Crypto World
MegaETH Launches Real-Time Ethereum L2 With Sub-10ms Blocks and $89M TVL
TLDR:
- MegaETH processes over 100,000 TPS with sub-10ms block times, settling all activity directly on Ethereum mainnet.
- iTRY, a Turkish Lira stablecoin backed by money market funds, launches with a real-time 45% APY yield loop strategy.
- Kumbaya XYZ holds $51M of MegaETH’s $89M TVL, with USDM capturing 74% of the network’s $84M stablecoin market cap.
- 53% of $MEGA token supply unlocks only after hard KPIs are met, with USDM revenue funding active protocol buybacks now.
MegaETH ($MEGA) is gaining attention as the first real-time Ethereum Layer 2 in history. The network delivers sub-10-millisecond block times and over 100,000 transactions per second.
All activity settles directly on Ethereum. The protocol currently holds approximately $89 million in total value locked.
With 2.26 million transactions in 24 hours and zero artificial incentives, MegaETH is building momentum. The network positions itself as a high-throughput onchain settlement layer for real applications.
iTRY Launch and Live DeFi Protocols Drive Activity on MegaETH
One of the most anticipated developments is the launch of iTRY, a Turkish Lira stablecoin. As noted by researcher Nick Research on X, iTRY is backed by money market funds and offers around 45% APY.
The yield strategy works through a real-time loop: lock iTRY, mint wiTRY, borrow USDm, and compound yield. This carry loop removes traditional lock-up barriers for yield seekers.
The broader stablecoin market on MegaETH is already well-established. USDM, issued through Ethena, captures over 74% of the $84 million stablecoin market cap on the network.
Kumbaya XYZ contributes $51 million of the $89 million total TVL on its own. That concentration shows real capital deployment rather than distributed incentive farming.
Bluechip DeFi protocols went live on the network from day one. Aave V3, GMX, and World Markets launched alongside a Chainlink Scale integration.
That integration provides access to nearly $14 billion in flagship assets, including wstETH and LBTC. This confirms that major DeFi infrastructure views MegaETH as production-ready.
Perpetuals trading activity is rising sharply on the network as well. Weekly perps volume climbed 900% to reach $45 million over seven days.
The sequencer operates at cost, which keeps transaction fees among the lowest in crypto. These factors together are drawing active traders to the platform.
$MEGA Tokenomics Link Supply Unlocks to Hard Performance Milestones
The $MEGA token structure stands out for its milestone-based unlock mechanism. There are no points programs, no emissions, and no manufactured TVL incentives in the design.
Instead, 53% of total supply unlocks only after the network hits hard KPIs. Token release is directly tied to real, measurable growth.
Foundation revenue from USDM activity flows into direct $MEGA buybacks, which are already active. This buyback mechanism provides consistent demand without depending on market speculation.
Protocol revenue-backed buybacks at this stage of development remain uncommon. It adds a self-sustaining element to the overall token economy.
The token generation event remains tied to milestones rather than a fixed calendar date. This approach shifts builder incentives toward long-term throughput growth.
The network currently runs at 10 gigagas per second, supporting complex smart contracts at scale. That throughput level makes MegaETH suitable for applications requiring fast, reliable execution.
The MegaMafia ecosystem is expanding into DeFi, gaming, and culture. Brix recently secured $5.5 million from Turkish institutional investors ahead of the iTRY launch. Active addresses reached 3,230 in 24 hours, reflecting genuine user engagement on the network.
Crypto World
Federal Court Dismisses Securities Lawsuit Against Caitlyn Jenner’s JENNER Memecoin
Key Takeaways
- California federal court dismissed securities fraud lawsuit targeting Caitlyn Jenner’s JENNER memecoin
- Token failed to satisfy Howey Test criteria required for security classification
- British investor Lee Greenfield reported losses exceeding $40,000 from token purchases
- Court determined absence of “common enterprise” among token purchasers
- Non-federal claims under California law transferred to state court jurisdiction
A federal court has delivered a legal victory to Caitlyn Jenner by dismissing a class-action lawsuit alleging her JENNER memecoin constituted an unregistered security.
A federal judge ruled Caitlyn Jenner’s $JENNER memecoin is not a security, dismissing a class action lawsuit from a buyer who lost $40K.
The court found the token failed the Howey Test’s “common enterprise” requirement. pic.twitter.com/UGQUs2YYzo
— Token Metrics (@tokenmetricsinc) April 17, 2026
The decision came Thursday from California federal judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who determined the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that the JENNER token satisfied the legal criteria for a security.
At the heart of the case was the Howey Test, a legal framework established by a 1946 Supreme Court decision. This test requires an investment contract to include capital invested in a collective venture with profit expectations derived from the efforts of others.
Judge Blumenfeld concluded that the token failed to satisfy two of the three Howey Test components. Specifically, he found insufficient evidence establishing a “common enterprise” linking JENNER token purchasers.
The primary plaintiff, Lee Greenfield from the United Kingdom, claimed losses surpassing $40,000 from purchasing the token across both Solana and Ethereum networks during May 2024.
Greenfield’s legal team contended that Jenner exploited her fame to promote the token. The filing cited an X platform post featuring an AI-created image depicting Jenner wearing a “JENNER ETH” shirt, used to market the cryptocurrency to potential buyers.
The initial legal action was brought in November 2024 against both Jenner and her manager Sophia Hutchins. Hutchins passed away in July 2025.
The revised complaint claimed investors had collectively pooled their resources based on Jenner’s promise that a 3% transaction fee would finance token repurchases, promotional activities, political donations to Donald Trump’s campaign, and fractional ownership shares in her Olympic gold medal.
Court Rejects Common Enterprise Claim
Judge Blumenfeld dismissed the pooling theory presented by plaintiffs. His ruling stated the allegations failed to establish that investors had agreed to share profits and losses or combine resources beyond the simple act of purchasing the cryptocurrency.
The Olympic medal ownership initiative was revealed in August 2024, occurring after Greenfield had already completed his token purchases, and ultimately never materialized.
The court further determined that Jenner’s promotional efforts alone were insufficient to constitute a common enterprise under securities law.
JENNER Token History
The JENNER token debuted on the Solana blockchain in May 2024 via the Pump.fun platform. Controversy erupted immediately when Jenner and other celebrity endorsers alleged they had been defrauded by a partner identified as Sahil Arora.
Jenner subsequently relaunched the token on the Ethereum network. Investors asserted this migration negatively impacted the original Solana version’s market value.
The cryptocurrency reached its peak market capitalization of approximately $7.5 million in June 2024. Since then, its value has collapsed, losing virtually all market worth.
Case Outcome and Future Proceedings
The court rejected the plaintiff’s motion to file a third amended version of their complaint. Claims based on California state law regarding contract violations and fraud were transferred to state court for potential further proceedings.
Crypto World
Boeing (BA) Stock Jumps Over 2% on Chinook Drone Capabilities and Satellite Expansion
Key Highlights
- Shares of Boeing advanced more than 2% Friday following announcements that CH-47 Chinook helicopters will receive drone swarm deployment capabilities.
- A contract worth approximately $324M from the U.S. Army for Chinook helicopters strengthened Boeing’s defense order book.
- Millennium Space Systems and Boeing introduced a mid-class satellite platform with plans for approximately 26 units in 2026.
- Oak Harvest Investment Services expanded its Boeing position by 44.5% during Q4, bringing holdings to 28,933 shares valued at approximately $6.28M.
- Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” rating on BA stock with a consensus price target of $252.48.
Friday proved eventful for Boeing as shares gained more than 2% following several significant announcements across its defense and aerospace divisions.
The primary catalyst came from revelations that the CH-47 Chinook helicopter platform will receive substantial capability enhancements. Boeing is integrating what it describes as “launched effects” technology into the Chinook fleet — an umbrella term encompassing drones, electronic decoys, and loitering munitions. These capabilities can be deployed from both piloted and autonomous aircraft platforms.
The Chinook platform has maintained operational relevance for over 60 years and continues generating new orders. This technological enhancement aims to extend its strategic value. Reports indicate the U.S. Army has expressed substantial interest in these enhanced vertical-launch capabilities.
That interest translates into tangible financial commitments. The Army recently granted Boeing a contract valued at approximately $324 million for Chinook helicopters, bolstering the company’s defense sector pipeline. However, the program faces some uncertainty — congressional members have questioned the CH-47F Block II program’s trajectory, prompting Boeing to advocate for firmer Army commitments.
New Satellite Platform Unveiled
In aerospace developments, Boeing partnered with its Millennium Space Systems division to reveal a mid-class satellite platform designed for the “micro GEO” segment. The platform serves both defense and commercial markets, combining Boeing’s payload technology with Millennium’s accelerated manufacturing capabilities.
The initiative targets delivery of approximately 26 satellites throughout 2026. Boeing has been aggressively pursuing this market segment, and Millennium’s rapid production methodology provides competitive advantages as communications satellite demand accelerates.
Boeing’s most recent quarterly results exceeded market expectations considerably. The aerospace giant reported Q4 earnings per share of $9.92, substantially surpassing the consensus forecast of -$0.40. Quarterly revenue reached $23.95 billion — representing 57.1% year-over-year growth and exceeding the $22.41 billion analyst projection.
Despite the exceptional quarterly performance, Wall Street forecasts remain cautious with a projected -$2.58 EPS for the full fiscal year, creating a complex earnings outlook as the company approaches its April 22 Q1 earnings release.
On the manufacturing front, Boeing continues ramping workforce additions, hiring between 100 and 140 factory employees weekly to accelerate 737 MAX production and populate a newly established assembly line.
Institutional Activity Intensifies
Institutional stakeholders control 64.82% of Boeing’s outstanding shares. Oak Harvest Investment Services increased its position by 44.5% in the fourth quarter, elevating holdings to 28,933 shares with an approximate value of $6.28 million. Multiple additional institutional investors similarly expanded their Boeing allocations during Q3.
This institutional accumulation coincides with some insider divestment. Executive Vice President Howard McKenzie divested 10,497 shares in February at $233.99 each, while Senior Vice President Ann Schmidt sold 6,281 shares at $243.37. Collectively, company insiders have sold 21,012 shares totaling approximately $4.98 million over the past 90 days.
Boeing commenced Friday trading at $223.17. The stock’s 52-week trading range extends from $156.47 to $254.35. The 50-day moving average currently stands at $219.27.
Wall Street price targets span from the $252.48 consensus to $290.00 from Tigress Financial, which maintains a Buy rating. Susquehanna established a $280 target with a “positive” outlook, while Royal Bank of Canada elevated its target to $275 with an “outperform” designation.
Additionally, El Al expanded its 787 Dreamliner order by six aircraft this week, contributing incremental demand to Boeing’s widebody production backlog.
Crypto World
Sberbank Poised to Launch Crypto Services for 110 Million Russian Customers
Key Highlights
- Russia’s dominant financial institution, Sberbank, has completed technical preparations to launch digital asset custody and trading platforms for its massive customer base of 110 million users, awaiting only regulatory clearance.
- Retail investors without qualified status will face annual purchase restrictions of approximately $4,000 in cryptocurrency transactions under proposed legislation.
- Privacy-oriented digital currencies including Monero, Zcash, and Dash face complete prohibition within the upcoming regulatory structure.
- The financial institution has already ventured into crypto-collateralized lending, providing a loan to mining operation Intelion last December with plans for program expansion.
- Russian authorities target June for finalizing comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations, with enforcement scheduled to begin July 1, 2027.
The dominant player in Russia’s banking sector is positioning itself to make a significant entrance into the digital asset industry, awaiting only regulatory authorization to begin providing cryptocurrency trading and custody solutions to its client base.
Russia’s Largest Bank Sberbank Prepares for Crypto Trading Rollout
According to TASS, Sberbank is ready to offer cryptocurrency trading services once regulation and organized exchange trading are introduced, Senior Vice President Ruslan Vesterovsky said at a Moscow Exchange… pic.twitter.com/CJxKym0lBx
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 19, 2026
With a customer base exceeding 110 million retail clients, Sberbank operates under majority state ownership. According to bank officials, the necessary technological framework has been established and is operational. The institution stands ready to deploy margin trading capabilities, artificial intelligence-driven investment tools, and robust custody solutions immediately upon regulatory confirmation.
The announcement came from Senior Vice President Ruslan Vesterovsky during the Moscow Exchange forum. Vesterovsky stated that the bank anticipates organized exchange trading will deliver enhanced liquidity and competitive pricing to the marketplace. He emphasized the institution’s readiness to act swiftly once structured trading regulations receive approval.
While Russia’s Central Bank continues to designate cryptocurrencies as elevated-risk instruments, it has authorized restricted deployment of digital assets within certain financial operations. Sberbank’s current cryptocurrency initiatives demonstrate the institution is already functioning within the boundaries of existing permissions.
Last December, Sberbank extended one of Russia’s inaugural crypto-collateralized loans to Intelion, a cryptocurrency mining enterprise. Intelion operates over 300 megawatts of electrical capacity and maintains approximately 1,500 client relationships. Subsequently, Sberbank revealed intentions to extend comparable financing arrangements to additional corporations.
Framework Details for Cryptocurrency Trading
Russian legislative bodies are advancing toward completing a comprehensive digital asset regulatory structure by June. Should the timeline proceed as planned, implementation would commence on July 1, 2027.
The proposed framework would permit both certified and non-certified investors to participate in cryptocurrency purchases and sales. Non-certified investors would encounter annual acquisition caps of approximately 300,000 rubles, equivalent to roughly $3,934. Additionally, these investors must successfully complete a competency evaluation before gaining trading authorization.
Certified investors would operate without volume constraints, though mandatory risk evaluation procedures would remain required.
The approved asset roster is anticipated to encompass Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, the central banking authority strictly prohibits digital currency usage for domestic commercial transactions within Russian borders.
Prohibited Digital Assets
Anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies face total exclusion from both investor classifications. The proposed regulatory framework bans Monero, Zcash, and Dash completely, citing anti-money laundering protocols as justification.
The legislation additionally establishes sanctions for unauthorized intermediary operations within the cryptocurrency sector. These sanctions mirror existing penalties applied to unlicensed banking activities, providing licensed institutions such as Sberbank with enhanced legal clarity.
The regulatory approach establishes a two-tier classification system separating retail and certified investors. This framework design minimizes exposure for general investors while permitting greater latitude for sophisticated market participants.
Sberbank’s cryptocurrency market participation depends directly on the completion of regulatory guidelines drafted in December. The financial institution has already broadened its crypto-backed lending operations and continues developing its platform infrastructure to accommodate additional corporate clients.
Russian cryptocurrency regulation is projected to reach finalization by June, with comprehensive implementation targeted for mid-2027.
Crypto World
Why Marvell (MRVL) Stock Surged 55% YTD: Nvidia Partnership and AI Chip Demand Fuel Rally
Key Takeaways
- Shares of MRVL have climbed 55% since the start of the year and 168% over the trailing twelve months, fueled by AI data center infrastructure demand.
- On March 31, Nvidia made a $2 billion private placement investment in Marvell, establishing a strategic collaboration centered on NVLink Fusion technology.
- The semiconductor company closed two major acquisitions: $540 million for XConn Technologies and $1 billion for Celestial AI to strengthen AI interconnect capabilities.
- Marvell generated $1.5 billion from custom silicon sales in Fiscal 2026, with leadership targeting this segment to comprise at least 25% of total data center revenues.
- Management projects data center networking revenue will exceed $600 million in Fiscal 2027, representing a doubling from the prior fiscal year.
Marvell Technology has delivered exceptional performance throughout 2025 and into 2026. Shares have rallied over 55% year-to-date and posted gains of 168% across the past year. April proved particularly explosive, with MRVL climbing more than 50% during the month alone.
Marvell Technology, Inc., MRVL
Such extraordinary price action stems from a series of tangible business catalysts rather than speculation.
The March 31 announcement that Nvidia would invest $2 billion in Marvell via private placement marked a watershed moment. Alongside the capital infusion, the companies forged a strategic alliance to expand Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion infrastructure and collaborate on semi-customized AI solutions. The partnership solidifies Marvell’s position as a critical design collaborator within Nvidia’s expanding ecosystem.
Wall Street responded enthusiastically. Oppenheimer lifted its price objective for MRVL to $170 post-announcement. Barclays took an even more bullish stance, elevating the stock from Equal Weight to Overweight while raising its target from $105 to $150, highlighting momentum in Marvell’s optical components and port technologies.
Jim Cramer offered his perspective on the stock’s trajectory, describing Marvell as among the data center plays that “was good and then became unbelievable.” He highlighted CEO Matt Murphy’s prescient stock acquisitions around the $70 level and the company’s strategic purchase of optical assets at attractive valuations as catalysts behind the surge.
Custom Silicon Segment Generates Substantial Revenue Growth
Hyperscale cloud providers are pivoting from off-the-shelf GPUs toward application-specific custom silicon optimized for AI inference tasks. Marvell has emerged as a leading beneficiary of this architectural shift.
During Fiscal 2026, which concluded in January 2026, custom silicon operations delivered $1.5 billion in revenue. Company executives have established a target for this division to account for no less than 25% of aggregate data center sales moving forward. Marvell asserts that custom accelerators provide total cost of ownership advantages exceeding 40% compared to traditional GPU solutions, driving rapid customer adoption.
The firm has secured custom accelerator design partnerships with every major cloud infrastructure provider. Internal projections indicate that shipment volumes of custom accelerators will surpass GPU units by 2028.
To accelerate innovation in this domain, Marvell finalized a $1 billion all-cash acquisition of Celestial AI, which specializes in AI interconnect technology development.
Data Center Networking on Track to Double
Marvell’s data center networking operations are experiencing robust expansion. This segment generated over $300 million during Fiscal 2026. Leadership has provided guidance calling for networking revenue to surpass $600 million in Fiscal 2027.
The recently completed $540 million acquisition of XConn Technologies plays a central role in this growth trajectory. Marvell’s Structera S 60260 switching platforms now deliver double the lane density relative to rival offerings.
Demand for the company’s retimer products remains particularly strong. Alaska PCIe retimers from Marvell have become standard components in hyperscale server deployments. Management forecasts that combined revenue from retimers and active electrical cables will double during Fiscal 2027.
Consensus price targets from 27 Wall Street analysts currently average $126.12, suggesting approximately 9.7% downside from present trading levels.
The capital from Nvidia’s investment will support research and development initiatives at the 3nm and 5nm process nodes, where Marvell plans to manufacture its next-generation custom silicon portfolio.
Crypto World
RaveDAO Denies Manipulation as Binance, Bitget Probe RAVE Trading Activity
RaveDAO has denied any role in the recent surge and sharp collapse of its RAVE token, as major crypto exchanges open probes into trading activity following allegations of market manipulation.
In a thread posted on X, the project said it was “not engaged in, nor responsible for, recent price action,” responding to mounting scrutiny after RAVE soared from roughly $0.25 to nearly $28 within days before plunging more than 80%.
The denial comes as onchain investigator ZachXBT accused the project of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme, pointing to concentrated token holdings and suspicious exchange flows. He claimed that more than 90% of the token supply may be controlled by insiders, calling on exchanges to take action.
Both Binance and Bitget confirmed they are reviewing the situation. “We’re looking into it,” Binance CEO Richard Teng wrote, while Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said the exchange had “started investigating” RAVE trading activity.
Related: Study finds almost no crypto protocols disclose market-maker terms
RaveDAO plans token sales to fund growth
RaveDAO also outlined plans to sell portions of unlocked tokens to fund operations, marketing and hiring. The team said it is exploring “price-triggered or performance-triggered locks” to better align incentives.
“Building a movement requires resources,” the project wrote, adding it aims to do so “sustainably and transparently.”
RaveDAO is a Web3-based entertainment project that combines electronic music events with blockchain technology, aiming to onboard users into crypto through real-world experiences like festivals and parties. It operates as a decentralized community where attendees receive NFTs for participation, while its RAVE token is used for governance, ticketing and access to events.
At the time of writing, RAVE is trading at $1.36, down by 94.95% over the past day, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
Related: Stablecoins behave like FX markets as liquidity splits: Eco CEO
DeFi hacks surge in April
As Cointelegraph reported, more than a dozen DeFi protocols and crypto firms have been hit by exploits in just over two weeks, starting with the massive $280 million Drift Protocol attack on April 1.
Other affected projects include CoW Swap, Hyperbridge, Bybit, Silo Finance, Aethir and Rhea Finance, along with exchanges and liquidity pools across multiple chains. The attacks range from smart contract bugs and oracle manipulation to access control failures and liquidity pool exploits.
Magazine: Bitcoin may take 7 years to upgrade to post-quantum — BIP-360 co-author
Crypto World
Whales Dump Over $6 Million in AAVE as KelpDAO Exploit Triggers 20% Aave Price Drop
Aave (AAVE) fell over 20% on April 19 after the KelpDAO rsETH exploit triggered a wave of whale selling and a record spike in ETH utilization across the lending protocol.
The token dropped from roughly $115 to below $92 in hours as large holders rushed to exit positions. Aave’s ETH pool hit 100% utilization, effectively locking remaining depositors out of withdrawals.
Whales Offload Millions in AAVE
As of this writing, AAVE was trading for $91.89, down by 20.44% in the last 24 hours. With this, the altcoin has retested levels last seen on April 13.
On-chain data tracked by Lookonchain showed three major wallets selling AAVE within hours of the exploit becoming public.
- A wallet identified as smaugvision sold 20,015 AAVE for 2.06 million USDC at an average of $103 per token.
- A second whale at address 0xFC56 offloaded another 20,000 AAVE for 2.05 million USDC at the same average.
- A third wallet, 0xA2E4, sold 19,666 AAVE worth $1.95 million, converting the proceeds into 505.65 ETH and 10.11 WBTC at a lower $99 average.
Combined, the three wallets dumped nearly 60,000 AAVE tokens worth over $6 million.
$5.4 Billion ETH Exodus
Beyond the AAVE sell-off, suppliers began pulling ether (ETH) from Aave at scale. Over $5.4 billion in ETH reportedly left the protocol within hours.
Tron founder Justin Sun withdrew 65,584 ETH worth approximately $154 million, adding to the liquidity drain.
The mass withdrawal pushed Aave’s ETH utilization rate to 100%, meaning the pool had no remaining liquidity for new withdrawals.
Borrowing rates are expected to spike sharply as the protocol’s interest rate curve penalizes high utilization.
Whether Aave’s Umbrella backstop and the rsETH market freeze can stabilize confidence remains the central question for depositors still locked in the pool.
Aave Says Impact Limited to V3 ETH Market
Aave told BeInCrypto that the situation is contained to the V3 ETH market only, with V4 completely unaffected.
“On Aave’s side, the situation is contained to the V3 ETH market only. V4 is completely unaffected,” the Aave team said in an email shared exclusively with BeInCrypto.
The team said it moved quickly with precautionary measures, freezing the rsETH reserve, removing its borrowing power, and temporarily reducing the loan-to-value ratio on ETH to zero.
Stablecoin reserves and all other assets are operating normally with no exposure to the event.
The post Whales Dump Over $6 Million in AAVE as KelpDAO Exploit Triggers 20% Aave Price Drop appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Kelp DAO Suffers $292M Bridge Exploit in Under an Hour
Key Takeaways
- A Saturday attack on Kelp DAO’s LayerZero bridge resulted in the theft of 116,500 rsETH tokens valued at approximately $292 million
- The exploit manipulated LayerZero’s cross-chain messaging system to authorize fraudulent fund withdrawals
- Approximately $250 million in stolen assets were swapped for ETH using an address funded through Tornado Cash
- Nine or more DeFi protocols implemented emergency rsETH market freezes, including major platforms Aave, SparkLend, and Fluid
- The incident represents 2026’s most significant DeFi security breach, exceeding April’s Drift Protocol compromise
On Saturday at 17:35 UTC, malicious actors successfully extracted 116,500 rsETH tokens from Kelp DAO’s LayerZero-integrated bridge infrastructure, absconding with cryptocurrency assets valued at approximately $292 million.
The compromised volume accounts for roughly 18% of rsETH’s entire circulating token supply, which totals 630,000 units based on CoinGecko analytics.
Kelp DAO operates as a liquid restaking platform that accepts ETH deposits, channels them through EigenLayer for enhanced yield generation, and distributes rsETH as transferable receipt tokens to depositors.
The perpetrators exploited vulnerabilities in LayerZero’s cross-chain communication infrastructure, deceiving the system into processing what appeared to be legitimate cross-network instructions. This manipulation prompted Kelp’s bridge contract to transfer substantial funds to wallets under attacker control.
Kelp’s emergency response team activated protocol pause mechanisms across core smart contracts at 18:21 UTC, exactly 46 minutes following the initial breach. Two subsequent withdrawal attempts targeting an additional 40,000 rsETH — approximately $100 million in value — were successfully prevented.
Blockchain forensics from security firm Cyvers revealed that stolen assets were routed through addresses previously funded via Tornado Cash. Roughly $250 million of the compromised rsETH had already undergone conversion to ETH at the time of analysis.
Widespread Impact Across DeFi Ecosystem
The compromised bridge contract served as the collateral reserve supporting wrapped rsETH deployments across over 20 blockchain networks, including Base, Arbitrum, Linea, Blast, and Scroll.
With reserve backing eliminated, rsETH holders on layer 2 platforms now confront significant questions regarding token collateralization and redemption capabilities.
Aave implemented immediate rsETH market suspensions across both V3 and V4 platforms within hours of breach detection. [[LINK_START_0]]Aave’s token[[LINK_END_0]] experienced approximately 10% depreciation as traders factored in potential bad debt exposure risks.
SparkLend and Fluid similarly enacted rsETH market freezes. Lido Finance suspended deposits to its earnETH product due to rsETH holdings while emphasizing that its primary staking infrastructure remained unaffected.
Ethena implemented precautionary LayerZero OFT bridge suspensions from Ethereum mainnet for approximately six hours, though the protocol confirmed zero rsETH exposure.
Kelp’s initial public statement arrived at 20:10 UTC — nearly three hours post-attack. The protocol confirmed active collaboration with LayerZero, Unichain, audit partners, and external security consultants.
2026’s Challenging DeFi Security Landscape
Cyvers CEO Deddy Lavid characterized the breach as demonstrating inherent vulnerabilities within DeFi’s interconnected composability architecture.
The Drift Protocol, operating on Solana, sustained approximately $285 million in losses on April 1 through an attack attributed to North Korean threat actors.
Additional protocols including CoW Swap, Zerion, Rhea Finance, and Silo Finance have experienced security compromises throughout recent weeks.
According to Cyvers data, combined cryptocurrency losses from exploits and fraudulent schemes reached approximately $482 million during Q1 2026.
The Kelp DAO incident now holds the position as 2026’s most substantial DeFi security breach, marginally exceeding the Drift Protocol compromise.
As of publication, Kelp has not provided technical details explaining how attackers circumvented the bridge’s validation architecture.
Crypto World
Schwab and Citadel Eye Entry into Crypto Prediction Markets
Traditional finance giants are signaling a renewed interest in prediction markets, a sector that has surged in public attention as retail and institutional players explore hedging tools tied to real-world events. Charles Schwab and Citadel Securities each indicated they are weighing how to participate, signaling a potential shift from curiosity to concrete product ideas in the near term.
During an investor call, Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the firm “likely will have prediction markets” at some point, though they are not currently of primary interest among Schwab clients. He added that if the firm does pursue such offerings, it would be “quite straightforward” to roll them out as part of a broader wealth-building platform. Wurster also stressed one caveat: Schwab’s approach would intentionally sidestep markets tied to sports, politics or pop culture, aiming instead to align with long-term financial planning for clients. He noted that, in his view, the typical gambler’s edge in prediction markets is not favorable over time, and Schwab would pursue a model focused on prudent investing rather than speculative betting.
Meanwhile, Citadel Securities is watching developments in prediction markets with cautious interest. Citadel Securities president Jim Esposito said at a Semafor conference in Washington, DC, that the firm is “absolutely keeping an eye on developments” but emphasized that liquidity remains a constraint. “We’re not there yet, there’s not that much liquidity,” he noted, though he acknowledged the market is likely to scale in the future and suggested a potential path for involvement if conditions evolve.
Key takeaways
- Major incumbents are considering entry: Schwab publicly signals a future prediction market offering, focusing on wealth-building rather than sports or politics.
- Liquidity and maturity are gating factors for market makers: Citadel notes low current liquidity but envisions a ramp in participation as volumes grow.
- Event contracts as hedging tools: Both parties see potential use cases for event-driven products (e.g., elections) as hedges against portfolio risks, distinguishing them from pure betting markets.
- Regulatory backdrop remains unsettled: Courts have scrutinized platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket for unlicensed activity, while lawmakers debate how to address insider trading and consumer protections.
- Market growth persists alongside conflicts: Data from market trackers show brisk growth in prediction-market activity, even as regulators push back on certain offerings.
Growth, scrutiny and the evolving landscape of prediction markets
Prediction markets have surged in visibility over the past year, driven by platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket that allow users to trade contracts tied to real-world events. These markets have captured broad interest from traders seeking hedges or alternative risk exposures outside traditional financial instruments. In resounding numbers, Token Terminal reported that Kalshi, Polymarket and similar platforms together posted a record combined monthly trading volume of 23.6 billion dollars in March, highlighting a trajectory of rapid adoption and liquidity growth for event-driven markets.
Yet the expansion of these markets has not come without friction. Regulators in several U.S. states have pursued actions against prediction-platform operators, accusing them of offering unlicensed forms of betting disguised as markets for predictions. The intensity of scrutiny is underscored by ongoing litigation and regulatory scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions, complicating the path to broader adoption. Lawmakers in Congress have also signaled a willingness to tighten oversight, arguing that existing frameworks do not adequately deter insider trading or protect consumers in these newer trading venues.
Against this backdrop, Schwab’s cautious posture reflects a broader tension in the market: mainstream financial institutions want to participate in the potential utility of prediction markets, but they gravitate toward use cases aligned with risk management and long-horizon investing, rather than pure entertainment or speculative bets. Wurster’s comment that prediction markets must be aligned with “building long-term wealth” indicates a preferred framing: markets that help investors hedge or calibrate exposure to macro- or event-driven risk, rather than markets centered on volatile narratives or sensational outcomes.
Esposito’s remarks at Semafor likewise underscore a pragmatic view from a market-making perspective. While indicating interest in event contracts as hedges—such as those tied to elections or other geopolitical developments—Citadel remains attentive to liquidity conditions. If and when volumes and counterparties converge to support reliable price discovery, the economics of market-making in prediction markets could become more compelling for large liquidity providers and institutions with diversified risk profiles.
The regulatory environment adds another layer of complexity. The record-level activity reported by market trackers contrasts with the legal challenges faced by platforms that have been accused of running unlicensed betting markets. The tension is not simply about whether such products exist, but how they’re structured, who can access them, and what protections are in place for participants. In parallel, the debate over insider trading and market manipulation in prediction markets has intensified, with policymakers weighing appropriate compliance standards for both operators and participants.
From a market perspective, the current maturity gap—significant interest and use by both retail and institutional segments, but limited high-liquidity participation—creates a classic “build vs. wait” scenario for incumbents. Schwab’s stance implies a potential, measured integration into mainstream financial services with a focus on wealth management workflows, risk planning, and portfolio hedging. Citadel’s position suggests caution, but a readiness to scale into the right niches if liquidity improves and regulatory clarity advances.
For traders and investors, the evolving picture suggests several near-term watchpoints. First, the regulatory timeline is crucial: any new framework or enforcement direction could alter product design, accessibility and pricing dynamics across prediction markets. Second, liquidity signals from current market-makers and new entrants will shape price discovery and the feasibility of sophisticated hedging strategies that rely on event-driven outcomes. Third, investor education and risk disclosures will determine how a broader audience uses these instruments—whether as speculative vehicles or as practical hedges against uncertain but foreseeable events.
In parallel, the broader crypto and traditional markets will be watching how these developments influence risk-sharing tools and derivative-like instruments. Event-based contracts share some characteristics with traditional options, yet they operate in a space where real-world outcomes can rapidly reshape pricing and exposure. If large financial institutions begin to offer or partner on such products, it could lend more legitimacy and stability to the sector, while also inviting intensified regulatory scrutiny and a reevaluation of risk controls for participants.
Notably, Schwab’s recent foray into crypto-lite exposure—specifically the launch of Bitcoin and Ether trading on Thursday—frames how traditional players are diversifying beyond conventional equities and fixed income. While that launch is separate from prediction markets, it signals an overarching trend: incumbents are testing digital-asset and event-driven product suites in parallel, seeking to blend familiar wealth-management paradigms with newer forms of risk transfer and exposure.
As the market evolves, observers should watch how liquidity, regulatory clarity and user demand interact to shape the viability of prediction-market offerings from large financial institutions. The next several quarters could reveal whether these strategies remain experimental or begin to form a core component of the mainstream financial toolkit.
For readers seeking deeper context, the ongoing coverage of prediction markets’ legal status and regulatory developments remains essential. Related reporting has highlighted debates around insider trading and the appropriate scope of oversight, with lawmakers and enforcement agencies weighing how to balance innovation with guardrails. Meanwhile, industry data continues to illustrate a fast-growing user base and notable volume, reinforcing the idea that prediction markets occupy a pivotal niche at the intersection of finance, technology and public events.
As Schwab and Citadel monitor the landscape, the broader market will be watching closely to see which model gains traction: a carefully framed, wealth-focused product by traditional finance players, or more modular, liquidity-driven solutions that attract a broader base of traders and institutions.
What unfolds next may hinge on regulatory clarity and the ability of market makers to build durable liquidity. If those elements align, prediction markets could slip from curiosity to cornerstone tools for portfolio hedging and risk assessment in a more mainstream financial ecosystem.
Sources and context: The discussion around Schwab and Citadel’s potential entry into prediction markets was reported alongside coverage of growth in prediction-market activity. Token Terminal data indicate a record 23.6 billion dollars in combined monthly trading volume for Kalshi, Polymarket and related platforms in March. Industry observers have noted regulatory actions against prediction-market operators in several states, as well as congressional scrutiny over insider trading concerns. Citadel’s comments were reported during a Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, DC, and Schwab’s remarks followed remarks linked to client discussions, with Schwab also recently launching cryptocurrency trading on its platform, as reported by CNBC.
Token Terminal data cited the March volume milestone for Kalshi and Polymarket, illustrating the sector’s rapid momentum.
Further reading and related coverage have highlighted ongoing debates about the legality and ethics of prediction markets, including questions about the role of sports and politics Betting and how regulators respond to new products, as described in coverage of court cases and regulatory proposals.
As the conversation around prediction markets continues to unfold, investors should monitor regulatory developments, liquidity dynamics and product design choices that will determine whether these markets become a staple of mainstream financial risk management or remain a niche instrument for specialized traders.
Crypto World
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Whipsawed by Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Reopening and Closure
TLDR
- BTC climbed to $78,000 following Iran’s temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, before retreating to $76,000 when the passage was shut down again less than a day later.
- The upward move sparked $762 million in cryptocurrency liquidations, with short positions accounting for $593 million of the total.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded approximately $1 billion in weekly inflows — marking their strongest performance since January.
- Morgan Stanley introduced a Bitcoin Trust fund that has accumulated $120 million in assets within its first six days of trading.
- Major altcoins including Ether, XRP, BNB, and Solana registered weekly gains despite experiencing weekend declines.
Bitcoin experienced significant volatility this week as geopolitical developments in the Middle East dominated market sentiment. The digital asset’s price fluctuated dramatically as circumstances surrounding the Strait of Hormuz evolved rapidly.
Iran’s foreign minister declared on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would be accessible to commercial vessels throughout the duration of a ceasefire agreement. President Donald Trump corroborated the announcement, stating that Iran had committed to an “unlimited” halt of its nuclear activities.
The cryptocurrency market reacted swiftly, pushing Bitcoin beyond the $78,000 threshold. Conversely, energy markets moved in the opposite direction as Brent crude plummeted nearly 10% to approximately $85 per barrel.

This breakout catalyzed one of 2026’s most substantial short squeezes. According to CoinGlass analytics, the market witnessed $762 million in aggregate liquidations affecting 168,336 traders. Short positions comprised $593 million of these liquidations, with bitcoin shorts specifically representing $381 million.
Funding rates for bitcoin perpetual contracts had remained in negative territory for several weeks, indicating that short sellers were compensating longs to maintain their bearish positions. The Hormuz announcement served as the catalyst that reversed this dynamic.
ETF Inflows Reach Three-Month Peak
While price movements captured market attention, Bitcoin ETFs silently achieved their most impressive week since January. SoSoValue data reveals that spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $996 million in net inflows throughout the week.

Friday recorded the week’s largest single-day influx with $663.9 million entering the funds. Combined net assets across all spot Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $101 billion, accompanied by daily trading volumes approaching $4.8 billion.
Ethereum-focused ETFs similarly demonstrated strength, accumulating nearly $276 million over the week, per Farside Investors data.
Morgan Stanley’s recently unveiled Bitcoin Trust contributed to this trend. The financial product has already amassed $120 million in assets despite having only six trading days under its belt, surpassing WisdomTree during this brief period.
Iran Policy Reversal Triggers Bitcoin Decline
Fewer than 24 hours following the Hormuz reopening announcement, Iranian authorities reversed their position. The Nour state news outlet reported that the strait had returned to “strict management and control by the armed forces,” attributing the change to a U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports.
Multiple tanker operators informed Bloomberg that their ships received Iranian radio communications instructing them to halt passage. One supertanker captain reported hearing gunfire and subsequently reversed direction.
Bitcoin declined to $76,091 by Saturday evening in Asian trading hours, maintaining just a 0.8% daily increase. Ethereum decreased 3% to approximately $2,365, while Solana slipped 1.3% and Dogecoin fell 2.1%.
Examining weekly performance, XRP outperformed all major cryptocurrencies with a 6.4% advance. BNB gained 4.6%, Ether climbed 5.2%, and Bitcoin preserved a 4.7% weekly increase despite the weekend pullback.
Market analysts at Bitunix observed that Bitcoin continues trading within an established range, encountering resistance above $75,000 and finding support near $72,000 according to their most recent assessment.
Crypto World
ETH Derivatives Sentiment Shifts as Buyers Take Control for the First Time Since 2022
TLDR:
- ETH net taker volume turned positive at +$102M, snapping months of consistent sell-side dominance.
- Sell pressure peaked at -$568M when Ethereum set its all-time high just below $5,000 this cycle.
- Comparable buying pressure was last recorded in 2022 when ETH traded near the $1,000 price level.
- Since March, buy-side volumes have steadily grown, pointing to a possible shift in market positioning.
ETH derivatives sentiment has undergone a notable change in recent weeks. After prolonged and consistent selling pressure throughout this market cycle, buy-side volumes are finally gaining ground.
Data from derivatives exchanges shows that net taker volume has turned positive, recording +$102 million in a single day.
This marks a clear departure from the heavy sell-side dominance seen at previous ETH price peaks. Analysts are now watching whether this shift holds and supports a broader recovery for Ethereum.
Heavy Sell Pressure Shaped ETH Derivatives Throughout This Cycle
For most of this cycle, Ethereum has faced unusual and persistent selling pressure in derivatives markets. Net taker volume, which tracks the difference between buy and sell market orders on derivatives exchanges, remained almost consistently negative. This pattern became particularly visible during key price events in late 2024.
When ETH attempted to break above $4,000 in December 2024, net taker volume fell sharply to -$511 million. The sell pressure became even more extreme when Ethereum later reached an all-time high just below $5,000. At that point, sell-side dominance hit a cycle high of -$568 million in net taker volume.
Source: Cryptoquant
On-chain analyst Darkfost drew attention to this persistent trend in a recent post on Cryptoquant. The data showed that buyers repeatedly failed to absorb supply at key price levels throughout this cycle.
Sellers consistently overpowered buying activity, pushing net taker volume deep into negative territory during each rally.
That ongoing imbalance prevented Ethereum from sustaining breakouts, even during brief moments of upside price action.
Buy-Side Volume Climbs to Levels Not Seen Since the 2022 Bear Market
Since March, the dynamic in ETH derivatives markets has changed considerably. This change followed months of negative readings that characterized Ethereum’s derivatives activity.
Buy-side volumes have taken control, with net taker volume recording +$102 million in a single day. The last time Ethereum recorded comparable buying pressure was back in the 2022 bear market.
At that time, ETH was trading near the $1,000 area when similar buy-side activity appeared in the market. Market observers note this comparison carries weight given the scale of the current buying activity.
The return of strong buying interest at current price points to a change in how derivatives traders are positioned.
Darkfost noted in the post: “Since March, buy-side volumes have finally taken control, with +$102 million recorded today.”
The analyst added that buyers absorbing supply and chasing upside could signal the early stages of a recovery for Ethereum. The data stands in sharp contrast to the aggressive sell-side behavior that defined much of this cycle.
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