News and developments from the cryptocurrency industry.
Ether has rebounded after Friday’s historic $20 billion liquidation event, showing greater resilience than most altcoins. While analysts predict a move toward $5,500, rising exchange inflows and staking withdrawals could create short-term sell pressure for ETH.
The U.S. Senate’s new GAIN Act would require chipmakers to serve domestic AI and HPC orders before exporting overseas, potentially tightening global supply. While aimed at boosting national AI resilience, the measure threatens to worsen conditions for the crypto mining sector already hit hard by tariffs and trade restrictions.
Zcash (ZEC) has rebounded sharply to pre-crash levels after the crypto market’s $20B wipeout, showcasing resilience amid extreme volatility. The recovery follows Trump’s China tariff announcement, which triggered widespread sell-offs and revived fears of a global trade war.
Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek has called for regulators to investigate exchanges after a record $20B in liquidations triggered widespread losses. The crash, fueled by Trump’s China tariff shock and token depegs, has raised questions about market integrity and exchange risk management.
Galaxy Digital raised $460 million from a major asset manager to convert its Texas Bitcoin mining site into a large-scale AI data center. The project, backed by $1.4 billion in loans and a 15-year CoreWeave deal, could generate over $1 billion annually once completed in 2026.
Bitcoin ETFs attracted $2.71 billion in weekly inflows, bringing total AUM to $159 billion and reaffirming institutional confidence. Despite a brief outflow tied to Trump’s tariff comments, inflows remain robust, as ETF filings surge and investors continue treating Bitcoin as “digital gold.”
Fundstrat’s Mark Newton predicts Ethereum (ETH) will bottom near $4,200 before rallying toward $5,500, viewing the recent dip as a normal correction. Analysts and institutions remain bullish, citing macroeconomic shifts and growing ETH accumulation as signs of an impending breakout.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has warned that governments worldwide are rapidly undermining internet freedom through surveillance-driven laws like the EU’s Chat Control, the UK’s digital ID program, and Australia’s online age verification system. He called these moves “dystopian,” urging global resistance to protect privacy, free speech, and the open internet.
Monero’s new Fluorine Fermi update introduces advanced anti-spy node protections and improved peer selection to enhance privacy and security. The upgrade reaffirms Monero’s mission to protect user anonymity amid rising surveillance efforts by blockchain analytics firms.
Dragonfly Capital reports that entry-level crypto jobs now make up less than 10% of total openings, as firms prioritize senior hires amid market caution. Recruiters say project failures have flooded the market with experienced candidates, making it harder for newcomers to break into the industry.
Democratic senators have proposed a “restricted list” for risky DeFi protocols and new KYC rules for crypto wallets, drawing widespread backlash. Critics warn the move could cripple U.S. DeFi innovation, drive developers overseas, and undo recent bipartisan progress on crypto regulation.
Amina Bank has become the first regulated financial institution to offer Polygon (POL) staking, allowing clients to earn up to 15% rewards. The initiative strengthens Polygon’s institutional presence and reflects Switzerland’s continued leadership in regulated crypto banking.
Global crypto ETP inflows have already surpassed 2024’s record at $48.7 billion, driven by surging demand for Ether, Solana, and XRP funds even as Bitcoin’s dominance declines. With upcoming SEC decisions on altcoin ETFs, analysts expect another wave of institutional participation in the months ahead.
Luxembourg’s sovereign wealth fund has invested 1% of its $900 million portfolio — about $9 million — in Bitcoin ETFs, marking one of Europe’s first state-backed Bitcoin allocations. The move reflects a cautious but forward-looking step toward digital asset adoption within the nation’s evolving investment framework.
Uganda has launched a CBDC pilot backed by treasury bonds as part of a $5.5B tokenization initiative, while Kenya’s crypto bill nears final approval. The twin developments position East Africa as a growing hub for regulated digital finance and blockchain innovation.
Citi Ventures has invested in London-based BVNK, underscoring Wall Street’s growing embrace of stablecoin infrastructure. The move follows improving U.S. regulation, particularly under the GENIUS Act, and aligns with Citi’s broader push into blockchain payments and digital assets.
SoftBank’s PayPay has acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan to integrate crypto payments into its platform, opening access to 70 million users. The move strengthens Binance’s presence in Japan and aligns with PayPay’s global ambitions, including a planned U.S. stock listing and expansion across Asia.
Coinbase has received New York state approval to offer crypto staking on Ethereum, Solana, and other assets. The move signals a regulatory shift in favor of staking services and marks another step in Coinbase’s broader goal of integrating crypto with mainstream finance.