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Top 10 free AI stock trading bots for beginners in 2026 guide

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Top 10 free AI stock trading bots for beginners in 2026 guide

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

AI stock trading bots gain traction in 2026 as beginners seek simple, automated ways to enter financial markets.

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Summary

  • AI stock trading bots gain traction in 2026, offering beginners automated, hands-free market entry
  • MoneyFlare leads with one-click AI trading, combining stock and crypto automation for passive income
  • Demand is rising for free AI trading tools as users seek simple, risk-managed investing solutions

As the financial markets continue to evolve, more beginners are turning to AI-powered tools to automate their stock trading. In 2026, AI stock trading bots are increasingly accessible, providing users with an easy, hands-off way to enter the market. For those who are beginners, looking to get started with AI stock trading, this guide will help them navigate the best free options available in 2026.

Whether someone is looking for a simple tool to automate their trades or seeking advanced features to fine-tune their strategies, the right AI trading bot can make all the difference. Let’s explore the top 10 free AI stock trading bots that are perfect for beginners in 2026.

What are AI stock trading bots?

AI stock trading bots are automated programs that use artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze market data, execute trades, and manage investments. These bots are designed to optimize trading strategies with minimal effort, making them perfect for beginners who want to avoid the complexity of manual trading.

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In 2026, these bots offer advanced features like machine learning, sentiment analysis, and real-time market monitoring, all without requiring any coding skills. Many of these bots operate on a subscription-free basis, offering a risk-free introduction to the world of automated stock trading.

Top 10 free AI stock trading bots for beginners in 2026

1. MoneyFlare

Overview:
MoneyFlare is a sophisticated yet beginner-friendly AI trading platform that offers fully automated stock and crypto trading. Designed for individuals with no coding or technical experience, MoneyFlare leverages advanced AI algorithms to execute trades and manage investments 24/7.

Key Features:

  • One-Click Activation: Start trading instantly with minimal setup.
  • Pre-Built Quant Strategies: Choose from a variety of expert-crafted strategies tailored to maximize returns.
  • 24/7 Automated Trading: Let the AI handle trades at any time, ensuring an opportunity is never missed.
  • Risk Management Tools: Built-in stop-loss, take-profit, and exposure limits to minimize potential losses.

Best for:
Complete beginners who want a hands-off trading experience, as well as those looking for a safe, AI-driven approach to generating passive income with minimal effort.

Click to register and receive a free $10 real reward and $50 trial credit!

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2. 3Commas

Overview:
3Commas offers an intuitive and flexible trading environment suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. It allows users to automate their trades using a variety of strategies, such as Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) and grid trading.

Key Features:

  • Smart Trade Terminal: Execute trades with real-time analysis and risk management tools.
  • Automated Portfolio Management: Rebalance and optimize a portfolio automatically.
  • Multi-Exchange Support: Trade across multiple platforms like Binance, Kraken, and others, from one interface.
  • Backtesting: Test strategies before going live.

Best for:
Beginners who want to start simple but also value the potential to scale their trading strategies as they gain experience.

3. Cryptohopper

Overview:
Cryptohopper is a cloud-based AI bot that combines automation with customization, making it ideal for both beginners and more experienced traders. Trades can ebe automated based on predefined strategies or real-time market signals.

Key Features:

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  • Strategy Marketplace: Choose from a wide range of pre-built strategies created by top traders.
  • Social Trading: Follow expert traders and mirror their strategies in real time.
  • Backtesting & Paper Trading: Test strategies risk-free before using real funds.

Best For:
Beginners looking for flexibility, with the option to gradually explore advanced features as they learn.

4. Pionex

Overview:
Pionex is an easy-to-use AI trading bot that offers over 16 different bots, including grid trading and arbitrage bots. It’s perfect for beginners who want to start automated trading without having to navigate complex features.

Key Features:

  • Low Fees: One of the most cost-effective platforms, with trading fees as low as 0.05%.
  • Pre-Built Strategies: Get started quickly with simple, effective strategies like grid trading and arbitrage.
  • Automated Trading: Operate trades on autopilot 24/7.

Best For:
Beginners who want an all-in-one solution that simplifies automated trading with minimal setup and fees.

5. Zignaly

Overview:
Zignaly is a fully automated trading platform designed for those who want to follow expert traders or signal providers. It offers social trading and copy trading features, allowing beginners to learn from others while automating their own trades.

Key Features:

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  • Copy Trading: Automatically copy the strategies of top traders in real-time.
  • Cloud-Based Automation: Run the bot seamlessly from the cloud without any setup hassles.
  • Risk Management Tools: Protect investments with built-in risk controls.

Best For:
Beginners who prefer to follow professional traders’ strategies while automating their own trades with minimal input.

6. Autonio

Overview:
Autonio is a decentralized trading bot platform that allows users to trade across multiple assets using machine learning and AI. It’s ideal for beginners who want a hands-on approach to customizing their strategies with the power of AI.

Key Features:

  • Machine Learning Algorithms: AI-powered trading that adapts to market conditions.
  • Backtesting & Optimization: Test and refine strategies using historical data.
  • Multi-Asset Support: Trade a variety of assets beyond just stocks and crypto.

Best For:
Beginners who want to dive deeper into customizable trading strategies while leveraging AI for decision-making.

7. HaasOnline

Overview:
HaasOnline offers a set of powerful, free trading bots that are ideal for beginners looking to explore automated trading. The platform allows full customization of trading strategies, providing more control over how trades are executed.

Key Features:

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  • Advanced Risk Management: Use features like stop-loss, trailing stop, and take-profit for safer trading.
  • Multi-Exchange Support: Connect with several exchanges for a broader trading experience.
  • Backtesting: Evaluate strategies and refine them before going live.

Best For:
Beginners who may want to start simple but gradually explore more complex features as they gain confidence.

8. Shrimpy

Overview:

Shrimpy offers a portfolio management tool with automated rebalancing and social trading. This bot is perfect for beginners who want to follow the strategies of top traders while managing their portfolios effortlessly.

Key Features:

  • Portfolio Rebalancing: Keep investments aligned with goals by automating portfolio rebalancing.
  • Social Trading: Copy the strategies of top traders and implement them automatically.
  • Real-Time Performance Tracking: Track investments’ performance in real time.

Best For:
Beginners who want a simple and effective way to manage their portfolios with minimal effort.

9. Quadency

Overview:
Quadency is a versatile platform that offers AI-powered trading bots and an easy-to-use interface. It allows users to automate their trades and backtest strategies without needing any technical knowledge.

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Key Features:

  • Strategy Automation: Implement and execute various strategies with ease.
  • Real-Time Data and Analytics: Make informed trading decisions based on real-time market data.
  • Backtesting: Test strategies with historical data to ensure their effectiveness.

Best For:
Beginners who want a hassle-free, automated trading experience with powerful tools to track performance.

10. Bitsgap

Overview:
Bitsgap is an integrated trading platform that supports multiple exchanges and offers automated trading bots, including arbitrage and grid bots. It’s ideal for beginners looking to automate their trades across different platforms.

Key Features:

  • Arbitrage Trading: Take advantage of price discrepancies across exchanges to maximize profits.
  • Backtesting: Test strategies risk-free before live trading.
  • Multi-Exchange Support: Trade across multiple exchanges from one platform.

Best For:
Beginners who want to explore more advanced features, such as arbitrage, without the complexity of setting up manual trades.

Why should beginners use AI stock trading bots?

For beginners, AI stock trading bots offer several advantages:

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  • Ease of Use: Most bots are designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces that don’t require prior trading experience.
  • Automation: They run 24/7, meaning users can take advantage of market opportunities even while they sleep.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: AI bots analyze vast amounts of market data, ensuring that trades are based on solid information rather than emotions.
  • Risk Management: Many bots come with built-in risk management tools to protect investments.

How to get started with AI stock trading bots

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting started for those who are new to AI stock trading bots:

  1. Choose the Right Bot: Select one of the bots listed above that suits a particular trading style and preferences.
  2. Set Up an Account: Most bots require users to create an account on their platform and link it to their brokerage or exchange account.
  3. Customize Settings: While some bots come with preset strategies, users can often adjust risk levels, trading pairs, and other parameters to suit their preferences.
  4. Monitor and Optimize: Once the bot is running, its performance can be monitored, and adjustments can be made if necessary. Some bots offer analytics to help track profitability.

Things to consider before using AI stock trading bots

While AI stock trading bots offer great advantages, they are not foolproof. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Market Risk: The stock market can be volatile, and even AI systems can make losses in unpredictable market conditions.
  • Initial Setup: Some bots may require initial configuration or a learning curve, even if they’re beginner-friendly.
  • Fees: Some bots are free, but others may charge a fee for premium features. Be sure to check the cost structure before getting started.

Tips to avoid being scammed in AI stock trading

As AI stock trading becomes more popular, many investors are turning to automated trading systems to manage their investments. However, there are also fraudulent platforms and scams in the market, so it is crucial to ensure that protection comes first. Below are some effective tips to help traders avoid being scammed while using AI stock trading platforms:

1. Choose a reputable platform

Ensure a well-known platform with positive reviews is selected. Users can verify the platform’s credibility by researching user feedback, independent reviews, and whether the platform is regulated by financial authorities (such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] or the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority [FCA]). Legitimate platforms will disclose their registration information and be under the supervision of regulatory bodies, so avoid platforms with low transparency.

2. Avoid unrealistic high-return promises

Any platform that promises “guaranteed profits” or fixed high returns should raise suspicion. No investment can guarantee consistent returns, especially in the volatile stock market. Legitimate platforms typically include risk warnings in their terms of service and disclaimers, advising users of the potential for losses. Be wary of platforms that make unrealistic promises of high returns or quick profits.

3. Ensure platform security

When selecting a platform, make sure it offers strong data encryption to protect the account and funds. Legitimate platforms typically use SSL encryption protocols to secure data transmission, and they provide two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance account security. This ensures that even if someone steals a password, they won’t be able to access the account easily. Verify that the platform follows industry-standard security measures to prevent hacking or data breaches.

4. Avoid following trading signals from unverified sources

Avoid blindly following trading signals or advice from unverified sources. Choose platforms where the signal sources are clearly identified and ensure these signals come from reputable professionals or verified traders. Social trading platforms (such as Zignaly) allow users to follow other successful traders’ strategies, but make sure these strategies are transparent and publicly available. Do not make decisions based solely on short-term profit claims.

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5. Start with small investments, don’t invest all funds at once

Before fully trusting a platform, it’s best to start with small, test investments. This allows the user to assess the platform’s performance and the effectiveness of its AI strategies with minimal risk. Diversify investments to reduce risk and avoid putting all the funds into one platform or strategy.

6. Verify AI strategy transparency

Make sure the platform can explain how its AI algorithms work and the strategies used for trading. If a platform keeps its algorithms and operations highly secret or fails to provide enough transparent information, it’s best to avoid using that platform. Reputable platforms usually explain how their AI analyzes the market, makes trading decisions, and provides clear risk management tools.

7. Regularly check account and trading activities

Regularly monitor a trading account to ensure there are no unusual transactions or unauthorized fund transfers. Most platforms offer real-time trade alerts to help track trading activities. Set up alerts for important transactions to receive immediate notification and can take action if needed.

8. Be cautious about free platforms

Although many platforms offer free trials, completely free platforms often come with hidden fees or security risks. Be sure to understand the platform’s fee structure and whether there are any extra charges before getting started. Some scam platforms lure users with “free” services, but later obtain their funds or personal information through other means.

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Conclusion

In 2026, AI stock trading bots are the perfect solution for beginners looking to automate their trading strategies and earn passive income. With the bots listed in this guide, anyone can start trading without needing to be a seasoned investor or a coding expert. Whether they want simplicity, advanced features, or a combination of both, these bots can help them navigate the stock market with ease.

Always keep in mind that while AI trading bots are powerful tools, they come with risks. It’s important to monitor trades, set appropriate risk management tools, and only invest what someone can afford to lose.

By choosing the right AI bot and following best practices, traders can set themselves up for success in the world of stock trading.

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Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

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WLFI drops to record low after token-backed loan draws ccrutiny

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WLFI price chart | Source: CoinGecko

WLFI (WLFI) fell to a new all-time low on Saturday after onchain data showed wallets linked to World Liberty Financial used large token holdings to borrow stablecoins. 

Summary

  • WLFI fell to a record low after a self-backed loan raised fresh market risk questions.
  • Onchain data showed linked wallets used 5 billion WLFI tokens to borrow stablecoins on Dolomite.
  • World Liberty said its positions remain safe and framed the lending move as yield strategy.

The move added pressure to the Trump-linked project as traders weighed the risk tied to using its own token as collateral.

WLFI dropped to about $0.077, its lowest level on record, before trading near $0.079. The token is now down 76% from its peak of $0.33 reached in September, based on CoinGecko data.

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WLFI price chart | Source: CoinGecko
WLFI price chart | Source: CoinGecko

The decline followed reports that wallets tied to World Liberty Financial deposited about 5 billion WLFI tokens on Dolomite. The same position was then used to borrow $75 million in USD1 and USDC.\

Arkham data showed that more than $40 million of the borrowed funds later moved to Coinbase Prime. That transfer drew more attention to the project’s financing activity and the size of its exposure.

The market reaction was swift because WLFI is not viewed as a deeply liquid asset. A large collateral position tied to price swings can increase pressure if the token falls further.

DeFi users on X said the structure could create risk for lenders if WLFI moves closer to liquidation levels. Some pointed to the token’s high fully diluted valuation and limited trading depth as a weak point.

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“WLFI has almost a $10 billion FDV, but it is not an extremely liquid asset,” wrote one user. “So imagine what would happen if 5% of WLFI’s total supply would suddenly need to be sold to liquidate the position.”

Another user compared the setup to borrowing cash against self-created value. The user said,

“It’s the financial equivalent of printing casino chips, borrowing cash against them, and telling everyone else not to panic because the house still believes in the chips.”

Dolomite remains a smaller player in DeFi lending. DefiLlama ranks it 19th among lending platforms by total value locked, which added more focus to the size of the WLFI-linked position.

World Liberty defends the strategy

World Liberty Financial responded on social media and said its positions remain well above liquidation thresholds. The project described itself as an “anchor borrower” and said the strategy supports yield generation.

The team wrote, 

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“Everyday users are earning outsized stablecoin yields right now — at a time when traditional markets are offering very little.” It added, “That’s the whole point.”

The project also said it plans to introduce a governance proposal for early retail holders. The proposal would replace immediate token access with a phased vesting schedule, subject to a community vote.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Aethir Contains Bridge Hack While Losses Stay Below $90K

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Crypto hacks drop to $37.7M, lowest since March 2025

Aethir said it remains fully operational after containing an attack on its ATH bridge contracts. 

Summary

  • Aethir said it contained the ATH bridge exploit quickly and kept total user losses below $90,000.
  • The company said Ethereum ATH supply stayed intact while affected contracts were disconnected to stop losses.
  • PeckShield first estimated higher losses, while Aethir said compensation details will arrive next week soon.

The company said the exploit did not affect the main ATH supply on Ethereum, while user losses stayed below $90,000.

Aethir said it detected a malicious attack targeting ATH bridge contracts that connect Ethereum with other chains. The company said it disconnected all affected contracts soon after finding the issue and stopped further damage.

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The team added that the ETH-ARB bridge on Squid was not affected during the incident. It also said the main ATH supply on Ethereum remains intact, which helped prevent wider disruption across the network.

Aethir said it will share a full compensation plan next week. The company also said it is working with authorities and exchange partners to trace the attacker and block related funds.

“A full attacker wallet list will be posted in Discord as we monitor the funds,” Aethir said, in its update.

It added that a detailed memo will explain what happened, which users were affected, and how compensation will work.

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Aethir credited several exchanges for acting quickly after the exploit. The company named Binance, Upbit, Bithumb, and HTX among the platforms that blacklisted identified wallets tied to the incident.

The project also thanked ZeroShadow for helping with analysis during the response. Aethir said that early action from partners helped limit the scope of the losses and support the ongoing investigation.

PeckShield had flagged the exploit a day earlier and initially estimated losses at about $400,000. The blockchain security firm also said the attacker moved funds from BNB Chain to Tron through several addresses.

That early estimate differed from Aethir’s latest figure of under $90,000 in user losses. The gap places more attention on fund tracing and the final accounting of the incident.

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Crypto attacks continue to pressure the market

The Aethir case comes as crypto security breaches keep hitting the market. PeckShield recently said losses from 20 security incidents reached about $52 million in March, nearly double the February total.

The firm also pointed to a growing pattern where one exploit can spread stress across linked DeFi platforms. Those events can weaken liquidity, create bad debt, and strain lending markets beyond the first target.

PeckShield cited ResolvLabs and Venus Protocol as recent examples of wider fallout after exploits. It also noted targeted attacks on individuals, including a multimillion-dollar theft tied to social engineering on Kraken. The trend has carried into April as other platforms deal with new attacks.

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Binance New Listing Calendar Heats Up as Strategy Holds 766,970 BTC and One Presale Fills Fast

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Binance New Listing Calendar Heats Up as Strategy Holds 766,970 BTC and One Presale Fills Fast

Strategy now holds 766,970 BTC worth over $54 billion after buying roughly 45,000 BTC in the past 30 days, proving the largest corporate holder is not slowing down even with BTC above $71,000.

The binance new listing calendar is where the next round of returns gets decided, and the presale filling fastest right now is the one with a confirmed spot on that calendar.

Pepeto is approaching its listing date with more than $8.87 million raised and the cofounder who built the original Pepe coin, and wallets are rushing to lock in the presale entry before stages close.

Strategy bought roughly 45,000 BTC over the past month, pushing its total to 766,970 BTC per CoinDesk. The company launched its STRC offering to fund more purchases, and the position now tops $54 billion.

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BTC cleared $72,700 after the ceasefire rally that wiped $600 million in shorts per Bloomberg, and the next confirmed binance new listing is where presale holders turn floor entries into returns that BTC at current prices cannot match.

How BNB, SOL, and the Next Binance New Listing Compare for Returns

Pepeto: What Happens When a Working Exchange Hits the Binance New Listing Calendar

Most tokens land on Binance with a whitepaper and a promise. Pepeto lands with a finished exchange that already runs live trades, and that difference is why the binance new listing for this token is getting more attention than any other presale this cycle.

Zero fee swaps keep positions whole. The bridge moves tokens across chains without charging a cent. The contract scanner catches rug pulls before a dollar goes in. All three tools are live, not coming soon, live.

The presale hit $8.87 million during extreme fear while the rest of the market froze, and the Pepe cofounder who took 420 trillion tokens to $11 billion with nothing behind it is building a real exchange this time. Every contract cleared a SolidProof audit, 186% APY staking grows every position, and analysts model 100x to 300x starting at the $0.0000001863 entry.

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The presale fills faster each round because the wallets inside know what listing day does, it replaces this price permanently and the return belongs only to the wallets that got in while the number still existed. The binance new listing date is the clock, and every hour closer is one hour less before the entry is gone.

BNB: Exchange Token Holds $605 but Upside Stays Measured

BNB holds near $605 with quarterly token burns and Binance volume keeping demand steady per CoinMarketCap.

New listings on Binance historically lift BNB as traders move capital onto the platform, and the upcoming Pepeto listing adds another event to the calendar.

BNB offers stability, but from $605 the path to $900 is roughly 50%, far from the kind of return a presale floor delivers when the binance new listing opens the gap between entry and market price.

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Solana: SOL Sits at $84 With Strong Fundamentals but Limited Ceiling

SOL trades near $84 after commodity classification cleared regulatory clouds per CoinGecko. Nine ETF filings and the Alpenglow upgrade add long term weight, and institutional ownership of SOL products sits at 48.8%, the highest of any crypto fund.

CME Group also plans SUI and AVAX futures for May, showing derivatives markets are expanding beyond BTC and ETH. SOL is strong, but from $84 even a move to $300 delivers 3.5x over months while presale entries hold the spread between presale and listing where the widest returns get built.

Conclusion

Strategy’s 766,970 BTC proves long term confidence in digital assets, but the wallets watching the binance new listing calendar are looking past large caps toward presale entries with real weight. Pepeto has the live exchange, the capital, and the confirmed listing to back it.

The last stage sold out ahead of schedule, and this one fills while these words load. The presale price stops existing the moment the binance new listing date arrives, and the returns belong only to the wallets that got in while the door was still open.

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Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale

FAQs

What is the most expected binance new listing in 2026?

Pepeto leads with $8.87 million raised, a live exchange with zero fee trading, and a confirmed listing date. The Pepe cofounder and SolidProof audit give it the strongest profile this cycle.

Can a binance new listing deliver bigger returns than holding BNB or SOL?

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BNB at $605 offers 50% to $900 and SOL at $84 targets 3.5x to $300. Presale entries at floor price carry the listing gap where the widest returns in every cycle get built.


Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

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Bitcoin nears $73K again as ETH and HYPE push higher

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Source: CoinGecko

Bitcoin (BTC) extended its upward move over the past 24 hours and reached its highest level in three weeks. 

Summary

  • Bitcoin climbed above $73,000 as traders weighed cease-fire updates and stronger March CPI data yesterday.
  • Ethereum moved back above $2,200, while HYPE and DASH posted gains across the altcoin market.
  • RAVE surged 100% in one day and entered the top 100 tokens.

The broader crypto market also moved higher, with Ethereum (ETH), HYPE (HYPE), and RAVE among the tokens posting gains.

Bitcoin traded in a tight range between $66,000 and $67,000 over the weekend. That changed on Monday when the asset moved above $70,000 after reports said the United States and Iran had started talks.

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The price later slipped below $68,000 after follow-up reports challenged that claim. Bitcoin then turned higher again on Tuesday after both sides announced a “two-week cease-fire,” which supported market sentiment.

The asset kept climbing even after March CPI data showed stronger inflation. It reached $73,500 earlier today, its highest level since March 18, before easing slightly below $73,000.

Bitcoin’s market value rose to $1.455 trillion, according to CoinGecko data. Its share of the total crypto market also increased over the past week and now stands above 57%.

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Source: CoinGecko
Source: CoinGecko

Ethereum, HYPE, and RAVE lead altcoin gains

Ethereum moved back above the $2,200 mark after a 2.3% daily rise. BNB also traded higher and moved past $600, while HYPE climbed more than 5% and reclaimed $40.

Most large-cap altcoins followed the same direction, though gains remained moderate. A few tokens, including WLFI, XMR, and CC, posted small losses during the session.

RAVE recorded the strongest move among the top gainers. The token jumped 100% in one day and extended its weekly gain to about 700%, which pushed it into the top 100 assets by market value.

DASH also posted a sharp advance and moved above $45 after a 13% gain. SIREN added 10% and returned to the $0.80 level.

The total crypto market value increased by more than $100 billion from last week. It stood at $2.530 trillion at press time, showing broader strength across the sector.

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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Iran Bitcoin toll report raises questions over oil ship payments

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UK shuts down crypto exchange Zedxion after sanctions probe ties platform to Iranian networks

Reports that Iran may accept crypto for oil tanker tolls in the Strait of Hormuz have sparked debate across the digital asset market. 

Summary

  • Reports on Iran’s possible crypto tolls for oil tankers have split opinion across Bitcoin and stablecoin circles.
  • Analysts said stablecoins face freeze risks, while Bitcoin supporters called BTC harder to block or control.
  • Galaxy’s Alex Thorn said tanker payments may use Bitcoin addresses, not Lightning, due to size limits.

The discussion followed a Financial Times report that linked the proposal to Iran’s efforts to reduce exposure to US sanctions.

Market participants have focused on one question: whether Bitcoin would play a real role in such payments. Conflicting claims have since pointed to stablecoins or Chinese yuan as other possible options.

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The latest debate started after reports said Iran was considering Bitcoin payments for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains one of the world’s busiest energy routes, which has pushed the topic beyond crypto circles and into wider market discussions.

Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy, said later reports did not fully support the original Bitcoin claim. He said some accounts suggested the tolls could instead be settled in stablecoins or Chinese yuan, which left the payment method unclear.

That uncertainty has driven much of the reaction from Bitcoin supporters and market analysts. With no confirmed payment framework in place, traders and industry figures have treated the story as a developing issue rather than a settled policy.

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The lack of an official and detailed public plan from Iranian authorities has also kept room for doubt. For now, the crypto market is responding more to reports and commentary than to a final rule.

Bitcoin and stablecoins draw different arguments

Bitcoin supporters argued that BTC would be harder for outside parties to freeze or block. Justin Bechler said, “USDT and USDC include built-in blacklist functions at the smart contract level,” adding that issuers can freeze funds when addresses are flagged.

He also said, “Bitcoin has no issuer, no compliance officer to pressure, and no freeze function.” That argument has pushed some market participants to present Bitcoin as a more resilient option for cross-border settlement under sanctions pressure.

Still, that view has not settled the debate. Stablecoins remain widely used in global crypto payments because they reduce price swings, and that may still matter for any large commercial transaction tied to oil shipping.

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The discussion also reflects the difference between theory and practice. A payment method may look strong on paper, but large state-linked payments depend on speed, scale, compliance risk, and operational ease.

Payment size and logistics remain key issues

Thorn estimated that tanker tolls could range from $200,000 to $2 million per ship. That size has raised doubts about whether the Lightning Network would be the main rail, even though some early reporting suggested a payment could be completed within seconds.

He said the more likely setup would involve Iran providing a QR code or a Bitcoin address after approving a ship’s passage. That method would avoid the limits that can affect very large Lightning payments.

Thorn also noted that the largest known Lightning transaction to date was about $1 million. That figure matters because some tanker tolls may sit above that level, which could make direct onchain settlement or pre-arranged transfers more practical.

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WLFI Drops to Record Low After Token-Backed Borrowing Raises Risk Concerns

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WLFI Drops to Record Low After Token-Backed Borrowing Raises Risk Concerns

WLFI, the native token of the Donald Trump–backed World Liberty Financial platform, sank to an all-time low on Saturday as crypto users expressed concerns after revelations that the project used a large amount of its own tokens to take out loans.

The token hit a new low of around $0.07714 on Saturday, down 83% from its peak of $0.46 reached last September, according to data from CoinMarketCap. WLFI is currently at $0.07879, down by 4.66% over the past day.

The downturn came after it was revealed that wallets linked to World Liberty Financial deployed substantial WLFI holdings as collateral on Dolomite, a decentralized lending platform co-founded by the project’s chief technology officer, Corey Caplan.

WLFI token down 65% over the past year. Source: CoinMarketCap

Onchain data from Arkham shows that a wallet linked to World Liberty Financial deposited around 5 billion WLFI tokens on Dolomite. The wallet then used the tokens as collateral to borrow $75 million in USD1 and USDC (USDC) stablecoins, later transferring more than $40 million to Coinbase Prime.

Related: CFTC unveils innovation task force members in crypto clarity push

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WLFI-backed loan position sparks concerns

The large collateral position has raised concerns among DeFi analysts, who warn it could create risks for lenders on Dolomite if WLFI’s price falls and approaches liquidation levels.

“WLFI has almost a $10 billion FDV, but it is not an extremely liquid asset,” one user wrote on X. “So imagine what would happen if 5% of WLFI’s total supply would suddenly need to be sold to liquidate the position,” he added.

Another X user argued that the setup resembles creating artificial “chips” and borrowing against them. “It’s the financial equivalent of printing casino chips, borrowing cash against them, and telling everyone else not to panic because the house still believes in the chips,” they claimed.

Source: Ethan DeFi

Dolomite has a relatively small footprint in decentralized finance, ranking 19th among lending platforms by total value locked, according to DefiLlama.

Related: White House warns staff as Iran bets add to growing insider trading concerns

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World Liberty defends WLFI lending

World Liberty Financial acknowledged the lending activity on social media, but sought to calm markets, stating that its positions remain well above liquidation thresholds. The project described itself as an “anchor borrower” for WLFI and argued that the strategy helps generate yield.

“Everyday users are earning outsized stablecoin yields right now — at a time when traditional markets are offering very little. That’s the whole point,” the project wrote on X.

On Friday, World Liberty said it will soon introduce a governance proposal to create a phased unlock schedule for WLFI tokens held by early retail buyers, replacing immediate access with a long-term vesting plan subject to community vote.

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