Solana (SOL) Momentum Slows – Is $200 Still in Sight?

Solana (SOL) is up 28.4% over the past month, but its momentum has slowed. After briefly touching $184, it has gained just 0.78% in the last seven days. Despite this, Solana continues to dominate DEX metrics, leading all chains with $27.9 billion in weekly volume.

The broader ecosystem remains active, with multiple Solana-based apps among the top fee generators. However, technical indicators such as RSI, Ichimoku Cloud, and EMA lines suggest the rally may be losing steam, signaling a potential period of consolidation or correction ahead.

Solana Leads DEX Market With $27.9 Billion Weekly Volume and Surging App Activity

Solana continues to assert its dominance in the decentralized exchange (DEX) ecosystem, leading all chains in trading volume for the fourth consecutive week.

Over the past seven days alone, Solana recorded $27.9 billion in DEX volume—surpassing BNB Chain, Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum.

Top Chains by DEX Volume.
Top Chains by DEX Volume. Source: DeFiLlama.

The weekly DEX volume for Solana surged by 45.78%, signaling a strong resurgence in on-chain activity after decreasing activity between March and April.

This rise is a spike and part of a broader trend, with volumes consistently staying above the $20 billion mark over the past month.

Top Apps and Chains by Fees and Revenue.
Top Apps and Chains by Fees and Revenue. Source: DeFiLlama.

Adding to its momentum, Solana is home to four of the past week’s ten highest fee-generating apps and chains. This includes familiar platforms and newcomers, showing a healthy diversity in the ecosystem.

Believe App, a newly launched Solana-based launchpad, stands out in the recent surge. In the last 24 hours alone, it generated $3.68 million in fees—surpassing well-established platforms like PancakeSwap, Uniswap, and Tron.

Momentum Cools for SOL as Indicators Turn Neutral

Solana’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped to 51.99, down from 66.5 just three days ago, signaling a clear loss of bullish momentum.

Over the past few days, the RSI has hovered between 44 and 50, reflecting a more neutral market sentiment after previously nearing overbought conditions.

This shift suggests that traders are more cautious, and recent gains may be cooling off.

SOL RSI.
SOL RSI. Source: TradingView.

The RSI is a momentum indicator that ranges from 0 to 100, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 signaling oversold territory. At 51.99, Solana sits in the neutral zone, which typically suggests a period of consolidation or indecision.

If the RSI rises above 60 again, it could point to renewed bullish strength; if it dips below 45, further downside pressure may follow.

Solana’s Ichimoku Cloud chart shows a period of consolidation following a strong uptrend, with key signals now suggesting indecision.

The price is hovering near the Kijun-sen (red line) and Tenkan-sen (blue line), both of which have started to flatten—indicating a slowdown in momentum.

The Chikou Span (green lagging line) remains above the candles, suggesting that the broader trend still has a bullish bias. However, the lack of distance between it and the current price action reflects weakening strength.

SOL Ichimoku Cloud.
SOL Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView.

The Kumo Cloud (green and red shaded area) ahead is still bullish, with the leading span lines spread apart, providing support beneath the current price.

However, with candles now closely interacting with the Kijun-sen and failing to strongly break above the Tenkan-sen, the short-term sentiment appears cautious.

If the price can push decisively above the blue line, momentum may return, but any drift into the cloud could signal the start of a more prolonged consolidation phase or potential trend reversal.

Solana’s Bullish EMA Structure Faces Momentum Slowdown

Solana’s EMA lines remain bullish, with the short-term moving averages positioned above the longer-term ones. However, the gap between these lines is narrowing, suggesting that upward momentum is weakening.

Solana price recently failed to break past a key resistance level, and although a retest could open the path toward reclaiming the $200 zone, the lack of strong follow-through raises questions about the trend’s strength.

SOL Price Analysis.
SOL Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Complementing this cautious outlook, the Ichimoku Cloud and RSI indicators point to a potential cooldown. Solana recently held above an important support level but remains vulnerable—if that support breaks, further downside could follow.

The broader structure still leans bullish, but the market appears to be at a crossroads. The next move likely depends on whether buyers can reclaim initiative or sellers push through key lower levels.

The post Solana (SOL) Momentum Slows – Is $200 Still in Sight? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

SEC X Account Hacker Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison

Eric Council Jr, the man who hacked the SEC’s X account last January, was sentenced to 14 months in prison today. In addition to the prison time, Council must forfeit $50,000 and be subject to three years of supervised release.

He was arrested in October 2024, and prosecutors offered him a deal shortly afterward. Council apparently took it in February, pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft.

What’s Next for the SEC X Hacker?

At the beginning of 2024, rumors about a Bitcoin ETF approval were turning into a tremendous hype wave. Therefore, when Council hacked the SEC’s X account to claim that it got the green light, this caused market pandemonium.

Bitcoin rose more than $1,000 shortly afterwards, and the hunt for Council began. Today, the story finally ended.

The US Attorney’s office announced that Council had been sentenced for the infamous SEC hack. Court documents showed that he used a SIM Swap to compromise a phone with access to the X account.

Council continued using similar scams until the FBI identified him in August, leading to his October 2024 arrest.

“Schemes of this nature threaten the health and integrity of our market system. SIM swap schemes threaten the financial security of average citizens, financial institutions, and government agencies.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can’t be caught. You will be caught, prosecuted, and will pay the price,” claimed US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Interestingly, government prosecutors repeatedly alleged that Eric Council had several co-conspirators in committing the SEC hack. However, none of them have been named, arrested, or charged with anything yet.

The government offered Council a plea deal shortly after his arrest, on the condition that he name these individuals. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in February, presumably suggesting that he did indeed cooperate.

It seems a little strange that there haven’t been any developments in this broader investigation over the last three months.

Still, Council has personally faced justice for his role in the SEC hack. He was sentenced to forfeit $50,000 and spend 14 months in prison.

After his release, he will be under police supervision for the next three years, ensuring that he does not access the dark web or commit identity fraud.

The post SEC X Account Hacker Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison appeared first on BeInCrypto.

AIAO: Could This AI-Powered Token Follow Ethereum Growth Path?

Ethereum made history by offering developers the first smart contract blockchain platform, and early investors saw life-changing returns. Now, nearly a decade later, a new kind of crypto project is generating the same type of interest and potential. 

It runs on artificial intelligence, is open to retail investors, and is currently entering its presale. Analysts are already calling it the most exciting AI-driven token launch in years.

AiAO isn’t a meme coin or a pump-and-dump. It’s a serious trading platform with a track record, backed by innovative machine learning, and supported by a financial model built for long-term sustainability. If you missed out on Ethereum at $7, this might be your second chance.

AlgosOne: Where AI Meets Investing

For years, time, emotional decision-making, and inconsistent results constrained investing. AlgosOne changes the game by replacing guesswork with AI logic. Once users register and deposit funds, the system handles everything from strategy selection to risk management automatically.

Proven Results

AlgosOne’s proprietary AI has maintained an 80 percent trade win rate since 2022. This is not just backtesting. These are real-world results, based on live trades. The platform’s earliest contracts matured at the end of 2024, with some users earning profits of up to 250 percent. 

There are no hidden fees either. No spreads, no subscriptions, and no charges on losing trades. The only cost is a small commission on wins.

The system is part of a broader trend in how financial technologies are evolving, and AlgosOne’s technology stack supports both speed and precision at scale. This system isn’t just for tech pros or institutional traders. Anyone can use it. No coding, no chart analysis, no late nights. Just register, fund your account, and let the AI do its job.

AlgosOne is licensed in Europe and has an excellent score of 4.7 / 5 on Trustpilot with more than 2400 reviews and numerous satisfied users and clients.

What Is AiAO from AlgosOne?

At the heart of this AI trading ecosystem is the AiAO token. It’s more than a digital asset—it’s the key to accessing the AlgosOne platform. It also serves as a reward mechanism, governance tool, and investment opportunity all in one.

And it doesn’t stop there. AlgosOne has pledged to purchase at least $100 million worth of tokens during the public sale, which will reduce the overall supply and further increase demand.

Token Benefits That Go Beyond Just Holding

Unlike many cryptocurrencies that rely purely on speculative value, AiAO is for real use cases. Token holders benefit in several unique ways:

1. Regular Dividend Payouts

AiAO holders will receive dividend payments in USD. These distributions are based on the platform’s revenue, meaning the more successful AlgosOne becomes, the more income token holders can expect. Payments go directly into users’ bank accounts and depend on the number of tokens held. 

Think of AiAO as shares of a public company on the stock market, which pays its shareholders dividends. It’s the same concept, except here it’s a cryptocurrency. Regular dividend payments are not present in BTC, ETH, SOL, or even XRP, making AiAO stand out. 

2. Voting and Governance Rights

AiAO holders don’t just profit—they participate. The token includes built-in voting power, allowing users to help shape the platform’s future. Whether it’s voting on upgrades, new trading strategies, or ecosystem changes, the more tokens you hold, the more influence you have. 

3. Tier Advancement and Trade Boosts

Holding AiAO also boosts your position within the AlgosOne system. Token ownership unlocks trading points, which increase your account’s tier. Higher tiers mean more trades per day, reduced commissions, and increased profits. 

This adds an entirely new layer of utility, making AiAO more than just a digital currency but an access pass to elite financial tools within AlgosOne’s AI crypto trading interface. An AI system will beat human traders 9 out of 10 times, as it makes no emotional decisions and analyzes the markets 24/7 without human input to identify the most profitable trading opportunities. 

4. The Retrodrop for Early Adopters

In addition to presale benefits, AlgosOne is launching a retrodrop that rewards early users with free AiAO tokens. Activities like watching educational content, depositing funds, and promoting the platform can all earn you extra rewards. The more involved you are, the more you receive.

How to Get In Before the Public Sale

To participate in the presale, users must first register on the AlgosOne platform and complete a quick verification process. The minimum deposit to qualify is $300, and higher deposits allow users to purchase more tokens in early rounds. Once verified, users will have access to the presale and can start earning benefits immediately, including staking options and early access to AI trading features.

Conclusion

If you’ve been watching the rise of AI in finance and wondering when the right opportunity will appear, this might be it. AiAO isn’t just a token but an opportunity to own shares of the future of AI trading. It could experience significant growth that can compare to Ethereum in its early days. Those interested in securing their position early can now register for the AiAO presale.

The post AIAO: Could This AI-Powered Token Follow Ethereum Growth Path? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Elon Musk-Inspired Kekius Maximus Rallies But Scam Warnings Raise Red Flags

A little-known meme coin called Kekius Maximus saw a dramatic price surge on Friday, gaining over 120% within hours. The sudden rally followed Elon Musk’s update to his X (formerly Twitter) profile.

Musk’s name change on X often follows up with these speculative pumps, but certain reg flags on KEKIUS are fueling notable concerns.

Kekius Maximus Keeps Pumping

Musk adopted the name “Kekius Maximus” on his X account and changed his avatar to an AI-generated image of himself in gladiator-style armor.

This led to renewed interest in the coin, which had largely gone unnoticed in recent months.

According to CoinGecko data, the digital asset spiked from obscurity to a four-month high of $0.06. This is far below its all-time peak of $0.4011, set during a similar Musk-induced meme moment in January.

Kekius Maximus Price Performance.
Kekius Maximus Price Performance. Source: Coingecko

Meanwhile, the current spike pushed Kekius Maximus’ market cap to roughly $57 million, which is also well off its previous high of $181 million.

The token’s branding draws on the Pepe the Frog meme and the iconic Maximus character from the film Gladiator. This combination aligns with Musk’s rebrand and appeals to his meme-savvy audience.

Musk has not acknowledged the coin or suggested any direct involvement despite the token’s meteoric rise.

Still, his history of influencing crypto markets through subtle or playful social media gestures is well established. This is evidenced in his past endorsements of Dogecoin, which have trained investors to react quickly to any signal, even if indirect.

So, Kekius’s rally highlights a recurring theme in crypto markets where Musk’s online activity often catalyzes sudden speculative booms.

Even without a formal endorsement, a simple reference or image change can trigger a wave of FOMO-driven buying among investors.

Prior to this event, Kekius Maximus had shown little movement or trading volume. Musk’s rebrand appears to have injected new life into the project, albeit temporarily. History suggests that similar meme-driven pumps often retrace once the hype subsides.

Scam Kekius Maximus Token Concentration.
Scam Kekius Maximus Token Concentration. Source: X/Nova

Meanwhile, malicious actors appear to be capitalizing on the project’s hype. Crypto analysts highlighted one Kekius-themed project whose team held 99% of the supply and looked to dump it on the community.

“$KEKIUS (CA 6m51rC2jRZkrtQkNNP4sXrSTE6Yq76F9huA8MYRtpump) is a blatant obvious scam, don’t buy this garbage…they have 99% of the supply,” the analyst wrote.

The post Elon Musk-Inspired Kekius Maximus Rallies But Scam Warnings Raise Red Flags appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Pi Network Sheds 44% in Four Days – Is PI Price Fading Out?

Pi Network (PI) is under mounting pressure as technical indicators and community sentiment become increasingly bearish. Despite a 23% gain over the past week, PI has plunged 44% in just four days, falling below the $1 mark following backlash over its $100 million fund launch.

Indicators like the Ichimoku Cloud and BBTrend show fading momentum, with no signs of a reversal. PI may remain vulnerable to further downside if key resistance levels are reclaimed and buying pressure returns.

PI Struggles Below Cloud as Bearish Momentum Persists

The Ichimoku Cloud chart for Pi Network (PI) shows signs of ongoing weakness following a sharp decline. Price action is below the Kijun-sen (red line) and close to the Tenkan-sen (blue line), indicating that short-term momentum remains bearish.

The recent candles also interact with the lower boundary of the Kumo Cloud (green/red shaded area), showing hesitation in regaining upward traction.

The Chikou Span (green lagging line) is now positioned below the price candles, further reinforcing a bearish outlook.

PI Ichimoku Cloud.
PI Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView.

Despite the current consolidation near the cloud’s edge, there’s no strong signal yet of a reversal. The leading span lines that form the Kumo ahead are flat and slightly downward-sloping, suggesting limited bullish support in the near term.

For sentiment to shift, PI must break decisively above both the Kijun-sen and the cloud, confirming a potential trend reversal.

Until then, the chart favors caution, with bears still holding the upper hand.

Pi Network Trend Strength Collapses as BBTrend Falls to 10.63

Pi Network’s BBTrend indicator has sharply declined to 10.63, after peaking near 48 just two days ago and dropping to 32 yesterday.

This steep fall reflects a significant weakening in trend strength over a short period, suggesting that the recent bullish momentum is fading quickly.

The rapid loss in trend intensity may indicate a transition toward consolidation or even a potential reversal if no new buying pressure emerges.

PI BBTrend.
PI BBTrend. Source: TradingView.

The BBTrend (Bollinger Band Trend) measures the strength of a price trend by comparing the width of Bollinger Bands to price volatility.

Higher values typically reflect strong trending behavior—either bullish or bearish—while lower values suggest sideways movement or weakening momentum.

At 10.63, Pi’s BBTrend suggests the asset may enter a neutral phase, where volatility contracts and price could range without clear direction unless a new breakout or breakdown develops.

Community Backlash Grows as Pi Network Drops Below $1 After Fund Launch

Following the announcement of its $100 million Pi Network Ventures fund, Pi Network is facing growing pressure from both its community and the market.

Despite launching the initiative to boost ecosystem growth and real-world adoption, critics argue that the project has failed to deliver on key promises—such as launching 100 decentralized apps (DApps), timely KYC processes, and referral rewards.

Many Pioneers see the fund as a distraction from unresolved issues, especially since applications are collected via a simple Google Form. Market sentiment reflected this frustration, with PI’s price dropping below $1 and falling 44% over the last four days.

PI Price Analysis.
PI Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Technically, PI’s indicators support the bearish outlook. Momentum signals like the DMI and CMF show declining strength and increased distribution, while the EMA lines are tightening and hinting at possible death crosses.

Even though PI has been up 23% over the last seven days, the recent price action suggests a loss of confidence and potential for further downside.

If the token fails to hold the key $0.80 support level, it could decline toward $0.57—but if momentum returns, a breakout above $0.94 could open the path to $1.30 or even $1.67.

The post Pi Network Sheds 44% in Four Days – Is PI Price Fading Out? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

5 Trending Made in USA Coins To Watch for the Weekend

Made in USA coins are drawing attention heading into the weekend, with five standout tokens leading the charge: EOS, ONDO, SUI, KAS, and EIGEN. EOS surged nearly 7% following a controversial $3 million purchase by World Liberty Financial, while ONDO remains a major RWA player despite short-term volatility.

SUI continues to ride momentum from its meme coin and DEX activity, and Kaspa (KAS) shows strong upside potential with a possible golden cross forming. Meanwhile, EigenLayer (EIGEN) is facing a sharp pullback but still holds bullish signals if support levels can hold.

EOS

EOS is up nearly 7% in the last 24 hours, sparked by World Liberty Financial’s surprise $3 million purchase of the token. The move has stirred controversy across the crypto community, especially given WLFI’s recent $125 million loss from allegedly selling ETH at a local bottom.

While some have raised concerns about potential market manipulation, there’s currently no hard evidence of foul play. EOS, which has spent much of the past year trading below $0.50, briefly surged over 9% following the news, reigniting interest in a project many considered dormant.

EOS Price Analysis.
EOS Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Technically, if bullish momentum persists, EOS could break above the key resistance level at $0.88. A clear breakout there may open the door for a run toward the psychological $1 mark.

However, if sentiment shifts and the rally fades, EOS could retest support at $0.663. A break below that would likely trigger further downside, potentially dragging the token back toward the $0.58 region.

Ondo Finance (ONDO)

Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is gaining serious momentum. The sector reached an all-time high of $22.5 billion, up 5.87% in the last 30 days.

Private credit accounts for $13.1 billion of the total, highlighting growing institutional interest in bridging TradFi with blockchain infrastructure.

Amid this surge, ONDO has emerged as one of the largest players in the RWA space, despite its token price slipping over 3% in the past 24 hours. Still, ONDO is up 16.2% over the last month, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the narrative.

ONDO Price Analysis.
ONDO Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Looking ahead, if bullish sentiment returns, ONDO could test resistance at $1.04. A breakout above that level may push the price toward $1.20.

However, if the correction deepens, the token faces key support levels at $0.86 and $0.819.

Should the downtrend accelerate, ONDO may fall further to $0.73 or even $0.663, making short-term price action heavily dependent on whether the broader hype around RWA and Made in USA coins continues or fades.

SUI

SUI has been gaining traction in recent months thanks to its growing meme coin ecosystem and expanding DEX infrastructure.

While its DEX volume surged 36.7% over the past week, it recorded the smallest increase among the top eight chains and currently ranks sixth in total DEX volume.

Despite this, market interest remains strong, with SUI up 83% in the last 30 days—though it has cooled slightly, slipping 1.25% over the past week.

SUI Price Analysis.
SUI Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Technically, SUI’s EMA lines still indicate bullish momentum.

If buyers regain control, the token could test resistance at $3.89, and a breakout there may open the path toward $4.24.

On the downside, if SUI fails to hold support at $3.63, the next targets are $3.27 and potentially $2.92 in the event of further selling pressure.

Kaspa (KAS)

Kaspa (KAS) has delivered strong performance recently, climbing 18.5% in the last seven days and 56.7% over the past month. Its market cap now stands at $3.17 billion, even as 24-hour trading volume has dipped by 20% to $99.38 million.

KAS Price Analysis.
KAS Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

EMA indicators suggest a potential golden cross formation, which could signal further upside. If momentum continues, KAS may test resistance at $0.155, and a successful breakout could push the price toward $0.188, making it one of the most interesting Made in USA coins for the weekend.

However, if the trend weakens, key support levels lie at $0.114 and $0.103. Losing those could trigger a deeper correction, with downside targets as low as $0.082.

Eigenlayer (EIGEN)

EigenLayer (EIGEN) has seen mixed price action this week—up 16% over the past seven days, but down 11% in the last 24 hours alone.

The recent drop pushed its price below $1.40 and dragged its market cap under the $400 million mark, signaling a potential cooldown after last week’s rally.

EIGEN Price Analysis.
EIGEN Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Despite the pullback, EIGEN’s EMA lines remain in a bullish formation. If the downtrend continues, the token may test key support at $1.22, with further downside possible toward $1.084 if that level fails.

However, if EigenLayer regains its prior momentum, it could retest resistance at $1.49, and a breakout there may pave the way for a move toward $1.63.

The post 5 Trending Made in USA Coins To Watch for the Weekend appeared first on BeInCrypto.

France Enforces Strict Security for Crypto Leaders After Latest Kidnappings

France responds with new security measures as a string of crypto kidnappings shakes the nation. With three happening in 2025, authorities believe the events are connected.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is working to arrest the perpetrators, protect leading crypto entrepreneurs, and train law enforcement. Still, the father of the most recent victim does not seem satisfied with the measures.

Crypto Kidnapping Wave Strikes France

Typically, crypto thefts take place through hacks and social engineering scams, but that isn’t always the case. In January, a French crypto co-founder was kidnapped in an attempt to steal his private key; he was rescued, but attackers cut a finger off.

Another kidnapping happened in early May, followed by a third attempted this week: a spree is burning through France.

In particular, the details of this last attempted kidnapping shocked the people of France. One woman, the daughter of an exchange’s CEO, was attacked in broad daylight with her partner and 2-year-old child present.

The incident was largely captured on video, further sparking public horror. In response, the authorities have introduced new security measures:

“These repeated kidnappings of professionals in the crypto sector will be fought with specific tools, both immediate and short-term, to prevent, dissuade and hinder in order to protect the industry,” claimed Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister.

France has enacted a few specific methods to counteract these ambitious kidnapping efforts. Several French crypto leaders have been invited to safety briefings and will receive priority access for emergency calls and regular home visits.

Additionally, law enforcement officers will undergo training on crypto money laundering to better target perpetrators.

Minister Retailleau claimed that several kidnappers have already been arrested. He is also organizing a meeting of France’s prominent crypto entrepreneurs, but the kidnapping victim’s father is unsatisfied.

Pierre Noziat, CEO of Paymium, told local reporters that he believed this upcoming meeting is only a “communications operation.”

Officials believe these kidnappings are all part of a greater ring, and are taking efforts to track and arrest its members across France.

Hopefully, their investigations will bear fruit. Other countries have also seen aggressive criminals stealing keys and hardware wallets, but a violent conspiracy like this is unprecedented.

The post France Enforces Strict Security for Crypto Leaders After Latest Kidnappings appeared first on BeInCrypto.

TradFi Stocks Show Bitcoin Exposure Is Not a Silver Bullet

TradFi’s relationship with Bitcoin continues to evolve, with 34 public corporations now holding a combined 699,387 BTC—worth over $72 billion. MicroStrategy remains the undisputed leader, holding 555,450 BTC alone.

While some view Bitcoin treasury strategies as bullish catalysts, the data tells a more nuanced story: adding BTC to a balance sheet isn’t a guaranteed stock booster. Outliers like Metaplanet have surged over 3,000% since their BTC entry, but many others have seen far more modest gains, or even declines.

Metaplanet Inc.

Metaplanet is a Japanese public company that has quickly transformed from a traditional business—formerly involved in hotel operations—into one of Asia’s most aggressive Bitcoin-focused firms. Its transformation shows how some TradFi players are reshaping their models around digital assets.

Since launching its Bitcoin Income Generation strategy in late 2024, the company has pivoted sharply toward crypto, with 88% of its Q1 FY2025 revenue—¥770 million ($5.2 million)—coming from Bitcoin option premium harvesting.

Metaplanet first added Bitcoin to its balance sheet in April 2024 and now holds 5,555 BTC worth approximately $576.8 million. Since that initial move, the company’s stock has soared over 3,000%, with recent filings showing a 15x increase in share price year-to-date.

METAPLANET Price Analysis.
METAPLANET Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

The firm’s aggressive BTC accumulation strategy—targeting 10,000 BTC by year-end—has drawn growing investor interest, expanding its shareholder base by 500% in a year.

Despite short-term valuation losses due to Bitcoin price fluctuations, Metaplanet reported ¥13.5 billion in unrealized BTC gains as of May 12, signaling strong confidence in its long-term crypto positioning.

NEXON

Nexon, a major Japanese gaming company behind global hits like Dungeon&Fighter and MapleStory, added Bitcoin to its balance sheet in April 2021 and currently holds 1,717 BTC—worth approximately $178.3 million.

Despite this sizable allocation, the move hasn’t paid off in terms of market performance, as Nexon’s stock is down nearly 29% since the purchase, showing how, for many TradFi firms, crypto exposure doesn’t necessarily translate into equity gains.

NEXON Price Analysis.
NEXON Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Unlike other firms that saw major investor enthusiasm from Bitcoin exposure, Nexon’s value remains more closely tied to the performance of its gaming franchises.

In its Q1 2025 earnings report, Nexon reported revenue of ¥113.9 billion, up 5% year over year, and operating income jumping 43% to ¥41.6 billion, driven by strong performance from core titles and lower costs.

Semler Scientific (SMLR)

Semler Scientific made its first Bitcoin purchase in May 2024 and currently holds 1,273 BTC, valued at approximately $132.2 million.

Since adopting Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset, the company’s stock has climbed over 55%.

While smaller in scale compared to top crypto treasury holders, Semler’s aggressive accumulation and performance have positioned it as a notable player in the Bitcoin corporate adoption narrative.

SMLR Price Analysis.
SMLR Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

In its Q1 2025 earnings call, Semler Scientific reported a mixed performance. Revenue dropped 44% year-over-year to $8.8 million, driven by declines in its healthcare segment, while operating losses widened to $31.1 million amid $39.9 million in expenses.

A net loss of $64.7 million was largely due to an unrealized loss of $41.8 million from Bitcoin price fluctuations.

Despite these setbacks, the company reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its BTC holdings through a $500 million ATM program and a $100 million convertible note.

Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has had a complex and headline-grabbing relationship with Bitcoin since adding it to its balance sheet in January 2021.

Musk, a long-time crypto enthusiast, has influenced market sentiment through both Tesla’s actions and his personal commentary on digital assets like BTC and Dogecoin. Tesla’s stock is up 34% since that initial Bitcoin buy, but the path has been volatile—peaking near $480 in late 2024 before collapsing below $107 in early 2023.

Despite the swings, Musk’s Bitcoin advocacy and Tesla’s early crypto exposure helped position the company as a bellwether for institutional adoption of crypto. Its journey reflects the volatility and complexity of crypto exposure within large TradFi companies, as BTC is up 212% in the same period.

TSLA Price Analysis.
TSLA Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

In its latest Q1 2025 earnings, however, Tesla posted disappointing results. Automotive revenue dropped 20% year-over-year to $14 billion, dragging total revenue down 9% to $19.34 billion, well below Wall Street estimates.

Net income plummeted 71% to $409 million, and operating margin collapsed to 2.1% as production upgrades, price cuts, and political uncertainty—including rising tariffs—weighed heavily on performance.

Amid declining deliveries and intensifying global competition, Tesla highlighted progress in energy storage and AI infrastructure.

Still, with shares down 41% year-to-date and Musk’s growing political involvement drawing further scrutiny, investors remain cautious as the company prepares for a potential robotaxi launch in June.

Block Inc. (Formerly Square) 

Block Inc., co-founded by Jack Dorsey, added Bitcoin to its balance sheet in October 2022 and currently holds 8,485 BTC, worth approximately $881 million.

Known for its early embrace of Bitcoin and crypto integration through Cash App, Block has positioned itself as one of the most prominent corporate Bitcoin holders.

Since its initial BTC acquisition, the stock has risen just 3.8%, reflecting a turbulent journey, peaking above $100 in December 2024, but also dropping to around $38.5 in November 2023 amid broader tech sector volatility and macroeconomic headwinds for TradFi.

XYZ Price Analysis.
XYZ Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Block’s Q1 2025 earnings revealed a mixed picture. The company missed both revenue and profit expectations, posting $5.77 billion in revenue versus the $6.2 billion expected.

Despite a 9% rise in gross profit to $2.29 billion, guidance for the rest of the year was cut due to macro uncertainty, including the impact of new tariffs.

Cash App’s gross profit rose 10% to $1.38 billion, thanks to the launch of Afterpay’s buy-now-pay-later feature and the expansion of its lending program under FDIC approval.

However, gross payment volume increased, and international exposure now accounts for 18% of the total volume.

While Block posted its most profitable quarter to date, shares are down 31% year-to-date, and investors remain cautious as the company prepares to deliver its first Bitcoin mining chips later this year.

The post TradFi Stocks Show Bitcoin Exposure Is Not a Silver Bullet appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Fake Eric Trump Meme Coin Rug Pulls After Hitting $160 Million Market Cap

A fake meme coin based on Eric Trump underwent a massive rug pull today, falling from a $160 million market cap to $30,000 almost instantly. The token displayed several dubious characteristics ahead of time.

The scammer tried to launch three failed Eric Trump tokens before this one started trending. One breakout success is more than enough to reward this duplicitous behavior.

Eric Trump Coin Gets Rug Pulled

Rug pull scams are a growing part of the crypto ecosystem, and fake meme coins are a core component of the “sector.” Today’s Eric Trump rug pull was particularly egregious, as it was clearly telegraphed in advance.

After the meme coin spiked 6,200% in less than a day, Bubblemaps investigated the asset, warning followers not to fall for it:

“A rug in the making. ERICTRUMP is currently trending on most platforms. Avoid it,” he stated several hours before the rug pull. The warning received more than 100,000 views.

Specifically, he noted that the token was bundled to an absurdly large degree. A small number of accounts held most Eric Trump tokens, facilitating an easier exit whenever the scammer decided to pull the rug.

Eric Trump Token Bundling
Eric Trump Token Bundling. Source: Bubblemaps

When President Trump launched his own meme coin, the saga that led to this scam began. TRUMP broke new ground in combining fame and political success to boost a cryptoasset’s value, and an official MELANIA token came out shortly afterward.

After this, fake coins and rug pulls began using other Trump family members’ names, including Eric.

Hackers promoted a fake BARRON coin in February, joining several other Trump-themed scams. Blockchain data reveals that the proprietor of this rug pull tried to launch three other Eric Trump coins before this one.

Those projects failed, but this coin started trending. Then, the scammer exited, and the token’s market cap fell from $160 million to $30,000 in the blink of an eye:

Eric Trump Rug Pull
Eric Trump Rug Pull. Source: CoinMarketCap

Even if the scammer’s first attempts failed, one multimillion-dollar success can go a very long way. It’s concerning that the ERIC TRUMP rug pull performed so well despite the blaring and well-publicized warning signs.

As long as cash grabs like this continue to succeed, they will damage the entire industry’s reputation and future.

The post Fake Eric Trump Meme Coin Rug Pulls After Hitting $160 Million Market Cap appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Sonic Price Drops 6% As Wintermute Offloads Token Holdings

Sonic publicly revealed that it ended its five-year partnership with Wintermute. A few hours prior, the market maker dumped over $850,000 in S tokens, causing a 6% price drop.

Wintermute was involved in a controversial token dump last month, but today’s events may be part of a normal business interaction. Sonic claimed no foul play, stating that the market maker sold token holdings to return loaned money.

Wintermute and Sonic Part Ways

Sonic (formerly Fantom) has been on an impressive run since launching its native token in January. It hit $1 billion in TVL in only 66 days, and continued its forward momentum with a Binance airdrop.

However, Sonic’s price fell dramatically over the last few hours, as the market maker Wintermute began offloading around $857,000 in S tokens.

Sonic price
Sonice (S) Price Chart. Source: TradingView

Intel Scout, a Sonic ecosystem decoder, was the first to connect S’s price action with Wintermute’s token dumping. He claimed that the market maker sold around 3 million S tokens in 24 hours, and several other whales disposed of even more.

Sonic’s anonymous Head of Strategy responded to these claims, revealing that the companies had split ways:

Sonic’s Head of Strategy went on to state that the company was in talks with several market makers to replace Wintermute.

Specifically, they claimed that CEX only support is “simply no longer enough,” and that this successor needs to proactively engage with Sonic’s DeFi ecosystem, community, apps, and developer team.

Even if Sonic and Wintermute had an amicable breakup, this is not the market maker’s first controversy. In January, the firm faced accusations of market manipulation after $20 million in transactions with Binance.

Last month, Wintermute’s token dump tanked ACT by 50%, only a few months after it partnered with the project. This also led to community outrage.

Nonetheless, today’s actions have not caused a similar scandal yet. If Sonic was dissatisfied with Wintermute’s actions, the company could’ve addressed this, but it didn’t.

It even gave a sympathetic reason for the token sales, explaining that Wintermute needed to return loaned funds. Wintermute, for its part, hasn’t said anything about the episode.

The post Sonic Price Drops 6% As Wintermute Offloads Token Holdings appeared first on BeInCrypto.