Vladimir Smerkis, co-founder of Telegram-based crypto project Blum, has been arrested in Moscow on suspicion of large-scale fraud. The Zamoskvoretsky District Court approved his detention following a request from state investigators, according to reports from the Russian news agency TASS on Sunday. The charges against Vladimir Smerkis are based on Article 159 of Russia’s criminal code, which addresses serious fraud crimes. If convicted, Smerkis could face up to 12 years in prison. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether formal charges have been filed. Past Ventures Under Scrutiny Local media outlet Mash linked Vladimir Smerkis and this investigation to previous crypto ventures, ‘The Token Fund and Tokenbox’. Both platforms were launched in 2017. Combined, those projects allegedly resulted in losses of around $15 million for investors. Although Blum is not connected to these older ventures, the incident has placed the project under intense scrutiny. Notably, Smerkis also once headed operations for… Read More at Coingape.com
AI coins continue to draw attention as April nears its end, with Render (RENDER), Story Protocol (IP), and CLANKER standing out. RENDER has led the pack, surging nearly 17% this week and reclaiming a $2 billion market cap.
In contrast, Story (IP) is down 6.5%, the worst performer among the top 10 AI tokens, while CLANKER dropped over 7% in the last 24 hours. With momentum shifting across the sector, all three tokens are positioned at key technical levels that could define their next move.
RENDER
Render Network provides decentralized GPU computing power for creators, developers, and artificial intelligence applications. Its infrastructure supports rendering for 3D graphics, visual effects, and artificial intelligence model training.
RENDER, the network’s native token, has surged nearly 17% over the past week, pushing its market cap back above $2 billion. It was the top performer among the ten largest AI coins in the market.
If the bullish momentum holds, RENDER could test resistance levels at $4.065 and $4.21, and a breakout could open the path to $4.63.
However, if the trend reverses, key support lies at $3.82 and $3.68—losing these could trigger a deeper decline toward $3.47 or even $3.14 in a stronger correction.
Story (IP)
Story Protocol is a decentralized infrastructure designed to manage and monetize intellectual property (IP) on-chain, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence.
It allows creators to register stories, characters, and other digital assets, enabling collaborative development, licensing, and programmable royalties—all while integrating AI into the creation and distribution process.
Despite its explosive 477% rally between February 16 and 26, Story’s native token, IP, is down 6.5% over the last seven days—the largest drop among the top 10 AI coins.
If the current correction continues, IP could test support at $3.82, and a break below that may push the price under $3. However, if bullish momentum returns, IP could retest resistance at $4.49 and then aim for $5.04.
A strong rebound could eventually lift the token back toward the $6.61 zone, reclaiming some of its earlier hype.
tokenbot (CLANKER)
Tokenbot is a coin launchpad built on the Base chain. Its native token, CLANKE, has been down over 7% in the last 24 hours.
Notably, Base has climbed to the fourth spot in weekly DEX volume, reaching $4.7 billion—just behind BNB, Ethereum, and Solana—although its volume is down 7.73% in the last week.
If CLANKER’s current downtrend deepens, it could test support at $27.97 and potentially fall to $22.84, dropping below $25 for the first time since April 6.
On the upside, a recovery could lead to a test of the $36 resistance, followed by $40. If sentiment around Base tokens strengthens, CLANKER could rally toward $47 as momentum builds.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz has issued a sharp warning: Donald Trump’s policies are pushing the United States toward becoming the world’s largest tax haven. And for the crypto community, the consequences could be enormous.
Trump’s Crypto Moves Raise Alarm Bells
Stiglitz argues that Trump’s administration weakened financial transparency by halting the collection of company ownership data, withdrawing from global tax cooperation, easing crypto regulations, and scaling back anti-money-laundering enforcement.
In particular, Trump’s executive order to create a strategic cryptocurrency reserve and the appointment of a crypto advocate to lead the SEChave raised major red flags. According to Stiglitz, these actions make the U.S. an attractive destination for hidden crypto transactions.
Crypto Secrecy: A Brewing Storm?
Stiglitz warns that the rise of underregulated crypto exchanges, online casinos, and anonymous platforms under Trump could fuel the global illicit economy, making money laundering and tax evasion easier than ever.
While crypto investors might see fewer regulations as an opportunity, Stiglitz stresses that unchecked crypto activity could seriously threaten long-term financial stability.
A Bigger Financial Shift Underway
Trump’s crypto policies are just part of a larger effort to dismantle financial safeguards, Stiglitz says. Cutting IRS staffing, reducing tax enforcement, and offering major corporate tax breaks could slash U.S. tax revenue by $2.4 trillion over the next decade.
Meanwhile, tariffs on imports have burdened ordinary Americans while benefiting a wealthy few, further widening the wealth gap — and crypto assets, Stiglitz warns, are increasingly becoming a tool for tax avoidance.
As the U.S. loosens its grip, over 50 countries are advancing a 15% global minimum corporate tax to promote fairness and accountability. Stiglitz suggests that America’s retreat could ironically strengthen global efforts for fairer taxation.
Bottom Line
Joseph Stiglitz’s message is clear: Trump’s crypto deregulation could transform the U.S. into a magnet for offshore wealth, but at the cost of financial stability and global trust.
For crypto investors, the short-term gain of less regulation could come with long-term risks that are impossible to ignore.
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The post Joseph Stiglitz Warns: Trump’s Crypto Policies Could Turn U.S. Into “Biggest Tax Haven in History” appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz has issued a sharp warning: Donald Trump’s policies are pushing the United States toward becoming the world’s largest tax haven. And for the crypto community, the consequences could be enormous. Trump’s Crypto Moves Raise Alarm Bells Stiglitz argues that Trump’s administration weakened financial transparency by halting the collection of …
