Blockchain
Cryptocurrency Market News: Bitcoin Rises Again, New Stablecoins On The Block
Bitcoin (BTC) shook off last week’s jitters and briefly traded above $72,000 on Monday—an indication that the rally has far from stalled ahead of its fourth halving later this month.
Stablecoins were in focus last week with VanEck and Ripple Labs getting involved in new offerings. Also, a jury in New York found Terraform Labs and its founder, Do Kwon liable for civil fraud charges.
Bitcoin Rising Again, Closing The Gap With $73,000 High
What a wild ride it has been for bitcoin investors. After soaring past an all-time high of over $73,000, the cryptocurrency fell to trade close to $60,000 in the past month.
Bitcoin is currently trading at levels it saw at the beginning of last week, but had to find its way back after falling sharply to trade below $65,000 before gaining ground and ending last week in green.
Although the spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw strong outflows of $85.7 million on the first day of the month—largely due to more than $300 million in outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC)—flows rose reversed to end the week at $484.5 million of net inflows, according to Farside Investors.
The recent rise in the bitcoin price comes as the next halving event is expected to occur in less than two weeks. Notably, several recent reports indicated any potential effect of the halving on the bitcoin price could be overshadowed by the supply and demand dynamics of the spot bitcoin ETFs.
Additionally, Tether (UST), which is the issuer of the world’s largest and most popular stablecoin, added 8,888 bitcoin (currently worth around $640 million) to their reserves during the first quarter of the year. The company’s bitcoin address is now the seventh largest on the network in terms of holdings with more than $5 billion worth of bitcoin held in it, according to The Block.
VanEck and Ripple Involved in New Stablecoin Offerings
Speaking of stablecoins, there may be some new offerings on the block soon.
Fintech company Agora raised $12 million ahead of launching its stablecoin offering Agora digital dollar (AUSD), which will have reserves backing managed by VanEck.
While VanEck already operates a bitcoin ETF—VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL)—this new offering expands its bet on cryptocurrencies. For Agora, the product leverages VanEck’s investment expertise as well as familial ties. Agora founder Nick van Eck is the son of VanEck CEO Jan van Eck.
Ripple Labs, the company behind the XRP token (XRPUSD), also announced its venture into the stablecoin market with a U.S. dollar-backed digital currency aimed at enhancing the synergy between cryptocurrencies and conventional financial systems. This initiative is designed to inject more liquidity and foster increased adoption of the XRP Ledger, especially when it comes to decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Ripple’s stablecoin offering will be backed by assets such as U.S. dollar reserves and short-term Treasury bills, and it will also be made available on Ethereum at launch.
Do Kwon and Terraform Labs Found Liable for Fraud
A New York jury took roughly two hours to decide that Terraform Labs and its founder, Do Kwon, were liable for defrauding investors in a civil lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The SEC alleged the company and Kwon had provided misleading assurances about the reliability of their algorithmic stablecoin UST, which was central to the Terra ecosystem’s dramatic $40 billion collapse in May 2022.
The SEC’s litigation pointed out Terraform Labs and Kwon had painted an overly optimistic picture of UST’s stability mechanism and the Terra blockchain’s functionalities to investors, especially its price stability which was artificially propped up by an unnamed, U.S.-based trading firm on at least one occasion.
This is the second big outcome of cryptocurrency fraud-related litigation in the past few weeks. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was also one of the darlings of the previous crypto market bubble, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on fraud-related criminal charges on March 28.
What to Expect in the Markets This Week
Precedent suggests a run up in bitcoin prices after the halving, but that’s no guarantee of performance this time around. However, one thing’s for certain. Investors need to buckle up and brace for volatility in the short-term even if there could be gain opportunities over time.
Investors use implied volatility to gauge market sentiment around prices in the future. For bitcoin options contracts with different expiration dates, that measure spiked higher over the past weekend, reversing course from earlier in the prior week, according to Kaiko research.
Implied volatility for “expiries in the next two weeks has increased the most, from 59% to 71% in the span of just two days. This suggests that expectations for near-term volatility are rising,” analysts at Kaiko wrote in a note Monday, blaming the uncertainty on bitcoin ETF demand.
Crypto market analysts will be tracking spot bitcoin ETF inflows closely this week, as the outflows from GBTC are expected to slow due to selling related to Genesis’s bankruptcy proceedings coming to an end, according to Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart.
March was by far the strongest month on record so far in terms of spot bitcoin ETF inflows, and the first week of April did not indicate the inflows are going to stop anytime soon, according to another Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.
Another potential effect on the market this week will be the more than $2 billion in bitcoin related to a hack of long-defunct darknet marketplace Silk Road that was sent to Coinbase (COIN) by the U.S. government.
It’s unclear what’s happening with these funds, but it’s possible they could provide downward pressure on prices if the coins are sold.
Price action is also likely to liven up around the upcoming halving; however, it’s unclear if it could end up being a “sell the news” situation in the immediate aftermath of the event.
Source: investopedia.com
The post Cryptocurrency Market News: Bitcoin Rises Again, New Stablecoins On The Block appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Blockchain technology continues to expand its reach, influencing industries far beyond its origins in cryptocurrency. From strategic collaborations to emerging trends, today’s briefing explores key developments shaping the blockchain ecosystem. Here’s the latest.
Blockchain Lobby Groups Unite for Crypto-Friendly Advocacy
In a landmark move, eight major blockchain lobby groups in the U.S. have joined forces to push for crypto-friendly policies under the new administration. With a regulatory climate expected to favor innovation in blockchain and cryptocurrency, these organizations aim to present a unified voice to influence legislation and public discourse.
The coalition’s agenda focuses on fostering technological adoption, ensuring consumer protection, and clarifying taxation policies. This collaboration highlights the growing recognition of blockchain’s potential to drive economic transformation while addressing concerns about regulation.
Source: CoinDesk
Five Underrated Layer-1 Blockchain Tokens to Watch in 2025
As competition among blockchain platforms intensifies, several Layer-1 blockchain tokens are poised to gain significant traction this year. Analysts spotlight projects that prioritize scalability, interoperability, and developer engagement as ones to watch.
While giants like Ethereum and Solana dominate headlines, emerging players are carving out niches in sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and supply chain solutions. These tokens underscore the innovation flourishing within the Layer-1 ecosystem.
Source: The Crypto Basic
AI and Blockchain Drive Innovation in Mining Industry
The integration of AI and blockchain technologies is revolutionizing the mining sector. Blockchain’s immutable ledger capabilities ensure transparency in supply chain operations, while AI optimizes resource extraction and predictive maintenance.
Together, these technologies address critical challenges such as environmental impact and operational inefficiency. As sustainability takes center stage, the mining industry’s adoption of blockchain and AI represents a significant leap forward.
Source: Mining Technology
The Rapid Rise of Blockchain Mini-Games
Blockchain-powered mini-games are capturing the attention of developers and players alike, thanks to their innovative use of tokenization and play-to-earn models. These games—smaller in scope but high in engagement—offer players real ownership of in-game assets and a chance to earn rewards.
The trend’s popularity stems from its low barrier to entry and appeal to casual gamers, signaling a shift in the gaming landscape. As blockchain gaming continues to evolve, mini-games are emerging as a powerful gateway to mainstream adoption.
Source: Crypto Times
Bybit and SignalPlus Announce $100,000 USDC Global Trading Showdown
Bybit and SignalPlus have teamed up to launch a global trading competition with a $100,000 USDC prize pool. The event aims to showcase advanced trading strategies while fostering community engagement within the crypto trading ecosystem.
Participants will compete across multiple trading challenges, highlighting the growing sophistication of crypto markets. This collaboration underscores the role of competitions in promoting market education and innovation.
Source: PR Newswire
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (BubbleMaps, Pantera Capital, Week 2025, FP Complete, FP Block, Bybit, FarmX)
Op-Ed: Blockchain’s Expanding Horizons
Blockchain technology continues to disrupt traditional systems, fostering innovation across diverse industries. From advancing digital infrastructure to enhancing transparency and security, its transformative potential is undeniable. Today’s briefing delves into groundbreaking developments that underline blockchain’s growing influence globally.
BubbleMaps Enhances Transparency in Solana Ecosystem
BubbleMaps, a blockchain investigation platform, has extended its capabilities to include Solana tokens. This platform empowers users to visualize token distributions, enhancing transparency and accountability within decentralized ecosystems. By highlighting token relationships, BubbleMaps aids in identifying potential risks, such as centralized holdings or suspicious activity.
This expansion underscores the increasing demand for tools that ensure trust and integrity in blockchain networks, a critical factor in driving mass adoption.
Source: Decrypt
Pantera Capital Highlights Blockchain’s Role in USD Dominance
Pantera Capital has published insights emphasizing blockchain’s crucial role in fortifying the U.S. dollar’s global supremacy. By creating robust digital infrastructures, blockchain technologies enable seamless cross-border transactions, enhance financial transparency, and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
The report advocates for strategic adoption of blockchain solutions to maintain the dollar’s position in an increasingly digital financial landscape. This perspective aligns with broader trends favoring blockchain’s integration into national economic strategies.
Source: Daily Hodl
German Blockchain Week 2025: Bridging Europe and Asia
The recently concluded German Blockchain Week 2025 showcased innovative projects and fostered collaboration between European and Asian markets. Key discussions revolved around regulatory harmonization, decentralized finance (DeFi) opportunities, and cross-border partnerships.
This event highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges and unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology on a global scale.
Source: AccessWire
FP Complete Evolves into FP Block, Emphasizing Blockchain Engineering
FP Complete has announced its strategic transformation into FP Block, marking a significant shift toward blockchain engineering. This rebranding reflects the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge blockchain solutions, including smart contract development, decentralized application (dApp) frameworks, and tokenomics design.
The move positions FP Block as a key player in the blockchain innovation space, catering to the growing demand for specialized engineering expertise in decentralized technologies.
Source: Business Wire
Bybit Web3 Launches FarmX on Telegram
Bybit Web3 has unveiled FarmX, a decentralized farming game integrated into Telegram’s Web3 ecosystem. FarmX combines gaming with blockchain-based rewards, enabling players to earn digital assets through in-game activities.
This innovative approach to gaming exemplifies the potential of blockchain to redefine user engagement, blending entertainment with financial incentives in decentralized environments.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis and Takeaways
- Enhanced Transparency: BubbleMaps’ integration of Solana tokens demonstrates the importance of tools that promote transparency in blockchain networks.
- Strategic Infrastructure: Pantera Capital’s insights reinforce the critical role of blockchain in maintaining economic dominance in the digital age.
- Global Collaboration: Events like German Blockchain Week 2025 emphasize the need for international partnerships to address regulatory and operational challenges.
- Specialized Engineering: FP Block’s focus on blockchain engineering highlights the growing demand for expertise in building decentralized systems.
- Blockchain Gaming: Bybit Web3’s FarmX showcases the fusion of gaming and blockchain, paving the way for innovative user experiences and financial inclusivity.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (BubbleMaps, Pantera Capital, Week 2025, FP Complete, FP Block, Bybit, FarmX) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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