Bitcoin (BTC) is making headlines as its realized capitalization reaches an unprecedented $890 billion, signaling strong investor confidence and a potential rally towards the $100,000 mark. This metric indicates that both long-term and short-term holders are increasing their positions, reflecting a robust belief in Bitcoin's future performance. Large Bitcoin holders, often referred to as “whales,” have been actively accumulating BTC. Notably, addresses with over 1,000 BTC have increased from 1,945 on March 1 to 2,006 by May 7, marking the most significant 30-day growth for this group in 2025. As of now, Bitcoin is trading at $96,294, reflecting a 1.26% increase over the past 24 hours. The $93,000 to $95,000 range has acted as a strong support zone, while resistance is observed between $97,000 and $99,000. Institutional investments are playing a pivotal role in Bitcoin's upward trajectory. Notably, BlackRock has reportedly acquired $2.5 billion worth of BTC, underscoring the growing institutional appetite for cryptocurrencies. Additionally, macroeconomic developments, such as the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, are influencing market sentiment. This steady rate, amidst economic uncertainties, is prompting investors to consider Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional market volatilities. Michael van de Poppe, founder of MN Capital, suggests that the recent dip below $94,000 and subsequent recovery might indicate a market bottom, with a potential breakout to $100,000 within the next two weeks. Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each morning. Sign up for our Morning Edition to start your day. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.
At Strategy World 2025, Fidelity Digital Asset's Vice President of Research delivered a clear warning to corporate America—Bitcoin is outperforming nearly every traditional asset, and the longer companies delay, the more value they destroy. Speaking at Strategy World 2025 today, Chris Kuiper, Vice President of Research at Fidelity Digital Assets, challenged corporations to reexamine how they think about risk, capital allocation, and long-term financial health. “Bitcoin has outperformed every major asset class over the last ten years,” Kuiper said. JUST IN: Fidelity's Chris Kuiper presents "The Investment Case for #Bitcoin" to corporations interested in adopting BTC 💥 "Bitcoin has more good volatility than bad volatility," there is "opportunity" here 🚀 pic.twitter.com/JSqbMVhqlF In contrast, Kuiper showed that investment-grade bonds returned just 1.3% nominally over the same period. He cited inflation and currency debasement as the real threats facing balance sheets today, showing how even traditional safe havens like U.S. Treasury bonds have suffered negative real returns over time. To address concerns about Bitcoin's volatility, Kuiper offered two practical strategies: position sizing and long-term thinking. “Bitcoin doesn't have to be all or nothing,” he said. As an example, he noted that Microsoft's ROIC drops from 49% to 29% when excess cash is included—highlighting the drag idle capital creates. “Cash is part of that story—and Bitcoin can turn it from dead weight into a productive asset.” He closed with a direct question to executives: “What's your opportunity set—and do you believe those opportunities can outperform Bitcoin?”
Speaking at a hearing, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent toed the party line in suggesting support for two crypto-related bills moving through Congress. Bessent addressed lawmakers at a May 7 hearing of the House Financial Services Committee, saying that the United States should be the “premier destination for digital assets” in response to a question about American dominance over China in crypto-related innovation. The Treasury Secretary added that “good market structure” and “stablecoin legislation” could help ensure this outcome. He suggested during a confirmation hearing that he would oppose the creation of any US-issued central bank digital currency while in office. Related: Bitcoin ‘Realized Cap' hits $890B as BTC traders focus on recapturing $100K Even before announcing that he intended to hold an exclusive dinner and VIP tour for some of his top memecoin holders, Trump faced scrutiny from many lawmakers over allegations of conflicts of interest surrounding his crypto ventures. However, the dinner announcement seemed to galvanize some Democrats against any crypto-related legislation. Representative Maxine Waters, ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, led a walkout of a hearing addressing the Republican-drafted crypto market structure bill on May 6, citing the need to explore “Trump's crypto corruption.” A group of nine Democrats in the Senate likewise said they will not support the GENIUS stablecoin bill in its current form, suggesting stronger Anti-Money Laundering, foreign issuer, and national security safeguards. It's unclear at the time of publication whether Republicans, who control both chambers, will still have the votes to pass either bill. Magazine: Trump's crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions
Coinbase Releases Treasure Trove of SEC Docs on Ethereum, XRP and More New York prosecutors tried and failed to solicit the Securities and Exchange Commission's opinion on Ethereum to bolster their case against KuCoin in 2023, according to newly released SEC records acquired by Coinbase. In an email dated June 2023, the New York Attorney General's Investor Protection Bureau Chief Shamiso Maswoswe asked the Securities Commission whether it considered Ethereum a security or a commodity. She added, “I understand that you rarely get involved at the trial level—but rarely doesn't mean never.” The exchange is part of a trove of internal records that detail exchanges between the Securities Commission and various state and federal agencies about the cryptocurrency industry. The emails, which Coinbase obtained through the FOIA process and released on Wednesday, underscores regulators and authorities' uncertainty over how to regulate digital assets companies, even as they pursued highly public cases against crypto exchanges and other such firms. The disconnect between the securities regulator's private reluctance to opine on its guiding principles and its vigorous legal pursuits of crypto firms is apparent in several of the federal agency's emails and letters, including one record of an exchange between the Commission and Ripple Labs from 2021. In a letter dated December 9 2021, the SEC requested information about Ripple Labs' planned launch of its Liquidity Hub, asking whether the company had ensured it would not commit “violation[s] of the federal securities laws.” “We are concerned that Ripple, either directly or indirectly, is planning to facilitate the offer and sale of XRP and other digital assets that are securities,” the SEC wrote in the letter. Ripple rebuffed the Commission's request in a letter dated December 23, 2021. The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.
200% Bonus: 100K Daily Giveaways, Instant Withdrawals, Best VIP Club, 3000+ Slots, Poker, Blackjack and More - Provably Fair Bitcoin and most altcoins rose on Wednesday as investors cheered the upcoming US-China trade talks. Bitcoin (BTC) rose to $97,000, its highest level since February, giving it a market cap of over $1.92 trillion. Top altcoins like Stacks (STX), Flare (FLR), JasmyCoin (JASMY), and Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped by over 3%. The US, in turn, may consider reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 50%. Altcoins like Stacks, Flare, Jasmy, and Dogecoin also rose as the price of crude oil continued falling. Hopes of a trade deal and falling oil prices mean that inflation will not rise as fast. It also means that the US may avoid a recession, as some analysts were expecting. These altcoins also rallied ahead of the latest Federal Reserve interest rate decision. Most economists expect the bank to defy Donald Trump and leave interest rates unchanged at 4.50%. At the last meeting and in recent comments, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that rate cuts would only occur if inflation trends toward the 2.0% target. Officials also want to assess the inflationary impact of new tariffs. Historically, Bitcoin, altcoins, and equities tend to perform well when the Federal Reserve cuts rates or signals future rate reductions. DeFi needs a (healthy) dose of paranoia about risk management | Opinion Stablecoins are the next big thing for Solana as memecoin frenzy cools | Opinion Get crypto market analysis and curated news delivered right to your inbox every week.
Digital bank Revolut is working with Lightspark to roll out bitcoin (BTC) transactions on Lightning Network to customers in the U.K. and select countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). The feature aims to cut transaction fees and payments processing time for crypto users, Lightspark said in a blog post. Lightspark, led by former PayPal executive David Marcus, provides backend infrastructure for connecting to what it calls the “Money Grid” — a decentralized network for real-time global payments. The Lightning Network is a layer-2 system built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain that allows near-instant, low-fee transactions. By connecting to the network through Lightspark, Revolut users will be able to circumvent the congestion and high fees of the base blockchain to send BTC faster and more efficiently, "Integrating with Lightspark is a natural step," Revolut's crypto general manager Emil Urmanshin said in the post. Read more: Visa Doubles Down on Stablecoins With Investment in Blockchain Payments Firm BVNK Disclaimer: This article, or parts of it, was generated with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy. Krisztian Sandor is a U.S. markets reporter focusing on stablecoins, tokenization, real-world assets. He graduated from New York University's business and economic reporting program before joining CoinDesk.
A long-term Ethereum-holding whale recently sold 18,700 ETH, valued at approximately $34.11 million. This significant offloading of ETH comes at a time when the Ethereum Pectra upgrade is approaching. In anticipation of the upgrade and hard fork, crypto exchanges like Binance have announced temporary suspensions of withdrawals and deposits for Ethereum-based tokens. An on-chain analyst shared the activity on X, revealing that the whale transferred an additional 2,700 ETH, worth around $4.96 million, to Kraken. This move follows a series of significant sell-offs in recent weeks. Initially, the whale sold 14,000 ETH for $24.75 million and has since continued offloading more in subsequent batches. All of the sales have been conducted through Kraken. According to reports, the whale currently holds 11,000 ETH, valued at approximately $20.2 million. However, it remains unclear whether they plan to sell the remaining holdings. These sales are occurring as Ethereum approaches a major upgrade, during a period of reduced spot trading volume. The upcoming upgrade is expected to enhance the network's overall functionality by introducing improved scaling capabilities, more efficient staking options, and advanced infrastructure enhancements. Adding to the market anticipation, the ETH-BTC Bollinger Bands are currently at their tightest since June 2020, a technical signal that often precedes a spike in volatility. Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. She simplifies complex blockchain and cryptocurrency topics, offering insightful articles and market analysis to help readers navigate the evolving crypto landscape.
Momentum is brewing for MapleStory Universe ahead of its inaugural game launch. Other positive indications ahead of the game launch are some stats recently released from Nexpace, Nexon's web3 arm developing the MapleStory Universe ecosystem. In addition, 76% of circulating in-game tokens were spent, and the total number of players interacting with MSU testnet reached 506,000, with one in two consistently playing MapleStory N. Jenny started editing the Big Blockchain Game List in 2021; something that quickly sparked a passion for good blockchain projects and future possibilities for the whole industry. How Vaulta's banking tech contributes to sustainable web3 game economies Much anticipated PC MMORPG MapleStory N goes live globally on 15th May Sony-backed Japanese fan platform YOAKE partners with OpenSea on first NFT drop MapleStory Universe concludes genesis test as it preps for NXPC token launch How Vaulta's banking tech contributes to sustainable web3 game economies Xociety joins forces with Adidas to bolster digital identity and creativity
The project released $1 billion in tokens, but this release introduced some notable changes. The changes should improve $XRP's market stability and investors' confidence. Although these releases raise questions about Ripple's price performance, pre-locking some coins helps mitigate those risks. After the consolidation, Ripple is still holding its key support levels. But if these levels fail, $XRP could face a further decline. Because of the potential risks, Ripple may not be a great investment option. If you are looking to earn from crypto, don't worry. The main goal of these releases is to ensure sufficient liquidity, fund the project's operations, and support Ripple's payment solutions and institutional partnerships. The main ones are Ripple's actions with unlocked tokens, market conditions, and investor sentiment. The investors are shifting to projects with better growth potential that can bring them massive ROI. Solaxy combines all the top features of Ethereum and Solana into one blockchain. The goal is to overcome Solana's pain points: failed transactions and network congestion. That's why Solaxy introduced a roll-up system, bundling transactions before sending them to Solana. The project is a terrific option for meme coin traders because it supports large-volume transactions. Solaxy blockchain will be lightning-fast, cheap, scalable, and without congestion. Investors can try Block Explorer, but other features like Bridge, IDE, and Wiki will come soon. Further, Solaxy is also a great source of passive income. These rewards are great for revenue-focused investors who can earn terrific ROI. But, with staking, investors also help reduce volatility and create upward price pressure for $SOLX. $SOLX future value projection suggest this coin could gain over 400% in 2025. If you want to invest, hurry and buy $SOLX before the upcoming price increase. The next presale stage starts soon, so act now! Solaxy has some advantages compared to Ripple, particularly for investors seeking projects with high-growth potential: Meanwhile, Solaxy is smashing through its presale with over $33 million raised. Liam focuses on decentralized finance (DeFi), with a strong background in financial markets and technology. He started as a crypto trader, gaining firsthand experience in navigating volatile markets. His articles demystify DeFi protocols and provide readers with actionable investment insights. Liam's clear explanations have made him a trusted voice in the community. The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly. The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.
The transfer of ETH to crypto exchange from Whales often raises tension in the market and this time it's fueling an even more tense situation ahead of the Ethereum Pecta upgrade activation. This move continues a pattern of substantial sell-offs, with the whale's average selling price pegged at $1,824 per ETH, yielding massive profits from their early investment. The transaction was noted out by an on-chain analyst Ai 姨 (@ai_9684xtpa) with the help of on-chain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence. On-chain data reveals the whale still holds 11,000 ETH, valued at $20.2 million, suggesting more sales may follow. Although this isn't the first instance of such activity as the same whale has been tracked over weeks, with earlier transactions including 14,000 ETH sold for $24.75 million and additional batches moved to Kraken. The dual-layer hard fork introduces key improvements, including enhanced staking mechanics, smart accounts via EIP-7702, and increased blob throughput for rollups. While the upgrade aims to bolster Ethereum's scalability and validator operations, the whale's consistent selling has sparked concerns about potential bearish pressure on ETH's price. As the Pectra upgrade rolls out, traders are closely monitoring whale movements and on-chain data for signs of further market shifts. While Ethereum's fundamentals remain strong, the actions of early investors like this ICO whale continue to cast a shadow over its short-term price trajectory, urging investors to tread carefully. Also read: $100K+ Moved from Jeffy Yu's Wallets After His Reported Death Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your window into the world of Crypto, DeFi, and Web3.
WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats are increasingly concerned about President Donald Trump's personal connections to the cryptocurrency industry, and that's throwing a wrench in bipartisan efforts to regulate the digital currency. Two of the cryptocurrency investments owned by Trump-affiliated entities have made at least $300 million in trading fees alone on sales of his meme coin and other digital currency since January. In late April, a company affiliated with Trump promoted the $TRUMP meme coin by offering an “intimate private dinner” with the president at his northern Virginia golf club, after which the coin's value grew as much as 80%. And another Trump family crypto firm, World Liberty Financial, announced on May 1 that one of its digital coins is being used by an Abu Dhabi government-backed investment firm for a $2 billion investment in cryptocurrency exchange Binance − a major outlay from a foreign government to the benefit of Trump's family. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, too, had planned to advance legislation this week to create a regulatory framework for stablecoin, a type of crypto linked to the value of another asset like the dollar, in order to remain stable. The bill has been aggressively supported by crypto lobbyists and is expected to accelerate the currency's growth. But nine Democrats who had previously supported the bill abruptly announced on May 3 that they would no longer support the stablecoin bill, dubbed the GENIUS Act, citing concerns that the legislation doesn't do enough to prevent money laundering and protect national security. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, repeatedly told reporters only that "Democrats and Republicans are talking to each other about the bill," while Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said the Senate will proceed with a vote regardless. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, called for an Office of Government Ethics investigation into the president's crypto connections, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, launched his own investigation into Trump's profits. Blumenthal demanded information about the business structures and potential conflicts of interest of World Liberty Financial and Fight Fight Fight (the Trump-linked business that owns the $TRUMP memecoin) in letters on May 6, which were viewed by USA TODAY. "Donald Trump is selling cryptocurrency like snake oil in the Wild West, and he's put a for sale sign on the White House for his meme coin," Blumenthal said. "People in America deserve to know how he is potentially under the influence of foreign governments and investors who are buying his crypto assets." Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and Schumer plan to introduce a bill on May 7 that would ban the president, vice president, members of Congress and their families from creating crypto assets. "If we're going to have any credibility in working for the people, we have to end this vastly corrupt enterprise the president's engaged in." White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement that Trump is "dedicated to making America the crypto capital of the world." "His assets are in a trust managed by his children, and there are no conflicts of interest," she said. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, and Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, said this week that they're not sure if they can support the GENIUS Act. After months of work, he said, "we're very close to having everything concluded and I expect it to be concluded by the end of the week."
Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers Many crypto enthusiasts often create or invest in tokens that reference ongoing news events [File] | Photo Credit: Reuters Newly created crypto tokens referencing the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Indian government's Operation Sindoor strikes against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are circulating on decentralised exchanges, per coin listing platform CoinMarketCap. Those with Operation Sindoor-related keywords were just a few hours old. These assets have not been officially verified and listed on coin analytics platforms due to their recency and small volumes. Many did not link back to whitepapers, official websites, or formal social media channels, as legitimate projects are expected to do. Furthermore, it is possible for almost anyone to mint a crypto token by using a cryptocurrency that has its own blockchain. Many crypto enthusiasts often create or invest in tokens that reference ongoing news events, trending keywords, moments in pop culture, or even memes. While such tokens may balloon in price, largely due to their negligible values, essential details such as their tokenomics and founding aims remain unclear. Crypto tokens minted on the basis of impulse often pose both financial and cybersecurity risks to users. For example, they may be pump-and-dump schemes that suddenly rise and then crash in price, enriching the founders and those who sell their assets early. Others may find that such crypto assets cannot be sold anywhere, or that the project is a front for cybercrime operations and the theft of donations. Those who wish to invest in new or untested cryptocurrencies should first discuss such investment decisions with a financial adviser and carry out detailed research before proceeding. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments.
According to Alice und Bob on Twitter, there is a growing trend of discussing Web3 technology primarily in terms of price movements, which may distort the original intent behind decentralized innovations (source: @alice_und_bob, May 7, 2025). For traders, this signals a shift in community sentiment where price speculation increasingly overshadows fundamental technological analysis. This trend can lead to heightened market volatility and short-term trading opportunities as narratives focus more on token value rather than core utility. Crypto investors should consider monitoring sentiment indicators and social media discourse as part of their strategy to anticipate price swings linked to Web3 developments. Polkadot Ecosystem Development | Co-Founded @ChaosDAO Welcome to your premier source for the latest in AI, cryptocurrency, blockchain, and AI search tools—driving tomorrow's innovations today. Disclaimer: Blockchain.news provides content for informational purposes only. In no event shall blockchain.news be responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of, or inability to use, the information provided. This includes, but is not limited to, any loss or damage resulting from decisions made based on the content. Readers should conduct their own research and consult professionals before making financial decisions.
Log in to access your notifications and stay updated. If you're not a member yet, Sign Up to get started! Qadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space. Binance suspends deposits/withdrawals for Ethereum and other blockchain networks on May 7 to support Ethereum's hard fork upgrade. Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is making critical adjustments that will impact a large number of users this week. With Ethereum's upcoming hard fork, Binance has announced it will both delist underperforming trading pairs and temporarily suspend withdrawals and deposits on several networks. Binance will delist three spot trading pairs—ANIME/BNB, STRK/BTC, and THE/BTC—on May 9, 2025, at 03:00 UTC. The exchange stated that the decision was made due to low trading volumes and poor liquidity, which can negatively affect the user experience and overall market quality. Users who hold positions in these pairs are advised to close or adjust them before the delisting takes effect. In addition to the delisting, Binance will suspend deposits and withdrawals across multiple blockchain networks on May 7, 2025, to support the upcoming Ethereum network upgrade and hard fork. The networks affected include Ethereum (ETH), Arbitrum (ARB), Optimism (OP), zkSync Era (ZKSYNC), Base (BASE), Manta Network (MANTA), Starknet (STRK), Polygon (POL), Metis (METIS), Scroll (SCR), Cyber (CYBER), Metal DAO (MTL), Celo (CELO), and Worldcoin (WLD). Binance has confirmed that deposits and withdrawals on these networks will resume once the upgraded network is stable and secure. Binance noted that these measures are part of its broader effort to ensure platform reliability, asset security, and smooth operations during critical blockchain events like the Ethereum upgrade. This Ethereum hard fork is expected to introduce several core improvements to the network, and Binance's proactive steps are designed to minimize risk and enhance user safety throughout the process. Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more. Search keywords to find relevant market currencies. Search keywords to find relevant market exchanges.
Coinbase has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Riot Games, positioning itself as the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain technology partner for the developer's global esports events. As part of the agreement, Coinbase branding will be integrated throughout official broadcasts and events, solidifying its visibility within one of the fastest-growing sectors in entertainment. In addition to traditional sponsorship elements, the partnership will introduce unique broadcast segments including “Econ Report” for VALORANT and “Gold Grind” for LoL. Through this lens, fans can gain a deeper appreciation for how economic strategy shapes professional play. Beyond broadcast integrations, the partnership also promises a range of interactive fan engagement opportunities. These include on-site event activations, exclusive promotional giveaways, and limited-edition digital collectibles. Both Coinbase and Riot Games have emphasized their mutual commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in fan engagement. For Coinbase, this partnership represents another strategic move into the mainstream consumer space. By aligning with Riot Games, a titan in the gaming industry, Coinbase not only reinforces its brand among younger, tech-savvy audiences but also positions itself at the intersection of entertainment, finance, and technology. From Riot Games' perspective, the partnership underscores its willingness to experiment with new technologies and create more immersive experiences for its global fanbase. With millions tuning into LoL and VALORANT esports events each year, the partnership has the potential to redefine what digital engagement looks like for competitive gaming. This collaboration reflects a growing trend of cryptocurrency companies aligning with the gaming and esports industries to expand their reach and demonstrate real-world applications of blockchain technology. As the partnership unfolds, it could set new standards for how Web3 tools are used in mainstream entertainment ecosystems.
According to a recent X post by crypto trader Coinvo, Ethereum (ETH) is ‘insanely undervalued' at its current price. Several on-chain metrics appear to support Coinvo's assessment, as ETH accumulation addresses continue to stack the digital asset despite lackluster price performance over the past few years. From its all-time high (ATH), Ethereum is down 63.6%, in stark contrast to Bitcoin (BTC), which is trading just 13.7% below its ATH. Ethereum's relatively poor performance compared to other major cryptocurrencies has raised questions about its long-term outlook. While Bitcoin benefits from its first-mover advantage and broader institutional adoption, Ethereum faces increasing competition from rival smart contract platforms like Solana (SOL), SUI, and Polkadot (DOT). Despite prevailing negative sentiment, some analysts believe ETH could be on the verge of a turnaround. According to the chart, Ethereum's MVRV Z-score has now entered the green zone – between 0 and -1 – a range that historically signals a market bottom and possible trend reversal. Meanwhile, inflows into Ethereum accumulation addresses have surged to historic highs. High inflows to accumulation addresses indicate that long-term investors are actively buying and holding ETH, even during market downturns. This behavior often reflects growing confidence in Ethereum's future value and suggests a potential bullish sentiment building beneath the surface. Diminishing reserves on exchanges point to reduced selling pressure and a tightening supply, which could strengthen ETH's scarcity narrative and drive prices higher in the near term. Noted analyst Crypto Rover drew parallels between ETH's current price action and BTC's 2021 trajectory. According to the analyst, if Ethereum mirrors Bitcoin's past performance, it may be on track to reach a new ATH in the coming months. That said, concerns remain around further decline in ETH's price if the global macroeconomic situation worsens amid the US President Donald Trump's looming reciprocal trade tariffs.
Macao News has verified the author's credentials to confirm their authenticity. For decades, this tiny 33 square kilometre Special Administrative Region of China has flourished as the world's gambling capital, with revenues that once dwarfed Las Vegas sixfold. But Macao's leadership knows the danger of letting its economic fortunes ride on a single industry. The diversification playbook they're using is missing what could be its most innovative chapter. When China's anti-corruption campaigns and Covid-19 travel restrictions hit simultaneously, Macao's economic vulnerability was laid bare. The region desperately needs a genuine catalyst – something that aligns with its existing advantages while opening genuinely new economic frontiers. [See more: Macao's gross gaming revenue in April up by just 1.7 percent year-on-year] Enter digital assets and blockchain technologies – the very innovations Macao's regulators have consistently rejected. While neighbouring Hong Kong crafts a comprehensive, virtual asset service provider licensing regime – and positions itself as Asia's crypto hub – Macao has doubled down on prohibition, creating a stark regulatory divergence between the sister SARs. The restrictions on crypto in Macao are pervasive yet strangely unofficial. The Macao gaming regulator (DICJ) has issued explicit instructions prohibiting any gaming-related transactions, services or activities involving virtual assets. Meanwhile, the Macao Monetary Authority (AMCM) has declared that virtual assets aren't legal tender and that exchanging crypto to or from fiat money would violate the Financial System Act. Cryptocurrency is not an accepted form of payment by any gaming operator anywhere on their properties – from gaming floors to hotel accommodations – due to these directives that effectively prevent merchants from processing such transactions through local banking channels. Players routinely arrive in Macao with USDT, USDC and other stablecoins, exchanging them through illegal money changers for Hong Kong dollars before hitting the gaming floors. This shadow economy creates precisely the kind of unregulated, untraceable financial activity that proper regulations should prevent. [See more: Macao's hotel occupancy rates rise even as total guest numbers fall] Macao's banks enforce these restrictions with remarkable zeal, refusing to facilitate money transfers offshore if they suspect the funds will be used eventually to purchase digital assets. This overreach goes beyond blocking transfers to crypto exchanges – Macao's banks will even refuse transfers to traditional stock trading platforms such as Interactive Brokers if they suspect the money might be used to purchase crypto, digital assets, or even traditional stocks in companies involved in the digital asset space. This creates a practical barrier that prevents most Macao residents from participating in the digital asset economy unless they have offshore bank accounts and obscure the true purpose of their remittances. While residents in neighboring Hong Kong benefit from a clear regulatory framework that enables licensed platforms to offer crypto services, Macao residents are essentially frozen out of an entire economic frontier if they only maintain local banking relationships – a striking disparity between sister SARs operating under the same “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Macao's ban on cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based financial applications isn't just out of step with regional trends – it's potentially capping the ceiling on the region's diversification efforts. The territory's “1+4” diversification strategy focuses on developing finance, technology, health, sports, and cultural tourism alongside gaming. But without embracing digital assets, several of these sectors are missing powerful accelerants. The irony is that Macao already understands virtualized value better than most economies. The entire gaming industry is built around chips – abstracted stores of value that exist within a controlled ecosystem. Far from being untraceable, crypto transactions create an immutable, transparent record that could significantly enhance AML compliance when properly implemented. [See more: Seaport slashes its gaming revenue growth forecast for Macao] Consider the current situation: high-value patrons carrying briefcases of cash into casinos presents inherent challenges despite elaborate counting and reporting mechanisms. A regulated blockchain-based system would actually improve visibility and traceability compared to cash. What's particularly troubling is how this stance undermines Macao's technology diversification goals. Any serious technology hub must engage with these developments or risk irrelevance. How can Macao credibly position itself as a technology centre while rejecting the very infrastructure that will likely power future innovation? This regulatory divergence isn't just philosophical – it's creating tangible business migration. At a time when Macao is desperately courting diversification, crypto-adjacent businesses either don't start or flee to Hong Kong. Cryptocurrency and blockchain are rapidly becoming fundamental infrastructure for the global digital economy – just as AI evolved from experimental to essential. [See more: Macao's mass-market baccarat revenue remains flat in the first quarter] How can local entrepreneurs build competitive fintech when cut off from essential components of the modern tech stack? It's like trying to build a telecommunications company while pretending smartphones don't exist. That business – along with all those high-spending visitors – flows instead to Singapore and Hong Kong. The contradiction is striking: Macao invests billions in infrastructure to attract visitors while simultaneously rejecting an entire category of high-value commercial activity. No financial hub can remain competitive while walling itself off from the digital asset revolution that is fundamentally reshaping global finance. Perhaps most telling about Macao's approach to financial diversification is its focus on establishing a traditional bond market and exchange. This strategy appears fundamentally misaligned with regional realities and future trends. The decision to pursue traditional bond markets while rejecting digital assets reveals a backward-looking vision that may ultimately handicap Macao's diversification efforts. Why compete in a shrinking, saturated space when you could be pioneering the next generation of financial infrastructure? The roadmap could include regulatory sandboxes for controlled innovation, specialized exchanges focused on particular asset classes, and integrated digital payment systems that bridge traditional finance with new digital paradigms. The gaming industry itself presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate blockchain's advantages. Macao's casinos have already invested heavily in smart tables with RFID chip technology that track gameplay digitally. By linking these systems to a regulated blockchain infrastructure, Macao could pioneer the world's first fully traceable, cashless gaming ecosystem – eliminating most money-laundering concerns while improving operational efficiency. Imagine a system where players could exchange global stablecoins like USDT or USDC directly with casinos for gaming chips through regulated channels with transactions recorded on the casino's own blockchain. Casinos could then settle in the pataca stable coin, creating an immutable audit trail far superior to cash-based transactions and displacing the current underground economy of illegal money exchangers. [See more: Urging ‘crisis awareness,' Sam Hou Fai says Macao could face a budget deficit] Such innovation wouldn't just solve local problems – it could become an exportable Macao product, a regulatory and technological framework that gambling jurisdictions worldwide might adopt. These next-generation systems simply won't be running on traditional banking infrastructure or settling in patacas through BNU bank. Blockchain-based payment channels and programmable money are the only viable foundation for automation economies. By cutting itself off from crypto, Macao is effectively foreclosing its participation in these future industries before they even mature. Despite the compelling case for embracing digital assets, Macao's regulatory stance remains rigid. This reluctance likely stems from legitimate concerns about capital controls, consumer protection, and alignment with mainland China's own restrictive approaches. [See more: Macao plans new funds to boost industry diversification, CE says] The territory has always thrived by offering something that exists nowhere else in China. Macao News has verified the author's credentials to confirm their authenticity.