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Ethereum Has ‘Huge Opportunity’ to Fix AI’s Centralization Problem, Says Former Dev

(Crypto News)-16/04/2025

Ethereum could play a key role in solving some of the most pressing problems facing artificial intelligence, according to Eric Connor, a former core developer of the blockchain.

In an April 15 post on X, Connor said Ethereum’s “biggest mainstream moment” could come through its integration with AI, as the sector struggles with centralization, opaque algorithms, and growing privacy concerns.

“AI is plagued by black-box models, centralized data silos, and privacy pitfalls,” Connor noted, adding that Ethereum is uniquely positioned to address these issues.

Ethereum Could Offer AI a Decentralized Alternative to Big Tech, Says Former Dev

He argued that Ethereum’s decentralized structure, transparent smart contracts, token-driven incentives, and built-in micropayments system could offer a better foundation for AI development, free from big tech monopolies.

Connor emphasized that smart contracts could be used to make AI training and data sourcing processes more transparent, mitigating the secrecy that currently surrounds many commercial AI platforms.

However, he acknowledged that large AI companies may resist such openness, as their business models rely heavily on data control.

Still, he said, growing demand for fairness and transparency could push developers toward Ethereum’s more ethical, collaborative approach.

Ethereum’s potential also extends to the fast-evolving field of agentic AI, where autonomous software agents can make decisions, execute transactions, and interact with smart contracts.

A recent post on the Ethereum blog highlighted how the blockchain supports these agents with real-time data access, digital asset ownership, and interoperability with decentralized applications.

Among the projects already building on this foundation are Luna, a virtual influencer with on-chain wallet control; AIXBT, an AI agent offering crypto market insights; and Botto, a decentralized NFT artist powered by community votes.

Additionally, tools like Bankr and HeyAnon are enabling conversational interfaces that allow users to interact with blockchain systems using natural language.

Connor concluded that Ethereum must continue building the tools, research, and real-world applications that make decentralized AI viable.

If successful, Ethereum could become a driving force in ethical AI adoption, expanding its impact well beyond finance.

VC Blames Layer-2s for Ether’s Waning Investment Appeal

Last month, crypto venture capitalist Nic Carter of Castle Island Ventures pointed to two key issues undermining Ether’s value: the rise of layer-2 (L2) scaling networks and unchecked token issuance.

He argued that “greedy Eth L2s” are siphoning off value from Ethereum’s base layer while giving little back.

He also criticized the Ethereum community’s acceptance of excessive token creation, claiming that “ETH was buried in an avalanche of its own tokens. Died by its own hand.”

Carter’s comments followed a similarly stark assessment from Quinn Thompson, founder of Lekker Capital, who declared that Ethereum is “completely dead” as an investment.

Thompson cited declining transaction activity, reduced user growth, and falling network revenues as signs that ETH no longer offers a strong investment case, despite its utility as a blockchain platform.

Back in September 2024, Carter warned that Ethereum’s fee revenue had plummeted by 99% over six months as L2s captured user activity and revenue without contributing to Ethereum’s base layer.

Mantra Price Drops 90% in One Hour — Another Crypto Collapse?

(Crypto News)-16/04/2025

Mantra (OM), once considered a promising crypto project, dropped by 90% within a single day. The team has stated that the project remains stable.

Mantra is positioned as a Real World Assets (RWA) protocol, focused on the tokenization of crypto assets. Before the collapse on Apr. 13, OM ranked among the top five RWA tokens by market capitalization.

On April 13, OM’s price fell sharply from $6.10 to $0.40. The token lost almost all of its value. Market capitalization dropped by $6 billion in just 30 minutes. Less than two months earlier, on Feb. 23, OM had reached its all-time high of $8.99.

The crypto community quickly began comparing the crash to events like Terra (LUNA) or the collapse of FTX. The comparison stems in part from OM’s status as one of the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Some analysts have since pointed out that there were early warning signs around the project that were previously overlooked.

‘We Want to Assure You That MANTRA Is Fundamentally Strong’

On April 13, the official X account of the project posted that nothing had happened to Mantra and that the collapse was caused by “reckless liquidations.”

The project’s founder, John Patrick Mullin (JP Mullin on X), did not immediately respond, which raised concerns. On April 12, he shared a post suggesting he was on a long-haul flight from France to Seoul.

According to Mullin, the crash was linked to a liquidity issue and the actions of a single whale holding OM on a centralized exchange (CEX).

Social media posts began to circulate from investors reporting major losses following the OM crash. For example, Max Brown, who has over 80,000 followers on X, claimed he lost $1.3 million.

Another user, JB, addressed both the project and Binance, stating that he had invested $3.5 million in OM and was left with about $200,000.

Binance also issued a statement noting that a warning had been placed on the OM trading page since January 2025, citing dramatic changes in the tokenomics and increased token supply:

Since October of last year, Binance has implemented various risk control measures including reducing the leverage levels, with regard to the $OM token. Binance constantly monitors leverage levels and makes adjustments according to market conditions for risk controls to help reduce volatility.

Why Did the Price of Mantra Collapse?

As of now, there is no confirmed reason for what caused the collapse. Mantra maintains that the platform is operating normally and that there was no attack on the network. Meanwhile, parts of the crypto community suspect insider trading and point to the project team as a possible cause.

One of the major red flags cited is token distribution. According to Mantra’s official website, 16.8% of OM tokens are held by the team. Additional allocations are reserved for the Mirror Bucket and upgrade mechanisms, which are also considered internal. In practice, this places a large share of the supply under team control.

Lookonchain reported that 17 addresses moved a total of 43.6 million OM to exchanges just before the crash. Two of these addresses are believed to be linked to Laser Digital, one of Mantra’s known investors.

Laser Digital responded, stating that the wallets in question are not associated with the company and that their investment remains locked.

There is currently no official investigation by the Mantra team or by independent crypto analysts. However, many in the community believe the token may have been sold privately at a discount. Some estimates suggest the team controlled as much as 90% of OM.

There were also reports that the project’s Telegram channel had been deleted. However, it is currently active, and users continue to post messages.

What Are the Consequences?

Regardless of what happened with Mantra, this is a worrying signal for the crypto community. OM was one of the largest tokens by market cap, yet its price dropped by 90% in just one hour.

The crash has already drawn comparisons to major collapses like Terra (LUNA) and the FTX exchange. It’s also a reminder that red flags should not be ignored. Despite repeated warnings about the risks of a team controlling around 90% of the total supply, many investors continued to believe in the project and put money into it.

Stablecoin Inflows Persist, Signaling Steady Crypto Growth Amid Market Slowdown: Matrixport

(Crypto News)-16/04/2025

Despite the prevailing caution in global financial markets, Matrixport’s latest analysis reveals steady growth in stablecoin inflows, indicating that stablecoins continue to gain ground quietly.

It remains on a steady upward trajectory, not accelerating at the breakneck pace of previous bull runs.

Matrixport’s April 15 chart shows that capital flows into the stablecoin segment even as equity and bond markets face increasing uncertainty.

These flows, particularly into giants like Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USD Coin (USDC), point to a growing user base and broader institutional interest.

While analysts acknowledge this momentum alone may not be sufficient to spark a dramatic altcoin rally, it is nevertheless a strong indicator that crypto is evolving into a more uncorrelated and potentially independent asset class.

Rising Wallets, Rising Use Cases

Matrixport’s findings follow a March report from Artemis and Dune, which detailed explosive growth in stablecoin adoption.

According to the report “The State of Stablecoins 2025,” active stablecoin wallets increased by 53% year-over-year, from 19.6 million in February 2024 to 30 million in February 2025.

Institutional participation is a major driver. Companies increasingly utilize stablecoins for real-time payments, settlements, and yield generation in DeFi protocols.

The report also pointed to a significant increase in stablecoin supply, which jumped from $138 billion to $225 billion within a year, a 63% rise.

Monthly transfer volume more than doubled, hitting $4.1 trillion in February 2025 compared to $1.9 trillion the year before, with a peak of $5.1 trillion in December 2024.

These numbers paint a picture of growth and diversification. While average transaction sizes stayed relatively stable, occasional spikes suggested large-scale institutional activity.

The dual use case, for both retail and whales, has made stablecoins a flexible tool in modern finance.

Solana, Tron, and the Global Surge

Zooming out, the broader blockchain growth tells a story of rapid development and regional adoption.

Following the November U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance revived investor enthusiasm, and stablecoin deposits surged across several ecosystems.

Solana, in particular, witnessed a wave of inflows, with over $1 billion in USDC deposits recorded in December 2024 alone.

Solana’s total value locked (TVL) reached $8.57 billion by January 2025, marking a sixfold increase since the beginning of 2024.

Tron, meanwhile, stole the spotlight in February 2025 with a staggering $824.5 million increase in stablecoin reserves in just one week.

Its dominance in emerging markets, low fees, and strong presence in payment infrastructure have made it a preferred network for USDT transactions.

Other Ethereum-compatible chains, such as Base, Polygon, and Optimism, also posted stablecoin inflows.

Conversely, Avalanche and TON faced significant losses, $506 million and $280 million in stablecoins, respectively.

Despite its foundational role in DeFi, Ethereum saw a $208 million outflow during the same period, hinting at liquidity rotation toward more agile or cost-effective networks.

For this month, SUI seems to be the leading blockchain.

The most telling thing is the increasing reliance on stablecoins in emerging markets.

Chainalysis and Visa-backed research data indicate stablecoins outpacing Bitcoin in key regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

In these areas, stablecoins are used for savings, remittances, and business transactions in countries grappling with currency devaluation and unstable financial systems.

A survey conducted in Nigeria, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and India found that stablecoins are central to financial inclusion.

For millions, these assets represent the first step toward digital finance, offering stability and access to something often lacking in traditional banking systems.

Matrixport’s latest data may not predict the next bull run, but it adds to a growing chorus of signals pointing to the crypto ecosystem’s maturity.

As geopolitical tensions rise, stablecoins continue gaining traction as digital dollars and financial empowerment tools.

New AI-Blockchain Hybrid Platform Cogni AI Announces April Presale Date

(Crypto News)-16/04/2025

Cogni AI merges AI with blockchain to automate token creation. The presale begins April 14, 2025, with a Tier-1 exchange listing set after its October launch.

Cogni AI launched its token presale on April 14, 2025. This new project combines artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. The platform builds on source code from AI16Eliza and vvaifu.fun to create an AI Agent Token Generator that automates token creation and management processes.

Running on the Ethereum network, Cogni AI offers tools in natural language processing, computer vision, and AI agent generation within a tokenized ecosystem. The project has completed KYC verification and security audits, with plans to list on a Tier-1 centralized exchange after its presale concludes on October 1, 2025.

How Cogni AI Combines AI Technology with Token Functionality

Cogni AI brings together artificial intelligence systems with blockchain token technology through its AI Agent Token Generator. This platform works by automating token creation, management, and distribution processes using AI chatbots that operate within a secure blockchain environment.

The system builds on existing AI frameworks from AI16Eliza. This adds blockchain capabilities that let users create customized tokens without technical expertise.

These tokens can serve various purposes across business, gaming, and community applications. Users can adjust their parameters to fit their specific needs.

What makes Cogni AI different is how the AI agents handle token-related tasks. The chatbots manage investor interactions, distribute information, and oversee community engagement automatically. This reduces the manual work typically needed when launching and maintaining a token project.

The platform uses Ethereum blockchain technology to secure all transactions, providing transparency and immutability for token operations. This combination addresses common challenges in token creation, such as technical barriers, security concerns, and ongoing management needs.

Users can apply this technology across multiple sectors. In finance, it supports DeFi token creation; in marketing, it enables reward programs; in gaming, it allows virtual currencies and NFTs; and in community building, it allows for governance and participation tokens that help organize group activities and decision-making.

Development Timeline and Project Milestones

Cogni AI follows a development path that tracks progress from concept to market growth. The project began with concept development and team formation, creating the foundation for the platform’s vision and capabilities.

The pre-launch phase included initial platform development, whitepaper creation, partnership building, and early marketing efforts. These activities have already been completed as the project moves toward its presale phase.

The presale starts on Pinksale with the four-phase pricing structure. This stage includes planned listings on CoinGecko and a fast-track application to CoinMarketCap to increase market visibility for potential investors.

Following the presale, Cogni AI will release a beta version of its platform for testing. User feedback during this phase will guide technical adjustments before the official launch. The development team will continue to add features throughout this testing period.

The official launch includes the complete platform rollout with all core features, staking program implementation, expanded partnerships, and listings on MEXC and GATE.io exchanges to improve market access and liquidity.

Later phases focus on growth and market stability, with regular updates based on user feedback, global market expansion, continued marketing, and new feature development.

Key Platform Features and Applications

Cogni AI offers three main technology areas that work together in its tokenized ecosystem. These features address practical needs across different industries while making advanced technology more accessible.

The Natural Language Processing system helps machines understand and create human language naturally. It includes text summarization that condenses long documents into brief overviews while keeping their essential points.

The platform also provides translation between multiple languages, supporting global communication needs. Its chatbots interact with users through conversation, answering questions, and performing tasks without human intervention.

Computer Vision technology allows the system to analyze visual content effectively. It recognizes objects in images, detects faces and emotions, and finds patterns in video footage. These capabilities help users organize visual data and extract useful information from pictures and videos.

The AI Agent Generator creates customized assistants that automate workflows. These agents can turn static images into video sequences by adding motion effects, combine multiple images into video montages, and maintain high-quality visual output.

The agents also connect with blockchain systems to handle token operations across decentralized platforms.

Cogni AI Prepares for April Presale Launch

The Cogni AI token presale will run until October 1, 2025. The project aims to make token creation accessible through its AI Agent Token Generator, which is built on Ethereum blockchain technology.

The presale structure includes four phases that increase token prices. Phase 1 starts at $0.02 per token for 150 million tokens. Next phase 2 offers another 150 million at $0.035 each. phase 3 goes with 100 million tokens priced at $0.05. Finally, phase 4 offers 100 million tokens at $0.1 per token. Investors can participate using multiple payment options including ETH, USDT, TRON, BNB, or credit cards.

With a soft cap of $1 million and no hard cap, the presale allocates 40% of the total 1 billion token supply. The project has already secured KYC verification and passed security audits, adding credibility before the public sale begins.

According to the team, Cogni AI responds to growing demand for simplified token creation tools that don’t require deep technical knowledge.

The platform allows businesses and individuals to create customized tokens with specific parameters while automating management through AI agents that operate continuously with minimal human oversight.

A Tier-1 centralized exchange listing has been confirmed to follow the presale, providing liquidity options for early investors.

Bitcoin Price Rips Above $85K—Is the Bull Run Back?

(Crypto News)-16/04/2025

Bitcoin (BTC) is back in the spotlight, rising over 1.35% on Tuesday to trade around $85,700, as a mix of bullish catalysts continues to offset ETF outflows and global market headwinds.

One major development: Brazilian fintech Meliuz is considering making Bitcoin an official part of its corporate treasury strategy.

The company, which already began accumulating BTC earlier this year, will hold a shareholder vote on May 6 to decide whether to formally integrate Bitcoin into its long-term financial plans. The move signals growing corporate confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value.

Mixed ETF Flows Highlight Market Divergence

April saw $812.3M in net outflows from U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs, with key players seeing sharp redemptions:

BlackRock’s IBIT: –$393.2M
Grayscale’s GBTC: –$256.4M
Bitwise & Fidelity: additional declines

However, Grayscale’s newly launched Mini Trust defied the trend, recording $36.7M in inflows—proof that selective optimism still exists.

Fed’s Dovish Tilt + Trade Tension Easing Support BTC Rally

Bitcoin’s upward move comes as macro conditions shift. According to Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, renewed U.S. tariffs could trigger a “bad-news rate cut” to offset recession risks. While not ideal economically, such a move would likely boost liquidity—good news for risk assets like BTC.

Meanwhile, the EU has paused retaliatory tariffs until July 14, allowing more time for negotiations with the U.S. Polymarket odds now give a 65% chance of a deal being struck.

Crypto analytics firm SwissBlock noted improvements in BTC network fundamentals and liquidity stability, strengthening the case for continued upside.

Institutional Dip Buying Resurfaces

Despite a 13% decline in Q1—Bitcoin’s worst quarterly start since 2018—rich investors appear to be loading up.

Xapo Bank reported a 14.2% jump in BTC trading volume in Q1 2025, with affluent clients buying aggressively during the downturn.
Euro deposits at Xapo rose 50%, and USDC usage increased, showing a pivot away from USDT amid European regulatory tightening.
Bitget exchange clocked in $2.1 trillion in Q1 volume, with spot trading up 159% and nearly 5 million new users onboarded.

This “buy-the-dip” behavior and surging participation point to growing institutional conviction, reinforcing long-term bullish sentiment.

Technical View: BTC Eyes $87,300 as Breakout Gains Traction

Bitcoin is riding a solid breakout above the $84,358 resistance, now trading near $85,693 and hugging an ascending trendline. The 50-period EMA at $83,870 continues to provide dynamic support, while the RSI is approaching 63, indicating healthy bullish momentum without signaling overbought conditions.

Beginner-Friendly Trade Setup

Entry: Buy above $86,150 on confirmed breakout
Target: $87,350 – $88,500
Stop Loss: $83,800

Tip: Wait for a strong candle close above $86,150 with rising volume. This momentum-driven strategy rewards patience. Use a tight stop to manage risk in case of a pullback.

Bottom Line

Between rising institutional interest, renewed treasury adoption, and macro tailwinds like potential rate cuts and eased trade tensions, Bitcoin is regaining its footing above $85K.

While ETF outflows remain a headwind, the underlying conviction from both retail and institutional buyers suggests that BTC may be setting the stage for a fresh run toward $88K and beyond.

BTC Bull Presale: Earn Real Bitcoin with Every Price Milestone

BTC Bull ($BTCBULL) is gaining traction as one of the most exciting presales in crypto, combining meme culture with real utility. Designed for long-term holders, the token automatically rewards investors with real Bitcoin as BTC reaches major price thresholds—aligning community incentives with Bitcoin’s growth.

Staking for Passive Bitcoin Income

BTC Bull offers a lucrative staking program boasting a 119% APY, allowing users to earn passive income while supporting the network. With over 882.5 million BTCBULL tokens already staked, community engagement continues to grow.

Latest Presale Updates:

Current Token Price: $0.00246 per BTCBULL
Raised So Far: $4.6M of $5.3M target

Australia Shuts Down 95 Firms Linked to Crypto Investment and Romance Scams

(Crypto News)-09/04/2025

Authorities in Australia have taken action against a major network of fraudulent companies linked to crypto investment and romance scams, shutting down 95 firms believed to be operating under false pretenses.

In an April 8 statement, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced that the Federal Court had approved its application to wind up the companies.

The court ruled that the businesses should be closed on “just and equitable” grounds, with ASIC finding that many were registered using false or misleading information.

Australia Links 95 Firms to Pig Butchering Crypto Scam Scheme in Major Crackdown

The companies are suspected of being part of a widespread scam operation, particularly involving “pig butchering” schemes — a method where scammers cultivate fake romantic or emotional relationships online to lure victims into investing in bogus crypto platforms.

Justice Angus Stewart, who reviewed the case, called the evidence “overwhelming” and said there was little confidence in the management and operations of the firms in question.

A March 21 ruling examining 17 of the companies revealed extensive links to fraudulent websites and mobile applications.

The Federal Court has appointed Catherine Conneely and Thomas Birch of Cor Cordis as joint liquidators.

Their preliminary investigation revealed that only three of the 95 companies held any assets. They have since recommended the immediate deregistration of the other 92.

So far, nearly 1,500 claims have been submitted by alleged victims across 14 countries, including Australia, the U.S., India, France, Nepal, and Ghana. Reported losses currently exceed $35.8 million.

According to ASIC, the scam platforms mimicked legitimate investment and trading websites to mislead users into believing their funds were being safely managed.

In reality, the money was being siphoned into accounts controlled by the fraudsters.

“These companies were set up with the aim of providing a veneer of credibility,” said ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court.

“Scammers will use every tool they can think of to steal people’s money and personal information.”

ASIC Shuts Down 130 Scam Websites Weekly

ASIC noted it has been ramping up enforcement, taking down an average of 130 scam websites per week.

To date, it has disabled more than 10,000 malicious websites, including over 7,200 fake investment platforms and 1,500 phishing scams.

In a related crackdown, ASIC also recently targeted crypto ATM operators who failed to meet anti-money laundering regulations, following a spike in suspicious activity linked to the machines.

Last month, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), and Binance Australia issued warnings to victims about the sophisticated fraud scheme, which leverages fake messages to deceive users into transferring their crypto holdings.

At the time, the AFP revealed that over 130 potential victims had been notified as part of a proactive crackdown on the scam.

Fraudsters reportedly used SMS and encrypted messaging platforms to pose as Binance representatives, falsely claiming that victims’ accounts had been compromised.

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns Of Tariff Turbulence

Jamie Dimon Warns of Tariff Turbulence As Global Markets React

(Crypto News)-09/04/2025

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon says that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs may heighten the odds of a recession and prompt an economic slump in growth, his annual letter to shareholders reveals.

Jamie Dimon Warns Of Tariff Concerns

In the letter, Dimon warns that Trump’s controversial tariff policy will “likely increase inflation” and “slow down growth.”

“There are many uncertainties surrounding the new tariff policy: the potential retaliatory actions, including on services, by other countries, the effect on confidence, the impact on investments and capital flows, the effect on corporate profits and the possible effect on the U.S. dollar,” he said.

The financial firm head also cited concerns surrounding the policies’ potential to negatively impact America’s longstanding “economic alliances.”

“The quicker this issue is resolved, the better because some of the negative effects increase cumulatively over time and would be hard to reverse,” he added. “In the short run, I see this as one large additional straw on the camel’s back.”

Donald Trump Doubles Down On Tariff Stance

Dimon’s comments as global markets struggle to adapt to the new U.S. tariff policy, with key markets continuing to slide stateside as Trump’s trade war continues.

Crypto markets were also drastically impacted by the turmoil, with Bitcoin hovering around $78,000 as of Monday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Bitcoin dropped below $75,000, with the cryptocurrency down 4.30% in the last five days.

However, markets as a whole could get worse in the coming days given that Trump is planning to follow through with hiking up tariffs against China from 34% to 50% come April 9.

On Monday afternoon, reports emerged that China had no intentions of backing down, with the country bringing their own reciprocal tariffs against the U.S.

With Trump refusing to abandon his policy plans, only time will tell how heightened levels of global volatility will affect the digital asset sector long-term.

Trump-Linked World Liberty Financial Proposes USD1 Stablecoin Airdrop to WLFI Holders

(Crypto News)-09/04/2025

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance project associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, announced on Monday a proposal to conduct a test airdrop of its USD1 stablecoin to eligible WLFI token holders.

According to the proposal, the initiative is intended to enhance visibility for USD1 ahead of its broader launch.

The stablecoin, backed by U.S. Treasuries and managed by custodian BitGo, is part of WLFI’s effort to establish a regulated dollar-pegged digital asset.

WLFI Plans Ethereum-Based USD1 Airdrop

The airdrop, which will occur on Ethereum Mainnet and be funded by WLFI, is still being finalized in terms of distribution amount and timeline.

“Testing the airdrop mechanism in a live setting is a necessary step to ensure smart contract functionality and readiness,” the proposal stated.

However, the company reserves the right to alter or cancel the test at any time and may impose additional eligibility requirements.

The proposal outlines a multi-phase process: community feedback, finalization of the distribution plan, a governance vote, and an official announcement.

Voters can select from “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain,” and early voting trends show a majority in favor of the test.

WLFI launched USD1 in March, coinciding with congressional discussions over the bipartisan STABLE Act.

Critics have raised concerns over Trump’s financial ties to the project, including $390 million reportedly allocated to DT Marks DEFI LLC, a Trump-affiliated entity, from the $550 million raised during token sales.

The platform’s governance token remains non-transferable, raising additional questions about transparency and decentralization.

Tensions have escalated in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers pushing amendments to the STABLE Act that would prohibit sitting presidents and their families from launching stablecoins.

Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Maxine Waters have called on the SEC to release internal documents related to WLFI, citing concerns over “regulatory favoritism.”

The scrutiny follows the SEC’s recent decision to pause enforcement actions, including one involving Justin Sun, a WLFI investor and founder of the Tron blockchain.

Trump Family’s World Liberty Financial Concludes Token Sale

Last month, WLFI completed its token sale, raising an impressive $550 million and ranking among the most successful in crypto history.

The public sale of WLFI’s governance token began on October 15, initially targeting a $300 million raise.

The project offered 20 billion tokens at $0.015 each, restricted to whitelisted investors.

However, early demand fell short, generating only $11 million from the sale of 766 million tokens, prompting the team to revise its target down to $30 million.

Momentum shifted after the launch of Official Trump (TRUMP) and Melania Meme (MELANIA), two Trump-themed tokens that surged in popularity.

Their success fueled renewed interest in WLFI, leading to stronger participation in its token sale.

By January 20, the initial sale had closed with 20% of the token supply sold. Seizing the opportunity, the project issued an additional 5 billion WLFI tokens at $0.05 each.

Demand remained high, and by March 13, 99% of the newly released tokens had been sold.

Why is Crypto Crashing? There’s Just One Reason

(Crypto News)-09/04/2025

It’s been another gruesome day for the crypto market — and although it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint what’s causing sell-offs, the current turmoil has an obvious explanation.

Donald Trump’s newly unveiled tariffs are far worse than what analysts had expected. A flat 10% tax will apply to all countries that export goods to the U.S. — with some economies facing substantially higher levies.

The president’s controversial new policies mean that the total tariffs against Chinese products will now exceed 50% — dramatically hiking prices for American consumers, and fueling fears of rising inflation and a potential recession.

Asian markets fell sharply in the early hours of Thursday morning as traders digested the news. Japan’s Nikkei 225 had plunged by 4% at one point, and ended the trading session down 2.77%.

Misery then spread to Europe. London’s FTSE 100 was down 1.5% intraday — faring slightly better than other indices because it’s been spared the worst of the tariffs. Markets in Paris, Frankfurt and Milan all fell 2%.

Wall Street has only been able to react now because Trump’s announcement was made after the closing bell on Wednesday. The S&P 500 opened 3.4% lower, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell 4.1%.

Bitcoin’s 24/7 nature meant we were able to get some instant reaction. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency slid from $88,466.96 to $82,182.32 — a peak-to-trough drop of about 7%.

But BTC has gotten off fairly lightly compared with smaller cryptocurrencies. While it’s declined by 5% over the past seven days, Ether is down 11%, XRP by 13%, and Solana by 17.5%.

What Will the US Tariffs Do to Crypto?

Zooming out, it’s worth looking at how Trump’s radical policies could affect the crypto markets more widely in the weeks and months to come — as major economies either try to negotiate trade deals with Washington, or implement tit-for-tat tariffs of their own.

One notable consequence of these trade restrictions lies in how the greenback has weakened substantially in the wake of “Liberation Day” — taking the U.S. dollar index to levels not seen since October of last year. USD has also fallen to its weakest point against the British pound in six months.

In a recent report, CoinGecko argued that these fluctuations could prove advantageous to BTC, and explained:

“When the dollar weakens, Bitcoin often strengthens, making it an attractive alternative. This inverse relationship, much like that between gold and the dollar, suggests that Bitcoin may continue to serve as a hedge against fiat currency fluctuations.”

But it might be a little premature to roll out the bullish predictions just yet. The ongoing uncertainty posed by these tariffs — which has only been exacerbated by the details of Trump’s plans yesterday — has put the S&P 500 on course for its biggest one-day loss in three years. This is far more likely to have an impact on Bitcoin’s performance in the short term.

Tech stocks were also nursing big losses in pre-market trading. Apple was off by 7.7%, Amazon by 6.6%, and Tesla by 6%.

At one point on Thursday, Polymarket suggested that the odds of the U.S. entering recession in 2025 stood at 53% — powerfully illustrating the nervousness of how these tariffs will impact America’s GDP.

It’s also fascinating to look at the CME FedWatch tool, which monitors predictions among interest rate traders.

Before Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement, just 10.6% believed that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its next meeting in May. But fast forward to now, and that figure has surged to 27.3%.

Lower interest rates have the potential to make Bitcoin more attractive for investors — all while increasing liquidity in the crypto markets.

In the short term, the big question is whether BTC will be able to stay above the psychologically significant threshold of $80,000 — or whether the worst is yet to come.

As you might expect, the likes of Samson Mow and Michael Saylor are continuing to put a brave face on Bitcoin’s future potential — despite crypto investors being gripped by Extreme Fear.

But with a lack of positive catalysts on the horizon, it could end up being a very bumpy second quarter.

Trump’s Tariffs Spark Market Carnage: What’s Next for Bitcoin?

(Crypto News)-09/04/2025

In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement last week, crypto enthusiasts had been celebrating Bitcoin’s stability — even amid aggressive stock market sell-offs.

Despite the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 plunging precipitously on Thursday and Friday, BTC mostly managed to stay above $82,000. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart was among those scratching his head, writing:

“Genuinely shocked a bit by Bitcoin’s resilience. Would not have guessed it would hold above $80k in this type of broader market selloff of risk assets… Hell — even Gold is down?”

Unfortunately, those loftily declaring that BTC was proving itself to be “digital gold” and a store of value spoke too soon, with painful sell-offs gripping the crypto markets as Sunday turned to Monday.

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency plunged from $82,700 to lows of $74,436 in a little over 12 hours — and after a delayed reaction, suffered a battering at the same time as equities in Asia and Europe.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell by a staggering 13% as traders digested Washington and Beijing trading blows on tariffs. London’s FTSE 100 hit a one-year low, too.

And as Wall Street now starts the week, it’s been confirmed that the S&P 500 is now officially in bear market territory after dropping by more than 20% from its most recent all-time high. Ouch.

Bitcoiners loathe to use this metric, claiming it isn’t a practical one for digital assets considering how volatile they are. But by this definition, BTC is well and truly in a bear market — and now trading at a 30% discount to the all-time highs recorded back on January 20, not to mention its lowest level so far this year.

Zooming out, there are some big questions to be asked. What happens now? Is Bitcoin’s bull run officially over? And is there any chance of Trump reversing his position, meaning the markets can shoot upward again?

Let’s answer each of these in turn. First off, no one can be exactly sure what tomorrow holds — let alone next week or next month. One thing is clear: Trump isn’t spooked by all of these sell-offs, and believes these punishing tariffs are a “beautiful” and necessary thing to save the U.S. economy.

Billionaires, businesses, economists and many consumers don’t see it this way. They argue that this is a needless act of self-harm. And while the president has left the door open for countries to renegotiate trade deals, the attitude across the markets has been described like this: “Sell now and ask questions later.”

Even before this latest escalation in tariffs, CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju had declared that the “Bitcoin bull cycle is over” — with the analyst anticipating “6 to 12 months of bearish or sideways price action.”

Inevitably, there are also determined Bitcoiners who maintain all of this is nothing to worry about. They insist BTC will continue to rise longer-term, and the turbulence seen across global markets right now serves as a powerful illustration of why this cryptocurrency is needed.

Trump has been known to perform U-turns in the past — and earlier in his presidency, he did delay tariffs on the likes of Mexico and Canada. But it’s important to realize the significance of what’s happening and accept that, even in the unlikely event that the president undid everything he unveiled on “Liberation Day,” it’ll take a long time for the markets to trust him again. As OMFIF recently noted:

“Trump has tossed aside America’s soft power. The world has lost trust in the U.S. and can no longer regard it as a reliable partner.”

Some analysts predict that Wall Street’s role at the beating heart of the global economy could diminish over time, especially as major economies seek alternatives to the U.S. by forging trade alliances with each other.

And while Trump has been one of the few world leaders to embrace Bitcoin — and spend political capital by pushing forward pro-crypto policies — his actions now could make BTC toxic by association.

Whether we’re talking about stocks or crypto, this isn’t a conventional bear market — and the full ramifications of “Liberation Day” could take months or years to untangle.

There’s been a fatal blow to investor confidence and sentiment, and the realization that one of the most unpredictable and erratic presidents in history will be overseeing the U.S. economy for the next four years. The odds of a recession are edging higher with every passing day.

The dollar is weakening and it’s looking more likely that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates sooner rather than later. Both of these factors might prove beneficial for Bitcoin — but they’re unlikely to be the catalysts that send BTC back to six-figure territory, let alone all-time highs.

Tellingly, Polymarket currently forecasts that there’s just a 49% chance of Bitcoin’s price accelerating to new records this year — falling to a 34% likelihood of $120,000.

The crypto industry thought it was a gift when Trump entered office. Few executives will feel the same way now.