Solana Open Interest Jumps 10% As Whale Activity Hints At SOL Price Rally

Solana Open Interest Jumps 10% As Whale Activity Hints At SOL Price Rally

Solana’s derivatives market has seen a strong increase in activity this week. According to recent data, open interest has climbed by 10.11% to reach $5.55 billion.

This jump signals that more traders are opening new Solana (SOL) positions, showing renewed attention from retail and institutional participants.

Solana Rising Open Interest and Trading Volume

According to Coinglass, Solana’s open interest increased alongside a 24.28% rise in trading volume, now at $12.6 billion. The increased market participation has surged open interest and turnover. This trend shows some traders are building up for a potential Solana price movement within a day/week timeframe.

SOL Derivatives Data (Source: Coinglass)
SOL Derivatives Data (Source: Coinglass)

This development also reveals that expectations for increased volatility are on the rise. More money is flowing into Solana futures and perpetual contracts as market players either cover already-held positions on the asset or bet on a change in the price.

This data is obtained while Solana is circulating between $129 and $144, with analysts expecting a breakout.

Whale Activity Signals Long-Term Confidence

New data also reveal that whales are adding to their positions for SOL, thus providing more evidence of inflows. In addition, Lookonchain pointed out that Galaxy Digital also closed out 606,000 SOL, which is equivalent to approximately $79.7m in exchanges. Of this, 462,000 SOL worth approximately about $60 million has been staked.

This shift implies priorities to long-term holding and reduction of the circulating supply, factors that affect short-term price shifts. An increase in wallets with over 10,000 SOL has also been noted. This week, an analyst, Ali Charts, pointed out that the large holders had increased by 1.53% from 4,943 to 5,019.

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“More large wallets entering the space could reflect growing confidence among major players,” he shared on X. This behaviour often aligns with a more SOL price bullish outlook as whales reduce sell pressure.

SOL Price Technical Patterns and Key Levels

According to crypto analyst Andrew Griffiths, the Solana price has constructed what appears to be a Cup and Handle pattern on the weekly chart in the past week. Upon verification, this pattern is widely regarded as a bullish signal. Per the chart, Solana price recently bottomed at $123.55 and shows signs of steady recovery, with the analysts setting initial targets at $139.80, $141.33, and $143.94.

SOL/USD price chart (Source: X)
SOL Price Chart

According to crypto analyst Ali Charts, the most important support for Solana price is $129, while resistance is $144. A breakout beyond $144 may open the way toward $150 and potentially $200, especially if the current trend continues.

However, a potential ‘death cross’ formation has emerged on the chart of SOL/BTC. This pattern marks a downtrend in the performance relative to Bitcoin. However, as the technical analyst Lordofalts indicated, a breakout from a parallel channel observed on the chart could offset these worries.

Solana ETF Expectations Soar To 74%

Launching spot Solana ETFs in Canada has also added momentum to the asset’s market presence. These ETFs, which include staking features, are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Their appearance has led to a renewed interest in similar products in the United States.

Polymarket, a prediction platform, shows a 74% chance that a U.S.-based Solana ETF will be approved by the end of 2025. However, the probability of approval by July 2025 remains low, at 24%.

Several asset managers such as Fidelity, VanEck, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale have proposed to issue Solana ETFs. Despite the lack of activity in this regard, the filings indicate an increasing acceptance of the digital asset from institutional investors which is a precursor to an upward trend.

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Crypto Market Highlights This Week: What’s Up With BTC, XRP, ETH?

Crypto Market Highlights This Week: What's Up With BTC, XRP, ETH?

Crypto Market Highlights: Another week has ended within the unpredictable world of cryptocurrencies, and investors are left cautious due to turbulent price actions. Bitcoin (BTC) price has traded around the same level in the past 7 days, whereas Ethereum (ETH) managed to lose nearly 1% within the exact duration. Ripple’s XRP price continued its consolidation phase this week, adding to speculations about its future price movements.

Mentioned below are some of the most buzz-worthy cryptocurrency market highlights reported by CoinGape Media over the past week.

Crypto Market Highlights: BTC Updates This Week

BTC price shut the week at around the $85K level, riding a roller coaster in the past seven days. The weekly bottom and peak for the flagship crypto were recorded at $83K and $86K, respectively. This turbulent price action comes despite a stockpile of bullish developments that appear to have considerably impacted investor sentiment this week.

CoinGape reported that Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy again purchased 3,459 Bitcoin for $285 million and rattled the crypto market. The MSTR stock price also surged subsequently.

Further, Semler Scientific filed to buy $500 million worth of Bitcoin amid its $30 million DoJ settlement this week. With this mover, the firm aimed to boost its Bitcoin reserves despite the broader market uncertainty.

Meanwhile, it’s worth pointing out that U.S. President Donald Trump announced up to 245% tariffs on China this week. On the other hand, China was apparently mulling over the sale of 15K BTC, another intriguing development that captured investors’ attention globally.

Besides, BTC whales were recorded as absorbing 300% of the flagship coin’s new supply, sparking optimistic speculations about long-term price prospects.

Ethereum & XRP Developments

ETH is trading around a $1,600 price level, losing roughly 3% in the last 7 days. Despite this waning action, CoinGape has reported that a rally to $4,800 awaits the second-largest crypto by market cap. This bullish ETH price projection comes as the coin is trading on the north side of a key resistance trend.

However, it’s also worth pointing out that Ethereum faced increased selling pressure due to heightened whale dumps this week. In response to this, market participants are conversely anticipating a potential dip below $1.5 may also be possible.

Besides, Ethereum ETFs recorded $32 million worth of weekly outflows this week, adding further risk to the asset’s price.

In addition, Ethereum fees have also witnessed a severe price decline as user activity decreased amid the recent market turmoil.

XRP price stood at the $2.08 price level after witnessing a highly volatile trading session over the past week. Despite soaring ETF odds, the crypto has yet to see a rising price action. Notably, 9 XRP ETFs have been filed to date, including Bitwise, 21Shares, Grayscale, and Canary Capital.

On the other hand, Ripple whales have also moved hundreds of millions of dollars worth funds this week. 

The XRP lawsuit advanced as the U.S Court of Appeals granted Ripple and the SEC’s motion to suspend their appeals while they finalized the settlement. Overall, the abovementioned updates were some of the top crypto market highlights reported by CoinGape Media over the past week.

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Uniswap Founder Urges Ethereum To Pursue Layer 2 Scaling To Compete With Solana

Uniswap Founder Urges Ethereum To Pursue Layer 2 Scaling To Compete With Solana

As Solana continues its ascent, experts are not writing off Ethereum’s chances to compete favorably in decentralized finance (DeFi). Uniswap founder Hayden Adams wants Ethereum to hone in on Layer 2 scaling to even the odds with Solana.

Uniswap Founder Wants Ethereum To Continue Horizontal Scaling

The calls for Ethereum to focus on Layer 2 scaling are growing louder, with Uniswap founder Hayden Adams joining the train. The Uniswap founder disclosed his stance in an X post, calling for Ethereum to continue its Layer 2 scaling development.

Adams notes that Layer 2 solutions remain Ethereum’s best chance to keep its skin in the DeFi game amid rising competition from Solana. He notes that Solana is better suited to do DeFi on its layer 1, given its roadmap and overall approach compared to Ethereum.

Ethereum, aware of the challenges of its Layer 1, has pivoted to an L2-focused roadmap since 2020. However, a broad ecosystem focus for Layer 2 scaling solutions has left the base layer without major updates for a while, whipping up conversations for a change in approach.

Despite the push for a return to a Layer 1-focused approach, the Uniswap founder wants Ethereum to continue on its existing roadmap. He took swipes at community members pushing for a change in strategy every month, urging them to “pick a lane” and mitigate the attendant risks.

“Ethereum has been working towards an L2-centric/horizontal scaling roadmap for 5+ years,” said Adams. “You want to throw this away at the final stretch because of what reason?”

Ethereum and Solana are going neck and neck with each other with a Coingape analysis weighing whether ETH price will hit $3 before SOL clinches $200.

A Layer 1-centric Approach Is Still Acceptable

The Uniswap founder disclosed in the post that he remains open to the possibility of a pivot to a Layer 1-centric approach. However, the approach has to be explicit and realistic, with Adams recommending key network changes.

“I’m fine with L1-centric scaling approach if it’s explicit and approached realistically,” said the Uniswap founder. “We would have to drop a ton of philosophical stuff like any laptop can run a node.”

He adds that Uniswap’s largest market share comes from Layer 1, making a pivot still a win for his project. However, the approach inflames centralization risks affecting the ability of individuals to run full nodes.

Amid the raging conversations for scaling direction, Ethereum is facing its worst quarterly price performance in nearly a decade. ETH targets a $1600 breakout as prices continue to wallow under $2,000 since slipping below the psychological level.

Tron founder Justin Sun says he is not selling his ETH holdings despite falling prices, pledging to collaborate with Ethereum developers to trigger ecosystem growth.

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Charles Schwab to Launch Spot Crypto Trading by 2026, Boosting Bitcoin and Ethereum Access

Bitcoin Bull Run

The post Charles Schwab to Launch Spot Crypto Trading by 2026, Boosting Bitcoin and Ethereum Access appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Charles Schwab’s new CEO, Rick Wurster, announced that the company is gaining significant momentum in the crypto space and has plans to expand its offerings. During the company’s 2025 Spring Business Update this week, Schwab revealed that it is moving into spot crypto trading, allowing clients to directly buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This marks a big shift in how major financial firms approach digital assets.

Schwab ‘On A Great Path’ to Launch Spot Crypto Trading

Schwab currently enables access to crypto through ETFs, closed end funds, and futures. Wuster revealed that they are “on a great path” to launch direct spot crypto trading within the next year.  Schwab’s entry into the spot market would be a major step especially as regulatory clarity improves. He called the expansion a response to client demand as well as a strategic move to maintain its role as a top destination for retail and institutional crypto investors.

Recently, the CEO highlighted growing interest in Schwab’s crypto offerings like ETFs and Bitcoin futures. Rick Wurster became Schwab’s CEO in 2025 and said in a 2024 interview that the firm was ready to offer crypto trading but was waiting for clearer regulations.

Schwab saw a big 40% jump in profits last quarter, as many investors shifted their portfolios due to market volatility. Wurster suggested that some of those investors might be turning to crypto. Notably, there was a 400% surge in traffic to their crypto site, of which 70% was from non-clients which indicates rising public interest.

Wurster noted that the massive spike in traffic indicates that investors who were once hesitant to jump into crypto space are now doing so, due to Schwab’s reputation as a trusted financial brand.

“As I’ve said numerous times in past, spot crypto trading will be table stakes for every major brokerage,” reacted Nate Geraci, the President of ETF Store, to the development.

Schwab To Join Major Players

Spot crypto trading is already offered by major crypto exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken and Gemini, who lead the space, popular with both retail and institutional users for their deep liquidity, wide range of trading pairs and advanced tools. Besides, Traditional firms are also making moves. Fidelity offers spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading, while Robinhood and eToro enable commission-free crypto trades alongside stocks and ETFs.

Earlier this year, Schwab partnered with Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) to launch Truth.fi, a brand offering ETFs, Bitcoin, and other investments. Schwab will manage up to $250 million in assets, focusing on U.S. growth and the “Patriot Economy.

Bitcoin Bounces Back

Bitcoin surged 0.61% on Saturday, April 19, bouncing back from Friday’s dip reaching $85,033. Notably, it stayed above the $85K mark for the first time in a week. The price boost comes as global trade tensions and economic uncertainty continue, with recent supply-demand shifts pushing BTC higher.

The post Charles Schwab to Launch Spot Crypto Trading by 2026, Boosting Bitcoin and Ethereum Access appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Charles Schwab’s new CEO, Rick Wurster, announced that the company is gaining significant momentum in the crypto space and has plans to expand its offerings. During the company’s 2025 Spring Business Update this week, Schwab revealed that it is moving into spot crypto trading, allowing clients to directly buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and …

Is Pi Network Breakout Imminent? New Roadmap Sparks 4% Surge Amidst Mixed Reactions

The post Is Pi Network Breakout Imminent? New Roadmap Sparks 4% Surge Amidst Mixed Reactions appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Pi Network price has surged over 4% in the past 24 hours following the launch of its Migration Roadmap. Although the token is showing some signs of recovery across several indicators, it is too soon to confirm an uptrend.

Although technical indicators like the Ichimoku Cloud and RSI hint that price might be recovering, it’s still facing strong resistance that is blocking a clear breakout. Besides, many in the Pi Community are frustrated that the new Migration Roadmap is not clear enough which adds another layer of uncertainty about where the price is headed next.

Users Frustated Over Lack Of Details

Pi Network released its Mainnet Migration Roadmap, but it lacks specific dates and clear details, leaving users frustrated. The roadmap outlines three phases, but no timelines are given, causing uncertainty. Some users noticed discrepancies in their coin balances, with no way to resolve them.

Additionally, the claim that all tokens were minted at genesis has sparked debate, raising concerns about the project’s transparency. With 108.9 million tokens unlocked this month, users are unsure how the migration will unfold. These issues are weakening trust in the Pi Network.

Pi Network Still Faces Resistance

It is trading just below the Ichimoku Cloud, a key resistance area which signals that buyers are trying to push the price up. Although the price has been making some higher lows and hinting at a possible recovery, it still has not broken the resistance yet.

Besides, the market is still not strongly bullish yet, showing that the short-term momentum is weaker than the medium-term trend, hence its not a clear signal to buy. Traders are being cautious and are waiting for stronger signs before making any big moves. 

Also, the Ichimoku Cloud is getting thicker and more tilted, which suggests that bigger price swings may be imminent. If Pi breaks above the cloud, it could signal a strong upward trend. However, until thay happens, Pi remains in a vulnerable position with a risk of rejection still likely.

Pi Network’s RSI has bounced back to 53.77 from 32.34, signaling recovery. However, after peaking at 57.25, it has cooled slightly, weakening bullish momentum. The RSI is in neutral-bullish territory, showing moderate strength but still far from overbought levels. If momentum builds, there’s potential for growth, but caution is stil needed as the trend is not yet solid.

Key Resistance Levels

Pi Network (PI) is testing key resistance at $0.66. A breakout could push the price to $0.789 and $0.858, possibly reigniting bullish momentum. A successful breakout could possibly push PI to $1.23 or $1.79. However, frustrations over the unclear Migration Roadmap add uncertainty. If PI fails to break $0.66, it may dip toward $0.54 or $0.40. 

The next few sessions are crucial for determining the token’s direction, heavily influenced by both technical signals and community sentiment, awaiting a clear breakout or drop.

Focus on Consensus 2025 Next

With the Consensus 2025 fast approaching, excitement is building in the Pi Network Community. Analyst Dr Altcoin notes that this event is a major chance to promote Pi Network especially as the Pi founder Nicolas Kokkalis is set to share the stage with personalities like Bo Hines and Eric Trump.

Game Changer for Pi Coin?

Dr. Altcoin believes that Consensus 2025 could be a game-changer for Pi Network, only if the Pi Core Team acts fast. He’s urging them to approve all KYB applications and officially launch DApps in the Pi ecosystem before the event to maximise the opportunity on the global spotlight and boost Pi’s credibility and growth.

The Pi Core Team has under a month to approve KYB and launch DApps before Consensus 2025, as delays have driven some projects to other blockchains. Pi is currently priced around $0.64, but with upcoming developments and potential adoption by big institutions, some believe it could reach $30, although short-term volatility remains a concern.

The post Is Pi Network Breakout Imminent? New Roadmap Sparks 4% Surge Amidst Mixed Reactions appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Pi Network price has surged over 4% in the past 24 hours following the launch of its Migration Roadmap. Although the token is showing some signs of recovery across several indicators, it is too soon to confirm an uptrend. Although technical indicators like the Ichimoku Cloud and RSI hint that price might be recovering, it’s …

Charles Schwab to Launch Crypto Trading Platform in 2026

Charles Schwab, one of the largest brokerage firms in the United States, is preparing to launch a spot cryptocurrency trading platform within the next year.

This marks a major move by one of the most trusted names in traditional finance and shows that demand for crypto investment options continues to climb.

Charles Schwab Eyes Crypto Expansion

During a recent earnings call, Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the firm is optimistic about upcoming regulatory changes that could allow it to fully enter crypto trading.

“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto and our goal is to do that in the next 12 months and we’re on a great path to be able to do that,” Wurster explained.

This move would allow the company to offer direct access to spot crypto trading and place it in direct competition with major players like Coinbase and Binance.

While the company already offers crypto-related products such as Bitcoin futures and crypto ETFs, the addition of direct trading would significantly expand its crypto portfolio. According to the CEO, engagement on these products has grown rapidly in recent months.

Wurster revealed that visits to the firm’s crypto-focused content have surged 400%. Of that traffic, 70% came from users who are not yet customers, showing a growing appetite for digital asset investments.

Wurster’s confidence in crypto aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to introduce a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets. Compared to past years, progress on crypto legislation and oversight has accelerated, especially among key regulatory bodies like the SEC.

If these improvements continue, Schwab could debut its spot crypto trading platform before mid-2026. The firm believes its reputation in traditional finance gives it a strategic advantage in expanding into the crypto space.

Meanwhile, Schwab is already dipping its toes into the sector through its role as custodian for Truth.Fi, an upcoming digital investment platform launched by Trump Media and Technology Group. Truth.Fi plans to offer a mix of Bitcoin, separately managed accounts, and other crypto-linked products.

Indeed, Schwab’s potential entry into the sector has drawn attention from other industry leaders. Asset management firm Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley described the brokerage firm’s move as a milestone in crypto’s transition to mainstream finance.

Rachael Horwitz, Chief Marketing Officer at Haun Ventures, echoed that sentiment and encouraged Schwab to consider crypto-collateralized lending as a future offering.

“Schwab should implement crypto-collateralized lending as part of its banking services next,” Horwitz said.

The post Charles Schwab to Launch Crypto Trading Platform in 2026 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

MELANIA Plunges to All-Time Low After $14.75 Million Sell-Off By Insiders

A wave of heavy sell-offs linked to the team behind the Melania meme coin (MELANIA) has raised fresh concerns about insider activity within the project.

These activities have contributed to the token’s value dropping to an all-time low, a staggering 97% down from its all-time high on Trump’s inauguration day back in January.

Heavy Insider Selling Sends MELANIA to Historic Low

On April 19, on-chain analyst EmberCN reported that wallets tied to the project offloaded nearly 3 million MELANIA tokens.

In return, the team received approximately 9,009 SOL, valued at around $1.2 million. The tokens were sold through unilateral liquidity provisions added to the MELANIA/SOL trading pair on Meteora.

This transaction is part of a broader pattern. In the past three days, the MELANIA team reportedly moved 7.64 million tokens, worth about $3.21 million, from both liquidity and community wallets.

The team systematically added these tokens to the same liquidity pool and sold them for SOL within a pre-defined price range. Out of the total, they sold 2.95 million tokens just hours before EmberCN’s disclosure.

“In the past 3 days, the $MELANIA project team has continued to transfer out 7.643 million $MELANIA tokens ($3.21M) from liquidity and community addresses, then added them to MELANIA/SOL one-sided liquidity on Meteora, selling $MELANIA within a set range for SOL. Of which, 2.95 million $MELANIA tokens were sold 7 hours ago for 9,009 SOL,” EmberCN stated.

EmberCN further pointed out that the project’s team has sold over 23 million MELANIA tokens in the past month. The tokens were worth approximately $14.75 million.

Melania's Team SOL Token Holding.
Melania’s Team SOL Token Holding. Source: EmberCN

These repeated sell-offs have added weight to concerns over internal dumping—suspicions that first emerged in March.

At the time, blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps reported unusual movements of over $30 million in MELANIA tokens. Originally part of the community allocation, the tokens appeared to be gradually transferred to exchanges without explanation.

The firm linked these transactions to Hayden Davis, a co-founder of the meme coin. Davis previously worked on another controversial token, LIBRA, which briefly surged after Argentine President Javier Milei endorsed it, then quickly collapsed.

Bubblemaps also revealed that wallets tied to the MELANIA team control roughly 92% of the token’s total supply. Critics argue that this level of centralization raises red flags over potential market manipulation.

As a result of these concerns, MELANIA has seen its price collapse. After reaching a high of over $13 earlier this year, the token has dropped by over 96% to an all-time low of $0.38, according to data from BeInCrypto.

MELANIA Token Price Performance.
MELANIA Token Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

However, the steep decline reflects both internal turmoil and broader weakness in the meme coin sector. Investor appetite for high-risk tokens appears to be fading amid global uncertainty and a more cautious market sentiment

The post MELANIA Plunges to All-Time Low After $14.75 Million Sell-Off By Insiders appeared first on BeInCrypto.

VOXEL Token Jumps 200% as Bitget Glitch Fuels $12.7 Billion Trading Frenzy

Voxies (VOXEL), a little-known gaming token, surged by over 200% within 24 hours on April 20 following a suspected malfunction in Bitget’s trading system.

The unexpected glitch led to an explosive spike in activity, pushing the VOXEL/USDT contract’s trading volume to an eye-watering $12.7 billion. According to Coingecko data, this significantly outpaces Bitcoin’s $4.76 billion volume on the same platform.

Bitget Trading Error Reportedly Lets Users Earn Six-Figure Profits

The unprecedented spike drew attention across the crypto space, particularly given that VOXEL is a relatively obscure free-to-play blockchain game token with a market cap under $30 million.

According to on-chain analyst Dylan, the Bitget bot repeatedly executed trades within the narrow $0.125 to $0.138 price range. Savvy traders quickly caught on, using just $100 to scalp profits exceeding six figures.

Reports suggest that the glitch allowed some users to walk away with tens or even hundreds of thousands of USDT in a matter of hours.

In response, Bitget’s spokesperson Xie Jiayin confirmed the platform was aware of the irregular activity and has launched an internal investigation. The company also noted that affected accounts may face temporary restrictions, urging users to contact in-app support for further assistance.

“Every platform, at every stage of development, may encounter challenges and uncertainties, yet these are an inevitable part of the journey. Bitget will provide the event details and resolution within 24 hours,” Jiayin added.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked criticism from market experts and traders, many of whom question Bitget’s internal safeguards and technical maturity.

Several community members have criticized Bitget’s response to the issue. Some have claimed that the exchange’s decision to forcibly settle VOXEL contracts at discounted rates breached user trust. Bitget’s hybrid custody model is also receiving backlash following the incident.

“The platform’s product design reveals concerning flaws: a hybrid custody risk pool exposes users to systemic risks, and unrestricted position sizes open the door to manipulation. If these issues are not addressed, more altcoins could be weaponized against Bitget—potentially making it the next catastrophic failure in the crypto space,” one analyst stated.

Meanwhile, the timing of the incident is also notable. VOXEL is currently listed on Binance’s “Vote to Delist” program. The campaign aims to improve transparency and give the community a voice in token listings.

Overall, the Bitget incident has amplified concerns about potential market manipulation involving the token and highlighted the broader risks tied to centralized exchanges.

The post VOXEL Token Jumps 200% as Bitget Glitch Fuels $12.7 Billion Trading Frenzy appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Crypto Regulation: John Deaton Lays Out 5 To-Do List for Congress

Crypto Regulation: John Deaton Lays Out 5 To-Do List for Congress

John Deaton, a prominent crypto lawyer, has outlined a five-point plan for regulation by lawmakers in the United States. In his latest post on X, he calls for urgent action to establish clear rules that will support innovation, protect users, and bring stability to the crypto sector.

John Deaton on the Five Crypto Regulation Priorities

Deaton’s first recommendation is to pass a law on stablecoins. He believes this can increase demand for U.S. Treasuries and reduce the cost and delay in sending money across borders. This, he noted, will help the United States play a stronger role in global trade.

John Deaton wants the US. Congress should clearly define which tokens are securities and which are commodities. This will help decide whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) should regulate them. Without such clarity, regulators may continue to clash over control, and projects may face confusion.

He also raised the need for crypto exchange regulation. Deaton wants strict rules to ensure customer funds are not mixed with company funds. He suggests that exchanges hold full reserves visible on the blockchain. This way, they can avoid high-risk activities like offering large amounts for lending or using customer funds elsewhere.

In addition, Deaton suggests easing the tax burden. He proposes removing the capital gains tax on small crypto payments and allowing people to pay federal taxes in cryptocurrency without facing more taxes.

Lastly, he urges Congress to revise or remove the Accredited Investor Rule. John Deaton believes the rule locks out too many people from early investment opportunities. He warns that lawmakers must act before the 2026 midterm elections to avoid delays caused by political changes.

Stablecoin Laws May Arrive Very Soon

It is important to add that Deaton’s views support ongoing developments in Congress. A bill known as the GENIUS Act is already being discussed. 

It suggests that the Federal Reserve would manage large banks issuing stablecoins, while state bodies would handle smaller groups. 

According to recent reports, the global market for stablecoins now exceeds $234 billion, raising hopes that new U.S. laws will soon follow. 

As mentioned earlier by President Donald Trump, lawmakers are likely to fasttrack the stablecoin regulation. The current timeline is slated for Q2 this year.

SEC’s Shifting Position on Oversight

The SEC, which once took a hard line on crypto regulation, is now adjusting its stance

CoinGape noted earlier that the era of counterproductive oversight may be ending, as U.S. SEC and CFTC leaders have agreed to work together moving forward.

Historically, the SEC treated most tokens as securities, focusing on enforcement, while the CFTC took a softer approach to the markets. Recent laws like FIT21 aim to give the CFTC more control over decentralized assets.

With both regulatory oversight looking to create more cohesive plans to work, and the new leadership of Paul Atkins, the industry hopes to overcome challenges, reduce uncertainty, and foster greater clarity in crypto regulation.

The post Crypto Regulation: John Deaton Lays Out 5 To-Do List for Congress appeared first on CoinGape.

Crypto Market Today: Top Headlines You Need to Know

Crypto Market Today: Top Headlines You Need to Know

The crypto market is experiencing sharp price swings, whale selloffs, and legal developments involving major players. Bitcoin remains in a bearish pattern, while investor sentiment continues to shift amid macroeconomic concerns and liquidity issues. Below is a comprehensive update on the most important developments in the crypto world.

Bitcoin in Bear Territory and Altcoins Slide

Since late March 2025, Bitcoin has remained below the simple moving average of 200 days. This is considered to point to bearish sentiment in the crypto market. Based on the Coinbase monthly report on the market outlook as of April, the crypto market might continue to be pressured until Q3 this year.

As of the most recent report, BTC price was valued at $84,336.30, just 0.4% up from the previous day. The daily volatility ranged from $83,592.79 to $85,311.80. On the other hand, Ethereum closed at $1,588.68 after a 1.1% dip. Other digital currencies also went down; Cardano dropped to $0.6130, while SUI dropped to $2.11. Concurrently, XRP price has also swayed between a weekly high and low of $2.25 and $2.07.

Solana defied the broader crypto market trend by gaining 3.7%, trading at $132.69. The altcoin experienced a daily low of $124.95 and a high of $133.60. Janover, a fintech company, doubled its Solana holdings, spending $10.5 million on an additional 80,567 tokens. The firm plans to stake the assets to earn rewards and expand its digital treasury strategy.

Dogecoin Whale Sell-Off and OM Token Collapse

Large holders of Dogecoin sold over 570 million DOGE tokens this past week. This sell-off caused DOGE’s price to drop 7.2%, falling from $0.1680 to $0.15594. On-chain data from Santiment shows these whales held between 10 million and 100 million DOGE each.

Meanwhile, the OM token from Mantra crashed by more than 90% on April 13, falling from $6.30 to below $0.50. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen noted that concentrated holdings and poor weekend liquidity led to forced liquidations. She said, “The OM token crash exposed several critical issues that we are seeing not just in OM, but also as an industry.”

The OM collapse triggered concerns about liquidity risks during low trading periods. It has drawn comparisons to past black swan events such as the Terra-Luna crisis.

Ripple and SEC Enter Pause for Settlement Talks

The ongoing legal proceedings in the Ripple Labs case against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have come to a halt. An appeals court granted a motion to stay the proceeding while the plaintiff sought a resolution through negotiation with the defendant. The talks should be updated with the SEC latest update by 15th June.

Ripple has been involved in regulatory issues since 2020 regarding the sale of XRP that was allegedly an unregistered security. The current cessation could be a strategy of the involved parties or the legal advisory given that no final decision has been made up to now.

Elsewhere, the state of Oregon has filed a securities enforcement action against Coinbase. The complaint echoes charges brought by federal regulators in 2023, which were later dropped earlier this year.

Security Risks and New Institutional Moves

Kenny Li, co-founder of Manta Network, said he was the target of a phishing attack using a manipulated Zoom meeting. Li reported that the attackers used real recordings of people he knew but lacked audio and prompted him to download a suspicious file. He immediately left the call and asked for verification via Telegram, after which the attacker erased all messages.

Federal authorities in the U.S. continue to pursue legal action against former SafeMoon CEO Braden John Karony. The Justice Department’s recent memo called for reduced use of enforcement through prosecution, but prosecutors in New York said they intend to proceed with charges including fraud and money laundering.

Semler Scientific, a healthcare technology firm, reported a $41.8 million paper loss on its Bitcoin holdings as of Q1 2025. Despite this, the company plans to issue up to $500 million in new securities to fund more Bitcoin acquisitions. The firm held 3,182 BTC valued at over $263 million by the end of March.

Crypto Industry Growth and Regulatory Shifts

VanEck announced the launch of a new ETF called NODE, which aims to offer exposure to companies in the digital asset space. NODE will be actively managed and include 30 to 60 stocks linked to exchanges, miners, and blockchain infrastructure.

Meanwhile, OKX is expanding into the U.S. with a phased launch of its trading platform and a Web3 wallet. The exchange is opening a new headquarters in San Jose and publishing proof-of-reserves reports monthly to build user trust.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently commented that a “loosening” of crypto rules for banks may come soon. Speaking at The Economic Club of Chicago, he said regulators had taken a cautious approach but now see the crypto market gaining mainstream attention.

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