Crypto World
Live markets: Bitcoin gives up all of May's gains, slipping below $77,000

Strategy made a mammoth $2 billion bitcoin purchase last week, but it’s not lifting crypto spirits or prices.
Crypto World
Deploi Enables Private Credit Issuance on Polygon with Nasdaq CSD ISINs
Deploi, the Nordic-led platform building the infrastructure for digital private credit, unveiled a direct issuance framework on Polygon, following ISIN allocations from Nasdaq CSD for its inaugural UK Consumer Credit Notes. The first issuance, Series 2026/CON/001, enables regulated digital debt issuance with individual notes up to EUR 5 million. This placement is a cornerstone of Deploi’s plan for a EUR 1 billion note programme in 2026, with potential capacity to scale to as much as EUR 5 billion once its global issuance infrastructure is completed by the end of Q3 2026. Assetera has already lined up roughly EUR 100 million in additional issuance over the next six months, underscoring early institutional demand for regulated, blockchain-native private credit products.
Deploi’s mission is to modernize the private credit market by moving away from slow, manual fund structures toward programmable issuance, settlement, servicing, and risk management rails that are purpose-built for today’s institutional investors. In remarks accompanying the launch, founder Oskars Jepsis framed the effort as a long-overdue modernization of a market that has historically suffered from fragmentation and opacity.
The legacy private credit model is operationally outdated. Investors and lending partners increasingly expect faster execution, greater transparency, and more flexible access to credit opportunities. Deploi is building the infrastructure to replace fragmented, manual processes with scalable digital issuance and settlement rails purpose-built for modern private credit markets.
Deploi’s issuance and registry infrastructure is anchored on EVM-enabled chains, with Polygon serving as the initial settlement layer ahead of planned expansion to Canton Network infrastructure. Notes are issued and settled through Assetera, the EU-regulated DLT trading platform licensed under MiFID II, enabling compliant access for European investors.
Private credit has long been inaccessible to most European investors due to structural barriers — high minimums, opacity, and illiquidity. By providing the regulated infrastructure for Deploi’s instruments, Assetera removes those barriers while maintaining full MiFID II compliance. This partnership demonstrates precisely what regulated DLT infrastructure makes possible: institutional-grade yield products, compliantly distributed at scale across Europe.
Private credit is a massive market, but it still runs on outdated infrastructure. What Deploi is doing with direct issuance and bringing this onchain with Polygon is a clear step toward making these markets more efficient, transparent, and easier to access for institutional participants.
Key takeaways
- Direct issuance on Polygon: Series 2026/CON/001 marks the first regulated digital debt issuance for Deploi, with notes up to EUR 5 million and a broader EUR 1 billion programme planned for 2026, potentially expanding to EUR 5 billion after the infrastructure is completed by the end of Q3 2026.
- Regulated, EU-facing infrastructure: Assetera acts as Deploi’s licensed trading and settlement venue under MiFID II, while the on-chain registry is anchored to Polygon. Canton Network is planned for future connectivity.
- Early demand and pipeline: Assetera has EUR 100 million in additional issuance lined up over the next six months, reflecting institutional appetite for regulated, blockchain-native private credit.
- Investor access and yields: Target yields are expected to range from roughly 6% to 18%, depending on the underlying asset structure, with buy-side engagement from digital-asset and yield-focused institutions.
- Operational modernization: The project aims to replace fragmented, manual processes with scalable, programmable issuance and settlement rails, offering greater transparency and speed for private credit markets.
Operational backbone and where it fits in the market
Deploi’s framework positions itself at the intersection of private credit origination and regulated digital infrastructure. By combining on-chain issuance, a regulated trading venue, and a robust registry, the company seeks to address long-standing frictions in private credit — notably high minimums, limited transparency, and illiquidity for European investors. The first live product targets UK consumer credit, with notes issued in tranches of up to EUR 5 million. This modular approach enables a staged roll-out across additional asset classes as the global issuance backbone becomes fully operational.
Infrastructure and settlement: a regulated, cross-border path
Anchoring the system on Polygon provides the initial settlement layer, while Canton Network is slated as a later expansion to enable broader interoperability across private markets. Assetera’s role as a MiFID II-compliant trading and settlement venue ensures that institutional and European buyers can access these digital instruments within a familiar regulatory framework. The integration promises faster settlement cycles, improved transparency, and auditable on-chain records that are still legally enforceable in regulated markets.
What the market is watching next
Investors will be watching two intertwined developments: first, the pace at which Deploi scales its 2026 EUR 1 billion programme and whether the infrastructure can handle larger, multi-asset private-credit issuance; second, the breadth of adoption among European institutions as regulatory-compliant, blockchain-native products become more commonplace. The EUR 100 million pipeline with Assetera is an early signal, but the true test will be expansion beyond UK consumer credit and into diverse private-credit asset classes while maintaining MiFID II compliance and enforceability across jurisdictions.
Roadmap and near-term milestones
Deploi signaled that its global issuance infrastructure is targeted for completion by the end of Q3 2026, a milestone that would unlock greater issuance capacity and enable broader cross-border distribution. As the platform scales, industry observers will look for progress on expanding settlement rails to Canton Network, deeper integration with EU-regulated trading venues, and continued engagement with institutional buyers seeking regulated, yield-generating private-credit opportunities.
Deploi describes its mission as delivering a more efficient, transparent, and scalable debt capital market for private credit. If the early traction sustains, the combination of regulated access, on-chain settlement, and a scalable issuance framework could recalibrate how institutional players access private-credit yield in Europe and beyond.
Readers should watch for updates on additional issuances, shifts in yield mechanics as assets vary, and broader regulatory developments that could influence the pace and scope of adoption for blockchain-native private credit infrastructure.
Crypto World
Bitcoin (BTC) Recovery Unlikely Until Toxic Supply Is Absorbed: Data
Bitcoin (BTC) plunged below $77,000 on Monday following a fresh round of threats directed at Iran by US President Donald Trump. Panic selling is accelerating across the market as major profitability metrics drop below critical levels.
New data now suggests that a rapid V-shaped recovery remains unlikely.
Deepening Bitcoin Panic Selling
Bitcoin’s latest decline is developing into a broader market crisis rather than a routine short-term correction, as on-chain data points to a cascading sell-off driven by leverage liquidations and growing fear across the spot market. According to CryptoQuant data, long-term holders who accumulated Bitcoin between six and 12 months ago are now under heavy pressure, as their average realized entry price sits near $110,851.
Following the recent market drop, many of these investors moved into deep unrealized losses, triggering a wave of exchange inflows since May 14.
The crypto analytics platform’s stats reveal that the Spent Output Age Bands (SOAB) ratio for 6-12 month coins surged to 10.54%, which is far above its normal level below 1%, and indicated large-scale capitulation from long-term holders. Such spikes have historically reflected investors realizing large losses and exiting positions, which ends up increasing spot-market selling pressure.
The weakness then spread to short-term traders. While most exchange inflows typically come from coins held for less than one day, profitability metrics showed increasing panic-driven selling activity. On May 16, the Short-Term Holder SOPR fell to 0.994 while adjusted SOPR dropped to 0.996, both below the 1.0 level that usually separates profit-taking from loss realization.
Even on May 17, STH-SOPR remained weak at 0.999. CryptoQuant said this confirms that many short-term investors are now selling at losses rather than taking profits. The firm warned that a quick V-shaped recovery remains unlikely until “toxic” supply is absorbed and market sentiment stabilizes.
Deeper Correction Ahead
The growing market stress has also strengthened bearish views among several crypto analysts. Doctor Profit, for one, warned yet again that a major correction may be approaching soon.
Mr. Wall Street also said Bitcoin could see a much deeper decline after its recent 10% pullback. The commentator claimed that bullish sentiment has already faded and repeated his view that the crypto asset may eventually drop to the $45,000 level.
The post Bitcoin (BTC) Recovery Unlikely Until Toxic Supply Is Absorbed: Data appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Crypto World
Ex-OpenAI's Leopold Aschenbrenner bets big on crypto miners for his $13.6B AI play

Aschenbrenner is shorting Nvidia and AMD in favor of bitcoin miners that own the electricity and data centers needed to fuel the next phase of the AI boom.
Crypto World
S&P 500 Could Hit 9,000 by End of 2026: Evercore ISI’s Bull Case Scenario
Key Takeaways
- Evercore ISI projects an S&P 500 base target of 7,750 by the conclusion of 2026, while assigning a 30% probability to a bullish scenario of 9,000.
- Technology, communication services, and consumer discretionary sectors are expected to benefit most from AI advancements in the bull scenario.
- RBC Capital has established a 7,900 target over the next 12 months, suggesting approximately 7.7% appreciation from early May price levels.
- RBC anticipates market corrections to remain moderate at 5–10%, with more severe downturns only emerging if recession concerns resurface.
- Artificial intelligence creates a dramatic earnings divide: RBC forecasts 28% growth for AI-linked companies compared to just 6% for traditional index components.
Two prominent Wall Street research houses have published their S&P 500 projections through 2026. While both maintain optimistic outlooks, each acknowledges potential volatility ahead.
Evercore ISI: Multiple Scenarios Point Higher
Julian Emanuel, analyst at Evercore ISI, has established a year-end 2026 base case projection of 7,750 for the S&P 500. However, he assigns a significant 30% likelihood to a bull scenario that could propel the benchmark index to 9,000.

According to Emanuel, the market faces an intersection of two powerful dynamics: a technology boom powered by artificial intelligence innovations and fundamental shifts in international geopolitical structures. This convergence, he argues, expands the spectrum of potential market outcomes beyond historical norms.
Emanuel drew parallels to the 1920s and 1990s eras, highlighting what he described as “wartime-scale economic stimulus, accelerating M2 money supply, and a transformative productivity surge” coinciding with the AI transformation. His analysis suggests productivity expansion could reach 3% annually before the decade closes.
The firm advises clients to purchase long-dated call options targeting the “AI Class of 2026” portfolio companies and the QQQ exchange-traded fund to maximize exposure to potential gains. Simultaneously, Evercore recommends implementing collar strategies on S&P 500 index funds to protect against short-term volatility stemming from crude oil fluctuations and interest rate movements.
Emanuel also noted an inherent constraint within AI technology itself. He observed that large language models frequently gravitate toward consensus predictions and fail to account for tail-risk events. Consequently, sustainable competitive advantages will emerge from specialized industry knowledge and comprehensive workflow ownership rather than simple AI tool adoption.
RBC Capital: Gradual Ascent With Intermittent Volatility
Lori Calvasina, who leads U.S. equity strategy at RBC Capital, has positioned her 12-month S&P 500 price objective at 7,900. This target represents roughly 7.7% potential upside from valuation levels observed in early May.
Calvasina emphasized that the anticipated advance will include periodic setbacks. She projects corrections in the 5–10% range as likely, though she doesn’t foresee more substantial declines of 14–20% unless recessionary concerns reemerge.
RBC’s analytical framework centers on what the firm characterizes as an “AI acceleration, Middle East deceleration” environment. Their calculations assume 28% earnings expansion for AI-centered enterprises in 2027, contrasted with merely 6% growth across remaining index constituents.
The model incorporates a 5% reduction to consensus earnings expectations and projects inflation stabilizing near 3.3%, with the Federal Reserve maintaining current policy and 10-year Treasury yields hovering around 4.5%. Should inflation climb to 3.8% and prompt Fed rate increases, RBC estimates fair value would decline to the 7,400–7,500 territory.
Immediate headwinds identified by the firm include potential earnings revisions linked to geopolitical conflict effects, profit-taking activity in semiconductor equities, midterm election-related uncertainty, and elevated borrowing costs.
RBC continues to favor growth-oriented equities over value stocks, and maintains its overweight stance on U.S. markets relative to international alternatives.
Crypto World
Deploi Launches Direct Issuance Infrastructure for Private Credit on Polygon, Secures ISIN Allocations from Nasdaq CSD
EUR 1 billion note programme planned for 2026 following completion of global issuance infrastructure by the end of Q3 2026.
STOCKHOLM & RIGA — May 14, 2026 — Deploi, the institutional infrastructure layer for digital private credit, today announced the launch of its direct issuance framework on Polygon, following ISIN allocations from Nasdaq CSD for its inaugural UK Consumer Credit Notes.
The first issuance, Series 2026/CON/001, enables regulated digital debt issuance for consumer credit assets, with individual notes of up to EUR 5 million. The issuance forms part of Deploi’s EUR 1 billion note programme for 2026, with planned expansion capacity of up to EUR 5 billion following the expected completion of its global issuance infrastructure by the end of Q3 2026.
Approximately EUR 100 million in additional issuance volume through Assetera is already lined up over the next six months, reflecting early institutional demand for regulated, blockchain-native private credit products.
Deploi’s infrastructure is designed to modernize the operational backbone of private credit by replacing slow, manual fund structures with programmable issuance, settlement, servicing, and risk-management infrastructure.
“The legacy private credit model is operationally outdated,” said Oskars Jepsis, Founder of Deploi. “Investors and lending partners increasingly expect faster execution, greater transparency, and more flexible access to credit opportunities. Deploi is building the infrastructure to replace fragmented, manual processes with scalable digital issuance and settlement rails purpose-built for modern private credit markets.”
Deploi’s issuance and registry infrastructure is anchored on EVM-compatible chains, with Polygon serving as the initial settlement layer ahead of planned expansion to Canton Network infrastructure.
The notes are issued and settled through Assetera, the EU-regulated DLT trading platform licensed under the MiFID II framework, enabling compliant access for European investors.
“Private credit has long been inaccessible to most European investors due to structural barriers — high minimums, opacity, and illiquidity. By providing the regulated infrastructure for Deploi’s instruments, Assetera removes those barriers while maintaining full MiFID II compliance. This partnership demonstrates precisely what regulated DLT infrastructure makes possible: institutional-grade yield products, compliantly distributed at scale across Europe,” said Thomas Labenbacher, CEO of Assetera.
“Private credit is a massive market, but it still runs on outdated infrastructure. What Deploi is doing with direct issuance and bringing this onchain with Polygon is a clear step toward making these markets more efficient, transparent, and easier to access for institutional participants.” Marc Boiron, CEO at Polygon Labs.
Early Market Traction
Deploi enters the market with growing institutional demand and active issuance momentum, including:
- Initial live product focused on UK consumer credit
- Notes issued in tranches of up to EUR 5 million
- EUR 1 billion note programme planned during 2026
- Approximately EUR 100 million in additional issuance volume through Assetera already lined up over the next six months
- Target yields ranging from 6–18%, depending on underlying asset structures
- Buy-side engagement from digital asset and yield-focused institutional investors
Infrastructure & Settlement
Deploi combines regulated issuance infrastructure with blockchain-native settlement and servicing capabilities:
- Regulated Settlement: Assetera acts as Deploi’s licensed trading and settlement venue.
- Onchain Registry: Digital debt instruments and registry records are anchored on Polygon.
- Scalable Issuance Framework: Deploi’s 2026 note programme is structured to support direct issuance across multiple private credit asset classes as global issuance infrastructure is completed.
About Deploi
Deploi is a Nordics-based financial infrastructure provider enabling private credit originators to issue institutional-grade digital debt securities directly to global investors through regulated blockchain infrastructure.
Deploi’s platform is designed to support programmable issuance, settlement, servicing, and risk management for private credit markets, helping originators and investors access more efficient, transparent, and scalable debt capital markets infrastructure.
About Assetera
Assetera is the first EU-regulated DLT trading platform for securities and real-world assets. Licensed by the Austrian FMA under MiFID II and VASP frameworks, Assetera enables compliant distribution of tokenized financial products across Europe.
About Polygon Labs
Polygon Labs develops blockchain infrastructure for scalable payments and financial markets. Its technology supports institutions, fintechs, and enterprises building onchain financial applications at global scale.
Media Contact
Disclaimer
This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or financial instruments. Any investment in private credit instruments involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Target yields are not guaranteed and may vary depending on the underlying asset structure, market conditions, borrower performance, and other risk factors. Securities referenced in this announcement may only be offered to eligible investors in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Crypto World
Justin Sun moves 41.99m SPK to HTX in fresh suspected sell-off
Justin Sun moved 41.99m Spark worth $1.23m from Spark to HTX, adding to roughly 610m SPK in exchange-bound flows since 2025 and renewing sell-pressure and governance worries.
Summary
- Justin Sun moved 41.99 million SPK, worth about $1.23 million, from Spark to HTX in his latest suspected token sale after a two‑week pause.
- On-chain data indicate Sun has transferred roughly 610 million SPK to exchanges since September 2025, with an estimated cumulative value of about $19.08 million.
- The sustained offloading of staking rewards risks adding persistent sell pressure to SPK and intensifying long‑running concerns about Sun’s use of ecosystem tokens.
Justin Sun has resumed large Spark (SPK) withdrawals from Spark, moving 41.99 million tokens worth approximately $1.23 million to his HTX exchange in another suspected sell‑side transaction, according to on-chain data flagged by pseudonymous analyst ai_9684xtpa and relayed by ChainCatcher. The latest transfer follows a roughly two‑week lull in activity, suggesting Sun is again cycling staking rewards or accumulated balances from the Spark protocol into centralized venues rather than compounding them on-chain.
Since September 2025, Sun-linked wallets have routed around 610 million SPK to exchanges, with an estimated aggregate value near $19.08 million at the time of transfer, ChainCatcher’s running tally shows. While these movements do not prove immediate market sells, the consistent pattern of exchange-bound flows has led analysts and traders to treat them as de facto supply overhang that can cap upside or accelerate drawdowns when liquidity thins.
Pattern of SPK offloads raises pressure on the token
The latest move continues a broader trend of Sun monetizing rewards and ecosystem allocations across projects he influences, echoing earlier scrutiny over his handling of other tokens on networks associated with TRON and HTX. Each fresh SPK transfer into HTX expands the pool of coins that can be market‑sold into bids, potentially dampening spot demand from users who interact with Spark for its lending and staking features rather than for speculative trading.
Traders watching SPK’s order books now have to factor in the possibility of further tranches coming online if Sun maintains his current pace, especially given the roughly eight‑month history of repeated, multi‑million token transfers. For long‑term holders, the concern is less about any single $1.23 million move and more about the signaling effect of a key insider consistently sending rewards off‑platform instead of holding or deploying them inside the Spark ecosystem.
Governance and transparency questions resurface
The repeated flows also sharpen governance questions around how much effective control Sun still exerts over Spark and related assets, even when formal structures appear decentralized on paper. Large, opaque insider movements can erode confidence among smaller holders who lack visibility into Sun’s trading intentions or any internal agreements that might constrain his selling behavior.
Sun has previously dismissed similar concerns around his trading activity in other ecosystems, arguing that his moves are routine treasury and liquidity management rather than opportunistic dumping. However, the combination of regular SPK transfers to HTX, the cumulative $19.08 million value involved, and the absence of detailed public communication around those flows leaves SPK in the crosshairs whenever broader market sentiment turns risk‑off.
Crypto World
Bitcoin Sell Pressure Cools With 27% Breakout in Sight, But Whales Have Other Plans
Bitcoin (BTC) price is sitting near $76,875 with sell pressure cooling and a breakout setup forming, but the largest whale wallets and the Smart Money Index both lean the other way.
The setup follows a 27% rally between March 29 and May 6 that paused inside a downward-sloping channel. Whether bulls reclaim the breakout zone now depends on whether retail calm can outlast steady distribution from larger participants.
Sell Pressure Cools as Breakout Setup Holds
Bitcoin formed a bull flag pattern after rallying over 27% between March 29 and May 6. The pattern is a brief downward-sloping channel that follows a sharp move higher and often signals continuation toward a breakout.
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The flag’s lower trendline is under direct pressure as BTC tests the support edge. Selling volume, however, has cooled noticeably since May 15, hinting that bears may be losing steam and the breakout setup remains intact.
Supporting that technical read, on-chain data from Binance Research shows tightening supply across four metrics. Nearly 60% of Bitcoin supply has not moved in over a year, while Bitcoin exchange balances have fallen to 15.0% from the COVID-era peak of 17.6%.
The short-term holder MVRV, a metric that compares the current value of recent buyers’ coins against what they paid, has moved back above 1.0. The reading suggests fresh entrants are possibly sitting on small unrealized profits for the first time since November 2024.
The flag’s lower edge therefore appears to have a structural cushion from supply tightening, keeping the breakout case alive. Whether the largest cohorts agree is a separate story.
Whales Trim Supply as Smart Money Index Bails
The volume drop tells only half the story. Two of Bitcoin’s largest cohort signals have moved in the opposite direction since February.
Wallets holding between 100,000 and 1,000,000 BTC have steadily reduced their share of supply from 3.46% on February 20 to 3.31% as of May 18. The decline has been almost linear with no meaningful rebuilds, suggesting the largest Bitcoin whales are possibly distributing into the bounces for nearly three months.
Notably, no meaningful pickups happened while Bitcoin itself climbed to its early May peak, indicating big holders still view this phase as a weak one. That pattern undercuts the breakout narrative the cooling sell pressure has been building.
The Smart Money Index, a gauge that compares trading activity near the open against the close to track informed investor intent, has reinforced the caution. The index broke below its signal line on May 15, the first decisive breach since March 26.
An earlier dip in late April reclaimed quickly. The latest move looks steeper and has not been reclaimed, with Bitcoin sliding roughly 5% since that breakdown began.
Even with retail sell pressure cooling, the largest wallets and the smart money gauge both lean cautious. That sets up the price chart as the decider for whether the breakout still has a shot.
Bitcoin Price Levels That Decide the Breakout
The Bitcoin price now sits between two key technical levels. The zones are drawn from the swing low at $64,884 to the swing high at $82,830.
The 0.236 retracement at $78,595 caps any immediate upside. The 0.382 level at $75,975 is the first line of defense.
A daily close below $75,975 would push BTC into the 0.5 zone at $73,857. That level would erode the breakout case. A drop under the 0.618 mark at $71,739 would fully invalidate the pattern.
On the upside, the flag’s upper trendline support sits near $81,665. Reclaiming this and breaking above the swing high at $82,830 would confirm the breakout, re-extend the 27% rally, and likely draw fresh attention from the cohorts now distributing.
The pattern nuance worth flagging is that bull flags only confirm on a clean breakout above the upper boundary with rising volume. Until then, every test of the lower edge raises the odds of a clean breakdown rather than continuation. The $75,975 floor separates a flag continuation toward the $82,830 breakout from a measured slide toward $73,857 or lower.
The post Bitcoin Sell Pressure Cools With 27% Breakout in Sight, But Whales Have Other Plans appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Established Leaders and the Growth of ZunaBet
The online gambling industry has long been shaped by a handful of major operators. Bet365 and 888casino sit near the top of that list. Both have spent years building their reputations, expanding their game libraries, and attracting millions of players worldwide. But the market is shifting. A new wave of crypto-focused platforms is emerging, and among them, ZunaBet is drawing attention as a platform built from the ground up for a different kind of player. This article breaks down how these three platforms compare across games, payments, bonuses, loyalty programs, and overall direction.
Bet365: The Scale Operator
Bet365 is one of the biggest names in online gambling globally. Founded in 2000, the UK-based operator holds licenses in multiple regulated markets and is known primarily for its sportsbook, which is widely considered one of the most comprehensive in the world. Its casino arm offers a solid selection of slots, table games, and live dealer options from well-known providers.
Bet365 operates on a traditional fiat model. Deposits and withdrawals are handled through credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, and other standard payment methods. The platform does not currently support cryptocurrency payments. Its welcome offers tend to be modest compared to some competitors, with a focus on sports betting promotions rather than large casino bonuses.
The loyalty system at Bet365 is relatively straightforward. There is no elaborate tiered program with public rakeback percentages. Instead, the platform relies on periodic promotions, free bets, and retention offers tailored to individual players. For many users, Bet365’s strength lies in its reliability, breadth of sports markets, and global reach rather than flashy bonus structures.
888casino: The Long-Running Brand
888casino has been around since 1997, making it one of the oldest online casino brands still in operation. It holds licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, among others. The platform offers a wide library of slots, jackpot games, table games, and a live casino section powered by providers like Evolution and NetEnt.
Like Bet365, 888casino operates entirely on fiat payment rails. Players can deposit using Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and similar options. There is no cryptocurrency support. The welcome bonus at 888casino typically sits in the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars range, depending on the market and current promotion. It is competitive but not among the largest in the industry.
888casino uses a tiered VIP program with levels that unlock based on activity. Benefits include bonus offers, faster withdrawals, and dedicated account managers at higher tiers. The system is functional but follows the same general template used by most traditional operators. There is nothing particularly unique about it compared to other legacy casino loyalty programs.
ZunaBet: The Crypto-First Challenger
ZunaBet launched in 2026 and takes a fundamentally different approach. Built by a team with over 20 years of combined industry experience, it was designed from the start as a crypto-first platform. It is owned by Strathvale Group Ltd and operates under an Anjouan gaming license.

The numbers are hard to ignore. ZunaBet offers over 11,000 games from 63 providers, including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Evolution, Yggdrasil, and BGaming. That makes it one of the larger game libraries among crypto-focused casinos. The selection covers slots, RNG table games, and live dealer titles. Alongside the casino, ZunaBet runs a full sportsbook covering football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and esports titles like CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant. Virtual sports and combat sports round out the offering.

Where ZunaBet stands apart most clearly is payments. The platform supports over 20 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, USDT across multiple chains, SOL, DOGE, ADA, and XRP. There are no platform processing fees, and withdrawals are fast. For players who already hold crypto, this removes the friction of converting to fiat, waiting for bank processing times, or dealing with card declines that sometimes affect gambling transactions.

The welcome bonus is significantly larger than what Bet365 or 888casino typically offer. ZunaBet provides up to $5,000 plus 75 free spins spread across three deposits. The first deposit gets a 100% match up to $2,000 plus 25 spins. The second gives 50% up to $1,500 plus 25 spins. The third adds another 100% up to $1,500 plus 25 spins. That total package puts it well above the industry average for welcome offers.
Loyalty Programs: Traditional Tiers vs. Gamified Progression
This is where the philosophical difference between old and new platforms becomes most visible. Bet365 keeps things simple with ad hoc promotions. 888casino uses a tiered VIP system that rewards volume but follows a familiar pattern. Neither platform offers transparent, publicly stated rakeback percentages at each tier.

ZunaBet takes a different route with its dragon evolution loyalty system. The program has six tiers — Squire, Warden, Champion, Divine, Knight, and Ultimate — each with a clearly stated rakeback rate. Players start at 1% rakeback and can progress to 20% at the highest level. The program also includes tier-based free spins up to 1,000, VIP club access, double wheel spins, and a gamified mascot called Zuno. It is designed to feel more like progression in a game than a standard rewards program, which appeals to a generation of players who grew up with video games and expect that kind of engagement.
Crypto vs. Traditional Platforms
The broader trend behind ZunaBet’s approach is worth noting. Traditional operators like Bet365 and 888casino built their businesses around fiat currencies, regulated banking systems, and payment processors that come with their own fees and processing times. That model works and has worked for decades.
But crypto-native platforms are growing because they solve specific problems. Transactions are faster. Fees are lower. Players in regions with limited banking access can participate more easily. Privacy preferences are better served. And for the growing number of people who hold cryptocurrency as a primary asset, being able to gamble without converting to fiat is a practical advantage, not just a novelty.

ZunaBet sits squarely in this space. It was not built as a traditional casino that added crypto later. It was designed around crypto from day one, and that shapes everything from its payment infrastructure to its bonus structure to its target audience.
Where Things Stand
Bet365 and 888casino are not going anywhere. They have the licenses, the brand recognition, and the user bases to remain major players for years to come. They serve a broad market and do it well.
But ZunaBet represents something different. It is a platform built for players who want more games, bigger bonuses, transparent loyalty rewards, and the ability to use crypto without friction. With over 11,000 games, a full sportsbook, 20+ supported cryptocurrencies, and a loyalty program that clearly states what you earn at every level, it is positioning itself as the next step in what online casinos can look like.
For a new generation of players who think in crypto, expect gamified experiences, and want transparency in their rewards, ZunaBet is the platform to watch.
Crypto World
Salesforce (CRM) Stock Tumbles 25% as Bank of America Warns on AI Revenue Model
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America maintained its Underperform stance on Salesforce (CRM), setting a $160 price target that suggests approximately 8% downside from current trading levels.
- The firm highlighted three primary challenges: sluggish new customer acquisition, constrained expansion opportunities with existing accounts, and questionable AI revenue generation capabilities.
- Shares of CRM began Monday’s session at $173.77, hovering close to the 52-week low of $163.52, reflecting a 25% decline over the last half-year.
- Contrasting with BofA’s pessimistic outlook, the broader analyst community rates CRM as a Moderate Buy with a consensus target of $274.56.
- The company delivered fourth-quarter results exceeding expectations with $3.81 EPS and $11.20 billion in revenue, while authorizing a substantial $25 billion stock repurchase initiative.
Bank of America reaffirmed its Underperform position on Salesforce (CRM) at the start of the week, establishing a $160 price objective — calculated using 9x CY27 EV/FCF — which indicates potential downside of approximately 7.9% from the opening price of $173.77.
Shares of CRM kicked off Monday’s trading session dangerously close to the 52-week bottom of $163.52, after experiencing a substantial 25% pullback throughout the preceding six-month period. The stock currently trades significantly below its 50-day moving average of $184.17.
BofA identified three fundamental concerns driving its bearish thesis: lackluster growth in new customer acquisition, minimal opportunities to expand wallet share with current customers, and what analysts characterized as a questionable AI monetization strategy.
The financial institution perceives Salesforce as evolving from a high-velocity growth company into a mature enterprise focused on cash generation. BofA’s projections anticipate annual revenue growth around the 10% mark moving forward — representing a notable deceleration from the company’s historical expansion trajectory.
However, Salesforce’s underlying business metrics remain solid. The enterprise software giant delivered fourth-quarter earnings of $3.81 per share, surpassing analyst projections of $3.05 by a substantial $0.76 margin. Quarterly revenue reached $11.20 billion, narrowly exceeding the Street’s $11.18 billion estimate and representing 12.1% year-over-year growth.
Wall Street’s Broader Perspective
Bank of America’s bearish position represents a clear outlier. Among 39 analysts tracking the stock, 25 recommend buying, 11 suggest holding, and merely two — including BofA — advocate selling. One analyst has assigned a Strong Buy rating. The average price target stands at $274.56.
Truist Securities affirmed its Buy recommendation with a $280 price objective following the company’s TDX developer conference. Barclays sustained its Overweight rating alongside a $252 target. Jefferies continues to recommend buying the stock, though it reduced its price target from $375 down to $250.
Salesforce has implemented strategic measures to bolster shareholder value. This past March, the board greenlit a $25 billion share buyback authorization, empowering management to repurchase as much as 14.1% of shares outstanding — typically interpreted as leadership’s conviction that shares are trading below intrinsic value.
Director Purchases and Institutional Movements
Two board members executed stock purchases during March. Laura Alber acquired 2,571 shares at an average price of $194.58, while David Blair Kirk purchased 2,570 shares at $194.62. Both transactions represented significant increases to their respective holdings.
Institutional investors control 80.43% of outstanding shares, with multiple funds expanding their positions during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones grew its stake by 13.7%, while Revolve Wealth Partners increased its holdings by 12.6%.
Salesforce recently reorganized its revenue reporting framework into two distinct segments — Agentforce Apps and Data 360 — mirroring evolution in its product portfolio. The company has also deepened its strategic alliance with Google Cloud to implement AI agents throughout Slack and Google Workspace environments.
Looking toward FY2027, Salesforce has projected EPS ranging from $13.11 to $13.19, with first-quarter guidance between $3.11 and $3.13. Current analyst consensus anticipates full-year EPS of $9.71.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 22.25 with a beta of 1.14, maintaining a robust gross profit margin of 77.68% and a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.
Crypto World
VALR, Africa’s Leading Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider, Eyes Kenya for Expansion
[PRESS RELEASE – Johannesburg, South Africa, May 18th, 2026]
VALR, Africa’s leading digital asset infrastructure provider, served as diamond sponsor of the Kenya Blockchain & Crypto Conference held in Nairobi on 14 and 15 May 2026.
Peter Mwangi, VALR’s newly appointed Country Manager for Kenya, delivered a keynote address in which he outlined his vision for Kenya as an up-and-coming digital asset hub on the African continent. He drew parallels between the country’s pioneering adoption and development of mobile money and the opportunities in payments, financial inclusion, and infrastructure on the digital asset front. Shelley Havemann, VALR’s Head of Payments, participated in a panel discussion on stablecoins, the future of payments, and VALR’s role in transforming finance.
VALR also hosted a meetup in the capital for business leaders in finance to explore partnership opportunities. These activities underscore VALR’s strategic focus on Kenya and its support for the country’s emerging digital asset ecosystem.
Kenya’s Digital Finance Leadership and Recent Regulatory Progress
Kenya is recognised for its early and pioneering adoption of mobile money, which has driven significant advances in financial inclusion, payments, and broader economic participation across the continent. Recent regulatory developments have strengthened this foundation. The Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act was enacted in October 2025 and came into force in November 2025. The finalisation of the supporting 2026 VASP Regulations under the Capital Markets Authority establishes a clear licensing and oversight framework. This framework aligns Kenya with international standards, promotes investor protection and responsible innovation, and creates a solid base for digital asset growth. These steps reinforce the vision outlined in Mwangi’s keynote and position Kenya as an increasingly important digital asset market in Africa.
(Peter Mwangi, VALR’s Country Manager for Kenya)
VALR Brings Scale, Infrastructure, and Innovation
Founded in Johannesburg in 2018, VALR quickly grew to become South Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. It has since developed into Africa’s leading digital asset infrastructure provider. VALR processes more than 15 billion US dollars in stablecoin volumes annually and consistently ranks among the top 10 global minters of USDC. The platform serves over 1.8 million registered users and more than 2,000 corporate and institutional clients, including companies listed on the JSE and Nasdaq.
VALR offers institutional-grade infrastructure, including API integration, multi-account management, governance controls, an OTC desk, staking, lending, borrowing, VALR Pay, and crypto-as-a-service solutions that power other institutions’ offerings. The company also recently launched its AI Service, which features an intuitive chat assistant for market analysis, account insights, and support, together with open API support for autonomous AI agents under the open Agent Skills Standard.
Through its conference participation and Nairobi meetup, VALR is bringing this proven expertise and infrastructure directly to Kenyan institutions and the wider African market. VALR welcomes discussions with Kenyan financial institutions and businesses interested in partnership opportunities.
About VALR
Founded in 2018, headquartered in Johannesburg, and backed by leading investors including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital, VALR is a global crypto exchange, and the leading digital asset infrastructure provider on the African continent, offering a comprehensive suite of products, including Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, VALR Invest, Crypto Bundles, and VALR Pay. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA, with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR serves over 1.8 million registered users and 2,000 corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The exchange is dedicated to advancing a just financial future that upholds human dignity and the unity of mankind. For more information, visit valr.com.
The post VALR, Africa’s Leading Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider, Eyes Kenya for Expansion appeared first on CryptoPotato.
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