Crypto World
Regional banks must partner with crypto startups now
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.
The GENIUS Act has turbocharged the United States stablecoin market, and the U.S.’s biggest banks are already cashing in. Regional banks must partner with crypto startups now if they are to bridge the digital gap, provide customers with access to the market, and share in booming stablecoin revenues. If not, they risk being locked out of the market entirely by their larger counterparts.
Summary
- Stablecoins are now a revenue line, not a side bet: $33T in annual volume and multibillion-dollar bank revenues show the opportunity is already being captured.
- Regional banks can’t outspend — but they can outpartner: Collaborating with regulated crypto startups lets them skip costly R&D and compete with Big Four infrastructure.
- The real risk is hesitation: As regulation matures and giants lock in early market share, inaction could permanently shut regional banks out of stablecoin payment flows.
In such a gloomy, bearish market environment, stablecoins have emerged as the unlikely winners. Courtesy of the dial-moving GENIUS Act, the market has been given its long-overdue seal of regulatory approval, seeing a mass uptick in consumer sentiment and institutional embrace as a result. Demand is high, mood is high, and the market is at its peak. And with a huge upside ready for the taking, regional banks cannot afford to miss out on their time in the spotlight.
Stablecoin transaction volumes rose to a record $33tn in 2025, and JPMorgan’s payments division generated over $4bn in revenue in Q2 alone last year after launching its own token. Amid current reports of earnings surges across Wall Street, one thing is clear to me: those who take the risk and invest in their ability to facilitate stablecoin transactions will win customers and revenues.
Of course, there is an obvious difference in scale between the Big Four and regional banks — but regional institutions do not need to dominate the market to benefit from it. Even in states that you’d expect to be brick-and-mortar strongholds, like Wyoming, consumer demand is booming.
Crucially, regional banks also have a strong presence in these communities. By tapping into stablecoins, they can attract new customers, including higher earners who are more likely to adopt cryptocurrency-based payment methods. Attracting and retaining customers are two of the biggest problems executives at these banks tell me they face, which is exactly why stablecoins must become a strategic priority if they are going to expand their customer base.
The problem is that many regional banks are already behind the curve on industry digitalization. It’s no secret that these capital-tight institutions don’t have the billion-dollar budgets of Bank of America and JPMorgan to invest in new technology, specialized stablecoin-friendly infrastructure, and in-house experimentation. That then leaves the question: how can these banks offer customers access to the stablecoin market, quickly, cost-effectively, and before the Big Four captures the bulk of consumer demand?
My answer is to partner with agile, frontline crypto startups. There are hundreds of cryptocurrency payment startups operating across the U.S. that can help regional banks bridge the digital gap. Equally, by leveraging startups’ tech-forward infrastructure, regional banks can skip costly in-house experimentation to meet consumer demand more efficiently.
On a larger scale, this way of thinking has already proven successful. JPMorgan, Standard Chartered, and others have partnerships with a variety of small- to large-cap crypto businesses, including Coinbase, Circle, and the startup Digital Asset. Non-traditional institutions, too, like Stripe, followed this route last year — acquiring the stablecoin orchestration platform Bridge to expand their offerings. It’s already tried and tested, which is why regional banks must also follow suit if they want a share of the spoils.
Of course, I’m not blind to the risks. The stablecoin market has a checkered past that carries significant reputational challenges, and regional banks are right to be cautious. Investors lost $40bn when TerraUSD crashed in 2022, and I have no doubt that weighs on executives’ minds.
But that was four years ago. Crypto — and indeed, stablecoins — are no longer the Wild West of financial services. In fact, with the GENIUS Act clarifying regulatory frameworks and strengthening anti-money laundering protections, stablecoins have become rapidly more mainstream in the global payments landscape for institutions and consumers alike.
Rather, concerns about the risks stablecoins pose are precisely why these partnerships are so critical. Regional banks, by working with regulated startups that already have technical frameworks, will be able to mitigate risk and avoid the costly mistakes that could come with building untested systems in-house.
The bigger danger facing regional banks is inaction. The four biggest U.S. banks currently command over half the industry’s total profits — and their dominance will only grow as they sweep up payments revenues. As regulation matures and larger banks lock in early market share, regional banks face a narrowing window of opportunity to capitalize on consumer demand.
Given that these larger institutions are unlikely to want to dilute their potential share of stablecoin revenues across thousands of competitors, the race to meet consumer demand is well and truly underway. If regional banks wait, they will gift industry titans yet another competitive edge, one that they just cannot afford to lose.
According to local reports, Russia’s central bank is re-examining its long-standing opposition to stablecoins. First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Chistyukhin said the Bank of Russia will conduct a study this year on the feasibility of creating a Russian stablecoin.
Previously, Russia had consistently opposed plans for a centralized stablecoin. However, Chistyukhin said foreign practice now warrants a renewed assessment of risks and prospects.
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Moscow Reopens the Stablecoin Debate
The shift signals a strategic rethink rather than an immediate policy change. Still, the timing is notable.
Over the past year, the United States passed the GENIUS Act, establishing a federal framework for payment stablecoins.
The law formalized 1:1 dollar backing and reserve transparency requirements.
As a result, US-backed stablecoins have gained institutional legitimacy and expanded their footprint in cross-border payments and digital asset settlement.
At the same time, the European Union has accelerated work on a digital euro and MiCA-compliant euro stablecoins led by major banks.
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European policymakers have framed these efforts as necessary to preserve monetary sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign digital currencies.
Against that backdrop, Russia risks falling behind in the race to shape digital monetary infrastructure. Stablecoins now function as core liquidity rails in global crypto markets and, increasingly, in trade settlement.
If dollar and euro-backed tokens dominate cross-border flows, Russian entities could face deeper reliance on foreign-regulated instruments.
Sanctions Pressure and the Sovereignty Question
Moreover, sanctions and restrictions on Russia’s access to traditional payment networks add urgency.
A domestically controlled stablecoin could, in theory, provide an alternative settlement mechanism for international partners willing to transact outside Western systems.
Even exploring the concept signals that Moscow recognizes the geopolitical dimension of stablecoin infrastructure.
However, risks remain substantial. A Russian stablecoin would require credible reserves, legal clarity, and trust from counterparties. Without transparency and liquidity, adoption would be limited.
For now, the Bank of Russia is studying the issue, not endorsing it.
Crypto World
Hyperliquid price charts bullish reversal pattern as network earnings spike, rebound coming?
Hyperliquid price action recently confirmed a breakout from a bullish reversal pattern, supported by a notable uptick in network revenue.
Summary
- Hyperliquid price has been in a downtrend for over a week.
- Weekly revenue generated on Hyperliquid has increased nearly 200% since late December.
- A falling wedge pattern confirmed on the 4-hour chart could position the token for further gains.
After rallying to a yearly high of $37.84 on Feb. 3, the Hyperliquid (HYPE) price retraced nearly 18% to $31.06 at the time of writing.
This downtrend coincided with wider weakness across altcoins and majors like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), partly driven by a stronger-than-expected U.S. labor market report, which reduced the likelihood of imminent Fed rate cuts. Meanwhile, significant whale selloffs have also hurt its price performance.
Despite the recent price dip, a key network metric suggests that the token could be up for a recovery soon.
Data from DeFiLlama show that the revenue generated by the network over the past week has surged nearly 200% over levels recorded around the end of December. This uptick in revenue follows a spike in commodities futures trading on the platform, especially silver and gold markets.
Increased trading activity directly benefits HYPE holders through its unique buyback and burn mechanism. Notably, the protocol uses 97% of the fees generated by the derivatives trading platform to buy back HYPE from the open market, thereby reducing the available supply, which ultimately helps in supporting the price against volatility. Additionally, if Hyperliquid pairs are used for these trades, the protocol can burn them permanently to further increase scarcity.
There’s also considerable hype around upcoming updates. The Hyperliquid team has teased plans to support outcome trading via the HIP 4 upgrade, a feature that would be useful for the burgeoning prediction markets. A testnet version of HIP 4 is currently live.
On the 4-hour chart, Hyperliquid price has broken out of a falling wedge pattern formed of two descending and converging trendlines. Once confirmed, this pattern has historically been a precursor to staunch rallies.
Calculating a target based on this breakout would put HYPE on a path towards $36.70. This is calculated by adding the height of the pattern to the price at which it broke out of the upper trendline. At press time, this level lies roughly 18% above the current market price.
The MACD indicator appeared to favor the bullish prediction, with the MACD lines pointing steadily upward. At the same time, the Aroon Up was at 71.4% while the Aroon Down sat much lower at 28.57%, suggesting that bulls are still dominating the market direction.
However, it should be noted that broader market sentiment is playing a very important role in gauging market direction at the time, especially as BTC and ETH have been trading sideways this week.
A sudden spike in volatility or a sharp correction in the majors, as seen earlier multiple times this year, could easily invalidate the bullish narrative and likely force the token back into a consolidation phase.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Bitcoin investors are being forced to rethink why they hold the asset as inflation data cools, according to Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano.
“I think the challenge for Bitcoin investors, can you hold an asset when there is not high inflation in your face on a day-to-day basis?” Pompliano said during an interview with Fox Business on Thursday. “Can you still believe in what Bitcoin’s value proposition is, which is that it’s a finite-supply asset. If they print money, Bitcoin is going higher,” he said.
“Bitcoin and gold are great long-term things,” he said. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell to 2.4% in January from 2.7% in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, Mark Zandi, Moody’s chief economist, recently told CNBC that inflation “looks better on paper than in reality.”
Bitcoin (BTC) is typically seen as a hedge against inflation because only 21 million coins will ever exist. When central banks increase the money supply and the value of fiat currencies declines, investors often turn to perceived riskier assets, such as Bitcoin, to protect their purchasing power.
Bitcoin sentiment has reached multi-year lows
It comes as sentiment for Bitcoin has reached multi-year lows not seen since June 2022, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures overall crypto market sentiment, posting an “Extreme Fear” score of 9 in its Saturday update.
Bitcoin is trading at $68,850 at the time of publication, down 28.62% over the past 30 days, according to CoinMarketCap.
US dollar devaluation will be covered up by “monetary slingshot”
Pompliano said the macro environment could create short-term volatility for Bitcoin before it resumes its upward trajectory.
“We’re going get deflationary-type forces in the short term, people are going to ask to print money and to drop interest rates,” he said.
He explained that this will lead to the devaluation of the US dollar, though the effect won’t be immediately visible.
Related: Bitcoin ETFs bleed $410M as Standard Chartered slashes BTC target
“The currency is going to be devalued at a time where deflation covers up the impact, so I call it a monetary slingshot,” Pompiano said.
Pompliano forecasted that the Federal Reserve will continue to expand the money supply to “deal with inflation,” but as the dollar faces further devaluation, he expects Bitcoin to become “more valuable than ever.”
The US dollar index, which tracks the dollar’s strength against a basket of major currencies, is down 2.32% over the past 30 days and is trading at $96.88, according to TradingView.
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Crypto World
Can Monero price reclaim January highs as bullish MACD crossover forms after weekly rebound?
Monero price rebounded nearly 15% over the past week to $350 as investors bought the recent dip to a yearly low. It is close to charting a bullish MACD crossover that could pave the way for more upside in the coming weeks.
Summary
- Monero price is close to confirming a bullish MACD crossover on the daily chart.
- Recent dip buying and demand for privacy tokens have supported XMR price action.
On the daily chart, Monero price is on the brink of confirming a bullish MACD crossover, which occurs when the MACD line crosses over the signal line. Such a crossover typically means that buying pressure has started to outweigh the sellers who had been dominating previously.
XMR price has also confirmed a breakout from a falling wedge pattern formed when an asset price trades within two converging and descending lines. A falling wedge breakout has historically been one of the most reliable indicators of an impending bullish reversal in trend.
For now, the next key resistance to watch lies at $375, the strong pivot reverse point of the Murray lines. A rally above this could trigger a sharp continuation to as high as $625, where the strong pivot reverse of the upper range lies.
If bulls manage to push past that resistance, the next likely target would be a reclaim of the yearly high at $788.
According to data from crypto.news, Monero (XMR) price rallied to a weekly high of around $350 on Feb. 12, before stabilizing around $334 at press time.
Monero’s rally over the past months has largely been supported by renewed market chatter over privacy as a hedge, fueled by rising global surveillance concerns.
As the European Union prepares to implement stricter bans on anonymous accounts and privacy coins by 2027, and Dubai’s regulators tighten restrictions, users are moving toward XMR.
There’s also demand for the token across illicit marketplaces where bad actors use XMR to circumvent regulatory surveillance. Per a recent report from TRM Labs, nearly 48% of newly launched darknet markets now support XMR exclusively.
Holding a market cap of over $6.1 billion when writing, Monero has navigated a volatile start to the year. After soaring over 75% to a mid-January high of $788.50, the asset suffered a major correction that sent it tumbling to a yearly low of $284 last week.
The crash followed Bitcoin’s drop below the $75,000 psychological support level, an event that spooked the broader market and sparked billions of dollars in liquidations, with privacy coins bearing the brunt of the selloff.
Notably, as of press time, the total market cap of privacy coins was still in pain as it dropped nearly 12% over the past day to $11.4 billion.
However, some of the major players, such as Monero, Zcash (ZEC), and Decred (DCR), have managed to hold gains so far this week as investors capitalized on the recent volatility through dip buying, likely viewing the recent sell-off as a long-term accumulation opportunity.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Standard Chartered cuts 2026 Bitcoin and Ethereum targets again, citing weak macro, softer Fed-cut hopes, ETF outflows and shifting investor positioning.
Summary
- Standard Chartered reduced its long-term 2026 Bitcoin price target for a second time in three months, after earlier downgrades from more aggressive projections.
- Geoff Kendrick cites deteriorating macro conditions, delayed Fed easing, ETF outflows and the risk of deeper investor capitulation as key downside drivers.
- The bank also lowered its 2026 Ethereum target, warning ETH could drop sharply first even as on-chain activity and network usage trends remain comparatively healthy.
Standard Chartered has lowered its long-term Bitcoin price forecast for the second time in less than three months, citing weakening macroeconomic conditions and shifting investor behavior in the cryptocurrency market.
In a note published Thursday, Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s head of digital assets research, stated that Standard Chartered now expects Bitcoin (BTC) to reach its revised target by the end of 2026. The latest projection represents a significant reduction from the bank’s previous forecast for the cryptocurrency. The revision follows an earlier downgrade in December, when the bank cut its target from a prior forecast.
Bitcoin pessimism remains
According to Bloomberg, the bank’s more cautious stance reflects a combination of deteriorating macroeconomic conditions and changing investor behavior, particularly during the past month’s market downturn. Bitcoin has declined substantially from its October peak, while US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have recorded sizeable net outflows.
Kendrick noted that slowing US economic momentum and reduced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts have pressured digital assets. Declining ETF holdings have removed a critical source of demand that supported previous rallies, according to the note.
The interest-rate environment remains a central concern for cryptocurrency markets. Market participants have pushed back expectations for Federal Reserve easing, with investors now anticipating that the first rate cut may come later in the year than previously expected. Kendrick also cited uncertainty surrounding future Federal Reserve leadership as an additional factor contributing to caution around Bitcoin.
The bank warned that deteriorating macroeconomic conditions and the risk of further investor capitulation could continue to pressure prices in the near term.
Despite the more conservative forecasts, Standard Chartered emphasized that the current downturn appears more orderly than previous cryptocurrency market collapses. Kendrick highlighted that on-chain activity data continues to show improvement, suggesting that underlying network usage remains healthy. The market has not experienced high-profile platform failures similar to those that defined the 2022 cycle, when the collapses of Terra/Luna and FTX triggered widespread contagion, according to the bank.
Standard Chartered also revised its outlook for Ethereum, reducing its 2026 price target for the second-largest cryptocurrency from an earlier projection. Analysts expect Ether could fall significantly before reaching that level, according to the note.
Bitget launches Gracy AI, an animated digital human modeled on CEO Gracy Chen to guide users on market cycles, strategy, and career decisions rather than price calls.
Summary
- Bitget unveils Gracy AI, an animated digital human built around CEO Gracy Chen’s decision-making approach and leadership mindset for crypto users.
- The tool prioritizes market cycles, strategy, career paths, and uncertainty management over chart-watching or short-term price prediction, acting as a contextual guide.
- Gracy AI anchors Bitget’s Universal Exchange roadmap, tying into themed conversations like Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year to keep AI interactions personal and timely.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has launched Gracy AI, a digital assistant designed to replicate the experience and decision-making process of Chief Executive Officer Gracy Chen, the company announced.
The AI tool represents the first animated digital human in the cryptocurrency sector created to provide leadership-oriented guidance through direct user interactions, according to the company. The technology aims to address market cycles, strategy development, career considerations, and decision-making frameworks rather than focusing on chart analysis or short-term market signals.
Gracy AI builds on GetAgent, Bitget’s existing AI platform for analytics and decision support. The new tool shifts focus toward interpretation and contextual understanding, allowing users to explore industry direction, uncertainty management, and decision-making approaches during volatile market conditions. The system does not predict prices but rather assists users in developing clearer analytical frameworks, the company stated.
“A big part of my job is listening to user concerns, getting close to the details, and helping people understand what’s really happening in the market,” Chen stated. “The team built Gracy AI around that same approach so more users can connect, learn and grow feeling supported by me and the team.”
The launch forms part of Bitget’s broader AI development roadmap within its UEX transformation initiative. While GetAgent established the exchange’s capabilities in analytics and decision support, Gracy AI represents the user-facing component of the strategy, emphasizing understanding over execution.
To accompany the launch, Bitget is introducing themed conversation modules tied to cultural moments. Valentine’s Day features self-care-focused interactions, while Chinese New Year includes guided conversations addressing goals, perspective, and planning. The campaigns aim to position AI interaction as personalized and contextual rather than transactional, according to the company.
The Gracy AI release follows Bitget’s ongoing integration of artificial intelligence across its platform, including AI-powered market insights, automated trading tools, and GetAgent’s volatility navigation features. The company stated the new tool extends its approach by incorporating experience and perspective into an accessible conversational interface as Bitget develops its Universal Exchange platform.
Bitcoin price is facing renewed pressure after on-chain data flagged by Lookonchain revealed that a major whale has moved roughly 10,000 BTC to Binance over the past two days, raising concerns of potential selling activity.
Summary
- Lookonchain flagged a Bitcoin whale moving nearly 10,000 BTC to Binance over two days, raising concerns of potential sell pressure.
- Bitcoin is trading around $66,900, well below its 50-day SMA near $85,000, confirming a strong short-term downtrend.
- Key support sits at $65,000 and $60,000, while resistance stands at $72,000 and $78,000–$80,000, with indicators still showing mild capital outflows.
The most recent transfer involved 2,035 Bitcoin (BTC) worth about $135 million. In total, the whale has deposited around 8,200 BTC in 48 hours, bringing cumulative recent inflows close to the 10,000 BTC mark.
Lookonchain warned traders that previous deposits from the same wallet were followed by short-term price drops, including a decline of more than 3% shortly after a prior alert.
Large exchange inflows are often interpreted as potential sell signals because coins moved to centralized platforms become immediately liquid. While deposits do not guarantee selling, the timing has raised caution among traders already navigating a fragile technical setup.
Bitcoin price analysis and forecast
On the daily chart (BTC/USDT), Bitcoin is currently trading near $66,900, well below the 50-day simple moving average at $85,012. The sharp gap between price and the 50 SMA signals a strong prevailing downtrend.
Price recently plunged toward the $60,000–$62,000 zone, printing a long lower wick before bouncing. That area now stands as critical support. A daily close below $60,000 could open the door toward the psychological $55,000 region.
Immediate support sits around $65,000, which price is currently testing. If this level fails, bears may attempt another push toward the recent lows.
On the upside, resistance is forming at $72,000, where recent recovery attempts stalled. A stronger resistance cluster lies between $78,000 and $80,000, followed by the 50-day SMA near $85,000, which now acts as dynamic resistance.
The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator sits slightly negative at around -0.05. While it has recovered from deeply negative territory, it still suggests capital outflows remain dominant. Sustained movement above the zero line would be needed to confirm renewed buying pressure.
If whale deposits translate into spot selling, Bitcoin could retest the $60,000 support zone. However, if $65,000 holds and exchange inflows fail to trigger heavy liquidation, a short-term rebound toward $72,000 is possible.
For now, the trend remains bearish unless Bitcoin reclaims levels above $80,000 and closes back above its 50-day moving average.
Chainalysis says crypto flows to suspected trafficking services jumped 85% in 2025, with stablecoin-heavy, Telegram-linked networks leaving traceable on-chain trails.
Summary
- Chainalysis reports an 85% year-over-year rise in 2025 crypto flows to suspected trafficking services, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars globally.
- Telegram-based escort services, scam-compound labor agents, prostitution networks, and CSAM vendors increasingly rely on stablecoins and privacy tools for cross-border payments.
- Despite this growth, blockchain transparency lets investigators map large, structured transactions, trace chokepoints at exchanges, and link wallets to known criminal groups.
Cryptocurrency flows to suspected human trafficking services increased 85% year-over-year in 2025, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars, according to new data from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis.
Nearly half of transactions tied to Telegram-based international escort services exceeded $10,000, the report stated. The data indicates increasing professionalization of these networks, while blockchain transparency has emerged as an investigative tool for law enforcement.
Chainalysis tracked four major categories of suspected crypto-facilitated trafficking activity: Telegram-based international escort services, labor placement agents tied to scam compounds, prostitution networks, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) vendors. The growth corresponds with the expansion of Southeast Asia-based scam compounds, online gambling operations, and Chinese-language money laundering networks, many operating via Telegram, according to the report.
Blockchain transactions leave permanent trails, unlike cash transactions. Law enforcement investigators are using that visibility to map flows, identify chokepoints, and disrupt operations, the firm reported.
Payment behavior varies across categories. Telegram-based international escort services and prostitution networks rely heavily on stablecoins, according to the data. CSAM vendors historically preferred Bitcoin, though alternative Layer 1 networks are increasing in use. Monero is increasingly used for laundering in CSAM-linked operations. The use of stablecoins suggests these networks prioritize price stability and rapid off-ramping, despite the risk of asset freezes by centralized issuers, the report stated.
Transaction size data reveals the structured nature of these operations. Nearly 50% of Telegram-based escort transactions exceed $10,000, prostitution networks cluster in the $1,000 to $10,000 range, and CSAM transactions trend lower, with many under $100, according to Chainalysis. Large transfers suggest organized, scaled criminal enterprises rather than isolated actors, the firm stated.
CSAM-related activity continues to evolve. Subscription-based revenue models dominate the sector, with payments typically under $100 per month, the report found. The data shows increased overlap with sadistic online extremism communities and greater use of instant exchangers and privacy tools.
In one 2025 case, a darkweb CSAM site used over 5,800 cryptocurrency addresses and generated more than $530,000 since 2022, exceeding revenue tied to the 2019 “Welcome to Video” case, according to the report. Geographic analysis shows strategic use of U.S.-based infrastructure, likely for scale and perceived legitimacy, Chainalysis stated.
Telegram-based escort services show strong financial integration with Chinese-language money laundering networks, guarantee platforms, and mainstream exchanges, the data indicated. Funds often pass through institutional-grade platforms before conversion into local currency. This creates both scale and vulnerability, as exchanges and guarantee services become compliance chokepoints, according to the firm.
Human trafficking linked to scam compounds remains tightly connected to cryptocurrency. Victims are recruited via fraudulent job advertisements, then coerced into scam operations in Southeast Asia, the report stated. Recruitment payments typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, matching observed on-chain transaction patterns. Blockchain analysis has tied certain administrator accounts to criminal organizations previously flagged by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, according to Chainalysis.
The data shows major cryptocurrency inflows from the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia. Chinese-language Telegram services operating across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia demonstrate global payment infrastructure, the report found. Cryptocurrency enables cross-border payment coordination at scale, but also exposes flow patterns that investigators can analyze, Chainalysis stated.
The firm highlighted several red flags, including large recurring payments to labor agents, high-volume flows through guarantee platforms, stablecoin conversion clusters, cross-border transaction concentration, and wallet overlap across multiple illicit categories.
Blockchain transparency provides measurable, traceable data that law enforcement can leverage, unlike traditional cash-based systems, according to the report.
Vitalik Buterin says crypto apps must move beyond “pay users or fail,” using incentives only to offset early risks while focusing on real utility and committed communities.
Summary
- Vitalik Buterin rejects “pay users or fail” as a growth model, arguing that sustainable incentives mirror normal businesses where revenue from some users funds value for others.
- He says early rewards can fairly compensate liquidity providers and early adopters for smart contract, hack, and project failure risks, but should fade as protocols mature and audits reduce risk.
- Buterin warns that airdrops and social media payout schemes inflate metrics with low-quality activity, while real adoption comes from useful apps and committed community contributors.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has weighed in on ongoing debates within the cryptocurrency industry regarding user acquisition strategies, cautioning against reliance on unsustainable financial incentives.
Buterin goes on recent cryptocurrency rant
In a recent online discussion on X, Buterin responded to claims that cryptocurrency applications cannot achieve meaningful adoption without airdrops or token rewards. The debate centered on whether financial payouts remain essential for building network effects in the sector.
Buterin acknowledged that incentives reflect current market conditions but warned against adopting a “pay users or fail” growth strategy, according to his posts on the social media platform.
The Ethereum co-founder drew distinctions between sustainable and unsustainable reward structures. Sustainable models involve paying certain users from revenue collected from others, creating an economic loop that mirrors traditional business models where income funds growth, he stated.
Buterin said paying users during early project stages can be justified in specific circumstances. Liquidity providers face risks including potential hacks or project failure, as new protocols carry technical and security vulnerabilities, he noted. Rewards in these cases serve as compensation for assuming elevated risk levels.
Once projects complete audits and establish trust within the sector, risk levels decline and high rewards become unnecessary, according to Buterin’s analysis.
The approach differs from paying users solely to generate activity or traffic, he stated. Paying all users during early growth phases can create long-term sustainability issues, as teams may incorrectly assume future profits will cover initial spending. Activity often drops once rewards end because many users joined exclusively for payouts, Buterin noted.
Aggressive reward campaigns risk undermining cryptocurrency communities, according to the post. Projects that compensate users for posting promotional content frequently produce unintended outcomes, with creators focusing on earning rewards rather than producing quality content. Activity typically declines when payments cease, as users lack incentives to continue platform engagement.
Buterin distinguished between decentralized finance applications and social platforms. In DeFi, capital functions uniformly regardless of provider, he stated. On social platforms, quality and active users carry more significance than user base size.
Committed community members often build tools, write documentation and answer forum questions without expecting rewards, according to Buterin. These contributions tend to strengthen projects over time, he stated.
Effective incentives should offset temporary weaknesses in early-stage products and decline as those weaknesses diminish, Buterin argued. Campaigns that pay users to inflate metrics can create appearances of adoption while failing to build sustainable communities.
“The bulk of the effort should be on making an actually-useful app. This was historically ignored, because it’s not necessary for narrative engineering to create a speculative bubble. But now it is necessary,” Buterin wrote.
The Ethereum co-founder argued that the cryptocurrency sector is gradually transitioning toward models driven by real utility rather than reward-led growth. Strong incentive structures compensate for early disadvantages and naturally phase out as projects mature, according to his statements.
The Nasdaq Composite led a broad market selloff on Thursday, as artificial intelligence fears reemerged on Wall Street.
The tech-heavy index sank 2%. The S&P 500 dropped 1.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 663 points, or 1.3%.
The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF closed down nearly 11% from its closing high of $69.06 on Oct. 29, according to Dow Jones Market Data. A decline of 10% or more from a recent high means an index is in correction territory.
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