Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

US oil prices surged after US-Iran negotiations stalled. President Donald Trump said the talks with Iran had “failed,” triggering renewed concerns about shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures jumped to $103.47 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to $105.63. The move reversed earlier optimism: oil had fallen more than 7% during brief diplomatic hopes. After the latest escalation, Brent was up 7.2% to about $102.01 in the same session, reflecting a fast repricing of geopolitical risk. The article also cites tighter supply signals. US crude inventories reportedly fell by 2.3 million barrels, adding to the “higher-for-longer” energy outlook. Crypto relevance: rising oil prices can lift inflation expectations and push interest-rate expectations higher. In turn, Bitcoin and Ethereum have historically shown sensitivity to tighter rate expectations and risk-off sentiment. Higher energy costs can also squeeze Bitcoin mining margins, potentially forcing smaller miners to sell to cover expenses—adding additional sell-side supply risk. Net takeaway for traders: this is a macro shock driven by geopolitics and energy market tightness, with potential near-term pressure on BTC and ETH via rates, risk appetite, and mining economics.

Intel shares surge 214% since March 2023, adding more than $440 billion in market cap. The move has been powered by AI optimism and Intel’s evolving foundry strategy, alongside a US government stake and a cited $5 billion investment from NVIDIA. Short sellers are absorbing the pressure. Over the past six weeks, they face about $12 billion in mark-to-market losses, yet short interest remains near Intel’s 52-week high—signaling bearish investors are not capitulating. In the latest momentum, Intel logged a 25% gain in a single week, its best weekly performance since January 2000, and is the top performer in the S&P 500 since early April. Despite the surge, Wall Street’s stance is mixed: among 53 analysts covering Intel, 17 have a “Buy” rating and 3 rate it a “Sell.” The average analyst target price is $85, implying roughly 34% downside from current levels. What to watch next: whether short interest starts declining, whether Intel can demonstrate tangible foundry revenue progress in upcoming earnings, and whether the broader AI trade stays broadly supportive for semiconductors—or becomes more selective. SEO/keywords: Intel shares surge, short sellers, AI optimism, foundry business, semiconductor tech sector, short interest near 52-week high, S&P 500, NVIDIA investment, fiscal impact via earnings expectations.

The available article content is inaccessible because the page is blocked by Medium/Cloudflare’s bot check (“Verification successful. Waiting for medium.com to respond”). No substantive reporting, crypto market data, or identifiable figures are present in the crawler output. As a result, there are no verifiable details about which assets are affected, what changes in risk tolerance mean in a trading context, or any measurable fiscal/market impact. Traders should not treat this as actionable market news until the underlying article text is accessible and confirms the specific catalysts, time horizon, and affected instruments. In practice, when “risk tolerance” shifts, it can influence leverage, position sizing, and liquidations—often translating into short-term volatility before longer-term sentiment settles. However, without the article’s actual contents, any direct mapping to crypto price action (e.g., BTC, ETH) would be speculative.

AI wallet recovery news is back in focus after a trader using Anthropic’s Claude says it helped recover a dormant Bitcoin wallet after nearly 10 years. Under the pseudonym “Cprkrn,” he claims access to 5 BTC (over $320,000) was regained by feeding Claude more than 1GB of old data and using the chatbot to guide password and mnemonic recovery. According to the account, Cprkrn had created three passwords for blockchain.info, then changed and forgot one. After smaller attempts failed, he performed large-scale password testing and data mining, including importing files and notes from Apple Notes, iCloud Mail, Gmail, and prior X messages. The reported breakthrough was an old backup file dated December 2019. With Claude-assisted extraction of a mnemonic phrase, he says he derived the backup password, decrypted it, and recovered the private keys. On-chain, records linked to address 14VJy…ofuE6 show five transactions totaling 5 BTC moved on May 13. Community reactions were mixed: supporters highlighted the practical workflow, while skeptics argued Claude primarily helped search and organize files rather than directly “crack” passwords. Cprkrn also claims AI compute cost was about $15 and that tools were used across a very large password search space. For traders, this AI wallet recovery story can mildly boost risk-on sentiment around BTC recovery narratives, but it is not a direct protocol change and does not alter near-term circulating supply.

Kalshi says its non-sports weekly volume has crossed $1B for the first time, up ~28x from $35.2M a year ago. This growth is changing the balance in prediction markets: Kalshi’s non-sports weekly volume is now more than 2.2x Polymarket’s, reaching about $1.7B versus Polymarket’s ~$688.9M in the first two weeks of May. The latest report links the jump in Kalshi’s non-sports weekly volume to broad macro contracts (Fed decisions, CPI, rate expectations), expanding geopolitical markets (including an Iran-related contract later frozen due to disputed positions), and rising political demand ahead of the 2026 midterms. It also points to increased crypto participation—traders using BTC and ETH price levels as binary hedges rather than options. Why it matters for traders: Kalshi recently closed a $1B Series F at a ~$22B valuation. Meanwhile, sports markets face state-level regulatory pressure, which makes non-sports appear to be the more resilient growth engine. If this trend sustains into major catalysts (midterms and the FIFA World Cup, plus future presidential markets), it could support steadier demand for crypto-linked hedging flows. Traders should watch whether Kalshi’s non-sports weekly volume momentum continues to pull incremental hedging activity tied to BTC and ETH.

Cardano Foundation published the “DARTE Paris 2.0” report, arguing that EU digital asset rules are interpreted differently across member states, creating legal uncertainty for MiCAR, DORA and AML. The report is part of a five-roundtable DARTE series funded via Cardano’s Project Catalyst. The Paris edition focuses on regulatory gaps in Europe. Key timelines highlighted: MiCAR stablecoin provisions began June 30, 2024, with the full regime applying from Dec. 30, 2024. DORA’s ICT resilience standards take effect Jan. 17, 2025 for financial entities dealing with digital assets. Updated EU AML rules apply from July 10, 2027, extending KYC/AML obligations to digital asset service providers. DARTE Paris 2.0 says staggered rollouts and differing national regulators’ interpretations have fragmented compliance requirements across 27 jurisdictions, potentially weakening Europe’s competitiveness. Cardano also frames this as an infrastructure opportunity. It points to Digital Product Passports, an EU initiative to track product sustainability credentials, suggesting Cardano’s public blockchain could act as an immutable verification layer. For traders, the core takeaway is regulatory execution risk: inconsistent enforcement can affect which firms expand, which tokens gain compliance clarity, and where liquidity concentrates.

The US dollar index (DXY) stayed near 98.50 on Tuesday as FX markets paused ahead of the high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Traders are assessing how any progress on US-China trade could feed into global growth and Federal Reserve policy expectations. In the past week, the DXY traded in a tight range around 98.30–98.70, reflecting cautious sentiment amid mixed signals from the talks. Analysts note that a positive outcome could reduce safe-haven demand for the dollar and potentially weigh on the DXY, while a breakdown could push it higher. Technically, 98.50 is a key pivot level acting as both support and resistance. A sustained move above could open room toward 99.00, while a break below may signal a shift toward risk-on or faster sentiment repricing. Rates expectations are also in focus: markets are pricing the possibility of a Fed rate cut later this year if trade tensions escalate. For traders, the event’s final statement and any surprises are likely to be the main catalyst for short-term volatility, especially for USD/CNY and emerging-market FX. Key watch: DXY around 98.50 and the market’s reaction to Trump-Xi headlines and any change in Fed-rate expectations.

The Bank of England is reassessing its initial stablecoin regulation approach after Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said the first proposals may have been overly cautious. In a Financial Times interview, Breeden indicated regulators are exploring alternative risk-management frameworks, potentially easing planned limits on stablecoin holdings in the UK. Earlier this year, the Bank proposed strict caps to reduce the risk of bank-deposit “runs” during stress. Draft measures suggested individual holdings capped at £20,000 and corporate holdings capped at £10 million. Breeden said the draft was intentionally conservative, but the central bank is now reviewing whether the caps are too restrictive as stablecoins increasingly integrate with traditional finance. For traders, the key takeaway is that stablecoin regulation could become more flexible, pending consultation and no final decision yet. This may support sentiment around UK stablecoin access for consumers and businesses, potentially boosting payment innovation and DeFi activity while still aiming to limit systemic risk. Overall, the news points to a possible shift from “deposit-run” prevention toward a more balanced regulatory framework. However, uncertainty remains until the consultation process concludes.

Aave transferred the first 25,000 rsETH tranche into the LayerZero OFT adapter on Ethereum mainnet on May 13, formally restarting rsETH bridging after the April 18 LayerZero exploit that drained ~$292M in unbacked tokens. Kelp said rsETH contracts will unpause withdrawals within 24 hours once the tranche reaches the Ethereum adapter. Deposits and exchange-rate updates are expected within 48 hours, and staking rewards paused during the incident will be credited to all rsETH holders. Security measures were also upgraded: LayerZero verification increased from 1 to 4 independent attestors, block confirmation thresholds rose from 42 to 64, L2-to-L2 routes were deprecated, and Kelp is migrating infrastructure toward Chainlink CCIP. The post-mortem attributed the breach to an RPC poisoning attack linked to Lazarus Group’s TraderTraitor unit. Over the next two weeks, remaining Aave Recovery Guardian and Kelp recovery tranches will be staged into the adapter, targeting up to 117,132 rsETH. Recovered attacker funds (30,765 ETH) remain in an Aave-controlled wallet pending authorization. For traders, the rsETH bridging restart should reduce near-term liquidity and redemption uncertainty for holders, but broader bridge-risk concerns may keep sentiment cautious.

Binance will list perpetual futures for Pharos (PHAROS) and Star Power (STAR) on May 14, 2026. PHAROS perpetual futures start at 5:15 a.m. UTC, followed by STAR at 5:30 a.m. UTC. Binance will offer up to 20x leverage for the PHAROS perpetual contract. STAR perpetual futures will be capped at 3x leverage. The article notes standard Binance perpetual futures mechanics, including mark-to-market settlement and an insurance fund designed to reduce liquidation impact, while funding rates keep the contract price aligned with spot. For traders, the new Binance perpetual futures add fresh instruments for hedging, speculation, and potential arbitrage. The leverage gap suggests Binance expects different liquidity and volatility profiles: higher leverage typically aligns with deeper markets, while lower leverage reflects tighter risk controls. Key watch items for trading are funding rates, liquidity conditions at launch, and liquidation thresholds—especially for PHAROS given the 20x cap. Overall, Binance’s derivatives expansion continues, potentially drawing more volume into the exchange’s leveraged products.

Charles Schwab has begun rolling out Schwab Crypto accounts that let eligible U.S. retail clients trade spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) directly through its brokerage platform. Schwab Crypto is tied to existing eligible Schwab brokerage accounts and is currently unavailable in New York and Louisiana, as well as U.S. territories and international jurisdictions. Schwab Premier Bank provides custody and record-keeping, while Paxos handles sub-custody and trade execution. The trading fee is 75 basis points on the trade’s dollar value. For traders, the timing matters. Bitcoin’s realized capital impulse has flipped back above zero for the first time in six weeks after bottoming in late April, supported by $898 million in Bitcoin ETF inflows—an ETF-led demand tailwind. However, near-term market signals remain mixed: BTC is around the $80,000 area (about $79,742 at press time), RSI is near neutral (56.08), and Chaikin Money Flow is slightly negative (-0.03). Watch the $79,000–$80,000 zone for confirmation. Bottom line: Schwab Crypto expands a mainstream retail on-ramp for spot BTC/ETH, while improving Bitcoin ETF flows help sentiment—but short-term technical pressure around $80K still needs follow-through.

Bitcoin slipped below its recent $80,000 floor to about $79,200, down roughly 2–3% on the day, as back-to-back inflation surprises hit risk sentiment and geopolitics worsened. Traders now watch $78,000 as the next key support level. Solana led the decline, falling about 5.6% to around $90 and giving back most of its prior two-week gains. Ether slid about 2.1% to near $2,250, while BNB and XRP also declined (BNB near $660; XRP near $1.43). Dogecoin was the only major coin in the green, up about 0.9% to around $0.1126. The sell-off aligned with a tense Xi–Trump summit in Beijing, where Xi warned of potential “collision or even clashes” over Taiwan. China’s readout appearing before the meeting ended amplified uncertainty and pressured global risk assets, including choppy Asian equity trading. Macro data compounded the move: Wednesday’s producer price index rose 1.4% m/m versus a 0.5% forecast, and Tuesday’s CPI came in at 3.8%—the hottest in nearly three years. Together, these readings complicate the Federal Reserve’s path toward rate easing later this year, removing a key tailwind crypto had been pricing. For Bitcoin, the near-term test is $78,000. A break could expose the late-April capitulation zone, while holding above would support the “structural buyers” case ahead of further macro prints and the continuation of the Trump–Xi talks.

The TRUMP token fell about 5% after Trump Mobile said its long-delayed T1 handset will begin shipping next week, according to CoinDesk market data. Trump Mobile is not a handset designer. It operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator and appears to re-skin an existing device rather than manufacture a phone from scratch. The T1 looks “a lot like an HTC U24” based on reporting from The Verge. Trump Mobile has said the phones have final assembly in the United States, but the original components and overseas origin remain unclear. For the handset launch, the key change is timing: the T1 may finally shift from a political-merch concept into a shipped consumer product. However, for TRUMP holders, the price reaction suggests traders are treating the T1 as a weaker catalyst than earlier hype—especially since the TRUMP token is already down nearly 90% from earlier levels. Overall, the market’s response indicates skepticism that the T1 launch will materially revive demand for the TRUMP-branded product line.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says the latest Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) is getting closer to U.S. passage ahead of a Senate markup. He points to a “healthy compromise” after months of talks among lawmakers, banks, and crypto firms, with Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks brokering the deal. The key change is stablecoin yield regulation. The revised CLARITY Act draft would limit “passive” stablecoin yield for simply holding tokens, while allowing “activity-based” rewards linked to payments, platform use, and real network activity. Armstrong also says the updated CLARITY Act strengthens language for DeFi, tokenized stocks, and clarifies the role of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in overseeing crypto markets. Committee materials reportedly include a 309-page revised draft, and the markup is expected to feature 100+ amendments covering stablecoin rules, developer protections, ethics provisions, and enforcement. Traders should note elevated headline risk due to the large amendment slate, even as public support looks constructive: a HarrisX poll of 2,008 registered voters shows 52% support for passing the CLARITY Act. For trading, improved prospects for clearer U.S. crypto regulation are potentially sentiment-positive—especially for stablecoin-related business models and DeFi operators—though near-term volatility is likely around the markup timeline and amendment headlines.

US and Chinese officials are negotiating US corn purchases ahead of an expected Trump–Xi summit this week. Reports say talks may extend beyond corn to include sorghum and soybeans, but corn is viewed as the key deliverable. The backdrop is China’s policy shift in livestock feed. China’s Agriculture Ministry aims to cut soymeal’s share in livestock feed from 18% (2017) to 10% by 2030. As China reduces dependence on soybean-based feed—historically a major outlet for US agricultural exports—it creates room for alternative grains. Trade watchers expect limited upside for soybean purchases, while corn and other grains are more likely to see new agreements. The article frames the negotiations as a practical state-to-state commodity discussion, with economic incentives on both sides. Rising food prices in China and farmer income pressure from volatile export markets make the talks more consequential than symbolic rhetoric. It also notes that the 2020 Phase One trade deal hinged on headline commitments for US agricultural goods, reinforcing the likelihood that the summit will focus on measurable purchase targets. No blockchain, tokenized futures, or digital-asset component is involved—this is a traditional agricultural trade signal rather than a crypto catalyst.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Iran is “frighteningly close” to developing nuclear weapons, warning Tehran is weeks away from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels. The comments, made at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing and reported by CNN, raise the risk of escalation in the US–Iran confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program. The article highlights stalled US–Iran negotiations, including disputes over uranium enrichment and verification, amid regional military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Against this backdrop, prediction-market pricing shifted lower for a US-Iran nuclear deal by June 30: odds fell to 26.5% (from 27%). A separate market for a nuclear deal by May 31 ticked up to 10.5% (from 8%), but it remains low. For traders, the key takeaway is that US messaging around “Iran nuclear weapons” appears to be interpreted as supportive of negative outcomes for diplomacy. While a May deal remains unlikely, the market’s pricing suggests participants see an elevated probability that “Iran nuclear weapons” developments keep negotiations strained and increase the chance of further confrontation.

Solana price fell about 5.6% as markets reacted to rising US-China tensions over Taiwan. The selloff comes after Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump over the Taiwan conflict, with additional military posturing adding escalation risk. In prediction-market pricing, Solana’s contract for reaching $170 in May shows only about 2.2% “YES” odds, down from roughly 3% in the last 24 hours—signalling traders see a lower chance of Solana hitting that target. Bitcoin also weakened, trading below the $80,000 level. For May 14, Bitcoin’s contract tied to staying under $70,000 is priced around 0.1% “YES,” suggesting market participants currently expect limited downside below that threshold. The article also points to broader macro pressure, including inflation concerns and central-bank policy expectations, as a secondary headwind for risk assets. What traders should watch next: any change in US-China diplomatic messaging or military activity regarding Taiwan, plus further signals on inflation and Federal Reserve policy that could tighten or ease financial conditions.

Bitcoin profit margins reached 17.7% as price action rebounded near the 200-day average cap. Traders often watch this metric to gauge whether BTC is becoming overextended or whether dip-buying is returning. A rebound in Bitcoin profit margins to 17.7% suggests market participants are rotating back into risk after a mean-reversion move toward the 200-day level. In the short term, this can support upside momentum and improve sentiment as buyers defend the trend area. In the longer term, sustained strength around the 200-day average cap would typically reinforce the uptrend thesis and help attract systematic capital. For active trading, monitor follow-through after the bounce: if Bitcoin holds above the 200-day average cap, the 17.7% profit-margin regime may encourage trend continuation. If the move fails and profit margins compress quickly, it can signal distribution and raise the probability of another pullback.

The Clarity Act is set for a Senate Banking Committee markup, after the bill secured enough support to become the strongest U.S. crypto market-structure push in months. The committee released updated substitute text for H.R. 3633 (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act), supported by Chairman Tim Scott and Senators Cynthia Lummis and Thom Tillis. Key negotiations in the Clarity Act focus on stablecoin rewards, SEC vs CFTC jurisdiction, AML requirements, DeFi treatment, and protections for software developers. A prior January delay tied to industry pushback—especially Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s opposition—has eased, with Armstrong now saying the revised approach is “the best place we’ve seen so far,” and Coinbase again willing to support the markup. Stablecoin incentives are the main compromise: the draft aims to separate “idle-balance” rewards from payment-linked, yield-like incentives. Banks argue stablecoin rewards could divert deposits away from traditional insured banking. Crypto firms counter that a broad ban would weaken payment competition and give banks excessive control over digital-dollar products. Beyond stablecoins, the Clarity Act seeks clearer regulation boundaries for U.S. crypto platforms, including digital commodity trading, custody, token issuance, and intermediary obligations via a more defined SEC vs CFTC split. Committee approval is not final law, but it moves the bill to amendments and Senate floor vote math. For traders, today’s Clarity Act markup is an important regulatory catalyst. It may improve short-term expectations for regulatory clarity, but the path to enactment remains uncertain—so price impact could be headline-driven and volatile.

Forbes’ latest estimate says Sam Altman’s net worth has climbed to more than $6.5 billion, up from just over $4.5 billion. The update follows court filings that disclosed more details of Sam Altman’s private company holdings tied to businesses with OpenAI. According to the filings, Sam Altman owns over $2 billion in companies that have done business with OpenAI. The document valued stakes in nine firms as of Dec. 31, 2025. The largest holding is Helion Energy at $1.7 billion (a private fusion-power company with no revenue yet). Other listed stakes include Stripe ($633 million) and Retro Biosciences ($258 million), alongside smaller positions in Cerebras, Lattice, Humane, Software Applications, and Formation Bio. The disclosures are happening during Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, in which Musk seeks $150 billion in damages and asks for Altman’s removal from officer and board roles. Regulators are also escalating scrutiny: 10 U.S. attorneys general asked the SEC to review OpenAI documents ahead of a possible IPO, and a House committee previously requested more information on OpenAI’s conflict-of-interest risk handling. Sam Altman defended his role in key deals involving Helion, Reddit (content partnership related to OpenAI), and Cerebras. He told the court he was recused and that OpenAI’s board approved final terms. Altman also noted he stepped aside from talks when a backed company was involved. Overall, the Forbes wealth jump is directly linked to new visibility into Sam Altman’s OpenAI-connected investments, while legal and regulatory pressure continues around conflict-of-interest claims.

The SEC is signalling a potential shift in SEC crypto rules affecting public companies with bitcoin exposure. In the agency’s “Material Matters” podcast, Division of Corporation Finance Director Jim Moloney said the SEC wants to modernize securities frameworks built decades ago and reduce “unnecessary burdens” so “the free markets be free.” Key proposals and process changes discussed include: (1) reducing compliance friction around disclosure; (2) expanding transparency on filing guidance and staff responses; and (3) considering more frequent reporting options—such as semiannual reporting for some issuers. Moloney also highlighted a renewed willingness to engage with issuers via staff guidance after requests from market participants. He pointed to ongoing agenda items relevant to crypto-linked businesses, including custody, token activity, bitcoin exposure, cybersecurity, and accounting treatment. Chair Paul Atkins linked digital asset regulation to broader SEC priorities, and Commissioner Hester Peirce said regulators still lack a complete framework for spot crypto market structure. For traders, the immediate impact may be limited because the discussion centers on potential modernization rather than instant rule changes. However, any future SEC crypto rules that adjust disclosure expectations, engagement channels, or reporting frequency could influence sentiment around bitcoin-linked equities and token issuers, with knock-on effects for risk appetite and volatility over time.

Terra Classic (LUNC) slid about 13% in the past day after printing its highest level since 2025, with capital outflows continuing. While a rebound is possible, the article’s technical outlook points to bears remaining in control and another double-digit loss as plausible. Key indicators turn bearish for LUNC. Parabolic SAR has been forming above price for seven consecutive days, which historically suggests a downtrend can persist. The piece notes this pattern follows a prior bearish-to-bullish flip cycle in March–April, and that the May 8–11 rally may have created a lower high. Support vs breakdown level: the article highlights $0.00008941 as the line separating a correction from a breakdown. A breach of that level would confirm a lower low and could push LUNC toward the nearest demand zone, implying at least an 11.32% drop from current levels. Momentum is bearish, but not fully confirmed. Aroon Up fell sharply (to ~42.86%), while Aroon Down stays near 0.00%. Full confirmation would require Aroon Down to rise and cross above Aroon Up. Positioning and sentiment: Accumulation/Distribution is nearly flat, suggesting buyers and sellers are relatively balanced near current ranges. Community sentiment slipped slightly to 84% from 89%, indicating traders are more cautious but not exiting en masse. Traders monitoring LUNC should watch the $0.00008941 break for confirmation and the demand zone as the next downside magnet if support fails.

An X user, “Cprkrn,” said Claude AI enabled Bitcoin (BTC) recovery after nearly 11 years of failed attempts. The wallet reportedly held about 5 BTC, worth roughly $398,000 at the time. The owner changed a wallet password years ago, then forgot it, and spent years trying tools such as BTCRecover and Hashcat. The breakthrough came after uploading old wallet files from a previous computer to Claude AI. The AI reportedly identified a forgotten wallet.dat file (Bitcoin Core format) and matched it with a known mnemonic phrase to decrypt the needed private key and verify addresses—without breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography. Online debate followed, with some claiming “encryption cracking,” but a cited recovery expert said the process relied on existing wallet data and file history rather than bypassing encryption. For traders, this is a low direct price catalyst, but it reinforces that Bitcoin (BTC) recovery often hinges on correct backups and mnemonic knowledge—an operational risk lesson rather than a market-structure shift.

A US POLITICO survey found that only 4% of Americans say they would weigh a candidate’s crypto policy in their vote. The poll (2,035 US adults, Public First) shows voters prioritize issues such as affordable housing, consumer fraud protection, and lower bank fees over crypto regulation. On crypto regulation, just 18% name crypto rules as a top Congressional priority. Support for making crypto a mainstream financial asset is split: 27% support/strongly support vs 31% oppose/strongly oppose. Crypto participation is also limited: over half say they would not trade crypto, and 19% have traded. Among those traders, only 7% say a candidate’s crypto policy would change how they vote. The findings align with an earlier poll showing crypto ranks last among election priorities, with only 1% calling it their top concern and 62% saying they do not trust the Trump administration to oversee the crypto sector. Despite low voter salience, legislative momentum remains in focus. The CLARITY Act has House approval, and the Senate Banking Committee is set to vote on advancing it. Industry lobbying spending remains large (over $130M into the 2024 elections; about $320M influence activity for the November midterms), while prior analysis suggests midterm years have historically pressured Bitcoin. For traders, the key takeaway is that crypto policy is not a major election driver, which may reduce the political cost of delaying or obstructing regulation. That can keep regulation headlines from turning decisively bullish, even as the CLARITY Act moves through committees.

US-China investment deal talks are set to begin in Beijing on May 14-15 as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold their first state-level summit since 2017. Both sides signal the agenda will focus on trade and investment commitments rather than deeper structural reforms, aiming to build near-term détente between two of the world’s largest economies. The summit is expected to produce two new bilateral frameworks: a “Board of Trade” and a “Board of Investment.” Deal discussions may include large purchases of Boeing aircraft and US agricultural products, with officials suggesting potential total value in “double-digit billions.” Trump has publicly described a “fantastic future together,” while Xi’s reported goal is relationship stabilization and making 2026 a milestone year. However, traders may be cautious: past summit announcements have sometimes looked transformative on stage but faded later, especially as technology restrictions, semiconductor export controls, and national security concerns remain unresolved. For markets and crypto, the key variable is whether the US-China investment deal talks translate into measurable execution. If commitments materially change dollar-yuan dynamics, they could affect risk sentiment and macro positioning. Bitcoin (BTC), in particular, has historically shown sensitivity to shifts in the strength of the US dollar, so any meaningful FX or liquidity signal could ripple into BTC price action. Bottom line: this is a potentially sentiment-supportive event, but execution risk is high.

Forward Industries, a Nasdaq-listed firm, is showing nearly a $1 billion paper loss on its Solana treasury after SOL fell well below the company’s disclosed purchase cost. As of January 15, Forward held 6,979,967.46 SOL, with almost all of it staked. The company previously said it bought 6,834,505.96 SOL at a net cost of $232.08 per token, for about $1.59 billion total. With SOL trading near ~$90, the mark-to-market gap implies an unrealized loss close to $1 billion. Management emphasized this is accounting pressure, not evidence that the company sold SOL. Financially, the impact is already visible: for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Forward posted a net loss of $585.6 million, including a $560.2 million digital-asset loss and a $33 million impairment linked to its SOL holdings. Revenue rose to $21.4 million, mainly driven by staking revenue from the Solana treasury strategy. By late December, Forward generated over 112,171 SOL in staking rewards, with a reported gross annualized staking yield roughly in the 6.5%–7.2% range before fees (and 6.73% gross staking APY by Jan. 15). Forward’s Solana treasury strategy uses staking, validator infrastructure, liquid staking (fwdSOL), and related DeFi/AMM plans to increase SOL-per-share. But a 6%–7% yield is not enough to quickly offset a drawdown of more than 60% from its entry price, leaving the outcome highly dependent on SOL recovery, execution of staking/liquidity plans, and shareholder dilution risk.

Dapper Labs, the Flow (FLOW) blockchain developer, will pause new minting of Moment NFTs on its NFL ALL DAY digital collectibles platform. The move does not stop the platform: existing NFL ALL DAY Moment NFT holders can keep trading on the marketplace. Dapper Labs said the pause is strategic rather than a shutdown. The company is redirecting resources to develop a next-generation NFL ALL DAY NFT product, with details expected in the coming months, but no timeline or feature set was provided. For collectors, secondary-market activity should continue as usual—buying, selling, and trading of existing NFL ALL DAY NFTs will remain available. However, stopping NFL ALL DAY NFT minting may signal changes to user experience, underlying mechanics, or deeper integration with Flow’s capabilities. In the broader NFT market, the decision aligns with a shift away from constant release schedules toward more curated, utility-focused product strategies as sustained demand for frequent sports drops has proven difficult for many platforms. Dapper Labs also runs NBA Top Shot, and this pause suggests it may be refining the sports collectibles playbook before expanding further. Overall, the key takeaway for traders is that the NFL ALL DAY NFT ecosystem should not face an immediate liquidity disruption, but the pause may affect future user attention and market sentiment around Dapper’s sports NFT roadmap.

Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing that the US-China trade war has no winners, repeating a long-held view that protectionism harms global growth. The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People as part of Trump’s state visit, emphasized mutual benefit and equal negotiation. Xi said the previous day’s talks between U.S. and Chinese economic and trade teams delivered broadly balanced and positive results, and he urged both sides to sustain the current positive momentum. The broader context remains high tariff pressure: both countries have imposed tariffs on billions of dollars of each other’s goods over the past year. While the summit signals potential de-escalation, analysts warn that structural issues—such as intellectual property, market access, and technology transfer—are not resolved. Markets are watching for concrete follow-through on commitments, because the US-China trade war directly affects supply chains, consumer electronics, and agricultural commodities. For traders, the key takeaway is a diplomatic tone shift toward negotiation, but the risk premium may not fully unwind unless tariff escalation is halted and structural terms are addressed.

Bitcoin surged to $80,621 (as high as May 12) after miners sold about $1.5 billion worth of BTC. The rally is linked to renewed demand for inflation-resistant assets. Key data highlighted by the article: public miners sold more BTC in early 2026 than in all of 2025, while institutional interest in Bitcoin continues to rise. MARA Holdings reported Q1 2026 sales of 20,880 BTC for roughly $1.5B revenue. Proceeds funded debt retirement (30% of convertible debt), reduced liabilities from $3.3B to $2.3B, and backed a $1.5B Ohio campus purchase. MARA said about 90% of mining capacity will be redirected toward AI operations, with plans including a 505MW natural gas facility and an AI data center. On the demand side, JPMorgan noted spot Bitcoin ETF inflows for a third straight month (early May), alongside investors shifting attention from gold amid concerns about long-term fiat devaluation. The article also cites Ray Dalio’s view that fiat currencies have historically lost value in crises, while gold has held up better. Meanwhile, Strategy is estimated to have added 145,834 BTC since the start of the year, holding 818,334 BTC overall—illustrating a split: some firms sell BTC to fund transitions (like MARA), while others accumulate for the long term (like Strategy).