Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Recent analyses from VanEck and MakroVision highlight evolving trends in the cryptocurrency market, focusing on the performance of Solana (SOL) against Bitcoin (BTC). While April saw mixed results across digital assets, Bitcoin demonstrated resilience, outperforming traditional equities and benefiting from increased institutional engagement and shifting macroeconomic conditions. In contrast, MakroVision CEO Joao Wedson emphasized continued weakness in the SOL/BTC pair, expecting the downtrend to persist and drawing parallels to earlier cycles in ETH/BTC. Wedson cautioned that a decline in Bitcoin’s price could trigger even steeper drops for SOL/USD. Notably, Solana rose nearly 30% in the past month, slightly outpacing Bitcoin’s 24% gain; however, Wedson projects that Bitcoin’s market dominance will strengthen over the next 45 days, making this period pivotal for Solana’s relative valuation. Layer 1 tokens, including SOL, have faced pressure from major token unlocks and waning speculative momentum, leading to underperformance for several altcoins. Additionally, correlations between Bitcoin and large-cap stocks like Microsoft and ICBC remain strong, underscoring interconnectedness with broader markets. These developments are critical for crypto traders considering portfolio rebalancing, risk assessment, and strategic allocation between Bitcoin, Solana, and other major digital assets.

XRP has rapidly emerged as the leading cryptocurrency on Coinbase, both in terms of trading volume and search interest, reflecting a significant shift in trader and investor sentiment. Coinbase’s recent earnings reported a downturn in overall revenue and crypto trading volume, yet XRP stood out, accounting for 18% of consumer trading revenue—far surpassing Ethereum and Solana combined, and second only to Bitcoin. The value of XRP held on the exchange soared 458% year-over-year, driven by renewed retail enthusiasm following Coinbase’s resumption of XRP trading after regulatory clarity in 2023. Newer data confirms and extends these trends: XRP recently topped Coinbase search rankings, with 26,000 searches—outpacing Onyxcoin and Bitcoin. It also led 24-hour trading activity, comprising over 25% (about $1.7 billion) of Coinbase’s daily crypto volume, compared to Bitcoin’s 19.6%. XRP’s price has delivered an impressive rally of over 600% since November 2024, reaching new highs of $3.33 and attaining a market cap of $187 billion. This surge is attributed to strong price gains, speculation that XRP could become a US digital reserve, and rising optimism about an XRP ETF, which betting platforms peg at over a 70% approval chance. Additionally, Onyxcoin and Bitcoin remain prominent on Coinbase, but XRP’s momentum has eclipsed both, signifying a shift in trader preference on one of the world’s largest exchanges. Coinbase’s $2.9B acquisition of Deribit signals its push into crypto derivatives, aiming to diversify revenues amid market volatility. Meanwhile, XRP faces technical resistance at $2.38, with short-term bullish signals but heightened caution. The overall market context suggests growing institutional and retail interest in XRP, positioning it as a key asset to watch for 2025 and beyond.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting a continuing investigation into Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, over allegations that it inflated user numbers prior to its 2021 IPO. The SEC probe, initiated under the Biden administration and persisting into the Trump era, centers on whether Coinbase misrepresented its ’over 100 million verified users’ disclosure in its registration documents. Coinbase has since ceased reporting this metric, acknowledging that it included anyone who registered an email or phone, not just active users. Legal Chief Paul Grewal notes that the matter relates to legacy disclosures and that all user metrics now presented accurately reflect platform activity, with ’monthly transacting users’ replacing the old figure. Recently, the SEC also dropped a separate lawsuit against Coinbase for allegedly operating as an unlicensed broker and clearinghouse, mirroring a wider pullback from enforcement actions under previous leadership. In addition to regulatory scrutiny, Coinbase revealed a security breach in which an overseas support employee was compromised, resulting in a leak of limited user KYC data and an attempted $20 million extortion. While Coinbase refused the ransom and plans to compensate affected users for potential phishing attacks, losses related to the incident are estimated between $180-$400 million. Following these developments, Coinbase shares dropped roughly 7%, highlighting growing concerns over regulatory risks and transparency at the prominent crypto exchange.

Cryptocurrency markets are displaying mixed behavior ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. While major cryptocurrencies like Cardano (ADA) and XRP have faced the largest declines, Bitcoin remains relatively stable, hovering above $93,700 after dropping from $97,000. Ethereum continues to trade below $2,000. Despite this short-term weakness, spot Bitcoin ETF inflows have surged by $5 billion over the past two weeks, highlighting strong and ongoing institutional investor demand. Analysts and prediction market participants broadly anticipate that the Fed could cut rates as many as three times this year, a historically bullish scenario for crypto assets. Meanwhile, DeFi tokens such as Hyperliquid’s HYPE, AAVE, and Curve’s CRV have seen impressive gains, while high-quality altcoins including Polkadot (DOT), Chainlink (LINK), Uniswap (UNI), and Sonic (S, formerly known as FTM) are showing solid technical setups and growing network activity. Traders are increasingly reallocating capital from speculative memecoins to projects with strong fundamentals, yield mechanisms, and new layer-2 solutions. However, broader macroeconomic uncertainty—driven by inflation, tariffs, and U.S.-China trade friction—continues to keep the market in a wait-and-see mode until clearer signals emerge from the Federal Reserve. For crypto traders, these dynamics suggest selective opportunities among top altcoins and DeFi projects, especially if dovish Fed policy materializes and institutional inflows remain strong.

The USD/JPY exchange rate has experienced renewed volatility following ongoing policy divergence between the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. While the Fed maintains higher interest rates, the BoJ has kept its benchmark rate low and remains dovish, causing the yen to weaken against the dollar. Citi has forecasted a notable upward correction in the USD/JPY pair, driven by persistent interest rate differentials, monetary policy outlooks, and key macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, GDP growth, and employment. Recent BoJ moves to exit negative rates have been modest, underlining continued divergence. Earlier, the yen had lost ground after the BoJ delayed reaching its inflation target and signaled increased downside price risks. Market sentiment remains cautious, with traders scaling back expectations for near-term BoJ tightening. For crypto traders, these developments could lead to heightened yen volatility, stronger USD/JPY momentum, and increased use of digital assets for currency hedging and cross-border transactions. The ongoing macro and FX uncertainties support digital assets’ appeal as alternative stores of value, especially as traders seek to navigate fluctuating risk sentiment and monetary policy factors.

Crypto exchange Bitget faced controversy after a professional market-making team, ’qntxxx’, gained $43 million in profits during a highly volatile period trading VOXEL futures, with over $20 million deemed as unfair gains by Bitget. The team utilized more than 100 sub-accounts to rapidly trade VOXEL, attributing their profit to legitimate high-frequency market activities rather than exploiting exchange vulnerabilities. Bitget initially identified eight accounts as linked to abnormal activity and paused trading, froze accounts, and pledged to compensate impacted users. Legal notices were issued, and some funds were withdrawn by ’qntxxx’, but the rest remain frozen or under legal dispute. Bitget has committed to returning recovered user funds via an airdrop and confirmed that typical retail traders would not be penalized. The incident has intensified industry debate over the distinction between legal arbitrage strategies and manipulation, transparency and risk controls at crypto exchanges, and the definition of fair trading in high-frequency markets. Both Bitget and the trading team are pursuing legal action, with a full report expected soon. The event brings scrutiny to Bitget’s systems and sector-wide trust in automated and high-frequency trading mechanisms.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has consistently rejected proposals to add bitcoin (BTC) to its official reserves, citing concerns over volatility, liquidity, and security. This stance was reaffirmed at the SNB’s April 2025 annual meeting, with Chairman Martin Schlegel emphasizing that only stable and highly liquid assets meet reserve requirements. Despite Switzerland’s thriving crypto sector and an ongoing campaign by Bitcoin proponents to trigger a national referendum for a constitutional amendment—backed by key industry figures—the SNB remains cautious. The campaign requires 100,000 signatures within 18 months. Advocates say holding bitcoin could help Switzerland hedge against political and currency risks, especially with the U.S. and other countries exploring bitcoin reserves. If successful, the referendum would still face significant legal and technical hurdles. The SNB’s persistent caution highlights the ongoing tension between traditional central bank policy and digital asset adoption, even as global and local crypto integration accelerates.

Pump.fun, a leading Solana-based memecoin platform, has seen a steep downturn in activity. Daily memecoin deployments dropped by 56.3%, from 72,000 to 31,000, as protocol fee revenue plunged 94% from a January peak of $15.38 million to $791,500 in March. The percentage of memecoins ’graduating’ to broader markets also halved from 1.4% to 0.7%, signaling reduced investor confidence in new Solana memecoins. This decline paralleled a broader 22% crypto market correction since January 2024, with total market capitalization falling to $2.85 trillion and Bitcoin’s dominance rising to 59.1%. Market sentiment has been hurt by high-profile memecoin collapses, such as LIBRA, which plummeted from $4.6 billion to $220 million, and a sharp, 83% reversal in TRUMP’s price. Pump.fun has responded by launching a mobile app and planning new liquidity tools to attract users. Currently, liquidity and risk appetite continue to consolidate around Bitcoin, with memecoin market cap stagnating at $53.04 billion. Crypto traders should note the sector’s heightened volatility and increased capital rotation towards Bitcoin and away from speculative altcoins, making Bitcoin the relative safe haven in the near term.

Despite a substantial price decline from its peak, Bitcoin’s recent rally indicates its robustness in the face of macroeconomic challenges and USD volatility. Driven by strategic market trades, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a critical hedge against traditional market instability. This growing appetite for Bitcoin as a diversification tool underscores its evolving role in the digital asset ecosystem, positioning it alongside traditional safe-havens like gold. Recent developments, including fintech investments and regulatory adaptations, suggest a broader acceptance and integration of crypto into mainstream financial systems, reinforcing its potential as a stable store of value amid economic uncertainties.

Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3 and a prominent Bitcoin advocate, has expressed skepticism towards the valuation of altcoins like Ethereum, XRP, and Solana. He argues that these altcoins are overvalued due to investors’ unit bias, which makes them appear cheaper due to their high supply numbers compared to Bitcoin’s limited supply. Mow suggests recalibrating altcoin valuations using Bitcoin’s capped supply model, positing hypothetical values of $9,200 for Ethereum, $5,800 for XRP, and $3,400 for Solana if measured against Bitcoin’s principles. As altcoin seasons loom, Mow anticipates Bitcoin’s market dominance will bolster, supported by institutional interest and ETF inflows. Currently, Bitcoin is trading at $88,530, maintaining an upward trend. Mow’s analysis underscores Bitcoin’s perceived superior fundamentals, challenging investors to reconsider altcoin market perceptions.

Coinbase has raised concerns about a potential crypto winter influenced by structural and macroeconomic pressures, causing a significant drop in the total crypto market cap, excluding Bitcoin, from $1.6 trillion in December 2024 to $950 billion, a 41% decline. This decline signals worsening investor sentiment as global economic challenges, such as tariffs and fiscal tightening, increase market uncertainty and lead to capital outflows from cryptocurrencies. Despite a slight rise in venture capital activity in Q1 2025, levels remain well below the 2021 bull cycle peak, significantly impacting altcoin projects reliant on speculative funds. David Duong from Coinbase highlighted these developments as indicators of a potential crypto winter, advising investors to employ defensive strategies. Although there is cautious optimism for stability in mid-to-late Q2 2025, economic uncertainties and weak stock market performance cloud recovery prospects. There are hopes that potential recession-driven rate cuts could revive the crypto market, but Bitcoin’s status as a solid investment stands amidst fluctuations in U.S. dollar confidence. The reports emphasize the importance of cautious navigation through market volatility.

Flow Horse, a prominent cryptocurrency analyst, alerts traders to the potential risks associated with Bitcoin’s recent price surge. Currently trading around $84,490, Bitcoin’s market environment is marked by high volatility and political uncertainties. The analyst predicts that while Bitcoin could reach $90,000, strong resistance around $88,000 might induce selling pressure leading to a drop. Additionally, political factors, such as former President Trump’s comments about Federal Reserve leadership, could significantly impact Bitcoin’s valuation. Traders are advised to keep an eye on both technical patterns and geopolitical developments. There exists a potential upside pushing Bitcoin towards $95,000 if global risks decrease and investor confidence strengthens. A balanced trading approach is recommended considering the market’s sensitivity to sudden fluctuations. This comprehensive view emphasizes cautious trading strategies given the current volatility and geopolitical factors.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have taken significant steps affecting the crypto industry. The SEC clarified that certain fiat-backed stablecoins, termed ’Covered Stablecoins,’ are non-securities if redeemable 1:1 with the US dollar, exempting related entities from some reporting obligations. This move excludes algorithmic stablecoins and yield-bearing tokens and aligns with the launch of USD1 by World Liberty Financial amidst rising stablecoin demand. Meanwhile, the DOJ’s new focus on prosecuting illicit activities rather than imposing broad regulations indicates potential future regulatory easing, which may allow for increased innovation within the blockchain industry. Overall, these developments provide a clearer regulatory framework, potentially aiding market stability and attracting more investment towards regulated fiat-backed stablecoins.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Binance have requested a 60-day extension in their legal proceedings, citing ongoing productive discussions. This legal dispute centers on the SEC’s accusations against Binance for allegedly violating securities laws and misleading investors. Meanwhile, World Liberty Financial, a company linked to the Trump family, has expanded its cryptocurrency portfolio by purchasing $775,000 worth of SEI tokens, but denies rumors of selling $8 million in ETH. Additionally, the price of Mantra’s OM token plummeted by 90%, reportedly due to forced liquidations by centralized exchanges, resulting in significant losses for traders and raising concerns about exchange practices. The outcomes of these developments are being closely watched by crypto traders for their potential impacts on market movements and regulatory approaches.

Russian logistics company, ETE Group, is urging Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to establish a comprehensive cryptocurrency regulatory framework. This move aims to allow domestic companies to utilize cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments, tackling issues caused by Western sanctions and banking restrictions. ETE highlights the potential of crypto to overcome financial barriers such as high transaction costs and slow processing times, while also modernizing Russia’s financial infrastructure and attracting foreign investment. The proposal includes calls for legal status definitions, tax guidelines, and amendments to the Civil Code. The growing business interest in alternative payment solutions reflects an evolving economic landscape and points to impending regulatory changes in Russia.

The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a significant resurgence in altcoin prices, notably for Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), JasmyCoin, Solana, Pepe, and Bonk, following an earlier downturn referred to as ’Black Monday’. PENGU experienced a 40% surge attributed to increased NFT sales and whale accumulation. Meanwhile, interest in altcoins like Solana grew due to factors like institutional investment and trade negotiation hopes involving the US. The Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate cuts have also bolstered riskier assets, adding to market optimism. Nevertheless, traders are advised to remain cautious, as part of this increase may be a ’dead cat bounce’, a temporary recovery followed by a potential decline.

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has alerted the crypto and financial community to the risk of a ’Black Monday’ event impacting US stocks. He referenced recent volatility following President Trump’s tariff announcements, which triggered significant index declines. Hayes speculates that similar disruptions could lead to increased demand for alternative assets like Bitcoin, now seen as a potential safe haven. He also highlighted the possibility of geopolitical tensions and economic decisions shaking confidence in US financial assets. This may cause Bitcoin and gold to emerge as global reserve assets. Crypto traders should be cautious of external market changes, as they may indirectly affect the performance of digital assets. The stability and decoupling of Bitcoin from traditional markets continue to spark debate about its potential role as a hedge.

Pi Network has restarted its mainnet migration process, introducing email-based two-factor authentication to enhance security. This move aims to address concerns over network transparency and security amid a significant decline in PI coin value. The token has seen a price drop, suggesting traders’ skepticism despite security upgrades. Concurrently, WallitIQ is emerging as a strong competitor with its cutting-edge AI-wallet technology backed by institutional support. WallitIQ offers biometric authentication and AI-driven features, attracting market makers and investors, signaling a robust alternative to Pi. As WallitIQ’s presale token is priced attractively, it could pose a challenge to Pi Network’s market share. This competition highlights the volatile nature of the crypto market, where both projects strive to gain adoption and dominance.

Recent proposals from within Trump’s administration suggest implementing user fees on foreign buyers of U.S. Treasuries as a means to weaken the dollar and reduce reliance on the Federal Reserve for controlling its value. This move, inspired by the Bretton Woods agreement, aims to foster international currency cooperation but also includes potential unilateral actions if other nations do not comply. Economists Gary Smith and Jeffrey Funk critique Bitcoin’s efficacy in debt repayment, contrasting this with Trump’s broader economic plans. Analysts caution that this could disrupt the global economy and affect stablecoins, particularly impacting Tether while potentially benefiting Circle. Moreover, as the plan may challenge the dollar’s status as a reserve currency, Bitcoin could gain as a hedge against financial instability. This development is noteworthy for crypto traders as it might signify a shift in the stablecoin market’s reliance on U.S. Treasuries and open up opportunities for Bitcoin as an alternative reserve asset.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, was captured in a viral video meowing at a robot, causing diverse reactions in the crypto community. While some found humor in this display, others were concerned about its impact on Ethereum’s image, especially during a significant price decline. Ethereum’s price has fallen from over $4,000 in December 2024 to around $1,788, marking a 13% monthly decrease. This decline is partially due to the rising popularity of competing layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism, which are pulling activity away from Ethereum’s main network. The video incident has stirred discussion on Ethereum’s leadership and sustainability, with influencers and traders expressing mixed opinions. Some see the current price decline as a buying opportunity, while others fear for Ethereum’s long-term outlook given the new technological challenges it faces.

A South Korean court has lifted the temporary ban on Upbit, allowing it to accept new users while a legal dispute continues. Initially, Upbit was banned by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) due to alleged violations, including failures in Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and engaging with unregistered foreign exchanges. Dunamu, Upbit’s parent firm, legally contested the ban, prompting a court decision that defers the service suspension until 30 days following the final judgment. This development has been well-received in the South Korean crypto community, as it eases restrictions on one of the largest exchanges in the country. However, the ultimate outcome is uncertain, highlighting the ongoing regulatory challenges faced by the crypto industry in South Korea.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing significant changes, as highlighted by predictions from experts like Matthew Sigel and insights from Han Lin and Vida. Sigel anticipates a potential crypto bull cycle fueled by U.S. regulatory reforms, possibly leading to an altcoin surge in 2025. However, challenges such as Bitcoin’s recent bearish trends, declining market activity, and liquidity issues persist. Han Lin argues that traditional clear cycles are disrupted due to the integration with traditional finance and geopolitical factors, while Vida suggests that a new altcoin season would require substantial monetary easing akin to past economic crises. Traders are urged to improve their skills and knowledge in macroeconomics and AI to navigate the evolving market landscape, characterized by potential volatility and sparse liquidity, especially in meme coins like DOGE and underperforming altcoins.

The analysis of Helium (HNT) explores its potential for future price movements by examining network utility and tokenomics. Helium supports a decentralized network that rewards miners and facilitates data payments, becoming more relevant as the IoT sector expands. Recent reports from Messari highlight a 20% QoQ growth in IoT hotspots, totaling over 375,000 due to Solana blockchain integration. Despite infrastructure expansion, HNT’s market cap decreased by 23%, with prices falling from $7.54 to $5.88. Helium Mobile, another project branch, experienced a 14% rise in hotspots but shifted user rewards from HNT to Cloud Points. During Hurricane Helene, Helium showcased its utility with 5G coverage in emergencies. Nonetheless, demand lagged, causing token supply to outweigh consumption with low daily burns of Data Credits. Although earlier controversies involved hoarding accusations and misleading partnership claims, the potential for growth in market utility remains, influenced by IoT advances and token scarcity from halving events.

WazirX, an Indian cryptocurrency exchange, marked its 7th anniversary while addressing past challenges after significant hacks, notably by the Lazarus Group in 2023. As recovery efforts continue, only $3 million of the $234 million lost in a July 2024 hack has been recovered. Concurrently, Texas State Senate’s proposal for a Bitcoin reserve could potentially elevate Bitcoin’s market cap to $500 billion, indicating a positive regulatory shift in the U.S. Meanwhile, DeFi platform 1inch has reached an agreement with hackers to recover most of the $5 million stolen. Gemini has filed for an IPO, influenced by regulatory changes during Trump’s administration. In China, a Yescoin co-founder was detained due to internal conflicts, signaling regulatory scrutiny and potential volatility in project management. These developments underscore the critical importance of security, regulatory shifts, and market resilience for crypto traders.

Best Wallet, a non-custodial, multi-chain crypto wallet, has successfully raised $10.5 million in a token presale, gaining attention as a robust alternative to MetaMask. The wallet supports asset management across over 60 blockchains and has recently implemented Bitcoin support in its latest upgrade (Version 2.5.1), alongside existing support for Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon. This upgrade enhances security with Fireblocks’ technology and aims to address the increasing security concerns that have followed a significant hack on the Bybit exchange. By providing features like a built-in DEX aggregator, biometric verification, insurance, an ’Upcoming Tokens’ tool, and the native BEST token offering reduced fees and early access to new projects, Best Wallet positions itself as a comprehensive and secure solution. This development comes at a time when traders are pivoting towards decentralized solutions for enhanced safety and versatility in their crypto storage options.

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a divergence in investor focus between two key projects: Rollblock and Toncoin. Rollblock, a blockchain-based Web3 gaming platform, is experiencing significant growth, with a 600% increase in adoption, and analysts forecast its token, RBLK, could see a 50x price surge this year. Rollblock’s success stems from providing secure gaming experiences on the blockchain. On the other hand, Toncoin, integrated with Telegram, has faced a decline, dropping 27% recently due to market sell-offs. However, its integration with Telegram could drive a price recovery above $6. Despite legal uncertainties involving CEO Pavel Durov, which led to a previous 30% drop, Toncoin remains a potential contender for recovery. Rollblock seems to attract more investor interest at the moment, highlighting a shift to projects with innovative offerings and a chance for high returns.

Rexas Finance (RXS) is positioning itself as a leading player in the cryptocurrency market by innovatively tokenizing real-world assets like real estate and artwork. Scheduled to launch on June 19, 2025, at a price of $0.250, RXS has already raised $43.9 million in its presale, showcasing significant investor interest. Unlike traditional meme coins, Rexas Finance is offering tangible utility, allowing fractional ownership and broader investment access, particularly appealing to smaller investors. Its tokenomics are designed to maintain market liquidity and incentivize community engagement. This approach aims to democratize financial participation and secure stable growth, making Rexas Finance a potential leader in blockchain-driven investments. The project’s Certik audit further reinforces its commitment to security and reliability, attracting investors wary of volatility.

The United States Department of Justice fined BitMEX and its parent company, HDR Global Trading Limited, $100 million for violating the Bank Secrecy Act by not implementing necessary anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures. The exchange and its executives, including founders Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo, were previously fined in a civil case for similar violations. BitMEX acknowledged the penalties and has been placed on two years of probation while working to strengthen its compliance protocols. This ruling highlights the importance of regulatory adherence within the cryptocurrency industry and serves as a cautionary tale regarding the legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance.

PENGU and BONK are in a fierce battle for dominance as the leading Solana meme coin, with both surpassing a market cap of $2 billion. PENGU has quickly gained traction due to significant whale investments and a strong community backing from Pudgy Penguins. While it initially achieved a $3.5 billion market cap, its price has settled fluctuating between $0.031 and $0.034, suggesting potential upward momentum. Technical indicators present mixed signals, with the ADX showing market indecision and the RSI indicating recovery to a neutral zone. Both coins are monitored closely by traders looking for signs of breakout or trend shifts. PENGU’s increasing trading volume and community engagement make it a significant contender in the meme coin space, trailing major coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and PEPE, with potential market impact if the trend continues.