Crypto World
Teen crypto scammer’s $13M heist funds private jets and Lambo
A Canadian teenager has admitted to a conspiracy to launder money tied to a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency theft carried out through social-engineering ploys that purported to be trusted firms. Prosecutors say Trenton Richard Johnston, who turned 20 this year, and his co-conspirators impersonated Google, Trezor and other crypto industry figures to access victims’ digital wallets, culminating in a more than $13 million drain. The scheme funded a high-end lifestyle in Miami and Los Angeles, including luxury cars, jewelry, and private-jet travel. Johnston had been charged in May 2024 and, this week, pleaded guilty to money-laundering conspiracy as part of a plea agreement that prosecutors say could yield a prison term in the mid‑range of four to five years.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the operation began in January 2024. In February, Johnston allegedly convinced a victim that his Google email and Coinbase accounts had been compromised, enabling the theft of roughly $41,000 in Ether. Less than a month later, the group posed as Google and Trezor representatives to trick a California resident into believing someone was attempting to access their cryptocurrency wallet, resulting in the loss of about $13 million in Bitcoin.
About $1.2 million of the stolen funds were used to finance a lavish lifestyle in Miami and Los Angeles over a two‑month span, prosecutors say. The group leveraged an exotic-car rental business, with Johnston and accomplice Brandon Tardibone—a car‑rental company owner—acquiring and leasing luxury vehicles, including two BMWs and a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. The spending also extended to private jet arrangements, a North Miami rental home, and plane tickets for “two girls from New York.”
Johnston’s run of alleged fraud ended in March when a traffic stop for speeding in a Rolls‑Royce led to the discovery of 21 suspected amphetamine tablets in his possession. Investigators seized his computer, cellphone, and handwritten notes, linking him to the broader scheme. Since then, Johnston has turned over approximately 53.16 Bitcoin and 275.23 Ether, valued at about $3.7 million at current prices. In exchange for a full cooperation, prosecutors have recommended a sentence of 51 to 63 months in prison and dismissal of wire‑fraud charges. Tardibone, the car‑rental partner, faces a recommended sentence of 27 to 33 months.
Key takeaways
- Social engineering remains a dominant vector for crypto theft, with attackers targeting trust and human error rather than relying solely on software exploits.
- The case emphasizes how quickly crypto transfers can be executed and how difficult it can be to reverse a loss once funds leave a compromised account.
- Prosecutors highlight a pattern where a portion of stolen funds are spent on conspicuous consumption, underscoring the “lifestyle” incentives behind many frauds.
- The defendants face prison time under a plea deal, illustrating U.S. law enforcement’s ongoing pivot from post‑crime investigation to prevention and pre‑transaction security measures.
- The broader crackdown on crypto scams continues, with recent high‑profile sentences signaling a tighter torque on perpetrators, including cases in California and other jurisdictions.
How the scheme unfolded and what changed for victims
The Florida case traces a sequence of social‑engineering moves designed to lull victims into a false sense of security. In the February incident, a victim was persuaded that his Google email and Coinbase accounts had been compromised, enabling the attackers to siphon Ether worth about $41,000. Within weeks, the operation escalated, with Johnston and collaborators posing as Google and Trezor representatives in an attempt to dupe a California resident into believing someone was trying to access their cryptocurrency wallet. The result was a theft of roughly $13 million in Bitcoin, illustrating how the combination of misrepresentation and rapid, irreversible blockchain transfers can produce outsized losses in moments.
The financial footprint extended far beyond the wallet drain. Prosecutors say about $1.2 million of the stolen crypto was diverted to fund a glamorous two‑month Miami‑Los Angeles lifestyle, including rental of luxury cars and other upscale expenditures. The involvement of an exotic‑car rental operator—Brandon Tardibone—helped sustain the shopping spree, with Johnston described as the principal beneficiary of the proceeds. The case highlights how proceeds from fraud can be laundered through real‑world assets and services that are quick to monetize and difficult to reclaim once spent.
Law enforcement efforts culminated in Johnston’s March arrest after a traffic stop in a Rolls‑Royce revealed further incriminating materials, including handwritten notes and electronic devices. Investigators recovered a record of the scheme and the links between the illicit cryptocurrency movements and the lifestyle purchases, reinforcing prosecutors’ assertions that the case was less about complex code exploits and more about human manipulation in a fast, high‑stakes environment.
From a restitution and asset‑recovery standpoint, the defendant has already turned over a substantial portion of the stolen assets: 53.16 BTC and 275.23 ETH, collectively valued at about $3.7 million at today’s prices. The plea agreement contemplates a sentence that would dismiss wire‑fraud charges, conditional on continued cooperation, and would place Johnston in a prison range of roughly five years.
A broader pattern: enforcement momentum in crypto crime
The Johnston case sits within a wider pattern of aggressive enforcement against crypto‑related fraud. In April, a California resident received a 70‑month sentence for involvement in a criminal enterprise that purportedly stole $263 million in cryptocurrency through social engineering and burglary, with another defendant—Evan Tangeman, 22—pleading guilty to laundering at least $3.5 million of illicit funds. In February, a Chinese national was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison for a global crypto scam that allegedly defrauded investors of more than $73 million.
Analysts emphasize that technology alone cannot shield users from this category of crime. Deddy Lavid, CEO and co‑founder of Cyvers, told Cointelegraph that the most significant thefts today often hinge on genuine human interaction rather than pure software flaws. “Crypto makes this especially dangerous because transactions are fast and largely irreversible,” Lavid said. “The attacker only needs to win the victim’s trust once, for a few minutes, and the loss can be permanent.”
Experts argue that the industry must evolve beyond awareness and education. They advocate real‑time, pre‑transaction security controls across wallets, exchanges, custodians, and banking partners to detect suspicious behavior, risky destination wallets, and laundering patterns before funds leave an account. The shift, they say, should move toward preventing fraud before execution rather than solely responding after a theft has occurred.
Related reading: authorities crack down on crypto fraud networks and enforcement actions continue to expand beyond U.S. borders.
As the legal process unfolds for Johnston and his co‑conspirators, readers should monitor the formal sentencing schedule and any additional charges or asset‑recovery actions that may emerge. The emphasis from regulators and prosecutors on prevention—alongside punishment—signals a broader trend that could shape how projects, exchanges, and wallets approach security in the coming months.
Crypto World
Crypto Price Analysis Jun-12: ETH, XRP, ADA, BNB, and HYPE
This Friday, we examine Ethereum, Ripple, Cardano, Binance Coin, and Hyperliquid in greater detail.
Ethereum (ETH)
This week, Ethereum remained flat as it hovered above the key support at $1,500. Sellers seem to be taking a break after the price crashed by 37% since early May.
Buyers are likely to be quite active at this key support since this level held well in the past and was the pivot point from where ETH reached almost $5,000 in August 2025.
Looking ahead, Ethereum is approaching a critical junction. If it can hold here, it will be a sign of strength and may push the price into a relief rally. However, any weakness at $1,500 could spell disaster for the asset if it makes a lower low. That would encourage sellers to return in force.

Ripple (XRP)
XRP closed the week with a modest 1% gain. While this is not much, the more important development is that the support at $1 continues to hold well despite a recent attempt by sellers to break it.
However, the battle is not over, and a new test of this key psychological level seems likely. If buyers can defend against a second attempt at a breakdown, XRP could see renewed interest.
Looking ahead, the most important levels on this chart are found at $1 and $1.3, with the latter acting as a key resistance. That level will have to break if bullish momentum is to form in the future.

Cardano (ADA)
Surprisingly, ADA had a good week with a 4% gain. While this was not enough to recover the loss of support at $0.24, which is now acting as resistance, it did allow for a brief relief.
So far, $0.15 appears to be holding well as support and managed to stop sellers from totally dominating the chart. However, the overall bias remains bearish on ADA, as it has been consistently making lower lows since 2025.
Looking ahead, the loss of the support at $0.24 was a major defeat for bulls, and it may take a long time until it can be recovered. That’s because, so far, Cardano’s token does not give any signs of finding a bottom.

Binance Coin (BNB)
Binance Coin is up 2% this week and managed to hold well above the key support at $580. This level has been tested several times in 2026, and sellers were always turned away once the price arrived there.
Equally, BNB also failed to break the key resistance at $690, which has kept the price in check throughout 2026. It could be argued that this cryptocurrency has been moving sideways all year between $580 and $690.
Looking ahead, Binance Coin’s price action shows no decisive trend in 2026. Until one of the key levels is broken, it is unlikely that the asset will do any significant moves.

Hyperliquid (HYPE)
HYPE is down 4% this week after the bullish momentum lost steam at $75. Since that all-time high, sellers took over the price action and managed to send it all the way to the key support at $52, which was recently tested.
At the time of this post, sellers confirmed $63 as resistance and may revisit the support at $52. Such a re-test could be interpreted as weakness in the price action. Nevertheless, unless HYPE falls from its ascending channel, it’s too early to turn bearish long-term.
Looking ahead, this correction was expected and is normal. The question is whether the support at $52 will hold. Failure there could send HYPE in a more aggressive correction that may revisit the $40s.

The post Crypto Price Analysis Jun-12: ETH, XRP, ADA, BNB, and HYPE appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Crypto World
Kucoin Has Not Paid $2M Award Tied to Delisted Token Dispute, Investor Says
A Swiss investor said KuCoin has yet to pay a Seychelles Supreme Court award of more than $2 million after the exchange declared his tokens “abandoned.”
In a Dec. 11, 2025, ruling, the Supreme Court of Seychelles declared that Didier Rabl is the “sole proprietor and owner” of approximately 21 million CoinPoker (CHP) tokens previously held for him on KuCoin. The court also ordered three Seychelles-incorporated KuCoin entities to pay him over 2 million USDt (USDT) plus $10,000 in moral damages, according to documents reviewed by Cointelegraph.
The ruling could have implications for how cryptocurrency exchanges handle delisted assets, with the court finding that KuCoin did not become the beneficial owner of Rabl’s tokens and remained obligated to safeguard the assets and honor lawful withdrawal requests.
KuCoin’s Seychelles entities did not appear or defend the case.
Copies of emails reviewed by Cointelegraph show that KuCoin sent Rabl a series of delisting notices in 2021, warning that withdrawals of CHP would close on July 28 of that year. The emails stated that any unwithdrawn funds would be deemed “abandoned” with “no rights to claim back.”

Court Order. Source: Seychelles Supreme Court
The court found that all the emails “remained unread and unanswered” and that KuCoin delisted CHP “without making any further attempt to notify the Plaintiff by post, telephone, or any alternative means.”
Seychelles FSA confirms receipt of KuCoin judgment
The court held that a unilateral delisting email with “deemed to have abandoned” wording was not sufficient to remove a customer’s rights to tokens already in their account when no such forfeiture term was in the original contract.
Related: Dubai regulator orders KuCoin entities to stop unlicensed operations
KuCoin’s terms of use at the time gave the platform broad powers to suspend or terminate accounts and to limit its liability, but did not explicitly state that unwithdrawn tokens after a delisting become KuCoin’s property.
A blockchain analysis report shared with Cointelegraph traced movements of the legacy Ethereum CHP token and identified an address labeled “KuCoin 6” on Etherscan that holds 21,000,000.0509 CHP, or about 5.9% of the total supply.
The Supreme Court directed its Registrar to serve the judgment on Seychelles’ Financial Services Authority (FSA).
In a written response to Cointelegraph, an FSA spokesperson confirmed it had received the judgment and said Mek Global Ltd, the KuCoin-linked company that applied for a virtual asset service provider (VASP) licence, had its application rejected on June 4, 2025, and was required to cease all business conducted in or from Seychelles.
The FSA also published a public statement noting that Peken Global Limited, one of the defendants in the case, opted to migrate its services outside Seychelles following the rejection of the application.
Under Seychelles’ Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, licensed exchanges are required to segregate client assets and maintain them at a 100% reserve, the spokesperson said.

Source: Seychelles Ministry of Finance
Legal expert highlights limits of ex parte judgment
Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association, and a lawyer who has handled Seychelles-related arbitration, told Cointelegraph, “It should be noted from the outset that this judgment was decided entirely ex parte,” pointing out that KuCoin’s entities “never appeared, never defended, and never submitted to jurisdiction.” Justice N. Burian’s decision is “first instance only,” he said, with “no binding force outside Seychelles.”
Related: KuCoin fully rolls out KIA, a crypto-native AI built to simplify the crypto experience
Chu said the court proceeded on the basis that the exchange-customer relationship was “at minimum contractual, obliging the exchange to safeguard the assets and to honor lawful withdrawal instructions.”
In principle, a VASP’s unexplained failure to comply with a final Supreme Court order concerning customer assets would sit uneasily with standards of integrity, cooperation with courts and regulators, and respect for client property, Chu said. He added that “a defendant in future contested proceedings could argue that its factual assumptions are incomplete,” and that the consequences would depend on any appellate process.
Rabl told Cointelegraph he has not received any payment from the Seychelles entities named in the judgment and is preparing additional legal action in Seychelles aimed at enforcing the award and potentially seeking additional damages.
KuCoin did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Cointelegraph.
Asia Express: North Korea denies crypto hacks, Upbit’s bank tests Ripple
Crypto World
LBank Pay Expands to Support BTC, ETH and 20+ Crypto Assets, Launches 20,000 USDT Campaign
[PRESS RELEASE – Singapore, Singapore, June 12th, 2026]
LBank, the leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced a major upgrade to LBank Pay, its integrated crypto payment solution. Effective June 11, 2026, LBank Pay now supports direct payments in over 20 major crypto assets, including BTC, ETH, SOL, DOGE, TON, and PEPE — removing the need to convert holdings into USDT before transacting and opening a new chapter for everyday crypto payments.
The first batch of newly supported assets spans multiple core sectors, including blue-chip cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH), high-performance blockchain ecosystems (SOL, BNB, TON, SUI, XRP, ADA, AVAX, TRX, HYPE), community-driven assets (DOGE, PEPE, PI), AI tokens (TAO, NEAR), as well as RWA and gold-backed assets (XAUT, PAXG, ONDO), further expanding the range of crypto assets available for real-world payments.
The upgrade introduces three core enhancements: support for direct multi-asset payments to eliminate conversion friction, comprehensive coverage across Layer 1 blue-chip assets, Layer 2 ecosystems, and high-momentum meme tokens, and millisecond-level settlement powered by LBank’s liquidity engine and risk control network. Users only need to update to the latest version of the LBank App and, when scanning a merchant QR code, select “Available Assets” to switch currencies and complete payments in a more seamless and efficient way.
To celebrate the expansion, LBank Pay is launching a Lucky Draw campaign from June 11 to June 21, 2026 (UTC+8), with a prize pool worth 20,000 USDT. All KYC-verified users are eligible to participate by completing tasks including deposits, LBank Pay payments, token holdings, and friend referrals. Each draw offers chances to win USDT cash, futures experience bonuses, position vouchers, cashback coupons, and jackpot prizes.
“Crypto adoption ultimately depends on usability,” said Eric He, Community Angel Officer and Risk Control Adviser at LBank. “With every upgrade, we continue to lower the barrier between crypto assets and real-world use cases. Our goal is not only to make crypto a financial instrument for trading, but also to enable it to become a seamless payment medium that users can use in everyday life. LBank Pay is an important step in building this bridge.”
Over the years, LBank has continuously expanded its ecosystem across trading, payments, asset management, and financial innovation. Previously, the platform has launched features such as “Fiat Deposit” for fiat currency deposits and “Buy Crypto with Fiat Balance,” enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies directly using their fiat balances, continuously optimizing the end-to-end experience from fiat to crypto assets and providing global users with a smoother, one-stop trading and payment solution.
Looking ahead, LBank plans to further expand the range of supported payment assets, strengthen merchant partnerships, and integrate additional payment scenarios across global markets. By continuously improving accessibility and efficiency, LBank remains committed to building a more open, seamless, and user-centric crypto economy.
About LBank
Founded in 2015, LBank is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 20 million registered users in 160 countries and regions. With a daily trading volume exceeding $10.5 billion and 10 years of safety with zero security incidents, LBank is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience. Through innovative trading solutions, the platform has enabled users to achieve average returns of over 130% on newly listed assets.
LBank has listed over 300 mainstream coins and more than 50 high-potential gems. Ranked No. 1 in 100x Gems, Highest Gains, and Meme Share, LBank leads the market with the fastest altcoin listings, unmatched liquidity, and industry-first trading guarantees, making it the go-to platform for crypto investors worldwide.
Users Can Follow LBank for Updates:
Website: https://www.lbank.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LBank_Exchange
Telegram: https://t.me/LBank_en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbank_exchange
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lbank
For media requests, users can contact:
Email: press@lbank.com
The post LBank Pay Expands to Support BTC, ETH and 20+ Crypto Assets, Launches 20,000 USDT Campaign appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Crypto World
Can Velvet price reach $2 as SpaceX IPO hype drives demand?
Velvet price has surged more than 1,400% over the past week as traders pile into the token ahead of SpaceX’s highly anticipated public debut, pushing the project into one of the strongest rallies in the crypto market.
Summary
- VELVET became one of the week’s top-performing cryptocurrencies after launching pre-IPO trading exposure to SpaceX and other private tech firms.
- Demand accelerated after Velvet integrated with Trade.xyz and launched synthetic markets for SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
- Technical indicators show VELVET trading in an overshoot zone, with $1.95 and the psychological $2 level emerging as the next key targets.
According to data from CoinGecko, Velvet (VELVET) price surged more than 125% on June 12, reaching an intraday high of $1.83 and bringing its weekly advance to over 1,400%. The rally has pushed the token’s market capitalization to roughly $745 million even as the protocol holds less than $1 million in total value locked, a gap that points to speculation rather than underlying usage.
Behind the surge is growing interest in Velvet’s newly launched pre-IPO trading markets. In a June 11 X post, Velvet promoted synthetic exposure to SpaceX through its SPCX market, telling users they could trade the company before its expected stock market debut.
The platform also offers leveraged exposure to private companies including OpenAI and Anthropic, tapping into a theme that has attracted significant attention from both crypto traders and traditional market investors.
Pre-IPO markets have fueled speculative demand
Interest in the project accelerated after Velvet announced an integration with Trade.xyz on June 3. According to the company, the partnership allows users to access crypto, stocks, commodities, research tools, and trade execution through a single platform rather than separate applications.
The announcement coincided with VELVET’s breakout above a long-standing resistance zone near $0.20 and $0.22. Since then, traders have increasingly treated the token as a proxy bet on demand for tokenized market access and pre-IPO investing opportunities.
Velvet futures data points to leverage playing a major role in the rally. Open interest reportedly surged to nearly $94 million within days as speculative activity intensified. At the same time, trading volumes exceeded $108 million, while a wave of short liquidations added further buying pressure.
A liquidity squeeze was also seen developing across spot markets. With a relatively small circulating supply available on exchanges, aggressive buying activity collided with thin order books, helping propel the token higher as momentum traders entered the market.
Technical indicators keep the $2 target in focus
Velvet price action on the four-hour chart shows VELVET entering an overshoot zone after breaking above the Murrey Math 8/8 resistance level near $1.56.

The token recently reached the +1/8 overshoot level around $1.76 before pulling back slightly. Based on the same framework, the next major resistance sits near the +2/8 extreme overshoot level at $1.95, placing the psychological $2 mark within reach if buying pressure continues.
Momentum indicators remain supportive despite increasingly stretched conditions. The four-hour MACD remains in bullish territory, with the MACD line holding above the signal line and positive histogram readings indicating buyers still control the trend.
On the downside, the first key support sits near $1.56, while a deeper correction could expose the 7/8 Murrey Math support around $1.37.
What is Velvet?
Velvet is a decentralized trading and asset management platform focused on bringing multiple financial markets into a single on-chain environment.
The project allows users to access cryptocurrency markets, tokenized assets, yield products, and leveraged perpetual contracts through one ecosystem. More recently, Velvet expanded into synthetic pre-IPO markets, enabling traders to gain exposure to private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic before traditional public listings.
According to the project, its integration with Trade.xyz connects research, execution, and market access tools across multiple asset classes. The VELVET token serves as the native asset of the ecosystem and has become a focal point for traders following the launch of the platform’s pre-IPO trading products.
Whether the rally can extend toward $2 may depend less on protocol fundamentals and more on continued demand for SpaceX-related speculation.
With the company’s public debut dominating investor attention and synthetic pre-IPO markets attracting fresh trading activity, VELVET remains one of the market’s most closely watched momentum plays.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Crypto World
Oracle (ORCL) Stock Gains Momentum After Securing $395.8M Federal Cloud Contract
Key Highlights
- Oracle lands $395.8M cloud HR modernization contract from OPM
- ORCL stock gains in pre-market trading following earnings-related selloff
- Federal government selects Oracle Cloud HCM to consolidate 100+ HR platforms
- Platform expected to deliver 90%+ cost savings for taxpayers
- Federal HR 2.0 initiative expands Oracle’s government sector footprint
Oracle (ORCL) shares experienced a minor recovery in pre-market trading following a significant post-earnings pullback. The stock dropped 8.53% to settle at $184.10 during regular trading, before climbing 0.74% to $185.37 in early morning activity. A newly announced $395.8 million federal government contract has redirected investor focus toward Oracle’s expanding cloud infrastructure.
Major Federal HR Modernization Award Goes to Oracle
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has selected Oracle for a $395.8 million HRIT Modernization Core HCM initiative. This agreement establishes the federal government’s first unified human resources management system spanning all agencies. Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management will serve as the foundation for this comprehensive platform.
This unified solution will consolidate over 100 fragmented HR systems currently operating throughout federal departments. OPM anticipates the initiative will eliminate redundancy while enhancing workforce data quality and accessibility. The agency projects taxpayer savings exceeding 90% compared to current operational expenses.
This deployment represents a cornerstone of OPM’s Federal HR 2.0 strategy. The program establishes a single authoritative source for federal workforce administration. Approximately two million civilian employees across U.S. Executive Branch agencies will utilize the platform.
Oracle’s Cloud HCM Platform at the Forefront
Oracle Cloud HCM will deliver comprehensive functionality including position administration, personnel transaction processing, employee record management, and advanced workforce analytics. The platform also features self-service capabilities for both employees and supervisors. Additionally, it will integrate seamlessly with existing payroll, retirement administration, and benefits management systems.
Federal HR infrastructure currently exists as scattered, independent systems across multiple agencies. This fragmentation creates data inconsistencies, duplicated efforts, and delayed service provision. The consolidated platform is designed to enhance interagency collaboration while bolstering security protocols and operational performance.
OPM chose Oracle following an extensive competitive evaluation process. The selection criteria incorporated feedback from multiple agencies and comprehensive testing against governmental requirements. Oracle will deploy a FedRAMP-authorized cloud environment specifically designed for federal HR functions.
Government Contract Reinforces Oracle’s Cloud Market Position
This federal engagement represents a significant addition to Oracle’s cloud application customer base. The contract broadens the company’s involvement in public sector digital transformation projects. Oracle now occupies a more prominent position in critical workforce management technology infrastructure.
Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications encompass enterprise resource planning, human capital management, supply chain management, and customer experience solutions. These integrated platforms enable organizations to streamline financial operations, business processes, personnel administration, and customer relationship activities. The applications incorporate artificial intelligence features that automate routine tasks and enhance strategic planning.
The OPM engagement demonstrates ongoing appetite for enterprise-scale cloud migration initiatives within the public sector. Government agencies increasingly prioritize integrated systems that deliver operational efficiency and superior data governance. This latest contract firmly establishes Oracle’s cloud software offerings as central components of a transformative federal modernization program.
Crypto World
AMD (AMD) Stock Soars 8% on Wall Street Upgrades: Analysts See Major GPU Growth Ahead
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America’s Vivek Arya increased his 2030 server CPU addressable market forecast to $170 billion from $125 billion, naming AMD his preferred choice in the category
- Arya boosted his AMD target price to $560 from $500, highlighting the company’s strategic positioning and forthcoming “Venice” server processor lineup
- Citi shifted AMD to Buy from Neutral, increasing its target to $575 from $460, arguing the market undervalues AMD’s GPU opportunities
- Citi projects AMD will capture the majority of GPU orders from Meta through custom MI450 chips ramping in the latter half of 2026, forecasting $33 billion in AI revenue by 2027
- Shares of AMD finished Thursday’s session up approximately 8%, propelled by consecutive analyst endorsements
While Thursday appeared relatively uneventful for the broader technology sector, Advanced Micro Devices had a different story to tell.
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) climbed approximately 8% during Thursday’s trading session after two prominent Wall Street firms issued optimistic assessments on the chipmaker within hours of each other, pushing shares to roughly $488.66.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., AMD
Bank of America’s Vivek Arya initiated the bullish wave before market open. He elevated his projection for the 2030 server CPU addressable market to $170 billion, a significant jump from his earlier $125 billion estimate. Arya positioned AMD as his top selection within the CPU market.
Arya identified agentic AI as the primary catalyst behind his revised outlook. He anticipates a 37% compound annual growth trajectory for server CPUs spanning 2025 through 2030. That’s a substantial projection, and AMD is positioned squarely within that growth path.
Accompanying the upgrade, he elevated his price objective on AMD to $560 from $500, emphasizing AMD’s strategic positioning for the long term and the imminent release of its “Venice” next-generation server processors as primary justifications.
Citi Follows With Bullish Call
Shortly after, Citi contributed additional upward momentum. Analyst Atif Malik elevated AMD to Buy from Neutral and increased his price objective to $575 from $460.
Malik’s thesis is clear: Wall Street predominantly views AMD through a CPU lens. The GPU narrative, according to his analysis, remains largely unaccounted for in current valuations.
Citi anticipates AMD will secure the bulk of GPU contracts from Meta, with customized MI450 chips delivering Meta superior total cost of ownership compared to competing merchant GPU offerings.
The firm referenced a previously disclosed arrangement between AMD and Meta — a six-gigawatt, four-year commitment involving a 160 million share common stock warrant. The initial one-gigawatt phase is projected to scale up during the second half of 2026 and continue into 2027.
Citi calculates that each gigawatt within that arrangement represents approximately $15 billion in revenue opportunity for AMD.
Aggressive AI Revenue Projections
Leveraging that partnership and expanding GPU traction, Citi now projects AMD’s AI-related sales will reach $33 billion in 2027, representing 137% year-over-year growth, and $50.8 billion in 2028, reflecting 54% growth.
These figures would establish AMD as a significantly more dominant GPU competitor than current market pricing suggests.
Regarding CPUs, Citi also revised its 2030 addressable market projection upward to $136.7 billion from $131.5 billion following Computex. This reflects a 36% CAGR from $29.3 billion in 2025.
Citi’s updated 2026-2028 earnings per share projections exceed Street consensus by 12% to 13%. Its $575 target price derives from a sum-of-the-parts analysis: $281 per share attributed to data center GPU, $204 per share for CPU, combined with contributions from client segments, gaming, embedded operations, and approximately $35 per share in net cash position.
AMD’s 52-week trading range spans from $115.06 to $546.44. Thursday’s closing price of $488.66 positions it considerably above the midpoint of that spectrum.
Crypto World
XRP Price Prediction: Japan XRP ETF Listing is Getting Closer
Japan just handed XRP bulls a major regulatory tailwind. XRP price is retesting a congestion zone, and the prediction could turn bullish very fast, thanks to Japan.
Japan’s Lower House passed a landmark crypto tax bill that would slash the maximum tax rate on digital asset gains from approximately 55% to a flat 20%, while reclassifying crypto as a financial instrument under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
The legislation advances to the Upper House, where approval is widely anticipated. If enacted, the new framework, which includes insider trading rules and disclosure requirements, targets a 2028 effective date for tax changes, with ETF approvals potentially arriving as early as 2027.
SBI Holdings has already moved ahead of that timeline, submitting applications to Japan’s FSA for a spot Bitcoin-XRP ETF and a hybrid Digital Gold-Crypto ETF, targeting up to $32 billion in AUM within three years.
The structural shift, from payment instrument to regulated financial product, is what separates this from routine regulatory noise.
Discover: The Best Crypto to Diversify Your Portfolio
XRP Price Prediction
XRP has tested the $1.15 resistance zone twice in recent sessions, pulling back each time before quickly recovering. It is a pattern that typically precedes either a clean breakout or an exhaustion sell-off. Current price sits around $1.14, with immediate support at $1.1, where the 4-hour chart registered a decisive bounce ahead of the SBI ETF headlines.
Rising volume on each retest of $1.15 raises the probability of a bullish breakout, particularly if price closes a daily candle above it. That level has acted as a high-congestion ceiling; clearing it with conviction opens the next meaningful target at $1.20.
Analyst Zack Rector has called for $5 in the near term and $15 by September, while YouTube analyst James Crypto Space argues a modified 2017 fractal could deliver $9 by early September, both targets that demand sustained institutional inflows, not just retail enthusiasm.
The Japan regulatory backdrop remains the primary bullish driver for those projections to have any structural foundation. For shorter timeframes, XRP’s support floor at the $1–$1.05 range is the level traders are watching most closely right now.
Discover: The Best Token Presales
LiquidChain Eyes Early-Mover Upside as XRP Tests Critical Resistance
XRP at the $1 level is a compelling trade, but it’s also already a $70 billion asset running on macro and regulatory tailwinds that may take months to fully materialize. Traders chasing the ETF catalyst at current levels are essentially paying for news that has a 2027 timeline. Early-stage infrastructure plays offer a different risk-reward profile entirely.
LiquidChain is an L3 infrastructure project positioning itself as the cross-chain liquidity layer, fusing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana liquidity into a single execution environment. The core architecture includes a Unified Liquidity Layer, Single-Step Execution, Verifiable Settlement, and a Deploy-Once Architecture that lets developers access all three ecosystems without rebuilding.
The presale has raised $836K at a current price of $0.01469 per $LIQUID token. For traders watching the Japan ETF cycle reshape institutional crypto flows, researching LiquidChain as an infrastructure-layer bet on that multi-chain future is worth the time.
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Crypto World
Jim Cramer Just Warned Against SpaceX Stock: Bullish Sign for Elon Musk?
Jim Cramer has done it again. The CNBC host warned this week that SpaceX stock could surge to unsustainable levels at its debut, and for a growing crowd of investors, that warning reads as the most bullish signal they have seen all year.
SpaceX set its IPO price at $135 per share, valuing the company at $1.77 trillion and making it the largest IPO in history. With shares expected to begin trading on Nasdaq today, June 12, under the ticker SPCX, demand has been extraordinary, with the deal reportedly four times oversubscribed.
What Cramer Said About SpaceX Stock
Cramer told Mad Money viewers that a massive first-day surge is the last thing SpaceX needs. His concern centers on inexperienced retail investors placing market orders rather than limit orders, which could artificially spike the price and set the stock up for a sharp correction.
He warned SpaceX could briefly command a valuation rivaling the world’s largest companies, a level he said rarely ends well for buyers who chase the open.
Cramer first raised the alarm in May, when he said the IPO feeding frenzy could be “destructive” for the broader market, pulling capital away from other equities. He has since focused his concern on speculative short-term investors who may rush to sell shares shortly after trading opens.
The Reverse Cramer Effect Has a Track Record
The investing community has a different read. The “reverse Cramer effect” holds that his negative calls reliably precede rallies.
In 2017, he called Bitcoin “monopoly money” just before it rose to nearly $20,000. Then, in June 2021, he sold most of his Bitcoin position, citing fears over China’s crackdown, right before the market rebounded. Also, in January 2024, he warned of a Bitcoin selloff ahead of the US spot ETF launch, which became one of crypto’s biggest catalysts that year.
The pattern became so well-established that Wall Street built a structured product around it. The Inverse Cramer Tracker ETF (SJIM) launched in 2023, designed to bet against whatever Cramer recommends. The evidence spans multiple market cycles, from Bitcoin’s 2017 surge to the 2024 spot ETF rally.
SpaceX Brings a Bitcoin Treasury to Public Markets
One angle that sets this IPO apart from any other: SpaceX holds 18,712 Bitcoin on its balance sheet, worth roughly $2 billion at current prices. When SpaceX stock begins trading, public investors gain exposure to that treasury for the first time. Analysts have already begun mapping what the listing could mean for crypto markets more broadly.
Whether Cramer is right or wrong, his warning has already done one thing: it has given contrarian investors exactly the conviction they need to buy.
The post Jim Cramer Just Warned Against SpaceX Stock: Bullish Sign for Elon Musk? appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
US Natural Gas: Inventory Surplus Continues to Weigh on Prices
The US natural gas market (XNG/USD) is entering the summer season under the influence of two opposing forces. Domestically, the picture remains bearish. According to the EIA, working gas in underground storage stood at 2,688 billion cubic feet as of 5 June 2026, which is 151 billion cubic feet above the five-year average. At the same time, gas deliveries to major LNG export terminals have fallen to 16.3 billion cubic feet per day, as seasonal maintenance work at the Golden Pass and Freeport LNG facilities in Texas has constrained export flows.
On the other hand, global LNG demand is strengthening. On 9 June, Morgan Stanley warned that LNG prices could rise to levels not seen in more than three years. Hot weather across Asia and Europe’s need to replenish gas reserves are intensifying competition for available LNG supplies. Should demand continue to increase, a greater share of US LNG could be redirected to overseas markets, potentially providing support for domestic natural gas prices over the longer term.
Technical Picture

Since late April, US Natural Gas has been developing an upward trend on the H4 chart, supported by a series of higher lows. The trendline underpinned the advance up to the peak near $3.260 — a resistance level marked in red, from which the price was rejected twice. Following the second test, the current decline began, and by 11 June the price had moved below the ascending trendline, making its first attempt to break it. Volume on the bearish candle of 11 June increased noticeably, drawing attention to the significance of the attempted trendline break. Under such a scenario, the support level marked in green near $2.930 could come into focus for buyers.
The lower boundary of the horizontal profile at $3.030 and the point of control at $3.050–3.060 are positioned very close together, forming a cluster that could act as resistance should a recovery attempt develop. The RSI and its moving averages are currently reading 38/46/47. The oscillator remains below both moving averages but has not yet entered oversold territory, while the moving averages, highlighted in red, have yet to reach the lower boundary of the neutral zone at 45.
Key Takeaways
The inventory surplus in the United States and reduced export flows from US LNG terminals remain the dominant fundamental factors affecting the market. Technically, the price is testing the ascending trendline amid increased trading volume while remaining below the cluster formed by the profile’s lower boundary and the point of control. Further price action will largely depend on weather forecasts and the EIA’s weekly storage reports.
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Crypto World
SpaceX Tokenized IPO Campaign Draws $557M on Binance Ahead of Debut
Binance’s SpaceX tokenized IPO campaign attracted over $557 million in USDC deposits from about 27,689 wallet addresses ahead of the company’s highly anticipated public listing.
Wallets contributing up to $20,000 accounted for more than 81% of participating addresses but only 18.39% of total funds, while 114 addresses contributed over $500,000 each, representing about 10.2% of the funds, according to Dune data.
The deposits point to strong demand for crypto-based pre-IPO exposure ahead of SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut on Friday, with the company seeking to raise $75 billion at $135 a share and an around $1.8 trillion valuation.
On decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, SpaceX perpetual futures traded in the $180 to $200 range after the pre-IPO market went live on May 18, implying a valuation closer to $2.5 trillion, Talos said in a Tuesday report. The implied share price moved closer to the IPO level by Monday but has since rebounded to $179.

SpaceX perpetual futures traded at around $179 across Hyperliquid, Binance and other crypto platforms. Source: Talos
Talos added that crypto exchanges are becoming a new price discovery venue for pre-IPO stocks, as Hyperliquid’s pre-IPO perps priced Cerebras’ (CBRS) recent Nasdaq debut within 1.3% of its $350 opening price.
Related: Crypto exchanges chase TradFi commodities market as pricing gaps persist
Crypto rails point to over $2 trillion SpaceX IPO valuation
On prediction market Polymarket, 56% of participants are betting that the SpaceX IPO will close with a $2 trillion to $2.5 trillion market capitalization after its first day of trading, while 25% are predicting a close between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion.

SpaceX IPO closing market capitalization bets on Polymarket. Source: Polymarket.com
Meanwhile, more cryptocurrency exchanges are launching pre-IPO proxy offerings tied to Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company.
OKX told Cointelegraph that it is preparing to list SpaceX on its X-perps on Friday, offering Europe-based traders futures exposure to the highly anticipated debut, with up to 10x leverage.
The launch adds to a growing roster of crypto platforms offering SpaceX-linked products, including Bitget, Blockchain.com, Bybit, Kraken and Coinbase.
Magazine: Can Robinhood or Kraken’s tokenized stocks ever be truly decentralized?
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