TLDR

• Ambiq Micro shares soared 30% to reach $59.51 following first-quarter revenue of $25.1 million, representing a 59% year-over-year increase and surpassing the $21.5 million analyst forecast.
• The company’s adjusted loss per share of 25 cents outperformed Wall Street’s consensus projection of a 36-cent loss.
• Edge AI demand fueled growth, with over 80% of shipped units in the quarter executing AI algorithms.
• Second-quarter revenue guidance of $31–$32 million significantly exceeded the $25.7 million analyst consensus.
• AMBQ’s performance contrasted sharply with the broader semiconductor sector, as the iShares Semiconductor ETF dropped 5.8%.

Shares of Ambiq Micro (AMBQ) rocketed 30% higher to $59.51 during Tuesday’s trading session after the Texas-headquartered semiconductor company reported first-quarter financial results that substantially exceeded Wall Street projections across key metrics.

Ambiq Micro, Inc., AMBQ

The company recorded first-quarter revenue of $25.1 million, marking a 59% increase compared to the prior-year period. This figure significantly outpaced the $21.5 million analyst consensus. On a per-share basis, the adjusted loss narrowed to 25 cents, representing an improvement from the 38-cent loss posted in the year-ago quarter and beating the Street’s expectation of a 36-cent deficit.

Since making its public debut last July at an initial offering price of $24 per share, AMBQ stock has more than doubled in value.

Chief Executive Officer Fumihide Esaka highlighted the company’s “exceptional momentum” during the first quarter, attributing the performance to “accelerating demand for edge AI capabilities.” The company specializes in chips engineered to execute AI processes locally on devices rather than depending on cloud-based infrastructure.

Ambiq’s semiconductor solutions are deployed across various applications including smart watches, industrial sensors, portable gaming devices, and connected home products. More than 80% of the units the company shipped during the first quarter were equipped to run AI algorithms.

Second-Quarter Outlook Exceeds Projections

Looking ahead to the current quarter, Ambiq projected net sales ranging from $31 million to $32 million. This forecast substantially surpassed Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $25.7 million.

The chipmaker remains unprofitable at current revenue levels. During the earnings conference call, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Winzeler indicated that quarterly revenue would need to reach approximately $47 million for the company to achieve breakeven status.

Winzeler expressed optimism that the company could attain this milestone by mid-2028, with a possibility of reaching it as soon as late 2027.

The company’s SPOT platform — featuring ultra-low-power chip architecture — serves as the foundation for its edge AI push. Management emphasized plans to broaden the technology’s application across additional form factors, customer segments, and market verticals.

Esaka cited “established technology leadership, positive demand trends, and a robust product roadmap” as key factors supporting his confidence in sustained growth momentum.

Outperformance Amid Semiconductor Sector Weakness

Ambiq’s impressive quarterly results provided a stark contrast to the broader semiconductor industry’s performance on Tuesday.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) tumbled 5.8% during the session, marking its steepest single-day decline since October, based on Dow Jones Market Data.

While the majority of chip stocks traded lower, AMBQ defied the sector-wide weakness by a substantial margin.

The company’s first-quarter non-GAAP loss per share of 25 cents compared favorably to the consensus projection of a 36-cent loss. Top-line revenue of $25.1 million exceeded analyst expectations of $21.49 million.

Ambiq’s second-quarter revenue outlook of $31–$32 million signals ongoing sequential expansion as the company progresses toward its profitability objective.

Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan’s Special Administrative Region for economic development, has introduced an accelerated licensing pathway for companies already regulated in leading global financial centres, including Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, and Hong Kong.

Announced on 12 May, the initiative is designed to allow qualified firms to move from application to full operational readiness in a significantly shorter timeframe by combining expedited regulatory review with immediate access to banking infrastructure.

GMC said the new framework enables firms to incorporate, receive regulatory approval, open a corporate bank account, and begin operations through a single, coordinated process, removing delays often associated with entering new markets.

Accelerated licensing pathway for established firms

Under the new framework, companies that already hold licences in established financial centres such as Singapore, ADGM, and Hong Kong will be eligible for accelerated review, reflecting their existing regulatory standing.

GMC said the approach is intended to reduce duplication, maintain high standards, and help credible firms expand internationally with greater speed and certainty.

“GMC is designed to remove friction from the system. If a company has already demonstrated credibility in leading jurisdictions, we recognize that – and enable them to move faster,” said Jigdrel Singay, Board Member and Digital Assets & Fintech Lead, Gelephu Mindfulness City.

This accelerated pathway, combined with immediate access to banking, fundamentally changes the setup experience. Companies don’t just get approved – they get operational. Our goal is to create a trusted platform for digital assets and financial innovation, where regulation, infrastructure, and execution are aligned from the outset.

GMC said the integrated setup differs from most jurisdictions, where licensing and banking are typically separate and sequential processes, often resulting in months of delay even after regulatory approval.

Banking access integrated through DK Bank

As part of the framework, companies establishing a licence in GMC are guaranteed a corporate bank account with DK Bank, which GMC said removes one of the most common barriers to becoming operational.

The bank said it is designed to support globally active financial and digital asset companies from day one, offering multi-currency accounts across nine major currencies — USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, JPY, SGD, INR, HKD, and BTN — to support international operations.

DK Bank also offers digital asset financial services, including BTC-backed lending and asset swap capabilities, as well as integrated on- and off-ramps for digital assets.

GMC companies will also receive preferential banking terms, including fully waived banking fees for at least the first six months and discounted pricing thereafter.

“In most financial centres, getting licensed is only half the battle – getting a bank account is where companies get stuck,” said Yu Dong Zheng, CEO, DK Bank.

We’ve removed that bottleneck. At DK Bank, companies setting up in GMC can operate from day one, with banking built into the process. Our ambition is simple: to be the most Web3- and fintech-friendly bank in the world.

Tax incentives and institutional framework

GMC said the accelerated pathway is supported by a broader tax and regulatory framework designed to support real business activity, capital formation, and long-term investment.

The city highlighted targeted incentives for priority sectors, including 0% corporate tax depending on company investment levels, a territorial tax system aligned with Singapore and Hong Kong, and no capital gains, dividend, or inheritance tax.

Foreign talent tax exemptions will remain in place through 2030, while double taxation agreements are already in place and expanding, including with Singapore.

Beyond tax, GMC said it offers institutional infrastructure including Variable Capital Company (VCC) structures based on Singapore models, an International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC), common law frameworks inspired by Singapore with ADGM regulatory principles, and streamlined company and family office setup processes.

Industry participants also endorsed the initiative.

“The licensing process in GMC reflects a forward-thinking approach to digital assets, one that balances innovation with responsibility. As a custodian, we value jurisdictions that regulate and genuinely understand the infrastructure and risks behind this industry,” said Ian Loh, CEO, Ceffu.

We see this not just as a license, but as a partnership in shaping the future of digital finance.

John Ge, Co-Founder & CEO of BIT, added: “What differentiates GMC is the intentional design of the ecosystem and the alignment of regulation, banking, and operational readiness from day one.

The accelerated review process is both fast and pragmatic, with the GFSO demonstrating a clear openness to engage constructively while upholding high standards. This materially reduces execution risk for firms entering a new market.

Key takeaways

• Stellar continues consolidating between its 50-day and 100-day EMAs. 
• CryptoQuant data suggests a neutral-to-bullish outlook for XLM.

On-chain and derivatives data support a mild bullish outlook

Stellar traded cautiously on Tuesday, but improving on-chain activity and derivatives positioning continued to support expectations for a potential upside breakout in both altcoins.

According to CryptoQuant summary data, Stellar reflects buy-side dominance with largely neutral market conditions, pointing to a mild bullish bias despite the lack of a decisive breakout.

CoinGlass data shows the OI-weighted funding rates for XLM flipped positive on Friday and remained positive on Tuesday at 0.0030%, respectively. Positive funding rates indicate that long-position holders are paying shorts, reflecting growing bullish positioning among traders.

Stellar technical outlook: Consolidation continues between key EMAs

The XLM/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient as it is currently trading at $0.164 per coin. It is currently trading between major moving averages as traders await a clearer directional move.

XLM continues to hold above its 50-day EMA near $0.165 but remains below the 100-day EMA at $0.174 and the 200-day EMA around $0.204. Broader descending trendline resistance also continues to cap upside attempts.

Momentum indicators nevertheless show early signs of improvement. The RSI sits near 57, slightly above the neutral midpoint. The MACD line remains marginally above zero, suggesting mild bullish momentum.

If the rally resumes, the bulls would encounter resistance at key levels, including the 100-day EMA at $0.174, the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.201, and the 200-day EMA just above $0.204.

However, if the bearish trend persists, immediate support would be seen at the 50-day EMA at $0.165. A daily candle close below this level would expose the major support at $0.136.

As long as XLM maintains support above the 50-day EMA, the current consolidation structure could support a gradual recovery attempt. However, a breakdown below $0.136 would likely reopen the broader bearish trend.

Bitcoin (BTC) saw classic volatility ahead of Tuesday’s Wall Street open as a key US inflation gauge hit its highest levels in three years.

Key points:

• US CPI inflation reaches its highest year-on-year levels since 2023.
• Energy prices fuel the rise, with the US-Iran war continuing to make its presence felt.
• Bitcoin traders retain support levels while a 200-day trend line comes in as resistance.

Bitcoin price on edge as CPI beats multiyear records

Data from TradingView showed BTC price action circling $81,000 as risk assets saw fresh headwinds.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

These came in the form of the April US Consumer Price Index (CPI), which at 3.8% year-on-year put inflation at its highest since 2023.

“The index for energy rose 3.8 percent in April, accounting for over forty percent of the monthly all items increase,” an official news release from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted.

The 12-month increase in energy was almost 18%, continuing to show the impact of the US-Iran war and oil-supply squeeze on prices.

“Conversely, the indexes for new vehicles, communication, and medical care were among the major indexes that decreased in April,” the release added.

US CPI 12-month % change. Source: BLS

Reacting, trading resource The Kobeissi Letter observed that the odds of the Federal Reserve pivoting to interest-rate hikes were “surging.”

“We are now experiencing post-pandemic inflation levels amid surging oil prices,” it wrote in a post on X.

Fed target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME Group

The latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showed expectations anchored around current rates staying in place throughout 2026 and next year.

Crypto and risk assets tend to see downside pressure when rate hikes return, thanks to the implied lower liquidity entering the market.

Questions over Bitcoin’s “momentum” at the 200-day trend line

Bitcoin traders, meanwhile, reiterated lines in the sand that bulls should protect in the short term.

Related: BTC price target becomes $85K next: Five things to know in Bitcoin this week

“The 21-MA is a crucial level to look at,” crypto trader and analyst Michaël van de Poppe told X followers on the day, referring to the 21-day simple moving average (SMA) at $78,800. 

“The $76K area is a crucial support zone that I fancy not to be breached, if that happens, we’ll be going substantially lower.”

BTC/USDT one-day chart. Source: Michaël van de Poppe/X

Trading resource Material Indicators flagged problematic resistance in the form of the 200-day SMA near $82,600.

“Bulls appear to be attempting to establish an R/S Flip at $80.7k to build foundational support for another run at breaking the 200-Day SMA,” it summarized. 

“Do bulls have the momentum to succeed?”

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Material Indicators/X

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin trades around $81,000, maintaining a bullish bias but facing resistance at the 200-day EMA. 
• Traders await the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which could trigger volatility in BTC and risky assets. 

US CPI report could drive volatility for Bitcoin

Bitcoin traders are awaiting the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April, scheduled for Tuesday at 12:30 GMT. 

The report is expected to show a sharp increase in inflation, driven in part by higher oil prices amid the ongoing US-Iran tensions.

The monthly CPI is forecast to rise by 0.6%, following March’s 0.9% increase. The annual CPI reading is expected to climb to 3.7%, up from 3.3% in March, marking the highest level since September 2023. Core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, is anticipated at 0.3% for the month and 2.7% year-over-year.

The data will likely shape expectations for future interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed), potentially triggering volatility in Bitcoin and other risk assets. 

Additionally, elevated crude oil prices continue to add to inflationary pressures, reinforcing the likelihood of a more hawkish Fed stance, which could weigh on Bitcoin’s upside.

Negative headlines regarding the US-Iran situation could also strengthen the US Dollar (USD) as a reserve currency, further dampening short-term risk appetite.

Despite the uncertain macro environment, Bitcoin’s institutional and corporate demand remains strong, providing support for its price.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded inflows of $27.25 million on Monday, according to CoinGlass data, breaking a two-day streak of outflows from the previous week. 

While these inflows were modest, they reflect a cautious yet positive outlook from investors. If this trend continues, Bitcoin’s price could see further upward movement.

On the corporate side, Strategy (MSTR), led by Michael Saylor, added another 535 BTC to its treasury reserve on Monday, bringing its total Bitcoin holding to 818,869 BTC. 

The company has consistently accumulated Bitcoin over recent months, with an average purchase price of $75,540—above the current market price, adding to the bullish sentiment.

Bitcoin technical outlook: Resistance at 200-day EMA

Bitcoin is trading around $81,000 on Tuesday, maintaining a constructive bullish bias as it holds above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) near $76,700. 

The 50% Fibonacci retracement at $78,962 also provides strong support. However, Bitcoin is currently facing resistance at the 200-day EMA, located around $82,130. 

A break above this level would likely open the path to the next resistance zone around $83,437 (61.8% Fibonacci retracement) and $84,410 (horizontal barrier).

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart is at 55, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains mildly positive, suggesting that while momentum is bullish, there are no immediate overbought conditions.

If the rally continues, immediate resistance is seen at the 200-day EMA around $82,130, followed by the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at roughly $83,437 and the horizontal barrier near $84,410. 

However, if the bearish trend persists, sellers would encounter support at the psychological $80,000 level, ahead of the 50% retracement at $78,962, with the 100-day and 50-day EMAs near $76,647 and $76,248, the channel top around $75,680.

Crypto sleuth ZachXBT claims that Bitget executives are allowing “scams to operate behind the scenes” after 10 new wallets withdrew $480 million worth of LAB from the exchange. 

The staggering sum, which represented 32% of the LAB supply, was withdrawn over the course of 12 hours. The token’s issuer, also called LAB, is a crypto trading infrastructure firm that claims to boast an “AI research engine.”

Fellow crypto investigator Specter Analyst claims to have tracked the LAB team depositing millions of dollars worth of the token to Bitget. 

It said this all took place before a price pump in early May, leading them to suspect that LAB is a major coordinated pump-and-dump scheme that Bitget is profiting from. 

Today, ZachXBT claimed that Bitget’s founder, Shawn Liu, is the exchange’s “big boss” and is helping the alleged scams. Bitget’s CEO, Gracy Chen, was otherwise described as the public face of operations. 

Read more: Bitget suspended in Singapore for refusing to remove BTS-themed coin

ZachXBT called the crypto exchange a “cartel” and claimed that it “has gone unchallenged for years and doesn’t care as long as they benefit from the activity.”

The investigator added that it’s almost time for an increase in “public attacks” against the exchange.

ZachXBT previously put up a $10,000 bounty for anyone with insider details relating to LAB’s founder Vova Sadkov, and the listings of LAB on Bitget spot and perps across Bybit, Binance, and OKX.

He said, “These grifters are further hurting the industry reputation and it must not go unpunished.”

April also saw suspicious crypto listings on Bitget

Bitget is one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world and processed over $1 billion worth of trading volume in the last week. It claims to have no specific headquarters and has set up regional hubs across the globe. 

Last month, Bitget-listed token $RAVE also raised suspicions of insider trading after its trading volume exceeded $300 million and its price plummeted 97% within days.  

Multiple exchanges said they would investigate the listing, including Bitget, but ZachXBT wasn’t impressed with the response time. 

Rachel Conlan, the chief marketing officer (CMO) at Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said she is leaving the company next month after three years helping to build the brand.

Eowyn Chen, former CEO of Trust Wallet, will serve as the interim CMO, a Binance spokesperson said via email

“Serving as CMO of Binance has been the privilege of my career,” Conlan said in an email. “ I’m deeply grateful to Yi He, Richard [Teng] and the entire leadership team for the trust they placed in me, and to every member of the team I’ve had the honour of working with.”

Conlan, who took the post in September 2023, is credited with launching “Crypto,” the perfume. Also known as “Eau de Binance,” the fragrance was introduced by the exchange in March 2024 to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Prior to Binance, Conlan spent a year as the global head of brand and partnerships at rival OKX, working under CMO Haider Rafique.

“Rachel is a premier talent who has left an indelible mark on the company and after four years of remarkable service has decided to step down to focus on personal priorities,” a Binance spokesperson said.

Like other large crypto brands, Binance has signed a selection of high-profile partnerships, a number of which predate her tenure. These include the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, the Alpine Formula One team and social media star Khaby Lame.

This year’s crypto market downturn may be hitting the wallets of marketing departments at large crypto firms. Crypto.com, a firm that has spent as much as $1 billion promoting its name on things like rebranding the Staples Center, an advert with Matt Damon, FI and UFC deals, only last week said its CMO, Steven Kalifowitz, is leaving the company.

In addition, Ben Zhou, the CEO of Bybit, the second-largest crypto exchange, said in a recent interview that he would not be renewing his F1 sponsorship, and is looking for other deals with better commercial value.

Conlan’s last day is June 15 and she will remain as an adviser to support the company through the transition, Binance said.

Cryptoquant’s bitcoin bull-bear cycle indicator turned green for the first time since 2023, which could signal that “the market structure is beginning to recover,” said the firm’s onchain market analyst Julio Moreno on Wednesday.

“Historically, this has been an important regime-change signal,” Moreno wrote. “When the indicator moves out of bear territory and enters the early bull zone, it often suggests that the worst phase of the correction has already passed and that market structure is beginning to recover.”

For Mati Greenspan, a former eToro senior market analyst and founder at Quantum Economics, the CryptoQuant Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator is a regime-shift indicator, not a crystal ball. He said that, “historically, it has been most useful for identifying when bitcoin stops behaving like a bear-market asset.”

Greenspan said that the real confirmation comes afterward, with sustained demand, liquidity, and price acceptance at higher levels. “So now all eyes are on price action to confirm validation,” he added.

He recalled that when this indicator turned green in 2019 and again in early 2023 following intense bearish phases, the market transitioned into “stronger bullish trends.” Moreno, however, acknowledged that March 2022 remains a critical exception. Back then, the indicator turned bullish but delivered a false positive, preceding a move into a deeper downtrend.

The analyst also stressed why the current May 2026 is so pivotal. “On one hand, the indicator is showing the first constructive regime shift in years,” he said. “Bitcoin is no longer behaving like a deep bear-market asset, and the recovery in the 30-day moving average suggests improving momentum beneath the surface.”

Currently, Bitcoin finds itself in a tug of war similar to 2022. While the onchain metrics are healing, the asset is struggling to decisively flip the $82,000 resistance level, a ceiling that has held firm despite multiple breakthrough attempts this month following a 35% rebound from February’s $60,000 lows.

To confirm this bullish signal, bitcoin must overcome the “exhaustion” presently visible in secondary metrics, Moreno suggested. Unlike the clean early-cycle entries of the past this move is clashing with a neutral Fear & Greed index and a complex macroeconomic backdrop.

While Arthur Hayes, chief investment officer of Maelstrom, did not mention CryptoQuant’s indicator, he echoed the sentiment that the cycle has shifted, stating he believes Bitcoin already found its bottom at $60,000 earlier this year. Hayes, who also co-founded the BitMEX exchange, pointed to $90,000 as the level at which the rally would turn explosive and head toward its previous high of $126,000.

Jason Fernandes, co-founder at AdLunam, concluded that while these indicators are useful, they are often misunderstood. “Metrics like MVRV (Market cap versus realized cap) or NUPL (net unrealized profit and loss) were never designed to be precise trading signals,” he said. “They are better viewed as behavioral frameworks for understanding where Bitcoin sits within a broader liquidity cycle.”