Zondacrypto’s crisis deepened on Friday after Polish outlet Onet reported that CEO Przemysław Kral had gone to Israel as prosecutors investigate the exchange over alleged fraud and investor losses.

According to the report, Kral has been in Israel for about a week and holds Israeli citizenship, a factor that could complicate any potential extradition to Poland. Polish authorities opened an investigation into Zondacrypto last Friday over alleged fraud and investor losses. Cointelegraph also confirmed that Kral’s email address, previously used to communicate with him, has become unavailable.

The developments come a week after Kral admitted last Thursday that Zondacrypto’s cold wallet holding 4,500 Bitcoin was inaccessible, marking his last publicly known communication at the time of reporting. Polish prosecutors have identified several hundred possible victims and potential losses of at least 350 million Polish zloty (around $97 million), according to Notes from Poland, citing prosecutor spokesperson Michał Binkiewicz.

The case has added pressure to one of Central and Eastern Europe’s biggest crypto platforms, even as Zondacrypto is much smaller in scale than global exchanges such as Binance.

Zondacrypto board resignations add to pressure

The controversy deepened this week amid resignations from the supervisory board of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, the Estonian company that operates the exchange.

In a Monday post on LinkedIn, former board member Georgi Džaniašvili said the board learned about the scale of the Zondacrypto crisis through media reports rather than internally. He also pointed to “material inconsistencies” between public statements and information available to the board.

Source: Georgi Džaniašvili

“In a governance structure where ownership and executive management are concentrated in one individual, effective oversight depends on transparency, timely communication, and mutual trust,” Džaniašvili wrote, adding: “Regrettably, that foundation has been materially undermined.”

Why is the Zondacrypto case being investigated in Poland?

Although Zondacrypto is registered in Estonia, the company has a significant user base and operational presence in Poland, particularly among Polish-speaking users, which has led Polish authorities to open a criminal investigation following complaints from customers in the country.

Zondacrypto was founded in Katowice in 2014 under the name BitBay by Sylwester Suszek, who has been missing since 2022. In public comments last week, Kral said Suszek was responsible for Zondacrypto not having access to its cold wallet.

Source: Przemysław Kral

The issue has become a hot topic in Polish politics, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk claiming links between Zondacrypto and Russian capital and political influence, citing the exchange’s early history and later growth under new management.

In an official communication on April 17, Tusk said up to 30,000 Zondacrypto users may have been affected and compared the case to past financial scandals in Poland.

Related: Europe’s MiCA regime puts smaller crypto firms under pressure

Tusk also said the lack of a comprehensive legal framework for investor protection meant authorities were only able to act later, referring to Poland’s repeated delays in passing legislation aligned with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework.

The case could have broader implications for how the EU approaches crypto supervision under MiCA, with some member states advocating for more centralized oversight rather than national-level enforcement.

Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

CoinDesk Indices presents its daily market update, highlighting the performance of leaders and laggards in the CoinDesk 20 Index.

The CoinDesk 20 is currently trading at 2130.2, up 0.7% (+14.28) since 4 p.m. ET on Thursday.

All 20 assets are trading higher.

Leaders: APT (+3.5%) and AAVE (+3.2%).

Laggards: CRO (+0.0%) and XLM (+0.2%).

The CoinDesk 20 is a broad-based index traded on multiple platforms in several regions globally.

XRP (XRP) has fallen about 5% against Bitcoin (BTC) over the past week, and the confirmation of a bearish pattern now points to the risk of more losses ahead.

Key takeaways:

• XRP/BTC’s descending triangle pattern on the weekly chart points to a possible 40% drop toward 0.000011 BTC.
• Persistent institutional demand through US-based spot ETFs supports the case for a recovery in XRP price. 

XRP’s descending triangle breakdown is underway

Since late 2024, the XRP/BTC ratio has been consolidating inside a descending triangle on the weekly time frame.

In technical analysis, descending triangles are typically viewed as bearish patterns. The pattern was confirmed when the price produced a weekly candlestick close below the triangle’s lower trend line at 0.000096 BTC, as shown in the chart below.

The downside target is derived by taking the height of the triangle and placing it lower from the point where the price breaks below the pattern’s lower trend line.

XRP/BTC weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Using that method, the XRP/BTC pair’s measured downside target comes in near 0.000011 BTC, about 40.5% below current levels.

“$XRP/BTC looks edgy,” technical analyst ChartNerd said in a recent post on X, adding that losing support at $0.000091 would lead to further losses in the XRP/BTC ratio as well as the XRP/USD pair.

XRP/BTC weekly chart. Source: Chart Nerd

However, the RSI is near oversold at 33, levels that have previously marked macro bottoms for the ratio, as seen in mid- and late 2024. This suggests that the current downtrend could soon come to an end.  

As Cointelegraph reported, a similar recovery could be seen in XRP price as several technical and onchain indicators send bottoming signals.

XRP ETF demand makes a comeback

Institutional demand for XRP investment products has been strengthening, according to data from SoSoValue.

US-based spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted $3.89 million in net inflows on Thursday. This marked nine consecutive days of net inflows, totaling $73.78 million. This streak has pushed cumulative inflows to nearly $1.28 billion and AUM to $1.1 billion.

US spot XRP ETF flows chart. Source: SoSoValue

This indicates an increased institutional appetite for XRP products, despite the price declining 22% in 2026 and lagging against Bitcoin.

“$XRP ETF inflows continue,” analyst Don Digital Finance said in a Friday X post.

It signals “steady institutional demand as accumulation continues despite sideways price action,” the analyst added.

“Institutional demand is rising fast as big money continues flowing into XRP exposure,” fellow analyst Ledger Man said, adding:

“This could be a major signal that confidence in XRP is growing stronger than ever.”

The John McPepe meme coin project has officially announced their launch party in Las Vegas, marking a historic intersection of internet meme culture and the defiant legacy of JOHN MCAFEE. The launch is planned for April 29th with a series of events in Las Vegas, including Afroman, Shooter McGavin, Riff Raff, Bobby Shmurda, and many more!

John McPepe serves as a tribute to the spirit of freedom and technical sovereignty championed by JOHN MCAFEE. By merging the iconic imagery of Pepe the Frog with MCAFEE’s history, the project creates a unique cultural movement for those who value privacy and the “Freedom Fighter” ethos. 

The launch event will include a  high profile exhibition that merges the JOHN MCAFEE legacy with the elite tier of internet meme art. Featuring over a dozen original works from the world’s top Pepe artists, the launch establishes a new cultural landmark for the intersection of digital art and technical defiance.

PREMIER OF JOHN MCPEPE MOVIE TRAILER

In addition to the art showcase, the project has confirmed the upcoming release of a full length John McPepe movie, scheduled to premiere in theaters in June 2026. The film will provide an immersive look into the lore, philosophy, energy, and history of the movement.
A New Era of Digital Culture

The Las Vegas launch event marks the beginning of a massive summer for the project.

“We are bringing together the greatest artists in this culture to tell a story that needs to be heard,” the team from McPepe said. “Between the Las Vegas exhibition and the full length film coming in June, we are ensuring the JOHN MCAFEE legacy is captured with the intensity and creativity it deserves.”

About John McPepe

John McPepe is a digital culture project dedicated to promote the legacy of John MCAFEE. By collaborating with world class artists and producing original cinematic content, the project serves as a hub for freedod focused art and media.

Mcpepe.com
https://t.me/johnmcpepe
https://x.com/mcpepewtf

 

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Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

XRP price trends draw investor focus as SHR Miner expands cloud mining access in the digital asset market.

With the price movements of Bitcoin and Ethereum influencing the overall market, XRP trend prediction continues to attract investor attention, and SHR Miner is entering the digital asset market with its structured cloud mining model.

The trajectory of the cryptocurrency market is often closely intertwined with overall market sentiment. Macroeconomic shifts, industry news, institutional capital flows, and regulatory policies all influence investor confidence in digital assets. As a key market bellwether, Bitcoin’s performance typically drives broader market movements, while Ethereum’s trajectory serves as a crucial reference point for investors seeking to gauge market enthusiasm.

XRP, as one of the mainstream currencies, continues to receive market attention due to its application value in fast payments and enterprise-level transaction scenarios. Its predicted trends depend not only on its own ecosystem development, technological progress, and regulatory clarity, but also on the cycles of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the overall cryptocurrency market. 

When market sentiment is bullish, major assets like XRP tend to attract capital more readily; conversely, when market uncertainty intensifies, investors typically adopt a cautious stance. Consequently, avenues for generating stable returns have become a form of investment that many investors are now actively and urgently seeking.

Against this backdrop, SHR Miner, with its regulated framework and compliant, transparent cloud mining services, provides users with an efficient way to participate in the cryptocurrency market and explore stable yield opportunities in new cryptocurrencies within a rapidly changing industry environment.

SHRMiner cloud mining service becomes a new path for cryptocurrency participation

SHR Miner positions cloud mining as an opportunity to explore, rather than a strategy that promises returns. The platform emphasizes regulatory compliance, transparency, ease of use, and alignment with prevailing market conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for users seeking opportunities for stable returns during periods of market volatility.

Why SHR Miner offers a competitive advantage

SHR Miner stands as a leading global platform for cloud mining services. Headquartered in the UK, the company has been dedicated — since its inception in 2018 — to providing secure, efficient, and scalable cloud mining services to over 5 million users across more than 180 countries. 

The platform’s data centers are strategically located in regions abundant in renewable energy resources, utilizing solar, hydroelectric, and wind power to ensure low-carbon operations. The platform offers flexible short-term smart contracts, stable revenue mechanisms, and versatile payment channels supporting multiple cryptocurrencies. This enables users to participate in mining effortlessly, without the need for specialized hardware or technical expertise.

Core platform advantages

• Zero Entry Barrier: The platform is designed for user convenience. No complicated operation, hardware configuration, or professional background knowledge is required. Users simply need to select an AI strategy, configure their risk parameters, and activate the contract.
• Compliance and Bank-Grade Security: In the cryptocurrency landscape — often characterized by regulatory gray areas and frequent cyberattacks — SHRMiner holds an operational license issued in the UK. The platform’s dual-layer security architecture is certified by McAfee® and Cloudflare®, ensuring that user funds remain safeguarded against external threats.
• Multi-Currency Mining Support: While BTC and XRP serve as the primary currencies, the smart contracts also support a range of other assets — including ETH, DOGE, SOL, USDC, and USDT — thereby enabling diversified portfolio hedging.

How to explore daily earning opportunities with SHR Miner? Earn $13,500?

1. Create an Account: Visit the official website to complete your registration and receive $15 in free hash rate. Claim a daily reward of $0.60.

2. Configure a computing power plan: Based on needs and participation goals, select a suitable contract from the cloud computing power plans offered by the platform and complete the activation to start cloud mining services.

3. Receive daily earnings: After the user activates the contract, the earnings will be automatically credited to your account daily.

SHRMiner offers a variety of contract options to meet the needs of different levels of participation and investment objectives:

SHRMiner combines market volatility with cloud mining opportunities

The cryptocurrency market is inherently volatile, a characteristic that often fuels increased interest in structured participation models. Discussions regarding XRP price predictions frequently intensify in tandem with fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price, underscoring the market’s sensitivity. Cloud mining offers users a method to engage in cryptocurrency activities without the need for frequent trading, thereby providing an opportunity for stable returns — even amidst market volatility.

SHRMiner supports this approach by offering flexible contract options, enabling participants to adapt their strategies in response to evolving market trends.

Conclusion: Explore daily XRP income opportunities with SHRMiner

As technology, regulatory frameworks, and market sentiment continue to reshape the cryptocurrency landscape, predictive trends for XRP will inevitably remain fluid, shifting alongside broader market conditions. As core reference assets within the market, Bitcoin and Ethereum will also continue to influence investor sentiment regarding mainstream digital assets. Against this backdrop, SHRMiner — through its cloud mining services — offers users a more convenient and systematic avenue for participating in the cryptocurrency space.

For more platform information, service details, and cloud mining solutions, visit the official SHR Miner website or contact the official team directly via the official email: [email protected]

The Tempo blockchain that Stripe built to outperform Bitcoin’s capacity of five transactions per second (TPS) is publishing less than three.

Seven months ago, Stripe pitched its new blockchain on the premise that existing blockchains had insufficient capacity for its institutional payment flows.

Bitcoin (BTC) miners have added about 160 million transactions over the past 12 months, averaging 5.1 TPS, a number that Tempo’s capacity would dwarf, CEO Patrick Collison claimed in September.

Collison also bragged that Tempo would have capacity for 10,000 TPS, levitating Tempo’s theoretical future high above Bitcoin.

Unfortunately, there are now real-world numbers to settle theoretical capacities with on-chain transactions.

Tempo’s actual usage per Token Terminal and the company’s own Dune analytics is approximately 2.5 TPS. 

Bitcoin publishes five TPS.

The underperforming blockchain raised $500 million at a $5 billion valuation in October 2025 from Thrive Capital, GreenOaks, Sequoia, Ribbit, and SV Angel. Its mainnet went live on March 18.

Paradigm, in addition to Stripe, helped develop Tempo. In fact, Paradigm co-founder Matt Huang runs Tempo as its CEO. 

Read more: DeFi plays the blame game

The numbers after five weeks

Now five weeks into mainnet operation, Tempo reported approximately 5,600 daily active users. The chain generated a whopping $205 in fees over 24 hours and held $3 million worth of crypto in total value locked.

Ethereum, in contrast, generated $1.4 million in fees and $45 billion in total value locked.

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Tempo’s on-chain decline is visible everywhere on its dashboards.

• Daily new wallets using Tempo peaked at 7,629 on March 19, 2026, and sat at just 1,749 as of April 21, a 77% drop.
• Daily contract deployments peaked at 3,060 on April 14 and fell to 863 a week later, down 72%. 
• Daily token transfer volume peaked above $9 million on March 17, and it now runs two-thirds less.
• Tempo’s stablecoin DEX cleared just $56,000 in 24-hour volume on Tuesday, a figure 95% below its peak and less than 0.001% of global DEX volumes. Tempo’s DEX would need a ten thousandth decimal point to register a single natural number. 
• Tempo’s daily DEX trades sum to less than 2,000 these days, down 77% from the March 20 peak above 18,000. Daily DEX volume on Tempo peaked at $1.1 million and has fallen 93% since.

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Solana is trading within an ascending channel, with $90 capping its upside over the past week and acting as a key breakout level.

According to data from crypto.news, Solana (SOL) dropped from its Wednesday high of $89 to $85 on Thursday. The token has since stabilized and has been trading within a tight range of $85–$86 as bulls fail to reclaim the $90 resistance level for nearly a week.

Despite recent weakness, technical indicators suggest that Solana price is well-positioned to surge past $90 in the coming sessions.

On the daily chart, Solana price has formed an ascending channel pattern, marked by higher lows and higher highs. The pattern signals a steady accumulation trend where buyers step in at increasingly higher levels.

In Solana’s case, the lower boundary of the channel sits near the $78–$80 zone, which has acted as strong support, while the upper boundary continues to converge toward the $90 resistance area.

Momentum indicators also seem to support a gradual….to the bulls. The MACD histogram has turned positive, with the signal line crossing above the MACD line. At the same time, the Aroon indicator shows the Aroon Up trending higher while Aroon Down remains subdued, a sign that buying pressure is starting to dominate over sellers.

Hence, if Solana price manages a decisive breakout above the $90 resistance level, it could confirm the continuation of the ascending channel and open the door for further upside toward the $94–$96 region, where the next supply zone remains visible.

However, failure to break above the $90 resistance could keep the price confined within the channel, with a potential retest of the $80 support level if selling pressure increases.

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed firm, has issued 8 billion Japanese yen in zero-interest ordinary bonds to EVO FUND, earmarking the proceeds for additional Bitcoin purchases, according to a Thursday filing. The bonds constitute the 20th series in Metaplanet’s ongoing program and mature in April 2027; they are unsecured, extending the company’s use of capital markets to expand what is already one of the largest corporate Bitcoin treasuries.

Under the terms disclosed, the bonds will be redeemed at par at maturity, with EVO FUND allowed to request early redemption with five business days’ notice. Metaplanet may also redeem part or all of the bonds if it completes future financings with the same investor. EVO FUND, a Cayman-based fund at the core of Evolution Financial Group, specializes in structured financings for digital-asset companies and is identified as the main subscriber to Metaplanet’s zero-interest bonds used for Bitcoin purchases.

The financing moves fit within Metaplanet’s broader Treasury-First approach, where the company leans on capital markets to grow its Bitcoin holdings rather than relying solely on operating cash flow. In the first quarter, Metaplanet disclosed it added 5,075 BTC, lifting its total to about 40,177 BTC and reinforcing its position as the third-largest publicly listed Bitcoin holder.

Market observers noted the development against a backdrop of volatility for crypto assets. Bitcoin has traded near $77,000 in recent sessions, while Metaplanet’s stock was down roughly 3.7% at the time of writing, according to Yahoo Finance data. The issuance also aligns Metaplanet with a broader narrative of publicly traded entities pursuing Bitcoin exposure through debt-financed buybacks and treasury management, a path that has drawn comparisons to a U.S. counterpart widely associated with similar balance-sheet strategies.

Key takeaways

• Metaplanet raises 8 billion JPY in zero‑interest ordinary bonds to fund more Bitcoin purchases; the issue is the 20th in its series and matures in April 2027.
• The bonds are unsecured and redeemable at par at maturity; EVO FUND can request early redemption with five business days’ notice; Metaplanet may redeem if it completes additional financings with the same investor.
• EVO FUND, a Cayman-based fund central to Evolution Financial Group, is the main subscriber backing Metaplanet’s zero-interest issuance for Bitcoin accumulation.
• The deal reinforces Metaplanet’s debt-fueled treasury expansion strategy, signaling ongoing capital-market activity beyond ordinary operating cash flow.
• Metaplanet’s Bitcoin holdings rose to about 40,177 BTC in Q1, cementing its place as the third-largest publicly listed Bitcoin holder; market reaction included a share-price dip alongside a BTC price around $77,000.

Debt-funded expansion of a Bitcoin treasury

The latest bond issuance underscores a deliberate, ongoing strategy: to grow a sizable BTC reserve by tapping structured finance channels rather than relying solely on cash generated from business operations. EVO FUND’s role as the primary subscriber highlights a specialized financing relationship that aligns the interests of a crypto-focused fund with a corporate treasuring approach. This arrangement allows Metaplanet to deploy capital for Bitcoin accumulation while keeping the terms of the financing relatively straightforward—zero coupon, par redemption at maturity, and potential early redemption tied to the investor’s options.

In the Japanese market context, Metaplanet’s approach sits alongside other Asian-listed entities that have pursued Bitcoin exposure through varied financing structures. The company’s Q1 update, which recorded a significant BTC addition, reinforces its place among a growing cohort of publicly traded firms seeking to diversify treasuries with Bitcoin as a potential long-hold asset. While the macro environment remains volatile, the accumulation pace suggests management continues to view Bitcoin as a strategic reserve rather than a tradeable instrument.

Bond terms, investor role, and financial impact

From a structural standpoint, the bonds’ terms are straightforward: redeemable at par at maturity, with EVO FUND entitled to request early redemption after five business days’ notice. Metaplanet reserves the right to redeem all or part of the issue if it completes future financings with the same investor. Such provisions provide a transparent mechanism for liquidity management and potential reassessment of the financing arrangement as the company’s Bitcoin treasury evolves.

The company described the bond sale as unlikely to meaningfully affect consolidated results for fiscal 2026. However, it noted that if the issuance or related activities yield any material financial impact, Metaplanet would provide an update. This stance reflects a cautious balance between pursuing aggressive Bitcoin accumulation and maintaining visibility over reported earnings and capital structure.

Market context and what comes next

Metaplanet’s ongoing financing approach mirrors a well-known pattern in the sector: using equity and debt markets to scale a Bitcoin treasury. The dynamic has drawn frequent comparisons to MicroStrategy’s balance-sheet framework, illustrating a broader, cross-regional strategy of corporate treasury management in the crypto era. For investors, the key question is how such financings influence risk, balance-sheet resilience, and long-term exposure to Bitcoin’s price trajectory, particularly as macro conditions and regulatory scrutiny evolve.

Looking ahead, observers will watch whether Metaplanet continues to tap similar financing arrangements with EVO FUND or opens access to new partners as its Bitcoin holdings climb. The durability of this approach will depend on market liquidity for the bonds, Bitcoin’s price path, and any regulatory shifts in Japan or globally that could affect corporate treasury strategies in crypto assets.

In the meantime, Metaplanet’s latest filing reinforces a concrete, ongoing effort to grow a substantial Bitcoin reserve, using structured funding to support asset accumulation while maintaining a disciplined approach to debt and liquidity. The balance between aggressive accumulation and financial prudence will be the story to watch as the year unfolds.

Readers should keep an eye on any subsequent filings or disclosures that detail the ongoing impact of these issuances on Metaplanet’s earnings, as well as the evolution of its Bitcoin holdings in the context of a fluctuating crypto market.

References and related coverage: According to the filing, Metaplanet issued 8 billion JPY in zero-interest bonds to EVO FUND; the company’s Q1 update noted an addition of 5,075 BTC to bring holdings to about 40,177 BTC. EVO FUND is a Cayman-based fund central to Evolution Financial Group; market data cited by Yahoo Finance shows the stock price movement around the issue date. For broader context on similar treasury strategies, see prior coverage comparing such approaches to notable U.S. benchmarks in the sector.