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Bitcoin Mining’s Biggest Shock Since the 2021 China’s Ban

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Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Falls.

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty has registered its steepest decline in nearly five years.

The historic drop signals a dual crisis of extreme weather constraints and deepening economic pressure on network operators.

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Bitcoin Mining Economics Crack Amid Falling Prices

According to Mempool developer Mononaut, the network’s difficulty adjusted downward by 11.16% to 125.86 trillion (T) this week.

Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Falls.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Falls. Source: Mononaut

Notably, this adjustment marks the largest capitulation in mining power since July 2021. At the time, a state-mandated ban in China forced a massive exodus of hashing power.

The difficulty adjustment mechanism is designed to keep Bitcoin block production at steady 10-minute intervals.

When miners go offline, block times slow, prompting the protocol to lower the difficulty to make mining easier for the remaining participants.

Unlike the geopolitical shocks of 2021, the current decline is driven by a collision of meteorological instability and thinning profit margins.

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The sharp contraction follows severe winter storms across North America in late January, which disrupted energy grids serving major mining clusters.

In jurisdictions such as Texas, miners participate in “demand response” programs. These operators voluntarily reduce their power consumption during peak load periods to help stabilize the grid in exchange for energy credits.

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However, the magnitude of this 11% drop suggests more than just temporary curtailment. It points to economic capitulation.

The severe weather stressed the electrical infrastructure, spiking spot power prices.

For operators running older, less efficient hardware, the surge in operating expenses likely pushed profitability into negative territory. This financial strain led to a permanent or semi-permanent shutdown of rigs.

Notably, available data suggest that major industry players were already operating with exceptionally thin margins before the storms hit.

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Ki Young Ju, CEO of the analytics firm CryptoQuant, estimated that Bitcoin miner Marathon Digital spent approximately $67,704 to mine a single BTC in the third quarter of 2025.

With BTC trading below $70,000, several miners are operating at a loss before accounting for other general expenses.

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Arthur Hayes Reportedly Dumps These DeFi Tokens: Full Details

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Arthur Hayes Reportedly Dumps These DeFi Tokens: Full Details


The former BitMEX CEO has moved millions of dollars worth of certain DeFi tokens, here’s which ones.

Arthur Hayes, perhaps best known for his leadership at BitMEX years ago, has made several high-value transfers for numerous altcoins, mostly from the DeFi space, which caught the attention of monitoring resources such as Lookonchain.

Given his history of offloading similar tokens in times of market uncertainty, the analysts speculated that he had likely made the transfers to sell $1.06 million worth of ENA, $954,000 worth of ETHFI, and $1.14 million worth of PENDLE.

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Hayes made several big sell-offs in August last year, claiming that the crypto market was due for a large correction. However, the market went the other direction, and some of the assets he sold, such as ETH, skyrocketed in the following weeks.

Just days later, he regretted his decision with a post on X. Hayes explained that he had to buy it all back at higher prices, asked for forgiveness from the Ethereum community, and promised not to take ETH profits again.

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In November, though, further on-chain data from Lookonchain showed that he disposed of 520 ETH for $1.66 million, alongside ENA and ETHFI.

Another report from late December 2025 indicated that he had sold additional ETH and purchased PENDLE, LDO, ENA, and ETHFI again. If he indeed offloaded the DeFi tokens now, it would result in a substantial loss given the latest market correction.

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Crypto is Europe’s answer to Revolut’s fintech dominance

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Nikc Denisenko

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.

Revolut’s fintech expansion across Europe and globally is severely constraining the playing field for European fintech founders. Attempting to build a European-scale fintech — which means competing directly with Revolut — has become extremely challenging, both from a product and marketing perspective.

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Summary

  • Revolut closed the fintech door — crypto opens a new one: Competing head-on with a 65M-user super-app is a losing game, but Revolut’s relative neglect of crypto creates a rare, defensible opening.
  • MiCA turned crypto from a risk into a credential: Regulatory clarity doesn’t just unlock Europe — it boosts global trust, capital access, and turns licenses into real balance-sheet value.
  • Europe is perfectly priced for crypto scale: Cheaper talent, growing stablecoin demand, and returning VC capital make crypto-finance Europe’s best shot at building the next pan-regional champion.

By September 2025, Revolut reached 65 million customers worldwide, with 12 million in the UK alone. The company has also announced a firm timeline for serving 100 million customers, aiming to hit this milestone by mid-2027. As a result, the window of opportunity for European fintech development is rapidly narrowing. Entrepreneurs are left with only two viable options: either build a super-niche project, both in terms of product and geography — think local payment services — or exploit Revolut’s main blind spot. In their pursuit of banking licenses and regulatory relationships, they haven’t been developing crypto services with sufficient intensity.

The latter model offers several compelling advantages. Due to certain characteristics of the European startup scene, a crypto-finance project has excellent chances for global expansion, or at a minimum, pan-European growth.

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Regulation

The rollout of Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation has given crypto projects a major boost — not because it specifically permitted or prohibited anything, but simply because it established clear, understandable frameworks for what a project must comply with to stay compliant in Europe.

There’s an unusual side effect to this regulation: MiCA enhances trust in crypto projects beyond Europe’s borders. For example, in Latin American markets, it creates an extremely positive attitude from regulators toward projects, so it becomes a notable green flag.

The workforce and economy

Compared to the US, hiring employees in Europe is significantly cheaper. Hiring one engineer in the US is equivalent to hiring two or three in Europe. It’s worth noting that in Europe, you can recruit the same developers or product managers from Revolut itself, which definitely makes sense in the context of expansion.

Cryptocurrency turnover is actively growing in Europe. Even our own statistics confirm that users are interested in receiving stablecoins to their accounts and using them as a means of payment.

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Funding

While fintech attracted less and less money in recent years, the situation is now changing.

“If 2024 was defined by scarcity, 2025 was defined by bifurcation. The recovery in fundraising has been robust, with year-to-date figures reaching approximately €6.3 billion by September, surpassing 70% of 2024’s total.” 

Part of this money is flowing into crypto, as the sector becomes institutionalized through MiCA. A license significantly capitalizes a company, transforming it in investors’ eyes from an unproven concept into a clearly understood fintech company.

“With MiCA fully live, we expect 2026 to be the year of Stablecoin Rails. Major European banks are already piloting Euro-denominated stablecoins. The ‘wild west’ of crypto is over; the institutionalization of digital assets is here, and it will likely become the standard for cross-border B2B payments.”

What could be improved?

Despite being a major benefit, MiCa still hasn’t fully solved compliance. Current legislation and regulators still stumble over crypto-specific issues when it comes to how businesses earn and spend money in crypto form. Moreover, since we’re dealing with an extremely young fintech instrument, tax incentives could facilitate its development and growth.

So if you’re feeling the pressure from Revolut on your European fintech business, we strongly advise taking a serious look at the crypto-finance market. Europe provides numerous benefits to fintech businesses that they can leverage for global expansion.

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Nikc Denisenko

Nikc Denisenko

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Nikolay Denisenko is the co-founder and CTO of Brighty, a neobanking app. Nick is a strong fintech leader with a background in finance, software development, and net banking. He is a Revolut employee #20, a former Lead Backend Engineer at the neobank, where he contributed to its most profitable division, Revolut Business. Nick has over 10 years of experience in applied mathematics, business process management, and app development. He’s an expert in building and deploying crypto finance products across Europe, stablecoins, crypto remittance, regulation, and also neobanking infrastructure.

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Ethereum price confirms inverted H&S as staking queue soars

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ethereum price

Ethereum price could be preparing a strong rebound after forming a giant hammer candle and confirming the inverted head-and-shoulders chart pattern as the staking queue jumps to a record high.

Summary

  • Ethereum price dropped for three consecutive weeks.
  • The staking queue has jumped to a record high.
  • ETH has formed an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern.

Ethereum (ETH) token was trading at $2,080, up sharply from last week’s low of $1,738. This price is much lower than the all-time high of nearly $5,000. 

The ongoing Ethereum crash is notable as it is happening when the token has some of the best fundamentals ever. For example, more investors are delegating their coins to staking. Data shows that 4 million ETH coins are waiting in line to stake.

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The entry queue has jumped to a record high of 4.06 million coins, while only 31,915 coins are waiting to get out. These numbers mean that the wait time to stake has jumped to 70 days. These numbers mean that there is still demand for Ethereum and that most holders are not panic-selling. 

Ethereum’s network statistics are booming, a sign that the Fusaka upgrade was successful. Nansen data shows that Ethereum’s active addresses jumped by 38% in the last 30 days to over 15 million. Its transactions soared by 37% to over 70 million, while its fees soared to nearly $20 million.

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Ethereum is benefiting because of its commanding market share in some of the most important industries in the crypto industry. For example, it is the biggest chain in the real-world asset tokenization industry, with a market share of over 70%.

Ethereum price technical analysis

ethereum price
ETH price chart | Source: crypto.news

The weekly timeframe chart shows that the ETH price has been in a freefall in the past few months. It has dropped in the last three consecutive weeks, with the Relative Strength Index moving to the oversold level of 30.

The coin has been slowly forming the inverted head-and-shoulders pattern, a common bullish reversal sign. There are signs that the coin has completed the formation of the right shoulder. 

It has also formed a hammer candle, which is made up of a long lower shadow and a small body. A hammer is another common bullish reversal sign in technical analysis.

Therefore, the coin will likely bounce back in the coming weeks, potentially to the psychological point at $2,500. A move below the lower side of the hammer will invalidate the bullish outlook.

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HBAR Price Signals Potential Rally, But Bitcoin Risk Looms

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HBAR Price Outlook.

Hedera has come under renewed pressure after a broader market downturn dragged HBAR lower. The recent price drop reflects bearish cues driven by macro uncertainty and weakness in Bitcoin. 

While the long-term outlook for Hedera remains constructive, near-term recovery attempts may struggle as market headwinds continue to weigh on sentiment.

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HBAR Has A Different Target

Price action remains macro bullish, with HBAR trading inside a well-defined descending channel. The rejection from the channel’s upper boundary near $0.1290 confirmed seller dominance.

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The recent drop toward $0.0893 shows weak demand, signaling continuation risk as momentum and structure remain tilted to the downside.

Immediate support sits at $0.0786, which previously triggered a short-lived bounce. As the pattern projects a bullish outcome, the breakout from it can trigger a 31% rise. This would send HBAR rallying towards $0.1252, marking a short bounce which in turn could lead to further recovery.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

HBAR Price Outlook.
HBAR Price Outlook. Source: TradingView

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HBAR Traders Are Preparing For New Lows

Derivatives data, however, paints a more nuanced picture of trader expectations. HBAR’s futures funding rate has stayed in negative territory for the past 48 hours, even as the price attempted to stabilize. Negative funding indicates short positions are paying longs, reflecting a bias toward further downside.

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This positioning suggests traders expect additional weakness and are attempting to profit from it. Short contracts currently dominate longs, signaling skepticism around any immediate recovery.

While excessive short exposure can fuel sharp squeezes, it also highlights prevailing caution across speculative participants.

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HBAR Funding Rate
HBAR Funding Rate. Source: Coinglass

HBAR’s high correlation with Bitcoin adds another layer of risk. The correlation coefficient between HBAR and BTC currently sits near 0.96. Such a strong relationship typically benefits altcoins during Bitcoin rallies, as capital flows across the market in unison.

In the current environment, however, this correlation acts as a constraint. Bitcoin has struggled to regain momentum, and continued weakness in BTC could delay HBAR’s recovery. Until Bitcoin stabilizes or reverses higher, HBAR is likely to mirror broader market pressure rather than decouple meaningfully.

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HBAR Correlation To Bitcoin
HBAR Correlation To Bitcoin. Source: TradingView

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HBAR Price Support Levels Next

HBAR is trading near $0.0895 at the time of writing, sitting just below the $0.0907 resistance. This level has capped recent upside attempts. A successful flip of $0.0907 into support would be the first signal of improving structure, opening a path toward the $0.1029 target.

Given prevailing conditions, a failed breakout appears more likely in the near term. If HBAR cannot reclaim $0.0907, the price may consolidate above the $0.0832 support. A breakdown below that level would expose HBAR to a deeper decline toward $0.0710, extending the downtrend.

HBAR Price Analysis.
HBAR Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

A more constructive outcome depends on reclaiming $0.1029. Securing that level would allow HBAR to recover a meaningful portion of recent losses. Such a move would invalidate the bearish thesis and signal that buyers are regaining control, provided broader market conditions, led by Bitcoin, also improve.

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Is This the Best Crypto Coin to Buy While Prices Are Still Low?

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mutuum

With the crypto market still trading below previous highs, many investors are asking a familiar question: where is the best opportunity before the next major move begins? Historically, periods of muted prices have rewarded those who focus on early-stage projects showing real progress rather than short-term hype. One name increasingly coming up in these discussions is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a new DeFi project that is still in presale while actively delivering on development.

Why MUTM Is Still Considered Undervalued

Mutuum Finance is currently in Phase 7 of its presale, with the MUTM token priced at $0.04, compared to a confirmed $0.06 launch price. Since the presale began at $0.01, the token price has increased in structured steps tied to development milestones rather than speculation. At today’s level, MUTM is already up 300% from its starting price, yet it remains 50% below its launch valuation.

The presale has raised over $20.43 million, drawing participation from a growing number of holders and signaling sustained demand. Analysts often point out that this combination—strong fundraising, disciplined price progression, and a clear launch price—creates a window where tokens are still considered discounted relative to their initial market entry.

Analyst Price Outlook and Upside Potential

Some analysts are projecting that MUTM could reach $0.35 shortly after launch, driven by a mix of early adoption, development delivery, and potential exchange exposure. From the current presale price of $0.04, a move to $0.35 would represent an increase of approximately 775%.

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These projections are largely based on execution rather than narrative alone. Mutuum Finance has already launched its V1 lending and borrowing protocol on the Sepolia testnet, allowing users to test core functionality ahead of mainnet. In addition, the project has completed security audits and continues to roll out updates, which analysts see as key factors in reducing execution risk.

Some market observers also suggest there is a high possibility of listings on major exchanges after launch, as platforms often prioritize projects that demonstrate live infrastructure, audited contracts, and sustained investor demand. Exchange exposure, if it materializes, has historically been a catalyst for increased liquidity and price discovery in the early post-launch phase.

To put the potential upside into perspective, a $2,000 investment at the current $0.04 price would secure 50,000 MUTM tokens. When the token were to reach the $0.35 level discussed by analysts, that position would be valued at $17,500, representing a gain of $15,500 before fees and market considerations.
mutuum

How Mutuum Finance Works

At its core, Mutuum Finance is designed to generate real utility through decentralized lending and borrowing. Users who supply assets receive mtTokens, which represent their deposit positions and automatically accrue yield over time. These mtTokens can be staked, making holders eligible for dividends paid in MUTM tokens through a buy-and-distribute mechanism funded by protocol revenue.

Borrowers, meanwhile, can unlock liquidity by providing overcollateralized positions rather than selling their assets. This structure allows users to access capital while maintaining exposure to their holdings, a model widely used across DeFi but refined in Mutuum Finance through automated risk controls and transparent on-chain tracking.

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Expansion and Ecosystem Growth

Beyond launch, Mutuum Finance’s roadmap includes several developments aimed at expanding the ecosystem. Plans include multi-chain expansion, allowing the protocol to operate across multiple blockchain networks, and the future introduction of a native overcollateralized stablecoin designed to enhance liquidity and platform utility.

The project is also running a $100,000 giveaway, aimed at rewarding early participants during the presale phase. Entry requirements and tasks are outlined on the project’s website, adding an additional incentive for community engagement while development continues.

For investors searching for the best crypto coin to buy while prices are still low, Mutuum Finance is increasingly part of the conversation. With a token price of $0.04, a confirmed $0.06 launch price, active protocol development, and analyst projections pointing toward higher post-launch valuations, MUTM remains in a phase that many view as an early opportunity.

As always, market conditions can change, but with the presale still open and development milestones already delivered, Mutuum Finance continues to stand out as a project worth watching while prices remain at early-stage levels.

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For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

 

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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.

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Jack Dorsey’s Block May Slash Up To 10% of Staff: Report

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Jack Dorsey’s Block May Slash Up To 10% of Staff: Report

Jack Dorsey’s payments company Block Inc. has begun informing hundreds of employees that their roles could be eliminated during annual performance reviews, as the firm undertakes a wider restructuring effort.

As much as 10% of Block’s workforce may be affected, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company employed just under 11,000 people as of late November, an executive reportedly said at the time.

The potential layoffs come as Block reshapes its operations following a reorganization launched in 2024 aimed at improving efficiency and aligning its product lines. The company is working to more closely link its peer-to-peer payments platform Cash App with its merchant services arm Square.

At the same time, Block is expanding newer initiatives, including its Bitcoin (BTC) mining division Proto and an artificial intelligence project known as Goose.

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Block shares ended Friday up nearly 5%. Source: Google Finance

Related: Cash App plans to unlock stablecoin transactions ’soon’

Block expected to post $403 million Q4 profit

Block is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Feb. 26, according to Bloomberg. Analysts expect adjusted profit of about $403 million, or 68 cents per share, on revenue of roughly $6.25 billion for the fourth quarter, per the report.

The company last reported third-quarter net income of $461.5 million on $6.11 billion in revenue. Gross profit rose 18% year over year, driven by 24% growth in Cash App and 9% growth in Square, though the stock fell after the release as some performance metrics missed Wall Street expectations.

For the third quarter, Bitcoin generated about $1.97 billion in revenue, down from $2.4 billion a year earlier but still the company’s second-largest revenue stream. Block held 8,780 BTC worth over $1 billion by the end of September, recording a $59 million quarterly valuation loss.

Related: Jack Dorsey urges tax-free status for ‘everyday’ Bitcoin payments

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Square launches Bitcoin payments for merchants

In November last year, Square, the payments platform owned by Block, rolled out a Bitcoin payment option, allowing merchants to accept BTC directly at checkout through its point-of-sale terminals. Sellers can process transactions in multiple ways, including Bitcoin-to-Bitcoin and automatic conversion between Bitcoin and fiat currency.