Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is set to implement major regulatory changes in the cryptocurrency market, proposing a ban on the use of borrowed funds—including credit cards, loans, and credit lines—for purchasing digital assets such as bitcoin. This initiative comes in response to a sharp increase in UK retail crypto investors using credit to purchase cryptocurrencies, rising from 6% in 2022 to 14% in 2024, according to FCA data. The move aims to improve consumer protection by reducing speculative, high-risk behaviour reminiscent of gambling. The proposed ban would extend beyond traditional credit sources to include fintech and digital-asset-specific lenders. There may be exceptions for stablecoins issued by FCA-regulated entities. The FCA is also considering stricter measures for crypto lending, borrowing, and staking, potentially restricting these high-risk activities to institutional investors. These proposals are part of a broader governmental effort to enhance transparency, investor education, and overall regulation within the UK’s digital asset sector, which now includes around 7 million adult holders (about 12% of the population). Public consultation on the proposals will remain open until June 13, 2025. This evolving regulatory stance may significantly impact retail access to crypto, overall market participation, and could alter the trading landscape, particularly in regards to leveraged trading and high-risk products.

Canada’s recent federal election has solidified a regulatory landscape that is challenging for the country’s crypto industry. The Liberal Party, under Mark Carney, retained power against a Conservative opposition that promoted crypto-friendly policies and advocated using cryptocurrencies as an inflation hedge. The Liberal government maintains a cautious, often critical approach to digital assets, emphasizing strong regulation. Previous efforts to improve Canada’s crypto regulatory framework, such as Bill C-249, were rejected, reflecting a preference for classifying most cryptocurrencies as securities. This makes Canada less attractive for crypto startups compared with jurisdictions like the EU or UK, which have been moving towards clearer, more progressive regulation. The Liberals also prioritize central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) over stablecoins, citing the need for monetary stability and consumer protection. With little likelihood of significant regulatory changes in the next four years, Canadian crypto businesses face ongoing challenges and limited room for market liberalization. Traders should expect a fragmented regulatory outlook and minimal growth opportunities, especially as international pressure for harmonized standards increases.

Former US President Donald Trump, in a recent NBC interview, addressed concerns about a potential US economic recession, describing the economy as being in a transitional phase. Trump expressed confidence that a significant downturn was unlikely under his leadership, though he did not rule out the possibility entirely. He reaffirmed his willingness to take responsibility for economic outcomes, particularly related to his previous tariff policies, which have raised questions among investors about their broader market impact. Additionally, Trump restated the possibility of using force to acquire Greenland, an unrelated remark that nonetheless received attention. No new economic data or specific policy changes were announced during the interview. For crypto traders, Trump’s assurances on economic stability, as well as his stance on trade and tariffs, are significant. Fiscal policies and leadership sentiment from the US can influence global risk sentiment, macroeconomic stability, and the performance of risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies. Heightened attention to potential recession risks and how they may impact investor confidence could affect crypto market trends in the near term.

Mastercard has launched a fully integrated global stablecoin financial system, initiating a significant stablecoin settlement pilot using USDC on the Solana blockchain. This move enables consumers to pay at over 150 million Mastercard-accepting merchants globally, making stablecoins as accessible as traditional banking funds. The company partners with key players like Circle (the issuer of USDC), Paxos, Nuvei, and OKX Exchange for stablecoin-based payments, cross-border remittances, and real-time settlements. The system includes robust KYC checks, card issuance, and collaboration with networks like the Mastercard Crypto Credential and the Multi-Token Network (MTN), which connects digital assets to major banks and financial infrastructure. This development marks a significant step toward institutional adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets. Meanwhile, blockchain investigator ZachXBT contributed to freezing illicit funds linked to crypto fraud, highlighting enhanced industry security. Regulatory updates and compliance efforts continue to shape the landscape, with increased market transparency and fraud prevention. Stablecoin supply now exceeds $230 billion, and in the first half of 2024, stablecoins drove $5.1 trillion in global transaction volume, underscoring their growing role in both crypto and traditional finance. The collaboration between conventional financial institutions and blockchain, along with improvements in security and regulatory compliance, is expected to drive further momentum in the cryptocurrency market.

The DeFi Education Fund, a leading crypto advocacy group, has formally appealed to former President Donald Trump to intervene in the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Roman Storm, co-founder of the Tornado Cash crypto mixer. Storm is facing charges of facilitating more than $1 billion in alleged illicit transactions, with another Tornado Cash co-founder still at large and his trial scheduled for July 2025. The Fund argues that prosecuting open-source developers for actions by platform users threatens U.S. crypto innovation and contradicts earlier FinCEN guidance from Trump’s first term, which stated that developers of non-custodial, peer-to-peer tools are not money transmitters. The appeal, supported by 232 industry figures including representatives from Coinbase, Paradigm, and Ethereum, highlights broader industry concerns over regulatory overreach and references a Texas federal court ruling that Treasury exceeded its authority in sanctioning Tornado Cash. The group thanks Trump for expressing support for U.S. crypto leadership, warning that continuing such prosecutions could hinder the country’s ambitions to be a ’cryptocurrency capital.’ Ongoing issues of fund mismanagement in the sector, such as allegations against Bankera’s founders, further underscore the importance of clear legal precedent on developer liability. The outcome of Storm’s case may set a crucial precedent for the future of open-source crypto development in the United States.

Cboe Global Markets has introduced the Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures (XBTF), a new cash-settled Bitcoin futures contract listed on the Cboe Futures Exchange, reflecting the rising demand for regulated crypto derivatives. The XBTF contract, based on the FTSE Bitcoin Index, represents one-tenth of the index value and settles in cash on the last business day of each month, removing the need for physical Bitcoin delivery. This complements Cboe’s broader digital asset expansion, which already includes Bitcoin options (CBTX, MBTX), spot Bitcoin ETFs, and Bitcoin ETF index options. The contracts are centrally cleared by OCC, ensuring transparency and risk management for both individual and institutional traders. Market maker Barak Capital has committed to providing liquidity for XBTF futures. Cboe’s move is expected to attract increased institutional participation, offer greater flexibility in hedging and trading strategies, and contribute to enhanced market stability and liquidity in the Bitcoin derivatives market.

Recent reports indicate that Bitcoin (BTC) is increasingly being viewed as a safe-haven asset, with its price trends aligning more closely with gold and diverging from the NASDAQ, which has re-entered a bear market. Analysts emphasize that while short-term market correlations are important, the key drivers for Bitcoin’s price include a reduction in retail sell-offs, increased corporate accumulation, and robust capital inflows from bitcoin-linked ETFs. These factors are combining to create a potential supply squeeze, raising the possibility of new price highs for Bitcoin. As ETF involvement grows, traders are advised to closely monitor these supply and demand dynamics as they are likely to have a significant impact on Bitcoin’s future market behavior. Additionally, the meteoric rise of lesser-known cryptocurrencies like FARTCOIN underscores the speculative and volatile nature of the crypto market. Overall, traders should remain alert to market shifts, especially as traditional financial markets show contrasting trends.

Binance has adjusted the funding rate settlement frequency for its ALPACAUSDT perpetual contract from every 4 hours to every 2 hours, which took effect on April 25. Immediately following this change, the ALPACA perpetual futures funding rate dropped to a record -2% on April 26. A negative funding rate means that short sellers now pay fees to long holders, signaling a strong shift toward bearish sentiment in the ALPACA market on Binance. Funding rates are key for leveraged traders as they impact position costs and potential profitability, while also reflecting the balance between long and short positions. Such sharp movements in funding rates suggest rising volatility, particularly important given prevailing regulatory scrutiny in the crypto sector, which could further exacerbate market swings. Crypto traders should closely monitor these funding rate changes, as they provide valuable insights into market dynamics and may indicate forthcoming price fluctuations for ALPACA.

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital and former White House Communications Director, has issued a warning that renewed US tariffs on major trading partners could escalate economic tensions and potentially push the US into recession. While earlier analysis focused on possible Chinese retaliation through currency manipulation and treasury sell-offs, the latest developments highlight a shift in global capital flows. Scaramucci observes that European stock indices like the FTSE and DAX have outperformed US benchmarks since trade frictions began, indicating overseas capital may be moving away from US assets. For crypto traders, the implications are significant: Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a ’safe haven’ investment, similar to gold, especially during periods of economic uncertainty. Scaramucci points to increased institutional inflows into Bitcoin ETFs as evidence of rising trust in cryptocurrency as an inflation hedge and non-correlated asset. If recession fears continue, this trend is expected to strengthen, creating potential new opportunities in Bitcoin and selected European markets, even as broader global market volatility persists. Key factors to monitor include US tariff policies, Bitcoin’s role amid inflation, institutional ETF investments, and shifts in global market confidence.

Ethena has quickly emerged as a major player in both DeFi and CeFi, with its stablecoin USDe surpassing $5 billion in supply in under 18 months, demonstrating robust price stability even in volatile market conditions. ParaFi Capital’s analysis highlights that USDe maintained its dollar peg and processed $3.3 billion in redemptions, while offering yields (12.3% APY on sUSDe) that outperformed major competitors. Ethena’s dynamic yield strategies leverage perpetuals and positive funding rates. In a recent update, Ethena founder Guy Young clarified that Ethena and Tether are not competitors but complement each other. About 70% of perpetual contracts are denominated in USDT, and each USDe minted via perpetuals drives significant new demand for USDT. Young emphasized that this creates a ’barbell strategy’ for the market, where Tether provides maximum liquidity and Ethena offers attractive yields, shaping the industry’s future structure. He noted that Tether doesn’t need yield products, as traders already pay high rates to use USDT as collateral. While Ethena’s growth outlook remains strong, potential risks include negative funding rates affecting USDe supply and exchange risks on hedged strategies.

Bitcoin’s recent surge past the $90,000 mark has led to significant gains in crypto stocks, with companies like Strategy and Coinbase seeing 8% to 9% increases. Crypto miners, including Bitdeer and CleanSpark, recorded even larger gains of up to 20%. Despite this rally, U.S.-based mining operations face ongoing challenges due to tariff policies initially imposed by the Trump administration on ASIC imports, which could hamper future growth and investments in the sector. Bitdeer is making noteworthy strides in developing its own ASIC manufacturing and expanding mining capacities, attracting significant investment from Tether. Traders remain cautious amid ongoing regulatory uncertainty and potential market volatility, despite the positive momentum.

Bitcoin’s potential to mimic gold’s price surge might be in jeopardy as historical market patterns and recent Wall Street turmoil present a bearish outlook. The Bitcoin-to-gold (BTC/XAU) ratio has dropped below its 50-period EMA, hinting at further declines towards the 200-period EMA, reminiscent of trends in 2021 and 2022 where Bitcoin saw significant price drops. Notably, the US stock market’s $13 trillion loss underscores a correlation with Bitcoin’s downturn. Analysts suggest a possible decline toward Bitcoin’s 200-week EMA around $50,950 could occur. Despite occasional short-term rallies, traders should be cautious as the historical patterns indicate potential continued sell-offs.

The news underscores the importance of strategic trading as Bitcoin faces volatility amid economic downturns. Traders must focus on risk management, macroeconomic indicators, diversification, and the balance between short-term and long-term strategies. As Bitcoin shows increased correlation with traditional markets during recessions, effective navigation of these conditions is crucial. Historical events like the 2022 downturn illustrate the necessity for disciplined trading, underlining the influence of economic policies. Traders need to monitor economic developments closely and adjust their approaches, whether opting for active trading or asset accumulation, aligned with their risk tolerance.

The Trump administration is implementing innovative, budget-neutral strategies to expand the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This plan involves reallocating tariff revenues and revaluing government-held gold certificates to purchase Bitcoin without imposing a burden on taxpayers. The initiative aligns with Trump’s economic strategy of maintaining tax rates while bolstering national financial leadership. By redirecting tariff revenues, a key component of his ’America First’ trade policy, and revaluing gold certificates to align with current market prices, the administration aims to acquire Bitcoin efficiently. Officials believe these strategies will establish the U.S. as a global leader in Bitcoin and digital assets. Critics, however, point out that tariffs could indirectly impact consumers, questioning the approach’s cost-effectiveness. Advocates argue that investing in Bitcoin serves as a hedge against dollar devaluation and can reinforce the U.S.’s standing in global finance. This modern strategy reflects a reinterpretation of traditional economic practices, treating Bitcoin as ’digital gold’ to maintain future financial leadership.

In 2025, Bitcoin experienced its worst first-quarter performance since 2018, dropping 11.82%. Despite significant positive developments such as the inauguration of the first pro-crypto US president and strategic crypto initiatives, the market faced setbacks, including a notable Bybit hack and meme coin market collapse. Bitwise labeled it as the ’best worst quarter’ due to contrasting positive events like reduced SEC lawsuits and increased stablecoin circulation reaching $218 billion. Matt Hougan, Bitwise CIO, remains optimistic about a potential rebound in Q2, citing global M2 money supply increase, the Trump administration’s favorable cryptocurrency stance, and rising stablecoin adoption. These factors, alongside regulatory relief and strategic reserves, may stimulate demand and bolster cryptocurrency prices, presenting a paradox of challenges and opportunities for market participants.

Crypto analysts Ali Martinez and Titan Of Crypto have identified potential bullish indicators for Bitcoin (BTC). Martinez highlights a weekly TD Sequential buy signal, suggesting a possible trend reversal for BTC. If Bitcoin maintains its price above $86,000, this could drive the price further to $90,000 or even $95,000. Titan Of Crypto also notes Bitcoin trading in a reversal zone at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, supporting an ongoing uptrend. Historically, Bitcoin has endured more severe drops, underlining the current situation as more stable. Overall, maintaining the price above critical levels like $86,000 is crucial for upward movement, presenting new opportunities for traders.

Tether has announced the reintegration of its USDT stablecoin with the Bitcoin ecosystem through the Lightning Network, after initially operating on Bitcoin’s Omni Layer and expanding to other blockchains. This move leverages Lightning Labs’ Taproot Assets protocol, focusing on enhancing transaction speed and reducing fees. CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasizes alignment with Bitcoin’s principles of decentralization, privacy, and efficiency. By returning to Bitcoin’s infrastructure, USDT transactions aim to benefit from improved scalability and cost-effectiveness, distinguishing them from Ethereum-based alternatives. This strategic integration also addresses increasing regulatory scrutiny, potentially mitigating risks and expanding Bitcoin’s use in decentralized finance and smart contracts.

The U.S. administration, led by former President Trump, announced plans for new tariffs on semiconductors amidst a Section 232 national security investigation. Initial temporary waivers for certain products, including semiconductors, were granted but could evolve into broader tariffs affecting the entire electronics supply chain within months. This strategic move aims to enhance domestic manufacturing by managing foreign semiconductor and pharmaceutical threats to national security. These plans have influenced asset prices, notably Bitcoin, which recently hit $84,000. As the tariff plans develop, crypto traders should monitor potential impacts on the semiconductor supply chain and related industries, given their critical role in crypto mining hardware production.

The United States has lifted the temporary pause on tariffs for certain electronics imports, citing national security concerns. This policy shift may lead to higher prices for a range of consumer electronics, impacting major tech companies reliant on Chinese manufacturing. The move is part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign tech products, especially from China. These developments occur amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and could have downstream effects on global supply chains, potentially influencing profit margins for tech firms and consumer prices. The policy change underscores ongoing trade negotiations and strategic adjustments in the US-China relations, presenting both challenges and opportunities in the market.

Illinois has enacted two major legislative efforts: the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act and the Blockchain Business Development Act, both aimed at regulating the cryptocurrency market. The former focuses on enforcing stricter registration and disclosure requirements for digital asset firms to prevent fraud, particularly scams involving meme coins. The latter seeks to bolster consumer protection by holding developers accountable if their code is used in fraudulent activities, requiring processes to reverse transactions in smart contracts, and urging transparency from anonymous developers. Critics fear these laws may misunderstand blockchain technology and stifle innovation, potentially driving developers and projects out of Illinois and affecting the open-source ethos. These moves signal a significant regulatory shift that could influence similar legislation in other states, impacting the future landscape for crypto businesses and traders.

Aave, a prominent DeFi protocol, has implemented improvements in its yield offerings, positioning itself as a formidable competitor against traditional fintech platforms such as Wise and Revolut. With an annual percentage yield of 3.28% on its EUR Coin, Aave surpasses these fintech giants, which has resulted in increased liquidity and borrowing activities. The total value locked in Aave’s platform has climbed to $27.648 billion, while borrowing has risen to $10.255 billion, illustrating growing investor trust. This positive market sentiment has triggered significant demand for AAVE tokens, indicating a potential 42% price rally. Trading patterns suggest a bullish movement, supported by a symmetrical triangle formation. Furthermore, Aave’s stablecoin, GHO, has seen substantial adoption, reflecting its rising utility and user confidence. Collectively, Aave’s strategic enhancements and competitive yields may foster substantial growth and a notable upward price trend.

In a challenging market environment, crypto hedge funds are backing Solana (SOL) and IntelMarkets (INTL), attracted by their long-term potential. Solana, despite its price drop, remains influential thanks to strong institutional support and a vibrant NFT ecosystem. IntelMarkets, an AI-powered trading platform, is witnessing a presale surge with its token price climbing over 900%, benefiting from its advanced AI features and Nvidia’s GPU backing. Significant whale activity suggests possible price recovery for Solana if key support levels are maintained. Both assets are positioned as promising investment opportunities for 2025, indicating potential lucrative returns for strategic investors.

The article analyzes the impact of Trump’s 90-day tariff delay on the global markets, especially focusing on the repercussions for the crypto market. This pause offers a strategic window for launching crypto projects like tokens and mainnets, despite ongoing trade tensions and macroeconomic challenges. The nomination of Paul Atkins as the new SEC Chair suggests potential regulatory changes, particularly affecting ICOs and compliance in the crypto market. Additionally, the launch of the MegaETH testnet, a major technological advancement for the Ethereum network, is anticipated to influence ETH trading volumes and overall market sentiment. This environment is ripe for strategic investments in promising crypto assets, offering both opportunities and risks tied to evolving regulatory dynamics and macroeconomic conditions.

Conor McGregor’s foray into cryptocurrency with the REAL memecoin, launched alongside Real World Gaming DAO, experienced a shortfall in its fundraising goals during a 28-hour presale. The presale aimed for $1,008,000 but raised only $392,315 from 668 contributors. This failure is attributed to adverse market conditions, including a general crypto downturn and economic uncertainties exacerbated by tariff reorganizations by the Trump administration. Additionally, skepticism surrounding memecoins due to historical scams, coupled with McGregor’s controversial image and criticized tokenomics model aimed at short-term gains, further deterred potential investors. These factors underscore the challenges celebrity-backed tokens face in volatile markets while highlighting the necessity for genuine value creation over celebrity endorsements.

PayPal has expanded its cryptocurrency services by adding Solana (SOL) and Chainlink (LINK) to the list of supported digital assets available for purchase, sale, and transfer. This update allows US users to leverage these assets through PayPal and Venmo, responding to increased consumer demand for diverse cryptocurrency options. Currently, PayPal offers seven different cryptocurrencies, including the stablecoin PayPal USD (PYUSD). Although the supply of PYUSD has decreased, its previous highs demonstrate the potential impact of stablecoins within PayPal’s infrastructure. The addition of SOL and LINK could lead to a surge in trading volumes due to greater accessibility for PayPal’s expansive user base, which may also contribute to the broader acceptance and regulatory adaptation of stablecoins.

FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, faces a critical situation with around 400,000 users at risk of losing $2.5 billion in compensation if they do not complete their mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification by June 1, 2025. Initially, the deadline for KYC verification was March 3, 2025, but it has been extended to provide creditors with more time. The court has made this verification a necessity for claim validation, with affected funds encompassing $655 million in smaller claims and $1.9 billion in larger ones. Despite plans to return over $11 billion and expecting creditors to receive at least 118% of their original claim value, unresolved KYC issues could hinder the recovery process. Many users have reported difficulties with verification but can restart the process by contacting FTX support. This situation underscores ongoing challenges for individuals and potential impacts on market sentiment as traders watch the resolution unfold.

HashKey Eco Labs announced a major brand upgrade for HashKey Chain during the Web3 Festival in Hong Kong, aiming to position it as the premier blockchain choice for finance and real-world assets (RWA). With the main objective of seizing the vast $400 trillion global financial market through RWA tokenization, the platform focuses on compliance and efficiency. It boasts low transaction costs and high speeds, attracting partnerships with significant financial institutions like China’s Taibao and Bosera Funds. The upgrade signifies a shift towards a global value network, with ambitions to establish RWA global standards by 2025. These efforts aim to create a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), offering a compliant and scalable infrastructure for institutional finance.

The discussion highlights the superior investment potential of AI and blockchain technologies compared to the Pi Network. AI’s strong growth across sectors and the transformative potential of blockchain are noted, offering better prospects. The Pi Network faces challenges such as regulatory obstacles and skepticism about its value, which might hinder its growth. In contrast, AI and blockchain are seen as stable, long-term investments attracting institutional interest and consistent development. Traders are encouraged to weigh these aspects before making decisions, as AI and blockchain promise significant advancements, whereas Pi Network’s future remains uncertain.

West Virginia is moving forward with a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bill to bolster its financial independence from potential federal CBDC initiatives by allowing investment up to 10% of public funds. These funds could be put into Bitcoin and stablecoins meeting specific market cap requirements. This legislative action is pivotal in setting a precedent for other US states integrating Bitcoin into public finance. Meanwhile, in response to evolving market dynamics post-Bitcoin halving, Bitfarms has secured a $300 million loan from Macquarie Group. This funding is directed towards developing High-Performance Computing data centers as the firm pivots towards AI-driven ventures, illustrating a broader shift in the crypto industry towards diversification and innovative revenue streams.