Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has secured a significant Financial Services Permission from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), authorizing it to issue USDC and provide digital asset services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move strengthens Circle’s global expansion, allowing it to offer regulated USDC services to both institutional and retail clients and further integrate stablecoins into the region’s digital economy. The license reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a leading crypto and blockchain hub, providing clear regulatory frameworks for international firms. Circle has also partnered with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 to foster local stablecoin adoption. In parallel, major UAE institutions plan to launch a dirham-backed stablecoin, increasing local competition in the stablecoin sector. These developments come as the US considers stricter stablecoin regulations, making Circle’s diversification into the Middle East especially significant for traders. For crypto traders, Circle’s regulated presence in the UAE could drive USDC liquidity, enhance compliance and trust, and boost broader stablecoin usage as Middle Eastern digital asset adoption gains momentum.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has intensified criticism of former President Donald Trump over his expanding role in the cryptocurrency sector and alleged financial misconduct during his second term. She cited 100 alleged acts of corruption, emphasizing Trump’s launch of a crypto memecoin before inauguration and offering exclusive events to top crypto buyers as examples of self-enrichment and prioritizing business partners. Warren also raised concerns about Trump’s media company partnerships with firms like Crypto.com and the oversight of newly launched crypto ETFs, questioning possible conflicts of interest tied to Trump and his family. The controversies are occurring against a backdrop of rising U.S. consumer prices, increased debt levels, and wider economic instability, which Warren attributes in part to Trump’s trade policies and tariffs. These actions, she argues, have disrupted equities markets and damaged retirement accounts. In response, Warren, joined by Senators Ron Wyden and Rand Paul, has introduced a bipartisan resolution to curb Trump’s use of emergency powers and prevent further tariffs. The situation is prompting elevated scrutiny about the intersection of crypto, regulatory risk, and White House policy. Crypto traders should note growing political and regulatory uncertainty, with potential impacts on the market linked to further developments in Trump’s crypto ventures and policy decisions.

OpenAI has unveiled major upgrades to ChatGPT, introducing an ad-free shopping assistant and advanced real-time AI-powered search features across all user tiers, including Free, Plus, Pro, and even users who are not logged in. The new shopping function enables unbiased, independently sourced product listings, displaying prices, user reviews, and direct purchase links, with OpenAI affirming that these results are not advertisements. In conjunction, ChatGPT’s enhanced search now delivers multi-source responses, highlights clickable source links, and offers practical improvements such as autocomplete and trending search topics. Users also benefit from live responses via WhatsApp. OpenAI disclosed that ChatGPT managed over one billion search queries in the previous week, indicating rapid adoption since its 2022 launch. Website owners can now track referral traffic from ChatGPT. These updates underscore OpenAI’s ambition to fortify its position in AI-driven search and e-commerce, positioning ChatGPT as a potential tool for online product research, due diligence, and decision-making. For crypto traders, the evolution of AI assistants like ChatGPT could streamline access to market intelligence, aid in analyzing crypto projects and exchanges, and influence how traders gather information, potentially impacting digital asset adoption and overall market sentiment.

The United States is reinforcing its global leadership in Bitcoin mining by enabling miners to build private, off-grid power plants near natural gas fields with streamlined regulatory approval. This move is a major policy shift from prior proposals such as the Biden administration’s 30% electricity tax on mining operations. Backed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the plan also launches an Investment Accelerator to help crypto mining firms quickly navigate regulations and infrastructure setup, reducing operational costs and increasing energy autonomy. The US currently commands an estimated 75.4% of global Bitcoin network hashrate. Recent data from Cambridge shows over half of mining power usage now comes from sustainable sources, and natural gas use in mining has surpassed coal for the first time. Despite some concerns about tariff increases on imported mining equipment and possible data sample bias, expert projections see continued growth in US hashpower—potentially exceeding 1 zettahash per second by mid-2025. The initiative is expected to attract more global investment into US-based mining and further position Bitcoin as a mainstream, strategic financial asset. Overall, enhanced energy infrastructure, regulatory advantages, and increasing sustainability reinforce the bullish outlook for Bitcoin miners in the US.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has reported a dramatic financial recovery in 2024, with net profit surging by 565.8% to approximately $111.2 million and revenue up 265.4% year-over-year. This turnaround follows a loss in 2023 and is attributed to recovered crypto markets and improved investor sentiment. However, Bithumb is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny after lawmaker Kim Jae-sup accused the platform of misleading users with ’dark pattern’ tactics related to exchange fees. From February 2023 to February 2024, Bithumb allegedly earned over 140 billion won (about $97.6 million) in extra fees by promoting a ’lowest commission’ of 0.04% while charging an average of 0.051%. Many users, particularly older ones, paid higher fees unknowingly due to an unclear coupon registration process. These actions have prompted calls for intervention by South Korea’s Financial Services Commission and Fair Trade Commission. Despite ongoing investigations and controversy around its former CEO, Bithumb’s strong financial performance points to renewed stability in the crypto exchange sector. The case underscores heightened demand for transparency, robust user protection, and stricter oversight of fee disclosures and user interface design in the cryptocurrency market.

A recent CoinGecko survey of 2,632 crypto users highlights growing interest in AI-powered trading and investment tools. The findings show that nearly half (47%–49%) of respondents believe AI agents have the potential to outperform human traders and investors in the crypto market. Despite this optimism, trust in artificial intelligence remains divided: while 36% of participants are willing to let AI manage the majority of their crypto portfolios, only 15% would trust AI with all of their holdings, and 13% would not trust AI with any portion. Participants cited benefits like greater speed, logical trading strategies, automation, and 24/7 operation as key strengths of AI trading bots. However, concerns persist about system failures, data misinterpretation, and a lack of transparency. To meet the growing demand, major platforms such as Binance have already introduced AI trading bot services. Amid this debate, tokens linked to AI, including NEAR, TAO, RENDER, and FET, have outperformed the broader crypto market during a recent $250 billion recovery. This survey, alongside the strong price action of AI-themed assets, underscores increasing trader interest in AI-driven crypto management tools, even as confidence in fully autonomous AI remains mixed.

In April 2025, the crypto sector experienced severe turmoil as leading projects across real-world asset tokenization (RWA), decentralized finance (DeFi), and DAO governance faced major crises. Mantra, a prominent RWA platform, reportedly saw its OM token plummet by 90% within minutes, erasing $5.5 billion in market cap. This dramatic drop followed a year of massive gains but was triggered by opaque changes to token release mechanisms and inadequate risk communication, sparking widespread concern over the future of RWA platforms. Amidst these challenges, Mantra had recently launched an RWA/DeFi fund and secured a major $1 billion tokenization deal with DAMAC Group while aiming for regulatory compliance via Dubai’s VASP license, but the crash raised questions about the sustainability of these ambitions. Meanwhile, ArbitrumDAO’s vulnerabilities were exposed when an individual cheaply acquired $6.5 million in ARB voting power through third-party delegation, igniting debates on the flaws of ’one coin, one vote’ systems and DAO governance integrity. At the same time, decentralized derivatives exchange Hyperliquid narrowly prevented disaster after a targeted attack on its JELLY market revealed critical liquidity and risk management flaws, forcing centralized intervention to avert over $100 million in losses. Collectively, these events underscored the sector’s acute need for transparent governance, robust risk controls, and improved operational resilience. The crypto market now faces an urgent imperative to rebuild trust, manage risk more effectively, and restore investor confidence to prevent further capital flight.

The SEC has filed charges against Ramil Palafox, founder of PGI Global, for executing a $198 million Ponzi scheme under the guise of cryptocurrency and Forex trading. From January 2020 to October 2021, Palafox allegedly defrauded 90,000 investors with promises of high returns and multi-level marketing incentives. He misappropriated over $57 million on luxuries and paid out most remaining funds to early investors. Criminal charges have also been filed by the US Attorney’s Office. The SEC, seeking restitution and civil penalties, has filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia to ban Palafox from future multi-level marketing activities. The UK division of PGI Global was similarly shut down in 2022 for fraud, causing losses over $700,000. This case highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny, urging investors to exercise caution and due diligence amidst such high-profile scams.

Bitdeer, a significant player in the Bitcoin mining sector, has secured a $60 million loan to expand its ASIC production capacity. This move occurs against the backdrop of an intensifying Bitcoin mining competition as the network’s hashrate hits record highs. In tandem, Bitdeer acquired a 101 MW gas-fired power project in Alberta, Canada, which is part of its infrastructure enhancement for future expansion. These strategic initiatives align with predictions of Bitcoin’s price reaching $200,000 by 2025, driven by increased institutional adoption through ETFs. Notably, US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen over $380 million in inflows, highlighting robust institutional interest. Amidst these developments, Bitcoin’s perception has evolved from a speculative asset to a macroeconomic hedge tool integrated into corporate treasuries. Despite the current low transaction fees and rising computational demands which squeeze mining profitability, Bitdeer’s investments reflect a strong belief in Bitcoin’s long-term potential value. This institutional interest and geopolitical factors could support a significant rise in Bitcoin’s market price if conditions remain favorable.

Hashflare co-founders Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin, both from Estonia, are embroiled in a complex legal situation in the U.S. after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. They were ordered by U.S. courts to remain in Washington as part of their bail conditions until sentencing in August 2024. However, they received conflicting deportation orders from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in legal complications. The case involves defrauding Hashflare users of $550 million between 2015 and 2019 and misleading investors about a digital bank project. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, Potapenko and Turogin have reportedly refunded $400 million in cryptocurrency. They face up to 20 years in prison each, and their legal counsel is seeking a resolution to the deportation issue, aiming for voluntary return to Estonia. This legal conflict highlights possible compliance challenges within the regulatory environment.

As the lines between traditional finance and digital assets blur, banks are increasingly exploring crypto custody services, which involve storing and protecting client cryptocurrencies. Originally cautious due to regulatory concerns, banks are seeing the maturation of the crypto industry as a new avenue for growth. By offering crypto custody, banks can position themselves as digital finance leaders, enhancing wealth management offerings and avoiding customer attrition. This service enables them to extend into new areas like staking and yield generation, vital as financial services transition to blockchain platforms. Establishing a secure and compliant crypto custody infrastructure is crucial, requiring investment in technical resources and risk management tools, such as those provided by Elliptic. Ultimately, this new service opportunity allows banks to meet rising client demand for digital assets, while laying the groundwork for future blockchain applications.

The article provides an in-depth analysis of Bitcoin’s price movements during its double peak pattern in 2021. By studying on-chain data, particularly indicators such as Realized Profit and Short-Term Holder Realized Price (STH-RP), it identifies significant selling by low-cost holders as a precursor to market peaks. The analysis highlights the impact of these sell-offs before and during the peaks in April and later in 2021. Furthermore, the article explores differences in on-chain indices between the two peaks and considers whether such patterns could recur. Monitoring similar on-chain signals is suggested to anticipate potential market movements, emphasizing the importance of these indicators for traders seeking to navigate future cycles.

VanEck has launched a proposal for innovative financial instruments called ’Bit Bonds’, which integrate traditional U.S. Treasury bonds with Bitcoin. This approach aims to provide a new means of refinancing national debt while offering both security and growth potential. The proposal involves allocating 10% of bond issuance to Bitcoin, with the remaining 90% in traditional Treasury bonds. The goal is to reduce interest costs and create a national Bitcoin reserve. This could lead to significant savings and foster a leadership position in digital assets without needing tax increases. Investors stand to benefit from the combination of Bitcoin’s potential appreciation and the stable returns of government bonds. This idea could attract both institutional and retail investors and achieve significant debt reduction if Bitcoin’s market conditions remain favorable.

Recent fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price have sparked a debate about whether this indicates the start of a bear market or a typical market correction. Analysts emphasize that the recent drop from a high of over $109,000 to below $75,000 is a common correction within bull cycles. Crypto Dan from CryptoQuant notes that current conditions lack the overheating seen before bear markets, suggesting risks are under control. Historical analysis supports this view, indicating that bear cycles often follow sharp gains, which is not presently observed. Metrics focusing on retail activity suggest that Bitcoin has not yet peaked, urging investors to be cautious. The Bitcoin Exchange inflow volume momentum hints at patience for optimal entry points, favoring a ’wait-and-see’ strategy.

The Steaker case in Taiwan involves serious allegations concerning the operation of Steaker, a crypto asset management platform, for accepting investments of approximately 14.8 billion TWD exclusively in USDT stablecoins. The primary legal question is whether these transactions can be classified as illegal banking activities under Taiwan’s Banking Law, which prohibits receiving deposits without a license. This case is pivotal as it may set a statutory precedent on how stablecoins and other digital assets are regulated in Taiwan, potentially affecting fintech business models due to existing regulatory ambiguities regarding the treatment of crypto versus traditional currencies. The outcome may significantly influence the compliance and operational frameworks of similar platforms. Historical judicial rulings in Taiwan have shown variance regarding the applicability of traditional banking laws to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which adds complexity. As the case progresses without a resolution, it highlights the gaps in Taiwan’s regulatory environment and could stabilize the crypto market by providing clarity.

In interviews, Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Bitfinex, has emphasized Bitcoin’s pivotal role in the decentralized finance (DeFi) revolution and its characteristics as a financial asset governed by mathematical rules instead of policies. He highlighted Bitcoin’s potential to grant financial autonomy to billions who remain unbanked. Ardoino advocates for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) technology as crucial for the financial self-governance movement. Bitfinex, aiming to enhance financial sovereignty, focuses on developing secure, innovative technology to support both traders and developers globally. The company’s roadmap includes fortifying infrastructure for large-scale institutional investments, concentrating on reliability, speed, and compliance. Ardoino stresses the importance of adhering to Bitcoin’s foundational principles of decentralization and privacy, while remaining open to other complementary technologies. Community involvement through education and real-world applications is key to achieving true financial freedom, signifying a shift from speculative activities to practical engagements in enhancing Bitcoin’s accessibility and use.

Project Eleven has announced a global challenge, the Q-Day Prize, offering 1 Bitcoin to anyone who can break Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography using quantum computing by 2026. This challenge underscores the potential threat of quantum computing advancements to Bitcoin’s security mechanisms. Currently valued at nearly $85,000 per coin and with a $1.7 trillion market, Bitcoin’s backbone could be at risk, raising concerns about cryptographic robustness among investors and regulators. This initiative aims to transition the debate from theoretical risks to practical demonstrations, emphasizing the need for adaptable cryptographic methods to secure blockchain infrastructure.

Tether, known for issuing stablecoins, has emerged as a dominant force in the centralized finance (CeFi) lending market, leading alongside Galaxy Digital and Ledn with a combined loan portfolio of $9.9 billion as of Q4 2024. This represents 89% of the CeFi credit market and 27% of the overall crypto lending market. Despite the challenges faced by CeFi due to a 68% decline since 2022, decentralized finance (DeFi) is gaining traction, reaching $19.1 billion in open credits, marking a substantial growth of 959% over two years. This shift highlights a changing landscape in crypto lending, with DeFi’s decentralized nature proving more resilient and appealing in market downturns. The ongoing transition from CeFi to DeFi may influence market strategies and risk management, impacting both short-term and long-term market dynamics.

Coinbase’s institutional research indicates that the cryptocurrency market is experiencing a weak phase, with Bitcoin falling below its 200-day simple moving average (SMA), signaling a potential long-term downturn. The altcoin market has seen a 41% decrease since December 2024, and venture capital funding has dropped by 50%-60%, reflecting declining institutional interest. Bitcoin’s z-score suggests its upward trend has stagnated since late February, leading to more conservative investor behavior. David Duong, Coinbase’s research head, anticipates a potential market equilibrium by mid-second quarter of 2025. Despite potential recovery signals, the emphasis is on risk management due to structural changes and macroeconomic pressures. The weakened market trend may have lasting effects on prices and investor behaviors.

The City of London Police has teamed up with international law firm Gowling WLG to launch a robust digital asset recovery program. This initiative builds on a successful pilot program that recovered funds from a scam targeting an elderly Alzheimer’s patient. By pursuing asset recovery even where criminal prosecution is unviable, it addresses significant financial losses from crypto fraud, which reached $9.9 billion globally in 2024. Leveraging recent legal enhancements such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, this program strengthens authorities’ power to seize and reclaim digital assets. Anticipated new laws recognizing digital assets as property further bolster protections. This cohesive approach promises to tackle crypto scams effectively by utilizing blockchain’s traceability and providing victims with a well-defined recovery process.

New York State Assembly member Clyde Vanel has proposed Bill A7788 to allow state agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash, for various fines, taxes, and fees. This legislative move reflects a growing trend in the U.S. toward integrating digital currencies into official transactions, aligning with similar efforts in Colorado and Louisiana. The bill, under review by the Government Operations Committee, aims to enhance digital payment infrastructure and could transform state processes through technological innovation. Additionally, the bill suggests exploring blockchain technology for securing voter registration and election results, pointing to a broader adoption of digital infrastructure in state functions. If enacted, these measures may accelerate the acceptance of digital currencies and potentially impact the crypto market by encouraging widespread use and investment in digital assets.

Fairshake, a major political action committee, has played a crucial role in shaping recent and upcoming U.S. elections by supporting candidates favorable to cryptocurrency. Recently, Fairshake supported two Republicans, Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis, in the 2024 special elections who won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida. The PAC mounted a $1.5 million advertising campaign, helping ensure their victory and influencing the Republican majority. Building on this success, Fairshake is preparing for the 2026 midterm elections with over $116 million in funds, backed by substantial donations from Ripple Labs, Coinbase, and tech investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The organization aims to support candidates who advocate for innovation and responsible regulation. Fairshake’s influence is underscored by its strategic impact on legislative developments, though the long-term effects of crypto-driven PACs on U.S. political dynamics and regulation remain to be seen.

Virgil Griffith, an Ethereum developer, has been released early from prison after aiding North Korea to bypass U.S. sanctions by presenting blockchain technology. Initially sentenced to 63 months in April 2022, Griffith’s term was reduced to 56 months, and he is now on parole with work restrictions. This case has sparked ongoing debates about sanctions, legal freedoms, and restrictions on the crypto community. While Griffith’s legal team argues his actions were protected by free speech, discussions continue on the regulatory and geopolitical challenges affecting blockchain technologies. The crypto community welcomes his release but remains engaged in broader debates on innovation versus legal constraints.

The escalation in US-China trade tensions, featuring significant tariff hikes, has increased uncertainty across financial markets, notably affecting the cryptocurrency sector. Initially, concerns arose over Shiba Inu (SHIB), as its value suffered in a risk-averse environment. Further developments have advised traders to consider selling struggling altcoins including FTX Token (FTT), Toncoin (TON), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Pi Coin (PI) due to regulatory challenges and declining demand, sparking fear of continued declines. Throughout this period, the crypto market remains volatile, grappling with macroeconomic instability, underscoring the importance of cautious trading and robust risk management strategies amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

A cryptocurrency user has committed $0.05 worth of Solana (SOL) for an extraordinary period of 3000 years, with the stake set to unlock in the year 5138. This move, reported by Arkham Intelligence, is seen by Vincent Liu of Kronos Research as a statement of immense long-term confidence in Solana’s potential. Liu highlights the possibility of exponential growth if SOL appreciates by 2-5% annually. While some, like Kadan Stadelmann from Komodo, view this as a humorous meme trade, the potential compounded returns due to Solana’s annual staking rewards of 5-8% are notable. The development raises questions about the future viability of blockchain technology, humanity, and the planet over such a long duration. Notably, other Solana investors have also profited significantly since 2021. This case underscores the speculative and high-potential nature of crypto investments.

The articles highlight the growing attention towards Catzilla, a new feline-themed memecoin, while Chainlink (LINK) is also seen as having potential for gains. Catzilla aims to surpass previous dog-themed tokens with a potential 700% return during its 14-stage presale, tapping into the growing interest in feline-themed coins, such as MEW and Popcat. Meanwhile, Chainlink shows an optimistic forecast, with investors anticipating a rally of 70-140%, despite recent fluctuations. The summaries also discuss NEIRO and PONKE, which are fading in popularity, as Catzilla prepares to lead a memecoin surge. NEIRO operates on Ethereum, and PONKE leverages Solana’s network. Overall, both summaries suggest that while Chainlink represents a steady investment, Catzilla offers a high-risk, high-reward opportunity, impacting the broader meme coin landscape.

Blum, a decentralized exchange on Telegram, has announced a $BLUM token airdrop. To be eligible, users must have at least 100,000 Blum Points, 750 Meme Points, or complete a Proof of Activity, along with two referrals. This initiative, launched with the platform’s educational Blum Points program that engages users through activities, aims to boost participation in the ecosystem. The airdrop is part of Blum’s broader strategy to launch a multichain approach and integrate with more decentralized exchanges by the second and third quarters of 2025. The $BLUM token will be a utility token within the ecosystem, offering benefits such as reduced trading fees and staking opportunities, enhancing its value beyond speculation.

Recent AI analyses forecast significant growth for Remittix (RTX) and Chainlink (LINK), with projected gains of 12,500% and 232%, respectively. These projections suggest that technological advancements or increased market adoption could drive this growth. Simultaneously, it advises traders to sell Toncoin (TON) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) rapidly, implying potential losses or stagnation due to market saturation or reduced investor interest. The earlier analysis highlighted RTX’s potential to transform the remittance market, positioning it as a lucrative opportunity compared to established coins like DOGE. Traders should closely watch these insights, as market conditions can shift quickly, affecting these predictions.

Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange OKX has engaged former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for legal guidance during a federal probe into anti-money laundering (AML) violations. OKX acknowledged operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and agreed to a $505 million settlement. Cuomo, acting as a private legal advisor, has significantly influenced the company’s response to the investigation, including recommending former U.S. Attorney Linda Lacewell to their board and later appointing her as chief legal officer. OKX has committed to enhancing compliance measures to prevent future breaches and suggests adding a compliance advisor to their team to bolster efforts. The Department of Justice highlighted the continued infractions amid increasing institutional crypto participation. This development underscores the challenging regulatory landscape facing crypto companies.