Mantra and associated market makers allegedly manipulated liquidity metrics for the OM token by exploiting vulnerabilities in data aggregators’ self-reporting systems, according to discussions on the latest edition of “The Chopping Block” podcast. The scheme involved misrepresenting the circulating supply and trading volume of OM to create the appearance of broader market activity than existed. […]
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The Shiba Inu price continues to attract the attention of analysts, who are watching for its next potential move. A recent report from Finder, based on the insights of 26 crypto industry experts, reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook for SHIB. Finder, a US-based information service, released a new quarterly report featuring price predictions for Shiba Inu in 2025. The report is based on a comprehensive survey conducted in January 2025, during which 26 crypto industry specialists shared their insights on Shiba Inu’s potential price by the end of 2025 and its projected performance through 2035. Diverging Opinions On SHIB Price In 2025 According to the panel, Shiba Inu is forecasted to reach an average price of $0.0000399 by year’s end, marking an 84.3% increase from its January starting point of about $0.00002165. For its long-term price projection, the panel predicts that the popular meme coin will see a steady rise in the following years, erasing one zero to reach $0.0001971 by 2030 and $0.0008543 by 2035. Related Reading: Bitcoin Analyst Says Shiba Inu Price Is Not Hitting $1 – Here’s Why Gracy Chen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bitget, a crypto exchange, is among the most bullish voices among the panelists for the Shiba Inu price outlook. Chen cites SHIB’s positive technical indicators and recent support/resistance developments as signs of an ongoing bullish trend. She projects that the Shiba Inu price could hit a new target of $0.00006 by year-end. This represents 445.45%. Increase from the meme coin’s current market value of $0.000011. Similarly, Ruadhan O, founder of Seasonal Tokens, sees SHIB closing 2025 at $0.00005, though he warns of Dogecoin’s enduring dominance in the space. He believes that Dogecoin will most likely take the spotlight away from SHIB, making it unlikely for it to reach a new all-time high this year. Notably, not all panelists share the same bullish optimism for Shiba Inu. John Hawkins, a senior lecturer at the University of Canberra, projects that the price of SHIB will crash significantly, losing half of its value in 2025, falling to as low as $0.00001. His bearish prediction stems from the belief that meme coins could experience a similar decline to that of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Hawks points to broader macro trends like US President Donald Trump’s political influence and Bitcoin’s dominance as key barriers that would limit meme coins’ growth. Shiba Inu And Dogecoin Rivalry Continues Despite the majority of Finder’s panelists having significantly bullish projections for the Shiba Inu price, 79% of them agree that SHIB will never surpass Dogecoin in market capitalization. Sathvik Vishwanath, the CEO of Unocoin, believes SHIB’s substantial circulating supply currently and speculative nature limit its long-term bullish prospects. This is despite its rapidly evolving ecosystem, which includes innovative projects like ShibaSwap and the upcoming TREAT token. Related Reading: Shiba Inu Burn Update: 99.44% Daily Burn Crash Could Spell Trouble For Meme Coin When asked whether now is the right time to buy, sell, or hold SHIB tokens, the panel was divided: 57% recommended holding, 13% advised buying, and 30% suggested selling. In addition, opinions on Shiba Inu’s current valuation were mixed. 48% of the panel believed that SHIB was overpriced, while 44% stated that it was fairly priced. Ronen Cojocaru, the CEO of 8081 Inc., was among the most bullish panelists. He forecasted that SHIB could hit $0.00000743 by year-end, although he acknowledged that Shiba Inu is currently overpriced. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
US President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of being too slow to cut interest rates and escalating a long-running conflict that risks undermining the central bank’s political independence.With the European Central Bank (ECB) cutting interest rates again on April 17, “Too Late” Powell has failed to act appropriately in the United States, even with inflation falling, Trump said on Truth Social on April 17. “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Trump said.Source: realDonaldTrumpFlorida Senator Rick Scott agreed with the president, saying, “it’s time for new leadership at the Federal Reserve.”Trump’s public criticism of the Fed breaks a decades-long convention in American politics that sought to safeguard the central bank from political scrutiny, which includes any executive decision to replace the chair. In an April 16 address at the Economic Club of Chicago, Powell said Fed independence is “a matter of law.” Powell previously signaled his intent to serve out the remainder of his tenure, which expires in May 2026. Related: S&P 500 briefly sees ‘Bitcoin-level’ volatility amid Trump tariff warCrypto, risk assets look to the Fed for guidanceThe Federal Reserve wields significant influence over financial markets, with its monetary policy decisions affecting US dollar liquidity and shaping investor sentiment.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, crypto markets have increasingly come under the Fed’s sphere of influence due to the rising correlation between dollar liquidity and asset prices. This was further corroborated by a 2024 academic paper written by Kingston University of London professors Jinsha Zhao and J Miao, which concluded that liquidity conditions now account for more than 65% of Bitcoin’s (BTC) price movements.As inflation moderates and market turmoil intensifies amid the trade war, Fed officials are facing mounting pressure to cut interest rates. However, Powell has reiterated the central bank’s wait-and-see approach as officials evaluate the potential impact of tariffs. A measure of real-time inflation known as “truflation” suggests that cost pressures are much weaker than the Fed’s primary indicators, which are several months out of date. Source: TruflationThe Fed is expected to maintain its wait-and-see policy approach at its next meeting in May, with Fed Fund futures prices implying a less than 10% chance of a rate cut. However, rate cut bets have increased to more than 65% for the Fed’s June policy meeting. Related: Weaker yuan is 'bullish for BTC' as Chinese capital flocks to crypto — Bybit CEO
A sharp plunge in the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index coupled with rising prices added to U.S. stagflation fears amid the tariff war.
Galaxy Research has submitted a new proposal to the Solana (SOL) community to reform the network’s inflation governance discussion through a method called Multiple Election Stake-Weight Aggregation (MESA), according to a filing published on April 17. The mechanism seeks to introduce a market-driven process to refine the SOL emissions curve without relying on single-outcome votes. […]
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The Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a body authorized by the US state to issue a stablecoin, has suggested that it may clarify its language to better comply with potential guidelines from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).In an April 17 meeting in the extension of the Wyoming Capitol building, Commissioner Joel Revill suggested the body could reduce the risk of the state’s proposed WYST stablecoin qualifying as a security under SEC rules. The discussion among the commissioners and Executive Director Anthony Apollo followed the SEC issuing guidelines that certain “covered stablecoins” were considered” non-securities” and largely not subject to reporting requirements. Wyoming Stable Token Commission Executive Director Anthony Apollo with Senator Cynthia Lummis. Source: LinkedIn“We’re looking to kind of create our own vernacular around some of this, to clarify, and then use that as a jumping off point of discussion for the commission,” said Apollo, adding there were internal discussions regarding the SEC guidance but the commission was scheduled to address the matter in a May memo. Related: Wyoming treasury should run on blockchain — Stable Token Commission bossThe commission, established after Wyoming passed a law to issue a state-issued stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and redeemable for fiat currency, has been exploring issues surrounding WYST. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said in August that the government initially planned a launch in the first quarter of 2025 for the stablecoin, later amending the timeline to potentially launch in July.Looking to the US Congress for guidanceThe commission said it would be monitoring efforts by the federal government to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins. Among the proposed legislation was the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, or GENIUS Act, in the Senate, and the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy, or STABLE Act, in the House of Representatives.Though Wyoming is the least populated US state, with roughly 600,000 people, it has become home to some crypto firms likely seeking a regulatory-friendly jurisdiction. Custodia Bank, the digital asset bank established by Caitlin Long, is based in Cheyenne. US Senator Cynthia Lummis, who often advocates for crypto-friendly policies, represents Wyoming in the Senate. Magazine: Riskiest, most ‘addictive’ crypto game of 2025, PIXEL goes multi-game: Web3 Game
Ethereum transaction costs have fallen to their lowest point in five years. The drop comes as users pull back from the network amid economic concerns, according to data from Santiment, an on-chain analytics platform. Related Reading: Solana Hits Milestone As Canada OKs First Spot ETFs Ethereum Transaction Costs Plummet To Just 17 Cents The average fee to process a transaction on Ethereum now stands at approximately $0.168. This steep decline matches a pattern of reduced activity, with fewer people sending Ether or using smart contracts on the blockchain. Brian Quinlivan, marketing director at Santiment, explained the situation in an April 17 blog post. Market Uncertainty Keeps Traders On Sidelines According to Quinlivan, low network fees often appear before price rebounds. However, many traders seem to be waiting for global economic questions to clear up before they return to their normal trading patterns. ???????? BREAKING: Ethereum fees are at a 5-year low, with transactions currently costing just $0.168. This is the cheapest daily cost of making $ETH transfers since May 2, 2020. We briefly break this down in our latest insight. ????https://t.co/fg5CfRgsHn pic.twitter.com/QlLwyzdm1F — Santiment (@santimentfeed) April 16, 2025 Hesitation continues after market worries that had started from April 2 with US President Trump announcing sweeping tariffs. Traditional markets turned out to be hit alongside cryptocurrency, where most assets languish below pre-announcement values. Pectra Upgrade Set For Launch On May 7 Despite this market crisis, Ethereum development is on the move. Pectra is finally scheduled to go live on May 7 after some delays owing to the configuration hiccups as well as an unknown attacker causing problems during the testnet trials. The first part of Pectra will bring numerous enhancements to the network such as an increase to layer-2 blob capacity from three to six, transaction fee reduction, alleviation of network congestion, and also allow users to pay fees with stablecoins like USDC and DAI. The upgrade will also increase the maximum staking limit from 32 ETH to a much larger 2,048 ETH. A second phase planned for late 2025 or early 2026 will add new data structures for better storage efficiency. It will also create a system that helps nodes verify transaction data without storing the entire dataset. Long-Term Holders Begin Selling Positions Meanwhile, data from Lookonchain shows that long-term Ethereum holders are now selling their positions, even after holding through previous market cycles. These sales are happening in the $1,500 to $1,700 price range. After holding $ETH for 11 months, this guy capitulated and sold all 1,160 $ETH($1.83M) at a loss of $2.6M(-58.6%)! 11 months ago, he withdrew 1,160 $ETH($4.43M) from #OKX at $3,816, and deposited it to #OKX at $1,580 ~30 minutes ago, losing $2.6M(-58.6%).… pic.twitter.com/Cl0ebXie1f — Lookonchain (@lookonchain) April 16, 2025 The selling activity has created mixed signals for market watchers. Some analysts view this as a warning sign of a potential sell-off ahead. Others believe it could lead to market stabilization. Related Reading: Is Shiba Inu On Track To Dethrone Dogecoin? Here’s What The Experts Say This selling comes at an interesting time, with network usage at multi-year lows but major technical upgrades on the horizon. Based on Quinlivan’s assessment, reduced retail interest combined with ongoing development could create conditions for “an eventual surprise rebound with little resistance.” Ethereum price has dipped by more than 11% over the last two weeks. Based on figures from CoinMarketCap, this cryptocurrency is now trading just below $1,600. The price has remained unchanged over the last 24 hours. Featured image from Capital One, chart from TradingView
The price of gold surged to a new all-time high of $3,357 per ounce on April 17, igniting speculation on whether Bitcoin (BTC) would follow. Bitcoin-gold comparison. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIn 2017, Bitcoin rallied to $19,120 after gold witnessed a 30% hike a few months earlier. Similarly, gold reached a new high near $2,075 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, which preceded Bitcoin’s surge to $69,000 in 2021.Bitcoin has historically surpassed its previous all-time highs whenever gold rallies, reflecting a dynamic relationship between the two assets during periods of economic uncertainty and when investors look for a US dollar alternative.Further highlighting the interconnections between the assets, Joe Consorti, head of growth at Theya, pointed out that BTC follows gold’s directional bias with a lag of 100-150 days at a time. Consorti said, “When the printer roars to life, gold sniffs it out first, then Bitcoin follows harder.”Bitcoin vs gold price movement correlation. Source: X.comConsidering Consorti’s view, Bitcoin is expected to potentially attain new all-time highs between Q3 and Q4 of 2025. Anonymous Bitcoin proponent apsk32 expected a similar outcome or bullish period between July and November. Looking at data from past Bitcoin price cycles and BTC’s “power curve time contours,” the analyst predicted that Bitcoin will enter a parabolic phase in the latter half of 2025, with a price target as high as $400,000. Using the power law model, the analyst normalized Bitcoin's market cap to gold's and plotted BTC on a logarithmic scale, measuring each Bitcoin in ounces of gold instead of dollars.Bitcoin price and power curve chart. Source: X.comRelated: Bitcoin gold copycat move may top $150K as BTC stays 'impressive'Bitcoin trading like “Mag 8” amid tariff uncertaintyIn a recent interview with CNBC, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz said that Bitcoin and gold are “key indicators of financial stewardship” amid global macroeconomic uncertainty. Highlighting it as a “Minsky Moment” for the US economy, Novogratz said that Bitcoin thrives in market turbulence, driven by a weakening US dollar and capital flowing into safe havens like gold, which has recently rallied. Novogratz added that despite a 10% year-to-date drop in equities, markets underestimate the scale of global economic shifts, with tariffs and Trump’s policies adding uncertainty. He cautioned that rising interest rates and a weakening dollar signal the US is behaving like an emerging market, with Bitcoin and gold reflecting growing concerns over unsustainable deficits and the $35 trillion national debt.Related: Bitcoin online chatter flips bullish as price chops at $85K: SantimentThis 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.
Huaxia Fund is set to launch staking services on its Ether exchange-traded fund (ETF), making it the second in Hong Kong. OSL Digital Services (OSL) will provide custody and staking infrastructure for the fund.The staking feature will be live on May 15, moving the ETF from a strictly passive investment vehicle to an “active participant” in the Ethereum ecosystem, according to the announcement from OSL. Huaxia Fund, a subsidiary of China Asset Management (ChinaAMC), first launched its Ether ETF in April 2024. The introduction of a staking provision comes after Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) changed its rules on April 7 to allow for entities like centralized exchanges to offer crypto staking in a bid to position the city as a leader in Web3. When announcing the rule change, the SFC said it “recognizes the potential benefits of staking in enhancing the security of blockchain networks and allowing investors to earn yields.”Related: Hong Kong Bitcoin, Ether ETFs attract over $200M on day 1Staking is the process of locking up crypto tokens to help support the operations and security of a blockchain network. In return, participants earn rewards, typically in the form of more cryptocurrency.On April 10, Bosera HashKey was approved to be a staking provider in Hong Kong, the first under the new rule. According to a press release, staking will allow for Bosera HaskKey’s Ether ETF to take advantage of compound growth, as yield from the staked Ether can be reinvested into the financial instrument. According to Coinbase, ETH stakers are currently earning about 2.14% of their holdings in a 365-day average. 30-day ETH staking yield as of April 13. Source: Dune AnalyticsHong Kong changes rules to become Web3 hubStaking for Ether ETFs has been a central topic in the United States. In December 2024, Bernstein Research predicted that staking would be approved for Ether ETFs under the crypto-friendly Trump administration. Since then, CBOE and the NYSE have filed for a rule change with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to grant permission for staking in such funds.Asset manager BlackRock has remarked that while successful, ETH ETFs are less perfect without staking. Staking is seen as a way to attract more investors to the Ether ETFs, who may be lured by the possibility of yield, which leads to further gains.Related: Ether shoots up 3.5% as CBOE, 21Shares seek to add ETH staking to ETFHong Kong’s SFC appears to understand that and is acting accordingly. Chen Wu, the CEO of Hong Kong-based crypto exchange Ex.io, told Cointelegraph. “The SFC’s announcement signals that more doors are opening — not just for staking, but for a wider range of Web3 products to take shape under a regulated and trusted framework,” she said.Hong Kong has seen a 250% growth in its blockchain sector since 2022, with the city’s fintech market expected to reach over $600 billion by 2032. The Hong Kong government is considered to have proactive policies for cryptocurrency companies, a stark contrast to the sometimes combative tone other governments take to the emerging asset class.Magazine: What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation
Following comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Ethereum’s price is struggling as it fails to validate a clear upward trend. On April 16, during a speech in Chicago, Powell stated that the Federal Reserve is not in a hurry to lower interest rates, highlighting a cautious “wait-and-see” approach that depends on further economic data. …
Standard Chartered believes stablecoin supply could swell to $2 trillion by 2028, driving $1.6 trillion in new demand for US Treasury bills if upcoming US legislation passes as expected. The report, authored by StanChart’s head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, anticipates that the US GENIUS Act, which would formalize the legal framework for stablecoins, […]
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Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov signed amendments that provide its digital som legal status.
Issued by FINRA, the license will allow the company to broaden fixed income prime brokerage services for institutional clients.
A Kraken spokesperson said the firm is “making the difficult decision to eliminate certain roles and consolidate teams where redundancies exist, while continuing to hire in key areas of the business.”
Ethereum is trading around the $1,600 level after several days of failed attempts to reclaim higher prices. Bulls are showing signs of life, but their momentum remains weak as bearish pressure continues to dominate the market. Despite a brief recovery bounce last week, Ethereum’s broader structure still reflects a clear downtrend. Related Reading: Solana Retests Bearish Breakout Zone – $65 Target Still In Play? The crypto market remains under the shadow of macroeconomic uncertainty, as ongoing tensions between the United States and China weigh heavily on global financial sentiment. No resolution or agreement between the two economic giants has been announced, leaving investors cautious and risk-averse. Adding to the negative sentiment, CryptoQuant data shows that Ethereum whales have offloaded approximately 143,000 ETH over the past week. This large-scale distribution reinforces fears of further downside, with long-term holders and large wallets choosing to reduce exposure rather than accumulate. While some analysts still see potential for a turnaround if key levels are reclaimed, the current market environment remains fragile. Unless Ethereum can regain and hold above short-term resistance levels, the threat of another leg down remains very real. Traders are now closely watching price action for signs of a shift — but for now, caution continues to lead the way. Ethereum Faces Selling Pressure As Whales Exit Ethereum is facing a critical test as price action continues to lack clarity, and support levels remain fragile. Despite brief attempts to rebound, ETH has failed to establish a clear bottom, and the downtrend structure remains intact. The market is struggling to define a strong demand zone, making it difficult for bulls to sustain upward momentum. As selling pressure mounts, analysts are warning that Ethereum may continue to slide toward lower demand levels in the absence of strong buying interest. Broader macroeconomic conditions continue to weigh heavily on risk assets like Ethereum. Global trade tensions, particularly the unresolved tariff standoff between the United States and China, have created uncertainty across financial markets. Combined with fears of a slowing global economy and lack of coordinated fiscal support, crypto markets remain under pressure. Adding to the bearish sentiment, top analyst Ali Martinez shared on-chain data revealing that whales have offloaded approximately 143,000 ETH over the past week. This large-scale distribution by influential holders has significantly weakened Ethereum’s outlook, reinforcing concerns that smart money is preparing for deeper downside. Since late December, ETH has remained in a prolonged bearish trend, with every attempt at recovery being met by renewed selling. Unless bulls reclaim key technical levels and shift market sentiment, Ethereum may continue to slide further. Related Reading: Over 1.9M Ethereum Positioned Between $1,457 And $1,598 – Can Bulls Hold Support? ETH Price Stuck In Volatile Range Ethereum is currently trading at $1,600 after enduring days of massive volatility and macroeconomic-driven uncertainty. Despite brief relief bounces, ETH remains locked in a bearish structure, unable to generate sustained momentum. For bulls to regain control, reclaiming the $1,850 resistance level is critical. This level aligns with the 4-hour 200 MA and EMA around $1,800, making it a key zone to watch for confirmation of a short-term trend reversal. Holding above these moving averages would signal renewed strength and possibly mark the beginning of a recovery rally. However, price action continues to struggle beneath them, and failure to push above these indicators would confirm persistent weakness. In that case, Ethereum may retest the $1,500 level or even dip below it if selling pressure intensifies. Related Reading: Ethereum Metrics Reveal Critical Support Level – Can Buyers Step In? The current environment is shaped by global tensions and macro uncertainty, with no clear catalysts to drive a breakout in either direction. As long as ETH remains below its key moving averages, the risk of another leg down remains elevated. Bulls must act swiftly to flip sentiment and avoid a deeper correction toward long-term demand levels. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
The A16z team intends to lock the acquired ZRO tokens for three years to ensure its market stability. ZRO price is well primed for a major bullish rebound if the wider crypto market rises in the near future. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has been a huge contributor to the success of the LayerZero (ZRO) omnichain protocol. …
Barry Silbert, the CEO of Digital Currency Group, said he would have secured higher investment gains by just holding the Bitcoin that he invested in early-stage crypto projects around 2012.During an April 17 appearance on Raoul Pal's Journey Man podcast, Silbert said he discovered Bitcoin (BTC) in 2011, purchasing BTC at $7-$8 per coin. Once the price of BTC surged, Silbert started looking for early-stage crypto companies to invest in. The executive told Raoul Pal:"I was using Bitcoin to make a bunch of those investments, and you would think, if you invested in Coinbase you would have done really well. Had I just held the Bitcoin, I actually would have done better than making those investments."Silbert's comments come at a time when Bitcoin maximalists, including Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor, forecast a seven-figure Bitcoin price in the coming decade, and BTC receives greater attention from governments worldwide.Bitcoin price history 2011-2025. Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: Bitcoin gold copycat move may top $150K as BTC stays 'impressive'Bitcoin could hit $1 million if US begins buying BTC Zach Shapiro, the head of the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) think tank, recently predicted BTC would hit $1 million per coin if the United States government were to purchase 1 million BTC.“If the United States announces that we are buying a million Bitcoin, that’s just a global seismic shock," Shapiro told Bitcoin Magazine in an April 16 podcast appearance.Bo Hines, the executive director of President Trump's White House Crypto Council, signaled that the council is exploring several budget-neutral strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin for the US Strategic Reserve.These strategies included revaluing the US Treasury's gold reserves, which are currently priced at $43 per ounce while the market rate is at an all-time high of $3,300 per ounce, and funding Bitcoin acquisition through trade tariffs.BTC has been floated as a way to eliminate or alleviate the growing national debt by President Trump and several market analysts.According to asset management firm VanEck, Bitcoin could help claw back the $36 trillion national debt by $14 trillion if the US Treasury introduces long-term bonds with BTC exposure.Magazine: TradFi fans ignored Lyn Alden’s BTC tip — Now she says it’ll hit 7 figures: X Hall of Flame
The venture capital firm's ZRO acquisition follows previous investments in the protocol.
The fund will hold between 30 and 60 assets linked to the blockchain economy.
Slovenia's proposed crypto tax could level the playing field for investors, enhance fiscal transparency, and boost government revenue.
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Circle announced the launch of its Refund Protocol on April 17, introducing a non-custodial smart contract system to enable dispute resolution for stablecoin transactions without relying on centralized intermediaries. The initiative addresses what it labels as a key shortcoming of using stablecoins, which is the lack of a built-in mechanism for refunds or chargebacks. The […]
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Ripple’s XRP, once seen as a slow mover in the crypto world, is now turning heads. For the past six months, it has been beating Ethereum, the worlds largest altcoin in the price growth. This has left many wondering what’s driving this success and how long it will take XRP to surpass Ethereum in market …
Crypto market analyst Dr Cat (@DoctorCatX) has declared XRP the strongest chart in the entire crypto space, citing Ichimoku Cloud dynamics that currently favor XRP over both Bitcoin and major altcoins such as Ethereum. XRP Is The ‘Strongest Chart’ In a weekly comparison of XRP/USD and BTC/USD, Dr Cat explains that XRP continues to exhibit full bullish structure within the Ichimoku framework. On the weekly chart, XRP is holding above the Kijun-Sen (base line), and the Tenkan-Sen (conversion line) remains above both price and Kijun, maintaining a textbook bullish configuration. The price, marked at $2.09688, has now consolidated for multiple weeks above the Kijun, with no significant violations. The Ichimoku cloud projected ahead — the Kumo — shows a sharply rising Senkō Span A, forming an upward-sloping top to the cloud that extends into May. Senkō Span B is positioned lower and flat, adding to the positive slope of the cloud. This forward structure typically reflects underlying trend strength. While precise values for these lines are not labelled on the chart, their shape and relative positioning confirm that the cloud is bullishly aligned, with Span A above Span B, and rising — a configuration often preceding strong continuation moves. Related Reading: XRP Dips To $1.97 – A Golden Opportunity Before The Next Rally? In contrast, the BTC/USD weekly chart presents a more fragile picture. While Bitcoin trades at $84,940, and remains above the Kumo, it has lost the Kijun-Sen, with price slipping below that critical baseline over the last two candles. Moreover, the Tenkan-Sen has crossed beneath the Kijun-Sen, forming a classic bearish crossover. Even if this crossover eventually proves to be a whipsaw, it is technically significant, as Dr Cat notes: “Even if a fake one, it’s a score point for bears that needs to be overcome.” Dr Cat summarizes the contrast across the majors as follows: “Plenty of altcoins are already in a bear market on the weekly, including ETH. BTC is struggling to fight back. But XRP bulls still have full control.” In response to users speculating on timelines, tops, and price targets — some calling for $0.80 retracements, others for new all-time highs imminently — the analyst replied: “By the end of May it should be pretty clear.” Related Reading: XRP To $15? Pundit Explains How ETFs Could Trigger Massive Rally Dr Cat has also reiterated his medium-term upside target of $4.50 for XRP, suggesting that the setup may culminate in a full-scale breakout attempt toward or beyond the all-time high near $3.84. That move, however, remains contingent on bulls maintaining their current technical advantage. XRP Sets New Record Against Ethereum Additional evidence of XRP’s rising strength comes from independent analyst Dom (@traderview2), who published a historical performance heatmap comparing XRP to ETH on a monthly basis. His data shows that XRP has now outperformed ETH for five consecutive months (entering the six month) — the longest such streak ever recorded. The outperformance began in November 2024, with XRP gaining +160.4% relative to ETH, followed by +18.5% in December, +47.3% in January, +4.3% in February, +19.6% in March, and +14.3% so far in April 2025. Prior to this run, the longest relative win streak had been four months (June–September 2024), making the current stretch a historical first. The cumulative arithmetic gain across this period exceeds +264%, showcasing a sustained capital rotation toward XRP not seen in prior cycles. While it remains to be seen whether the current strength translates into new highs, XRP’s chart structure is unmatched across major tokens on the weekly timeframe. With a clean bullish alignment, a rising cloud, and dominant relative performance, Dr Cat’s conclusion remains firmly grounded: “XRP bulls still have full control.” At press time, XRP traded at $2.09. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Over the past year, most altcoins have struggled to keep up with Bitcoin, but one project is breaking away from the pack: XRP.While other tokens have stagnated or slid, XRP (XRP) has surged more than 300% in just six months against Bitcoin (BTC) to quickly become one of the best-performing assets in the crypto space. But what’s really behind this rally — and more importantly, can it last?Some say it’s the fundamentals finally shining through. Others argue it’s just hype and speculation driven by a passionate community. Then there’s the legal, political, and institutional side of things — factors that could have a far greater impact on XRP’s trajectory than many realize.In Cointelegraph's latest video, we dive deep into the forces driving XRP’s recent performance, the growing institutional interest, and the potential game-changing developments on the horizon. From exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and stablecoins to regulation and Ripple Labs’ evolving strategy, this video breaks it all down.Whether you’re an XRP holder, a skeptic, or just trying to make sense of the altcoin market in 2025, this is a video you don’t want to miss.Check out the full breakdown on our YouTube channel — and make sure to subscribe for future updates.
Chainlink network is heavily bolstered by growing fundamentals and a positive regulatory outlook in the United States. LINK bulls must defend the support level above $9.4 to invalidate further capitulation in 2025. Chainlink (LINK) price has been trapped in a multi-week falling channel since the second inauguration of the U.S. President Donald Trump. The large-cap …
Dogecoin has been among the top-traded tokens, which has been attracting enough liquidity, which has maintained the volatility. Meanwhile, the latest price action has remained stuck within a narrow range, hinting towards a drop in the bullish and bearish pressures. While the spot market remains uncertain, the whales seem to be confident of the upcoming …
North American institutional interest grows as SOL reclaims DEX dominance over Ethereum with 16% weekly gain.
Google search volume for “Bitcoin” for the month of March 2025 stood at 34, its highest level so far in 2025.
XRP is making headlines this month as whale activity surges across the network. In a surprising twist, reports indicate that XRP whales have dumped more than $700 million worth of tokens just this April. This sudden shift in whale behavior raises the question of what these big players are really up to. XRP Whales Offload 370 Million Tokens In April On April 15, prominent crypto analyst Ali Martínez reported on X (formerly Twitter) that XRP whales have begun dumping the popular cryptocurrency in large volumes. Following a period of substantial token accumulation, these large-scale investors have sold over 370 million XRP since the beginning of April. Related Reading: Trump-Powered Rally Triggers Heavy Dumping From XRP Whales, Here’s How Much Notably, this massive whale sell-off amounts to over $700 million, triggering a wave of speculation about the intentions behind this move. More interestingly, the XRP dumps appear to align with recent price fluctuations, as whales tend to heavily influence market dynamics, especially during a downturn. The Santiment chart provided by Martinez reveals a clear trend, from April 3 to 14, 2025, that XRP wallets holding between 100 million to 1 billion tokens have drastically reduced their holdings. As this large-scale whale dumping progressed, the XRP price dropped to new lows around April 8 and then began a steady climb, reaching $2.1 at the time of writing. While the reason behind such large-scale exits is unclear, a few plausible explanations exist. Whales might be capitalizing on earlier price gains to lock in profits while the market conditions for XRP remain relatively stable. These investors could also be responding to heightened market volatility, pushing them to shift their holdings into alternative assets to hedge risks and safeguard against losses. Another possibility is that these big players are selling tokens between wallets or transferring them to exchanges in anticipation of a significant event — perhaps the final legal decision between Ripple and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In less optimistic scenarios, such coordinated whale activity, which tends to influence prices, may be indicative of market manipulation, often aimed at achieving strategic gains. Although it’s uncertain whether the above motives are driving recent whale dumps, one thing is clear: large-scale XRP movements always warrant close attention. With XRP now hovering around $2, the market waits to see just how these sell-offs will influence the future price of the cryptocurrency. Update On Latest XRP Price Action According to crypto analyst Andrew Griffiths, the current XRP price analysis indicates a notably bullish trend. This momentum emerged after the cryptocurrency surpassed two key resistance levels and established a solid support level, signaling a potential upward movement. Related Reading: XRP Price Reversal Toward $3.5 In The Works With Short And Long-Term Targets Revealed As a result, the analyst predicts that XRP could record a massive gain of over 20% in the coming weeks. With the token currently trading at $2.10, a 20% increase would bring it to approximately $2.589. Based on the upward trajectory within the Ascending Channel seen on the price chart, the analyst predicts that XRP could climb as high as $3.3. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Bitcoin mining company Bit Digital has acquired an industrial building in Madison, North Carolina, upping the ante in a business diversification strategy that includes strategic pivots into AI and high-performance computing. Bit Digital agreed to buy the property for $53.2 million through Enovum Data Centers Corp., the company’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, regulatory filings show. The investment includes a $2.25 million initial deposit, with $1.2 million being non-refundable. The transaction is expected to close on May 15.Bit Digital disclosed the acquisition in a Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: SECBit Digital’s regulatory filing was submitted around the same time that it announced a new Tier 3 data center site in Quebec, Canada, which will support the company’s 5 megawatt colocation agreement with AI infrastructure provider Cerebras Systems. The Quebec facility is being retrofitted with roughly $40 million in upgrades to meet Tier 3 standards — strict requirements that ensure high reliability for critical systems and continuous operation.Bit Digital CEO Sam Tabar said at the time that the Quebec operation “represents continued momentum in our strategy to deliver purpose-built AI infrastructure at scale.”Related: Auradine raises $153M, debuts business group for AI data centersMiners under pressure to diversifyFaced with volatile crypto prices and a quadrennial Bitcoin halving cycle that squeezes revenues, several mining firms have leveraged their existing infrastructure to pivot to other data-intensive workloads. Mining companies like Hive Digital say AI data centers offer potentially higher revenue streams than crypto mining. In the latest sign of economic pain, public Bitcoin miners sold more than 40% of their Bitcoin (BTC) holdings in March, according to data from TheMinerMag publication. Public miners that can’t keep their costs under control struggle the most in maintaining their Bitcoin operations, placing more pressure on executives to seek out alternative revenue streams.An October report by CoinShares suggested that the least profitable miners are more likely to shift gears to AI and other workloads. The cost per Bitcoin is an important metric for mining companies, which have struggled to remain profitable in a post-halving environment. Source: CoinSharesRelated: SEC says proof-of-work mining does not constitute securities dealing