Also: Citi on quantum computing and bitcoin, Jump Crypto’s Firedancer, and Vitalik Buterin on AI verification
Trump Media withdrew its bitcoin ETF filing as analysts pointed to fee pressure, weak demand and fierce competition in the crowded spot bitcoin ETF market.
In this week’s Crypto Long & Short Newsletter, Alec Beckman on why BTC-backed lending is not a crypto story, but a capital efficiency story. Then, Serena Sebastiani on how stablecoins aren’t a crypto product; they’re becoming the settlement infrastructure global finance forgot.
Variational's funding could intensify competition in the crypto derivatives market, potentially driving innovation and lowering trading costs.
The post Variational raises $50M from Dragonfly Capital to expand decentralized derivatives trading appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The freeze in tech buyouts signals a shift in investment focus towards AI infrastructure, impacting exit strategies for software companies.
The post Tech private equity buyouts freeze as market grapples with AI uncertainties appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The ZEC technical structure continues to strengthen after breaking above a key macro resistance level that had capped price action for an extended period. Following a successful breakout above a long-standing descending trendline, the asset has continued to hold above key levels that previously served as strong resistance throughout the broader downtrend. The move signals a potential shift in momentum as bullish pressure gradually returns to the chart. How Zcash Momentum Continues Building After Technical Breakout Zcash is showing signs of renewed technical strength after completing a significant compound breakout above both a long-standing descending trendline and the critical $540 macro resistance zone. Technical analyst Ardi mentioned on X that the asset has also closed above the previous lower high near $560 for the first time since the broader shift in market structure. Related Reading: Here’s Why The ZCash (ZEC) Price Rallied Above $500 Again This level now becomes a critical pivot, whether ZEC can hold its reclaimed level as support and build momentum toward the next major resistance region between $590 and $600. However, if ZEC fails to maintain this structure, it would quickly shift price back toward the $540 level as the next key support zone. Ardi highlighted that the cleanest risk setup and reward remain at the extremes, which is either a confirmed breakout above $640 highs or a retest into $540 support with a clear invalidation below. The current range of ZEC is likely to remain choppy, with price action lacking clear direction between key levels. Ardi advises that with further consolidation still possible before a decisive breakout, the more strategic approach is to avoid chasing price in the middle of the range. Instead, the better trade structure is to position longs at support. Will Zcash Rally Gains Strength Following Clean Breakout Confirmation Zcash has continued to strengthen technically after successfully confirming a breakout from a well-defined daily bull flag continuation pattern, signaling a sustained upside bullish continuation momentum following weeks of consolidation. Related Reading: Zcash (ZEC) Approaches Critical Breakout Zone With Bulls Targeting Higher Levels After Recent Surge According to a post on X from an analyst known as Team LAMBO, the setup move inside the premium from the $510 breakout zone toward $560 has already delivered nearly 20% expansion from the previously identified local bottom, reinforcing growing optimism around the ZEC higher timeframe structure. Despite this move, the broader structure still appears incomplete. As long as the price holds above the breakout region, the bullish bias will remain intact, with momentum favoring further upside. From a higher timeframe (HTF) perspective, the next key expansion targets are positioned around $625, followed by the $680 resistance zone, where a significant pool of liquidity is expected to be situated. Featured image from Medium, chart from Tradingview.com
The XP token isn’t cooling off quietly. After exploding 300% from roughly $0.019 to $0.082 on May 14 the market looked ready to dump the usual “sell-the-news” script on traders. And, honestly, it did for a moment. Price corrected sharply toward $0.042 by May 19. But now XP price is climbing again, because crypto never …
Bitcoin struggles to overcome US selling pressure with markets on edge ahead of Nvidia's Q1 earnings report.
Variational is positioning itself as a retail-friendly brokerage via its in-development Omni app, which will offer "zero-fee" trading.
The pipeline deal could reshape global energy markets, enhance China's energy security, and challenge the dollar's dominance in trade.
The post Russia and China agree on Power of Siberia 2 pipeline route, accelerating de-dollarization of energy trade appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The CLARITY Act is moving toward the Senate floor with a promise crypto has spent years asking for: a clearer federal map for digital asset markets. The under-covered risk is that the map runs through the CFTC, making CFTC crypto regulation a capacity test for spot-market oversight after its payroll workforce fell by more than […]
The post CLARITY Act will give crypto a new regulator before the CFTC has the staff to run it appeared first on CryptoSlate.
The surge in Bitfinex margin longs could trigger significant market volatility, with potential for either a breakout rally or a sharp downturn.
The post Bitfinex margin longs hit a 2.5-year high as traders bet big on Bitcoin appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Ark Invest purchased $4.4 million in Bullish shares across three ETFs as the stock rebounded from a 15.4% five-day decline following mixed Q1 earnings.
The post Ark Invest buys $4.4M in Bullish shares as stock rebounds from five-day slide appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Something weird is happening around Ozone Chain and its token OZO. While heavyweight AI and infrastructure coins like LINK, TAO, INJ, and VVV dominate crypto conversations most days, but a much smaller project with roughly a $106 million market cap suddenly climbed to the top of LunarCrush mention rankings with 895 mentions by even beating …
The consultation could reshape EU crypto regulation, impacting stablecoin interest, DeFi oversight, and asset classification, influencing global standards.
The post European Commission opens consultation on MiCA updates for stablecoins and DeFi appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The Act reshapes digital content regulation, challenging decentralized platforms and raising compliance costs for new social media ventures.
The post Take It Down Act mandates social media platforms remove deepfake porn within 48 hours appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Burnham's candidacy could reshape Labour's internal power dynamics, influencing future leadership and policy directions within the party.
The post Andy Burnham enters Makerfield by-election, impacting Labour dynamics appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The European Commission is seeking feedback on whether the EU’s landmark crypto regulatory framework remains suitable as digital asset markets and global policies evolve.
Analytics provider Glassnode identified 10% of Bitcoin supply as structurally exposed to a quantum breakthrough, underscoring the need for a quantum-proof implementation such as BIP-360.
Exa Labs' funding highlights the intensifying race in AI infrastructure, with potential shifts in developer adoption shaping future market dynamics.
The post Exa Labs raises $250M to compete in AI search market appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Plume's Bermuda license could catalyze institutional adoption of onchain financial products by aligning them with regulatory standards.
The post Plume secures Bermuda license for first regulated onchain vault manager appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Hyperliquid ETFs have outpaced bitcoin and ether funds in adjusted inflows during parts of their early trading.
Stable Audio 3.0's extended capabilities could revolutionize on-chain music economics, enhancing royalty management and NFT music marketplaces.
The post Stability AI releases Stable Audio 3.0 with six-minute song generation capabilities appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
AI coins are ripping again, and no, this isn’t one of those overnight “next big thing” rotations the market forgets in 48 hours. The AI narrative has been grinding higher for months now, and today’s leaderboard is packed with tokens riding that momentum hard. OpenServ’s token, SERV, surged roughly 27% intraday after the project pushed …
Plume's Bermuda subsidiary has secured a Class M BMA digital asset licence, allowing the firm offer regulated onchain vault manager services.
A widely circulated analysis has claimed that structural changes inside the global financial system could trigger a dramatic market repricing for XRP. According to crypto analyst Pumpius, a pattern of institutional alignment involving Ripple technology, central banks, and emerging digital infrastructure could set the stage for what he describes as a historic price discovery phase. XRP Catalysts Emerging From Global Financial Infrastructure The analyst’s thesis begins with developments inside the Bank for International Settlements. On May 12, several influential BIS leadership roles were assigned to central bank governors from Italy, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. Related Reading: Analyst Says Roadmap For Bitcoin To Reach $500,000 Is Complete, Here’s Why Those appointments include Fabio Panetta of the Bank of Italy, Gabriel Galípolo of the Central Bank of Brazil, Michele Bullock of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and Kazuo Ueda of the Bank of Japan. According to the analyst, the significance lies not only in their new roles but in how their respective regions already intersect with Ripple’s technology. For instance, Italian banking giant Intesa Sanpaolo has deployed Ripple custody infrastructure, while financial institutions in Brazil have explored Ripple-powered payment services as the country advances digital asset licensing frameworks. Japan has long maintained close ties with Ripple through the partnership between SBI Holdings and Ripple, which has supported payment pilots and helped classify XRP as a financial asset within the Japanese market. Australia is also involved through digital asset research programs such as Project Acacia, while Ripple continues pursuing licenses across multiple jurisdictions. He further pointed to BIS-led cross-border interoperability initiatives that include both SWIFT and Ripple, as well as experiments such as Project Nexus and the multi-CBDC initiative known as mBridge. In the analyst’s view, these developments collectively form the structural catalysts that could boost XRP’s role in global payment infrastructure and subsequently, its price. Price Discovery Narrative Gains Momentum Beyond institutional positioning, the analyst argues that the next phase of XRP adoption could be driven by new technological layers forming around the XRP Ledger. Among the developments highlighted is Ripple’s work on zero-knowledge proof capabilities designed to support tokenization and privacy-focused financial infrastructure. One emerging project within this ecosystem is DNA Protocol, which has conducted zero-knowledge proof transactions on the XRP Ledger. The initiative aims to anchor sensitive biological or genomic data onto blockchain networks, potentially creating a compliance and identity layer for financial systems. Related Reading: Why Ethereum Is About To Break The Bear Cycle And Rally To $8,000 The analyst suggests that this type of infrastructure could enable institutions to verify identity and regulatory requirements without exposing private data, effectively linking payments, digital identity, and compliance within a single blockchain framework. He also referenced remarks from Japanese commentator Yuto Kanzaki, who indicated that a close associate had recently assumed a highly influential role at the Bank for International Settlements. Together, the analyst outlines a pattern: Ripple built banking partnerships, central banks began testing the technology, and global financial bodies started involving blockchain firms in policy discussions. If these trends lead to real cross-border payment flows on XRPL infrastructure, XRP could become the liquidity layer linking financial institutions, potentially triggering the price discovery he predicts. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
The leading industry super PAC claimed a "6-0 sweep" in the primaries in Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, though one big race awaits a runoff.
Despite public opposition, US exploration of CBDC infrastructure suggests inevitable adaptation to global digital finance trends.
The post US officials quietly study CBDC infrastructure despite Trump opposition, says former CFTC chief appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The ad campaign against Kalshi highlights growing regulatory challenges that could reshape the prediction market landscape nationwide.
The post FairPredicts launches ad campaign against Kalshi in DC amid scrutiny of prediction markets appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The misuse of prepaid funds in volatile investments highlights the risks of mismatched financial strategies, potentially eroding consumer trust.
The post South Korean funeral company reports $33M loss on leveraged ether ETF bet appeared first on Crypto Briefing.