Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings spent $4.3 million on personal security for CEO Fred Thiel in 2025, including $430,780 to armor a vehicle, as crypto companies respond to rising physical attacks on industry executives and investors.

MARA, the seventh-largest Bitcoin mining company worth more than $5 billion, also spent about $58,810 on Thiel’s home security installations and reported additional expenses related to the security measures of other executives, according to its DEF 14A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30.

The filing shows that MARA spent a total of $4.3 million on Thiel’s security during fiscal year 2025, including the armored vehicle, bodyguards and home security fortifications.

Thiel’s security costs rose sharply from 2024, when MARA reported $191,040 in personal security costs for the CEO. His total “All Other Compensation” rose to $4.4 million in 2025 from $201,390 a year earlier.

MARA Holdings DEF 14A filing for fiscal year of 2025 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: SEC.gov

The disclosures come as crypto-linked physical attacks, often called wrench attacks, have increased globally. The spending shows how physical security has become a material corporate cost for some crypto companies as executives face threats tied to the public visibility and portability of digital assets. Unlike traditional financial theft, wrench attacks use coercion, kidnapping or violence to force victims to surrender private keys, passwords or account access.

The filing also shows that MARA spent $3.9 million on personal security for chief financial officer Salman Khan in 2025, including $438,380 to armor a vehicle.

Cointelegraph has approached MARA for comment on the growing security spending.

Related: Polymarket team says user funds safe as exploit losses climb above $600K

Wrench attacks targeting crypto investors see alarming rise

Cybersecurity firm CertiK reported 72 verified physical coercion incidents in 2025, up 75% from a year earlier.

France saw the biggest number of such incidents in 2025, with 19 confirmed wrench attacks. In response, Jean-Didier Berger, minister delegate to the interior minister of France, promised to implement new “preventative measures” against these threats.

Crypto wrench attacks, key stats for 2025. Source: CertiK

At least 88 people, including 10 minors, have been reportedly indicted in connection with alleged wrench attacks against crypto owners in France, leading up to April 27.

Earlier in February, a senior employee at Binance’s French unit was the victim of an armed home invasion. French authorities arrested three suspects hours after the break-in, Cointelegraph reported on Feb. 13.

Magazine: The legal battle over who can claim DeFi’s stolen millions  

Jeremy Sturdivant, the 19 year old who received 10,000 Bitcoin for two pizzas in May 2010, spent almost all of it long before BTC crossed even $1, let alone today’s five figure levels.

The deal that turned into Bitcoin Pizza Day began on the Bitcointalk forum on May 18, 2010, when Florida programmer Laszlo Hanyecz offered 10,000 BTC to anyone willing to get him “a couple of pizzas” delivered to his home.

Four days later Hanyecz posted, “I just want to report that I successfully traded 10,000 bitcoins for pizza. Thanks jercos!” confirming that forum user Jeremy “jercos” Sturdivant had stepped in, paid for two large Papa Johns pizzas with his credit card, and received 10,000 BTC in return.

At the time, those 10,000 BTC were valued at roughly $40 to $41, while the pizzas themselves cost less than $50, underscoring how informal and experimental the trade really was.

Crypto traders now commemorate that transaction every May 22 as Bitcoin Pizza Day, a tradition crypto.news highlighted in a 15th anniversary feature looking back at how both Hanyecz and Sturdivant view the deal years later.

Today Bitcoin (BTC) trades in the tens of thousands of dollars per coin, with the asset topping $76,000 in recent market cap data tracked by crypto.news.

What did Sturdivant do with the 10,000 BTC and where is he now?

Sturdivant did not become a Bitcoin billionaire because he never held the coins for long.

Crypto.news has revisited the episode repeatedly in coverage of Bitcoin Pizza Day, including reporting on how the community uses the anniversary to reflect on price discovery, early adoption, and the tension between using Bitcoin as money versus treating it as a long term store of value.

One recent explainer on Bitcoin’s evolution from novelty payment method to major asset also situates the pizza trade as a key moment in its price discovery history and links it to later phases where BTC broke above $100, $1,000, and eventually five figure territory.

As of today there is no evidence that Sturdivant accumulated a significant new stash of BTC after spending the original 10,000 coins, which means the teenager who once held what would later be hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin cashed out of his position long before the asset reached those levels.

Bitcoin slipped below the $77,000 mark as bearish momentum resurfaced, sparking renewed debate about whether the recent bounce was a fleeting relief rally or the start of a broader downside regime. Analysts point to a blend of on-chain signals and macro-style price action that suggests traders remain focused on the risk of a renewed bear phase unless key levels hold.

As the price tests crucial thresholds, observers are watching whether the market can defend the line around the 20-day exponential moving average or if sellers will push toward a fresh swing low. Glassnode has highlighted a specific threshold—the true market mean near $78,300—that has historically acted as a dividing line between bear and bull regimes. A sharp drop below that level is widely cited as a potential signal that last week’s rally could be a local top within the ongoing bear market. According to Glassnode, the true market mean around $78,300 has historically marked a regime boundary.

On the broader narrative, institutional flows appear to be skewing toward the sell side. The premium for bitcoin on Coinbase has slipped to multi-week lows, a pattern LVRG research director Nick Ruck says signals heavier selling pressure from large holders and could weigh on near-term momentum across major crypto assets. The decline of the Coinbase premium signals selling from institutional holders.

Market chatter also circles around the idea that the last two bear markets culminated after a notable weekly candle and a break of a long-running trend line. Independent analyst Filbfilb noted that a sustained breakout above a defined “super trend” level—historically a marker of a trend reversal—has been required to mark the end of a bear phase. The current setup suggests that a rise above the “super trend” around $88,000 would be seen by some as a necessary precondition for bulls to reassert control. Filbfilb’s note on break above the weekly super trend frames the subsequent moves traders will be watching in the weeks ahead.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin remains perched under key resistance near the 20-day EMA around $78,280, with a close below $76,000 potentially shifting the balance decisively toward bears.
• The shrinking Coinbase premium is interpreted as a sign of renewed institutional selling pressure, potentially dampening near-term upside for Bitcoin and other majors.
• Historically, a sustained breach of the weekly super trend at around $88,000 has preceded major bear market resets; the current setup makes that level a critical watchpoint for bulls.
• Across the top altcoins, several assets show divergent setups—some testing resistance while others defending essential supports—signaling a mixed risk environment for risk-on assets.

Bitcoin price outlook: defending or rolling over?

Bitcoin’s struggle to sustain above the 20-day EMA suggests the bears are probing for control. The immediate downside target sits near the $76,000 zone, with a daily close below that level seen as increasing the odds of a deeper move toward the next support line. Market participants will look for evidence that buyers can reassert themselves above the moving average to avert a subsequent leg lower.

Beyond that, the path toward resistance at approximately $82,000 remains conditional on sustaining momentum, with a possible runway to the $84,000 level if bulls can establish a foothold above the immediate hurdles. Traders will be parsing on-chain signals, macro liquidity conditions, and any shifts in institutional demand as the market decides whether the current rally is a genuine trend change or a bear-market pause.

Altcoin roundtable: three stories from the charts

The rest of the market is painting a more nuanced picture, with several heavyweights showing mixed signals as they approach their own pivotal levels. Here is a snapshot of notable setups across major assets:

Ether price setup: bulls chase a reclaim above the moving averages

ETH remains pressed below a key moving-average cluster, with bulls needing a sustained push above those averages to re-energize the upside. A successful breakout could open the door toward the $2,465 level and then the upper end of the current ascending channel around the $2,465–$2,600 area. Conversely, a reversal below the $2,077 mark would intensify downside pressure toward roughly $1,916, highlighting the fragile balance between buyers and sellers in the near term.

BNB eyes higher ground but faces overhead resistance

BNB recently cleared the 20-day EMA near $650, setting the stage for a potential run toward $687. If bulls can push past that resistance, the next targets sit around $730 and then $790, implying a possible bottoming process for the pair. However, a failure to sustain above the EMA and a move back below the 50-day simple moving average near $631 could trap the asset in a broader $570–$687 range for longer.

XRP still wrestling with the midrange

XRP remains under the influence of the moving averages, with bears aiming to break below the $1.27 support. A break could accelerate toward $1.11, where buyers are expected to step in. Should bulls regain control and close above the downtrend line, XRP could target $1.61 and, if momentum persists, approach the $2.40 resistance band.

Solana shows a cautious recovery path

SOL’s relief rally has carried it to the vicinity of the 20-day EMA around $87. If buyers push above that line, SOL could challenge the $98 resistance and then eye a move toward $117 as a fresh up leg begins. A slide below $82.65 would likely shift momentum back toward the bears, with a test of the $76 support possible.

Dogecoin edges higher but faces a firmer ceiling

DOGE has nudged up from the 50-day moving average near $0.10, yet resistance at the 20-day EMA around $0.11 remains a hurdle. A clean break above that level could open the way to $0.12 and beyond, with a possible climb toward $0.14 and $0.16 if buyers maintain the momentum. On the downside, a break below the 50-day SMA could push toward the $0.09 area.

Hyperliquid stitches a higher high, but a defining test remains

HYPE extended its uptrend to a fresh high near $62.65, with immediate support around $53.29. A rebound from that level could resume the rally toward $77, while a drop below $53.29 would raise questions about the durability of the uptrend and could see a deeper pullback toward the 50% retracement level near $50.41 and the 20-day EMA around $46.97.

Cardano and the rest: watching critical seams

ADA remains near its moving averages, with a sustained close above the 20-day EMA near $0.25 needed to target $0.29 and ultimately $0.31. Failing that, support near $0.24 could come under pressure, potentially dragging ADA back toward the lower end of its recent range around $0.22 to $0.31.

Zcash and Bitcoin Cash: two sides of the risk spectrum

Zcash vaulted above the $643 resistance but is facing signs of momentum fatigue as the RSI shows divergence. A close below $643 would heighten the risk of a correction toward the 20-day EMA around $547, whereas a rebound could keep the uptrend intact and push toward $690 before challenging $750.

Bitcoin Cash has broken above a long-standing breakdown level near $375, yet the rebound has stalled near resistance around $393, with further resistance seen at the 20-day EMA near $414. A failure to sustain above $393 raises the risk of a test of $348 and a renewed downtrend, while a close above the 20-day EMA would provide a more constructive signal for a deeper recovery.

Where the market could go next

The near-term backdrop remains delicate, with a mix of on-chain signals and price action suggesting a bifurcated path for the market. Bitcoin’s fate now pivots on the ability to defend the $76,000 support and sustain a pivot above the 20-day EMA; any decisive break lower could invite a retest of multi-week lows. For the broader market, a decisive move beyond key moving-average thresholds and a breakout above stubborn resistance levels could catalyze a more durable relief rally, while failing to hold these levels may extend the current chop.

Readers should monitor leading indicators alongside evolving institutional sentiment, macro liquidity signals, and any shifts in risk appetite across the crypto ecosystem as the market weighs whether the horizon holds a renewed trend reversal or a renewed phase of consolidation.

What remains unclear is how ongoing macro developments and on-chain dynamics will align with the technicals in the coming weeks. Traders will be watching for clearer directional cues as price action tests the defined resistance and support bands across the largest assets in the ecosystem.

Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Fed chair on Friday as Bitcoin trades near $77,400.

Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the 17th Federal Reserve chair at a White House ceremony on Friday, becoming the first Fed leader to take the oath at the executive mansion since Alan Greenspan in 1987. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath.

Warsh, 56, succeeds Jerome Powell, who held the position since 2018 and will remain on the Fed board as a governor until 2028. The Senate had confirmed Warsh on May 13 in a narrow 54-45 vote, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman as the only crossover.

What Warsh’s arrival means for crypto markets

“Our mandate at the Fed is to promote price stability and maximum employment,” Warsh said after being sworn in. “When we pursue those aims with wisdom and clarity, independence and resolve, inflation can be lower, growth stronger, real take-home pay higher.”

Warsh pledged to lead a “reform-oriented Federal Reserve” and vowed he would never predetermine interest rates at any elected official’s request. President Trump, who had repeatedly attacked Powell over rate policy, told attendees he wants Warsh to be “totally independent.”

Bitcoin (BTC) held near $77,400 during Friday’s session, largely unchanged. Markets have been pricing in the leadership transition for weeks, with traders focused on Warsh’s first FOMC meeting scheduled for June 17.

Key points:

• Bitcoin has dipped below $77,000, signaling that the bears are poised to seize control.
• Altcoins are a mixed bag, with some attempting to push through the overhead resistance while others struggle to hold on to the support.

Bitcoin (BTC) has dipped below $77,000, indicating that the bears are attempting to seize control. Glassnode said the true market mean at $78,300 has historically acted as a dividing line between bear and bull market regimes. If the price breaks sharply below the level, it suggests that the recent rally may have been a “local top within the ongoing bear market.”

Institutional investors seem to be selling, as evidenced by the sharp decline in the Coinbase premium over the past few days. LVRG research director Nick Ruck told Cointelegraph that the decline of the Coinbase premium signals selling from large holders, which “could weigh on near-term price momentum across major crypto assets.”

Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView

What is the crucial level that suggests the bulls are back in command? Independent analyst Filbfilb said in a post on X that the previous two bear markets had ended after “a >+20% weekly candle and a break of the weekly super trend.” If the current bear trend has to fail, BTC has to rise above the super trend level at $88,000.

Could BTC and select major altcoins hold on to their strong support levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.

Bitcoin price prediction

BTC turned down at the 20-day exponential moving average ($78,280), suggesting the bears are attempting to take charge.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The $76,000 level is the critical support to watch on the downside, as a close below it would signal an advantage to the bears. That increases the risk of a drop to the support line, which is likely to attract buyers.

Time is running out for the bulls. They will have to push and maintain the BTC price above the 20-day EMA to gain the upper hand. If they do that, the BTC/USDT pair may begin its journey toward $82,000 and eventually reach the crucial $84,000 level.

Ether price prediction

Sellers are attempting to retain Ether (ETH) below the support line, but the bulls have kept up the pressure.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The bulls will have to drive the ETH price above the moving averages to signal a comeback. If they do that, it suggests that the break below the support line may have been a bear trap. The ETH/USDT pair may climb to $2,465 and then to the resistance line of the ascending channel pattern.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price declines from the current level or the 20-day EMA and breaks below $2,077, it would signal that the bears remain in control. That may sink the pair to the $1,916 support.

BNB price prediction

BNB (BNB) rose above the 20-day EMA ($650) on Wednesday, and the bulls are attempting to push the price to $687.

BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Sellers will attempt to defend the $687 resistance, but if the bulls prevail, the BNB/USDT pair may march toward $730 and then $790. Such a move suggests that the pair may have bottomed out at $570.

The bears are likely to have other plans. They will attempt to defend the overhead resistance and pull the BNB price below the 50-day simple moving average ($631). If they succeed, the pair may extend its stay within the $570 to $687 range for a while longer.

XRP price prediction

XRP (XRP) remains below the moving averages, indicating that the bears are in no mood to let go of their advantage. 

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Sellers will attempt to strengthen their position by pushing the XRP price below the $1.27 support level. If they manage to do so, the XRP/USDT pair may plummet to $1.11, where buyers are expected to step in.

The first sign of strength will be a close above the downtrend line. The pair may then ascend to $1.61, a crucial level to watch. If buyers overcome the barrier, the pair may surge toward $2.40.

Solana price prediction

Solana’s (SOL) relief rally reached the 20-day EMA ($87.83), where the bears are expected to pose a strong challenge.

SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

If buyers propel the SOL price above the 20-day EMA, it suggests demand at lower levels. The SOL/USDT pair may then climb to the $98 overhead resistance. A close above $98 signals the start of a new up move toward $117.

On the contrary, if the price declines sharply from the 20-day EMA and breaks below $82.65, it suggests the bears remain in control. The pair may then tumble to the $76 support.

Dogecoin price prediction

Dogecoin (DOGE) turned up from the 50-day SMA ($0.10) on Wednesday, but the relief rally is facing resistance at the 20-day EMA ($0.11).

DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

If buyers pierce the 20-day EMA, the DOGE/USDT pair may rise to the $0.12 overhead resistance. Sellers are expected to defend the $0.12 level, as a close above it would signal a short-term trend change. The DOGE price may then soar to $0.14 and later to $0.16.

The 50-day SMA is the critical support to watch on the downside, as a break below it could sink the pair to the $0.09 level.

Hyperliquid price prediction

Hyperliquid (HYPE) continued its uptrend, skyrocketing to a new all-time high of $62.65 on Thursday.

HYPE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Sellers are fiercely defending the $59.41 level, as they have not allowed the bulls to close above it. The first support on the downside is the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of $53.29. If the HYPE price rebounds off the $53.29 level with strength, the bulls will again attempt to resume the uptrend. A close above $62.65 opens the door to a rally toward $77.

Alternatively, a close below the $53.29 level suggests that the short-term traders are booking profits. The HYPE/USDT pair may then tumble to the 50% retracement level of $50.41 and then the 20-day EMA ($46.97). The deeper the fall, the longer the time needed for the resumption of the uptrend.

Related: XRP adds 4,300 new wallets in 24 hours, but why is price stuck?

Cardano price prediction

Cardano (ADA) has been trading just below its moving averages, suggesting the bulls have not given up.

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

A break and close above the 20-day EMA ($0.25) opens the doors for a recovery to $0.29 and, after that, to $0.31. Buyers will have to clear the $0.31 hurdle to signal the start of a new up move.

Instead, if the ADA price turns down from the moving averages, it suggests that the bears remain in control. There is support at $0.24, but if the level breaks down, the ADA/USDT pair may slump to the bottom of the $0.22 to $0.31 range.

Zcash price prediction

Zcash (ZEC) pole vaulted above the $643 resistance on Wednesday, but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels.

ZEC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The relative strength index is forming a negative divergence, indicating that the bullish momentum is weakening. If the ZEC price closes below the $643 level, it signals the possibility of a deeper correction toward the 20-day EMA ($547).

If the ZEC/USDT pair turns up from the current level or the 20-day EMA, it indicates that the uptrend remains intact. The bulls will then make one more attempt to clear the $690 level, clearing the path for a rally to the $750 resistance.

Bitcoin Cash price prediction

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has risen above the breakdown level of $375, but the rebound lacks strength. 

BCH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The relief rally is expected to face selling at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of $393 and then at the 20-day EMA ($414). If BCH price declines from $393, the risk of a break below $348 increases. The BCH/USDT pair may then resume the downtrend and plunge to $300.

This negative view will be invalidated in the near term if buyers drive and maintain the price above the 20-day EMA.

The U.S. Congress is intensifying its scrutiny of prediction-market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, demanding internal records to understand how each platform handles insider trading. The move comes after public disclosures and media reports suggested traders might be using nonpublic information tied to government actions to place bets.

In a post on X, Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said he had sent letters to Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan and Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour, requesting internal documents that detail the firms’ procedures for detecting and mitigating insider trading. Comer warned that lawmakers are concerned about elected officials leveraging “basic insider knowledge” to profit from government actions, a practice he described as unacceptable.

Comer cited reports of more than 80 suspicious trades that appeared to be timed ahead of Iran-related military operations, a finding he linked to concerns that politicians and other officials with access to nonpublic information could place favorable bets and cash out. The reference traces to a New York Times article published May 13, which detailed bets surrounding Israel’s actions in the Iran conflict, a Trump ceasefire announcement, and other event contracts tied to U.S. politics. The Times report underscored how market activity can reflect sensitive real-world developments before they unfold.

Both Polymarket and Kalshi have faced ongoing scrutiny over insider-trading risks. Polymarket said in March that it had updated its approach to potential insider trading on the platform, while Kalshi announced in April that it had banned three U.S. politicians from wagering on their own races. The developments come as investors and users weigh how these markets should be regulated and safeguarded against abuse. Cointelegraph reached out to Polymarket and Kalshi for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Key takeaways

• House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer says he has sent formal requests to Polymarket and Kalshi for internal records on handling insider trading, signaling intensified congressional oversight.
• A New York Times report cited by Comer details at least 80 suspicious trades timed around Iran-related military actions and other political events, highlighting potential insider-fueled profits.
• Polymarket and Kalshi have each introduced policy responses—Polymarket updating its approach to insider trading and Kalshi banning several U.S. politicians from certain bets—indicating industry reform under pressure.
• Separately, a U.S. Justice Department indictment connects a military figure to profits from Polymarket contracts tied to Maduro’s capture, illustrating potential national-security risks linked to these markets.

Congressional inquiry and industry response

The letters from Rep. Comer reflect a broader concern in Congress about whether prediction markets—designed to aggregate information and forecast outcomes—could be hijacked by insiders with government access. Comer’s public statements emphasize that lawmakers view insider trading as a threat to market integrity and a potential conflict of interest for public officials.

Beyond the committee’s actions, the media narrative points to concrete episodes in which insiders might have exploited timely, sensitive information. The Times report described bets around Israel’s military actions against Iran, a ceasefire announcement from the U.S. government, and other events that could plausibly be influenced by nonpublic information. While such events attract broad attention, the question remains: do current platform safeguards suffice to deter misuse, and how should regulators weigh further requirements?

Polymarket has acknowledged certain limitations and responded by updating its governance around potential insider trading. Kalshi has taken a different route by restricting participation of specific U.S. officials in bets related to their roles, action that signals a willingness to enforce stricter rules even as it navigates regulatory expectations for-compliant markets. As these platforms adjust, investors and users should monitor not only policy shifts but also how responsive the platforms are to inquiries from Congress and the public.

Linkage to broader legal cases and implications for users

Meanwhile, a parallel case involving Polymarket intersects with national security considerations. In April, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a criminal indictment against Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a servicemember involved in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Prosecutors alleged that Van Dyke used Polymarket event contracts tied to Maduro’s capture to profit by more than $400,000 by relying on classified information. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty to charges that include commodities fraud and unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain. He was released on $250,000 bail and restricted to travel among North Carolina, California, and New York while the case proceeds. The charges and the related market activity underscore how insiders in and around government actions can intersect with digital prediction markets in ways that raise both legal and ethical questions for participants, platforms, and observers alike.

These developments come as the market for event-based contracts continues to evolve, with ongoing debates about what constitutes acceptable use, how to detect manipulation, and what safeguards are necessary to protect users and the integrity of the markets. The DoJ matter, in particular, highlights a potential warning sign for participants: even intra-government or government-linked actors may see opportunities in these markets, complicating the assessment of risk and reward for ordinary users.

What to watch next

As Congress seeks more transparency, expect continued inquiries into how Kalshi and Polymarket monitor for insider trading, what internal controls exist, and what remedies are in place when anomalies are detected. Watch for any formal regulatory guidance or updated compliance requirements that emerge from both congressional action and platform responses. The interplay between national-security concerns, market integrity, and user trust will shape how these platforms evolve and how investors approach prediction-market participation in the coming months.

The evolving story — including any formal responses from Polymarket and Kalshi and the progression of the Van Dyke case — will illuminate whether the market’s promise as a tool for price discovery and information aggregation can be preserved in a landscape increasingly scrutinized by policymakers and law enforcement. For readers, the key remains: how robust are the safeguards, and who bears the burden when safeguards fail?

Strategy continued expanding its Bitcoin exposure this week through STRC perpetual preferred shares and MSTR stock activity. However, company executives also reduced personal holdings through recent stock sales filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Meanwhile, MSTR stock extended weekly losses as Bitcoin prices remained under pressure across broader crypto markets.

Strategy Executives Reduce Shareholdings

Strategy chief financial officer Andrew Kang disclosed several stock transactions through recent SEC filings this week. Kang received 12,500 MSTR shares after restricted stock units vested under company compensation agreements. He sold 5,597 shares one day later to satisfy tax withholding requirements tied to the vesting event.

The transactions carried a combined value of about $927,866 based on filing disclosures. The reported sale prices ranged between $163.98 and $166.00 per share during the trading sessions. Meanwhile, Kang still controls roughly 33,675 MSTR shares alongside several preferred stock positions connected to Strategy.

SEC filings also showed additional sales from Kang during the previous three months. The filings listed earlier disposals totaling 916 shares and another 2,373 shares before this week’s transactions. Consequently, market participants linked the continued selling activity with pressure surrounding Strategy’s recent stock performance.

Strategy director Jarrod Patten also reduced his exposure through several recent share sales. Patten sold 5,250 MSTR shares during the last few trading sessions, according to regulatory disclosures. Following the transactions, Patten retained direct ownership of 28,000 Class A common shares.

Patten continues to hold several Series A perpetual preferred stock positions tied to the company. Besides executive sales, broader market weakness added pressure on Strategy shares throughout the week. Analysts also noted concerns surrounding continued share dilution connected to Strategy’s Bitcoin acquisition model.

Strategy has repeatedly used equity offerings and preferred shares to finance additional Bitcoin purchases. The company remains one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin despite prolonged volatility across crypto markets. However, continued financing activity has increased concerns surrounding dilution among market participants.

MSTR Stock Extends Weekly Decline

MSTR stock closed 0.58% lower on Thursday as weakness spread across both equity and crypto markets. The stock finished the session at $164.85 after trading between $162.40 and $168.71 intraday. Trading volume also remained below the average daily level of approximately 18 million shares.

Premarket trading showed additional weakness as MSTR slipped another 0.20% before Friday’s opening bell. The stock has now declined more than 9% during the last trading week. However, MSTR still holds a gain of roughly 5% since the beginning of the year.

The stock remains significantly lower on a yearly basis despite earlier rallies connected to Bitcoin strength. MSTR has fallen almost 58% over the past twelve months, according to recent market data. Consequently, traders continued reacting to broader pressure affecting both technology stocks and digital assets.

Several Wall Street firms maintained positive long-term targets despite the recent weakness in Strategy shares. TD Cowen retained its buy rating and increased its MSTR price target to $400 this week. Meanwhile, Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani maintained a separate 12-month target price of $450.

Bitcoin prices also remained under pressure during Friday trading across global crypto exchanges. Bitcoin traded near $77,384 after moving between $76,655 and $78,004 during the previous 24 hours. Options market data also indicated expectations for a potential decline toward the $75,000 level amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical pressure.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) displayed strength on Friday, rising 34% over the last 24 hours to $2.32, leading artificial intelligence-based tokens in a rally fueled by NEAR’s network upgrades and NVIDIA’s bullish revenue forecast. 

NEAR is trading 50% higher than its price seven days ago and has gained a whopping 115% over the last 90 days.

Key takeaways:

• NEAR price surged 50% in seven days, hitting six-month highs as AI crypto tokens rallied on strong market momentum.
• NEAR Protocol upgrades focused on AI, privacy and scaling boosted investor confidence and trading volume above $1 billion.
• A breakout from a multi-year wedge pattern puts $5.75 in focus if NEAR clears resistance between $2.60 and $3.

NEAR price rallies to six-month highs

Data from TradingView shows that NEAR’s recovery began on Monday, rising 58% to a six-month high of $2.34 on Friday from a low of $1.48. 

Accompanying NEAR’s price growth is an uptick in its trading volume, which has increased by 190% to $1.15 billion over the last 24 hours, reinforcing the intensity of the buyers.

NEAR/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The altcoin’s jump above $2.30 triggered over $9.85 million in short liquidations, as those betting against the price were caught off guard.

The gains come after NEAR Protocol announced of major upgrades focused on privacy, AI integration, and network scaling.

Source: X/NEAR Protocol

Aurora, the Ethereum-compatible scaling solution built on NEAR, also announced the update of its Aurora Intents Widget. The update integrated ADI Chain as a new entry point, enabling smoother cross-chain swaps, deposits, and application flows for users.

Source: Aurora

These developments demonstrate ongoing technical progress within the NEAR Protocol ecosystem, potentially increasing demand for blockspace and the NEAR token.

NEAR price rallies as AI tokens recover

NEAR is not the only AI-themed token outperforming the crypto market today. Other cryptocurrencies in the AI sector have witnessed impressive 24-hour gains, including Grass (GRASS), OpenServe (SERVE) and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), which have gained over 27%, 21% and 11% over the day, respectively.

Performance of top AI tokens by market capitalization. Source: CoinMarketCap

Notably, the surge in AI tokens has also been accompanied by an increase in their total market value. The market capitalization of AI and big data crypto projects and tokens has risen by 8% over the past 24 hours to $21.44 billion at the time of publication, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the sector.

Market capitalization and volume of AI and big data tokens market. Source: CoinMarketCap

Broader sector momentum was fueled by positive signals from Nvidia’s AI dominance and revenue forecasts. Nvidia, which maintains an 81–90% share of the AI accelerator market,  reported massive profits of approximately $81.6 billion in Q1 2026 and raised its projected revenue opportunity through 2027 to $1 trillion.

Source: X/Cointelegraph

Historically, Nvidia events have triggered strong rallies in NEAR price, as seen in February when the altcoin soared 58% following the company’s Q4 2025 earnings report. 

How high can NEAR price go?

NEAR’s latest rally saw it break out of a multi-year falling wedge that has capped the price since late 2024.

The NEAR/USD pair now faces stiff resistance at the $2.60-$3.0 supply zone, where major moving averages sit, as shown on the weekly chart below.

A break above this level would clear the path toward the measured target of the wedge at $5.75, roughly 160% above the current price. The relative strength index has increased to 63, indicating increasing upward momentum.

NEAR/USD weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

In an X post on Tuesday, MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said NEAR is displaying “one of the most bullish charts” in the market, adding that a continuation was in the cards as long as it held $1.40 as support.

“The first real resistance zones for $NEAR are at $2 and $2.25-$2.50,” Van de Poppe said in a follow-up post on Thursday, adding “it’s clearly trending higher,” with the next target near $2.75.

NEAR/USD daily chart. Source: X/Michael van de Poppe