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Crypto World

Fed chairman nominee Kevin Warsh’s vast holdings include crypto

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Fed chairman nominee Kevin Warsh's vast holdings include crypto

Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve, filed his 69-page financial disclosure with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, clearing the last bureaucratic hurdle before his confirmation hearing, now expected next week.

The filing reveals combined assets with his wife of at least $192 million — but it’s the crypto-specific holdings buried deep in the document that should interest this industry the most.

Warsh, through a web of venture fund structures, holds equity positions in more than a dozen blockchain and digital asset companies spanning DeFi lending, decentralized derivatives, Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks, prediction markets, and Bitcoin payments infrastructure. And he has pledged to divest the majority of them.

The man who will oversee stablecoin regulation, bank crypto custody policy, and any future central bank digital currency decisions has, until now, been personally invested across the crypto ecosystem, though the size of those holdings was unclear.

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The Full Crypto Portfolio

CoinDesk reviewed the complete 69-page OGE Form 278e. Warsh’s crypto and blockchain-related holdings are concentrated in two fund structures: DCM Investments 10 LLC (through a vehicle called Abstract Holdings) and a series of funds labeled AVF I, AVF II, AVF III, and AVGF I and II. Here is every identifiable crypto and blockchain position:

DeFi and trading protocols:

  • Compound — Algorithmic crypto money markets, one of the foundational DeFi lending protocols
  • dYdX — Decentralized derivatives trading exchange
  • Lighter — Decentralized exchange protocol
  • Eulith — Crypto trading platform

Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks:

  • Solana — High-performance Layer 1 blockchain
  • Optimism — Ethereum scaling Layer 2
  • Blast — Yield-generating Ethereum Layer 2
  • Zero Gravity — Layer 2 AI blockchain platform
  • DeSo — Social crypto network

Bitcoin-specific:

  • Flashnet — Lightning Network Bitcoin trading platform
  • Lightning Network — Off-chain Bitcoin payment network (a direct holding)

Crypto investment and financial infrastructure:

  • Polychain — Crypto investment firm
  • Scalar Capital — Blockchain investment firm
  • Polymarket — Prediction market platform
  • Lemon Cash — Crypto financial services platform
  • Alpaca — Financial assets API infrastructure
  • OnJuno — Crypto-enabled neobank
  • OneSafe — DeFi data infrastructure
  • Ridian — Crypto portfolio automation
  • SkyLink — DeFi portfolio management
  • Caliza — Global USD banking platform
  • Kinetic — Digital asset exchange platform

Web3, NFTs, and crypto-adjacent:

  • Crossmint — NFT developer tools
  • CreatorDAO — Creator investment platform
  • Friends With Benefits — Web3 community platform
  • Dapper Labs — Consumer digital assets (NBA Top Shot)
  • Tenderly — Ethereum developer platform
  • Vana — Incentivized data collection platform
  • Structure (Zaibatsu Heavy Industries) — Blockchain retail trading
  • Metatheory — Web3 gaming (held separately as a direct SPV)

In addition, Warsh previously invested in Bitwise Asset Management, the firm behind one of the spot bitcoin ETFs, though that position does not appear on the current disclosure.

What he has to sell — and what that means

Most of these crypto positions sit within fund vehicles whose individual line items are reported without dollar values, which, under OGE rules, means each is worth less than $1,000. In other words, they’re small venture bets, not concentrated positions.

But there are bigger pots that almost certainly contain crypto exposure. Warsh holds over $100 million in Juggernaut Fund LP, whose underlying assets are shielded by confidentiality agreements. He also holds dozens of positions in THSDFS LLC, some valued at $1–$5 million individually, all similarly opaque. Both will require full divestiture.

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OGE certifying official Heather Jones flagged these in her review, noting that Warsh will be in compliance with the Ethics in Government Act once he completes the divestitures. The open question is how that divestiture plays out for illiquid venture stakes. Selling a position in Compound or dYdX token holdings is straightforward; unwinding LP stakes in Polychain or Bessemer Venture Associates funds is not.

The conflict question

Even after selling, Warsh will face a complicated recusal landscape. Federal ethics rules generally require a one-year cooling-off period for matters directly affecting recent financial interests. That could be relevant as the Fed weighs in on:

  • Stablecoin legislation: Congress is actively debating stablecoin frameworks that would define which institutions can issue and custody stablecoins — directly impacting DeFi protocols and crypto neobanks like those in Warsh’s portfolio.
  • Bank crypto custody guidance: The Fed’s supervisory stance on whether banks can custody digital assets has been one of the most contested policy questions in crypto since 2022.
  • Tokenized deposits and securities: The Fed has a direct role in approving or discouraging bank experimentation with tokenized deposits, an area adjacent to several Warsh holdings.
  • CBDC research: Though political support for a U.S. CBDC has cooled, the Fed’s ongoing research intersects with the payment network infrastructure represented by Lightning Network and Solana holdings.

The Bigger Picture

What’s striking is less the size of the crypto bets — most are small — but more that they exist at all. This is not a nominee who passively held bitcoin through a brokerage account. Warsh deliberately sought exposure to the specific protocols, networks, and infrastructure companies that the Fed’s regulatory and monetary policy decisions most directly affect.

His broader financial profile underscores the point. Warsh earned $10.2 million in consulting fees from Duquesne Family Office, the investment arm of Stanley Druckenmiller, one of crypto’s most prominent macro investors. He collected $1.55 million from GoldenTree Asset Management, $750,000 from Cerberus Capital Management, and another $750,000 in honoraria from Brevan Howard — all firms with significant digital asset trading operations.

His speaking fee circuit in the first half of 2025 alone totaled over $780,000 from firms including TPG, Warburg Pincus, State Street, Eli Lilly, and Centerview Partners.

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Combined with spouse Jane Lauder’s estimated $1.9 billion net worth, Warsh would be among the wealthiest Fed chairs in modern history.

What comes next

Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that a confirmation hearing will be held next week. But Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) continues to block any final vote until the Justice Department drops its criminal investigation of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires May 15.

The crypto holdings will almost certainly come up in questioning. Senators on both sides have grown more focused on financial conflicts at the Fed, and Warsh’s portfolio gives them specific, named companies to ask about.

For the crypto industry, the Warsh disclosure is a double-edged signal. On one hand, a Fed chair with personal venture exposure to DeFi and blockchain infrastructure may have more nuanced views on the technology than predecessors who had none. On the other hand, the mandatory divestiture and recusal obligations could constrain his ability to act on whatever sympathies those investments imply — at least in the first year.

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Crypto World

Bitcoin Shows Bullish Chart Pattern, Targeting $90k

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Crypto Breaking News

Bitcoin extended its latest bounce, surging about 5% on Tuesday to a fresh intraday high near $76,120 as traders weigh a renewed bullish setup and stronger on-chain activity. The move rekindles expectations of a broader rally, with market participants eyeing higher targets if momentum persists and key resistance zones are cleared.

Key takeaways

  • Bitcoin punched to an intraday high around $76,120, reclaiming earlier resistance and signaling renewed upside momentum.
  • Analysts see a potential breakout above an ascending triangle pattern, with the next major hurdle near $80,000 and a measured target around $89,050.
  • On-chain activity supports the price move: daily transaction count rose sharply in 2026, reaching 765,130 million as of April 5, a level last seen in November 2024 when BTC briefly topped $100,000.
  • Network activity is corroborated by higher fee revenue, with total on-chain fees up about 4% week over week to roughly $153,700, suggesting greater willingness to pay for priority processing.

Price action and the chart setup

Trading data shows Bitcoin breaking above the upper boundary of its latest consolidation, with Tuesday’s rally pushing the price above $76,000—levels not seen since early February. Analysts described the move as a breakout that validates renewed bullish momentum, noting that a decisive close above the $75,000 to $76,000 zone would confirm the breakout and widen the path toward higher targets.

“Bitcoin surged above the $76,000 level, breaking above its March highs and signaling renewed bullish momentum,”

Skeptics and optimists alike are watching the same crucial points: a sustained close above the moving averages near $75,000 and a daily close beyond the resistance front near $80,000. If these thresholds are crossed, traders anticipate a continued push toward the measured target implied by the formation—roughly $89,050—which would mark a meaningful shift in the short-term trajectory.

Technical commentary also highlights the pattern at play: Bitcoin appears to be validating an ascending triangle after breaking above the upper trend line around $73,000 earlier in the week. A close above the confluence of the trend line and the 100-day moving average would bolster confidence in a bullish breakout, while a failure to sustain above $75,000 could reintroduce volatility and test lower supports.

As observers map the road ahead, one analyst emphasized that breaking above the pattern and the 100MA would indicate a genuine shift in momentum, potentially accelerating a move toward the $84,000 area and higher. The discussion underscores how chart structure, not just price level, is shaping expectations for the near term.

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On-chain activity corroborates the price move

Price strength is aligning with rising on-chain usage. Bitcoin’s daily transaction count has surged in 2026, reaching about 765,130 million as of April 5, according to CryptoQuant data cited in market briefings. This level marks a multi-month high and echoes earlier bursts of network activity that accompanied major price moves.

That activity level was last observed during a period in November 2024 when Bitcoin briefly traded into the six-figure territory, approximating a macro moment when speculative fervor and investor interest peaked. An analyst known on social channels noted that the current transaction count is higher than during some earlier high-price eras, suggesting sustained network engagement rather than a fleeting spike.

The on-chain signal is complemented by commentary from observers who point to the broader implications of rising usage: increased transaction counts can reflect a growing number of market participants, higher merchant adoption, or greater trader activity seeking to execute orders with priority. In this context, the 2026 uptick in activity helps explain why the market is not only chasing higher prices but also experiencing more active on-chain participation.

“The network is showing bull market behavior,”

That sentiment came from a Twitter analyst who highlighted the robust on-chain activity as a meaningful backdrop to price action. While the precise drivers behind the surge remain multifaceted, the association between rising transaction counts and bullish momentum is a recurring theme in recent market cycles.

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Fees rise as demand for on-chain priority grows

Beyond transaction counts, Fee activity also rolled higher. Glassnode’s Market Pulse observed that Bitcoin’s total on-chain fee volume increased about 4% over the prior week, reaching roughly $153,700. The uptick in fees is interpreted as heightened willingness among users to pay for priority processing, signaling sustained or expanding network demand even as price moves unfold.

From a market perspective, rising fees can reflect a mix of transaction acceleration by traders attempting to front-run or secure confirmations in a volatile environment, and real-world use cases driving higher activity. While fees alone do not determine price direction, they provide a complementary read on how busy the network is and how users are prioritizing their transactions in this phase of renewed activity.

What this means for traders and investors

The combination of a renewed price breakout, a believable chart pattern, and stronger on-chain signals paints a cohesive picture of renewed appetite among market participants. For traders, the key inflection point remains the daily close above critical resistance—roughly $75,000–$76,000—and confirmation of the ascending triangle’s breakout with a follow-through beyond the next hurdle near $80,000. If these thresholds hold, the measured move toward the mid-to-upper $80,000s—and potentially toward $89,050—becomes more credible.

Investors will also be watching whether the surge in on-chain activity and rising fee volume persists, as it can indicate longer-term engagement rather than a purely speculative sprint. The last time the network showed similar on-chain vigor was during prior price cycles when BTC breached notable price milestones, which adds a layer of historical context to the current setup.

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Nevertheless, uncertainties remain. The macro landscape—regulatory developments, policy shifts, and broader market conditions—will always color Bitcoin’s trajectory. A decisive close above resistance levels, followed by sustained momentum, would strengthen the case for a continued advance; a retreat or muted follow-through could prompt a reversion to nearer support around the $75,000 mark.

For readers watching the next chapters, the immediate priority is confirmation: a daily close above the $76,000 zone and a sustained push beyond $80,000 would provide a clearer path toward the higher targets implied by the chart pattern and the improving on-chain backdrop. Until then, the market remains in a wait-and-watch phase, balancing chart psychology with real-time network activity.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Crypto World

Bitcoin Hit $76K But Did Bulls Fall Into A Trap?

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Bitcoin Hit $76K But Did Bulls Fall Into A Trap?

Key takeaways:

  • The US Federal Reserve’s shift toward balance sheet expansion may provide the liquidity needed to boost Bitcoin and broader risk markets.

  • The war in Iran and high oil prices might be driving investors toward scarce assets to hedge against rising inflation.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin (BTC) price surpassed $76,000 for the first time in over two months, triggering $285 million in leveraged short liquidations. The rally closely tracked the S&P 500, indicating a high probability of a macroeconomic-driven event. Is the war in Iran the only factor behind Bitcoin’s price gains, and what are the odds of a bull trap?

Crude Brent oil (inverted, left) vs. Bitcoin/USD (right). Source: TradingView

Crude oil prices stabilized near $95 after peaking at $104 over the weekend, a move many traders view as positive. The inverted chart of crude oil prices depicts a high-intraday-correlation environment.

The war in Iran has been a major source of concern due to its impact on US inflation and supply chain logistics, which limits the ability of global central banks to trim interest rates and exerts negative pressure on economic growth. 

Simultaneously, gains in the S&P 500 and gold prices likely indicate a higher probability of stimulus measures, causing investors to seek shelter in scarce assets.

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Gold futures (left) vs. S&P 500 futures (right). Source: TradingView

The recent gains in the S&P 500 following failed negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz may seem odd, but the added risk of recession provides the strongest incentive for governments to implement expansionary measures. Regardless of whether the US Federal Reserve opts for a cautious approach, the US Congress and the Trump administration can authorize direct investment in infrastructure projects and social programs, or provide tax credits.

Inflationary worries line up with investors’ Fed policy expectations

Bitcoin does not need to compete with stocks or even gold to capture the capital currently held in money market funds and short-term bonds. The longer oil prices remain above $90, the higher the upward pressure on forward inflation.

Reduced expected returns on fixed-income assets may be the primary catalyst behind Bitcoin’s surge above $75,000, and governments have few alternatives without expanding the monetary base.

US Federal Reserve total assets, USD billion. Source: St Louis FED

The US Fed changed its strategy to expand the balance sheet in January, reversing the trend from the previous two years. This move is highly supportive of risk markets, as short-term concerns about the bond market are diminishing. Financial institutions and hedge funds have greater access to liquidity and face less competition to offload US Treasuries, providing temporary relief to the stock market.

Regardless of whether Bitcoin holds above $75,000, there are few incentives for traders to take profits after two months of trading near $68,000, given the meager 10% gains. Even if Bitcoin eventually rallies to $80,000, that would represent a modest 20% gain for those who purchased at $66,500. Unless traders perceive an imminent risk to oil prices, the odds do not favor continued sell pressure on Bitcoin.

Related: Bitcoin’s struggle to build long-lasting uptrend continues–Here’s why

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Ultimately, given the likelihood of expansionary monetary policy and inflationary pressures, Bitcoin bears will have a difficult time showing strength, making the odds of a successful bull trap extremely low.