On:

Founder and former CEO of Binance (CRYPTO: BNB) Changpeng Zhao, popularly known as “CZ,” said that “right now the crypto industry is too transparent,” warning that blockchain’s public ledger combined with exchange KYC data makes tracking user transactions alarmingly easy, while most regulators have yet to catch up on how to use it.

“It’s actually extremely easy to track crypto funds. The blockchain is a public ledger, and if you couple that with a few centralized exchanges’ KYC information, you can track most transactions pretty accurately,” Zhao said Friday on TBPN.

A Privacy Problem, Not Just A Feature

CZ illustrated the risk with a plain example: if a company pays staff in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), anyone can trace that wallet address and determine every employee’s salary. Similarly, paying for a …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin has climbed back above $73,000 amid a broader consolidation phase for digital assets.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $73,182
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,253
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $85.44
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.35
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09519
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055973

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 125,458 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $279.33 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $343.3 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Thursday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $85.2 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Dash, DeXe and Zcash.

Notable Developments:

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) outperformed Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) over the past month, supported by rising network activity, capital inflows and strengthening ecosystem fundamentals.

Network Activity Reaches Record High

CryptoQuant data shows Ethereum’s network activity has reached an all-time high, with the seven-day average of total transfers surpassing 1.3 million.

The surge reflects increased usage across decentralized finance, Layer-2 networks and smart contract applications, signaling strong adoption beyond simple holding.

Despite this growth, Ethereum is trading well below previous highs. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) may be forming a structural bottom after months of decline, according to crypto analyst Ali Martinez, who points to growing signs of accumulation across major assets.

Signs Of A Structural Floor

In a X post on Apr.9, Martinez said the market has been in a seven-month downtrend but is now showing early signs of stabilization.

He described the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong publicly backed passing the Clarity Act on April 10 after killing the bill in January, as a new compromise allows activity-based stablecoin rewards while banning passive yield.

The January Blowup

In January, Armstrong posted publicly on X the night before the Senate Banking Committee’s scheduled markup, announcing that Coinbase could not support the bill in its current form.

That move single-handedly caused the hearing to be postponed and fractured the crypto industry.

The move drew public disagreement from prominent leaders, including a16z crypto’s Chris Dixon, who posted that now was the time to move the bill forward.

The Compromise That Changed Things

Over the following months, Senators Thom Tillis (R-SC) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MY) negotiated a compromise. By late March, the two reportedly came to a tentative deal on stablecoin yield.

Then on April 8, the White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report finding that a …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) shares edged higher Friday after Hong Kong regulators approved new stablecoin issuer licenses, signaling progress in digital asset oversight.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) granted licenses to Anchorpoint Financial Limited — a joint venture by Standard Chartered PLC (OTC:SCBFF) (OTC:SCBFY) — and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited under a new regulatory framework.

Regulatory Breakthrough In Digital Assets

The approvals mark a step in Hong Kong’s push to formalize stablecoin operations. Authorities aim to balance innovation with safeguards for users and markets.

The licenses …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is increasingly becoming a tool in global geopolitics and financial markets after claims Iran reached a ceasefire agreement proposing a $1 per barrel transit tax that could be paid in BTC.

BTC Is Digital, Decentralized, Non-Sovereign Asset

Anthony Pompliano said in his latest podcast episode on Thursday that Bitcoin is demonstrating “true product-market fit,” citing rising interest from both traditional finance and geopolitical actors.

He pointed to the launch of a low-fee Bitcoin exchange-traded fund by Morgan Stanley as evidence of accelerating institutional adoption.

Pompliano also referenced reports suggesting that Iran may have explored a ceasefire-related arrangement involving …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

World Liberty Financial (CRYPTO: WLFI) denied liquidation risk after pledging approximately 5 billion WLFI tokens and borrowing roughly $75 million in stablecoins on a decentralized finance protocol.

The Denial

WLFI fired back at critics questioning its massive lending position on Dolomite, calling the concerns “wrong” and framing its role as the protocol’s anchor borrower.

“We are one of the largest suppliers and borrowers on WLFI Markets. Yes, we supplied WLFI as collateral and borrowed stablecoins. No, we are nowhere near liquidation,” WLFI wrote. 

“Even if markets moved dramatically against us, we’d simply supply more collateral,” they added.

By being the anchor borrower, WLFI claims it’s generating the yield that makes WLFI Markets compelling for everyone else. Everyday users are earning outsized stablecoin yields right now.

The On-Chain Reality

On-chain …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) could be structurally better prepared than Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to handle long-term risks from quantum computing, according to industry experts, though the threat remains largely theoretical.

XRP’s Relative Protection

The primary concern stems from quantum machines using Shor’s algorithm to derive private keys from public keys, potentially allowing attackers to access wallets, Coindesk reported, citing experts.

This risk emerges only after a public key is exposed, typically when a user sends a transaction.

Wallets that have only received funds remain protected because their public keys are not revealed on-chain.

On the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) surged 8% this week to $72,000 as $411 million flowed into spot ETFs in April, yet analysts warn the fragile ceasefire remains on shaky ground with U.S. and Iranian officials set to meet in Pakistan on Saturday.

The Fragile Relief Rally

The fragile standstill in the Middle East has eased Bitcoin traders’ panic, but they’re not tearing up their hedges against a sharp drop just yet, according to Bybit chief market analyst Han Tan.

“Relief rallies across the risk complex have been limited by lingering doubts over a meaningful end to this Middle East conflict,” Tan said. 

“The fragile ceasefire remains on shaky ground,” he added.

Bitcoin powered 8% after the U.S. and Iran announced a conditional two-week truce that includes steps tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow shipping lane carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

The ETF Inflows

April has seen …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Galaxy Digital (NASDAQ:GLXY) surged 11.32% to $21.15 on Thursday after announcing an ambitious goal of developing “multi-hundred-billion-dollar” worth of digital infrastructure assets as it captures a significant share in the rapidly growing AI market.

The Helios Flagship

In its first annual report with the Nasdaq, Galaxy Digital said its flagship data center Helios would represent an investment worth more than $15 billion, making it an asset with durable, high-return characteristics for shareholders.

Helios, Galaxy’s flagship AI data center campus in West Texas, was approved to develop 1.6 gigawatts of capacity to power the next generation of AI and high-performance computing. 

The first 800 megawatts leased to CoreWeave, one of the leading AI cloud providers, represents over $7.5 billion of capital investment alone.

Combined with the newly approved 830 megawatts in a build-to-suit model, Helios likely represents well north of $15 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Tom Lee‘s BitMine Immersion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) just unveiled a massive $4 billion buyback—but the real story may not be capital return. It may be valuation.

Lee has been clear: buybacks make sense when a stock trades below “intrinsic value,” reported MEXC.

The Math Behind The Move

And right now, BitMine’s balance sheet tells an interesting story—its Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) holdings are estimated at over $10 billion, while its market cap sits closer to the $9–10 billion range.

That gap matters.

Because if BitMine is effectively trading at—or below—the value of its ETH holdings, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Fundstrat’s Tom Lee says the bottom is in and the S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY) is heading to 7,300, arguing last week proved stocks can rise even as the Iran war worsened and oil surged from $87 to $116.

The Bottom Is In

“I think the bottom’s in because last week was a period where the war was getting worse and oil was going up, but stocks weren’t going down,” Lee told CNBC’s Scott Wapner Wednesday.

“So that’s a good precondition and today now we have the rate of change that the war is de-escalating,” he added.

From mid-March, oil rose from $87 to $116 while the S&P 500 climbed from 6,300 to 6,600. Stocks rose even as the Iran war worsened. This proved stocks could handle bad news.

Yesterday’s proposed ceasefire marked a positive rate of change inflection. Stocks rose over 2%, oil dropped 15%, and the VIX fell under 20.

What Led The Rally

Since the war started …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin trades around $72,000 as Bitcoin ETFs saw $343.3 million in net inflows on Thursday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $85.2 million in net inflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $71,913.67
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,197.31
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.39
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.33
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09227
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055886

Meme coin market capitalization is up 0.5% to $34 billion over the past 24 hours.

Trader Commentary: 

Crypto chart analyst Ali …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin traded largely flat as improving sentiment is offset by renewed institutional selling pressure tied to geopolitical uncertainty, including the U.S.-Iran conflict. U.S. CPI data is scheduled to release tomorrow.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $72,123
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,218
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.92
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.35
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09337
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055978

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 98,516 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $306.60 million.
  • SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $124.6 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $18.6 million.
  • In the past …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called crypto leaders resisting the Clarity Act “nihilists” as the bill remains stalled over stablecoin yield disputes with midterm elections threatening passage.

The Nihilists Attack

“A growing share of crypto development has relocated to places with clear rules, such as Abu Dhabi and Singapore”, Bessent wrote in The Wall Street Journal.

Though industry nihilists may argue otherwise, there is one way to give developers and entrepreneurs the comfort to reshore: durable law.

“Congress has spent the better part of half a decade trying to pass a framework to onshore the future of finance”, Bessent added. 

The Senate Banking Committee must hold a markup and send the CLARITY Act to President Trump’s desk.

The Stablecoin Yield Standoff

The most prominent dispute pits certain crypto companies against the banking industry over the payment of yield on stablecoin holdings to customers.

In January, Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) pulled its …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Institutional interest in digital assets is rising despite geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty, underscoring a broader shift toward crypto and tokenization.

Diverging ETF Flows

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) continues to attract institutional capital, with ETFs recording $1.32 billion in inflows in March, reversing a four-month streak of outflows.

Buying activity was particularly strong in the $66,000–$68,000 range, signaling accumulation at key levels.

In contrast, Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) ETFs saw $46 million in outflows, extending a six-month streak of withdrawals.

The divergence highlights …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could climb to $95,000 by the end of 2026, according to executives at Bitwise Asset Management, who say the market is undergoing a quiet but sustained institutional bull run.

Retail-Institutional Divide Widens

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan and Head of Research Ryan Rasmussen, speaking in an Apr. 8 interview with Milk Road, highlighted a growing disconnect between retail and institutional investors.

While retail traders remain focused on falling altcoin prices and weak liquidity, institutions are steadily accumulating and targeting long-term …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

BitGo Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BTGO) on Thursday announced a partnership with AndX to launch a U.S. crypto trading platform using its Crypto-as-a-Service infrastructure.

Platform Launch and Infrastructure

BitGo said AndX USA LLC is leveraging its platform, built on BitGo Bank & Trust, for digital asset services. The platform enables secure buying, selling, and custody of digital assets across all 50 states.

The offering includes institutional-grade security, compliance capabilities, and custody backed by $250 million in insurance coverage.

Integration and Capabilities

Through its API-driven infrastructure, BitGo enables AndX to accelerate deployment while integrating custody, transfers, and trading workflows, resulting in a more streamlined user experience.

Frank Wang, managing director and head of fintech at BitGo, said crypto platforms no longer need to trade off speed for strong institutional safeguards, noting that BitGo’s Crypto-as-a-Service helps firms like AndX launch and scale secure trading operations on a regulated, API-driven infrastructure built for reliability, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. stocks held modest midday gains Thursday as tentative Lebanon–Israel diplomatic overtures introduced a fragile layer of optimism into an otherwise tense geopolitical backdrop.

• iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF stock is testing key support levels. What’s behind IGV weakness?

In a late-night post on Wednesday, President Donald Trump warned that all U.S. military assets would remain positioned near Iran “until such time as the real agreement reached is fully complied with,” underscoring the conditional nature of any de-escalation.

Tehran, meanwhile, accused Washington of breaching ceasefire terms and reiterated threats against vessels awaiting transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which remained shut — a stark reversal from Wednesday’s relief-driven rally that had sent equities higher while triggering a sharp unwind in energy prices and bond yields.

A fresh geopolitical development offered some relief. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Lebanon had requested direct talks, with Israel agreeing to engage. A senior Lebanese official signaled that negotiations would require U.S. guarantees and begin with a temporary ceasefire framework.

In commodities, WTI crude rose 3.8% to $98.01 per barrel, paring earlier gains after briefly reclaiming the $100 level.

Across U.S. equities, gains remained narrow but broadly distributed by midday, with consumer discretionary and …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE:BMNR) began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday and expanded its share repurchase authorization to $4 billion from $1 billion, yet shares slipped 2% on debut day.

The NYSE Uplisting

Bitmine moved from the NYSE American to the New York Stock Exchange, where shares ceased trading on the NYSE American at Wednesday’s close.

“Today, Bitmine achieved a major milestone by being uplisted to the ‘Big Board’ NYSE. The NYSE is the most prestigious stock exchange with a storied history,” Chairman Tom Lee said.

Bitmine is now the 96th most traded stock in the U.S. with average daily volume of $987 million, ranking between Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) and Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE).

The $4 Billion Buyback

Bitmine’s board unanimously approved an increase to its 2025 share repurchase authorization from $1 billion to $4 billion. 

The revised program ranks among the 10 largest buybacks announced …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) holding near $70,000 has renewed optimism among retail traders after a sharp first-quarter decline.

Counter-Trend Rally Concerns

In his Apr.8 podcast, macro analyst Benjamin Cowen described Bitcoin’s recent price action as a “textbook” counter-trend rally, warning that such moves often trap late buyers before a larger decline resumes.

He noted that Bitcoin is approaching a key bear market resistance band, the 20-week simple moving average and 21-week exponential moving average, currently near $78,000 to $79,000 and trending lower.

Historically, in prior cycles such as 2014, 2018, and 2022, Bitcoin has …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

The crypto market structure bill faces growing threats from ethics concerns around President Trump’s TRUMP (CRYPTO: TRUMP) meme coin and a law enforcement clash over DeFi developer protections as the midterm clock ticks down.

The Memecoin Dinner Problem

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-NY) pressed Bill Zanker, Trump’s longtime business partner behind the TRUMP meme coin, for details on a planned Mar-a-Lago conference on April 25 for the token’s biggest investors. Trump is listed as a featured guest.

Trump already committed to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, while White House officials previously said they had not yet scheduled the meme coin dinner.

“Organizers are promoting a conference by dangling access to President Trump to potential attendees (and in doing so, are encouraging purchases of his meme coin that will generate transaction fees for the President and his …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) declined about 3.6% in March, but technical indicators point to a potential short-term bounce within a broader bearish trend.

XRP’s Short-Term Strength Emerges

In an Apr. 9 podcast, analyst ChartNerd said XRP has shown near-term strength, closing around $1.37 and reclaiming its 20-day exponential moving average after bouncing from key support levels.

If the token holds above roughly $1.36, the next targets include the 55-day EMA near $1.42 and resistance in the $1.40–$1.50 range.

A move toward $1.60–$1.80 is possible, though gains may remain choppy unless resistance is decisively broken.

On the weekly timeframe, XRP continues to trade below the critical …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Canary Capital is pushing further into niche crypto territory with a new filing for a spot ETF tied to the memecoin Pepe (CRYPTO: PEPE), signaling that the race to bring increasingly speculative digital assets into the ETF wrapper is heating up.

The asset manager submitted a Form S-1 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday for the CANARY PEPE ETF, which would directly track the token’s price by holding PEPE in custody. The filing also noted that up to 5% of the fund’s assets may be allocated to Ethereum (ETH) to cover transaction fees on the Ethereum network.

The move comes despite PEPE’s volatile track record and concentrated ownership structure. The token—based on the Pepe the Frog meme—rose to prominence in 2024 but …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) ETFs posted $94 million in net outflows on Wednesday despite Bitcoin rallying from $67,800 to $71,000 on U.S.-Iran ceasefire news.

The Outflow Breakdown

Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (NYSE:FBTC) recorded the largest outflows at $79 million, followed by ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (NYSE:ARKB) at $74.7 million. 

Additionally, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (NYSE:GBTC) posted $11 million in outflows.

Meanwhile, iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT) saw positive flows worth $40.4 million.

Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (NYSE:MSBT) reported $30.6 million in net inflows on its debut, with about $34 million in trading volume for the day. 

This exceeded Bloomberg Senior Analyst Eric Balchunas‘ $30 million estimate.

MSBT was …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin trades $71,000 as broader markets weakened amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $124.6 million in net outflows on Wednesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $18.6 million in net outflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $71,182
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,193.44
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $82.59
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.33
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09181
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055874

Meme coin market capitalization fell 3.5% to $33.8 billion over …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Former White House communications director and SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci highlighted Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google, warning about quantum computing posing risks to cryptocurrency.

Crypto Leaders Respond To Quantum Computing Threats

In a post on X, Scaramucci shared a video and commented on Google’s March 2026 report, “Safeguarding cryptocurrency by disclosing quantum vulnerabilities responsibly.”

The report warned that quantum computers could potentially break the cryptography securing Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and most public blockchains sooner than previously expected.

Novogratz Confident In Industry Adaptation

Crypto investor Mike Novogratz responded to Scaramucci’s question, saying that while the threat is real, the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Stockholm, 9 April 2026 – Virtune today announces the completion of the monthly rebalancing for the Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm for both the SEK-denominated (ISIN code SE0020052207, ticker name VIR10SEK) and the EUR-denominated (ISIN code SE0020052215, ticker name VIR10EUR) ETP.

In addition to the Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP, Virtune’s product portfolio includes:

Virtune Bitcoin ETP
Virtune Stellar ETP
Virtune Staked Ethereum ETP
Virtune Staked Solana ETP
Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP
Virtune XRP ETP
Virtune Avalanche ETP
Virtune Litecoin ETP
Virtune Chainlink ETP
Virtune Arbitrum ETP
Virtune Staked Polygon ETP
Virtune Staked Cardano ETP
Virtune Crypto Altcoin Index ETP
Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP
Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP
Virtune Staked Near ETP
Virtune Sui ETP
Virtune Stablecoin ETP
Virtune Bittensor ETP
Virtune BNB ETP

Index allocation as of 30 March (before rebalancing):

Bitcoin: 40.03%
Ethereum: 30.08%
BNB: 10.12%
XRP: 9.88%
Solana: 5.77%
Bitcoin Cash: 1.11%
Cardano: 1.08%
Chainlink: 0.76%
Stellar: 0.68%
Litecoin: 0.50%

Index allocation as of 31 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A new investigation by The New York Times has reignited one of the internet’s biggest mysteries by suggesting that Adam Back could be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

NYT Report Sparks Fresh Satoshi Nakamoto Speculation

The report draws parallels between Back’s early work in cryptography and Nakamoto’s writings, pointing to similarities in language, technical ideas and timing.

It also notes that Back’s online activity appears to overlap with the period when Nakamoto was active — and aligns with the creator’s sudden disappearance after Bitcoin’s white paper was published.

‘I’m Not Satoshi,’ Back Says

Back quickly pushed back on the claims, taking to X to deny the theory.

“I’m not Satoshi,” he wrote, adding that the conclusions were based on “confirmation bias.”

He acknowledged his early involvement in cryptography and digital cash concepts but said …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is holding $71,000 on easing geopolitical tensions and a U.S.-Iran ceasefire that boosted global risk appetite.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $71,295.08
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,207.02
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.08
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.35
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09336
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055986

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 120,044 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $653.60 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $159 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $64.7 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Zcash, Monad and Ethena.

Notable Developments:

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) shares are jumping Wednesday as the cryptocurrency market reacts to shifting geopolitical tensions.

The stock serves as a leveraged proxy for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), which climbed 4.55% to break back above the $71,000 level.

Bitcoin Rebounds On Ceasefire News

The primary catalyst for the crypto surge follows reports that President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire regarding strikes on Iran. While Tehran cautioned that “fingers are on the trigger,” the temporary truce cooled immediate geopolitical risk.

Broader Market Sentiment Shifts

U.S. equities …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Hut 8 Corp (NASDAQ:HUT) shares are trading sharply higher on Wednesday. The jump comes as broader markets react to easing geopolitical tensions and a recovery in the cryptocurrency sector.

The Nasdaq is up 2.92% while the S&P 500 has gained 2.36%.

Ceasefire News Ignites Tech Optimism

Investor sentiment shifted positively following reports of a tenuous ceasefire agreement between President Donald Trump and Iran, despite Israel’s ongoing attacks against Lebanon.

Still, traders are betting on a swifter end to the Middle East conflict, reducing the macro risk premium that has weighed on high-growth …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) tapped $72,000 on Wednesday, renewing speculation about a potential run toward $90,000 as market sentiment turns more optimistic.

Ceasefire Spurs Market Confidence

In an email comment on Wednesday, CoinBureau CEO and co-founder Nic Puckrin said markets are reacting as if the conflict has ended, though uncertainty remains.

Key questions include the ceasefire’s durability and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices have eased to around $93, which could help ease inflation pressures. However, sustained prices above $90 may still drive inflation higher …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) has declined about 29% in recent weeks, even as institutional inflows surge to their highest levels since December 2025.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price Market Cap 7-Day Trend
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.36 $83.6 billion +0.5%
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $71,748.44 $1.43 trillion +5% 
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,232.96 $269.5 billion +4.4% 

Trader Notes: Analyst Javon Marks suggests XRP could reach a measured move target just below $17, implying a potential gain of more than 1,100%. The projection is based on a large pennant breakout pattern, like XRP’s 2017 rally.

Another …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. stocks surged to one-month highs on Wednesday as a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran triggered the biggest single-day oil price collapse in years, easing concerns about energy-driven inflation and sparking a sweeping relief rally from airlines to semiconductors.

• State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF shares are sliding. Why are XLE shares down?

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that Iran “has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change” and pledged “there will be no enrichment of Uranium,” adding that many of the 15 negotiating points had been agreed to and that the U.S. would work with Tehran on tariff and sanctions relief.

The session was not without turbulence. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled that seriousness from the U.S. side would still be required to achieve lasting stability, while an early-morning report of an attack on Saudi Arabia’s vital east-west oil pipeline tested risk sentiment. Iran also signaled that Israeli strikes on Lebanon made after the ceasefire will trigger a strong response.

By midday in New York, WTI crude plunged 15.9% to around $95 per barrel — its steepest single-session drop since April 2020 — as Iran’s agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz eliminated a significant geopolitical premium that had built up in energy markets over five weeks of conflict.

Brent crude fell 13.3%, settling near $94.70 per barrel.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell approximately three basis points to 4.27%, its lowest level in roughly three weeks, as the oil price collapse dampened inflation expectations.

Markets now price in roughly a 35% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut by year-end, compared with near-zero odds at the start of the week.

Across U.S. equity markets gains were broad-based and led by technology, industrials, and consumer discretionary — precisely the sectors most sensitive to lower oil prices, falling yields and rebounding risk appetite.

The S&P 500 climbed to 6,783, up 2.5% and hitting its highest level in roughly a month. Sandisk Corp. (NASDAQ:SNDK) and Carnival Corp. (NYSE:CCL) were both more than 10% higher, leading within the S&P 500.

The Dow …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Crypto markets began the session on April 7, 2026, facing notable downside momentum. The total market value dropped about 0.68% to $2.35 trillion. The Fear & Greed Index showed an extremely low score of 11 out of 100, signaling that investors are deeply worried. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) also took a big hit, with more than $200 million in forced liquidations in just one trading session.

The main driver behind this is the growing conflict between the U.S and Iran. The tension is spreading uncertainty across financial markets, and crypto investors are pulling back as global risk sentiment weakens.

For investors trying to make sense of the chaos, the most important data point right now is not the price. It is the correlation. Bitcoin is currently tracking gold at a 60% correlation, a figure that fundamentally changes how you should be reading every candle on the chart.

What a 60% Gold Correlation Actually Means

Correlation in financial markets is measured on a scale of -1 to +1. A reading of 0 means two assets move independently. A reading of +1 means they move in perfect lockstep. At 60%, Bitcoin (just like Gold)  is behaving far more like a macro hedge than a speculative tech bet.

When traditional investors flee to gold as a hedge against systemic disorder, a 60% correlation means Bitcoin is catching roughly 60 cents of every dollar of that safe-haven flow.

This points to a deeper shift in how institutional investors are now classifying Bitcoin. With the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, macro-focused funds gained a straightforward entry point into the asset, and they’re increasingly using that access as a geopolitical hedge rather than a traditional growth play.

For investors, this is a double-edged sword. A …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) surged 21% after Foundry, the world’s largest Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) mining pool, announced Wednesday it would add ZEC support, marking a significant institutional signal from a pool that has historically mined only Bitcoin.

The Triple Catalyst

Foundry’s decision to add Zcash support represents a major shift for the world’s largest Bitcoin mining pool.

The pool has never mined anything other than Bitcoin, making the ZEC addition a notable institutional signal.

Meanwhile, the quantum-resistant angle is gaining traction. 

Google recently demonstrated a 20x more efficient implementation of Shor’s algorithm, reigniting conversations about Bitcoin’s long-term vulnerability to quantum attacks. 

Zcash has been building post-quantum cryptography into its roadmap and is …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), a new exchange-traded product designed to track the performance of Bitcoin, marking its entry into the digital asset space.

Lowest Fee Among Competitors

The product represents the first crypto-focused ETP from a U.S. bank-affiliated asset manager — Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) — highlighting rising institutional demand for regulated Bitcoin exposure.

MSBT uses the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark as its pricing reference and offers a 0.14% sponsor fee, undercutting major competitors such …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) slipped 2% on Wednesday after touching a session high of $1.39, giving back most of the prior session’s 5% gain, yet U.S.-listed XRP spot ETFs recorded $3.32 million in net inflows on April 7.

The Quantum Safety Check

Roughly 300,000 accounts on XRP holding 2.4 billion XRP never transacted, meaning their public keys are unknown and quantum safe. 

Only 2 accounts with larger holdings of 21 million XRP are dormant (inactive over 5 years) and have their public keys exposed.

Dormant vulnerable XRP whales are almost nonexistent. The rest are active and have their public keys exposed but can reasonably rotate keys if needed. 

This differs from Bitcoin (CRYPTO: …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) moved above $71,000 following improved geopolitical sentiment, but on-chain data suggests the market remains cautious rather than fully bullish.

Defensive, Not Panicked

Data from CryptoQuant shows that exchange reserves on major platforms such as Binance and Coinbase remain well below their early 2025 levels — a continued trend of Bitcoin being withdrawn from exchanges rather than positioned for sale.

Coinbase is often viewed as a proxy for U.S. institutional activity and has seen reserves decline from around 980,000 BTC to the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) received an Australian Financial Services License to offer retail derivatives trading as COIN tests $170 support zone for the second time since February’s $143 low.

The Australian License

Coinbase announced Tuesday it received the AFSL through its local entity, authorizing the company to offer retail derivatives trading in Australia. 

The license is the first of its kind granted to a crypto exchange in the region.

Coinbase Australia will offer crypto and equity perpetuals to Australian investors, followed by futures and options. 

“We’re going to compete with traditional financial services on stock trading, payments, and other TradFi products with the speed and execution of crypto,” the company said.

The AFSL subjects Coinbase Australia to the same conduct, disclosure, governance, and consumer protection requirements as traditional institutions. 

The …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is up 5% to reclaim the $71,000 level after President Trump overnight announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $159 million in net outflows on Tuesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $64.7 million in net outflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $71,582.38
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,245.54
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $84.62
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.38
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09453
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.056092

Meme coin market capitalization jumped 4% to $34.7 billion over the past 24 hours.

Trader Commentary: 

Trader Lennaert Snyder maintained a …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Stockholm, 8 April 2026 – Virtune AB (Publ) (“Virtune”) today announces that it has completed the monthly rebalancing of the Virtune Crypto Altcoin Index ETP, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Helsinki and Xetra (ISIN code SE0023260716).

In addition to the Virtune Crypto Altcoin Index ETP, Virtune’s product portfolio includes:

Virtune Bitcoin ETP
Virtune Staked Ethereum ETP
Virtune Stellar ETP
Virtune Staked Solana ETP
Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP
Virtune XRP ETP
Virtune Avalanche ETP
Virtune Litecoin ETP
Virtune Chainlink ETP
Virtune Arbitrum ETP
Virtune Polygon ETP
Virtune Staked Cardano ETP
Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP SEK
Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP EUR
Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP
Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP
Virtune Staked Near ETP
Virtune Sui ETP
Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP
Virtune Bittensor ETP
Virtune BNB ETP

Index allocation as of 30 March (before rebalancing):

Sui: 9.73%
Stellar: 10.71%
XRP: 9.55%
Cardano: 9.17%
Avalanche: 10.29%
Bitcoin Cash: 8.59%
BNB: 10.44%
Chainlink: …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Top cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo took to X on Tuesday to express his thoughts on how the economy functions as an engine, transforming raw materials and energy into goods and services.

He also shared his perspective on the interplay between thermodynamics, physics, and economics, and its implications for Bitcoin’s future, countering economist Steve Keen‘s recent warning that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) will go to zero.

He emphasized the correlation between a country’s GDP and its energy consumption, stating that the only way to secure hard money is through energy. He further explained that due to the competition for energy by the economy, it will always be scarce.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) may remain in a bearish or transitional phase into Q2, according to Nic Puckrin, CEO of Coin Bureau, who argues that traditional macro models are becoming less effective in explaining crypto market behavior.  

Bitcoin Becoming More “Idiosyncratic“

Puckrin notes that Bitcoin is increasingly decoupling from traditional assets.

Its correlations with gold, equities, the dollar, and interest rates have become inconsistent, and in some cases negative, challenging the long-standing “digital gold” narrative.

Instead, Bitcoin is now being driven more by internal factors such as stablecoin flows, derivatives activity, and overall market structure.

The report suggests Bitcoin’s current phase …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading near $69,000, but for investors there is much more to talk about. Strong inflows of smart money into spot Bitcoin ETFs are quietly contributing to stability, defying the geopolitical instability and Bitcoin’s quantum resistance worries. The ETFs are becoming more structural, absorbing supply and cushioning downside even as volatility lingers.

The leading digital currency has seen some brief movements above $70,000 but soon fell back under the $69,000 level. This movement sparked a liquidation of around $196 million of short positions, per CoinDesk. Bitcoin is showing resilience by maintaining vital levels despite lingering macro uncertainties. Also, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained in the “Fear” zone at 30-35.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Biggest Inflows In Weeks

Bitcoin ETFs in U.S. markets attracted $471 million in inflows on Monday, according to SoSoValue. This is the largest inflow into Bitcoin ETFs since late February. Among the leaders in attracting inflows, iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT) stands with about $182 million, followed by the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has been flat to slightly up during the Iran conflict while stocks, bonds, and gold all sold off, according to ProCap Financial CEO Anthony Pompliano.

The Iran Outperformance

Bitcoin has been the shining light over the Iran conflict, Pompliano explained. Stocks are down, bonds are declining, and gold is falling, yet Bitcoin has been flat to slightly up.

Over the last year, the opposite occurred—Bitcoin fell while those assets rose. 

The recent divergence challenges the narrative that Bitcoin simply tracks beta to risk assets, suggesting holders view it differently during geopolitical chaos.

“I think that …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is down on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions rise following Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Iran.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $68,576.33
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,092.99
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $79.93
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.30
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09173
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055898 

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 79,800 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $181.99 million.            
  • SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $471.3 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Monday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $120.2 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include edgeX, Zcash and Bitcoin SV.

Notable Developments:

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Nobel Prize-winning physicist John Martinis warns Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could be cracked in minutes by quantum computers but says the community has 5-10 years to upgrade to quantum-resistant encryption.

The Minutes Warning

A recent Google paper endorsed by Martinis shows how a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could derive a Bitcoin private key from its public key in minutes, exploiting the brief window when a transaction’s public key is exposed before confirmation.

The vulnerability centers on a specific exposure window. 

When a Bitcoin transaction is broadcast, its public key becomes visible before it is confirmed on-chain. 

A powerful quantum computer could use that window to derive the corresponding private key and redirect funds before final settlement.

The Low-Hanging Fruit

Breaking cryptography is one of the easier …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has been trading below $70,000 for nearly two weeks, moving sideways and testing traders’ patience.

Despite this consolidation, several on-chain metrics are signaling underlying strength.

Network Activity Jumps

Data from CryptoQuant shows a sharp increase in network activity after months of decline.

The Network Activity Index has rebounded alongside key metrics such as active addresses, transactions, UTXOs, and block space demand.

Daily transactions have risen to around 615,000, the highest level since November 2024, indicating stronger on-chain engagement and increased usage of the network.

This surge is happening in a low-fee environment, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) has surged about 163% since the November 2022 FTX collapse, but this headline growth masks a much weaker reality for most investors.

XRP’s Wallet Holders

Despite the price increase, data from Santiment shows that active XRP wallets are sitting on average losses of around 41%, meaning a large share of holders bought at higher prices and are still underwater.

This is reinforced by the MVRV ratio dropping to its lowest level since the FTX crash, a signal that most investors are holding at a loss.

Further on-chain insights from Glassnode indicate that more than half of XRP’s circulating supply is …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Altcoin markets remain under heavy pressure, with many assets down 70–80%, but recent data shows a notable shift in where trading activity is flowing.

Trader Behavior Shift

According to data from CryptoQuant, altcoin inflows spiked to around 34,000 on Apr. 2, the highest in 2.5–3 months, but unusually, this surge was concentrated almost entirely on Binance rather than spread across multiple exchanges.

This concentration suggests a shift in trader behavior.

One key reason is Binance’s expansion into traditional finance (TradFi) futures, including contracts tied to commodities like oil, natural gas, gold, and silver.

As trading volume in these assets increases, it …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) 24-hour burns crashed 75% after spiking to 33 million tokens on April 4, yet 68% of the largest Binance whales remain long with a 2.12 long/short ratio.

The Burn Spike And Crash

The 7-day burn chart shows a massive spike on April 4, peaking near 33 million tokens burned in a single day—the highest burn activity seen in this entire window. 

The weekly burn rate is up 89.36%, a significant acceleration.

However, the 24-hour burn has since dropped 74.99%, meaning that the April 4 spike was an isolated event rather than a sustained campaign. 

Consistent daily burns in the tens of millions—maintained over weeks—would start to matter for supply dynamics. One spike …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) posted a $14.5 billion unrealized loss in Q1, yet the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) purchases fail to move markets because the company accounts for only 7% of gross inflows.

The Q1 Loss

Strategy held more than $50 billion of cryptocurrency at quarter-end as Bitcoin tumbled more than 20% in Q1, the largest first-quarter drop since 2018.

The company adopted accounting standards last year requiring changes in Bitcoin holdings to flow through earnings, driving multibillion-dollar swings in results. 

Strategy reported a $2.42 billion deferred tax benefit in the quarter.

Strategy bought 4,871 Bitcoin from April 1-5 for $330 million at an average price of $67,700, funded through Class A common stock sales and Stretch preferred share sales.

The company has $2.25 billion in cash reserves, enough to cover interest and distributions for more than two years.

The Shrinking Impact

Strategy’s demand

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) ETF inflows hit $471 million on April 6—the strongest daily intake in over a month and the sixth-largest of 2026 as President Trump’s deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz sits only hours away.

The ETF Surge

The figure remains below January’s peak flow regime when multiple trading days topped $700 million.

The inflows come as Bitcoin continues stalling below $70,000, with weak spot demand and distribution by large holders capping upside. 

ETFs are increasingly offsetting that pressure, acting as the primary source of marginal buying.

The Iran Binary

Iran delivered its 10-point response to the U.S. peace plan. Key demands include guarantees Iran won’t be attacked again, permanent end to war, lifting of all U.S. sanctions, and opening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange—with a $2 million per ship fee split with Oman.

The White House holds its “no extension” posture, demanding …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple is expanding into Africa’s $205 billion crypto market with RLUSD partnerships and custody solutions as XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) tests the $1.30 support that has held multiple times over the past two weeks.

The Africa Push

Sub-Saharan Africa received more than $205 billion in on-chain value between July 2024 and June 2025, a 52% year-over-year increase. 

Nigeria ranked 6th and Ethiopia 12th in the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index.

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has seen strong demand across Africa through partnerships with Mercy Corps Ventures in Kenya for aid delivery, plus Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card for institutional access. 

Moreover, Absa Bank signed a strategic partnership for Ripple Custody.

Ripple’s 2026 survey found 57% of finance leaders prefer partners that provide custody, orchestration, and compliance together rather than managing components separately.

The Regulatory Wave

Eight African countries have implemented crypto-specific regulation, with more working toward formal …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Stockholm, April 7th, 2026 – Virtune today announces the completion of the rebalancing for the Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP (SE0026821282), listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Helsinki and Xetra.

In addition to the Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP, Virtune’s product portfolio includes:

Virtune Bitcoin ETP
Virtune Staked Ethereum ETP
Virtune XRP ETP
Virtune Staked Solana ETP
Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP
Virtune Crypto Altcoin Index ETP
Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP
Virtune Litecoin ETP
Virtune Avalanche ETP
Virtune Chainlink ETP
Virtune Arbitrum ETP
Virtune Staked Polygon ETP
Virtune Staked Cardano ETP
Virtune Bitcoin Prime ETP
Virtune Stellar ETP
Virtune Staked NEAR ETP
Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP
Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP
Virtune Sui ETP
Virtune Bittensor ETP
Virtune BNB ETP

Index allocation as of March 30th (before rebalancing):

Ethereum: 41.67%
XRP: 23.99%
Solana: 17.92%
Chainlink: 6.69%
Stellar: 6.59%
Aave: 3.14%

Index allocation as of March 31st (after rebalancing):

Ethereum: 41.43%
XRP: …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is trading around $68,000 as liquidations stand at $162.5 million over the past 24 hours.  

Bitcoin ETFs saw $471.3 million in net inflows on Monday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $120.2 million in net inflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $68,702.92
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,106.50
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $79.79
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.31
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09060
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055846 

Meme coin market capitalization is down by around 2% over …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin trades below $70,000 amid hopes for a ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $69,818.36
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,143.01
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $81.68
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.33
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09184
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055957

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 84,159 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $330.88 million.
  • SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $8.99 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Friday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $71.2 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Morpho, Ethena and Bonk.

Notable Developments:

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

As Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) moves closer to $70,000, a fresh scarcity narrative is gaining traction.

Bitcoin The ‘Key Scarcity Asset’

Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management, on April 4 described Bitcoin as a key “scarcity asset.”

He argues that it stands to benefit from a long-term macro shift, where investors increasingly favor limited-supply assets, like Bitcoin and oil, over assets that can be easily expanded.

However, the broader market appears confusing due to conflicting macro signals.

On the one hand, rising energy prices point to persistent inflation. On the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

As Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) moves closer to $70,000, a fresh scarcity narrative is gaining traction.

Bitcoin The ‘Key Scarcity Asset’

Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management, on April 4 described Bitcoin as a key “scarcity asset.”

He argues that it stands to benefit from a long-term macro shift, where investors increasingly favor limited-supply assets, like Bitcoin and oil, over assets that can be easily expanded.

However, the broader market appears confusing due to conflicting macro signals.

On the one hand, rising energy prices point to persistent inflation. On the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) and BNY (NYSE:BK) have won the Trump Accounts contract to build and manage the tax-deferred investing accounts for children, with over 4 million kids already signed up as of March 31.

The Contract Winners

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Monday that BNY will serve as the designated financial agent to manage the initial accounts. 

BNY partnered with Robinhood to develop the Trump Accounts app and provide customer service, launching July 4.

“Our task is clear: to provide the next generation of Americans with a world-class, intuitive platform to jump-start their financial future,” said Vlad Tenev, Robinhood’s chairman and CEO.

The app will be a custom white-label product for Treasury without BNY or Robinhood branding. 

Moreover, the company did not disclose the contract’s financial terms. Wall Street firms have pursued roles in the program since its announcement, seeing the accounts as a …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bloomberg commodity analyst Mike McGlone stands by his $10,000 Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) prediction despite pushback from analysts who called the forecast “rage bait,” arguing the math doesn’t work unless holders believe the asset will fail.

The $10,000 Call

McGlone bases his prediction on normal mean reversion patterns seen in commodities. 

He points to crude oil’s typical cycle from $120 to $40 and applies similar logic to Bitcoin, expecting a drop to $10,000 as part of a broader market downturn where the S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY) falls 50-60%.

“This is not a simple micro view where my math is wrong,” McGlone said. “I’m just pointing out normal reversion.” 

He argues Bitcoin faces unlimited competition from other cryptocurrencies and exhibits volatility multiples above the S&P 500, making it unsuitable as a store of value.

McGlone expects crude oil to hit $50 by midterms, natural gas to stay depressed at $2.84 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is trading below a key resistance zone, raising concerns that recent price stability may be masking deeper risks tied to late-stage economic conditions.

Late-Cycle Warning Signs

Prominent analyst Benjamin Cowen said on Monday that retail investors may be growing overly confident — overlooking macro pressures, such as persistent inflation, a weakening labor market and rising geopolitical tensions.

He noted that late-cycle bear markets often feature deceptive price action, sideways or mildly bullish moves on low volume, that can mislead traders into believing the downturn has ended before another sharp decline begins.

A key …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE:BMNR) surged 7.5% to $20.91 after buying 71,252 ETH last week—the fastest pace since December—as the stock uplists to NYSE on April 9.

The Accumulation Blitz

Chairman Tom Lee framed the buying as a bet that Ethereum is in “the final stages of the mini-crypto winter.”

Total crypto and cash holdings now stand at $11.4 billion, including $864 million in cash, 198 BTC, and stakes in Beast Industries and Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ:ORBS). 

The ORBS position gives Bitmine one of the only publicly listed exposures to OpenAI.

Bitmine now owns 3.98% of Ethereum’s 120.7 million circulating supply, putting it 79% of the way to its “Alchemy of 5%” target in just nine months. The company remains the largest …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

BTC Digital Ltd. (NASDAQ:BTCT) shares fell Monday following a new energy-focused computing infrastructure agreement, even as broader crypto markets show mixed signals.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is consolidating near $70,000 while showing relative strength versus equities. Key support lies around $58,000–$60,000, with upside momentum dependent on a move above $71,000.

• BTC Digital stock is feeling bearish pressure. What’s behind BTCT decline?

Project Development and Scope

BTC Digital has entered into an agreement with Aurora Energy Ltd. to develop an off-grid natural gas-powered computing infrastructure project in Alberta, Canada. 

The project’s first phase will develop a 5–10 MW off-grid facility using stranded natural gas for on-site power to support high-performance computing.

The infrastructure will initially serve Bitcoin mining, with plans to expand into AI, data centers and other computing applications.

BTC Digital will contribute mining equipment, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) shares rose Monday, riding Bitcoin’s rally above $69,000 and a fresh company update highlighting total holdings of $11.4 billion.

Holdings Surge to $11.4 Billion

On Monday, BitMine said its total crypto, cash, and “moonshot” holdings reached $11.4 billion, driven by a growing Ethereum treasury and continued accumulation.

The company will uplist from the NYSE American to the New York Stock Exchange on April 9, 2026, maintaining its ticker “BMNR.”

As of April 5, Bitmine held 4.8 million Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH/USD)—about 3.98% of total supply—alongside 198 Bitcoin

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. stocks rose Monday, with gains led by energy and growth-sensitive sectors as investors weighed ongoing conflict in Iran against firm economic data. 

The S&P 500 Energy index climbed as crude futures held near recent highs, well above the psychologically important $100 level, while broader sector gauges showed modest advances for tech and financials.

President Donald Trump has set a deadline of Tuesday evening for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face large‑scale strikes on power plants, bridges and other infrastructure. 

Tehran has so far rejected U.S. ceasefire and reopening proposals, keeping markets on edge over whether the deadline brings de‑escalation or a major military escalation.

Oil and Energy

WTI crude futures hovered around the $112 dollar mark after briefly spiking above $115 dollars earlier Monday, as headlines around shipping disruptions and ceasefire efforts in the Strait of Hormuz kept volatility elevated. 

The United States Oil Fund (NYSE:USO) was up slightly at $137.94, according to Benzinga Pro data. 

The …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) climbed over 4% in 24 hours to nearly $70,000 after a Reuters report suggested a U.S.-Iran ceasefire plan could come into effect Monday, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ceasefire Catalyst

The risk-on move lifted sentiment across crypto markets. XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) added 4%, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) jumped over 5% and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) gained 3%. 

The ceasefire push is being described as a last-ditch effort to prevent the “massive strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure” President Trump threatened over the weekend. 

OPEC agreed to increase oil output quotas by 206,000 barrels per day for May, a symbolic effort to relieve energy market …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Is it a good thing that bitcoin ISN’T being held by nation-states?

A month in- where are we at?

As last week’s article more thoroughly laid out, we’re currently in the midst of the single-worst energy crisis of not only our lifetimes, but in world history [IEA]. That crisis is coming as the result of a full-blown regional war in the Middle East.

Not knowing anything other than that, one would expect oil (given the fundamentals of the situation) would be expected to be in the $150 area and neutral reserve assets like gold should be strong, the stock market to be down massively and Bitcoin, not-yet widely adopted as a neutral reserve asset, would likely be quite weak given its high beta to stocks.

But that’s not what we’ve seen

Gold, arguably what should be the strongest, is actually the weakest. US Treasuries, the multi-decade safe haven, are also down (rates up). Bitcoin, with its usual tendency to be high-beta and risk-on, is actually by far the best-performing asset since the start of the war.

Cross-asset performance since the war in the Middle East started.

Why? What does it mean?

Let’s start with gold, as it’s probably the most counter-intuitive in terms of performance, and the reason for its sell-off is still not widely understood-

Remember that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are all huge surplus countries. Some current accounts in the GCC are a whopping 20% of GDP. By definition, this means they generally accumulate assets in the form of fx reserves.

A few of the GCC Current Accounts

Another trait of the countries …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is consolidating close to $70,000, even as broader markets, particularly the S&P 500, show signs of breakdown.

Bitcoin Consolidating But Stronger Than Equities

In an Apr.4 podcast, analysts Cred and DonAlt note that Bitcoin is beginning to display relative strength compared to equities, suggesting a potential shift in market dynamics.

From a technical standpoint, the current range between $57,000 and $61,000 is seen as fair value. Holding the $58,000–$60,000 zone is critical for bulls; losing it could trigger a sharp drop toward $40,000.

On the upside, a weekly close above $71,000 would signal renewed bullish momentum, while reclaiming $82,000, a key resistance …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) added 4,871 Bitcoin for $329.9 million last week at $67,718 per coin, bringing total holdings to 766,970 Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) with an average cost basis of $75,644.

The Accumulation Machine

Last week’s purchases were mostly funded through $227.3 million in sales of the company’s STRC preferred stock. The remainder came from $72 million in common stock sales.

A CryptoQuant report flagged Strategy’s 30-day accumulation at roughly 44,000 BTC through late March, making it one of only two institutional channels absorbing supply at scale alongside spot ETFs, which purchased approximately 50,000 BTC over the same period.

At 766,970 BTC, Strategy holds roughly 3.8% of Bitcoin’s total circulating supply of 20.01 million coins and remains by far the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) multi-week consolidation has raised questions about whether the market has already formed a bottom.

One prominent analyst outlines a data-driven framework to identify high-probability accumulation zones ahead of a potential bull cycle.

On-Chain Metrics Signal Strong Support

Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez pointed to the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD), which shows where Bitcoin last moved on chain.

A large cluster of holders accumulated BTC between $63,111 and $70,685, indicating a strong support zone where investors may defend their positions.

A long-term trendline, in place for nearly a decade, is also being retested in the $56,000 to $60,000 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is up 4% on Monday, attempting to reclaim $70,000 amid hopes of potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $8.99 million in net inflows on Friday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $71.2 million in net inflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $69,492
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,151.92
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $82.46
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.35
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09291
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.056036

Meme coin market capitalization …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:COIN) shares are climbing this Monday. A broad rally across the cryptocurrency sector is driving the upward momentum.

Crypto Market Cap Hits $2.38 Trillion

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization rose 3.47% to reach $2.38 trillion on Monday. This surge provides a strong tailwind for the exchange operator. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) gained 4.01% over the last 24 hours.

It currently trades at $69,660.95. Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) followed suit, jumping 5.39% to $2,151.12, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Short Interest Data Shows Decline

Short interest in Coinbase has decreased. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Pseudonymous cryptocurrency trader James Wynn, known for their high-risk leveraged bets, has been liquidated shorting Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) once again, on-chain tracking firm Lookonchain reported on Sunday.

Bitcoin Moves Against Wynn’s Bet…Again

Lookonchain, citing data from Hyperliquid perpetual exchange, stated that Wynn opened several short positions at entry prices between $66,975 and $67,264.

Then Bitcoin surged to $69,500 late Sunday, triggering unrealized losses that eroded margins and led to automatic liquidations. The latest liquidation was executed at $67,955.

This was Wynn’s sixth liquidation over the past two weeks. No open positions remained active.

From a high of more than $84 million, the trader’s account balance had fallen to $914 at the time of writing. Additionally, these bets resulted …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Apple has delisted the Bitchat messaging service from China’s App Store on orders from authorities, Block Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) CEO Jack Dorsy revealed on Sunday.

China Censors Bitchat

Dorsey posted Apple’s notification that the app was taken down after the Cyberspace Administration of China alleged it contained “illegal” content.

“Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where you make them available,” the notification read. “We know this stuff is complicated, but it is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws.”

Apple added that the app remains available in other jurisdictions.

Notably, Apple slashed App Store fees for developers in China earlier this month amid increasing regulatory pressure in …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo questioned on Sunday Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) wealth tax proposal targeting Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Jeff Bezos.

Warren Defends Billionaires Tax

Woo responded to Warren’s claim that her proposed wealth tax on Bezos could fund insulin for all Americans and free school lunches for every child in Texas.

Warren noted that a 3% wealth tax on Bezos’ $222 billion fortune would still leave the tech titan with $215 billion to spare.

Bezos didn’t immediately return Benzinga’s request for comment.

Woo lashed out at Warren’s statements, stating that Bezos’s $15 billion investment created a space program and …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo questioned on Sunday Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) wealth tax proposal targeting Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Jeff Bezos.

Warren Defends Billionaires Tax

Woo responded to Warren’s claim that her proposed wealth tax on Bezos could fund insulin for all Americans and free school lunches for every child in Texas.

Warren noted that a 3% wealth tax on Bezos’ $222 billion fortune would still leave the tech titan with $215 billion to spare.

Bezos didn’t immediately return Benzinga’s request for comment.

Woo lashed out at Warren’s statements, stating that Bezos’s $15 billion investment created a space program and …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency bettors are aggressively speculating on what President Donald Trump will say at Monday’s conference alongside military officials.

Will The Speech Be De-escalatory?

Unsurprisingly, Trump mentioning “Iran” or “Iranian” more than 15 times carried 74% odds on Polymarket. “Power” or “Strength” carried the highest possibility at 85%, while “Pilots/Crew/Staff” drew a 67% chance.

Words like “Hell” and “Obliteration,” which Trump has repeatedly used to describe the military campaign in Iran, drew odds at 69% and 65%, respectively.

While “Make a Deal” had a 65% chance of being mentioned, there was no contract for “Ceasefire.”

Word Mention Wagers Jump

The word-mention prediction market is heating up amid Trump’s addresses and press conferences during …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies rose overnight on Sunday while stock futures dipped as President Donald Trump’s warning to Iran put investors on edge.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) +2.52% $68,843.45
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +2.68% $2,114.41
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          +1.12% $1.32
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          +1.59% $81.97
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              +0.60% $0.092

Institutional Buying Boosts ETH

Bitcoin spiked to $69,500 late in the evening, while trading volume jumped 62% over the last 24 hours. Ethereum rallied to $2,130, as Bitcoin’s rise sparked broader market buying. XRP and Dogecoin also traded in the green.

Over $250 million were liquidated in the past 24 hours, predominantly bearish short positions,  according to Coinglass data.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures rose 3.62% in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, sentiment for the apex cryptocurrency among Binance’s retail derivatives users stayed “Neutral.”

“Extreme Fear” sentiment, however, persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.36 trillion, following an increase of 1.95% from the previous day.

Top Gainers …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) Executive Chairman, Michael Saylor on Saturday declared that Bitcoin‘s (CRYPTO: BTC) old four-year rhythm no longer explains price action, arguing that money moving into the asset—shaped by banks and digital credit—now matters more. The claim lands as Strategy’s Bitcoin playbook shows a sharper tilt toward Stretch (STRC) funding over stock issuance, a pivot detailed in strategy financing shift that offers a real-world example of the “capital flows” framework he’s pushing.

In a post on X, Saylor warned the market about a different kind of threat: misguided thinking that leads to harmful changes to the Bitcoin protocol. In the same post, he said Bitcoin has effectively secured broad acceptance as digital capital, tying the next phase of growth to credit creation and banking rails.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

This week was a whirlwind of events in the world of finance and technology. From Coinbase Global Inc. securing a conditional approval to operate as a national trust company, to the looming quantum threat to Bitcoin and the ongoing debate on financial inclusivity, the stories were as diverse as they were impactful. Here’s a quick recap of the top stories.

Coinbase Gets Conditional Approval To Operate As National Trust Company

Coinbase Global Inc. announced on Thursday that it has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to form a federally chartered national trust company. The company clarified that it is not transitioning into a commercial bank and will not be taking retail deposits or engaging in fractional reserve banking. The charter aims to bring federal regulatory uniformity to …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

New York City, April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

BitStarz Redefines No Deposit Bonus Casinos with Transparency and Global Trust (2025–2026). Start reading this best crypto casinos and Bitcoin casinos article right away so that you can begin online gambling as soon as possible. BitStarz Casino continues to shape the global iGaming landscape by transforming how no deposit bonus casinos operate between 2025 and 2026. What was once considered a simple promotional hook has evolved into a structured, transparent, and compliance-driven experience designed for modern players.

Today’s no deposit bonus model is no longer about exaggerated offers—it’s about clarity, fairness, and real usability. BitStarz has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift, delivering promotions that emphasize trust, speed, and global accessibility.

>>Find Out How to Claim the 50 No Deposit Free Spins at BitStarz’s Official Website

Modern players are no longer attracted solely by large numbers. Instead, they prioritize clear bonus terms, fast withdrawals, and a risk-free introduction to real money gaming environments.

While high-value promotions such as “$200 no deposit bonus with 200 free spins” occasionally appear in specific regions, platforms like BitStarz focus on consistent, globally accessible offers that are realistic, transparent, and easy to understand.

No Deposit Bonus Promo Code Redeemable Game Wagering Requirement
50 Free Spins CHECK WEBSITE Gold Rush (Rival Gaming) 40x

Executive Overview

In 2025, no deposit bonus casinos have become a gateway for responsible online gaming, offering players a safe way to explore platforms before making deposits.

Key industry concepts include:

  • No Deposit Bonus Casinos: A regulated system offering risk-free incentives with a strong focus on compliance and player protection.
  • Online Gambling Real Money No Deposit: The ability to test casino games with free credits that can convert into real winnings.
  • Free Spins No Deposit Bonus: A popular entry-level incentive allowing users to try slot games without spending money.
  • New Online Casino No Deposit Bonus: Licensed platforms offering structured welcome bonuses under strict regulations.
  • BitStarz: A benchmark operator known for fast payouts, transparent bonus terms, and a vast game library.
  • Bonus Codes: Promotional codes used during registration to unlock free spins or credits.

Together, these elements reflect a market where trust and transparency have become the most valuable assets.

BitStarz Launches No Deposit Bonus Casinos With 50 Free Spins And Bitcoin Casinos Online In 2026: Rated By Experts’ Opinions

We have selected the following Trusted crypto casinos. Now, let’s read more about these safe crypto casinos No Deposit Bonus Casinos.

BitStarz Exclusive Bonus Offer 100% up to 1BTC+180 Free Spins 4.8/5

Now that you have heard the names of these cryptocurrency casinos, are you familiar with any of them? Have you at least heard their names? However, let us read more.

Region Welcome Bonus No Deposit Offer
US 100% up to 5 BTC + 180 Free Spins

This post was originally published here

On:

In a recent alarming incident, a journalist became the victim of a sophisticated phishing attack, believed to be orchestrated by North Korean hackers.

Ben Weiss, a journalist from Fortune, who had been covering the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), wrote that he was ensnared by a cunning trap laid by the hackers in mid-March. The phishing attack was launched via an innocent-looking message from a hedge fund investor on Telegram, a messaging app widely used in the crypto sphere.

The journalist was lured into a Zoom call with a supposed Bitcoin strategist, Adam Swick. He knew that Swick was considering a new digital asset treasury with a potential large seed investor. Despite doubts about the venture, the journalist agreed to a call via a Zoom link shared on Telegram.

The Zoom link provided redirected to a program that closely mimicked the actual Zoom interface, with minor differences and audio glitches. To rectify these issues, the journalist was asked to download an update, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading technical analyst Ali Martinez identified on Thursday the first “Buy” signal in months for Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR),” potentially marking an end to its corrective phase.

Is This indicator Reliable?

In an X post, Martinez said that the TD Sequential indicator was “incredibly accurate” in calling MSTR’s local top in July 2025. Since then, the stock has tumbled 74%.

“Now, for the first time in months, we have a Buy Signal on the monthly chart,” Martinez added.

The TD Sequential indicator is a technical analysis tool that helps traders identify potential price reversals and exhaustion patterns.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Prediction markets are assigning a higher possibility that Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel will leave the Trump administration this year.

Patel’s Exit Odds Soar

Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket odds on Patel’s departure spiked to an all-time high of 77%, up from 42% a day earlier.

The odds have grown by 44 percentage points in a month. More than $116,000 has poured into bets on Patel’s position.

Odds of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard’s exit jumped to 63%, placing her behind Patel.

Similarly, traders on Kalshi assigned a 72% chance to Patel’s exit from the Trump administration, marking a 36 percentage …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

On Thursday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took to X and posted “I have questions for MrBeast,” referring to YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson.

Warren Questions MrBeast’s Move Into Finance

Her post referred to a 12-page letter she sent to MrBeast last month.

In a detailed letter, Warren asked Donaldson and Beast Industries CEO Jeffrey Housenbold to explain the company’s plans following its acquisition of teen-focused fintech app Step.

The lawmaker requested clarity on compliance, marketing practices and safeguards for young users, the New York Times reported.

Crypto Concerns For …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Meme-based cryptocurrency Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) described itself as the longest-running and most successful “joke” in financial history on Thursday.

‘Highest-Grossing Joke’

Dogecoin embraced its meme origins in an X post, adding, “If Dogecoin is a joke, it’s the longest-running, highest-grossing joke in financial history.”

Tracing Dogecoin’s Journey

Born in 2013 from the iconic Shiba Inu meme as a lighthearted experiment, Dogecoin has surged a whopping 16104.52% since then.

It boasts a market capitalization of over $13 billion as of this writing, higher than that of Domino’s Pizza Inc.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) said Thursday it has secured a conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to form a federally chartered national trust company.

Crypto Operations Under Federal Oversight

Coinbase emphasized that it is not transitioning into a “commercial bank” and will not be taking retail deposits or engaging in fractional reserve banking.

“This charter is about bringing federal regulatory uniformity to the custody and market infrastructure business we have been building for years,” the company said.

CEO Brian Armstrong reiterated the point, saying that Coinbase is bringing the “infrastructure of crypto” under federal regulatory oversight, but not “becoming a bank.”

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies fell further on Thursday, while oil prices surged as investors feared Iran conflict could escalate after President Donald Trump’s address.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -1.71% $66,760.21
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 -3.85% $2,052.15
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -2.19% $1.31
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -1.84% $79.33
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              -1.50% $0.09032

Crypto Sees Increased Bearish Pressure

Bitcoin wobbled in the range between $66,000 and $67,000 after retreating from the  $68,000+ territory on Wednesday night. Ethereum failed to break over $2,070 amid heavy resistance from the bears. Trading volume for the second-largest cryptocurrency dipped 14% over the last 24 hours.

Shares of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closed down 2.95% and 1.22%, respectively.

Nearly $400 million were liquidated in the past 24 hours, predominantly bullish long positions,  according to Coinglass data.

Notably, over $500 million in Bitcoin short positions on Binance risked liquidation if the apex cryptocurrency reclaimed $70,000.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures rose 1.47% in the last 24 hours. A rise in open interest with a decline in spot price usually implies that short bets are being built up.

Top …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

After months of choppy price action and range-bound trading, April is shaping up as a potentially pivotal month for the crypto market. A growing number of analysts believe the conditions are aligning for a breakout, even as near-term risks continue to keep traders cautious.

Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) recent behavior tells the story. The world’s largest cryptocurrency has spent weeks consolidating just below the psychologically important $70,000 level, repeatedly testing resistance without a decisive move higher. While this has frustrated momentum traders, many market participants see the prolonged consolidation as a constructive phase rather than a sign of weakness.

Why April Is Getting So Much Attention

The bullish case for April rests on a combination of macro, regulatory, and structural factors that are beginning to converge.

First, regulatory clarity in the United States has improved meaningfully compared to previous years. With clearer guidance around crypto custody, exchange operations, and institutional participation, large financial players are no longer sitting entirely on the sidelines. Instead, they are gradually increasing their exposure through ETFs, custody services, and structured products.

This shift matters because institutional flows tend to be slower but more durable than retail-driven rallies. Analysts argue that the steady bid from institutions has helped Bitcoin hold elevated levels even during periods of macro uncertainty.

Second, the broader macro backdrop could become more supportive. Any signs of easing financial conditions or reduced geopolitical tensions could quickly translate into renewed risk appetite. Crypto, which has increasingly traded like a high-beta risk asset, would likely benefit from that shift.

At the same time, expectations around monetary policy remain a key variable. If inflation data stabilizes and central banks signal a more accommodative stance, liquidity conditions could improve, creating a more favorable environment for speculative assets, including cryptocurrencies.

The Resistance Problem Around $70,000

Despite the constructive setup, Bitcoin’s inability to decisively break above the $69,000 to $70,000 range remains a central concern.

This level is not just technical resistance. It is also a psychological barrier tied to previous cycle highs. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic on Thursday flagged “multiple indicators” that North Korea’s state-sponsored hackers may be behind the $285 million exploit of Drift Protocol, the largest DeFi hack of 2026 so far that wiped out more than half of the Solana-based exchange’s total value locked.

Arthur Hayes, BitMEX co-founder, Maelstrom CIO, and Drift Protocol advisor, pointed the finger at Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) itself.

“If Solana had native multi sig addresses, would the Drift hack even have been possible? Actually curious, not trolling,” Hayes wrote on X.

Ledger CTO Charles Guillemet drew a direct comparison to the $1.4 billion Bybit hack of 2025, which the FBI attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

The pattern is nearly identical: compromised multi sig signers, social engineering, and malicious transactions disguised as routine operations.

The Lazarus Playbook

The hacker spent weeks setting up the attack.

They created a fake token called …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

According to Alex Pruden, CEO of Project 11, the cryptocurrency industry is dangerously unprepared for quantum computing as a threat.

In an interview on the Wolf of All Streets podcast Wednesday, Pruden broke down the exact mechanics of how a quantum computer could unravel Bitcoin‘s (CRYPTO: BTC) foundational cryptography, putting approximately 6.7 million BTC at risk of theft.

The Google Breakthrough: Moving The Goalposts

The catalyst for the current panic is a research paper published by Google, which outlines how attackers could crack Bitcoin’s private keys much faster — and with significantly fewer resources — than previously believed.

“This paper is really about lowering the bar or moving the goalposts closer,” Pruden explained.

“If you look at the cryptographers for Bitcoin and specifically look at our architecture and do a bunch of tricks, you can lower that bar way down.”

The Google paper suggests that an optimized quantum computer could crack a private key in roughly 9 minutes — slightly faster than Bitcoin’s average 10-minute block time.

This means …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Oil’s blistering rally and crypto’s stumble made the first quarter of 2026 feel like a regime change rather than a routine quarter. 

Oil, as proxied by the United States Oil Fund ETF (NYSE:USO), surged roughly 84% in Q1, turning a traditionally cyclical commodity into the standout momentum trade of the quarter. 

In fact, USO gained 55.3% in March alone, marking its best monthly performance in history, and Q1 was the fund’s best quarterly performance ever, according to Benzinga Pro data.  

At the same time, digital gold lost its shine: Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), tracked via spot-exposed vehicles like iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT), dropped about 23%, marking one of its worst opening quarters in years and the weakest return of any major asset in Bespoke Investment Group’s Q1 review.

Q1 Winners 

Bespoke review matrix shows that strength is clustered in real assets and cyclicals rather than the mega-cap growth complex that dominated prior years. 

Energy ETFs ripped higher alongside USO’s …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

VanEck’s Head of Digital Asset Research Matthew Sigel is turning more bullish on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) as the derivatives market reaches the 99th percentile for protection demand — a long signal, according to Sigel.

The Derivatives Flip

“What’s happened in the derivatives market for Bitcoin leaves me much more bullish,” Sigel told Anthony Pompliano on Wednesday.

“If you look at what you have to pay for puts versus calls, it’s like we’re in the 99th percentile here of folks paying up for protection. That’s a contrarian long signal,” he added.

Additionally, coins that are 3-5 years old that haven’t moved in that timeframe started selling heavily in Q4 and Q1 as early cycle buyers took profits. 

That selling has eased up in recent weeks, with Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA) retiring convertible bonds representing one exception.

“We’re still bullish, but we haven’t added maybe as much as you might expect given that kind …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is down 3%, sinking below $67,000 after President Trump’s Iran war address signaled further escalation over the next two to three weeks, pushing crude oil above $104 per barrel on Thursday.

Trump Doubles Down

Markets climbed hours before Trump’s speech, pricing in hopes for de-escalation and resumed oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Instead, Trump said the U.S. would “hit” Iran “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks as military objectives near completion.

Trump warned of additional strikes on Iranian electric infrastructure if no deal is reached.

He offered no concrete timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, leaving that task to Europe and Asia.

Crude oil surged more than 5% to above $104 per barrel on fears of prolonged supply disruptions. 

Additionally, Iran …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal told Fox Business on Wednesday that the Clarity Act will see progress within 48 hours.

The Midterm Deadline

“I think we’re very close to a deal,” Grewal said, stressing his confidence in the process.

“Key elements of the bill are critically important to making sure that President Trump’s vision of the United States as the crypto capital of the world is fulfilled,” he added.

The landmark crypto markets bill has been in legislative limbo since January as the crypto industry, banks, regulators, and elected officials struggle to reach agreement on key details.

Grewal says the gridlock may loosen.

Most polls suggest Republicans face losses in upcoming midterm elections. 

If Democrats reclaim the House, all legislative work on Capitol Hill grinds to a halt until the 2028 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

The first quarter of 2026 is in the books. The cautious optimism for the stock market quickly gave way to a clash between geopolitical risk management and asset rotation.

As conflict in the Middle East intensified, hopes of a rate cut turned into an anxiety about a rate hike. Inflation fears return as energy and essential goods surged. Speculative assets sold off alongside overheated commodities as highly leveraged market cashed out winners.

Winners: Energy 

The dominant catalyst was the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, culminating in the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s critical commodity chokepoints.

The outcome was a massive “risk premium” across energy markets, driving one of the sharpest commodity rallies in recent history.

“Brent oil prices jumped 63% in March, the largest monthly increase in four decades. Beyond energy markets, grain prices also increased given the importance of the Strait for the passage of commodities that are critical in food production,” JPMorgan analyst Zara Nokes wrote in a report.

Heating oil emerged as the standout performer, surging an extraordinary 100% during Q1. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Commodity Strategist …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) shares moved lower in Thursday’s premarket trading, tracking a broader risk-off tone across markets. Nasdaq futures fell 1.89%, while S&P 500 futures declined 1.49%.

Geopolitical Strain Weights on Crypto

Leading cryptocurrencies fell Wednesday evening after President Donald Trump stated the U.S. military campaign against Iran will continue. Trump noted the campaign persists until objectives are “fully achieved.”

Following the address, Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) pulled back below the $2,100 level, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Massive Treasury Exposure

The volatility directly impacts Bitmine’s significant balance sheet. As of March 29, Bitmine held 4,732,082 ETH tokens. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci is breaking down the mechanics—and the market risks—behind Strategy Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:MSTR) high-yielding perpetual securities, calling the dividend play a potentially lucrative move for steadfast Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) believers.

The 11% Yield Strategy

During a recent episode of the All Things Markets podcast, Scaramucci and Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:GLXY) CEO Mike Novogratz analyzed MSTR’s strategy of offering a yield-bearing security.

Scaramucci noted that investors putting money into Michael Saylor‘s company, earlier known as MicroStrategy, can receive four quarterly dividend payments equivalent to roughly an 11.5% yield.

While emphasizing the attractiveness of the trade, Scaramucci made sure to clarify his firm’s exact position to listeners. “I’m a huge fan of his and obviously SkyBridge owns a lot of Bitcoin. We don’t own any of that security, but I just wanted to disclose that to people,” Scaramucci stated.

He added that as long as Bitcoin holds its muster and Strategy trades at a premium—or at least not at a huge discount—Saylor will be able to sustain the impressive payouts.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD), expressed his belief in a more inclusive financial system on Wednesday, highlighting the shift in his focus from what should be created to what deserves to exist.

Tenev’s Goal About Democratizing Access

Tenev reflected on his career journey in an X post. He noted that while his early career was about proving the ability to build something meaningful, the focus has since shifted

“The question became less about whether we could create and more about what deserves to exist. That has pushed me toward a bigger view of access and ownership,” Tenev added.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A leading analyst on Wednesday flagged “major” volatility for Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) as the meme heavyweight battled geopolitical jitters like the broader cryptocurrency market.

Which Way Is DOGE Headed?

Ali Martinez took to X, highlighting a Bollinger Bands squeeze roughly between $0.874 and $0.101. They read it as a sign of an incoming “major price move.”

The Bollinger Band Squeeze occurs when the volatility drops, causing the space between the bands to tighten. When the price closes outside of bands, traders consider it a potential new breakout. This strategy is used to identify the start of new trends following periods of consolidation.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Artemis-themed cryptocurrencies spiked on Wednesday after NASA’s historic mission launched four astronauts on a 10-day lunar orbit.

Coins To The Moon?

ARTEMISII, a moon-themed token on Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), soared over 200% over the last 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap. The coin had a fully diluted valuation of $7,000, backed by just $8,100 in liquidity.

Another token with a similar name jumped 11%, with a higher fully diluted valuation at $28,600.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 11 p.m. EDT)
ARTEMISII +206% $0.000007197
Artemis II

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies fell alongside stock futures on Wednesday evening after President Donald Trump said the U.S. will continue its military campaign against Iran until the objectives are “fully achieved.”

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:35 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -0.92% $67,269.45
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +0.26% $2,100.16
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -0.72% $1.32
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -4.22% $79.42
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              -1.72% $0.09028

Crypto Market Retraces

Bitcoin slid below $67,000 late evening, while Ethereum pulled back below $2,100. Other major cryptocurrencies were also sent lower.

Shares of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closed down 1.62% and 0.46%, respectively.

Nearly $350 million in crypto positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with bullish long traders bearing the brunt of the losses.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures fell 2.29% in the last 24 hours, although retail and whale Binance traders were still net long on the leading cryptocurrency.

“Extreme Fear” persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M) Gains +/- Price (Recorded …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

EDX Markets, a crypto exchange backed by Citadel Securities and Fidelity Digital Assets, has filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter.

The OCC has not indicated a timeline for a decision on the application; however, if it is approved, EDX’s custody, management, and trading operations would fall under direct banking supervision.

Securing a trust bank charter would provide EDX with the regulatory framework needed to serve institutional investors, who have identified custody …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin is holding near the $68,000 level as geopolitical tensions ease and regulatory clarity improves, helping stabilize the broader crypto market.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $68,112.01
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,131.08
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $84.01
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.34
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09257
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.056016

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 114,174 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $256.84 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $117.6 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Tuesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $31.2 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Stable, Algorand and Sei.

Notable Developments:

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) gained 1.5% as Ripple launched Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury, the first native digital asset capabilities embedded in an enterprise treasury management system.

The Treasury Solution

Ripple Treasury now lets CFOs view, hold, and manage both fiat and digital currency liquidity from bank and custody providers in a single system—eliminating separate platforms and manual reconciliation. 

No other treasury management system offers this.

The launch builds on Ripple’s 2025 GTreasury acquisition, which brought 40 years of enterprise treasury expertise. 

Last year, Ripple Treasury facilitated $13 trillion in payment volume for SMEs to Fortune 500 companies.

Moreover, Ripple’s 2026 survey of 1,000+ global finance leaders found 72% say they must offer digital asset solutions to remain competitive, yet most lack integration into existing workflows.

Digital Asset Accounts

Digital Asset Accounts let treasury teams create and manage …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

ETH (CRYPTO: ETH) investment products flipped sharply into the red last week, shedding more than $400 million as investors pulled back across the board. Funds tied to Ethereum took the biggest hit, accounting for $222 million in outflows, according to data from CoinShares.

The shift comes as markets react to a draft of the proposed Clarity Act, which is raising fresh questions around staking and yield-generating stablecoins – two pillars of Ethereum’s investment case.

Macro isn’t helping either. Rising geopolitical tensions and fading expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts have pushed traders into a more defensive posture, one that crypto tends to struggle in.

For now, Ethereum finds itself caught in the middle: part tech bet, part yield play, and increasingly, a regulatory question mark.

Regulation, Meet Reality

The Clarity Act aims to delineate the boundaries between securities and commodities in crypto markets. Yet in doing so, it risks unsettling some of the industry’s most commercially successful innovations.

At issue is staking, the process by which holders of Ethereum lock up tokens to help validate the network in return for yield. For institutional investors, staking has become a crucial component of the Ethereum investment case, a blend of bond coupon and equity dividend. Any regulatory ambiguity around its status was bound to ripple quickly through fund flows.

The same applies to stablecoins that offer yield, either directly or through affiliated platforms. American regulators have long been wary of such arrangements, viewing them as akin to unregistered securities. The Clarity Act appears to sharpen that focus, prompting a swift repricing of associated risks.

This helps explain why Ethereum, rather than Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), has borne the brunt of recent outflows. Bitcoin’s investment thesis (digital gold, largely inert) remains comparatively insulated from regulatory tinkering. Ethereum’s is enmeshed with the plumbing of decentralized finance.

Staking ETH’s Future

While markets fret, Ethereum’s stewards are pressing ahead with a strategic shift. The Ethereum Foundation has expanded its staking programme, committing an additional 22,517 ETH (around $46m) across a series of transactions.

The move is part of a broader effort to make the Foundation’s treasury more productive. Rather than …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) dropped roughly 50% from its October all-time high instead of the 80%-90% crashes seen in previous cycles, signaling market maturation, though Bloomberg’s Mike McGlone still predicts a fall to $10,000.

The Shrinking Crash Pattern

Bitcoin crashed 87% from $1,163 to $152 after the 2013 peak and 84% from $20,000 to $3,122 in 2017. 

This cycle, the decline from October’s $126,200 has been closer to 50%—a compression reflecting deeper liquidity and institutional participation.

“Bitcoin’s drawdowns compressing to about 50% is a sign of a maturing market structure,” said Jason Fernandes, AdLunam co-founder. 

“As liquidity deepens and institutional participation increases, volatility compresses on both the upside and downside,” he added.

Fidelity Digital Assets analyst Zack Wainwright noted growth is becoming “less impulsive” with reduced extreme downside …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A new U.S. Labor Department rule could allow 401(k) retirement plans to include alternative investments such as cryptocurrencies, real estate and private market assets, potentially opening the door for assets like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)

“Level The Playing Field”

In a FOX Business interview on Tuesday, BlackRock Global Head of Retirement Solutions Nick Nefouse said the change is designed to “level the playing field,” giving more Americans access to a wider range of investments typically available in defined benefit plans.

He noted …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin rose to $68,000 as market sentiment improved and institutional interest strengthened; liquidations stand at $327.67 million over the past 24 hours.    

Bitcoin ETFs saw $117.3 million in net inflows on Tuesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $31.2 million in net inflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $68,404.09
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,128.08
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.20
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.34
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09218
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055972

Meme coin market capitalization remained relatively flat with a 0.7% gain over the past 24 hours to $33.2 billion.

Trader Commentary:  

Data from CoinGlass shows Bitcoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) fell 23.8% in Q1 2026, the worst first-quarter performance since 2018, despite U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recording $1.32 billion in net inflows during March after four consecutive months of outflows.

The Six-Month Slide

Bitcoin closed Q1 at $66,619 on Tuesday, down from $87,508 on January 1. 

The quarterly drop represents the largest since Q1 2018, when Bitcoin fell 50% from $14,112 to $6,973.

The decline extends the 23% drop in Q4 2025, when Bitcoin slipped to $87,508 from $114,057. 

Andri Fauzan Adziima, Research Lead at Bitrue, said Bitcoin’s first-quarter decline stemmed primarily from ETF outflows, coupled with sticky inflation, a cautious Fed, and broader risk-off sentiment across markets. 

According to SoSoValue data, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $496.5 million in net outflows during Q1, with $1.8 billion in outflows during January and February partially offset by $1.32 billion in March inflows.

The March Reversal

March marked Bitcoin’s first positive monthly candle in …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple Labs signed five major partnerships in February alone and grew RLUSD stablecoin to $1.56 billion market cap, yet XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) still crashed 40% from $2.40 to $1.35 as institutional deals failed to translate into token demand.

The January Launch

Ripple unveiled Ripple Treasury on January 30, an enterprise platform born from its $1 billion acquisition of Chicago-based GTreasury. 

The product lets corporate finance teams manage traditional cash and digital assets through a single system, moving money across borders in three to five seconds using RLUSD instead of three to five business days via bank wires.

The platform connects companies to overnight repo markets and tokenized money-market funds, including BlackRock’s (NYSE:BLK) BUIDL fund, so businesses can earn yield on idle cash around the clock.

February: Ripple’s Strongest Month Of Institutional Adoption

  • Deutsche Bank integrated Ripple’s payment infrastructure for cross-border transfers. 
  • Aviva Investors partnered with Ripple to tokenize fund structures on the XRP Ledger. 
  • Additionally, Zand, a UAE digital bank, signed on for stablecoin payment solutions.
  • Meanwhile, Société Générale’s SG-FORGE …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) are trading within narrow ranges as crypto markets remain uncertain, with no clear confirmation of a trend reversal.

Short Term Bounce, Overall Weak Momentum

In a March 31 podcast, trader Cryptoinsightuk said a short-term bounce is possible, but overall momentum remains weak as markets await a decisive move. He pointed to macroeconomic pressures, including equity weakness, inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions, as factors contributing to the lack of direction.

Despite this, many assets are sitting near historically attractive value zones, leading to a view that gradual accumulation in spot positions is reasonable.

Bitcoin shows …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is trading within a range that mirrors past market structures, though the outcome may not follow the same path, according to trader Trader Mayne.

Temporary Bullish, Overall Bearish Bias

In a March 31 podcast, Mayne said Bitcoin could see a short-term relief rally toward $80,000. Still, it maintains an overall bearish bias unless key resistance levels are reclaimed

He emphasized that market sentiment tends to flip incorrectly, bullish at highs and bearish at lows, creating opportunities for traps on both sides.

Despite some signals that could support a temporary …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) strongly endorsed the Clarity Act on Tuesday, noting that decentralized finance developers will face far less regulatory uncertainty after the bill becomes law.

DeFi Industry Will Have ‘Safe Harbor’

In an X post, Lummis dubbed the Clarity Act as the “best thing that could happen to the DeFi community.”

“Developers, validators, and node operators will finally have a safe harbor and we can ensure American innovation can stay right here on U.S. soil,” the senior lawmaker argued.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

North Korean hackers allegedly hit U.S. firms in supply-chain attacks to steal cryptocurrency for the regime’s nuclear funding, according to a report published Tuesday.

Are North Korean Hackers Chasing Crypto?

The hackers reportedly targeted Axios, a software program that connects applications and ‌web services, according to CNBC. The hackers controlled the software developer’s account for three hours on Tuesday morning, during which malicious updates were sent to organizations that downloaded the software.

Axios is also used by cryptocurrency firms, blockchain developers and tech firms active in the cryptocurrency industry.

Security experts told CNBC that this could be part of a “long-term campaign” by the North Korean regime to steal cryptocurrency, which is then used …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) tried to prank unsuspecting folks on social media for April Fools’ Day. We’re telling you early, so you don’t get tricked and look dumb later.

Dogecoin Without Shiba Inu?

The official X handle of Dogecoin went full satire mode with a fake “restructuring” announcement, updating their bio and everything.

The so-called DogeCoin Financial Solutions LLC proposed changes such as ditching the Shiba Inu logo for a “navy blue emblem” and banning meme words like “wow.”

Seriously bro? That ain’t never happening!

Dogecoin used stiff business jargon, such as a “67-page whitepaper” and “stakeholder” rebranding. No way our lil’ Shiba friend is signing up for this—we know it.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed regulation that would allow retirement plans to include investments in alternative assets, specifically cryptocurrencies and private markets.

“The overarching goal of the proposed regulation is to alleviate certain regulatory burdens and litigation risk that interfere with the ability of American workers to achieve, through their retirement accounts, the competitive returns and asset diversification necessary to secure a dignified and comfortable retirement,” the executive summary reads. 

The proposal comes after President Donald Trump‘s executive order, released last year, instructed the DOL to reexamine its guidance surrounding employers and plan administrators on incorporating these assets into retirement plans.

“The Executive Order (E.O. 14330) pointed out that, currently, many Americans in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans do not have the opportunity to participate in the potential growth and diversification opportunities offered by alternative asset investments,” the proposal stated.

DOL Safe Harbor Rule

The DOL has introduced a “safe harbor” rule designed to help shield plan sponsors from lawsuits. Under the guidance, fiduciaries must carefully weigh six key factors when selecting alternative investments: performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, benchmarks, and complexity.

The rule will undergo additional review, including a 60-day period for public comment, before it can be finalized.

“Americans’ ability to participate more fully in innovation and economic growth through well-diversified long-term investments is a vitally important priority for effective retirement planning. We look forward to continuing our work to expand opportunities for Americans to build wealth and save for the future,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins in a press release.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent commented that the proposed rule is “an initial step” in implementing the Trump’s Executive Order in “a safe and smart manner.”

Last Wednesday, the Labor Department lifted restrictions that had previously discouraged the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans.

Trump’s Ballooning Crypto Fortune

The Labor Department under former President Joe Biden had warned about “significant risks” of adding cryptocurrency investment options to retirement plans, citing the speculative …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies regained some losses on Tuesday after Iran signaled a willingness to pursue peace talks.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $67,813.58
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,097.47
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $82.54
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.34
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09190
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055932

Notable Statistics:

  • CoinGlass data shows that 78,174 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours, totaling $361.97 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $69.4 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Monday. Spot Ethereum ETFs …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Google has warned that advances in quantum computing could eventually break the elliptic curve cryptography that secures cryptocurrencies. New research suggests these systems may be compromised with fewer resources than previously thought.

Rising Quantum Concerns

Using optimized versions of Shor’s algorithm, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break current cryptographic systems more quickly than earlier estimates suggested. While the threat is not immediate, it may be closer to reality than previously believed.

To prepare, Google is urging the crypto industry to transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), adopt safer practices such as avoiding wallet address reuse, and consider policies for vulnerable or inactive funds.

The …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) movement within a tight trading range is raising questions about whether its traditional four-year cycle remains intact or is gradually fading amid rising institutional participation.

Cycle Debate Intensifies

In an X.com post on March 31, on-chain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence highlighted a growing debate over the durability of Bitcoin’s four-year cycle. The firm noted that increasing institutional involvement may be reshaping market behavior.

Unlike retail traders, institutional investors typically deploy capital in a more structured manner, often guided by schedules and risk management strategies. This approach can reduce extreme volatility and dampen the sharp boom-and-bust patterns historically associated with Bitcoin.

At the same time, macroeconomic factors such as interest …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) is trapped in a tightening wedge between $0.088-$0.095, while Shiba Inu’s (CRYPTO: SHIB) burn rate surged 945% in 24 hours with over 3.1 million tokens permanently removed.

Dogecoin’s Wedge Compression

Dogecoin is forming a converging wedge at multi-month lows, with upper and lower trendlines squeezing price into a tight range. 

The Supertrend at $0.1044 and Parabolic SAR at $0.0989 both hover just above, making any upside move an immediate test of resistance.

The Supertrend hasn’t flipped green yet despite weeks of sideways action, suggesting sellers haven’t fully given up. 

Volume dropped 6.24% to $2.10 billion and open interest slipped 0.99% to $1.06 billion, typically signaling …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) saw its stock price slide before heading back up during Tuesday’s trading session.

• What is MSTR stock doing now?

Bitcoin Remains Relatively Flat

Strategy shares seesawing comes as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) shows minimal volatility. The leading digital asset is currently trading at $67,508.08, reflecting a 24-hour gain of 0.19%. Bitcoin’s total market capitalization remains steady at approximately $1.35 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Shkreli Demands Saylor’s Arrest

Investor Martin Shkreli slammed Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor on Monday over a promotional video for the company’s preferred stock. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple Prime has expanded its integration with HyperliquidX, incorporating HIP-3 products to broaden institutional access to tokenized markets.

Ripple Prime’s Major Move

In an X post on Monday, Ripple Prime executive Mike Higgins said that the integration allows institutional investors to trade tokenized commodities such as gold, silver, and oil 24/7 on-chain perpetual contracts. The expansion is expected to increase activity within the HYPE token ecosystem and further advance the market for tokenized real-world assets.

HIP-3 products on Hyperliquid have experienced rapid growth, with daily trading volume reaching $2.30 billion and open interest at $1.99 billion.

These products now account for nearly 40% of daily trading volume and about 28% of total open interest …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) slipped 0.5% but Binance outflow transactions surged above 4,000 daily since late February, signaling mid-sized investors are accumulating despite XRP ETF outflows hitting $2.31 million on March 30.

The Binance Accumulation Signal

Binance on-chain activity shows a clear resurgence since the end of February. 

Outflow transactions have consistently exceeded 4,000 per day, with some peaks reaching close to 6,000 transactions in a single day.

Most of this activity stems from transactions ranging between 1,000 and 100,000 XRP, which typically corresponds to mid-sized investors rather than large whales. 

Increased outflow transactions often suggest investors are withdrawing tokens from exchanges to hold them elsewhere, indicating a gradual accumulation phase.

XRP has traded in a well-defined range between $1.30 and $1.50 for several months. While the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A new warning from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is making crypto investors face a threat they have always thought was still far off: quantum computing.

For a long time, the threat posed by quantum computers on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) security has largely remained a theoretical threat. However, new research from Google indicates this threat may not be as far off as we think and may come sooner than we expect.

A Faster Timeline Than Expected

At the heart of this concern is the method by which Bitcoin secures transactions. The method is based on a cryptographic system that is theoretically uncrackable by traditional computers. It allows for the creation of private keys from public ones.

However, Google’s latest research into the matter revealed that quantum computing could soon make such systems less complex to crack. The company believes that future quantum computers could have the ability to breach the cryptographic foundations of Bitcoin far sooner than previously thought.

One of the most worrying consequences of this is speed. According to the research, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could theoretically crack a Bitcoin private key in less than 9 minutes. This could lead to what is known as an ‘on-spend’ attack, which could allow hackers to interfere with transactions before they are made.

Whilst such technology is not yet …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin held steady near $66,000 despite a broader market pullback triggered by concerns over quantum computing risks; liquidations stand at $268.43 million over the past 24 hours.    

Bitcoin ETFs saw $69.4 million in net inflows on Monday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $4.96 million in net inflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $66,725.24
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,039.05
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $80.68
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.31
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09038
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055900

Meme coin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Banks are exploring Cardano’s (CRYPTO: ADA) Midnight partner chain for institutional blockchain infrastructure because it offers programmable privacy and front-running protection that Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) can’t provide natively.

The Three Banking Requirements

Institutions need three things from blockchain that public chains struggle to deliver: privacy with selective disclosure, execution predictability without MEV extraction, and compliance tooling that doesn’t broadcast sensitive information to the entire world.

A bank can’t put customer transactions on a public ledger visible to everyone. 

They need the ability to hide sensitive details from the public but still prove compliance to regulators when required. That’s …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Block Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) shares were trading higher in the pre-market session on Tuesday after its Square point-of-sale system rolled out automatic Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) payments for eligible merchants in the U.S.

Square Announces Automatic Bitcoin To Fiat Feature

Square said in a X post that the new feature will allow sellers to accept Bitcoin payments that convert “instantly” to cash at checkout, without any additional setup.

Square added that there will be no processing fees for these transactions until 2026. Note that this feature is available to all U.S.-based merchants except those based in New York

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Investor Martin Shkreli, popularly known as “Pharma Bro,” slammed Michael Saylor’s latest video on Monday promoting Strategy Inc.‘s (NASDAQ: MSTR) preferred stock offering.

The Video At The Center Of Controversy

The AI video shared on X showed a young woman who has retired and is living a luxurious life in a tropical paradise.

When asked how she got rich so quickly, the woman credited it to buying shares of Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (NASDAQ: STRC).

Saylor captioned the video with, “You weren’t meant to live an uncomfortable life.”

Critics Say It’s ‘Nonsense’

Shkreli took strong exception, going so far as to demand Saylor’s “arrest” for promoting unrealistic retirement security on a Bitcoin-backed asset.

Market analyst Adam Cochran also came down heavily, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A court on Monday levied a penalty of $500,000 against Peken Global Limited, the company that operates the KuCoin cryptocurrency exchange, and prohibited it from serving U.S. users without registering with the CFTC.

Court Orders No Future Violations

The order by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York also stated that the CFTC is not pursuing disgorgement, nor is the court imposing it, based on the specifics of this case.

“The order permanently enjoins Peken Global from future violations, as charged, and requires Peken Global to pay a $500,000 civil monetary penalty,” a CFTC press …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A cryptocurrency tied to Tiger King” fell on Monday after the Supreme Court decided not to entertain the appeal case of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, the central figure in Netflix Inc.’s (NASDAQ:NFLX) “Tiger King” documentary.

Tiger King Coin Is Almost Worthless Today

Tiger King Coin (TKING), available on Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and BNB Chain (CRYPTO: BNB), fell 0.6% in the last 24 hours to $0.0000001937, according to CoinGecko. The coin had a fully diluted valuation of $180,653, with just $1,140 worth of TKING changing hands over the past 24 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Having fun at someone else’s expense might be a social media faux pas, but big brands and cryptocurrencies can’t stop memeing the KitKat chocolate heist.

Dog Mocks ‘Kat’

About twelve tons of Nestle S.A.’s KitKat chocolate bars went missing in Europe last week after thieves stole the truck carrying them—yes, you read that right!

And everybody’s cracking up over it. Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), the world’s most popular meme-based cryptocurrency, repeated “woof” as its “official statement,” celebrating Shiba Inu playfulness.

Was That You, Pengu?

NFT brand Pudgy Penguins dropped a chocolate-smeared picture of PENGU, ironically adding that their lil’ mascot had nothing to do with the theft.

Litecoin

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

State and non-state actors linked to Russia and Iran are increasingly using cryptocurrency to acquire low-cost, commercially available drones for ongoing conflicts, a new report published on Monday said.

Blockchains Powering Drone Warfare?

Sanctioned entities, including Iran’s defense sector and aligned proxies, are turning to cryptocurrency to procure drone components restricted by export controls, according to a new study by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

Iran’s Shahed drone program, widely deployed in the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, relies “heavily” on components sourced through third-country procurement networks, the report added.

Cryptocurrency facilitates procurement in two ways, according to Chainalysis. The first is direct, where a drone manufacturer accepts cryptocurrency as a payment method. The second is indirect, where vendors selling through third-party e-commerce platforms, such as Alibaba Group Holding Limited 

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies lifted on Monday, while major stocks closed lower as investors parsed President Donald Trump’s latest hints on a potential Iran ceasefire.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) +2.04% $67,934.87
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +3.33% $2,075.14
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -0.01% $1.33
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          +1.72% $83.92
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              +0.57% $0.09203

Crypto Heavyweights Lift

Bitcoin spiked to $68,000 late evening as trading volume jumped 58% over the last 24 hours. Ethereum also rallied to $2,088 late in the day, fueled by robust buying momentum. XRP and Dogecoin, however, stagnated.

Shares of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closed down 3.64% and 0.49%, respectively.

Over $262 million in cryptocurrency holdings were liquidated in the last 24 hours, with short-term traders suffering the most losses.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures rose 2.29% in the last 24 hours. Sentiment among Binance retail and whale traders also remained bullish, according to the Long/Short ratio.

Despite these developments, “Extreme Fear” sentiment persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M) Gains +/- Price …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

On March 17, 2026, a single day of US spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) ETF inflows totaled $199.37 million. 

Two days later, the FOMC held interest rates steady, and geopolitical risk spiked. 

By March 20, the same ETF market was recording $52.1 million in daily outflows.

Bitcoin dropped below $69,200 on March 22 as a Middle East escalation triggered $299 million in liquidations across the derivatives market.

That 96-hour window captures exactly what Bitcoin investors face in 2026: two powerful forces pulling in opposite directions, with no clear winner yet.

This article examines those two forces: the historical four-year cycle model and the institutional adoption thesis, and presents the current on-chain data that sits between them.

Historical Pattern of the Four-Year Cycle

The four-year cycle theory is grounded in Bitcoin’s halving schedule. Block rewards are split, reducing the fresh BTC supply by 50%. In April 2024, rewards were reduced from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block.

Across the three prior cycles, Bitcoin’s price peaked between 12 and 18 months after each halving. Following the 2024 event, Bitcoin reached its all-time peak: $126,000. That timing is consistent with the historical pattern. Bitcoin is now trading near $72,600, a drawdown of approximately 43% from that peak.

The prior cycle drawdowns were severe. The 2017-2018 cycle produced an 84% decline from peak to trough. The 2021-2022 cycle saw a 77% crash. Applying this to the current cycle, a similar correction would place a potential bottom between $28,000 and $35,000. Some technical analysts have identified a support zone between $25,900 and $30,350, based on prior accumulation behavior. The cycle model projects this low near November 2026.

The average recovery time across all nine 40 to 50 percent corrections since 2014 has been roughly 9 to 14 months, and every single one ended with BTC reaching a new all-time high.

Bitcoin has only completed three full halving cycles. Each happened under a different macroeconomic and regulatory environment. The cycle model is a pattern that relies on limited data.

Data From the The On-Chain Picture

Glassnode’s on-chain analysis for March 2026 presents a nuanced view. According to their reporting, Bitcoin is currently trading in a defensive range, with the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin traded relatively flat near $66,000 as market sentiment remained cautious, weighed down by persistent fear and continued outflows from spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $66,344.94
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,019.94
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $82.10
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.31
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09061
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055941

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 100,975 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $432.91 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $225.5 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Friday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $48.5 million.
  • In the past 24 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:MARA) shares are trading lower Monday afternoon as weakness in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) continues to pressure sentiment across crypto-linked miners, even after the company announced a major balance sheet move last week.

Bitcoin was down about 6.6% over the past week and lower again Monday, a backdrop that may be weighing on MARA Holdings and the broader mining space.

MARA Uses $1.1 Billion Bitcoin Sale To Repurchase Debt

The move follows a March 26 announcement in which MARA Holdings said it sold 15,133 Bitcoin for about $1.1 billion and used the proceeds to repurchase roughly $1 billion …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Trader Cryptoinsightuk said the crypto market appears to be in a late-stage correction and nearing a bottom, though not necessarily at its exact low.

Mixed Outlook, But Constructive

In a March 30 podcast, the trader said the current consolidation phase could last from a few weeks to several months but overall reflects a value accumulation zone rather than the start of a prolonged bear market. He described the broader outlook as mixed but constructive across major assets.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could still see a short-term dip toward key liquidity levels, potentially near $60,000. Meanwhile, Dogecoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) may be approaching a critical phase in its market cycle after a 52% correction from its October 2025 peak, aligning with a key moving average signal seen in late February.

• Why is BTC dropping today?

Transition From Bear To Bull Markets

In a March 30 post on X, crypto analyst Ali Martinez pointed to the three-day chart, where the crossover of the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages has historically marked the transition from bear to bull markets.

In previous cycles, including 2014, 2018 and 2022, this signal …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) bounced 2.5% but remains trapped below the critical $0.10 level as meme coin dominance collapsed from 0.042 in mid-February to 0.034 in March, signaling capital rotation away from meme tokens.

The Meme Coin Collapse

CryptoQuant data shows meme coin dominance within the altcoin market fell from 0.042 in mid-February to 0.034 in March. .

Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), which served as the primary hub for memecoin speculation, has seen on-chain engagement collapse. 

The number of daily decentralized exchange traders on Solana has hit record lows, according to analyst Shah.

“Participation is at all time lows, just a few thousand people are still active, so good coins that once had 100M–1B potential are stuck trading between 500k-20M,” Shah wrote. Moreover X user @capexbt described the chain as a “ghost town.”

The Failed Breakout

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE:BMNR) purchased 71,179 ETH last week, bringing total holdings to 4.73 million ETH worth $9.8 billion as Chairman Tom Lee called crypto a “good wartime store of value” amid the Iran conflict.

The Wartime Outperformance

Bitmine accelerated its weekly purchase pace from an average of 45,000-50,000 ETH to 71,179 ETH, betting that Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) is in the final stages of a “mini-crypto winter.”

“As the Iran war enters its 5th week, ETH and crypto outperformed the broader market with ETH outperforming equities by 1,160 basis points,” Lee said. 

“This is a marked contrast to Gold (a traditional store of value), which has underperformed by more than 750 basis points,” he added.

He noted that the inverse correlation …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) surged 3% after President Donald Trump said the U.S. is in “serious discussions” with a “new, and more reasonable, regime” in Iran to end military operations.

The Regime Change Bombshell

Trump’s Truth Social post marked the first public acknowledgment of a regime change in Tehran since the conflict began five weeks ago. 

Calling it a “new” regime suggests the talks involve a leadership structure that wasn’t in place when the war started in late February.

Trump demanded Iran open the Strait of Hormuz “immediately for business” and threatened to “blow up and completely obliterate” its electric generating plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island if it fails to reach a deal soon.

He added that officials are also considering desalination plants, targets the U.S. deliberately avoided during the five-week conflict.

The combination creates a two-sided headline that markets are struggling to price cleanly. 

On one hand, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said the crypto industry cannot afford another “Gary Gensler moment,” criticizing what he described as a “war on crypto” under the Biden administration.

Ripple Remains Strong

In a March 27 interview with FOX Business, Garlinghouse said crypto markets faced headwinds over the past year and entered 2026 on a flat note as U.S. regulatory direction remains uncertain. He said clearer and more consistent rules are needed and pointed to recent regulatory progress as a positive step.

Garlinghouse said Ripple is continuing to grow despite market volatility, driven by acquisitions and expansion into areas such as treasury management and prime brokerage.

He said these efforts …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

U.S. spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) ETFs recorded $296 million in net outflows for the week ending March 27 amid the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran.

The Single-Day Bleed

The weekly outflow stems from a $225.5 million exodus on March 27, the heaviest single-day bleed of the week, according to SoSoValue data. 

BlackRock’s IBIT (NASDAQ:IBIT) fund shed $201.5 million on that day alone, marking the largest single-fund outflow over the five-day trading period.

Total net assets for U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs declined 7.5% from a March 23 peak of $91.7 billion to $84.8 billion by Friday’s close. 

The shift reversed recent positive momentum after several weeks of healthy inflows month-to-date.

Moreover, Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) investment products recorded the largest global withdrawals of $222 million, pushing year-to-date flows to a net outflow of $273 million—the weakest among major …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Grayscale says crypto treasury firms are likely to remain a permanent fixture of the investing landscape as they diversify into new business lines.

DATs Stabilized Through Strategic Approaches

In a post on March 26, Grayscale head of research Zach Pandl noted that DATs surged last year as strong valuations enabled aggressive token accumulation and inspired similar firms.

However, by late 2025, momentum weakened as many shares traded below their underlying crypto values, raising questions about sustainability and even prompting concerns that some firms could be excluded from benchmark indices.

More recently, DATs have regained stability by improving capital structures, generating yield through staking and decentralized finance.

Examples include Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), which shifted its financing approach toward preferred …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple CTO David Schwartz told a “completely made up, hypothetical story” in 2023 where an unnamed exchange demanded millions of dollars to list XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), with the token later accounting for 20% of the exchange’s revenue after Ripple struck a deal.

The Hypothetical That Wasn’t So Hypothetical

In May 2023, Schwartz posted a cryptic tweet saying the story of Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) listing XRP was “the only story I most wish I could tell that I can’t.”

A month later, he followed up with a disclaimer that he was about to tell a “completely made up, hypothetical story” where any resemblance to real exchanges was “entirely coincidental.”

In his hypothetical, an unnamed exchange refuses to list XRP even though doing so …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin recovered about 1.5% after dropping to $65,000 over the weekend, as broader markets rebounded and buoyed by a relief rally following options expiry; liquidations stand at $366.35 million over the past 24 hours.  

Bitcoin ETFs saw $225.5 million in net outflows on Friday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $48.5 million in net outflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $67,367.79
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,049.82
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.71
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.34
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09230
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.056003

Meme coin market capitalization saw a 1.4% increase over the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK) shares are seeing notable upward activity in Monday’s premarket session.

The move comes as the broader cryptocurrency market recovers from a volatile weekend. As of Monday morning, the total crypto market cap rose 1.39% to $2.33 trillion.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) traded 1.43% higher over the last 24 hours, hovering near $67,367. Nasdaq futures are up 0.43% while S&P 500 futures have gained 0.53%.

CleanSpark, a data center developer focused exclusively on bitcoin mining, typically trades in high correlation with the digital asset.

Short Interest Data Signals Tight Float

According to Benzinga, short interest in …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

China’s electricity cannot cross its borders, but Chinese tokens are already sold globally. These two phenomena are essentially the same thing. Tokens are China’s true electricity export. I know this concept may not have fully clicked yet, but every sentence I share is backed by data.

China generates 10 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, surpassing the EU, Russia, India, and Japan combined. This is not because China lacks the desire to sell. It is physically impossible. Electricity cannot be stored or loaded onto ships. Extending high-voltage transmission lines across national borders involves negotiations that can drag on for a decade. It is like holding the world’s largest gold mine where the gold is too heavy to transport, leaving it piled up in your own backyard.

Tokens have shattered this bottleneck.

First, let us clarify what a token represents. When you converse with an AI like DeepSeek, every character and line of code it returns consists of tokens. On the surface, they appear as text or dialogue. Fundamentally, they are digitally encapsulated electrical energy. If you doubt this, consider the math. In the cost structure of AI inference, electricity plus compute depreciation together account for a staggering 80% to 90%. In other words, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent on a token effectively pays for electricity.

A token is a compressed packet of electrical energy, representing the final product refined from China’s northwestern green electricity through GPU computation.

So how does this relate to exports? When a Silicon Valley developer sits at their computer and calls a Chinese large language model API, data instantly traverses undersea fiber-optic cables to reach computing centers in Ningxia or Inner Mongolia. Thousands of GPUs roar to life, consuming China’s cheapest northwestern green power to perform logical inference. They return the result to a screen in San Francisco within seconds. Throughout this entire process, not a drop of oil was burned, and not a single power cable crossed a border. The value of Chinese electricity has already been delivered across borders via tokens. This is dimensional warfare involving zero physical output, light-speed cross-border transfer, and near-zero loss.

The most powerful …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) just set one of the most aggressive quantum security deadlines in tech history. Bitcoin developers are still debating whether one is needed. On March 25, Google announced a 2029 target for completing its migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Years ahead of most government benchmarks. The NSA currently aims to transition national security systems by 2033, while NIST has proposed deprecating legacy RSA algorithms by 2035.  Google’s move has reframed the conversation for every industry that relies on cryptography and few rely on it more heavily than Bitcoin.

The question worth asking: Is Bitcoin actually at risk or just early in a transition cycle that has years to play out?

What Google Actually Said

First, some clarification. Google’s 2029 deadline is not “Q-Day” — the hypothetical moment when a quantum computer powerful enough to break today’s encryption becomes operational. It’s a migration target. The company’s new timeline reflects migration needs in light of progress on quantum computing hardware development, quantum error correction, and quantum factoring resource estimates.  The distinction matters. Google isn’t saying a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) will exist by 2029. It’s saying organizations should finish preparing before one might.

“As a pioneer in both quantum and PQC, it’s our responsibility to lead by example and share an ambitious timeline,” wrote Heather Adkins, Google’s VP of Security Engineering, and Sophie Schmieg, Senior Staff Cryptography Engineer, in the company’s blog post.

“By doing this, we hope to provide the clarity and urgency needed to accelerate digital transitions not only for Google, but also across the industry.”

There are two distinct threat types at play. The first, “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) is relevant today. Adversaries can collect encrypted data now and wait for quantum machines capable of cracking it. The second involves digital signatures, a future threat that requires upgrading cryptographic infrastructure before a CRQC arrives. Google has shifted its internal priorities, accordingly, placing increased focus on migrating authentication systems to post-quantum standards.

Why Quantum Computing Matters for Crypto

Classical computers solve mathematical problems sequentially. Quantum computers exploit principles of superposition and entanglement to process multiple solutions simultaneously, making certain problems exponentially easier to solve.

That’s where Bitcoin’s exposure begins. Shor’s algorithm, developed by mathematician Peter Shor in the 1990s, demonstrated that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could factor large integers exponentially faster than any classical system. RSA encryption and the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) — the foundation of Bitcoin’s key security are both vulnerable to this attack vector.

SHA-256, the hashing algorithm used in Bitcoin’s proof-of-work, faces a different and lesser threat via Grover’s algorithm, which offers only a quadratic speedup. Most researchers consider Bitcoin’s hashing side manageable. The signature side is a different story.

Bitcoin’s Specific Vulnerability

Bitcoin’s security model relies on a simple …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo said on Saturday that the bear market may drag on until April 2027, dismissing Wall Street Strategist Tom Lee‘s expectation of a recovery by April of this year.

Woo Trashes Lee’s Forecast

Lee, who also chairs BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR), said in mid-February that crypto winter could end by April at the latest.

“I think it touched it to the penny. He thinks we just have to undercut it once more, and that’s the low. meaning we’re really close to the end,” Lee had said.

However, Woo, who is a known Bitcoin

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) Chair Michael Saylor reaffirmed his unflinching support for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) by sharing the popular “laser eyes” meme on Saturday.

‘Laser Eyes’ Meme Is Back

The meme, a 2021 Bitcoin community signal of strong bullish conviction, typically shows a person with glowing red eyes in their profile picture to signify “laser focus” on Bitcoin’s price.

Saylor replugged it on X, adding, “It’s time to put the laser eyes back on.”

It appeared to be yet another call from Saylor encouraging HODLers to stay firm despite ongoing market pressure.

Samson Mow, fellow Bitcoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Jailed cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried praised on Sunday President Donald Trump’s foresight in recognizing the potential of both cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

SBF Praises Trump’s Crypto, AI Push

Bankman-Fried, popularly known as SBF, reacted to Trump’s remarks at the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit in Miami last week, where the president described Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) as “very powerful” and said that many people now prefer to pay using cryptocurrency.

“It’s not just people who want to pay you in crypto, increasingly it’s AI agents. Crypto is the future of AI-native payments,” SBF brought in the agentic payments angle.

He added that Trump is the “first president” to foresee the strategic potential of both crypto and AI.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

A leading cryptocurrency analyst’s forecast of imminent Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) volatility has yet to materialize, as the memecoin continued to move sideways as of Sunday.

DOGE Yet To Breakout

Ali Martinez took to X, highlighting a descending triangle formation on Dogecoin’s 4-hour chart. Earlier this week, they projected it could spark a 29% move in the memecoin’s price.

However, as things stand, Dogecoin remains “stuck” in the triangle.

Note that Martinez didn’t explicitly state the direction of the swing, whether upward or downward.

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency punters ramped up expectations of a U.S. ground invasion of Iran, while lowering the likelihood of a diplomatic truce between the two nations.

Crypto Prediction Market Heats Up

Polymarket, built on Polygon (CRYPTO: POL), assigned a 70% probability to U.S. ground troops entering Iran by the end of April, up from 57% just a week ago. The odds of a ground invasion before year-end have risen from 72% to 77% in the same time.

The market remains one of Polymarket’s top draws, attracting $51.34 million in wagers so far. U.S. military personnel …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency punters ramped up expectations of a U.S. ground invasion of Iran, while lowering the likelihood of a diplomatic truce between the two nations.

Crypto Prediction Market Heats Up

Polymarket, built on Polygon (CRYPTO: POL), assigned a 70% probability to U.S. ground troops entering Iran by the end of April, up from 57% just a week ago. The odds of a ground invasion before year-end have risen from 72% to 77% in the same time.

The market remains one of Polymarket’s top draws, attracting $51.34 million in wagers so far. U.S. military personnel …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies remained flat, while stock futures fell Sunday evening as investors speculated about a ground invasion of Iran by the U.S.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:25 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -0.10% $66,468.59
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +0.04% $2,004.16
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          +0.05% $1.33
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -0.06% $82.28
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              +0.51% $0.09149

Crypto Liquidations Spike

Bitcoin dipped under $65,000 late evening before rebounding above $66,000, triggering liquidations of both leveraged longs and shorts.

Ethereum followed a similar pattern, sliding to an intraday low of $1,939.53 before regaining $2,000. Both assets recorded a sharp jump in 24-hour volumes.

Over $313 million in cryptocurrency positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with an overwhelming amount of longs wiped out, according to Coinglass data.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures fell 0.75% in the last 24 hours, but retail and whale Binance traders bought the dip, increasing their long exposure to the apex cryptocurrency.

“Extreme Fear” prevailed in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies remained flat, while stock futures fell Sunday evening as investors speculated about a ground invasion of Iran by the U.S.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:25 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -0.10% $66,468.59
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +0.04% $2,004.16
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          +0.05% $1.33
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -0.06% $82.28
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              +0.51% $0.09149

Crypto Liquidations Spike

Bitcoin dipped under $65,000 late evening before rebounding above $66,000, triggering liquidations of both leveraged longs and shorts.

Ethereum followed a similar pattern, sliding to an intraday low of $1,939.53 before regaining $2,000. Both assets recorded a sharp jump in 24-hour volumes.

Over $313 million in cryptocurrency positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with an overwhelming amount of longs wiped out, according to Coinglass data.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures fell 0.75% in the last 24 hours, but retail and whale Binance traders bought the dip, increasing their long exposure to the apex cryptocurrency.

“Extreme Fear” prevailed in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Michael Saylor may have gone all-in on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), but his path there, as he describes, was riddled with “despair” and self-doubt.

A Decade Of ‘Despair’

In an interview with Natalie Brunell on Nov. 18, 2024, Saylor revealed he had spent a decade trying to do “everything under the sun” at his firm, back when it was called MicroStrategy.

“I was in despair. I had spent 20,000 man-years attempting to do everything under the sun,” he said. “I could not get ahead.”

Saylo said his problem wasn’t that he was “stupid” or lacked work ethic, yet these setbacks sowed seeds of self-doubt.

“The most pernicious thing you can do to someone is you make them think that …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

This week in the world of cryptocurrency was nothing short of eventful. From a crypto exchange gaining unprecedented access to Federal Reserve services to Ethereum outperforming the S&P 500 during wartime, the crypto market has been buzzing with activity. Here’s a quick recap of the top stories that made headlines.

Maxine Waters Questions Fed’s Approval Of Crypto Exchange

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has sought further clarification on the decision to grant cryptocurrency exchange Kraken access to Federal Reserve services. This approval, a first in U.S. history for a cryptocurrency company, gives Kraken direct access to Fedwire, a core payment infrastructure used by thousands of U.S. banks and credit unions.

Read the full article here.

Tom Lee Advocates For Crypto Over Gold

Tom Lee, who chairs Bitmine Immersion Technologies and serves as …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Venture capital legend Tim Draper has a one-line verdict on the future of banking, likening the evolution of the financial system to the historical shift from horses to automobiles.

Is the Horse Running Out of Road?

“After the automobile, people still ride horses for a while,” he told Benzinga, addressing whether AI will transform banking or replace it entirely. Draper argues that all major innovations follow the same pattern. The old system lingers even as the new one takes hold and everyone benefits from the change.

Evidence of this can be seen in the fintech world. In November 2025, industry executives at Benzinga’s Fintech Day and Awards confirmed that most firms remain in AI’s early “assist” phase, suggesting the technology is enhancing existing systems rather than replacing them.

Major institutions, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS) and Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC), have also moved to deploy AI tools

Draper’s Bitcoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) price action is pointing to late-cycle signals as macro conditions tighten and a key metric has trended lower since 2021, according to analyst Benjamin Cowen.

Late Business Cycle

In a March 26 podcast, Cowen says the current setup reflects a late business cycle, where capital rotates away from risk and toward safer and defensive assets like gold. That shift helps explain why altcoins have underperformed Bitcoin and why crypto overall has lagged broader defensive moves like gold.

He notes that while Bitcoin still follows its historical pattern of peaking in post-halving fourth quarters, this …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could face further downside toward the $60,000–$40,000 range as the market remains in a mid-cycle drawdown, according to analyst Benjamin Cowen.

No Bottoming Signals Yet

In a Friday podcast, Cowen says Bitcoin’s bottom is likely not formed, arguing that typical capitulation signals haven’t appeared yet.

He points to key valuation metrics, like realized price and balance price, that BTC has not yet broken below, a move that historically aligns with final market bottoms.

Cowen estimates this cycle could ultimately see a ~70% peak-to-trough decline, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ripple is rolling out an AI-driven security upgrade across the XRP Ledger (CRYPTO: XRP) as it prepares the network for the next phase of global payments and tokenization.

AI-Driven Approach

With more than a decade of continuous operation and billions of transactions processed, the network is now focusing on maintaining resilience as it scales for global financial use cases.

A major shift involves adopting an AI-driven approach to security. By integrating artificial intelligence into the development lifecycle, XRPL aims to identify vulnerabilities earlier through …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Raoul Pal, the CEO of Real Vision and one of crypto’s most prominent macro voices, said that he believes recessions are no longer structurally possible.

“I don’t think recessions are possible anymore,” Pal said on Forward Guidance. “We’d have a huge slowdown, but they don’t allow that to happen.”

Prediction market bettors disagree. Polymarket’s U.S. recession contract is trading at 36% for a downturn by year-end, up from a low of 21% in January. Mounting concerns over private credit and the ongoing war in Iran have driven this steady climb.

Why Pal Says It Can’t Happen

His argument centers on what he calls the post-2008 playbook. Central banks discovered that injecting liquidity raises collateral values, and they will never allow that process to reverse. If the S&P 500 falls by more than 25%, liquidity returns. The cost, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Economist Peter Schiff is sounding the alarm over a new housing finance initiative. The plan allows borrowers to use digital assets for home purchases. Schiff argues the move creates a “free ride” for crypto holders at the expense of the public.

The Crypto-Collateral Structure

Fannie Mae (OTC:FNMA) is entering the crypto-backed mortgage space through a strategic partnership. Better Home & Finance Holding Co. (NASDAQ:BETR) and Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) lead the rollout.

Under the program, borrowers obtain a conventional mortgage for the property. A separate second loan is secured by Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) or USDC custodied with …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) denied a $100,000 Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) theft claim from a Coinbase One subscriber, despite the $29.99-a-month service promising up to $1 million in account protection.

The Intuit CRO Who Lost $100,000

Matthew Allan, Chief Risk Officer at Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU), had nearly $100,000 in Bitcoin stolen from his Coinbase account. 

Despite paying for Coinbase One’s account protection, Coinbase told him he was out of luck because he hadn’t turned on certain security settings required by the terms and conditions.

Coinbase maintained that customers own responsibility for all account activity, even when attackers compromise their devices or credentials.

During five months of back-and-forth, Coinbase maintained that customers own responsibility for all account activity, even when attackers compromise their devices or credentials,” according to court records. 

Allan sued, a court compelled the complaint into private arbitration, and he may never …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is more likely to hit $80,000 before $60,000, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan and analyst Ryan Rasmussen. Hougan expects crypto to trade sideways until the April 15 tax day, then rally toward new all‑time highs.

The April 15 Tax Day Catalyst

Hougan expects crypto weakness heading into April 15—the deadline for Americans to file taxes and pay capital gains from 2025. 

Investors who harvested gains last year must now pay taxes, potentially forcing them to sell crypto to cover the bill.

“My experience historically is that crypto is often weak heading into tax day and then starts to rally right around then,” Hougan told Milk Road this week.

The theory carries extra weight this year after the outsized gains many traders booked in late 2024 and early 2025 — especially from the Trump memecoin’s surge in January 2025.

Why $80,000 Beats $60,000

Both Bitwise analysts still expect Bitcoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) dropped 3% as Ukraine drone strikes resulted in a 40% reduction of Russia’s oil export capacity, coinciding with $171 million in ETF outflows—the largest single-day withdrawal in three weeks.

Ukraine Blows Up Trump’s Oil Plan

President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian crude to compensate for oil supply disruptions caused by the Iran war and cool energy markets.

Ukraine destroyed that strategy this week with drone strikes on ports and refiners in Russia’s Leningrad region.

The damage represents “the most serious threat” to Russia’s oil exports since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to observers. 

About 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity is now offline, creating what Oilprice.com editor Michael Kern described as “a logistics problem first—and a supply problem second,” CoinDesk reported.

“In conjunction with the war in the Middle East and de facto closure of the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin at $66,000 is driven by a macro sell-off after Iran rejected a U.S. peace proposal, pressuring risk assets and pushing sentiment deeper into the fear zone (26); liquidations stand at $447.7 million over the past 24 hours.  

Bitcoin ETFs saw $171.2 million in net outflows on Thursday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $92.5 million in net outflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $66,628.75
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $1,994.10
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $83.27
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.33
Dogecoin

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) sought further information on Thursday on the decision to grant cryptocurrency exchange Kraken access to Federal Reserve services.

Waters Says Approval Lacks Transparency

Waters, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, penned a letter to Jeff Schmid, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, requesting details about the bank’s recent approval of a “limited purpose account” for Kraken.

This approval—the first in U.S. history for a cryptocurrency company—gives Kraken direct access to Fedwire, the core payment infrastructure used by thousands of U.S. banks and credit unions.

Waters expressed her apprehensions about this development. She argued that access to the nation’s “critical” financial infrastructure should not be granted without complete transparency, a clear legal basis and assurance that risks are being adequately managed.

Waters also pointed out that the Kansas City Fed’s announcement “did not disclose specific information” about Kraken’s access to the Federal Reserve’s range of …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Veteran trader and chartist Peter Brandt flagged a pattern on Thursday signaling weakening bullish momentum for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

Another Wave Of Selling?

Brandt, a technical analyst with nearly 50 years of experience, highlighted a rising wedge formation—a bearish technical analysis pattern that signals a potential reversal of an uptrend.

The pattern is characterized by price converging between two upward-sloping trendlines. As the price forms higher highs and higher lows, the narrowing pattern signals fading bullish momentum.

Key Support At Risk

Widely followed cryptocurrency commentator Michaël van de Poppe flagged something similar, pointing to …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

David Sacks said on Thursday that his time as White House AI and cryptocurrency czar has ended, paving the way for his new position on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Sacks Moves To New Role

During an interview with Bloomberg, Sacks said that he has “used up” his tenure as a special government employee, which lasts for 130 days.

“I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics,” Sacks expressed enthusiasm about his new role. “So yes, this is how I’ll be involved moving forward.”

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Cryptocurrency bettors don’t see Iran losing control of Kharg Island anytime soon, amid reports that President Donald Trump is considering a military deployment to the key oil export hub.

Heavily Wagered Bet

Polymarket, based on Polygon (CRYPTO: POL), currently assigns a 35% probability that Iran will lose control of the Kharg Island by April 30, rising to 41% by May 30.

The island, a strategically important terminal situated 15 miles from Iran’s coast, handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. Due to its importance, it is heavily defended by the Iranian Armed Forces.

Over $7 …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies edged lower alongside stocks on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s warning cast a shadow on Iran negotiations.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:05 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) -3.54% $68,748.12
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 -4.66% $2,065.55
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -3.63% $1.36
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          -5.72% $86.55
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              -3.96% $0.09205

Crypto Slide As Leveraged Longs Get Liquidated

Bitcoin dipped to $68,100, with trading volume increasing 10% from the previous day. Ethereum also sank below $2,100, while XRP and Dogecoin recorded steeper declines.

Shares of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closed down 4.46% and 8.33%, respectively.

Over $330 million in cryptocurrency positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with $293 million in bullish long positions alone erased,  according to Coinglass data.

Notably, nearly $500 million in Bitcoin shorts on Binance risked liquidation if the apex cryptocurrency rebounds to $71,000

Open interest in Bitcoin futures fell 0.37% in the last 24 hours, while retail and whale traders on Binance increased their long exposure.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M) Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:05 p.m. EDT)
Stargate Finance …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Fannie Mae (OTC:FNMA) is stepping into crypto-backed housing finance through a new partnership that lets borrowers use digital assets to help fund their next home purchase. 

Better Home & Finance Holding Co. (NASDAQ:BETR) and Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) are at the center of the rollout.

How The Structure Works

Under the program, qualified borrowers take out a conventional Fannie‑eligible mortgage from Better Home & Finance for the property itself, while a separate second loan is secured by Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) or USDC custodied with Coinbase. 

The crypto is moved into a dedicated custody wallet, allowing borrowers to avoid selling their tokens and potentially triggering capital gains taxes while still unlocking value for the down payment.

The crypto-backed second lien is sized at roughly a 40% loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) on Tuesday set a 2029 deadline for migrating its entire infrastructure to post-quantum cryptography, warning that quantum frontiers “may be closer than they appear.”

The target is more aggressive than the U.S. federal government’s 2035 mandate and the NSA’s 2031 deadline, and it may carry serious implications for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

Google’s VP of Security Engineering Heather Adkins and Senior Staff Cryptography Engineer Sophie Schmieg cited faster-than-expected progress in quantum hardware, error correction, and factoring resource estimates.

Two Threats, One Deadline

Google flagged two distinct risks.

The first is already happening: “store-now-decrypt-later” attacks, where adversaries harvest encrypted data today to crack it once quantum capability arrives.

The second targets digital signatures, the cryptographic proof underpinning online authentication and every blockchain transaction.

Google said it has adjusted its internal threat model to …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

CFTC Chairman Mike Selig expects to approve perpetual futures contracts for crypto trading in the U.S. within the next few weeks, ending years of offshore dominance by exchanges like Binance and bringing a popular trading product back to American markets.

The Perpetual Problem

Crypto perpetual futures exploded offshore around 2017-2018 as U.S. regulators remained averse to the product despite its popularity. 

The main regulatory hurdle centers on how to characterize perpetuals under the Commodity Exchange Act, which originally only covered futures contracts and options before Dodd-Frank added swaps.

The debate focuses on whether perpetuals qualify as “contracts for future delivery” given their perpetual existence with no settlement date. 

This uncertainty forced U.S. exchanges to launch workarounds like Coinbase’s (NASDAQ:COIN) 50-year futures contracts that mimic perpetuals without technically being perpetual.

“We’re going to fix that,” Selig said. …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) will likely break below $60,000 in the coming weeks despite a false sense of security that prices will simply range between $60,000-$70,000 for the rest of the year, according to crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen’s historical pattern analysis.

The Midterm Year Pattern

Cowen points to a consistent pattern across midterm years: Bitcoin finds a low in February, rallies to a lower high in March, then drops into April. 

This played out in 2014, 2018, and 2022—and appears to be repeating in 2026.

Bitcoin’s year-to-date returns historically start heading down around day 82-90 of the year.

The market currently sits on day 86, placing the potential breakdown within the next week or two based on historical precedent.

In 2014, 2018, and 2022, Bitcoin found resistance at the 21-week EMA or 20-week SMA during March rallies before rolling over. In 2026, Bitcoin hasn’t even reached that resistance level yet, suggesting weakness compared to prior cycles.

Why The Outperformance Narrative Is Wrong

Cowen challenges the narrative that Bitcoin …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ:BETR) shares are up on Thursday. The company launched a groundbreaking partnership with Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) to offer token-backed mortgages.

This innovative approach allows millions of Americans to secure home loans by pledging Bitcoin or USDC without needing to liquidate their assets.

Details

The partnership aims to democratize homeownership for the 52 million Americans who own digital assets. It will enable them to use their crypto holdings as collateral for conforming mortgages.

The tokenized asset pledge acts as a substitute for the cash down payment. This means customers can …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is down 4% on the day, despite Binance leverage ratios plunging 78% from 0.59 in mid-July 2025 to just 0.13 now as speculative positions flush out and the derivatives market resets.

The Leverage Unwind

Binance’s Estimated Leverage Ratio for XRP has collapsed from around 0.59 in mid-July to 0.13, indicating that most highly leveraged positions have been flushed out. 

Analysts calculate this ratio by dividing an exchange’s open interest by its coin reserves to measure average leverage used.

At the same time, XRP’s open interest on Binance stands at only $375 million, significantly lower than peaks recorded over the past year. 

“The main takeaway is that speculative pressure has eased significantly,” explained Amr Taha, an analyst at CryptoQuant. 

“Binance’s XRP derivatives market now looks much less overheated, potentially creating a cleaner setup for its next major move,” he added.

The Liquidation Risk Has Dropped

In theory, this deleveraging is a positive …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Fannie Mae will accept crypto-backed mortgages for the first time through a new product from Better Home & Finance and Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) that lets home buyers pledge Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) or USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) as collateral.

How The Product Works

Home buyers get a traditional 15- or 30-year Fannie-backed mortgage from Better, then take out a separate loan backed by either Bitcoin or USDC to cover the down payment, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

This structure lets buyers avoid triggering capital gains taxes from selling crypto while maintaining exposure to the market.

The trade-off comes at a cost. Paying interest on two loans instead of making a cash down payment increases the overall cost of homeownership significantly. 

Interest rates on both loans would range from comparable to typical Fannie Mae mortgages to 1.5 percentage points higher.

Once the homeowner pledges the crypto as collateral, they cannot …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) again rejected support for the Clarity Act this week over stablecoin yield provisions, drawing backlash from Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who warned that blocking the bill now means waiting until 2030 for another chance at crypto legislation.

Coinbase Holds The Line

Representatives of Coinbase told Senate offices this week that the exchange couldn’t support the latest version of the legislation due to significant concerns about “stable yield language,” according to Punchbowl News. 

This marks the second time CEO Brian Armstrong has withdrawn support, famously stating in January that “we’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

The bill bans crypto platforms from paying users to hold stablecoins, similar to how banks pay interest on savings accounts. 

Coinbase earns substantial revenue by …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin fell below $70,000 on Thursday morning as traders turned cautious ahead of a $14.1 billion options expiry. 

Deribit data indicates a massive $18.6 billion in crypto options expiring today, with Bitcoin alone accounting for over $14.1 billion.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $7.81 million in net inflows on Wednesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $8.51 million in net outflows.  


Cryptocurrency		 Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $69,215
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,067
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $87.66
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.37
Dogecoin

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian spotlighted Monumental Labs’ massive Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) marble sculpture in an X post on Wednesday.

‘Decentralied Digital Currency’

Monumental Labs uses AI-driven robotics to create large-scale, Renaissance-style stone and marble sculptures. It aims to progressively automate stone fabrication and reduce costs up to 90%.

In the latest X post, it showcased a 4-foot-wide, 1,000-pound marble Bitcoin sculpture, carved with intricate circuit engravings and inscribed with “Decentralized Digital Currency.”

The coin was also commissioned for Ti Morse’s interview set with Coinbase CEO Brian …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Renowned cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo likened all cryptocurrency trading other than Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to gambling—unless you’re an insider who knows the game is rigged in your favor.

Crypto Trading Like Gambling, Says Woo

In an X post, Woo said that without an informational or structural edge, one shouldn’t invest in “crypto.”

“Not that I recommend buying crypto, you need to be an insider to get an edge, it works like a casino, the house will take your money,” they argued.

It’s worth mentioning here that Woo sees BTC and altcoins as very different and rejects lumping them together as “crypto.”

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Ondo Finance (CRYPTO: ONDO) said on Wednesday it has partnered with Franklin Templeton to tokenize the asset manager’s exchange-traded funds.

Trade FT ETFs On-Chain

The Franklin Templeton-managed ETFs selected for tokenization include Franklin Focused Growth ETF (BATS:FFOG), Franklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF (BATS:FLQL), Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (NYSE:FGDL), Franklin High Yield Corporate ETF (BATS:FLHY) and Franklin Income Equity Focus ETF (NYSE:INCE).

“This marks the first time that tokenized FT-managed ETFs are available on-chain,” Ondo Finance said.

Ondo Finance added that these ETFs will be available through Ondo Global Markets, the …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) stated on Wednesday that its users can borrow USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) against their cryptocurrency holdings to cover tax bills, avoiding the need to sell them.

Coinbase Presents ‘Choice’ For Users

In an X post, Coinbase said that selling cryptocurrencies would trigger capital gains taxes and could create a cycle of selling more to cover the new taxes.

Remember that tax applies only when you realize the gains. Capital losses aren’t taxable.

The other option they suggested was to get loans in USDC while holding the cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), as collateral, with the loan itself not treated as a taxable event. Later, they can convert the USDC into dollars, pay taxes with that …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

NYSE Arca greenlit Morgan Stanley’s (NYSE:MS) application on Wednesday to list shares of a spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) exchange-traded fund.

Another Bitcoin ETF On Wall Street

The exchange certified its approval for the “listing and registration” of Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust under the ticker MSBT, according to the latest SEC filing.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas predicted an “imminent” launch following the listing announcement.

Details About The New Product

Morgan Stanley filed an amended S-1 filing …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Leading cryptocurrencies were range-bound on Wednesday, while stocks closed higher as investors weighed de-escalation prospects in the Middle East war.

Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. EDT)
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) +0.79% $71,287.45
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               		 +0.25% $2,165.50
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                          -0.35% $1.41
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                          +0.87% $91.85
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)              +0.91% $0.09577

Crypto Market Consolidates

Bitcoin traded sideways between $70,380 and the mid-$71,000s, with trading volume down 13% over the past day.

Ethereum also meandered in the $2,100 region as bullish momentum stalled against strong resistance at $2,200. XRP and Dogecoin also consolidated.

Shares of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BMNR) closed up 2.11% and 2.12%, respectively.

Over $150 million in crypto positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with $100 million in short positions alone wiped out,  according to Coinglass data.

Open interest in Bitcoin futures rose a further 2.66% in the last 24 hours, while the majority of retail and whale traders on Binance staying long on the leading cryptocurrency.

“Extreme Fear” prevailed in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M) Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. EDT)
MemeCore (M)       +39.21%     $2.40
siren (SIREN)                   +38.38%     $2.19
Yooldo (ESPORTS)   …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Bitcoin hovered around $70,000 as improving macro sentiment, driven by easing geopolitical tensions, lifted the broader crypto market on Wednesday.

Cryptocurrency Ticker Price
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $70,733.73
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,159.47
Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $91.71
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.41
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09622
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.056110

Notable Statistics:

  • Coinglass data shows 79,540 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $219.11 million.       
  • SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $74.5 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Tuesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $40.8 million.
  • In the past 24 hours, top gainers include siren, …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

XRP’s (CRYPTO: XRP) recent range-bound price action has traders questioning whether a pullback may come before an eventual breakout.

Short Term Uncertainty

In a podcast on Tuesday, analyst Cryptoinsightuk outlined that XRP may see further downside toward $1 before a larger breakout, as traders weigh short-term uncertainty against a bullish long-term setup.

He added that XRP remains in a consolidation phase, with price compressing within a wedge-like structure. This setup leaves room for either an upside breakout or continued drift lower in the near term.

A move toward $1 by June remains …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Venture capitalist Mark Yusko says Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) abandoned the crypto industry after years of support, with the Clarity Act settlement on stablecoin yield representing regulatory capture rather than the clarity the industry needs.

The Lummis Betrayal

“Senator Lummis, I thought was on our team and she actually acted like she was on our team for a very long time and now suddenly she’s this great supporter of this horrible bill, which means somebody got to her,” Yusko said on The Wolf Of All Streets podcast on Wednesday.

The Clarity Act settlement means banks win while crypto gets nothing. Lummis recently tweeted a yield sign that investors interpreted as bullish for stablecoin yields, only for news to break that the legislation would ban exchanges from offering any yield on stablecoins.

Yusko compared the gaslighting to the Inflation Reduction Act, arguing that lawmakers often give bills names that reflect the opposite of what they actually do.

The Clarity Act has nothing to do with …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Proposed updates to the Clarity Act could limit how stablecoin rewards are offered, posing the biggest risk to centralized crypto platforms such as Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN), according to Needham Research.

Stablecoin Rewards In Focus

Needham said a key concern is a potential ban on passive yield for stablecoin holders on exchanges.

Such a move would affect platforms like Coinbase, where earning yield has been a major driver of user adoption. In contrast, decentralized finance platforms are expected to remain largely unaffected, as their rewards are typically classified as “active” rather than passive.

The final …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) is up 3% over the past day, as prediction markets price a 70% chance SpaceX completes its IPO by June — potentially providing a catalyst for the meme coin that has crashed 65% from its September peak.

The SpaceX IPO Timeline

Polymarket bettors give SpaceX a 90% chance of going public by September 30 and a 70% chance by June 30. 

The company targets a June listing with Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America in senior roles.

On valuation, 49% of traders expect the closing market cap to exceed $2 trillion, which would place SpaceX as the 6th largest company by market cap below Amazon and above TSMC. 

SpaceX quietly raised its Falcon 9 launch price from $69.75 million to $74 million …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here

On:

Gold’s slide into a bear market is colliding with an unexpected trend: investors are pouring money into Bitcoin ETFs instead.

This dichotomy is particularly interesting, as the price of gold has declined by over 20% from its January highs, which is enough to qualify as a bear market, whereas U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have received over $2 billion in inflows over the last few weeks.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas tweeted that iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) is already in the top 2% among all ETFs in YTD flows.

ETF Flows Tell The Real Story

Perhaps the most visible aspect of this is the flow data.

The largest gold ETF, SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE:GLD), recorded a record monthly outflow of over $7 billion, a very quick unwinding of a position built on inflation and geopolitical hedging.

Other gold-based ETFs, such as iShares Gold …

Full story available on Benzinga.com

This post was originally published here