Ukraine's actions could lead to sustained higher oil prices, impacting global markets and prompting strategic shifts from major oil producers.

The post Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery, cutting output by 300K-400K barrels per day appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

MegaETH's points system could significantly influence user engagement and ecosystem growth, impacting its post-launch market cap prospects.

The post MegaETH to launch points system ahead of April 2026 token event appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Increased Bitcoin discourse and legislative efforts may signal future market shifts, but immediate impacts remain muted, with optimism deferred.

The post Bitcoin chatter rises with endorsements, legislative push; June market tepid appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The freeze highlights centralized control in decentralized finance, raising concerns about stablecoin stability and regulatory impacts.

The post Tether freezes $344M USDT amid KelpDAO exploit fallout, USDC depeg odds steady appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Galaxy Digital's Q1 loss highlights the volatility and risks in the crypto market, emphasizing the need for diversified revenue streams.

The post Galaxy Digital posts $216 million net loss in Q1 as crypto market falls 20% appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Amboss Activates RailsX, Enabling Self-Custody Stablecoin Trading on Bitcoin Lightning

Amboss has activated RailsX, a Lightning-native exchange layer that allows users to trade bitcoin against stablecoins without relinquishing custody, marking a shift in how dollar-denominated liquidity can move across Bitcoin infrastructure.

The launch introduces two trading pairs, USDT-L and USDC-L, issued by Speed Wallet, and opens them to peer-to-peer trading across the Lightning Network. Trades route through existing Lightning channels and settle atomically within seconds, with no centralized order book or intermediary holding user funds.

The release moves stablecoin functionality on Lightning beyond experimentation. While the concept of dollar-pegged assets on Bitcoin’s second layer has circulated for years, implementation has remained limited. Speed Wallet has operated wrapped stablecoins within its own ecosystem for roughly 18 months, providing a closed-loop proof of concept.

RailsX extends that model to the broader network, allowing any compatible node to access the same infrastructure.

Amboss and Thunderhub

RailsX will integrate with Thunderhub, a Lightning node management interface, which serves as the routing layer for these trades. Users execute swaps directly from their own nodes, maintaining control of private keys throughout the transaction lifecycle. Settlement occurs through Lightning’s existing payment channels, removing reliance on bridges or external chains.

Amboss said that RailsX is an extension of its existing Rails product, which focuses on Lightning liquidity provisioning. Together, the two systems form a combined liquidity and trading layer: users can allocate capital to channels, earn yield, and trade against that liquidity without transferring assets to an exchange.

The absence of an order book alters how price discovery occurs. Instead of matching bids and asks in a centralized system, trades execute through routed liquidity across the network. This design mirrors how Lightning processes payments, though applied to asset exchange rather than simple transfers.

Speed Wallet provides issuance and backing for USDT-L and USDC-L, with the assets designed to remain fully reserved. The company’s role introduces a hybrid structure: while trading remains self-custodial and peer-to-peer, stablecoin issuance still depends on a centralized entity.

The development arrives as demand for stablecoin liquidity continues to expand across crypto markets, particularly in regions where dollar access remains constrained. By embedding stablecoin trading within Bitcoin’s payment rails, RailsX offers a pathway for Lightning to compete with alternative ecosystems that have dominated stablecoin activity.

Whether RailsX can scale depends on liquidity depth and node participation. Early trading activity will test whether a routing-based exchange can support consistent pricing and volume without centralized coordination.

For now, the launch represents a functional step toward integrating stablecoin utility into Bitcoin’s native infrastructure.

This post Amboss Activates RailsX, Enabling Self-Custody Stablecoin Trading on Bitcoin Lightning first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Billionaire Tim Draper: You Should Be Scared If You Don’t Own Bitcoin

Speaking on the Nakamoto Stage, Tim Draper told attendees that bitcoin has entered the financial mainstream and that governments now roll out “the red carpet” for the industry. He said the community is “starting to feel like something is happening” as adoption grows, and he cast that shift as the early phase of a larger transition in the money system.

In his view, people will move in stages: first from dollars to stablecoins, then from stablecoins to bitcoin as the final store of value and unit of account.

Draper praised Satoshi Nakamoto’s design of BTC as a system with no government control, no middleman banks, and no traditional account records. He described his own early journey with the asset, including buying large amounts of BTC, then losing those holdings amid front-running and failures at Mt. Gox. That episode led him to question whether the experiment was worth the risk until he watched crypto usage spread in markets around the world and decided to buy again.

To illustrate the fragility of fiat money, Draper told a personal story about a “one–million–dollar bill” that his father gave him when he was young. The bill turned out to be a Confederate note with no value, which he held up as a warning that government currencies can fail, leaving savers with worthless paper.

He connected that story to his decision to purchase bitcoin from the U.S. government in an auction of seized coins, where he paid above market because he viewed bitcoin as a superior long-term asset.

Draper: You should be scared if you don’t own bitcoin

Draper outlined a scenario in which retailers begin by accepting bitcoin alongside other payment methods and then transition to accepting only bitcoin.

In that world, he said, consumers would rush to banks to pull out their money and convert into BTC as trust in national currencies declines. He told the audience that anyone who manages a family “ought to have about six months’ worth of bitcoin” as protection against such a breakdown.

He extended that warning to sovereigns facing inflation or fiscal stress. If a government encounters hyperinflation and holds no BTC on its balance sheet, Draper argued, its currency and the wealth of its officials could become worthless in real terms.

“You should be scared if you don’t own bitcoin,” Draper said he is telling people these days, adding that those without exposure “should be very, very worried.”

Draper closed with a call to action aimed at the entire BTC ecosystem around him. He said that “those of us who have bitcoin are gonna help steer the world” as legacy currencies lose value, and he told attendees to go home and tell their families to buy bitcoin, their governments to buy bitcoin, and their friends to buy BTC.

Addressing founders and builders, he urged entrepreneurs to “push it as hard as you can,” saying that broad BTC ownership is both a hedge against currency risk and a path to a new monetary standard.

This post Billionaire Tim Draper: You Should Be Scared If You Don’t Own Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

House Republicans Warn That the America’s Bitcoin Weakness Will Benefit China

Three members of Congress positioned digital asset regulation as a matter of national security and economic competition during a panel discussion at The Bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas on Monday.

Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) spoke on “The Bitcoin Bloc: A New Force in American Politics,” moderated by Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase.

Miller-Meeks described Bitcoin as “financial democracy” and linked cryptocurrency adoption to America’s 250th anniversary, framing support for digital assets as patriotic. She cited the Chinese Communist Party as a threat and characterized crypto policy as a national security issue.

The Iowa congresswoman shared her background working through medical school and highlighted Bitcoin’s potential to protect women experiencing domestic abuse or violence. 

She said digital assets can provide women with resources beyond government reach, citing Canada’s trucker protest as an example of government intervention in financial accounts. Miller-Meeks acknowledged that older Americans express concerns about digital asset safety.

Chinese is driving bitcoin policy urgency

Both Miller-Meeks and Nunn emphasized competition with China as a driver for U.S. crypto policy. Miller-Meeks stated that China continues to pursue leadership in the digital asset sector but said the United States remains the best environment for innovation.

Nunn warned that failing to advance American leadership in Bitcoin and digital assets creates national security risks. He called for holding China accountable and said losing the November midterm elections could reverse 18 months of legislative progress, allowing adversaries to gain ground while the U.S. falls behind.

“Decisions and elections have consequences,” Nunn said, pointing to specific anti-crypto Democrats as he discussed the stakes of the upcoming midterm elections.

Nunn highlighted progress in Congress and the crypto sector, noting that the SEC under former Chair Gary Gensler imposed fines in the millions of dollars for violations involving concepts Gensler did not understand. Gensler was fired earlier in the Trump administration.

Lawler referenced the GENIUS Act as a positive step but said Congress must establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework. 

He cited Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s op-ed in The Wall Street Journal and stated that passing regulatory clarity will position America at the forefront of the digital asset space. Lawler said SEC regulations should serve the crypto industry’s best interests.

As a New Yorker, Lawler said he wants the crypto industry to remain in New York and feel secure operating in the state.

The ‘double taxation’ of bitcoin mining

Nunn criticized double taxation on Bitcoin mining operations, questioning why the U.S. taxes Bitcoin mining differently than other forms of asset extraction. He said excessive taxation drives innovation to other countries and emphasized the need to avoid making it difficult to conduct business in the United States.

The panel discussion reflected a broader shift in congressional Republican attitudes toward digital assets, with lawmakers framing crypto policy through the lens of geopolitical competition and individual financial freedom rather than consumer protection or financial stability concerns that dominated earlier regulatory debates.

This post House Republicans Warn That the America’s Bitcoin Weakness Will Benefit China first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Lawmakers Warn Crypto Clarity Will Decide U.S. Leadership as 2026 Election Looms

U.S. lawmakers and White House officials used a Nakamoto Stage panel to argue that clear crypto rules will decide whether the United States leads or cedes ground in the next phase of financial innovation.

The discussion, titled “Are We Getting More Clarity?”, focused on the Clarity Act, enforcement under past administrations, and the risk that political swings could undo progress on crypto regulation.

Senator Cynthia Lummis warned that another hostile administration would mean “game over for sensible regulation,” framing the 2026 election cycle as a direct test of whether Congress can lock in a durable framework for digital assets. 

She argued that predictable rules are now essential for builders and capital, and said the industry cannot plan around policy that shifts with each change in the White House. Lummis also pushed back on concerns about crypto and crime, saying “it’s easier to solve crimes in digital assets than fiat currencies” because transaction records give law enforcement a trail that cash does not.

Witt:USA should dominate in crypto

White House digital asset adviser Patrick Witt set out an aggressive vision for U.S. leadership. “We want to dominate,” he said, calling crypto “the future of financial infrastructure” and tying that claim directly to passage of the Clarity Act. He said that once lawmakers deliver a clear regime for digital assets, “Bitcoin and crypto will take off like a rocketship,” with greater integration into markets and the banking system. 

Witt described the bill’s focus as defining obligations for exchanges that list exchange-traded products, wallet providers, and developers who build on Bitcoin, and said that set of rules is “critically important” so market participants understand their responsibilities and can connect Bitcoin more deeply to the broader financial system.

Witt also criticized earlier policy and enforcement choices. He said the industry “got wrongly targeted and criticized” in recent years, which he argued pushed innovation offshore and let foreign hubs claim core parts of the market. 

He pointed to the location of the largest centralized exchanges outside the United States as “a failure of U.S. leadership,” and cast the Clarity Act as a chance to reverse that trend. In his view, the measure could bring trading venues and developers back onshore and support a domestic ecosystem around Bitcoin exchange-traded products, custody, and payments infrastructure.

Across the panel, speakers returned to the same question: whether Washington will offer lasting clarity or continue to rely on fragmented enforcement. Lummis framed the stakes in terms of investor protection and national competitiveness, while Witt stressed the opportunity to anchor the next wave of financial infrastructure in the United States. Both cast the coming legislative window, and the election that follows it, as a turning point for Bitcoin, broader crypto markets, and the country’s role in them.

This post Lawmakers Warn Crypto Clarity Will Decide U.S. Leadership as 2026 Election Looms first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Kalshi Says Bitcoin Payments and Prediction Markets Are Building a New Exchange for Big Money

Kalshi’s head of crypto, John Wang, used a Bitcoin 2026 fireside chat to argue that regulated prediction markets offer a more accessible way to trade Bitcoin than traditional spot venues. He opened by describing his path at Kalshi and pushed back on the idea that the exchange is a pure crypto platform, saying Bitcoin and other digital assets serve as key payment rails rather than its core product. 

According to Wang, Bitcoin is now the largest source of user payments into Kalshi’s apps, underscoring how deeply the asset’s audience overlaps with the platform’s trader base.

Bitcoin predictions and insider trading on Kalshi

Moderator Conner Brown asked Wang on why a Bitcoin holder would choose Kalshi over spot markets to express a price view. Wang said prediction markets are attractive because they can apply to almost any outcome while preserving a simple user experience.

He argued that people already like trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and find them accessible, but that spot markets remain out of reach for many users compared with a straightforward contract that settles on a clear event result.

In his view, Kalshi can sit on top of that demand and package directional Bitcoin views in a format that feels more intuitive than managing wallets and navigating crypto exchanges.

Brown also raised concerns about insider trading and where to draw the line in event markets. Wang said Kalshi uses know-your-customer checks and internal protocols to protect traders and emphasized that information asymmetry is a challenge in equities and other markets as well. 

He framed the question as one of incentives, warning that if platforms fail to protect their users they risk turning markets into insider arenas that erode trust. The safeguards and norms for prediction markets are still developing, he said, but he expects investor protection standards to converge with those in more established asset classes.

Looking ahead, Wang positioned Kalshi as an exchange being built from the ground up for a new category of contracts rather than a niche trading venue. He said the company is constructing infrastructure for event-based exposure that can sit alongside traditional markets and added that he expects large hedge funds to take significant positions in prediction markets over time. 

Kalshi is set to launch cryptocurrency perpetual futures today, expanding beyond its core event-based contracts into continuous derivatives trading. The new product will allow traders to hold positions without expiration, using U.S. dollars as initial collateral, with plans to add stablecoins later.

Backed by its regulatory status and growing trading volumes, the move positions Kalshi to compete more directly with offshore crypto derivatives platforms.

This post Kalshi Says Bitcoin Payments and Prediction Markets Are Building a New Exchange for Big Money first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Everyone watching Bitcoin this week is watching the Federal Reserve, while the more important tell may be sitting in the Treasury market, where the 10-year yield has compressed into one of its tightest ranges of the year just as a dense macro calendar opens.

Bitcoin's recovery now rests on renewed institutional inflows and the assumption that liquidity conditions will not tighten again. If Treasuries choose a direction before that assumption is tested, the bond market could drive Bitcoin's next move independently of any crypto-specific catalyst.

The 10-year yield spent Apr. 1 through Apr. 24 inside a band of 4.26% to 4.35%, closing at 4.31% on Apr. 24 per FRED data.

Related Reading

This week Bitcoin will face major volatility across a key 48 hour period: Fed first, GDP and PCE right after

Bitcoin faces a 48-hour macro trap as the Fed speaks first, but GDP and PCE get the last word.

Apr 27, 2026 · Andjela Radmilac

Barron's reported that the 10-year Bollinger Bands had narrowed to their tightest since Jan. 16, a classic coiled setup, and Reuters' technical commentary placed the yield inside a larger symmetrical triangle that frequently precedes a sharp directional move.

On Apr. 27, the 10-year had ticked back toward 4.32%, with commodity prices and geopolitical risk feeding inflation expectations, adding inputs to yield direction that run well outside the Fed's control.

A compressed yield range is a market storing energy before a decision.

The event cluster that could release that energy arrives in rapid succession. The FOMC meets Apr. 28-29, the BEA publishes the advance first quarter GDP estimate alongside March Personal Income and Outlays and the PCE deflator on Apr. 30, while the Employment Cost Index also lands that morning.

That is three macro readings in two days, enough to move Treasuries materially in either direction and enough to change the financial conditions backdrop that Bitcoin is currently relying on.

The key points

Bitcoin is where a Treasury repricing could first show up, as the crypto bid has rebuilt into an already fragile technical area.

CoinShares' latest weekly report recorded $1.2 billion in crypto investment product inflows, the fourth consecutive positive week and the third straight above $1 billion, with $933 million flowing to Bitcoin, $192 million to Ethereum, and total assets under management climbing to $155 billion.

Farside Investors' daily ETF data show that US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted nine straight positive sessions from Apr. 14 to Apr. 24, totaling over $2 billion in inflows.

The risk is that buyers return just before Treasuries choose a direction. CoinShares' Mar. 23 note shows that weekly inflows slowed sharply and crypto products suffered $405 million in post-FOMC outflows once markets read that meeting as a hawkish pause.

The crypto bid at the time was genuine, and a macro repricing overtook it anyway.

That episode is directly relevant now because Bitcoin is approaching its $80,000 test with the same ingredient in place and the same unresolved variable of what the bond market decides to do next.

What on-chain data shows

Glassnode's Apr. 22 report noted that Bitcoin reclaimed the True Market Mean at $78,100, with the short-term holder cost basis at $80,100 as the immediate resistance ceiling.

ETF flows turned modestly positive again, and spot demand showed early recovery, while the short-term holder realized profit spiked to $4.4 million per hour.

Glassnode also noted that Bitcoin's own implied and realized volatility has compressed, leaving no premium in options pricing. Treasuries and Bitcoin markets are coiled at the same time, and the rates market is the one with more immediate cause to move first, given the macro calendar sitting directly in front of it.

Glassnode's framework gives the battleground its coordinates, as sustained demand through $80,100 would confirm the institutional bid has enough depth to absorb profit-taking.

A failure there that pushes BTC back toward $78,100 would leave the True Market Mean as the last meaningful support before Glassnode's $75,000 downside-acceleration area comes into play.

The bond market's direction will determine which of those outcomes resolves.

Potential outcomes

The bull case flows from yields moving lower. If the 10-year closes below the April floor near 4.26%, and especially if it breaks through Reuters' 4.23% technical pivot, Bitcoin gets the cleanest macro environment its current rally could ask for.

Falling yields reduce the discount-rate drag on risk assets, support the liquidity trade, and give the $1.2 billion weekly inflow pace a better chance of forcing BTC through the $80,100 resistance ceiling, with enough absorption to hold.

In that setup, the nine-session ETF streak and CoinShares' four consecutive positive weeks would read as early evidence of a durable demand regime, and the rally's test period would be over.

The October 2025 total AUM peak of $263 billion serves as the relevant benchmark for how far the institutional re-engagement has yet to go.

The bear case flows from yields breaking higher. If the 10-year pushes above 4.35% and starts moving toward Reuters' 4.6% upside resolution area, financial conditions will tighten at exactly the moment Bitcoin is pressing into a zone where more than 54% of recent buyers are sitting on profit.

BTC stalls at $80,100, the profit-taking that Glassnode is already flagging at $4.4 million per hour accelerates, and sellers test the True Market Mean at $78,100.

If that level fails, Glassnode's $75,000 downside-acceleration area comes into play, and markets would reframe the entire inflow streak as institutional capital that arrived before the bond market closed the door.

The March precedent makes that sequence concrete, as even $1 billion-plus weekly demand could not prevent $405 million in post-FOMC outflows once the macro read turned hawkish. The same mechanism is available again.

Bitcoin's next move may originate in the Treasury market. The institutional bid has returned across enough channels to confirm a broad recovery in demand.

However, the bid has returned before the bond market has signaled if macro conditions will help or work against it.

If Treasuries fall, Bitcoin's $80,000 test gets materially easier, and the institutional thesis gets its first real macro confirmation. If Treasuries jump, duration repricing becomes the deciding factor and the rally fails on macro grounds alone.

The post Bitcoin’s $80k test should be decided by the bond market this week appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Cathie Wood built ARK Invest's Bitcoin case on the idea that Bitcoin would become a global monetary layer that is programmable, borderless, resistant to inflation, and eventually dominant in payments.

The latest version of that argument concedes that stablecoins got there first on the payments side.

In a recent interview with The Rollup, the ARK CEO said stablecoins have taken over part of the role that ARK once expected Bitcoin to fill in emerging-market payments. At the same time, ETF-era institutions appear to be averaging down during drawdowns, softening the boom-bust severity that defined prior cycles.

Related Reading

Cathie Wood revises Bitcoin forecast as stablecoins gain ground

A data-led look at ETF flows, term premium, and BTC liquidity to decode the target cut without the hype.

Nov 9, 2025 · Gino Matos

Actual stablecoin payments run at roughly $390 billion annualized per McKinsey and Artemis, about 0.02% of global payments volume. Stablecoins have absorbed much of crypto's transactional lane in the markets where Bitcoin once competed for that role.

DefiLlama data shows that the stablecoin market cap is over $320.6 billion as of Apr. 27, up over 56% since early 2025, with USDT commanding 59.16% of the market.

TRM Labs' first-quarter adoption report found that Venezuela's retail crypto activity primarily runs on stablecoins, with USDT accounting for 90.2% of active Binance P2P Venezuelan bolivar listings and Bitcoin at 1.9%.

In Brazil, roughly 66% of crypto transaction volume was conducted via USDT, with Bitcoin at 11%, and officials noted that stablecoins functioned mainly as payment instruments.

TRM found a similar pattern in Iran, where USDT operates as a de facto savings and payments rail under currency restrictions. The stablecoins pegged to the US dollar processed $274 billion in retail transactions through virtual asset service providers in March 2026 alone.

The payments lane Wood once saw as Bitcoin's future is now stablecoin infrastructure, and the data in stressed, capital-constrained markets makes that case most clearly.

Bitcoin's new lane

What stablecoins left behind for Bitcoin is arguably the better seat. As stablecoins absorbed the transactional utility argument, Bitcoin consolidated around scarcity, institutional allocation, and macro reserve positioning.

CoinShares' latest weekly report recorded $1.2 billion in crypto investment product inflows, the fourth consecutive positive week and the third straight above $1 billion.

Bitcoin took $933 million of that total, Ethereum $192 million, and Solana $31.8 million. Total assets under management climbed to $155 billion, the highest reading since Feb. 1.

At the same time, Strategy's Apr. 27 SEC filing shows another 3,273 BTC purchased during Apr. 20-26, bringing its total to 818,334 BTC at an aggregate cost of $61.8 billion.

CME reported its crypto average daily volume rose from 191,000 to 310,000 contracts year over year in the first quarter, while average daily open interest rose 25% to 313,900 contracts from last year's first quarter.

Farside Investors' daily ETF data provide the clearest picture of Wood's “averaging down” thesis in practice, as US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted nine consecutive positive sessions from Apr. 14 to Apr. 24, with inflows totaling over $2 billion.

Institutions bought through the correction, held through the volatility, and kept adding. Wood's argument that ETF holders are stickier has that nine-session stretch behind it.

The cycle question

Wood's thesis runs ahead of its evidence on the possibility that institutions have fully reshaped the four-year cycle.

NYDIG's research placed retail at 74% of spot Bitcoin ETF AUM as of the fourth quarter of 2024, with institutions and professional advisors at 26%, an expanding share, though still a minority of ownership.

NYDIG's February 2026 note also argued that Bitcoin's recent drawdown still fit a cyclical pattern, even if it looked more orderly.

The ETF era has made the marginal buyer more institutional and more macro-responsive, while retail still generates enough selling volume through drawdowns to drive cyclical moves.

Glassnode's Apr. 22 report adds the market structure layer, noting that Bitcoin reclaimed the True Market Mean at $78,100, with the short-term holder cost basis at $80,100 as the immediate resistance ceiling.

ETF flows turned modestly positive again, and spot demand showed an early recovery, despite short-term holders' realized profits spiking to $4.4 million per hour, nearly three times the $1.5 million threshold that marked prior local tops this year.

Glassnode also noted that Binance's cumulative volume delta led much of the recent spot buying while Coinbase activity stayed muted. Since Coinbase proxies US institutional spot demand most directly, the current bid is genuine, driven more by offshore and mid-tier flows.

Two cases

The bull case for Wood's thesis runs through the Fed.

If the Apr. 28-29 FOMC meeting passes without adding fresh macro stress, weekly inflows hold near or above $1 billion, Coinbase spot participation closes the gap with offshore venues, and Bitcoin clears $80,100 with consistent absorption behind it, Wood's “institutions softening the cycle” argument becomes visible in price structure.

A market that absorbs $4.4 million per hour in realized profit without breaking the reclaimed mean would exhibit exactly the demand depth Wood describes.

ARK's published model projects roughly $710,000 in the base case and $1.5 million in the bull case for Bitcoin by 2030, targets that hold only if the institutional ownership thesis compounds across multiple cycles.

The bear case preserves the four-year cycle. If the Fed re-tightens financial conditions, the weekly flow streak breaks, and Glassnode's realized-profit warning plays out at $80,100, the recent move resolves as a distribution rally.

NYDIG's view that the market stays cyclical, that retail still owns most of the ETF float, and that the cycle's boom-bust mechanics stay stronger than institutional depth can currently get the better of Wood's framing.

Stablecoins would still have won the payments lane, but the halving cycle retains its grip on price structure, with ownership composition playing a secondary role.

Total AUM at $155 billion is 41% below the October 2025 peak of $263 billion, indicating that a large volume of unwound institutional exposure sits above current levels.

What the split actually means

Wood's most durable contribution to the current debate is the argument that Bitcoin's original monetary ambition was divided.

Stablecoins became the working dollar rail in capital-constrained markets, while Bitcoin became the scarcer, harder-to-access asset that institutional balance sheets and regulated products hold at scale.
That division is cleaner and may prove more defensible.

Bitcoin can justify a $710,000 base case price on reserve asset and institutional allocation grounds alone.

The stablecoin layer, by absorbing the transactional utility case, leaves Bitcoin with fewer competing demands on its identity, cleaner store-of-value positioning, and a payments infrastructure that keeps capital circulating in crypto without requiring Bitcoin to serve every role at once.

The Apr. 28-29 Fed decision will tell the market if the institutional bid that has rebuilt over four weeks can absorb what Glassnode is already calling elevated profit-taking.

The post Cathie Wood’s Bitcoin bull thesis concedes stablecoins won the real-world payment fight appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Paul Sztorc, LayerTwo Labs CEO and longtime Bitcoin developer, is planning an August 2026 Bitcoin hard fork called eCash, targeted around Bitcoin block 964,000.

His April 24 announcement described a new chain that would copy Bitcoin history, give holders 1 eCash for every 1 BTC at the split, and launch with a Bitcoin-Core-like base layer mined with SHA-256d alongside Drivechain-style sidechains.

For ordinary Bitcoin holders, the practical question is more specific than the backlash. The fork can create a new asset, new confusion, and new operational decisions, while BTC balances remain governed by Bitcoin software, Bitcoin consensus, and Bitcoin private keys.

In a later clarification, Sztorc said the current eCash plan would give Satoshi Nakamoto 600,000 eCash rather than 1.1 million eCash. He also repeated that BTC balances are untouched by eCash and that moving BTC always requires Bitcoin software plus the relevant Bitcoin private key.

That distinction sets the holder map. A Bitcoin holder can ignore a fork and still keep the same BTC.

The unresolved issue is whether eCash becomes a supported asset that exchanges, wallets, custodians, miners, and tax records have to process. Until that happens, the controversy is mostly about legitimacy, incentives, and precedent on a new ledger.

What eCash would copy from Bitcoin

The proposed chain starts from a familiar hard-fork mechanic. At the fork height, Bitcoin history would be copied into a new network.

A wallet holding 4.19 BTC at the split would have 4.19 eCash on the new chain, according to Sztorc's announcement. Holders could keep, sell, or ignore those coins if the new chain launches and if they can safely access them.

The base-chain pitch is intentionally close to Bitcoin. Sztorc described the eCash layer 1 as a near-copy of Bitcoin Core, mined with the same SHA-256d algorithm, with a one-time difficulty reset to its minimum value at launch.

He also said the chain would activate BIP300 and BIP301 through CUSF, a route meant to bring Drivechain-style sidechains into eCash without changing Bitcoin itself.

The Drivechain component should stay in the background for holders. BIP300 describes hashrate escrows for sidechains, while BIP301 describes blind merged mining, a design under which SHA-256d miners can collect revenue from other chains without running those chains' full software.

Those mechanics explain why Sztorc wants a separate eCash network. BTC remains governed by Bitcoin mainnet rules.

Code readiness is a separate threshold. The public LayerTwo Labs CUSF enforcer repository showed active development, while LayerTwo Labs' download page offered BitWindow software related to the Drivechain stack.

Final eCash launch software, replay rules, and user-grade splitting tools still need verification before ordinary holders can treat the fork as operational.

Preserving BTC requires no claim action during the proposal phase. Holders can leave seed phrases private, avoid importing keys into new software, and ignore claim pages while the chain remains unlaunched.

The chain has to exist first, then the ecosystem has to decide whether it will recognize the forked coins. That sequencing is the difference between a theoretical allocation and a usable asset.

Those same practical gates determine whether the 1:1 allocation becomes anything more than a paper balance in a copied ledger.

The Satoshi allocation fight lives on the new chain

The controversy grew out of the initial funding design. Reporting and Sztorc's own post described a plan to manually reassign fewer than half of the eCash coins corresponding to the presumed Patoshi-pattern coins, often framed around 1.1 million BTC, to early investors or supporters.

The Bitcoin mainnet coins would stay where they are. The dispute is over whether a fork should edit the copied version of those balances before launch.

Sztorc's latest clarification sharpens that point instead of removing it. He says eCash would gift Satoshi 600,000 eCash rather than 1.1 million, a figure closer to the lower Patoshi estimate than the common million-plus framing.

That still leaves the core objection. A straight 1:1 copy would assign every copied coin to the same keys that held the BTC at the split, while the current eCash proposal would choose a different treatment for part of the dormant copied balance.

Bitcoin's social contract treats signatures and private keys as the boundary of control. A new chain can choose different rules, but a chain that reallocates dormant copied coins tells users something about how its own ledger treats old balances.

Critics see that as a precedent problem. Sztorc has argued that a pure fork can leave contributors undercapitalized before launch, creating a chain that starts as a zombie project.

The size of the Satoshi-linked pool also deserves care. BitMEX Research found strong evidence of a dominant early miner, but argued that the evidence is less robust than the common million-plus framing suggests.

Its analysis said 600,000 to 700,000 BTC may be a better estimate than roughly 1 million or 1.1 million. That means the exact denominator behind any eCash reassignment claim is uncertain.

Earlier coverage described a possible version that did not involve Satoshi's coins. The later Sztorc clarification supplied for this update points to a different current posture: Satoshi would receive 600,000 eCash, while BTC itself remains outside the fork's control.

The eCash project site and related Satoshi Half-Airdrop material is still moving through public clarification rather than a final release package.

Related Reading

Bitcoin forks down up to 70% against BTC in since all-time high

Bitcoin forks struggle against BTC, with BCH, BSV, and XEC down significantly since November 2021 high.

Feb 14, 2024 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The holder checklist starts with replay and custody

A fork becomes operational when people try to move coins. Replay protection is central because a transaction valid on one chain can sometimes be copied to another chain after a split.

Contentious forks without replay protection can expose exchanges and holders to replay attacks, according to Coinbase's hard-fork guidance.

Sztorc's replay clarification said default eCash software should block an eCash spend, such as a sale, from replaying on Bitcoin. He also said moving BTC may also move the corresponding eCash, and that behavior could depend on the software a holder uses.

That leaves a simple behavioral rule. Holders should avoid random claim tools, unofficial wallets, and links that promise early access.

A badly designed splitter, a malicious wallet, or a phishing site can create more risk than the fork itself. The safer threshold is public guidance from reputable wallets, exchanges, and custodians after final code and replay behavior are visible.

Custodial holders face a different decision tree. Large platforms tend to evaluate forked assets case by case, using security, liquidity, developer activity, roadmap, compliance, and engineering workload as filters.

Coinbase has described that approach in its own fork policy. That is the lens to apply here.

Even if eCash launches, a platform holding BTC for customers may decline to support the forked asset, may support withdrawals only, or may delay access until the network is stable.

Tax treatment adds another layer for US holders. Under IRS Revenue Ruling 2019-24, a hard fork without receipt of new cryptocurrency does not create gross income, while a hard fork followed by an airdrop can create ordinary income when the taxpayer receives units and has dominion and control.

For eCash, that means the tax answer may depend on whether the holder can actually access, transfer, sell, or otherwise dispose of the forked coins. It is a professional-advice question, especially for coins held through exchanges or custodians.

Miner support is the first infrastructure signal because the new chain needs security and block production separate from Bitcoin's own social consensus. Exchange support is the next signal because a forked coin with no venue, no withdrawals, and no market depth has little practical use for most holders.

Related Reading

Public miners dump record BTC and are pivoting to AI — is Bitcoin’s security backbone starting to hollow out?

Bitcoin miners face near $80,000 production costs, so they are cashing out treasuries to chase AI contracts.

Apr 20, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Wallet and custodian policies sit beside those two signals. They determine whether ordinary users can see, split, move, or ignore the forked asset without taking on unnecessary key-management risk.

Names and market scale add another source of confusion

The proposed fork also runs into name overlap. There is already an eCash network with the ticker XEC, maintained around Bitcoin ABC software.

The existing XEC asset traded near $0.00000704 with a market capitalization around $140.9 million on April 28, 2026. Separately, Cashu describes itself as a free and open-source Chaumian ecash protocol built for Bitcoin.

That overlap has practical consequences. Search results, fake support pages, copied tickers, and social links can blur the difference between Sztorc's proposed fork, the existing XEC asset, and Bitcoin ecash tools such as Cashu.

The right user response is boring and important: verify domains, tickers, wallet instructions, and exchange notices before interacting with any fork-related asset.

The scale difference is also useful. BTC traded around $76,824.95 on April 28, with a market capitalization near $1.54 trillion and 59.9% dominance.

Any eCash fork would be trying to attach a new asset and a contested rule set to the largest crypto network by market value. That scale raises the bar for infrastructure support because even small confusion around Bitcoin balances can draw significant attention.

The fork's first test is therefore external to the argument over Satoshi's coins. It needs code that users can inspect, replay behavior that wallets can trust, a splitter that works, miners willing to secure the chain, exchanges willing to list or process it, custodians willing to explain their policy, and enough liquidity to give the forked coins a market price.

Until those pieces appear, ordinary holders have little reason to act. Their BTC remains BTC.

The risk today is mostly informational: mistaking eCash for Bitcoin, mistaking one eCash for another, or treating an evolving launch proposal as an asset they must immediately claim.

If the infrastructure arrives, the question changes. Holders would then need to decide whether to claim, split, sell, hold, or ignore the forked coins, and custodial platforms would need to explain how they handle customer entitlements.

The Satoshi-coin controversy would still be a fight over the legitimacy of the new chain. The holder risk would become operational.

The post Top Bitcoin dev is launching a new BTC fork giving holders new eCash, but claiming it may be a real risk appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Crypto investment products recorded $1.2 billion in inflows last week, capping three straight weeks above $1 billion and a fourth consecutive positive week overall.

According to CoinShares data, Bitcoin pulled $933 million of that total, Ethereum added $192 million, and the US accounted for $1.1 billion of regional demand. Total assets under management climbed to $155 billion, the highest reading since Feb. 1, though still below the October 2025 peak of $263 billion.

CoinShares attributed the three-week streak to improving institutional demand while flagging the Apr. 28-29 FOMC decision as a source of marginal caution.

The demand stack

The inflow data converges with signals from several other channels simultaneously, which is what distinguishes it from a single-report anomaly.

On regulated derivatives, CME reported that its average daily volume of crypto rose from 191,000 to 310,000 contracts year over year in the first quarter, with average daily open interest reaching 313,900 contracts, up 25% from the first quarter of 2025.

Open interest at that level means capital is staying in the marketplace, pointing to a longer-horizon positioning posture.

The CoinShares report noted that blockchain equity ETFs have taken in $617 million over the past three weeks, reinforcing the view that institutions are buying infrastructure exposure alongside direct coin positions.

Corporate treasury accumulation has continued on its own track. Strategy's Apr. 27 SEC filing shows another 3,273 BTC purchased during Apr. 20-26, bringing its total to 818,334 BTC at an aggregate cost of $61.8 billion, according to Bitcoin Treasuries.

Hong Kong-listed Bitfire is targeting over 10,000 BTC for a regulated “Alpha BTC” strategy within a year, while Avenir held $908 million of BlackRock's IBIT at the end of 2025.

The geographic spread, comprising US corporate treasuries, regulated Asian asset management, and global investment products all moving in the same direction, gives the demand recovery a structural quality that a single weekly inflow report could not establish on its own.

DefiLlama puts the total stablecoin market cap at roughly $320.7 billion, up 1.73% over 30 days, meaning the on-ramp infrastructure for deploying capital into Bitcoin is expanding.

Beyond demand

Market structure adds a layer that prevents demand recovery from being read as settled.

Glassnode's Apr. 22 report placed Bitcoin back above the True Market Mean at $78,100, with the short-term holder cost basis at $80,100 now serving as the immediate resistance ceiling.

ETF flows had turned modestly positive again, and spot demand showed early signs of recovery. Glassnode also reported that short-term holders realized profit had spiked to $4.4 million per hour, nearly three times the $1.5 million threshold that marked prior local tops this year.

At that rate, recent buyers are locking in gains at a pace the market has historically struggled to absorb without a pause or pullback.

Glassnode's spot breakdown noted that Binance's cumulative volume delta (CVD) drove much of the recent buying, while Coinbase activity stayed comparatively muted.

Coinbase is the primary venue for US institutional spot activity, and a recovery driven more by offshore retail and mid-tier funds leaves the bid less anchored than the headline inflow figures imply.

Farside Investors' daily US ETF data makes the same point from a different angle. Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted positive flows for nine trading sessions, surpassing $2 billion, before turning negative on Apr. 27.

Three weeks of billion-dollar inflow readings and a single-day reversal can both be true at once, and together they describe a demand recovery that is directionally real but still fragile enough to break on a macro catalyst.

The Apr. 28-29 FOMC meeting is now the first hard test to see if the institutional bid that has been built over four weeks can hold its ground.

CoinShares explicitly tied current investor caution to that decision window, and the market structure data from Glassnode explains that Bitcoin is pressing into the $80,100 zone, where over 54% of recent buyers would be sitting on profit, historically the zone where distribution selling has exhausted bear market rallies.

A Fed outcome that leaves financial conditions roughly unchanged removes the largest near-term macro headwind.

A hawkish surprise, or language that tightens the rate-cut timeline further, hands sellers exactly the external trigger they need to act on those elevated profit readings.

The two paths forward

The bull case rests on the Fed passing without adding fresh macro stress, weekly product inflows holding near or above $1 billion, US ETF demand re-accelerating past the Apr. 27 wobble, and Coinbase spot activity closing the gap with offshore venues.

The demand recovery becomes self-reinforcing, and Bitcoin clearing $80,100 with consistent spot absorption behind it would shift the market structure from “rally on trial” to a confirmed demand regime, pulling in the next layer of institutional allocators who have been waiting for the price structure to confirm the flow data.

In that scenario, the October 2025 AUM peak of $263 billion becomes the relevant reference point, and the three-week inflow streak gets read as the early phase of a durable re-engagement.

The bear case turns on the same variables running in reverse. If the Fed re-tightens financial conditions at the margin, the weekly flow streak breaks, and Glassnode's realized profit warning starts to dominate price action, the recent move resolves as another distribution rally, particularly if ETF demand fades and price cannot hold above the reclaimed mean.

Glassnode's own record shows that prior rallies this year have struggled at exactly that point, and with liquidity conditions still thin, a breakdown at $78,100 could accelerate faster than inflow data would predict.

Total AUM at $155 billion is 41% below the October peak, meaning far more unwound institutional exposure above current levels.

CoinShares' three straight billion-dollar weeks, CME's higher open interest, Strategy's continued accumulation, and a deeper base of stablecoin liquidity all point to capital returning to Bitcoin with greater conviction.

The recovery runs across enough channels simultaneously to rule out a single-venue anomaly, and the Fed now decides if the market can keep this movement.

The post Bitcoin’s comeback is now in the Fed’s hands after big investors piled back in appeared first on CryptoSlate.

South Korea's Kbank has signed a strategic partnership with Ripple to test blockchain-based overseas remittances, placing a bank with a central role in Upbit's KRW account access beside one of crypto's longest-running payments infrastructure firms.

Local reports describe the work as a technical verification, or proof-of-concept, focused on whether Ripple's infrastructure can improve the speed, cost, and transparency of overseas remittances. ZDNet Korea separately described the test as part of a phased push around bank-linked overseas remittance infrastructure.

For now, the commercial pieces remain open: launch date, customer access, fees, live volume, and the exact settlement asset.

Kbank already sits inside South Korea's crypto market through Upbit's real-name account system. Its Ripple pilot, therefore, lands as more than a remittance experiment: it tests whether bank-side crypto infrastructure can move from exchange access toward ordinary cross-border payments while the product design and rulebook remain unfinished.

What Kbank and Ripple are testing

The Kbank-Ripple agreement points to bank integration rather than a standalone crypto app. Local reports said Kbank CEO Choi Woo-hyung and Ripple APAC head Fiona Murray attended a signing ceremony at Kbank's Seoul headquarters, with the companies discussing a Ripple digital-wallet proof-of-concept, support for Kbank's overseas remittance model, and broader digital-asset cooperation.

The sequence starts with a separate app-based remittance structure. The next step virtually links customer accounts and internal systems to test remittance stability, checking whether blockchain remittance rails can be mapped onto account and operations layers that resemble the systems a regulated bank would actually use.

That second phase also reportedly tests on-chain transfers involving corridors such as the UAE and Thailand. The corridor detail makes the PoC more operationally specific than a generic partnership announcement while keeping the commercial model open.

Palisade brings the wallet and custody layer into the test. Global Economic said the second phase uses or evaluates Ripple's SaaS-based digital wallet Palisade, while Ripple's own Palisade acquisition announcement describes the platform as wallet-as-a-service and custody tooling with features aimed at institutional digital-asset operations.

That makes the test a wallet and key-management exercise as much as a transfer-speed exercise. Production deployment by Kbank remains unannounced.

The technical focus is still meaningful. A bank remittance product has to solve compliance, custody, account linkage, settlement, and broader regulatory requirements. The PoC appears to test parts of that stack, while the full commercial design remains open.

Related Reading

Ripple’s dollar stablecoin hits a wall in Japan, one of XRP’s friendliest markets, as megabanks earn most of the trust

Nomura’s latest survey suggests Japanese institutions trust stablecoins issued by major financial institutions most, a potential hurdle for RLUSD even in a market where XRP has long enjoyed unusual traction.

Apr 17, 2026 · Gino Matos

Why Upbit changes the stakes

Kbank's role in Upbit's fiat access gives the Ripple test its market-structure relevance. The bank was moving to extend its real-name deposit and withdrawal account partnership with Upbit through October 2026, according to ChosunBiz.

Upbit's own real-name account verification guide says deposit and withdrawal account verification is possible only with Kbank.

Taken together, the partnership report and Upbit's guide make Kbank the bank behind Upbit's KRW real-name deposit and withdrawal account verification rail. They do not show Upbit participating in the Ripple PoC or Kbank running the test on Upbit's behalf.

The size of the Upbit relationship explains why the context has force. Upbit-linked funds accounted for about 24% of Kbank's 30.4 trillion won deposit balance as of the third quarter of 2025, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

The same report quoted Choi discussing Kbank's need to reduce reliance on Upbit while positioning stablecoins and cross-border payments as future opportunities.

Kbank's crypto-linked banking role has been built around exchange access. The Ripple test examines whether similar bank-side plumbing can be used for payments.

Related Reading

Naver merger talks to route 30M shoppers to Upbit sparking fee collapse

Cheaper stablecoin checkout could force banks and card giants to cut rates.

Sep 25, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

The first use case is account access for trading. The next possible use case is cross-border money movement. Between those two sits the unresolved question of regulation.

That context should not be stretched into Upbit participation. Upbit explains why Kbank's banking role matters to South Korea's crypto rails; the Ripple agreement remains a Kbank-side remittance PoC.

Related Reading

Wanchain-backed FinNexus expands to XRP Ledger for tokenizing real-world assets

Apr 29, 2020 · Shaurya Malwa

CryptoSlate's prior coverage helps define the surrounding terrain. A June 2025 article covered South Korean banks pursuing a won-backed stablecoin push, while an April 2026 CryptoSlate report on Ripple's RLUSD in Japan showed how bank trust can shape Asian stablecoin adoption.

Regulation keeps the test provisional

South Korea's bank-led stablecoin debate gives the remittance test a policy edge. The Kbank pilot is already being tied to South Korea's stablecoin rulemaking debate, while Seoul Economic Daily reported that delayed digital-asset legislation has kept some Korean blockchain and remittance infrastructure from moving into actual operations.

Related Reading

K-Won is coming: South Korea’s 8 mega-banks to unleash world’s newest stablecoin shockwave

Megabanks collaborate to stem foreign stablecoin dominance and bolster Korea's monetary sovereignty.

Jun 25, 2025 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Banks can test the mechanics before they know the final rulebook. They can examine wallet architecture, account linkage, compliance controls, and cross-border flows. They can also build optionality without committing to a product launch.

Note: Kbank, the South Korean internet-only bank in the Ripple partnership, should be kept separate from Thailand's KASIKORNBANK, often branded KBank.

KASIKORNBANK has appeared in related Korea-Thailand digital-asset remittance discussions, including a February cooperation announcement with Orbix and BPMG. The connection is corridor context and naming clarity, while the South Korean Kbank and Thailand's KASIKORNBANK remain separate institutions.

The practical split is straightforward: what the pilot tests, what remains undecided, and why Kbank's Upbit rail gives the work market weight.

The next test is commercial proof

Kbank is now sitting between two roles. One is already visible: banking access for Upbit's KRW deposit and withdrawal verification.

The other is being tested: blockchain-based overseas remittances that connect with bank accounts and internal systems.

That bridge has strategic value because South Korea's crypto market already depends on tightly controlled bank-account rails. If a bank tied to those rails can also make blockchain remittances operational, the boundary between exchange access and payment infrastructure becomes less fixed.

The same compliance-heavy banking layer could become a place where crypto-linked infrastructure moves from trading access into cross-border money movement.

For now, the PoC covers testing, corridors, account-system simulation, and Palisade evaluation. It does not yet provide the commercial pieces that would turn the work into a live remittance business.

The next threshold is concrete: a named product, a live customer flow, a settlement asset, a fee model, and regulatory clearance.

Until those pieces arrive, Kbank's Ripple partnership is best read as a readiness test with unusually important surroundings. It shows that one of South Korea's key crypto-linked banking rails is examining the payments infrastructure.

It also shows how much still depends on regulation before a technical pilot can become a real remittance business.

The post The South Korean bank powering Upbit is testing Ripple integration for cross-border payments appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Faces a Moment of Truth

Dogecoin (DOGE) is currently at a technical crossroads. After months of range-bound trading between $0.086 and $0.118, the world's most famous meme coin is showing signs of a potential "short squeeze." As of April 28, 2026, Dogecoin is trading at $0.099, precisely at a level that has historically acted as both a psychological and technical ceiling.

Dogecoin Price Analysis: The Squeeze is On

The daily chart reveals a clear period of volatility compression. Since February, DOGE has been printing higher lows, forming a gradual ascending support structure.

• Resistance: The immediate hurdle is the $0.099 – $0.100 zone. A daily close above this level is essential to confirm a trend reversal.
• Support: The green support line at $0.086 remains the "line in the sand" for bulls.
• RSI Indicator: The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently sitting at 58.67, trending upward. This suggests that while momentum is positive, there is still significant "overbought" headroom before the rally becomes overextended.

Why is Dogecoin Trending Today?

The recent price action isn't happening in a vacuum. Several fundamental catalysts are converging to keep DOGE in the headlines of crypto news.

1. The "X Money" Factor

Speculation is reaching a fever pitch regarding Elon Musk's X platform and its upcoming payment feature, X Money. While initial reports suggest a fiat-based system in partnership with Visa, the DOGE community is betting on a future crypto integration. Historically, any mention of payments on X (formerly Twitter) has led to massive spikes in $DOGE price.

2. Institutional Adoption: The Dogecoin ETF

In a surprise move for 2026, institutional interest has shifted toward meme coins. Following the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, Nasdaq began listing the 21Shares Dogecoin ETF (ticker: TDOG) earlier this year. This provides a regulated pathway for institutional capital to flow into DOGE, reducing the "joke" stigma and treating it as a legitimate digital asset.

3. SpaceX and the Lunar Mission

Elon Musk recently reignited interest in the DOGE-1 mission, a satellite project funded entirely by Dogecoin. During a talk with the Tesla Owners Club, Musk hinted that the project, which faced several delays, is back on track.

Strategic Trading Levels to Watch

For traders looking to capitalize on this movement, the following levels are critical:

Is the $1.00 Dream Still Alive?

While the $1.00 target remains a long-term goal for the fading "Doge Army," the immediate focus is reclaiming the $0.12 territory. The combination of technical compression and institutional products like the TDOG ETF suggests that Dogecoin is maturing beyond a simple pump-and-dump asset.

Kevin Warsh has emerged as the clear frontrunner to succeed Jerome Powell as the Chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh is widely considered the most "pro-Bitcoin" candidate to ever be nominated for the role. However, historical data casts a long, dark shadow over Fed leadership changes. In every major transition over the last decade, Bitcoin has suffered double-digit percentage collapses.

The "Fed Chair Curse": A History of Bitcoin Crashes

To understand the current market anxiety, one must look at the precedent set by previous appointments. Historically, the uncertainty surrounding a new Fed Chair’s "hawkish" or "dovish" stance has triggered massive sell-offs.

In 2014, Janet Yellen's arrival coincided with the post-2013 bubble burst and the Mt. Gox collapse. By 2018, Powell took the reigns just as the ICO craze deflated. Most recently, in 2022, his second term confirmation aligned with the start of aggressive interest rate hikes that fueled the "Crypto Winter."

Who is Kevin Warsh? The Pro-Crypto Nominee

Kevin Warsh is not your typical central banker. A former Fed Governor (2006–2011) and Morgan Stanley veteran, Warsh has a track record of acknowledging Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset. During his recent confirmation hearings, Warsh stated that "digital assets are already part of the fabric of our financial services industry."

Unlike his predecessors, Warsh’s personal financial disclosures revealed significant exposure to the sector, including holdings in Web3 infrastructure and DeFi protocols.

Key Policy Stances:

• Opposition to CBDCs: Warsh has explicitly called a retail U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency a "bad policy choice," citing privacy concerns.
• Private Innovation: He favors letting the private sector lead in stablecoins and digital payments rather than government-led initiatives.
• Inflation Hedge: He has previously referred to Bitcoin as an "important asset" that informs policymakers on inflation and dollar strength.

Why 2026 Might Be Different: The Case for a Bitcoin Pump

While the "Fed Chair Curse" suggests a crash is imminent by May 2026, several factors suggest we might see a "Warsh Pump" instead of a "Powell Dump."

1. Regulatory Clarity: Unlike 2014 or 2018, the U.S. now has a maturing regulatory framework. Investors are no longer trading in a vacuum; institutional products like Spot Bitcoin ETFs have stabilized liquidity.
2. The "Shadow" Mandate: Warsh is expected to prioritize "Sound Money" and market-led growth. If the market perceives him as more "dovish" or less likely to weaponize the banking system against crypto (Operation Choke Point 2.0), capital could flood back into crypto exchanges.
3. Institutional Sentiment: According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Wall Street views Warsh as a candidate who understands market volatility, potentially leading to a more predictable interest rate path.

The Risks: Political Friction and the "Sock Puppet" Narrative

It hasn't been all smooth sailing. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other critics have raised concerns about Warsh’s independence, fearing he may act as a "sock puppet" for the executive branch to facilitate specific crypto ventures. Any perception that the Fed is losing its independence could lead to dollar volatility, which historically sends tremors through all risk assets, including hardware wallets and cold storage holdings.

Ethereum drops below $2,300 as crypto momentum fades

Ethereum fell below the important $2,300 level after Bitcoin failed to hold its recent pump toward $79K. The move came during a broader crypto market pullback, where Bitcoin dropped below $77K and several major altcoins turned red within a short period.

The latest market data shows ETH trading around $2,277, down nearly 3% over 24 hours. This drop is important because Ethereum had recently been supported by bullish institutional headlines, including reports of major ETH accumulation by BitMine. However, the market reaction shows that short-term traders are still focused more on Bitcoin’s price action, liquidations and weak market structure than on long-term accumulation news.

In simple terms, Ethereum did not drop because of one isolated ETH-specific event. It dropped because the broader crypto market lost momentum.

Why did Ethereum drop below $2,300?

The main reason Ethereum dropped is that Bitcoin rejected a key resistance zone. BTC briefly pushed toward $79K, but the move failed quickly. Once Bitcoin lost strength and fell back below $77K, Ethereum followed with a sharper decline.

This is normal during fast market reversals. ETH often behaves like a higher-beta version of Bitcoin, meaning it can rise faster during bullish momentum but also fall harder when the market turns. When BTC rejected the breakout, traders quickly reduced exposure across major crypto assets, and ETH became one of the first large-cap altcoins to feel the pressure.

The loss of the $2,300 level then made the move worse. For many traders, $2,300 is both a psychological level and a short-term technical support zone. Once Ethereum fell below it, stop-losses and leveraged long liquidations likely accelerated the decline.

Liquidations hit Ethereum after Bitcoin’s failed breakout

The speed of the drop suggests that liquidations played a major role. Social media reports pointed to a sharp amount of value being wiped from the crypto market in a very short time, with both BTC and ETH falling almost simultaneously.

This matters because Ethereum is heavily traded with leverage. When the market moves against crowded long positions, traders are forced to close positions or get liquidated. That selling pressure can push ETH lower even if there is no major negative news about Ethereum itself.

This is why ETH can drop despite bullish long-term headlines. Institutional accumulation may support the broader narrative, but short-term leverage can still control intraday price action.

BitMine buying Ethereum was not enough to stop the selloff

One of the more bullish headlines around Ethereum was the report that Tom Lee’s BitMine bought a large amount of ETH. This should normally support confidence in Ethereum’s long-term outlook, especially as institutional interest in ETH continues to grow.

However, today’s move shows the difference between long-term accumulation and short-term trading pressure. Big buyers can strengthen the investment case for Ethereum, but they do not automatically prevent sudden corrections. If Bitcoin rejects resistance, the market deleverages, and altcoins weaken, ETH can still drop below key levels.

That is exactly what happened here. The BitMine headline helped the Ethereum narrative, but it was not strong enough to stop the market-wide selloff.

Ethereum weakens as altcoins flash warning signs

Ethereum’s decline also fits the broader altcoin weakness. XRP, Solana, Cardano, BNB and Chainlink were all under pressure, confirming that this was not only an Ethereum problem. The market was reducing risk across major altcoins.

This is important because Ethereum usually needs broader altcoin strength to build a sustainable rally. When ETH rises while altcoins confirm the move, the market often looks healthier. But when ETH drops alongside most large-cap coins, it suggests that traders are becoming more defensive.

For now, Ethereum is still being treated like a risk asset. It is not leading the market higher. Instead, it is reacting to Bitcoin’s failed breakout and the broader weakness across crypto.

Ethereum price analysis: key levels to watch

The most important level for Ethereum now is $2,300. If ETH can reclaim this level quickly, the latest drop may be viewed as a temporary shakeout caused by Bitcoin’s rejection and short-term liquidations.

A move back above $2,300 would be the first sign that buyers are trying to regain control. After that, ETH would need to push toward the $2,350 to $2,400 zone to rebuild stronger bullish momentum.

However, if Ethereum remains below $2,300, the risk of further downside increases. In that case, traders may start watching lower support areas near $2,250 and then $2,200. Losing those levels could make the ETH chart look weaker and extend the correction.

For now, ETH is in a sensitive position. The next move depends heavily on whether Bitcoin can stabilize above $76K to $77K and whether Ethereum can recover $2,300 quickly.

Is Ethereum still bullish?

Ethereum’s long-term outlook has not been destroyed by this drop. Institutional buying, ETF-related interest and the broader Ethereum ecosystem still support the long-term narrative. But the short-term chart is clearly under pressure.

The problem is not that Ethereum has no bullish catalysts. The problem is that the market is not responding strongly to them yet. When bullish headlines fail to push price higher, it usually means traders are waiting for technical confirmation before taking more risk.

For Ethereum, that confirmation starts with reclaiming $2,300. Without that, the market may continue to treat ETH as weak in the short term.

Ethereum price prediction: bounce or deeper correction?

If Ethereum reclaims $2,300 and Bitcoin stabilizes above $77K, ETH could attempt a recovery toward $2,350 and then $2,400. A stronger move above that zone would suggest that the selloff was only a temporary liquidation event.

But if ETH fails to recover $2,300, the bearish case becomes stronger. A continued rejection below this level could send Ethereum toward $2,250 or even $2,200, especially if Bitcoin loses the $76K support area.

The most likely short-term scenario is continued volatility. Ethereum is stuck between bullish institutional narratives and bearish short-term price action. Until ETH turns $2,300 back into support, traders should expect more sharp moves in both directions.

Final thoughts: why ETH dropped and what comes next

Ethereum dropped below $2,300 because Bitcoin’s failed $79K pump triggered a broader crypto market selloff. The move was accelerated by liquidations, weak altcoin momentum and traders reducing risk across major crypto assets.

This does not mean Ethereum’s long-term story is broken. But it does show that ETH needs stronger confirmation before the next major rally can begin. Bullish accumulation headlines are important, but price action still matters.

For now, the key level is clear: Ethereum needs to reclaim $2,300. If it does, the market could start looking for a recovery. If it fails, ETH may remain under pressure and test lower support zones.

Bitcoin fails to hold the $79K pump

Bitcoin gave traders a short burst of optimism after briefly pumping toward the $79K level. The move looked like a potential breakout attempt, especially after fresh institutional buying headlines entered the market. However, the momentum quickly faded, and Bitcoin dropped back below $77K, erasing the gains from the previous move.

According to the latest market data, Bitcoin is trading around $76,600, down roughly 1.7% over 24 hours. This confirms that BTC is still struggling to build a clean continuation above the $78K to $79K range. The failed move also shows that buyers are not yet strong enough to push Bitcoin into a confirmed breakout above $80K.

The key question now is simple: why did Bitcoin pump toward $79K, then suddenly lose strength?

Why did Bitcoin drop below $77K?

The first reason is a classic failed breakout. Bitcoin moved higher, attracted short-term traders, but failed to hold the breakout zone. Once the price started rejecting near $79K, leveraged positions became vulnerable. The move then turned into a fast downside reaction, with reports pointing to billions being wiped from the crypto market in a short period.

This type of move often happens when the market pumps into resistance without enough spot demand to support the rally. Traders chase the move, liquidity builds above and below the price, and once momentum slows, the market reverses sharply.

In this case, Bitcoin’s drop below $77K suggests that the $79K area was not a real breakout yet. It was more likely a liquidity move, where the price pushed higher, trapped late buyers, and then quickly reversed.

Strategy buys more Bitcoin, but BTC still drops

One of the most interesting parts of today’s crypto news is that Bitcoin dropped even after bullish institutional headlines. Michael Saylor’s Strategy reportedly bought 3,273 BTC worth around $255 million, adding more fuel to the long-term Bitcoin accumulation narrative.

Normally, this type of news would support bullish sentiment. But today’s price action shows that institutional buying does not always create an immediate pump. Large buyers may support the bigger trend, but short-term price action still depends on liquidity, leverage, resistance levels and market confidence.

In other words, Strategy buying more Bitcoin is bullish for the long-term narrative, but it was not enough to stop the short-term selloff below $77K.

BlackRock and institutions are buying, but retail momentum is weak

The broader institutional story remains strong. BlackRock has reportedly accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin through spot ETF demand, while Strategy continues to add BTC to its balance sheet. This confirms that large players are still using weakness as an accumulation opportunity.

However, Bitcoin’s failure to break $80K shows that institutional demand alone is not enough. The market also needs stronger retail participation, better altcoin momentum, and a clear technical breakout. Without those elements, Bitcoin can continue to see sharp pumps and dumps inside the same range.

This is why today’s move is important. It shows a clear gap between the long-term accumulation story and the short-term trading reality.

Altcoins confirm the market weakness

Bitcoin was not the only asset under pressure. The latest crypto performance data shows that most major altcoins are also red. Ethereum dropped below $2,300, XRP fell by more than 2%, Solana moved lower, Cardano weakened, and Chainlink also declined.

This matters because a healthy crypto rally usually needs support from major altcoins. When Bitcoin pumps but altcoins remain weak, the move often looks defensive rather than broad-based. It means traders are not fully rotating into risk yet.

Ethereum’s weakness is especially important. ETH is trading around $2,277, down almost 3%, despite recent reports that Tom Lee’s BitMine bought a large amount of Ethereum. This shows that even bullish Ethereum accumulation headlines are not currently enough to reverse market pressure.

Peter Schiff adds bearish pressure to the Bitcoin narrative

Another headline adding attention to the market is Peter Schiff’s latest bearish comment, where he reportedly said Bitcoin could crash “close to zero.” Schiff has always been one of Bitcoin’s most vocal critics, so the statement itself is not surprising. But the timing matters.

His comment came while Bitcoin was failing to hold a breakout and dropping below $77K. This gives the market a stronger emotional contrast: institutions are buying BTC, but critics are using the failed pump as proof that Bitcoin remains fragile.

For traders, this does not mean Bitcoin is going to zero. But it does show that sentiment is still divided. The market is not in full euphoria mode. Fear, skepticism and leverage-driven volatility are still controlling short-term moves.

Why is Bitcoin weak while stocks hit all-time highs?

One of the most important parts of today’s market setup is that stocks are reportedly hitting all-time highs while Bitcoin is struggling below $80K. That is a major signal.

If US and Asian stock markets are strong, but Bitcoin cannot hold above $79K, it suggests that crypto is not currently leading the risk-on trade. Liquidity may be flowing first into equities, while crypto remains trapped by leverage, weak altcoin demand and resistance near $80K.

This does not necessarily mean the Bitcoin trend is broken. But it does mean that BTC needs stronger confirmation before traders can call the next major breakout. For now, the market is still reacting more like a fragile risk asset than a leading momentum asset.

Bitcoin price analysis: key levels to watch

The most important level now is the $76K to $77K support zone. If Bitcoin can hold this area and reclaim $78K, the market may attempt another move toward $79K and eventually $80K.

However, if BTC loses the $76K zone clearly, the failed $79K pump could turn into a deeper correction. In that case, traders may start watching lower liquidity areas and stronger support zones below the current range.

For the bullish case to return, Bitcoin needs more than another quick pump. It needs to reclaim the $78K to $79K range, hold it as support, and show enough strength to challenge $80K with real volume.

For Ethereum, the key level is $2,300. If ETH remains below this zone, altcoins may continue to struggle, even if Bitcoin stabilizes.

Is the Bitcoin rally over?

The Bitcoin rally is not necessarily over, but today’s move is a warning sign. Bitcoin is still attracting institutional buyers, and major companies continue to accumulate BTC. However, the short-term chart shows that the market is not ready for a clean breakout yet.

The drop below $77K after a pump to $79K shows that traders are still selling into strength. It also confirms that $80K remains a major psychological and technical barrier.

For now, the crypto market is stuck between two forces. On one side, institutional accumulation supports the long-term Bitcoin story. On the other side, weak altcoins, liquidations and failed breakout attempts are keeping short-term pressure alive.

Until Bitcoin turns $79K into support and breaks $80K with conviction, the market may continue to see sharp pumps followed by fast pullbacks.

Tangem is heating up the self-custody market this spring with the launch of its exclusive Prize Draw Campaign, running from May 5 to June 6, 2026. This campaign offers users a chance to win a share of over 100 prizes, including a grand prize of $5,000 in BTC.

How to Participate in the Tangem Draw

To participate in the Tangem Prize Draw, users simply need to purchase a Tangem wallet directly through our exclusive promo link here during the promotion period. Participation is entirely automatic; every wallet item purchased counts as one entry—for example, a 3-pack order equals three tickets—with no additional sign-up required.

Prize Pool Breakdown: What Can You Win?

The campaign features a robust selection of 104 individual prizes. Beyond the headline Bitcoin rewards, Tangem is giving away the latest tech and specialized hardware security gear.

Winners will be announced on July 5, 2026, following a 30-day "cooldown" period used to verify that only non-refunded purchases are eligible. The announcement will take place on the Tangem blog and via a live stream on the Tangem Discord.

Bonus Offer: Double Your Entries and Save 50%

Running concurrently with the prize draw is a significant discount on high-capacity storage. Users who purchase a Family Pack (two 3-card sets) starting with a Black or Stealth wallet can receive the second set at 50% off by using our official discount link.

Notably, both sets in the Family Pack count as separate entries for the prize draw, effectively doubling your chances to win while securing your assets at a lower cost. Eligible collections for the discounted second set include popular designs like Bitcoin, White Stealth, and the "Hold Your Freedom" series.

Why Hardware Security Matters in 2026

In an era where Bitcoin prices are pushing toward six-figure milestones, the security of your private keys is paramount. Modern hardware wallets have evolved to address sophisticated 2026 threats like AI-enabled phishing and "pig butchering" scams.

Tangem's unique approach utilizes EAL6+ certified secure element chips within a card-shaped form factor. Unlike traditional devices, Tangem is battery-free and requires no cables; users simply tap the card to their smartphone to sign transactions. This eliminates the vulnerability of a written seed phrase, as the keys are generated and stored exclusively on the card's chip.

Safety and Anti-Scam Precautions

Tangem has issued a strict warning regarding security during this campaign. Official winners will only be contacted via email from the @tangem.com domain.

• No Payment Required: Tangem will never ask for payment to claim a prize.
• Privacy First: Official staff will never ask for your private keys or seed phrases.
• Verify Sources: If you receive messages from other addresses claiming you have won, it is a scam.

Facebook parent company Meta secured up to 1 gigawatt of orbital solar power as AI drives demand for electricity.

A "big announcement" on the U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve could drop soon, but Treasury and a stalled Senate bill continue to set limits.

Big Tech earnings and the FOMC are challenging investor risk appetite, with $82K as a make-or-break level for Bitcoin’s recovery rally.

Fidelity says crypto may finally be finding its floor, while the White House is teasing a major strategic Bitcoin reserve update.

Internal stumbles over ChatGPT growth and a looming IPO are putting Sam Altman's spend-everything compute strategy under the microscope.

Dogecoin futures activity continues to surge as momentum build, triggering a notable 33% surge in its open interest despite price weakness.

While BTC ETFs absorb $2.43 billion, XRP has slipped below its "concrete" 200-week support - a technical breakdown that opens a 47% devaluation gap to 2024 levels.

Cardano price range has tightened, with the market now watching for the next move.

T. Rowe Price readies TKNZ ETF with XRP and SHIB, while Bitcoin targets $96,600 via Bollinger Bands, and Grayscale's DOGE ETF breaks $0 inflow streak for Dogecoin.

Hyperliquid's state on the market isn't getting better, especially after it invalidated another uptrend.

TLDR

• Celestica’s Q1 adjusted EPS reached $2.16, surpassing the analyst estimate of $2.07
• The company generated $4.04 billion in revenue, exceeding the $3.95 billion consensus forecast
• Management increased full-year EPS guidance to $8.75–$10.15 and revenue outlook to $17–$19 billion
• Second-quarter projections also exceeded Wall Street expectations for both earnings and revenue
• CLS shares declined approximately 14.7% on Tuesday despite the positive results

Celestia delivered an impressive first-quarter performance across all key metrics — yet investors responded by dumping the stock aggressively.

The electronics manufacturing specialist announced Q1 adjusted earnings of $2.16 per share, exceeding Wall Street’s $2.07 forecast. The company’s quarterly revenue reached $4.04 billion, comfortably above the anticipated $3.95 billion.

This represents a clear win on both fronts. So what explains the sharp decline?

The selloff seems to reflect a disconnect between lofty expectations and market sentiment. When shares have enjoyed significant appreciation leading into an earnings announcement, even excellent results can prompt profit-taking if traders believe the positive news is already reflected in the price.

Celestica Inc., CLS

Celestica’s second-quarter forecast similarly exceeded analyst projections. Management projected adjusted earnings per share between $2.14 and $2.34, compared with the consensus estimate of $2.13. The revenue outlook of $4.15 billion to $4.45 billion also topped the street’s $4.17 billion expectation.

Annual Projections Receive an Upgrade

The company took the additional step of elevating its full-year projections. Annual adjusted EPS guidance was boosted to a range of $8.75 to $10.15, versus the previous consensus of $8.96. The yearly revenue forecast was increased to $17 billion to $19 billion, significantly above the $17.46 billion analyst projection.

These aren’t minor adjustments. The upper bound of the revenue guidance represents a substantial improvement over previous Wall Street estimates.

Celestica additionally repurchased 0.1 million shares of its common stock for $20 million throughout the quarter.

Yet despite these developments, CLS dropped roughly 14.7% to approximately $360.13 on Tuesday, per Benzinga Pro data. It’s a dramatic decline for a business that just exceeded expectations on every metric.

What Investors Are Concerned About

The sharp decline indicates the market is prioritizing future outlook over recent achievements. Celestica serves markets connected to data centers and industrial technology — sectors that have experienced robust demand but also increasing questions about whether that growth can continue.

When the bar is already set high, clearing it doesn’t always translate to stock gains.

The Q1 results were announced following Monday’s market close. By Tuesday’s opening bell, shares were already experiencing downward momentum, falling sharply at the start and continuing to decline throughout trading.

At $360.13 at the time of publication, CLS is trading considerably below recent peaks. The stock had carried a GF Value assessment of $96.93 before the decline — marked as significantly overvalued — which likely contributed to selling pressure as certain investors capitalized on the earnings announcement to exit positions.

The outcome serves as a clear illustration that in markets characterized by elevated expectations and strong momentum, exceeding estimates doesn’t automatically produce positive price action.

At the time of publication, CLS was trading at $360.13, down 14.70% on the day.

The post Celestica (CLS) Stock Plunges 14% Despite Strong Q1 Earnings Beat — What Happened? appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• Visa has formed an alliance with WeFi, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, to create blockchain-based banking solutions
• Reeve Collins, a co-founder of WeFi, was instrumental in establishing Tether, the leading stablecoin issuer
• This collaboration seeks to bridge the final gap in blockchain banking infrastructure
• Customers will receive traditional banking features like IBAN accounts via Visa’s worldwide payment system
• Initial deployment targets Europe, Asia, and Latin America, pending regulatory clearance

Visa has revealed a strategic alliance with WeFi, a blockchain payments infrastructure provider, designed to bring onchain banking and payment capabilities to users worldwide.

Reeve Collins, a key figure in WeFi’s founding team, previously played a pivotal role at [[LINK_START_0]]Tether[[LINK_END_0]], the organization responsible for issuing the world’s most widely used stablecoin. WeFi positions itself as an intermediary layer linking decentralized financial ecosystems with traditional regulated payment networks.

According to both organizations, this agreement addresses what they call the “last half mile” challenge in blockchain banking—essentially bridging the divide between cryptocurrency-based financial services and the conventional banking infrastructure that businesses and individuals depend on daily.

Collins explained that the system will provide users with comprehensive banking capabilities, including International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). These identifiers enable cross-border financial transactions through established banking channels.

WeFi is actively pursuing financial operating licenses across various jurisdictions to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements. According to Collins, securing these authorizations represents a critical component of their expansion strategy.

How the Rollout Will Work

The collaboration will unfold through a phased geographical approach. Initial deployment will focus on designated countries throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Further territorial expansion hinges on obtaining necessary regulatory permissions and establishing relationships with regional banking institutions. Collins indicated that the organization intends to continuously onboard additional banking collaborators.

The primary demographic includes underbanked populations—individuals lacking consistent access to conventional financial services. Collins emphasized that the platform aims to serve these communities by providing stablecoin-powered payment solutions and blockchain-based value preservation.

Mathieu Altwegg, Visa’s Head of Product and Solutions in Europe, noted that this collaboration demonstrates how Visa’s extensive network can integrate with blockchain financial systems while maintaining compliance with existing regulatory frameworks.

What WeFi’s Platform Does

WeFi characterizes its technology as an orchestration infrastructure—a framework that integrates DeFi applications with regulated payment systems.

The system supports international transactions and enables value storage directly on blockchain platforms. This functionality allows users to maintain and utilize digital assets in ways compatible with traditional financial ecosystems.

Visa’s international presence provides WeFi with connectivity to a payment infrastructure serving consumers and businesses across over 200 nations. The partnership layers regulatory-compliant infrastructure onto WeFi’s blockchain-native services.

Collins stated that the objective is delivering complete banking account functionality without necessitating access to conventional financial institutions. WeFi plans to distribute IBANs as the platform expands.

Neither company revealed the financial arrangements underlying their partnership. The announcement was published on April 28, 2026.

The post Tether Co-Founder Teams Up With Visa to Pioneer Blockchain Banking Revolution appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• BBBY shares surged more than 25% during after-hours trading following strong Q1 results
• First-quarter revenue climbed 6.9% year-over-year to $247.8 million, exceeding analyst projections of $240.1 million
• Per-share losses improved to 24 cents from 74 cents in the prior-year period
• Retailer plans $150 million acquisition of The Container Store
• CEO Marcus Lemonis reports the company is running at its leanest operational cost structure in over a decade

Bed Bath & Beyond delivered its first substantial quarterly revenue increase in almost five years on Monday, propelling shares upward by more than 25% in extended trading.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., BBBY

The digital-first retailer announced first-quarter revenue totaling $247.8 million, representing a 6.9% increase from the $231.7 million recorded in the corresponding period last year. The figure surpassed Wall Street’s consensus forecast of $240.1 million. CEO Marcus Lemonis described it as “the first quarter of significant revenue growth in 19 quarters.”

The retailer posted a net loss of $16.4 million, translating to 24 cents per share. This represents an improvement from the year-ago loss of $39.9 million, or 74 cents per share. Wall Street analysts had projected losses ranging from 24 to 28 cents per share across various metrics.

Shares concluded Monday’s standard trading session with a 4.8% decline at $5.34, before climbing to approximately $6.83 during after-hours activity. Despite the surge, the stock remains down 2.2% for the year and significantly below its meme-stock high of over $90 reached in 2021.

Lemonis noted that average transaction values have expanded and customer retention patterns are improving. The retailer reported 3,951 active customers during the quarter, a decrease from 4,779 in the prior year, though net revenue per customer improved to $268 from $260.

Strategic Acquisitions and Growth Plans

The retailer revealed its intention to purchase The Container Store through a $150 million transaction. According to the agreement, Container Store outlets would be relaunched under the banner The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond.

BBBY has additionally secured an agreement to buy F9 Brands, which operates Cabinets to Go and Lumber Liquidators. Lemonis explained these transactions represent a comprehensive strategy to diversify product offerings and create an integrated technology infrastructure.

“Many of these businesses have strong underlying fundamentals but we believe have been constrained by duplication, overhead, and complexity,” Lemonis said.

The retailer anticipates generating $60 million in operational savings throughout the coming nine months. According to Lemonis, BBBY currently maintains its most efficient cost structure in more than 12 years.

Executive Appointments and Tech Innovation

BBBY announced the appointment of Kyla Robinson as Chief Technology Transformation Officer. Robinson will work under President Amy Sullivan and brings experience from her previous role leading digital commerce and direct-to-consumer initiatives at Spanx.

The retailer continues advancing its repositioning as the “Everything Home Company.” This transformation encompasses home financing services, retail brokerage operations, home maintenance services, and blockchain-powered home technology solutions.

The present iteration of Bed Bath & Beyond emerged after Overstock purchased the bankrupt retailer’s intellectual property assets in 2023. A prior effort to rescue The Container Store in 2024 was unsuccessful.

Over the trailing 12-month period, BBBY stock has gained 28.7%.

The post Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) Stock Soars 25% on First Quarterly Revenue Increase Since 2020 appeared first on Blockonomi.

Every cycle in crypto history ended the same way. The wallets that found the next crypto to explode early built the kind of wealth that everyone else reads about a year later.

The altcoin market cap just crossed $1.2 trillion as capital rotates out of Bitcoin and into smaller names, and the race to find the right entry before the move completes is already running.

Pepeto sits at more than $9.5 million raised with a cofounder who built the original Pepe coin, a SolidProof audit on every contract, and a former Binance expert guiding the listing.

Next Crypto to Explode Search Heats Up as Altcoin Market Cap Crosses $1.2 Trillion

The total altcoin market cap passed $1.2 trillion this week according to CoinMarketCap. Capital is rotating from BTC dominance into mid and small caps at the fastest pace since early 2024.

Reuters reported that altcoin trading volumes rose 25% month over month, with meme coins and presale tokens leading the surge. The rotation matches the setup that preceded the biggest breakouts in every previous cycle.

How Pepeto, XRP, and BNB Compare in the Altcoin Rotation

Pepeto

The altcoin rotation signals that capital is hunting for names that deliver the biggest returns from the smallest starting prices. Pepeto, considered the next crypto to explode, fits as a full network built for one purpose, keeping every holder’s capital safe while giving them tools to grow it during the moves this rotation creates.

The network removes blind spots by running a risk scorer that reads every contract line by line before a single token passes through. Where other projects leave holders guessing whether code is safe, the Pepeto network answers that before money moves. In a market flooded with new tokens that look good until the rug hits, a scorer that reads code first is the difference between building wealth and losing it.

The cross chain bridge connects different blockchains so tokens flow between networks without any transfer cost. XRP holders on one chain and BNB holders on another can bring profits into Pepeto without a fee cutting the amount that arrives. The network ties the scorer and the bridge together so every token entering and moving between chains stays protected. With each Pepeto token selling at $0.0000001864 and 177% APY staking running on every position, the network rewards holders for staying in while the Binance listing approaches.

The same cofounder behind the original Pepe coin that hit $7 billion with nothing behind it leads the Pepeto team. SolidProof cleared every contract. A former Binance expert leads the listing strategy. Those three facts make Pepeto the strongest presale candidate this cycle because the team, the audit, and the listing all point at the same outcome. Over $9.5 million raised during fear proves the capital already agrees.

XRP

XRP trades near $1.39 with legal clarity settled and institutional products launching according to CoinMarketCap. The XRP outlook for 2026 ranges from $1.30 to $2 depending on cross border adoption.

Even the top target means roughly 60% from here, solid for a portfolio hold but far from the multiplier that presale tokens under a tenth of a penny produce when listings arrive.

BNB

BNB holds near $620 supported by Binance ecosystem growth and token burns according to CoinMarketCap. The BNB forecast ranges from $550 to $800 for mid 2026.

Hitting $800 delivers about 29% from today, respectable but locked into the slow path that large caps always follow while presale entries with confirmed catalysts aim at an entirely different level.

The Final Word

The last presale stage sold out ahead of schedule, and this one fills while the altcoin rotation pushes record capital into smaller names. Pepeto protects every position with a working network built for the conditions unfolding right now, and the pace of capital flowing past $9.5 million during fear is the clearest confirmation that conviction behind this entry is real.

The Pepeto official website reveals how fast the presale is moving, and the current price vanishes permanently when the Binance listing launches. Entering now is how to land on the side that collects the returns, and missing it could become the one regret that follows every holder who read about the next crypto to explode and chose to wait.

Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale

FAQ

What is the next crypto to explode in 2026?

Pepeto leads the list as the next crypto to explode with $9.5 million raised, a SolidProof audit, a Pepe cofounder, and a Binance listing approaching.

How does the altcoin rotation affect presale tokens?

Capital rotating from BTC into smaller names lifts presale projects with listing catalysts first. Pepeto with over $9.5 million committed sits at the front of that wave.

Is Pepeto positioned to break out before listing?

The Pepeto official website confirms a presale filling faster each stage with a confirmed Binance listing ahead, the exact setup that produced the biggest winners in every past cycle.

The post Next Crypto to Explode: Pepeto Targets 100x as XRP and BNB Grind Through Single Digit Gains appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• Galaxy Digital recorded a first-quarter net deficit of $216 million, equating to $0.49 per share, surpassing analyst projections of $0.59
• Top-line revenue declined to $10.2 billion compared to $12.9 billion in the same period last year
• First operational data hall at Texas-based Helios campus was transferred to CoreWeave (CRWV)
• Regulatory green light expanded Helios capacity beyond 1.6 gigawatts, more than doubling previous limits
• Early second-quarter data suggests approximately $90 million in adjusted EBITDA performance

Galaxy Digital disclosed a first-quarter 2026 net deficit of $216 million, yet outperformed analyst projections while accelerating its transition toward AI-focused infrastructure.

Wall Street forecasters anticipated losses of $0.59 per share. Galaxy registered $0.49 instead. While the quarter presented challenges, results exceeded expectations.

Top-line figures decreased to $10.2 billion from the prior year’s $12.9 billion in the first quarter. Total holdings contracted to $10 billion by period end, sliding from $11 billion at 2025’s close. Digital asset positions declined 19% sequentially to $1.4 billion.

Galaxy Digital, GLXY

Cryptocurrency market headwinds contributed to the pressure. The overall digital asset market capitalization contracted approximately 20% throughout the three-month period, weighing on Galaxy’s portfolio valuations.

Liquid reserves and stablecoin positions remained steady at $2.6 billion. Operational expenditures totaled $147 million, representing a 7% sequential decrease. Additionally, the firm repurchased 3.2 million shares worth $65 million through its $200 million buyback program.

Helios Data Center Delivery

The quarter’s most significant development may extend beyond financial results — Galaxy completed the transfer of its inaugural data hall at the West Texas Helios campus to CoreWeave, initiating cash flow generation under an extended AI computing lease agreement.

The Helios installation is projected to provide 133 megawatts of computational capacity before the second quarter concludes. Galaxy additionally obtained regulatory clearance for an extra 830 megawatts at the location, elevating total authorized capacity above 1.6 gigawatts.

This represents substantial expansion. Previous approvals covered approximately 800 megawatts. Doubling that threshold positions Helios among premier AI infrastructure facilities.

Chief Executive Mike Novogratz identified the data center expansion and GalaxyOne platform as primary catalysts for future expansion.

Q2 Early Signs

Preliminary second-quarter indicators demonstrate improvement. Galaxy projects approximately $90 million in adjusted EBITDA, representing notable enhancement from the first quarter’s adjusted EBITDA deficit.

Executives attributed the turnaround to strengthening digital asset valuations and heightened market engagement. Bitcoin and broader cryptocurrency markets have rebounded from first-quarter troughs.

Adjusted gross profitability remained essentially unchanged in Q1, which management credited to transitioning toward subscription-based fee structures and transactional income — revenue streams demonstrating greater resilience during crypto price corrections.

“Disciplined expense management during the quarter helped narrow the adjusted EBITDA loss,” the company said in its statement.

GLXY declined 0.84% to $24.84 on Monday. Shares had retreated 1.76% during premarket sessions following the earnings announcement before staging a partial recovery.

Across the preceding six months, GLXY has declined approximately 37%. Year-over-year performance shows roughly 90% appreciation. With a beta coefficient of 3.64, the stock exhibits pronounced volatility in both directions.

Galaxy’s digital asset operations produced $49 million in adjusted gross profit during Q1, matching Q4 2025 levels despite challenging market conditions.

The post Galaxy Digital (GLXY) Reports $216M Q1 Loss While Advancing CoreWeave Data Center Partnership appeared first on Blockonomi.

Galaxy Digital Inc. posted a first-quarter 2026 net loss of $216 million. The figure improved from a $295 million loss a year earlier, as weaker cryptocurrency prices continued to pressure its results.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 came in at $10.04 billion, down from $12.98 billion in the same period last year, amid a slowdown in market activity alongside a decline in digital asset valuations.

Q1 Earnings

The company attributed its performance largely to the decline in the overall crypto market during the quarter, resulting in unrealized losses across its holdings and investment positions. Adjusted EBITDA stood at a loss of $188 million, while adjusted gross loss reached $88 million, according to the official press release.

In its digital assets segment, Galaxy reported $49 million in adjusted gross profit, though the unit recorded a negative adjusted EBITDA of $19 million. Trading activity remained steady compared to the previous quarter, even as broader industry volumes fell, while the average loan book declined 20% to $1.4 billion due to lower asset prices and reduced client borrowing.

The asset management and infrastructure solutions division generated $18 million in adjusted gross profit, while assets under management were around $5 billion and staked assets at $3.2 billion by the end of the quarter. Both were down from the prior quarter due to market depreciation.

Despite this, the firm recorded $69 million in net inflows during the period. The treasury and corporate segment reported an adjusted gross loss of $140 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $167 million. This was driven mainly by unrealized losses tied to digital asset positions.

Delivery to CoreWeave

Separately, Galaxy advanced its data center operations by delivering the first data hall at its Helios campus to CoreWeave, which is the start of revenue-generating activity under its Phase I lease agreement. The company said the project remains on track and plans to deliver most of the 133 megawatts of critical IT capacity by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

It also received approval from ERCOT for an additional 830 megawatts of power capacity at the site, which pushed the total approved capacity to more than 1.6 gigawatts. Galaxy has begun work on the next phase of the campus, which is expected to add further capacity. The initial deliveries are projected to start in the first half of 2027.

As of March 31, Galaxy reported total equity of $2.8 billion and held $2.6 billion in cash and stablecoins. During the quarter, it repurchased 3.2 million shares for $65 million and completed its delisting from the Toronto Stock Exchange, leaving Nasdaq as its sole listing venue.

The post Galaxy Digital Inc. Cuts Losses to $216M: Yet $10B Revenue Drop Signals Market Slowdown appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – New York, United States, April 28th, 2026]

30-day Trade-to-Feed competition marks BitMart’s 8th anniversary and the exchange’s strategic listing of $EAT, the first cause coin.

BitMart, the global digital asset exchange serving millions of users worldwide, today launched the Trade-to-Feed competition, a 30-day trading competition paying out up to $4.4 million USDT in trader rewards. The campaign marks BitMart’s eighth anniversary and the exchange’s listing of $EAT (WYDE: End Hunger), the first cause coin to list on a major centralized exchange.

Cause coins are an emerging asset class engineered so that fees from trading activity flow to charitable grant-making infrastructure alongside trader rewards. By making $EAT the inaugural cause coin listing and pairing it with the largest competition in BitMart’s history, the exchange is positioning itself ahead of a category where market activity produces measurable real-world outcomes.

Running April 28 through May 28, 2026, the Trade-to-Feed competition distributes up to $4.4 million USDT across three concurrent tracks:

Three concurrent competitions, 76,391 chances to win.

The campaign runs three reward tracks simultaneously, all funded from a single pool that grows with volume:

• Volume Leaderboard: Up to 73 traders share the leaderboard pool by rank, with the first-place trader winning up to $2.2 million USDT (50% of the total prize pool).
• Power Drop: 75,500 tickets distribute across the campaign, each worth a flat $10 USDT. Any trader completing $40 or more in $EAT spot volume qualifies; tickets allocate proportionally to volume.
• Lucky Drops: Up to 15 random USDT jackpots from $5,000 to $100,000, drawn weekly and at close, with a cumulative pool of $435K at the $200M cap. Any trader completing $2,000 or more in $EAT spot volume qualifies.

In addition, a Welcome Lucky Draw with a $5,000 USDT pool opens to any new participant who registers and completes a $5 USDT spot trade in $EAT, with 803 winners selected across three tiers.

To join or learn More: Trade to Feed (Up to 4.4M in rewards)

Where the meals go

Charitable distributions from the campaign flow through WYDE Association’s two-pool allocation model. Fifty percent of cause fees fund WYDE’s exclusive national hunger-relief grant partner, Feed the Children, a global movement working to end childhood hunger since 1979 that distributes food, essentials, and disaster relief across the United States and ten countries. The remaining fifty percent is allocated by $EAT token holders through community voting on the Hunger Network, a public directory of verified hunger-relief organizations available at www.eat.ong. Token holders direct funding to local food banks and partner organizations in their own communities each voting round, giving $EAT its core utility — holder governance over real charitable allocation, recorded on-chain and publicly verifiable.

“BitMart’s eighth year is the right moment to put real weight behind a direction we believe in,” said Chad Liang, EVP of BitMart. “Cause coins connect market activity to outcomes the world can see and measure. Listing $EAT and committing the largest competition in our history to it is how we mark this anniversary: by helping define what comes next, not just trading what already exists.”

“BitMart didn’t just list $EAT. They named a category,” said Aaron Rafferty, Co-Founder of WYDE.” A global exchange recognizing cause coins as a strategic priority is a structural moment. Every dollar of organic volume in the Trade-to-Feed competition also funds meals. That is the proof point.”

About BitMart

Founded in 2018, BitMart is a global digital asset trading platform serving millions of users worldwide. Ranked among the top exchanges on CoinGecko, BitMart offers 1,700+ trading pairs with one of the lowest fee structures in the industry. Learn more at bitmart.com.

About WYDE

WYDE is a Wyoming 501(c)(4) nonprofit operating the first Impact Exchange, infrastructure where transaction-based fees fund verified hunger-relief organizations through charitable grants. All distributions are recorded on-chain and publicly verifiable. Learn more at wyde.org.

About $EAT

$EAT (WYDE: End Hunger) is the first cause coin listed on the WYDE Impact Exchange, launched on Base on December 10, 2025. To date, $EAT has crossed 25,000 meals funded. Learn more at eat.ong.

Risk Disclosure

Use of BitMart services carries substantial risk. Digital assets are not suitable for all participants. Sweepstakes mechanics do not guarantee winning. Charitable grants from WYDE Association to verified hunger-relief organizations are made by WYDE Association from fees received through the Impact Exchange.

The post BitMart x $EAT Trade-to-Feed Competition to Pay Out $4.4M USDT to Traders in May 2026 appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin’s bull score index has just moved into neutral territory for the first time since BTC peaked above $126,000, signaling a possible shift in market structure but also carrying historical warning signs of false reversals. The index now shows bearish signals as Bitcoin trades near $77,605. The price action is still struggling to build a clear trend.

Bitcoin continues to lose momentum quickly in this price range. In this uncertain setup, investors are beginning to question whether simply holding BTC is enough anymore, as attention slowly shifts toward structured income alternatives like Varntix, which recently achieved $20 million sell out of its 24% fixed savings account within just a few hours.

Bitcoin Faces Neutral Signals, But Market Still Lacks Direction

Bitcoin’s latest move into a neutral bull score reading suggests the worst of bearish sentiment may be easing, but it does not confirm a strong recovery.

Historically, neutral zones often appear during transition phases where markets struggle to decide the next direction. While BTC has bounced from lower levels and briefly tested higher ranges near $79,000, the movement is not backed by strong and consistent demand.

Derivatives positioning also shows limited conviction. Traders appear cautious, with market conditions pointing toward range-bound behavior rather than a sustained breakout.

From Price Uncertainty To Predictable Returns: The Shift Toward Varntix

As Bitcoin enters a neutral and uncertain phase, attention is gradually shifting toward income-based crypto strategies that reduce dependence on price direction. Varntix, a digital wealth platform, is being discussed in this context because it replaces market speculation with structured return systems.

Instead of relying on Bitcoin’s price movement, Varntix operates on fixed and flexible savings structures with predefined returns. Fixed plans typically range from 6 to 24 months, offering estimated yields between 10% and 20% APY. Shorter Flexi plans run from 3 to 9 months, with returns around 4% to 6.5% APY.

To understand the difference, consider a $22,000 allocation in a fixed plan at an estimated 15% APY. This would generate around $3,300 annually, or roughly $275 per month in scheduled payouts. Instead of waiting for Bitcoin to break out of a range, the capital produces steady returns even during sideways markets.

Now compare this with holding BTC in a neutral environment. If Bitcoin remains range-bound for 6–12 months, returns depend entirely on timing a breakout. In contrast, structured models continue generating output throughout the same period, reducing reliance on market direction and emotional decision-making.

This approach is gaining attention. Reports of strong early participation, including a $20 million allocation into Varntix’s 24% fixed savings plan within hours, highlight growing demand for consistency over speculation. The response reflects a shift in investor behavior, where predictable income is becoming more valuable than uncertain price exposure.

The Final Word

Bitcoin’s move into a neutral market phase shows that direction is still unclear, even as volatility continues. While the asset remains dominant, its current structure makes holding alone less effective for investors seeking consistent returns.

In this environment, Varntix is emerging as an alternative approach focused on structured, predictable income rather than price speculation. As markets remain uncertain, the appeal of steady returns continues to grow.

Find out how you can make your crypto work for you with Varntix.

FAQs

1. Why are analysts cautious about Bitcoin right now?

Because Bitcoin is in a neutral market phase, where bullish and bearish signals are balanced, making the next direction uncertain.

2. What does a 15% APY mean in structured crypto income models?

It represents an estimated yearly return rate that translates into predictable monthly payouts when capital is allocated into a fixed savings plan.

3. How is Varntix different from holding Bitcoin?

Instead of depending on Bitcoin’s price movement, Varntix focuses on structured savings plans that aim to generate scheduled, stablecoin-based income regardless of market direction.

Disclaimer: The above article is sponsored content; it’s written by a third party. CryptoPotato doesn’t endorse or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, products, quality, accuracy, or other materials on this page. Nothing in it should be construed as financial advice. Readers are strongly advised to verify the information independently and carefully before engaging with any company or project mentioned and to do their own research. Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a risk of capital loss, and readers are also advised to consult a professional before making any decisions that may or may not be based on the above-sponsored content.

Readers are also advised to read CryptoPotato’s full disclaimer.

The post Varntix Research Shows Holding BTC Might Not Be Enough Anymore appeared first on CryptoPotato.

US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Iran had “just informed us” that it has entered a “State of Collapse.”

Moreover, he noted that the Iranian authorities want to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible as they try to “figure out their leadership situation.”

Trump’s comments came as oil prices had skyrocketed to just over $100 per barrel earlier today. Recall that USOIL plunged below $80 11 days ago when the two sides were reportedly closer to a more profound permanent peace deal, and Iran had promised to reopen the Strait.

However, it quickly closed it again, which led to an immediate price resurgence. After Trump’s statement, though, USOIL dipped below the psychological $100 level and remains there as of press time.

Meanwhile, BTC’s price has continued its 24-hour downturn as it just slipped below $76,000 to mark a weekly low. The asset was rejected at $79,500 yesterday, and it has lost over three and a half grand since then.

In addition to the war developments, all eyes are on tomorrow’s conclusion of the third FOMC meeting for the year, in which the Fed is expected to maintain the key interest rates. However, even without changes, BTC’s price has declined after every meeting over the past year or so.

The post Trump Claims Iran Is Collapsing and Wants to Reopen the Strait: Bitcoin on Edge appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Pi Network’s native token has defied the broader crypto market’s correction today and surged to a one-month high.

While some analysts believe the rally might be just getting started, certain technical indicators suggest the bears might regain control in the near future.

Is PI Ready to Explode?

As of this writing, PI trades at above $0.19, representing a 6% daily increase and the highest level witnessed since late-March. Its market capitalization has surged to almost $2 billion, making it the 46th-biggest cryptocurrency.

It remains unclear exactly what sparked this sudden move, and the timing is even stranger, as Bitcoin (BTC) and many leading digital assets have headed south today (April 28). Perhaps one potential catalyst could be the community enthusiasm surrounding the migration to protocol 22, which was expected to be completed earlier this week. However, the Core Team has not yet revealed anything on the matter.

Analysts like JAVON MARKS believe PI has shown a “clear breakout and retest of a resisting trend,” which could signal the early phase of a “massive uphill run.” They predicted that the price could skyrocket by 1,400% to approximately $2.80, and that “this may only be the beginning stages of the process.”

This isn’t the first time the market observer has made a bold forecast about Pi Network’s cryptocurrency. When PI sat at roughly $0.36 last September, they called for a 240% surge to $1.23 – a zone the token hadn’t touched since spring 2025.

Pi Update brought up the fact that there is hype building because of the upcoming Consensus conference, which is scheduled to take place on May 7th. Pi Network is a partner of the event, and project co-founders Chengdiao Fan and Nicolas Kokkalis will speak on the main stage.

The Warning Signals

Despite the aforementioned optimism, some key on-chain metrics suggest PI’s price could soon re-enter red territory. Data shows that the number of tokens stored on crypto exchanges continues to rise, often seen as a precursor to selling.

Centralized platforms collectively hold 511.6 million coins, with Gate.io accounting for approximately 279.5 million and Bitget ranking second with around 153.3 million.

PI’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) should serve as another warning. The ratio has spiked above 70, indicating the asset’s valuation has increased too much in a short period and could be due for a short-term cooldown. The technical analysis tool ranges from 0 to 100, and anything below 30 is considered a buying opportunity.

The post Pi Network (PI) Rebounds by 6% as Analyst Expects a 1,400% Price Explosion appeared first on CryptoPotato.