Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Crypto World

Crypto Capital Shifts from Tokens to Stocks as Launches Struggle

Published

on

Crypto Breaking News

Investor capital is shifting from token launches into publicly listed crypto companies, a trend highlighted by DWF Labs’ research. Drawing on Memento Research data that spans hundreds of token launches across the world’s leading exchanges, the study notes that more than 80% of projects trade below their TGE price, with typical drawdowns of 50% to 70% within roughly 90 days of listing. The pattern appears to be less about ephemeral volatility and more a persistent post-listing dynamic, according to Andrei Grachev, managing partner at DWF Labs, who said most tokens punch a price peak in the first month before a downward drift takes hold.

Key takeaways

  • More than eight in ten token projects fall below their TGE price, with 50%–70% declines typically occurring within about 90 days of exchange listing.
  • Capital is flowing into crypto equities and regulated markets, as crypto IPOs in 2025 reach around $14.6 billion and M&A activity in the sector tops $42.5 billion.
  • The shift is structural, not a temporary market move: institutional buyers prefer governance, disclosure, and the durability of equity-style exposure over pure-token plays.
  • The valuation gap between listed crypto equities and token projects persists, driven by accessibility and the inclusion of public shares in indexes and ETFs.
  • Investors are gravitating toward the “infrastructure” layer—custody, payments, settlement, and compliance—where an equity wrapper can enable licensing, audits, and distribution through established channels.

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Negative. Tokens frequently trade below their TGE price, with 50%–70% drawdowns within ~90 days of listing, indicating immediate negative price impact for public buyers.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. As capital rotates toward regulated crypto equities, a cautious stance on new token launches and a tilt toward asset classes with predictable governance remains prudent.

Market context: The observed rotation toward publicly traded crypto equities mirrors broader shifts in liquidity and risk sentiment, with institutional participants seeking regulated exposure, clear reporting standards, and the potential for indexes and ETFs to dilute onboarding friction.

Advertisement

Why it matters

For traders and investors, the divergence between token launches and equity-backed crypto ventures signals a bifurcated market where real-world adoption and revenue generation in a project can determine value more reliably than token-only narratives. Tokens that fail to secure steady user growth, fees, transaction volume, and retention often fail to justify premium prices, whereas listed crypto companies can rely on audited financials, governance processes, and enforceable rights to attract capital.

Builders and startups in the ecosystem may now prioritize infrastructure assets—custody solutions, settlement rails, and compliance tooling—over purely token-centered incentives. The “equity wrapper” offers a path to licensing, partnerships, and distribution through traditional financial rails, potentially accelerating real-world deployment of decentralized networks.

The data imply a structural shift rather than a one-off market wobble. While tokens will persist as governance tokens and incentive mechanisms within protocols, the near-term funding environment favors assets with tangible revenue streams and clearer ownership structures.

Market participants should watch for three key indicators in the months ahead. First, the cadence of crypto IPOs and SPACs will reveal whether the interest in regulated exposure persists beyond a single cycle. Second, progress in custody, settlement, and compliance infrastructure will indicate whether traditional rails can be scaled to support broader tokenized ecosystems. Third, the timing of token unlocks and new airdrops will continue to influence near-term price action for newly listed tokens, potentially reintroducing selling pressure even as demand for regulated equity exposure grows. The convergence of these factors will shape how liquidity moves through the crypto economy in the near term.

Advertisement

What to watch next

  • Monitoring crypto IPO and SPAC activity in the coming quarters for signs of persistent appetite in regulated markets
  • Tracking custody, settlement, and compliance infrastructure progress that could enable broader institutional participation
  • Watching token unlock schedules and airdrop cadence for any renewed selling pressure on launch tokens
  • Observing whether major exchanges expand regulated product lines (ETFs, ETPs) that channel institutional flows into crypto equities

Sources & verification

  • DWF Labs analysis referencing Memento Research data on 2025 token launches
  • Comments from Andrei Grachev, managing partner at DWF Labs, on post-listing patterns
  • Statements from Maksym Sakharov, co-founder of WeFi, about capital rotation toward infrastructure and equity rails
  • Public data on 2025 crypto IPO fundraising (~$14.6 billion) and M&A activity (over $42.5 billion)

Market shift: capital moves toward crypto equities as token launches struggle

Investor capital is increasingly flowing into publicly listed crypto companies as token launches confront a tougher funding environment. The pattern is grounded in a body of data assembled by Memento Research, which surveyed hundreds of token launches across the world’s leading exchanges. The results point to a recurring dynamic: the bulk of projects do not sustain an initial listing premium. More than 80% of token ventures trade below their TGE price, and the typical drawdown ranges from 50% to 70% within about three months after listing. The implications extend beyond daily price moves, signaling a structural preference among large investors for assets that offer governance, transparency, and legal clarity.

Andrei Grachev, managing partner at DWF Labs, frames these findings as evidence of a persistent post-listing reality rather than mere volatility. He notes that most tokens spike in price during the first month after listing, then trend downward as selling pressure mounts from early buyers and early investors seeking to realize gains. “TGE price is the exchange-listed price set before launch. This is the price the token is expected to open at on the exchange, and it reveals how much the price actually changes due to volatility in the first few days,” Grachev explained. The takeaway is not simply about one bad week but about a structural pattern that re-emerges across numerous launches.

The analysis deliberately focused on token launches tied to projects with products or protocols—not memecoins—highlighting a distinction between listings driven by purely speculative interest and those backed by real-world product development. A separate thread in the data points toird as major pressure points for selling, further contributing to the downward price trajectory observed after token listings. In practice, this means a token’s initial post-listing performance often reflects supply dynamics and initial investor expectations more than sustained user activity.

On the other side of the ledger, capital formation in traditional markets tied to the crypto sector has intensified. 2025 saw crypto-related initial public offerings (IPOs) raise roughly $14.6 billion, a sharp increase from the previous year, while merger and acquisition activity in crypto-adjacent businesses surpassed $42.5 billion—the strongest level in five years. DWF’s Grachev stresses that this surge should be read as a rotation rather than a withdrawal of capital from the crypto space. If capital were exiting crypto altogether, the jump in IPOs and M&A would be hard to reconcile with continued token underperformance and a widening disconnect between token valuations and equity valuations.

In the report, public crypto equities such as Circle, Gemini, eToro, Bullish, and Figure are compared with tokenized projects by looking at trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratios. Public equities traded at multiples spanning roughly 7 to 40 times sales, while tokenized peers hovered in the 2 to 16 times range. The valuation gap, according to the authors, is partly a matter of accessibility: many institutional investors—pension funds and endowments among them—are limited to regulated securities markets, and public shares can be incorporated into indexes and exchange-traded funds. This dynamic creates a built-in bid for equity-like crypto exposure, independent of the performance of any single token.

Advertisement

Sakharov of WeFi adds nuance to the narrative, noting that the shift reflects a preference for cleaner ownership, clearer disclosure, and enforceable rights—features more readily associated with equity than with many token models. He argues that capital is moving toward infrastructure plays—custody, payments, settlement, brokerage, and compliance—where the “equity wrapper” can accelerate licensing, audits, partnerships, and distribution channels into real-world markets. The migration does not imply tokens are vanishing; rather, it signals a bifurcation: serious protocols with recognized revenue potential and governance will mature and attract capital, while a long tail of speculative launches face a tougher financing climate.

For users and investors, the divide matters because it reframes how value is assigned in crypto networks. Tokens may continue to power governance and incentive mechanisms, but the presence of audited financials, governance rights, and legal claims offers a degree of accountability that is increasingly appealing to risk-aware institutions. The shift also shapes how builders design networks. Demand for robust custody and compliant settlement systems may become the default expectation for any project seeking institutional participation or licensing opportunities, effectively pushing infrastructure improvements higher up the roadmap.

Market participants should watch for three key indicators in the months ahead. First, the cadence of crypto IPOs and SPACs will reveal whether the interest in regulated exposure persists beyond a single cycle. Second, progress in custody, settlement, and compliance infrastructure will indicate whether traditional rails can be scaled to support broader tokenized ecosystems. Third, the timing of token unlocks and new airdrops will continue to influence near-term price action for newly listed tokens, potentially reintroducing selling pressure even as demand for regulated equity exposure grows. The convergence of these factors will shape how liquidity moves through the crypto economy in the near term.

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

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Crypto World

Stablecoin Liquidity Rises as Crypto Assets Resist Pressure From Escalating War Tensions

Published

on

Stablecoin Liquidity Rises as Crypto Assets Resist Pressure From Escalating War Tensions


As geopolitical tensions rise, more users are going on-chain in search of cross-border liquidity, which is boosting stablecoin supply.

The broader financial market is under pressure due to rising tensions stemming from the ongoing Middle East crisis. However, crypto assets are pushing back and resisting the pressure.

In fact, a recent report from the Asian crypto trading firm, QCP Capital, revealed that stablecoin liquidity is rising despite equities and gold buckling under pressure. This is a sign that the crypto market is navigating the turbulence caused by heightened geopolitical tensions.

Advertisement

Crypto Resists Pressure From War Tensions

According to the latest QCP Market Colour report, cryptocurrencies are striking back and not letting the war get the most of their price movements in what analysts call a “late-quarter plot twist.” Both bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) are trading in the green over daily and weekly timeframes. At the time of writing, BTC was hovering above $73,550, while ETH changed hands around $2,250.

Bitcoin’s safe-haven and geopolitical-hedge narrative is resurfacing, with market volatility testing the thesis in real time. Equities, on the other hand, are testing key support levels amid heightened oil volatility and geopolitical tensions. This reflects the decoupling between crypto, equities, and gold.

It is worth noting that crypto has decoupled from gold and equities to the upside before; this happened during the early stages of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022. Although the implosion of the Terra-Luna ecosystem and the downfall of FTX reversed bitcoin’s upward momentum, the asset climbed from $35,000 to $48,000 within a month. Analysts say a similar pattern could play out this time, however, without the same level of systemic shock due to the industry’s maturity.

Stablecoin and Institutional Liquidity Rise

As geopolitical tensions rise, more users are going on-chain in search of cross-border liquidity and capital mobility. This is evident in the supply of USD Coin (USDC) reaching a record $81.1 billion. An increase in stablecoin supply signals the entrance of fresh liquidity into the crypto market.

Advertisement

Additionally, institutional liquidity is rising, with spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) logging five consecutive days of inflows. BlackRock’s product alone has recorded three straight weeks of inflows totaling $1.75 billion. Bitcoin treasury firms like Michael Saylor’s Strategy are steadily increasing their BTC holdings, regardless of market conditions.

You may also like:

Meanwhile, BTC faces a challenge at $74,500, as a large cluster of short liquidations sits above that level. With spot options approaching a large open interest strike by month’s end, it remains to be seen if bitcoin will amplify its rally or experience a pullback.

SPECIAL OFFER (Exclusive)

Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).

LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote fuels AI crypto token rally

Published

on

Nvidia's Huang argues AI creates jobs, not destroys them, in rare blog post

Artificial intelligence-linked cryptocurrencies extended their surge Monday after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang laid out the company’s vision for the next phase of AI infrastructure during his keynote at Nvidia’s GTC developer conference.

Among the big movers were AI-focused blockchain , climbing more than 10% over the past 24 hours, reaching its strongest level since late January. Decentralized AI project Artificial Superintelligence Alliance’s FET token surged as much as 20% intraday before trimming gains later in the session.

Meanwhile — the identity-focused crypto project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman — rose about 10%, trading near $0.40, its strongest level since early March. Grass (GRASS), a decentralized network that lets users monetize unused internet bandwidth to train AI models, surged 13% to fresh 2026 highs.

The moves came as Huang reinforced in his speech Nvidia’s central role in the global AI boom. During the keynote, he said the company expects roughly $1 trillion worth of chip demand backlog through 2027, with hyperscale cloud providers accounting for about 60% of its business.

Advertisement

Huang also highlighted the rapid rise of agentic AI systems, praising the viral OpenClaw project that has gained traction among developers in recent weeks. He said that Nvidia worked to adapt the system into an enterprise-ready version called NemoClaw, designed to make autonomous AI agents safer for corporate use without exposing sensitive data.

While Huang did not reference crypto during the speech, a growing number of blockchain projects are betting that the next wave of AI agents will rely on crypto rails to transact and coordinate autonomously. Other projects are racing to build decentralized networks for computing power, AI training and agent infrastructure, pitching blockchain as an alternative to centralized AI platforms.

Shares of Nvidia (NVDA), widely seen as the bellwether of the AI trade, initially jumped about 2% during the keynote before pulling back. The stock ultimately closed roughly 1.5% higher on the day.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

T. Rowe Price Amends S-1 for Actively Managed Crypto ETF

Published

on

Crypto Breaking News

T. Rowe Price, a $1.8 trillion asset manager best known for its mutual funds and retirement offerings, has updated the registration statement for its proposed Active Crypto ETF, signaling continued institutional curiosity about direct crypto exposure within a traditional fund framework. The amended Form S-1, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday, preserves the core structure of an actively managed ETF that would invest directly in digital assets, while expanding operational specifics and the universe of eligible assets. This move comes as traditional asset managers increasingly explore crypto-related vehicles, even as the broader market has cooled from peak 2024–25 levels.

Key takeaways

  • The amendment to the Form S-1 confirms 15 eligible digital assets that could be included in the actively managed ETF, expanding beyond a narrow crypto exposure while maintaining an explicitly active management approach.
  • Anchorage Digital Bank is named as the ETF’s crypto custodian, with updated details around share creation and redemption to enhance operational clarity for investors.
  • Sui (SUI) has been added to the list of eligible assets, widening the potential exposure set beyond the previously disclosed lineup.
  • The asset list remains largely consistent with the October filing, indicating a measured approach rather than a wholesale redesign of the fund’s potential holdings.
  • Disclosure updates touch on the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, including constituent weights as of January 2026, and expand risk disclosures related to turnover and the fund’s active trading strategy.
  • Traditional asset managers continue to pursue crypto ETFs, with BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and Invesco cited as peers moving into crypto investment products.

Tickers mentioned: Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP), Avalanche (AVAX), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Sui (SUI)

The amendment is accessible via the SEC filing, which provides the procedural backbone for a product that would blend active management with direct asset ownership. The document—an amendment to the original S-1—is available here: SEC filing. Earlier reporting on the filing noted that the move surprised some observers given the manager’s traditional emphasis on conventional mutual funds rather than crypto ETFs, highlighting the evolving stance of traditional finance toward digital assets.

Beyond the asset roster, the amended filing confirms Anchorage Digital Bank as the ETF’s crypto custodian. This choice aligns with a broader industry shift toward established crypto-native custodians to provide secure safekeeping, settlement, and related governance controls for actively managed portfolios that could hold a mix of tokens. The amendments also broaden the disclosures around how shares are created and redeemed, a necessary step for an actively managed vehicle that may experience more frequent inflows and outflows relative to passive crypto ETFs.

Another notable development is the inclusion of SUI on the eligible-asset list. SUI’s addition broadens the scope of potential holdings for the active fund and reflects the managers’ posture toward newer layer-1 ecosystems and evolving token utilities. The SUI entry complements the well-known assets already on the list, creating a diversified mix that could, in time, span multiple sectors within the broader crypto economy.

Advertisement

The overall asset list remains largely aligned with the October filing, indicating a deliberate approach rather than a dramatic pivot in strategy. This consistency is underscored by industry observers who noted that the initial filing—made during a period when Bitcoin traded above the $120,000 mark—arrived amid exceptional market volatility and a consequential liquidation event on October 10. The market backdrop at that time featured billions of dollars in forced liquidations across leveraged crypto derivatives positions, a context that shaped investor sentiment in the months that followed.

The amended filing also includes updates related to the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, with constituent weights as of January 2026, and expands risk disclosures tied to portfolio turnover and the fund’s active trading approach. These disclosures are critical in helping potential investors understand how frequently the portfolio might rebalance and how active management could influence costs, tracking error, and performance relative to more passive benchmarks. In parallel, industry commentary around the sector has highlighted the role of such disclosures in addressing investor concerns about transparency and risk as institutions expand into crypto exposure through listed vehicles.

In the broader context, the move by T. Rowe Price sits within a wave of traditional asset managers pursuing crypto ETFs. In October, Nate Geraci of NovaDius Wealth Management described T. Rowe Price’s filing as coming from “left field,” given the company’s entrenched conservative posture toward crypto. Nonetheless, the industry has seen a growing roster of incumbents—BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and Invesco—launching crypto investment products in various forms. The trajectory suggests that more mainstream asset managers view digital assets as a legitimate, if still nascent, component of diversified portfolios.

From a market standpoint, the crypto ETF narrative has evolved alongside price movements and liquidity dynamics. After the peak of 2024 and 2025, prices retreated, and crypto ETFs reported notable outflows at times, reflecting a period of risk-off sentiment. Recent reporting, however, indicates a shift: net inflows into crypto ETFs have turned positive in recent weeks, a sign that investor demand for regulated crypto exposure persists despite a broader pullback in the crypto cycle. These flows, coupled with ongoing product innovations from traditional players, suggest a maturing ecosystem where regulated, exchange-traded access to digital assets remains a focal point for mainstream investors.

Advertisement

As the SEC reviews and weighs the amended filing, market participants will watch for how the custodian arrangement performs under custody risk scenarios, how the active strategy translates into actual holdings, and whether the portfolio evolves to reflect changing market dynamics and regulatory considerations. The SEC’s ongoing oversight of crypto product disclosures—highlighted by discussions around simpler disclosure rules and tokenization debates—also remains a backdrop for any final approvals or listings that could shape liquidity and accessibility for retail and institutional buyers alike.

Source: SEC

TradFi asset managers embrace crypto ETFs

The filing narrative reflects a broader trend in traditional finance. In the months around the initial submission, observers noted that established managers were testing the waters of direct crypto exposure through regulated products. The move ties into a wider industry dialogue about how best to offer regulated access to digital assets, balancing innovation with investor protections and clear disclosures. The shift is also taking place in a market environment where crypto prices have cooled from earlier surges, but where many investors remain interested in diversified exposure to the sector through regulated vehicles rather than bespoke unregistered products.

In parallel, media coverage of the sector has highlighted ongoing debates about tokenization, disclosure standards, and the appropriate balance between risk disclosure and product flexibility. The SEC has signaled a focus on setting robust disclosure baselines for crypto-related investment products, as evidenced by related reporting on the agency’s discussions and industry responses. This backdrop frames the current filing as part of a longer arc toward mainstream financial integration of digital assets, with regulators seeking to balance investor protection and innovation.

Advertisement

Why it matters

For investors, the amended filing signals increased access to a regulated, actively managed crypto exposure via a traditional ETF wrapper. If approved, the product could provide a framework for professional management of a diversified digital-asset portfolio, with a custodian-grade security layer and transparent share creation and redemption mechanics. The expansion to 15 eligible assets and the addition of SUI broaden the potential exposure set, offering the possibility of nuanced sector bets within the crypto economy rather than a single-asset bet on Bitcoin or Ethereum alone.

For the crypto ecosystem, the development reinforces the growing legitimacy of digital assets within mainstream asset management. It also places greater emphasis on governance, risk management, and operational readiness—themes that have grown in importance as more incumbents launch crypto-related products. For builders and infrastructure providers, the evolution signals sustained demand for compliant custody solutions, reliable liquidity, and rigorous disclosure practices that could standardize how crypto products are marketed and sold to retail and institutional investors alike.

What to watch next

  • SEC action on the amended S-1 and potential listings or approvals for the Active Crypto ETF.
  • Operational readiness and risk controls associated with Anchorage Digital Bank as custodian, including custody and settlement performance in a live product.
  • Indications of which of the 15 eligible assets move into actual portfolio holdings, and how the active strategy performs against benchmarks.
  • Updates to FTSE Crypto US Listed Index weights and any related benchmark revisions used for performance comparisons.
  • Regulatory disclosures and market reactions to expanded risk considerations tied to portfolio turnover and trading activity.

Sources & verification

  • SEC filing: Active S-1 amendment, available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2089855/000199937126005896/active-s1a_031626.htm
  • Cointelegraph reporting on T. Rowe Price’s crypto ETF filing: https://cointelegraph.com/news/t-rowe-price-makes-surprising-filing-crypto-etf
  • Related coverage on the SEC’s stance and disclosure debates: https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-crypto-mom-simpler-disclosure-rules-flags-tokenization-debate
  • ETF flows data referenced in industry coverage: https://www.coinglass.com/etf
  • Historical market context and commentary from coverage on Bitcoin price and liquidity events: https://cointelegraph.com/news/19b-crypto-crash-200k-bitcoin-2025-finance-redefined

Key figures and next steps

The path forward for the T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF hinges on regulatory clarity and the ability to translate an expanded asset universe into a disciplined, cost-conscious, and transparent actively managed product. As more traditional institutions venture into crypto ETFs, investors can expect ongoing refinements in disclosure standards, custody arrangements, and risk management practices, all aimed at delivering regulated exposure to a market that remains volatile but increasingly integrated with conventional financial markets.

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

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Polymarket users try manipulate Israeli journalist with death threats, report

Published

on

Polymarket users try manipulate Israeli journalist with death threats, report

Polymarket users reportedly threatened to kill an Israeli journalist after his coverage of an Iranian missile strike in Israel apparently jeopardised a number of big-money wagers.

On March 10 Emanuel Fabian, a reporter for the Times of Israel, covered an Iranian missile strike outside of the city of Beit Shemesh as the war between the US and Israel, and Iran raged on.  

However, Fabian revealed today that his coverage was met with a barrage of demands, threats, and misinformation from apparent Polymarket users.

The first email he received, written in Hebrew, asked him to change his report to state that the “missile” was instead a fragment from one of Israel’s missile interceptors.

Advertisement

The email claimed this was the finding of the Beit Shemesh municipality and Israel’s national medical emergency body. However, rather than retract is report, Fabian, doubled down, clarifying that, based on reports from the Israeli military and footage of the strike, the incident involved a missile warhead and not interceptor fragments. 

Fabian claimed the footage shows an explosion consistent with a warhead packed with hundreds of kilograms of explosives.

Read more: Nigel Farage aide George Cottrell bets US war will last four more months

He continued to receive emails and messages from Discord and WhatsApp users asking him to make the same correction.

Fabian then noticed that multiple X accounts involved with Polymarket gambling were replying to his posts with similar correction demands. 

He deduced that his harassers were trying to resolve a bet on Polymarket, with $14 million worth of volume, that asked if Iran would strike Israel on March 10.  

Advertisement

The respondents appeared desperate for the strike to be classified as fragments of an interceptor, as that would resolve the market to “No.”

Polymarket users threatened to kill Israeli journalist

Five days after the missile struck, the demands became more threatening. 

One WhatsApp user named “Haim” threatened to kill Fabian unless he changed his reporting, and repeatedly gave him correction deadlines. 

“After you make us lose $900,000 we will invest no less than that to finish you,” one of Haim’s messages read.

Advertisement

Another said, “You are choosing to go to war knowing that you will lose your life as you’ve grown accustomed to it — for nothing.” 

Haim then began to list specific details related to Fabian’s family and home in another threat to his life.

Read more: Kalshi uses ‘death carve-out’ to avoid paying out on Ali Khamenei ousting

Shortly after Haim’s messages, someone posing as a lawyer rang Fabian and told him that he was now the subject of an investigation into his supposed Polymarket market manipulation. 

Advertisement

Fabian ended the call and reported the situation to the police, who are now investigating his claims.

Fabian concerned journalists might be weak to Polymarket users

Fabian wrote, “The attempt by these gamblers to pressure me to change my reporting so that they would win their bet did not and will not succeed.” 

He worries, however, that “other journalists may not be as ethical if they are promised some of the winnings.” 

Indeed, he detailed how one of his colleagues from another publication was approached by someone asking him to encourage Fabian to change the details of the story. 

Advertisement

Fabian informed them about the Polymarket bet, and his colleague confronted the individual, who admitted they’d placed a bet on Iran not being struck by Israel.

The confronted individual reportedly offered a cut of his winnings to Fabian’s colleague if they managed to convince Fabian to make the correction. 

At the time of writing, the Polymarket bet is still unresolved and is waiting for a final resolution from UMA, the platform’s oracle system which allows tokenholders to resolve disputes about various outcomes.

The price of the “Yes” odds changed as the results continued to be disputed.

Read more: Are Polymarket and Kalshi decentralized?

It now has over $15 million in volume and has resolved to “Yes” twice in the past two resolutions.

Advertisement

Prediction markets rife with insider trading

Fabian’s story offers a glimpse into the scale of insider trading on Polymarket and tactics employed by bettors to pressure people with the power to sway a market. 

Polymarket and Kalshi both host bets on the outcomes and potential for military action, as well as pop culture happenings and sports bets

Several large and timely bets made before military actions have prompted suspicions of rampant insider trading and leaking of confidential documents. 

Just last month, Israel’s government arrested one of its reserve soldiers and an associate of theirs in connection with a series of Polymarket bets that gambled on Israel striking Iran in 2025.

Advertisement

The pair is suspected of using secret information to make the bets and, in the process, threaten the national security of Israel.

Protos has reached out to Fabian for comment and will update this piece should we hear anything back. 

Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks. For more informed news and investigations, follow us on XBluesky, and Google News, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Bitcoin holds near $73.8k as Trump bets Iran oil shock will fade fast

Published

on

Bitcoin investors face ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ quantum threat

Trump says Iran war oil spike will ‘drop like a rolling stone’ once fighting ends, even as crude stays above $100 and crypto trades through the turmoil.

Summary

  • Trump dismisses Iran war oil spike as budget “negligible” while crude trades above $100.
  • He signals more strikes are possible even as he claims to spare key Iranian oil infrastructure.
  • Bitcoin and Ethereum rally, reinforcing the “digital macro hedge” narrative despite still behaving like high‑beta risk assets.

Trump is again trying to sell markets on the idea that the Iran war–driven oil spike is temporary, even as crude trades comfortably above the three‑digit threshold. In new comments flagged by Jinshi Finance, he told PBS reporters the US is “doing very well” on Iran, calling the budget impact of the conflict “negligible” because Tehran is “involved in terrorism.” He insisted that “once the war is over, oil prices will drop like a rolling stone,” echoing earlier statements that the surge in crude is a “small price to pay” for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.

Advertisement

Trump also claimed he has deliberately held back from targeting key civilian energy infrastructure, saying he “left a lot of infrastructure in Tehran” and could destroy the country’s power plants “in an hour” but is trying to avoid a years‑long reconstruction process and deeper social trauma. He added that the US has kept a “100 yards” buffer around “everything related to oil facilities,” and specifically cited Kharg Island, a major Iranian export hub, saying he chose not to blow up its pipelines because “it would take years to connect them.” At the same time, he warned he would still “strike again,” signalling that escalation risk remains firmly on the table.

Those comments follow days of market turmoil as Iran‑related supply fears pushed benchmark crude above 100 per barrel and forced insurers to reprice risk in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly framed the situation as a trade‑off, arguing that short‑term pain at the pump is acceptable if it neutralizes Iran’s ability to threaten global shipping and regional stability. For now, that narrative appears to be holding with parts of his domestic base, but it does little to change the underlying reality for refiners, airlines, or import‑dependent economies that are now exposed to higher input costs and tighter margins.

Crypto markets, by contrast, are digesting the conflict with relative composure. Bitcoin (BTC) is changing hands near $73,800, up roughly 5.8% over the last 24 hours, with a 24‑hour range between about $69,460 and $73,770 and turnover above $55 billion. Ethereum trades around $2,200, higher by roughly 6.8% on the day, after swinging between about $2,042 and $2,200 in the same period. That mix of elevated volatility and net gains has reinforced the “digital macro hedge” narrative some funds are leaning into, even as skeptics point out that BTC and ETH continue to trade like high‑beta risk assets whenever energy, rates, or war headlines surprise.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Leading AI Claude Predicts the Price of XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum by The End of 2026

Published

on

Leading AI Claude Predicts the Price of XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum by The End of 2026

The post Leading AI Claude Predicts the Price of XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum by The End of 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Bitcoin, Ethereum outpace gold as ETF demand and corporate treasuries tighten BTC supply

Published

on

Start mining BTC in minutes with no equipment

Institutional spot ETF inflows and aggressive treasury buying are reinforcing Bitcoin’s “digital reserve” status while Ethereum grinds higher despite a bid for traditional safe havens.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are quietly beating gold and global equities again, with institutional flows doing most of the heavy lifting. A recent note argues that BTC’s resilience through the Iran conflict underscores a structural shift in ownership, with spot ETFs and balance‑sheet buyers now dominating the float. Analysts quoted in the report say Bitcoin and Ethereum have outperformed gold and broad stock indices this year, even as geopolitical risk and higher oil prices would typically favor bullion.

Advertisement

The same commentary highlights one listed software company, widely understood to be MicroStrategy, as acting like the “last central bank of Bitcoin.” According to Jinshi’s summary, the firm has added 22,337 BTC at an average price near $70,194, taking its total stash to 761,068 BTC with a blended cost basis around $75,696. That is functionally a monetary reserve strategy rather than a conventional treasury allocation, and it concentrates a non‑trivial share of free‑floating supply inside a single corporate vehicle.

At the same time, spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen roughly $2.1 billion in net inflows over the past three weeks, equal to about 6.1% of new available supply, even as retail investors have been net sellers. Jinshi’s recap notes that around 60% of outstanding BTC has not moved on‑chain for a year, a classic sign of long‑term holder conviction and a constraint on tradable float. That lock‑up effect is part of why each marginal dollar into a spot product, or a corporate treasury like MicroStrategy’s, can have an outsized impact on price compared with prior cycles.

Crypto markets are reflecting that dynamic in real time. Bitcoin is trading near $73,800, up about 5.8% over the last 24 hours, after moving between roughly $69,460 and $73,770 on volume above $55 billion. Ethereum sits around $2,201, higher by roughly 6.8% on the day, with a 24‑hour range between about $2,042 and $2,200 and turnover close to $27.8 billion. Those moves come as gold ETF products continue to leak assets, with one recent data set showing multi‑billion‑dollar outflows from the yellow metal even as Bitcoin funds attracted fresh capital after the Iran shock.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Lido’s community staking module sharpens its edge with DVT clusters

Published

on

Lido’s community staking module sharpens its edge with DVT clusters

Lido’s new IDVTC design lets verified solo stakers form DVT clusters, slashing collateral needs while hardening Ethereum validator risk and sustaining staking yields.

Lido’s community staking module is about to stop pretending this is still a game for whales only. A new proposal to introduce an “Identified DVT Cluster” (IDVTC) operator type would let verified independent stakers pool into distributed validator clusters, cutting collateral requirements while hardening the protocol’s weakest link: operational risk.

Advertisement

Under the plan, each IDVTC cluster consists of four independent community stakers, all running validators via Obol or SSV with keys created through distributed key generation (DKG). In practice, that means no single operator can take a validator down, mis‑configure a client, or disappear without the rest of the cluster absorbing the shock. Distributed validator technology (DVT) spreads duties and key shares across multiple nodes, so slashing and downtime events become outliers instead of structural risk.

Because the risk profile improves, Lido can justify lowering collateral requirements for these operators. That is the capital-efficiency play: you move from over‑collateralized, quasi‑professional setups to leaner independent operators whose main constraint is competence, not balance sheet size. For Lido, this broadens the operator base without opening the door to pure anon fly‑by‑night nodes, since IDVTC membership is restricted to verified Independent Community Stakers (ICS) who pass onboarding checks.

Timing matters. The IDVTC feature is targeted for launch with CSM v3 in Q2–Q3 2026, squarely into the next phase of Ethereum’s staking cycle and a more competitive liquid staking market. Restaking, AVSs and competing LSTs are already bidding for the same underlying validator set. Bring down collateral, keep slashing risk contained, and you have a better story for decentralization and yield sustainability than “more TVL, same handful of operators.”

If executed, IDVTC pushes Lido closer to a model where independent stakers look more like a distributed credit book: risk‑tiered, clustered, and modular. For investors, the signal is simple: Lido is trying to buy resilience and decentralization with better engineering instead of higher issuance. In a market where basis trades and ETF flows are already compressing staking spreads, that is the only credible way to keep the yield machine running without blowing up the tail risk.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Bitcoin Trend Reversal Possible If $74K Holds, Will Altcoins Follow?

Published

on

Bitcoin Trend Reversal Possible If $74K Holds, Will Altcoins Follow?

Key points:

  • Sellers will attempt to halt the recovery at $74,508, but if buyers bulldoze their way through, the rally may reach $84,000. 

  • Select major altcoins have risen above their overhead resistance levels, signaling solid demand at lower levels.

Bitcoin (BTC) rallied to $74,508 on Monday, a level that is a key near-term resistance. Crypto sentiment platform Santiment said in a recent report that wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC have started accumulating, which in the past was a bullish sign.

US spot BTC exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have also attracted investors, recording five straight days of inflows last week. Bernstein said in a Monday research note shared with Cointelegraph that sustained inflows into BTC ETFs and steady corporate buying by companies such as Strategy have strengthened BTC’s long-term holder base, contributing to a more stable market structure during periods of stress.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView

BTC is showing signs of a trend reversal, but the bears are unlikely to give up easily. Higher levels are likely to attract sellers who will attempt to trap the aggressive bulls. Material Indicators cofounder Keith Alan said in a video analysis that BTC is still in a bear market, and the price may retest the support near $60,000

Could buyers sustain BTC and major altcoins above their resistance levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out. 

Advertisement

S&P 500 Index price prediction

The S&P 500 Index (SPX) turned down from the 20-day exponential moving average (6,799) on Tuesday, indicating a negative sentiment.

SPX daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The index may reach the 6,550 level, which is a crucial level to watch out for. If the price rebounds off the 6,550 level with force, the index may reach the 20-day EMA, where the bears are expected to step in. If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the likelihood of a break below the 6,550 level increases. The correction may then deepen to the 6,350 level.

On the contrary, a close above the moving averages suggests that the index may remain inside the 6,550 to 7,002 range for a while longer.

US Dollar Index price prediction

The US Dollar Index (DXY) reached the 100.54 resistance on Friday, which is a critical level to watch out for.

DXY daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The upsloping 20-day EMA (98.76) and the RSI near the overbought zone suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers thrust the price above the 100.54 level, the index might start a new uptrend to the 102 level and later to the 103.54 level.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down sharply from the current level and breaks below the moving averages, it suggests that the index may remain inside the 95.50 to 100.54 range for some more time.

Advertisement

Bitcoin price prediction

BTC continued its upward march and reached the $74,508 resistance, where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 20-day EMA ($70,028) has started to turn up, and the RSI is in the positive territory, indicating that the buyers are attempting to take charge. A close above the $74,508 level will complete a bullish ascending triangle pattern, opening the gates for a rally to $84,000. Such a move suggests that the downtrend may be over.

Sellers will have to pull the BTC price below the moving averages to weaken the bulls. The BTC/USDT pair may then slump to the support line. A close below the support line tilts the advantage back in favor of the bears.

Ether price prediction

Ether’s (ETH) consolidation between $1,750 and $2,111 resolved to the upside with a breakout on Sunday.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The moving averages are on the verge of a bullish crossover, and the RSI is in the positive zone, indicating that buyers are back in the game. The ETH price may rally to $2,600 and then to $3,450. Such a move suggests that the ETH/USDT pair may have bottomed out at $1,747.

The 20-day EMA ($2,072) is the vital support to watch out for on the downside. A close below the 20-day EMA signals that the bears are active at higher levels. The pair may then tumble to $1,916.

Advertisement

BNB price prediction

BNB (BNB) closed above the $670 resistance on Sunday, but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels.

BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 20-day EMA ($646) is the critical support to watch out for on the downside. If the price bounces off the 20-day EMA with strength, the BNB/USDT pair may rally to $730 and subsequently to $790.

This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the BNB price continues lower and breaks below the 20-day EMA. That may keep the pair range-bound between $570 and $670 for a while longer.

XRP price prediction

XRP (XRP) has risen above the 50-day simple moving average ($1.46), indicating sustained buying by the bulls.

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

If the XRP price closes above the 50-day SMA, the next stop is likely to be the breakdown level of $1.61. If the price turns down from $1.61 but finds support at the 20-day EMA ($1.41), it suggests a bullish sentiment. The XRP/USDT pair may then climb to the downtrend line.

On the contrary, if the price turns down from the overhead resistance and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it signals that the bears are selling on minor rallies. That may retain the price inside the descending channel pattern.

Advertisement

Solana price prediction

Solana (SOL) has reached the breakdown level of $95, which is a critical overhead resistance to keep an eye on.

SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

If buyers overcome the barrier, the SOL/USDT pair may surge to $117. Sellers are expected to pose a substantial challenge at $117, but on the way down, if the bulls maintain the SOL price above $95, it suggests a positive sentiment. That increases the possibility of a rally to $147.

Instead, if the price turns down sharply from the current level and breaks below the 20-day EMA ($87), it suggests that the pair may extend its stay inside the $76 to $95 range for some more time.

Related: Bitcoin hits $74.4K six-week high as analysts see ‘more upside’ for BTC

Dogecoin price prediction

Dogecoin (DOGE) has risen above the 50-day SMA ($0.10), indicating that the bears are losing their grip.

Advertisement
DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The DOGE/USDT pair may rally to the breakdown level of $0.12, where the bears are expected to sell aggressively. If the DOGE price turns down sharply from $0.12, it points to a possible range formation. The pair may swing between $0.09 and $0.12 for a few days.

On the other hand, a break and close above the $0.12 resistance signals that the bulls are back in the driver’s seat. That clears the path for a rally to the $0.16 level, which is expected to behave as a stiff resistance.

Cardano price prediction

Cardano (ADA) has surged above the 50-day SMA ($0.28), indicating that the bulls are attempting a comeback.

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The bears are expected to vigorously defend the downtrend line, but if the bulls prevail, the ADA/USDT pair may signal a short-term trend change. The ADA price may rally to $0.37 and then to $0.44.

Contrarily, if the price turns down sharply from the downtrend line and breaks below the moving averages, it suggests that the pair may continue to oscillate inside the channel for a few more days.

Hyperliquid price prediction

Sellers attempted to pull Hyperliquid (HYPE) back below the breakout level of $36.77 on Sunday, but the bulls held their ground.

Advertisement
HYPE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

That suggests the bulls are striving to flip the $36.77 level into support. If they manage to do that, the HYPE/USDT pair may ascend to $43 and then to $50. 

The first support on the downside is at $36.77 and then at the 20-day EMA ($33.95). Sellers will have to tug the HYPE price below the 50-day SMA ($31.56) to suggest that the market has rejected the breakout above $36.77. The pair may then plummet to $29.