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Crypto

AVAX Price Prediction: Recovery to $28-31 Target Within 2 Weeks as Oversold Conditions Signal Bounce

Tezos Price Tests Lower Bollinger Band Support at $0.58 Amid Broader Crypto Selloff

by admin October 19, 2025

written by admin

Terrill Dicki
Oct 19, 2025 09:36

XTZ trades at $0.58 with RSI at 36.88 as Tezos technical analysis shows price testing key support levels following three consecutive days of market-wide crypto declines.

Quick Take

• XTZ trading at $0.58 (down 0.2% in 24h)
• Three-day selling streak follows broader cryptocurrency market downturn
• XTZ price testing lower Bollinger Band support at $0.54
• Bitcoin correlation driving broader crypto weakness

Market Events Driving Tezos Price Movement

Trading on technical factors in absence of major catalysts, XTZ price has declined for three consecutive sessions alongside the broader cryptocurrency market. The most recent trading session saw Tezos close at $0.5769 on October 17, extending a decline that began earlier in the week when the token traded above $0.62.

The selling pressure appears driven primarily by Bitcoin’s concurrent weakness, with BTC experiencing its own downturn during the same period. This correlation reflects the ongoing risk-off sentiment affecting digital assets broadly, rather than any Tezos-specific fundamental developments.

Market volatility increased on October 16, creating selling pressure across various cryptocurrency assets. The absence of significant XTZ-specific news events during this period suggests that technical factors and broader market sentiment are the primary drivers of current price action.

XTZ Technical Analysis: Testing Lower Band Support

Price Action Context

XTZ price currently trades well below its key moving averages, with the token positioned at $0.58 compared to its 7-day SMA of $0.60 and 20-day SMA of $0.65. The Tezos technical analysis reveals a concerning picture as the price has broken below multiple short-term support levels while maintaining distance from longer-term averages.

Volume on Binance spot market reached $998,500 in the past 24 hours, suggesting moderate institutional interest despite the bearish price action. The XTZ price movement shows strong correlation with Bitcoin’s recent weakness, indicating broader market forces are influencing individual token performance.

Key Technical Indicators

The RSI reading of 36.88 places Tezos in neutral territory with a slight bearish bias, suggesting oversold conditions may be developing but haven’t reached extreme levels yet. The MACD indicator shows bearish momentum with a histogram reading of -0.0050, confirming the downward price trajectory.

Most notably, the Bollinger Band analysis reveals XTZ trading near the lower band support at $0.54, with a %B position of 0.1765 indicating the price is testing this critical technical level. This positioning often precedes either a bounce back toward the middle band or a breakdown to new lows.

Critical Price Levels for Tezos Traders

Immediate Levels (24-48 hours)

• Resistance: $0.62 (EMA 12 confluence)
• Support: $0.54 (lower Bollinger Band)

Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios

A break below the $0.54 support level could trigger additional selling toward the strong support zone at $0.43, representing the token’s recent low. Conversely, reclaiming the $0.60 level would signal potential relief rally toward the 20-day moving average at $0.65.

XTZ Correlation Analysis

• Bitcoin: Following closely with high correlation as BTC weakness drives broader crypto selloff
• Traditional markets: Limited direct correlation visible in current price action
• Sector peers: Moving in line with other layer-1 blockchain tokens experiencing similar technical pressure

Trading Outlook: Tezos Near-Term Prospects

Bullish Case

Recovery above $0.60 resistance combined with Bitcoin stabilization could drive XTZ price back toward the $0.65-$0.70 range. The oversold RSI conditions suggest potential for technical bounce if broader market sentiment improves.

Bearish Case

Failure to hold $0.54 support opens path to test the $0.43 strong support level, particularly if Bitcoin continues declining. The bearish MACD momentum suggests additional downside pressure remains possible.

Risk Management

Conservative traders should consider stop-losses below $0.53 to limit exposure on support breakdown. Position sizing should account for the elevated ATR of $0.05, indicating higher than normal volatility in current market conditions.

Image source: Shutterstock

October 19, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Regulations

HBAR Tests Lower Bollinger Band Support at $0.16 as Crypto Markets Face Broad Selling Pressure

by admin October 19, 2025

written by admin

Timothy Morano
Oct 19, 2025 07:57

Hedera (HBAR) trades near $0.16 support level with RSI at 33.98, suggesting potential oversold bounce as token approaches critical technical inflection point amid broader market weakness.

Quick Take

• HBAR trading at $0.16 (down 0.5% in 24h)
• No major catalysts driving price action in past week
• Token testing lower Bollinger Band support zone
• Following Bitcoin’s bearish momentum with broader crypto selloff

Market Events Driving Hedera Price Movement

Trading on technical factors in absence of major catalysts, HBAR price has declined modestly over the past 24 hours as the broader cryptocurrency market faces selling pressure. No significant news events have emerged in the past week that would directly impact Hedera’s price trajectory, leaving technical analysis as the primary driver for short-term movements.

The current HBAR price action reflects the broader risk-off sentiment across digital assets, with Bitcoin’s continued weakness weighing on altcoin performance. Market participants appear to be de-risking positions ahead of potential macroeconomic developments, creating a challenging environment for most cryptocurrency projects including Hedera.

HBAR Technical Analysis: Testing Critical Support Zone

Price Action Context

Hedera technical analysis reveals HBAR currently trading below all major moving averages, with the token sitting at $0.16 compared to the 7-day SMA of $0.18 and 20-day SMA of $0.20. The current positioning suggests continued bearish momentum in the near term, though the proximity to the lower Bollinger Band at $0.15 indicates potential oversold conditions.

Trading volume on Binance spot market of $12.6 million remains moderate, suggesting institutional interest has not dramatically shifted despite the recent price weakness. The token’s position relative to its 52-week range shows HBAR trading closer to annual lows of $0.13 than highs of $0.29.

Key Technical Indicators

The RSI reading of 33.98 places HBAR in neutral territory but approaching oversold conditions, which historically has provided bounce opportunities for the token. The MACD histogram at -0.0032 confirms bearish momentum remains intact, though the divergence between MACD (-0.0154) and signal line (-0.0123) is narrowing.

Bollinger Band positioning shows HBAR with a %B reading of 0.1653, indicating the token trades near the lower band support level. This technical setup often precedes either a bounce back toward the middle band or a breakdown below support if selling pressure intensifies.

Critical Price Levels for Hedera Traders

Immediate Levels (24-48 hours)

• Resistance: $0.18 (7-day moving average and immediate technical hurdle)
• Support: $0.15 (lower Bollinger Band and psychological level)

Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios

A breakdown below $0.15 support could accelerate selling toward the strong support zone at $0.07, representing a significant downside risk for HBAR holders. Conversely, a reclaim of $0.18 resistance would target the 20-day moving average at $0.20, offering a potential 25% upside from current levels.

HBAR Correlation Analysis

Bitcoin’s continued weakness has maintained pressure on HBAR price, with the token following the broader cryptocurrency market’s risk-off sentiment. While traditional market correlations remain muted in the absence of significant macroeconomic catalysts, the general cryptocurrency sector weakness continues to weigh on Hedera’s price performance.

The correlation with Bitcoin remains positive but has shown signs of weakening as HBAR approaches technical support levels that could provide independent buying interest regardless of broader market conditions.

Trading Outlook: Hedera Near-Term Prospects

Bullish Case

A successful defense of the $0.15 lower Bollinger Band support, combined with RSI approaching oversold territory, could trigger a relief rally toward $0.18-$0.20 resistance zone. Improving Bitcoin sentiment would likely amplify any HBAR price recovery.

Bearish Case

Failure to hold $0.15 support on increased volume would likely accelerate selling pressure toward the $0.13 annual low and potentially the strong support at $0.07. Continued Bitcoin weakness would exacerbate downside pressure.

Risk Management

Conservative traders should consider stop-losses below $0.14 to limit downside exposure, while aggressive buyers might accumulate near current levels with tight risk management given the proximity to technical support. Position sizing should account for the elevated volatility indicated by the 14-day ATR of $0.02.

Image source: Shutterstock

October 19, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Regulations

Newsmax Crypto Reserve Adds Bitcoin and Trump Coin Holdings

by admin October 19, 2025

written by admin

In a move reflecting the growing intersection of politics and cryptocurrency, Newsmax has announced that its board has approved a plan to acquire up to $5 million worth of Bitcoin and Trump Coin over the next year. The decision positions Newsmax as the first New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed company to hold Trump Coin on its corporate balance sheet, signaling increasing institutional adoption of politically branded digital assets.

According to executives at Newsmax, the purchases will begin “soon,” with future acquisitions contingent on cryptocurrency market conditions. The announcement immediately impacted the company’s stock, driving a 4.1% rise in after-hours trading to $11.27 per share.

Trump Coin Enters the Corporate Spotlight

Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ruddy emphasized that Trump Coin’s value “should track the success of the Trump presidency, which so far has been impressive.” He added that incorporating Trump Coin into Newsmax’s reserves aligns with broader efforts to diversify corporate holdings while tapping into the growing wave of cryptocurrency adoption across U.S. institutions.

The inclusion of Trump Coin marks a notable milestone. While Bitcoin has long been a part of corporate treasury strategies for companies seeking exposure to digital assets, Trump Coin introduces a politically branded token into mainstream financial systems for the first time.

Trump’s Crypto Gains and Expanding Empire

The move also reflects the broader financial resurgence of former President Donald Trump. In statements to courts last year, Trump indicated he was nearly out of funds and faced potential liquidation of his real estate holdings if civil penalties weren’t reduced. Less than a year later, Trump’s financial landscape has dramatically changed.

Reports indicate that the Trump family has earned over $1 billion in pre-tax profits in the past year, largely fueled by crypto investments and digital asset initiatives. These gains do not include unrealized profits, which have further boosted the family’s net worth on paper.

Trump’s business empire now spans a diverse range of assets, including memecoins, NFTs, stablecoins, tokens, and even a DeFi platform, all leveraging the family’s branding. His stake in Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which owns Truth Social and operates a Bitcoin treasury business, is estimated to be worth roughly $1.9 billion.

Eric Trump has suggested that these figures might underestimate the full scale of the family’s crypto operations, highlighting the growing influence of politically branded digital assets in the market.

Institutional Crypto Adoption and Newsmax’s Strategic Move

By approving the purchase of Trump Coin and Bitcoin, Newsmax positions itself as a pioneer among NYSE-listed firms exploring the integration of digital assets into corporate treasury management. The move also reflects an awareness of the growing popularity and institutionalization of crypto assets, which many companies now view as both a store of value and a strategic investment.

The decision aligns with Newsmax’s broader strategy of capitalizing on emerging financial trends while strengthening its corporate balance sheet. Holding both Bitcoin and Trump Coin provides exposure to traditional digital assets as well as politically linked tokens with unique market appeal.

Crypto-Friendly Policies in Washington

The Newsmax announcement also intersects with crypto policy initiatives under the Trump administration. President Trump has promoted policies designed to expand cryptocurrency adoption, including the establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve and appointments of crypto-supportive regulators in federal agencies.

Under the administration, enforcement actions against major crypto firms, including Kraken, Binance, BitMEX, Coinbase, Gemini, Tether, and Circle, have reportedly been reduced or postponed, encouraging companies that left the U.S. during previous regulatory climates to return. These measures are intended to position the United States as a leading hub for blockchain and digital asset innovation, directly benefiting firms and tokens associated with Trump’s ecosystem.

Market Impact of Crypto Moves

Bitcoin has continued to perform strongly under these policy shifts, breaking multiple all-time highs in recent months. Trump Coin, as a newly recognized corporate asset, is expected to attract attention from both retail and institutional investors interested in politically branded digital assets.

The integration of Trump Coin into Newsmax’s corporate reserve also highlights a broader trend: companies are increasingly using digital assets to diversify holdings and hedge against traditional market volatility. By holding both established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and unique tokens like Trump Coin, corporations can leverage growth potential while exploring innovative treasury strategies.

Conclusion

Newsmax’s board approval to buy up to $5 million in Bitcoin and Trump Coin is a milestone for both the network and the broader crypto landscape. As the first NYSE-listed firm to hold Trump Coin, Newsmax demonstrates a willingness to embrace novel digital assets while expanding corporate treasury diversification.

This strategic move reflects not only the rising acceptance of cryptocurrencies in institutional finance but also the growing influence of politically branded digital tokens. For investors, it underscores the expanding intersection of politics, media, and blockchain innovation—a combination that is likely to shape the corporate adoption of cryptocurrencies in the coming years.

As Newsmax begins its purchases, the broader market will watch closely to gauge investor response and the potential for further corporate engagement with Trump Coin and other politically linked digital assets.

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October 19, 2025 0 comments

Blockchain Startups

Crypto Hackers Lose Millions During ‘Black Friday’ Market Meltdown Due to Panic Selling

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Last week’s massive crypto crash didn’t just hit traders, it also wiped out millions in stolen funds held by hackers who, caught in the panic, misplayed the market with disastrous timing.

Blockchain sleuth Lookonchain has tracked at least six wallets linked to known hackers that lost more than $13.4 million after panic-selling ether ETH$3,889.53 during the downturn.

The hackers in question appear to be part of a group of cybercriminals who have recently engaged in cryptocurrency theft. The mention of “6 hacker wallets” losing over $13.4 million suggests a coordinated effort, possibly linked to a known hacking syndicate.

Buying high, selling low

The sell-off began when one wallet offloaded 7,816 ETH at $3,728 per coin, a move that coincided with the steepest part of the crash. As prices dropped further, five more wallets followed suit, contributing to the broader market dump.

However, rather than holding the sold assets in stablecoins or attempting to launder the ETH, the hackers rebought the same amount — 7,816 ETH — at $4,159 as the markets bounced back, locking in another round of losses.

By Oct. 18, blockchain analysis revealed that the total loss from these trading missteps reached $13.4 million.

Given the scale of the funds (about $29 million in the latest transaction alone), these hackers are likely sophisticated actors with access to advanced tools for exploiting vulnerabilities in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, exchanges, or smart contracts.

Panic selling

The hackers’ trading patterns during volatile market conditions suggest that while they’re experienced in exploiting the ecosystem’s players, they react to market swings like any other over-leveraged trader would: with poor timing and emotional decision-making.

Lookonchain labeled the behavior as “panic selling,” while some crypto observers even joked that the attackers might be “great hackers, terrible traders.”

It wasn’t all their money

However, the hackers likely acquired those funds through hacking. So while the losses are real, the funds were likely not earned but stolen.

Blockchain analysts believe the ETH originated from earlier attacks, meaning the hackers were trading with assets they hadn’t bought in the first place.

In that sense, the losses may not hurt in the way they would for ordinary traders.

Think of it this way: someone finds a suitcase of cash, gambles it poorly, and walks away empty-handed. They’re worse off than before but not out-of-pocket, since the money they lost wasn’t theirs in the first place.

Maybe the hacker group should’ve just stuck with hacking and maybe start looking for a portfolio manager for criminals. Still, the missteps reveal something about the current state of the crypto landscape. Even sophisticated attackers can falter under pressure.

Wash trading

There’s another possibility out there. While they were ‘terrible traders’, they may also have been laundering their ill-gotten gains through these trades, strategically dumping tainted funds during the panic to then buy back clean funds, even if at a loss.

As one X poster said, “It’s a form of money laundering. While they are puking, on the other side, they are buying. Then they reverse after it rises. Loose the stolen money, earn on fresh money.”

The Oct. 10 market correction affected traders across the board, triggered by a combination of macroeconomic pressures and thinning liquidity in decentralized markets that led to a $500 billion slump.

While hacks and exploits are usually viewed in isolation, last week’s developments show how on-chain markets, by design, apply the same rules to everyone: whether they’re retail traders, whales, or hackers.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

Trading & Investment Tips

Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom To Raise $250 Million For Crypto PE Fund

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Arthur Hayes’ home office Maelstrom is seeking $250 million in capital investment to finance a private equity fund targeted at mid-sized crypto companies. According to Bloomberg, the fund is designed to provide traditional investors more access to the crypto market amid a spectacular recovery from the FTX-inspired market crash in November 2022.

Hayes PE Fund Targets 6 Company Acquisitions

In a post on Friday, Bloomberg reports that Maelstrom, founded by Arthur Hayes and former BitMEX M&A Head Akshat Vaidya, is actively working to raise $250 million for investment in mid-sized crypto firms.

The fund, tagged as Maelstrom Equity Fund I, is expected to cover the acquisition of six crypto companies, with each purchase expected to range between $40 million-$75 million. Notably, there will be a strategic focus on blockchain service providers, including trading infrastructure and analytics startups.

In a recent X post, Vaidaya, who acts as the managing director, provides more insights into this fund, highlighting the problem and proposed solution.

Vaidaya describes the new initiative as the first control-buyout PE fund to focus solely on the crypto ecosystem. The Maelstrom Equity Fund I is to achieve profitability in three main ways. First of which is providing founders of supporting blockchain services to access clean exit opportunities at reasonable valuations.

Furthermore, the PE fund would also aim to help new TradFi entrants to the crypto space navigate investment in businesses by providing them access to “an acquisition-ready portfolio of cash-flowing, growing businesses for future buyers of crypto businesses like Robinhood, Charles Schwab, X, Wealthfront, etc.”

Finally, Hayes, Vaidaya and newly hired partner Adam Schlegel are also looking to offer capital allocators such as pension funds or other family offices the opportunity to invest capital at scale, e.g, 9 figures+, into the “most fundamentally valuable” sectors of the crypto economy, i.e., the blockchain supporting business, without having to worry about token exposure or market volatility.

Maelstrom PE Fund: High Risk Or Not?

Interestingly, Bloomberg notes that Maelstrom’s proposed equity fund comes amidst a challenging period as PE firms are globally struggling to attract capital. In the crypto market, PE investment is reportedly down to $1.4 billion, representing a 65% decline from the peak of 2021, which suggests a significant business risk for Hayes and partners.

However, a series of high-profile acquisitions amidst a rebounding market since the FTX crash, coupled with the mechanics of the Maelstrom, provides an appealing context for investors. At press time, the total crypto market cap is valued at $3.59 trillion following a 1.06% decline in the last 24 hours.

Featured image from Fortune, chart from Tradingview

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

Blockchain Startups

déjà vu as U.S.–China tensions weigh on crypto

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Bitcoin is once again caught in the crossfire of a high-stakes geopolitical standoff. This time, the knock-on effects are being felt across every corner of the crypto market. The script is familiar: The return of U.S.–China trade tensions has triggered a sharp correction in Bitcoin, echoing a pattern seen earlier this year. When escalating tariffs sent risk assets spiraling for weeks on end, BTC corrected by 30%.

U.S.-China trade tensions: another macro shock, another Bitcoin slide

An ‘Uptober’ that began in traditional style with a Bitcoin rally of nearly 18% quickly soured after President Trump announced fresh 100% tariffs on Chinese imports and sweeping export controls on critical software.

The reaction was swift. Bitcoin tumbled over 13% from its highs above $126,000, briefly plunging to the low $107,000s as more than $19 billion in leveraged positions were wiped out in a matter of days, over $9.4 billion of that in just 24 hours.

Trade headlines bled into crypto, and a sense of déjà vu swept through the market. Echoes of the March–May correction, when a similar geopolitical flare-up triggered a 30% drawdown that stretched on for nearly three months, were impossible to ignore.

Liquidity stress and contagion

Behind the price action, the mechanics were clear and brutal. As volatility surged, liquidity fragmented across exchanges. Altcoin markets dislocated, amplifying the selloff. The collapse of the USDE stablecoin and a cascade of liquidations revealed just how entwined crypto liquidity now is with global macro risk and headline shocks from Washington and Beijing.

Even with the Fed sparking risk-on sentiment with dovish talk, the speed and violence of the deleveraging exposed a structural vulnerability. Crypto is a high-beta liquidity asset, and when systemic risk spikes, it gets punished.

Structural resilience beneath the turmoil

Yet beneath the volatility, the industry isn’t throwing in the towel. Institutional portfolios may have trimmed risk, but Bitcoin’s status as a macro hedge appears intact. Over 172 public companies now hold Bitcoin in their treasuries. And even as ETF outflows ticked up, retail buyers poured more than $1.1 billion into spot markets during the drawdown.

That said, headwinds will likely persist, ecoinometrics notes that previous drawdowns of this flavor didn’t resolve until risk appetite returned nearly three months later.

Bitcoin's Bottom (Source: Ecoinmetrics) — Bitcoin’s Bottom (Source: Ecoinmetrics)

With Bitcoin now struggling to defend support above $107,000 and October morphing into a battle of attrition, all eyes remain on U.S.-China trade tensions. If the March–May playbook repeats itself, macro-induced turbulence could persist into November before Bitcoin’s secular trend resumes.

For now, volatility is a feature, not a bug, and if history is any guide, recovery in crypto will come not from prediction, but from the gradual return of risk appetite and liquidity.

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October 18, 2025 0 comments

Bitcoin & Altcoins

Ripple CLO Rejects Narrative That All Crypto Is Good for Is Crime and Corruption

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Crypto’s latest media dust-up is missing the everyday reality of on-chain use, Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty argued Thursday, saying recent mainstream pieces have celebrated a “crypto is a tool of crime and corruption” narrative while ignoring transparent ledgers and broad adoption.

In his Oct. 17 post on X, Alderoty called that framing “a convenient narrative, but a lazy and inaccurate one,” and tried to pivot the conversation to who actually uses crypto and why. He wrote that digital assets are used by tens of millions of Americans for practical tasks — such as lending money, proving ownership and building new forms of commerce — and emphasized that these activities run on “transparent, traceable” blockchains.

In his view, “crime doesn’t thrive in plain sight,” and public rails make it easier, not harder, to scrutinize flows. That transparency, he suggested, is the missing context when opinion pages lean on a crime-and-corruption-first lens.

Alderoty’s post pressed the idea that the “real story” is quotidian utility, not sensational edge cases. He framed crypto less as a speculative playground and more as a toolkit that compresses settlement times, reduces intermediaries and creates auditable records that ordinary people and small businesses can use.

The emphasis was squarely on mainstream users — “everyday Americans” who save time and cut costs — rather than on a subset of bad actors. He also flagged the National Cryptocurrency Association as the venue for telling those user-level stories, saying that is precisely the work underway there.

He did not deny abuse exists; instead, he argued crime-and-corruption-only portrayals miss how public ledgers function and how people actually use them. By stressing traceability, he aimed to undercut the premise that crypto uniquely enables corruption and to remind readers that open systems allow persistent, and permanent review. The through line was simple: narrative should catch up to reality.

For readers less familiar with his broader campaign, Alderoty also serves as president of the National Cryptocurrency Association, a nonprofit launched on March 5 with a $50 million grant from Ripple to boost literacy and safe adoption through explainers and first-person stories. The group’s mandate — surface user experiences, demystify how public ledgers work, and highlight practical use cases — mirrors the themes in Thursday’s post.

As CoinDesk reported, in a Sept. 29 op-ed, he framed crypto participation as mainstream and urged policymakers to “finish the job on crypto clarity,” arguing that predictable guardrails would both protect consumers and give responsible firms certainty to build onshore.

That earlier piece mirrors the theme of Thursday’s post: elevate everyday use on transparent rails and solidify clear rules so those use cases can scale.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

Web3 Development

Trump Family Has Already Made Over $1 Billion in Profit on Crypto, Says Eric Trump

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

In brief

Eric Trump said that the his family’s crypto empire has profited more than $1 billion so far.
The family’s crypto ventures span NFT trading cards, meme coins, World Liberty Financial, and more.
President Trump’s crypto businesses have been a point of contention, with critics claiming conflicts of interest.

President Donald Trump’s embrace of crypto, paired with his return to the White House, has fueled enormous profits for his family—north of $1 billion to date, his son Eric Trump said.

A Financial Times investigation found that President Trump and his family’s crypto businesses have profited $1 billion pre-tax. When asked if the calculations were accurate, Eric Trump told the publication that the true figure was “probably more.”

It’s worth noting that Donald Trump is estimated by Forbes to be worth $7.1 billion, meaning that his share of these crypto profits could represent a sizable chunk of his net worth.

World Liberty Financial is arguably the most prominent Trump-backed crypto venture, with Donald Trump and his three sons all listed as co-founders. So far, the project has only rolled out its USD1 stablecoin and sold its WLFI governance token; however, plans are in place to expand further into the world of decentralized finance and offer lending services.

The FT estimated that World Liberty Financial generated more than $550 million in sales of its WLFI token, which included investments from Chinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun and the United Arab Emirates-based crypto fund Aqua 1 Foundation.

The family’s crypto empire also includes President Trump’s NFT trading cards, as well as Donald Trump and the first lady’s official meme coins—which were both launched in January. Eric and his brother Donald Trump Jr. also launched a Bitcoin mining and treasury firm called American Bitcoin in a team-up with miner Hut 8.

President Trump’s growing ties to the crypto industry have been a major point of contention in U.S. politics this year.

In May, senators slammed President Trump for hosting a dinner party for the top holders of his meme coin, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) calling it “an orgy of corruption.” In fact, the dinner was so controversial that it attracted hundreds of protestors outside the venue.

During Trump’s push to pass the stablecoin GENIUS Act—his administration’s first pro-crypto bill signed into law—the president’s crypto conflicts dominated legislative debate and delayed the approval process.

Eric Trump’s admission of the family profiting more than $1 billion is just the latest chapter in this administration’s controversial relationship with crypto.

Many social media users reacted by sharing a scene from the 2015 film The Big Short, which tells the story of the 2008 financial crisis. Applied to this situation, users argued that Eric Trump isn’t “confessing” about sizable profits amid potential ethical conflicts, but rather he is “bragging” about it.

“Wipe out billions with a single angry tweet. Make billions from crime,” Mert Mumtaz, founder of Helius Labs, said on X, referring to Friday’s flash crash that took place after Trump stated that he’ll apply “massive” new tariffs on China.

“Something tells me the other side will politicize crypto next election,” Mumtaz added.

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October 18, 2025 0 comments

Blockchain Startups

Billionaire YouTube Star MrBeast’s Firm Could Bring Crypto to Millions

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Beast Holdings, the business entity tied to YouTube personality Jimmy ‘MrBeast’ Donaldson, has filed a U.S. trademark application for “MrBeast Financial,” with language suggesting a possible push into crypto.

The application includes services like cryptocurrency payment processing, crypto exchange, and trading through decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

The filing also mentions downloadable software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) tools for managing financial services, including crypto-related functionality.

While MrBeast, the richest YouTuber, is best known for viral stunts and philanthropic giveaways, the filing hints at more ambitious ventures in fintech and Web3.

If developed, the “MrBeast Financial” platform could serve as a crypto on-ramp, targeting the creator’s massive audience. On social media, users are speculating MrBeast could be planning a cryptocurrency exchange or crypto-linked neobank.

The application is still in its early stages and hasn’t yet been assigned to an examiner. It’s important to point out that trademark filings don’t guarantee product launches.

Still, given his massive following, such a move could bring crypto to millions.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

DeFi Innovations

Why Russia became the top European country for crypto adoption – DL News

by admin October 18, 2025

written by admin

Russia has overtaken the UK as the top European country in terms of crypto adoption, according to Chainalysis data.
Attempts to evade sanctions and to hedge against inflation are driving the surge.
DeFi activity in Russia is now three-and-a-half times larger than it was in mid-2023.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fueled a rapid embrace of crypto technology within the country’s borders, according to a new study.

Russia is, by a wide margin, the top user of crypto among European nations, according to crypto forensic firm Chainalysis.

Russia has seen $379 billion in crypto inflows between July 2024 and June 2025, a year-over-year increase of more than 48%, the firm found. That placed the country ahead of the region’s longtime leader, the UK, which saw $273 billion in inflows — a relatively modest 32% increase from the year prior.

“I strongly believe that the growth and adoption of crypto assets in Russia has been driven by the war and sanctions regimes,” Matthias Bauer-Langgartner, Chainalysis’ head of European policy, told DL News.

“Crypto assets are not just casually used in order to evade sanctions. There is a real strategy, a long-term strategy behind them.”

Evasion tactics

The war’s effect on crypto usage with Russia is twofold. First, the Russian government has turned to digital currencies in order to skirt international sanctions, which have limited the country’s access to US dollars and to global payment systems such as SWIFT.

Second, those sanctions have battered the ruble, and inflation-weary Russians are turning to crypto and DeFi in order to protect their savings, according to Bauer-Langgartner.

Russia is subject to a record 19 sanctions packages from the European Union. The most recent, issued in September, targets Russia’s use of crypto.

“As evasion tactics grow more sophisticated, our sanctions will adapt to stay ahead,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement last month.

“Therefore, for the first time, our restrictive measures will hit crypto platforms. and prohibit transactions in crypto currencies.”

In 2024, Russian lawmakers legalized the use of crypto for international payments. A month later, President Vladimir Putin signed a law legalizing crypto mining.

“Putin is now a vocal cryptocurrency advocate,” the think tank Rand noted in a recent report. “At December’s annual Russia Calling investment forum, he claimed that ‘no one can prohibit the use of Bitcoin.’”

The report cited several examples of Russia’s newfound affinity for crypto, including an alleged scheme in which Rosatom, a state-owned nuclear technology company, laundered more than half a billion dollars in stablecoins for Russian clients who were trying to evade US sanctions and acquire “sensitive US technology.”

Indeed, transfers of over $10 million increased 86% in Russia, according to Chainalysis data. That’s double the 44% growth the firm saw in the rest of Europe during the same period.

Russia’s DeFi embrace

Even as Russian firms increasingly use crypto for international payments, the use of crypto is banned within Russia.

“The Russian government is actually not very keen for crypto adoption within the larger population, because it’s something that can hardly be controlled,” Bauer-Langgartner said.

That hasn’t stopped regular Russians from turning to digital assets to protect their savings.

While inflation has slowed this year, it remained elevated at 8.2%, the Russian central bank said in September.

“Because there is this ban, we can see a lot of DeFi growth, where people go to no-KYC exchanges, peer-to-peer platforms, or so-called instant exchanges, where they can quite easily link their Russian, sanctioned bank account to a crypto trading platform,” Bauer-Langgartner said.

DeFi activity is now three-and-a-half times larger than it was in mid-2023, according to Chainalysis data.

Despite the ban on retail use of crypto, Bauer-Langgartner believes the Russian government has largely turned a blind eye to Russians’ use of tools such as instant exchanges.

“It’s not a massive priority amongst the many things the Russian government is currently thinking of,” he said. “Enforcement could still be enhanced, and it potentially will be in the future.”

Just this month, however, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov appeared to suggest the Russian government should move to accommodate retail crypto use.

“We have millions of citizens, by some estimates 20 million, who use cryptocurrency for various purposes,” he said, according to a report from Russian news agency Tass.

“Since they are already using it, we need our own infrastructure to protect citizens and to have both economic and technological benefits.”

To be sure, crypto remains a small part of Russia’s sanctions evasion efforts.

Crypto assets aren’t liquid enough to power one of the world’s largest economies, according to Bauer-Langgartner. Additionally, they’re easily traced, making it simple for centralized stablecoin issuers to freeze suspect funds at the request of US and European law enforcement agencies.

“These analytical capabilities that we have and constantly develop, they have a massive effect on the usability of funds with sanctions exposure,” he said.

“Regulation in Europe and the US is working, because it gives you a tighter net and a real blocker in being able to onboard funds coming from Russia.”

Aleks Gilbert is DL News’ DeFi Correspondent based in New York. You can contact him at aleks@dlnews.com.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

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