchain payments firm Ripple agreed to pause their appeals in the ongoing XRP legal battle, signaling a potential move toward a final settlement.The SEC and Ripple agreed to put their appeals in “abeyance,” meaning the proceedings are now paused pending an anticipated settlement of the XRP (XRP) case.“An abeyance would conserve judicial and party resources while the parties continue to pursue a negotiated resolution of this matter,” the parties jointly stated in an April 10 court filing.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse previously announced the end of the XRP case on March 19, and the new filing hints that the SEC is ready to settle once nominated and approved Chair Paul Atkins takes office, according to some community speculation.The filing cancels Ripple’s April 16 brief deadlineAccording to Ripple’s defense attorney, James Filan, the new filing supersedes the April 16 deadline for Ripple to respond to the SEC’s brief filed in January. “The settlement is awaiting commission approval. No brief will be filed on April 16,” Filan wrote in an April 10 X post.Some legal observers suggested the SEC’s willingness to pause the proceedings indicates that the agency may be prepared to drop the case after Atkins assumes office.Source: James Filan“SEC is ready to settle but is waiting for Atkins to take the helm as the new SEC chief so he can start off with dropping the biggest case of their career and start with a huge win,” one user suggested in a reply to Filan’s thread on X.When is Atkins expected to officially assume office?While the Senate confirmed Atkins as the new SEC chair on Wednesday, April 9, it’s unclear when he will take office.Related: Ripple acquisition of Hidden Road a ‘defining moment’ for XRPL — Ripple CTOIt could be several days before Atkins is sworn into office as the new SEC chair.Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler was sworn in three days after his confirmation in 2021, suggesting Atkins could take office as soon as April 12.Cointelegraph approached the SEC for comment on when Atkins is expected to be sworn in as the new SEC chair but had not received a response by the time of publication.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set
Aave-Chan Initiative Founder Marc Zeller unpacks Aave's efforts at decentralization, buyback initiatives and the GHO stablecoin.
What Is REAL? Conor McGregor’s staking-enabled memecoin explained Conor McGregor, also known as “Notorious,” is an Irish mixed martial artist born in Dublin on July 14, 1988. He is renowned for his achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he became the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes — featherweight and lightweight. Beyond his fighting career, McGregor ventured into entrepreneurship, in 2018 launching his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, named after his Dublin roots. He leveraged his UFC fame to market the triple-distilled blend. In 2021, McGregor sold a majority stake to Proximo Spirits for an estimated $600 million, while retaining a significant role.In April 2025, McGregor ventured into the crypto market by introducing a memecoin named “REAL.” Promising to change the crypto world, the digital token was launched through a sealed-bid auction to prevent interference from bots and snipers. Developed in collaboration with the Real World Gaming (RWG) decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), the REAL memecoin offers holders staking rewards and voting rights within its ecosystem. What happened during REAL memecoin fundraising? With the REAL memecoin, McGregor aimed to make a big impact in the crypto world. However, things didn’t go as planned.McGregor partnered with RWG, a decentralized autonomous organization, to raise funds for the project with a minimum goal of $1,008,000. But during the 28-hour presale, the DAO collected $392,315 in USDC (USDC) from 668 contributors, only 39% of its target.RWG acknowledged that the auction failed to hit the minimum raise, stating that they would fully refund all the bids. McGregor himself endorsed the announcement.For the fundraising, the REAL token was sold through a sealed-bid auction on Axis Finance. Users privately submitted bids specifying the quantity and price they desired, and tokens were allocated to the highest bidders at a single clearing price.After deliberating where they went wrong, RWG is now looking to relaunch the fundraising. The team hasn’t yet provided a date for the relaunch.McGregor has remained outspoken, characteristically announcing or endorsing project updates with his signature line, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is REAL!” The team plans to reshape the token’s purpose and possibly modify its fundraising approach for a more successful relaunch.Did you know? Memecoins often rise in value due to community hype and viral trends, not technical innovation. While they lack strong fundamentals, social media buzz and celebrity endorsements can drive massive short-term gains, making them popular among high-risk, high-reward investors. Reasons for REAL memecoin’s fundraising failure RWG’s attempt to launch the REAL memecoin faced multiple challenges, leading to the DAO’s failure to meet fundraising goals. Several factors contributed to this outcome:Market timing: The launch coincided with a downturn in the cryptocurrency market. Major cryptocurrencies, including Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL), faced sharp declines. Only Bitcoin (BTC) was an exception, as investors viewed it as a value holder. Memecoins faced almost a 60% decline after Dec. 24, except GHIBLI. Such a gloomy environment wasn’t conducive for the launch of yet another memecoin.Economic conditions: The world economy is going through a phase of reconstruction due to the Trump administration's reorganization of tariffs. This resulted in a US stock crash of about $5 trillion, more than the total market cap in crypto. (Though the crash happened after the fundraising failure, the story was in the making). The tariffs led to uncertainty in the world economic system, which also impacted the crypto market. Recession fears and substantial losses in US equities made investors more cautious. Scams surrounding memecoins: In 2024, over $500 million was lost to memecoin rug pulls and scams, as reported by Merkle Science, fostering significant distrust toward memecoins. One instance involved hackers compromising Kylian Mbappe’s X account to promote a fraudulent memecoin that reached a $460 million market cap before a rug pull. Similarly, Wiz Khalifa’s 35.7 million X followers were targeted with a fake WIZ token that briefly hit a $3.4 million market cap before collapsing. This decline in investor confidence likely affected the REAL token’s reception. Nansen Research’s Nicolai Sondergaard noted that experienced traders were quickly taking profits.Misinterpretation of the token’s objective: Despite McGregor’s assertions that REAL was a legitimate project with real-world applications, many perceived it as another celebrity-endorsed memecoin. This misunderstanding may have undermined the token’s credibility and deterred potential investors.Investor skepticism toward celebrity tokens: The crypto community has grown wary of celebrity-backed tokens, especially after several high-profile failures. Even tokens tied to Donald Trump and Melania declined sharply, causing investors significant losses. Other known celebrity token failures include Hawk Tuah (HAWK) by Haliey Welch and Daddy Tate (DADDY) by Andrew Tate. Several celebrities associated with crypto earned a bad name for themselves. Davido, a popular Nigerian Afrobeat star, launched his memecoin Davido (DAVIDO) and made money using pump and dump. These incidents caused investors to view memecoins with suspicion.McGregor’s image: While central to his success in the UFC, Conor McGregor's brash persona worked against him in the crypto world. His history of controversies and impulsive behavior undermined trust in the project’s legitimacy. His image raised red flags, especially in a space already plagued with scams. Did you know? Some memecoins have sparked real-world donations and activism. Dogecoin’s community once raised over $50,000 to send the Jamaican bobsled team to the 2014 Winter Olympics, showing that memecoins can fuel fun and philanthropy. Purpose and tokenomics of REAL memecoin The purpose of REAL is to facilitate functions like staking, governance, and utility, as well as a real-world MMA fight simulator and future business integrations. Its tokenomics, however, have come under criticism.According to the RWG team, the REAL memecoin tokenomics model was designed for transparency and community engagement, as 32% of the total supply was allocated to the DAO treasury to support ecosystem growth, while 17% was distributed to the community to incentivize participation. To earn governance rights and rewards, tokenholders could stake the coin; 10% was reserved for the development team. The model aimed to fund sports and gaming startups, blending hype with practical utility.Critics found flaws in the tokenomics, and many regard that as a reason for the poor show in fundraising. They were particularly harsh on the token's 12-hour unlock window. This allowed investors to sell their tokens shortly after the acquisition and make profits, even while the price declined. Several projects had used such a structure earlier for pump and dump, which created a bad precedent. This deterred long-term investors seeking sustainable growth.The project’s marketing strategy also raised concerns, as many felt the project added no real value and was just an attempt to take advantage of a celebrity’s name. The use of third-party logos on its website led to accusations of misleading promotional tactics, undermining the project’s credibility and deterring potential investors. And the lack of a clear roadmap for REAL only amplified investor skepticism. Broader risks of celebrity-backed tokens The fate of McGregor’s REAL memecoin fundraising highlights the broader risks of celebrity crypto endorsements. While celebrities bring attention and massive followings, their involvement often lacks substance, long-term commitment or technical understanding of the projects they promote. Celebrity-backed tokens often ride on hype rather than real value, leading to pump-and-dump scenarios where early investors benefit while latecomers suffer losses. The credibility of the crypto industry suffers when such projects collapse, reinforcing public distrust. The way REAL’s fundraising event turned out serves as a warning that fame doesn’t equal a project’s credibility.Regulators also scrutinize such endorsements more closely, potentially bringing legal consequences for misleading promotions. For the crypto space to mature, projects must prioritize transparency, utility and experienced leadership over viral marketing. The REAL memecoin fundraising failure emphasizes that genuine trust and long-term vision are more valuable than celebrity clout in crypto fundraising.Did you know? Shiba Inu, launched in 2020 by “Ryoshi,” was dubbed the “Dogecoin killer.” With a quadrillion-token supply and a vibrant “Shib Army” community, it hit a $40 billion market cap in 2021. What can investors learn from the failure of REAL memecoin fundraising? Investors in the crypto space can learn many lessons from the failed fundraising of REAL memecoin. First and foremost, hype is not a substitute for value. Relying solely on celebrity influence without understanding the fundamentals of a project can lead to poor investment decisions.REAL also revealed how quickly investor sentiment can shift. Initial excitement turned into skepticism as users noticed the lack of community involvement and utility behind the token. McGregor’s limited engagement and controversial public image further fueled doubts, proving that star power doesn’t guarantee project longevity or trustworthiness.Investors need to recognize the importance of doing their own research (DYOR). Just because a celebrity backs a token doesn’t mean it is credible. Checking for real-world use cases, developer activity, tokenomics and community feedback is essential.Finally, the collapse of REAL fundraising highlights the need for regulatory clarity in celebrity endorsements. Without it, misleading promotions will continue to hurt retail investors and ultimately undermine the credibility of the crypto industry.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a streamlined roadmap to enhance Layer-1 privacy on the blockchain network. In a blog post on April 11, Buterin introduced a framework focused on improving user confidentiality without requiring significant changes to the network’s core infrastructure. The proposal targets four distinct areas of privacy, including making on-chain payments private, […]
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Grayscale, one of the largest digital asset managers in the world, has just refreshed its “Assets Under Consideration” list for Q2 2025, highlighting 40 altcoins that could be included in future investment products. This move gives us a sneak peek into what Grayscale sees as the next big trends in the crypto space. ⚡️ Grayscale …
Stablecoins captured the biggest YoY growth among instutionals trades as global regulations regularized the fiat-pegged crypto coin market.
Despite rising global tensions from the trade war, gold stands strong, recently hitting a record high of $3,200 per ounce and delivering massive returns to investors. As a result, demand for safe-haven assets like gold is soaring. Meanwhile, CryptoQuant Verified Author Alex Adler Jr points Bitcoin’s growing interest as “digital gold.” With a 16% gain …
Efforts to create state-owned Bitcoin reserves are gaining traction in the United States, with Florida and New Hampshire taking significant steps this week. On April 10, New Hampshire’s House of Representatives approved House Bill 302 (HB 302) with a narrow 192–179 vote. The bill passed the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee earlier and moved to […]
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Pi Coin has dropped to around $0.30, worrying many early users. But the Pi team, including co-founder C. Fan and developer John Lang, is asking the community to stay calm, calling it just a short-term dip. They’ve rolled out updates like better mobile features, KYC, and tools for games and services. Analysts are also suggesting …
Asset managers Osprey Funds and Grayscale Investments agreed to settle a lawsuit over alleged violations of Connecticut law in the advertising and promotion of Grayscale’s Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to an April 9 court filing, the parties agreed to settle the two-year-old case and are finalizing documentation and settlement terms. The filing noted that once those steps are completed, Osprey will withdraw its appeal.“Soon after this appeal was filed, the parties reached a settlement of this case,” the motion stated. “It is expected that all these tasks can be done within 45 days, and it is uncertain whether a shorter extension would suffice.”Details of the settlement have not been made public. Grayscale and Osprey reach settlementThe legal battle between the two firms started on Jan. 30, 2023, when Osprey filed a suit in the Connecticut Superior Court. Osprey claimed it was Grayscale’s only competitor in the over-the-counter Bitcoin (BTC) trust market and that Grayscale had maintained its market share through deceit. Osprey claimed Grayscale promoted its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) as a means to access a spot Bitcoin ETF through a conversion. Osprey argued that the conversion was presented as a certainty, despite regulatory uncertainty at the time.Grayscale’s application to convert GBTC into a spot ETF was approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2024. An August 2023 ruling compelled the SEC to reconsider its rejection of Grayscale’s application to convert the fund into an ETF. The SEC’s approval allowed GBTC to transition into a spot ETF and begin trading on the NYSE Arca exchange.Related: Crypto ETPs shed $240M last week amid US trade tariffs — CoinSharesLawsuit settlement follows Osprey appeal On Feb. 7, Judge Mark Gould sided with Grayscale, ruling that Osprey’s claims against the asset manager were exempted from the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Osprey responded by filing a motion for reargument on Feb. 10. The fund claimed that Gould’s ruling came “before the close of discovery,” which is the formal evidence-gathering phase of a lawsuit.The fund claimed that the ruling overlooked the differences between how the Federal Trade Commission and Connecticut courts treat deceptive advertising. The settlement ended one of the more prominent legal clashes among crypto asset managers competing for early ETF dominance. Grayscale’s GBTC remains one of the largest Bitcoin investment vehicles in the United States.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express
Bitcoin is currently trading just above $80,000, following a brief rally to $83,000 yesterday that sparked renewed investor optimism. Despite the 4.1% gain over the past day, the asset remains more than 25% below its all-time high of over $109,000 set in January. One of the latest developments influencing the current sentiment came from US President Donald Trump, who posted, “This is a great time to buy,” shortly before a 90-day suspension on new tariffs was announced. The pause led to a sharp reaction across financial markets. Bitcoin jumped over 10%, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ saw daily gains exceeding 11% and 14%, respectively. According to CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn, this development mirrors a similar episode in 2009 when then-President Barack Obama encouraged long-term stock investments amid a market downturn. That historical parallel saw the S&P 500 begin a multi-year rally, raising the question of whether Trump’s second term might trigger a similar bullish cycle. Related Reading: Bitcoin Ownership Patterns Shift Amid Price Correction Historic Parallels and Their Potential Impact on Bitcoin Maartunn emphasized the potential for policy-driven sentiment shifts to play a role in Bitcoin’s future price trajectory. Drawing comparisons to the market response following Obama’s 2009 comments, the analyst suggests that investor psychology, coupled with fiscal strategy, could significantly affect market direction. The implications are not just isolated to equities but also extend to crypto markets, as demonstrated by Bitcoin’s strong correlation with traditional financial indices during major policy shifts. While no trajectory is guaranteed, the market’s reaction to political cues highlights Bitcoin’s growing entrenchment in broader macroeconomic trends. Maartunn wrote: Could the remainder of Trump’s second term mirror Obama’s first, when the market surged roughly 75% over four years? The parallels are there—but nothing is guaranteed. This chart will be one to watch closely in the coming months. Hashrate Hits Record as Fundamentals Strengthen Separately, CryptoQuant analyst Yonsei Dent pointed out an important underlying development. Despite Bitcoin’s decline from its $109K peak to around $80K, both the network hashrate and mining difficulty have reached all-time highs. These metrics suggest that Bitcoin’s network security and miner confidence remain strong, even during price drawdowns. While increased mining difficulty implies greater costs for miners, it also reflects heightened participation and belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value. The network’s resilience in the face of price volatility may offer a stabilizing factor as market sentiment continues to fluctuate. Dent cited CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju who noted that Bitcoin’s hashrate could serve as a proxy for its intrinsic value. He posited that, based on current mining trends, Bitcoin’s potential market cap could reach as high as $5 trillion. Notably, with the asset currently holding a $1.6 trillion valuation, Bitcoin’s upside remains considerable should fundamentals continue to align with investor confidence. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
The Illinois Senate by a vote of 39 to 17 passed a regulatory bill aimed at curbing cryptocurrency fraud and protecting investors from deceptive practices, including rug pulls and misleading fee structures.On April 10, the chamber passed Senate Bill 1797 (SB1797), also known as the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, which Senator Mark Walker introduced in February.The bill gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee digital asset business activity within the state.Under the legislation, any entity engaging in digital asset business with Illinois residents must be registered with the state’s financial regulator. The bill also requires crypto service providers to offer advance full disclosure of user fees and charges.Bill SB1797. Source: Ilga.gov“A person shall not engage in digital asset business activity, or hold itself out as being able to engage in digital asset business activity, with or on behalf of a resident unless the person is registered in this State by the Department under this Article [...],” the bill states.Related: Trump family memecoins may trigger increased SEC scrutiny on cryptoWalker has previously highlighted the need to address crypto-related fraud in Illinois. In an April 4 X post, he stated:“The rise of digital assets has opened the door for financial opportunity, but also for bankruptcy, fraud and deceptive practices. We must set standards for those who have evolved in the crypto business to ensure they are credible, honest actors.”Illinois’ push for stronger oversight follows a wave of high-profile memecoin meltdowns and insider-led scams that have left retail investors with substantial losses.In March, New York introduced Bill A06515, aiming to establish criminal penalties to prevent cryptocurrency fraud and protect investors from rug pulls.Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemMemecoin scams spark regulatory momentumOne of the most notorious recent cases was the collapse of the Libra token, a memecoin reportedly endorsed by Argentine President Javier Milei. In March, the project’s insiders allegedly withdrew over $107 million in liquidity, causing a 94% price crash and wiping out roughly $4 billion in market value.Libra token crash. Source: Kobeissi LetterInsider scams and “outright fraudulent activities” like rug pulls, which are “not only unethical but also clearly illegal, with case law to support enforcement,” should see more thorough regulatory attention, Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, told Cointelegraph, adding:“In my view, these activities should fall firmly within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.”The latest meltdown occurred on March 16, after Hayden Davis, the co-creator of the Official Melania Meme (MELANIA) and the Libra token, launched a Wolf of Wall Street-inspired token (WOLF).Source: BubblemapsOver 82% of the token’s supply was held by the same entity, which led to a 99% price crash after the token peaked at a $42 million market capitalization.Argentine lawyer Gregorio Dalbon has asked for an Interpol Red Notice to be issued for Davis, citing a “procedural risk” if Davis were to remain free as he could access vast amounts of money that would allow him to either flee the US or go into hiding.Magazine: Caitlyn Jenner memecoin ‘mastermind’s’ celebrity price list leaked
China has increased tariffs on U.S. goods to a cumulative 125%, intensifying the trade war.
China’s finance ministry has raised tariffs on select US imports to 125%, matching the United States’ most recent escalation and signaling continued parity in the trade conflict. The tariff adjustment, announced early Friday, comes just two days after Beijing raised duties to 84%, following Washington’s move to impose higher import taxes on Chinese goods. The […]
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