Ripple Unlocks $1 Billion in XRP as Bearish Momentum Builds

XRP is under pressure, down nearly 6% in the past 24 hours and teetering just above the $2 mark as bearish momentum builds. A $1.02 billion unlock from Ripple’s escrow has sparked fresh concerns about oversupply, with tokens moved to operational wallets possibly poised for distribution.

At the same time, network activity has collapsed 87% since mid-March and technical indicators like DMI and EMA lines suggest growing downside risk. With weakening trend strength and fading demand, XRP may struggle to hold key support levels unless a catalyst revives bullish sentiment.

Ripple Wallet Activity Sparks Fears

Onchain data shows that Ripple has unlocked 500 million XRP—worth around $1.02 billion—from its escrow account.

The tokens were moved from the “Ripple (27)” escrow address to two operational wallets, “Ripple (12)” and “Ripple (13),” potentially positioning them for distribution or sale.

While the escrow account still holds another 500 million XRP, the movement of such a large amount into accessible wallets often raises concerns about increased market supply. If Ripple sells a portion of these tokens, it could create short-term selling pressure on XRP’s price.

XRP DMI.
XRP DMI. Source: TradingView.

From a technical standpoint, XRP’s DMI chart is flashing bearish signals. The ADX, which measures trend strength, has sharply declined to 26.68 from 42.45 just two days ago, suggesting the recent trend is weakening.

Meanwhile, the +DI has dropped to 12.91, down from 22 yesterday—indicating a decline in bullish momentum. At the same time, the -DI has surged to 27.43 from 15.64, pointing to rising bearish pressure.

This shift in directional strength, combined with the large token unlock, suggests XRP may face further downside unless demand quickly absorbs the incoming supply.

XRP Network Activity Collapses 87%

XRP’s network activity surged to record highs in March, with 7-day active addresses reaching an all-time peak of 1.22 million on March 18.

However, that momentum quickly faded, with the number now plummeting to just 158,000—an 87% drop in less than three weeks.

This dramatic reversal suggests that the recent spike in engagement may have been short-lived or event-driven rather than indicative of sustained adoption or growing user demand.

7-Day XRP Active Addresses.
7-Day XRP Active Addresses. Source: Santiment.

Tracking 7-day active addresses is a key on-chain metric, offering insight into how frequently a token’s network is being used. High activity can signal strong user interest and utility, often aligning with price support or rallies.

On the other hand, sharp declines in active addresses—like what XRP is now experiencing—can signal waning demand, decreasing network usage, and potential selling pressure.

With such a steep drop in activity, XRP’s price may struggle to find an upside unless new catalysts reignite user engagement.

XRP Faces Strong Downtrend, But Eyes Rebound If Key Levels Break

XRP’s EMA structure clearly reflects a strong ongoing downtrend, with short-term moving averages positioned well below the long-term ones and a wide gap between them—signaling persistent bearish momentum.

Unless bulls step in soon, XRP price may be on track to test support around $1.90, a key level that has held in the past.

XRP Price Analysis.
XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

A break below it could expose the asset to further downside toward $1.77.

However, if XRP manages to reverse the current trend and regain upward momentum, it could climb to challenge resistance at $2.06.

A successful breakout above that level might pave the way for a continued rally toward $2.22.

The post Ripple Unlocks $1 Billion in XRP as Bearish Momentum Builds appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP Whales Sell $2.3 Billion Supply; Price Nearly Fell Below $2

XRP has been on a consistent downtrend in recent days, with its price falling sharply and approaching the $2 mark. This has resulted in extended losses for the cryptocurrency, with a notable rise in selling pressure.

Despite the bearish momentum, key investors are trying to offset the negative impact.

XRP Whales Are Uncertain

Whale activity has been a major factor contributing to the recent decline in XRP’s price. Addresses holding between 100 million and 1 billion XRP have sold over 1.12 billion XRP, worth $2.34 billion, in the past seven days. This has brought their total holdings down to 8.98 billion XRP. 

The selling activity from these whale addresses reflects a cautious outlook for XRP. While whale selling often indicates uncertainty in the market, it’s important to note that their behavior can also have significant short-term price movements. The recent heavy selling could signal that market participants are unsure about the short-term price action, and further bearish trends could follow if this continues.

XRP Whale Holdings
XRP Whale Holdings. Source: Santiment

On the broader market level, XRP’s macro momentum shows signs of divergence from the whale selling. The Liveliness metric, which tracks the behavior of long-term holders (LTHs), is currently declining.

A falling Liveliness typically signals that LTHs are accumulating more of the asset at lower prices rather than selling. This drop to a three-month low suggests that long-term holders are sticking to their conviction and accumulating XRP, even as whale selling intensifies.

The steady accumulation of LTHs might help cushion the bearish effects created by the whales. This behavior can counteract the selling pressure, potentially offering stability to XRP’s price and supporting a recovery if market conditions improve.

XRP Liveliness
XRP Liveliness. Source Glassnode

XRP Price Needs To Find Direction

XRP’s price has fallen by 14.5% this week, bringing it to $2.09, which is dangerously close to losing the critical $2.02 support level. The ongoing bearish momentum has created mixed signals in the market, which are likely to keep the price stuck in a narrow range for the time being.

If XRP can bounce back from the $2.02 support, it could recover some of the recent losses. However, the altcoin may remain consolidated below the $2.27 resistance level unless more positive news or market conditions arise to push it higher.

XRP Price Analysis
XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If XRP breaks through the $2.27 barrier or falls below $2.02, it could invalidate the current consolidation outlook. A successful breach of $2.27 could pave the way for a price recovery, with $2.56 being the next significant target.

The post XRP Whales Sell $2.3 Billion Supply; Price Nearly Fell Below $2 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Crypto Scams on the Rise: Gemini and Coinbase Customers Warned

Crypto scams are surging as more people flock to digital currencies, with fraudsters exploiting the industry’s rapid growth to deceive investors.

Recently, numerous crypto users reported receiving fraudulent emails claiming that the Gemini exchange had filed for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Coinbase Exchange has admitted that an employee illegally accessed user account information.

Gemini Exchange Addresses Bankruptcy Allegations

Multiple accounts highlighted the scam on social media, indicating that an email circulating falsely claims that Gemini has filed for bankruptcy. The email instructed users to withdraw to an Exodus wallet and provided a seed phrase.

These phishing emails, shared on April 1, urged recipients to withdraw their funds into a specified crypto wallet to protect their assets. This was an attempt to deceive users into transferring their cryptocurrencies to wallets controlled by scammers.

“Do not follow these directions. Please retweet to protect those that may have been doxxed and sent this email,” wrote Jason Williams, a contributor to Fox Business.

Phishing email targeting Gemini users
Phishing email targeting Gemini users. Source: Jason Williams on X

The deceptive emails alleged a substantial loss of $1.2 billion by Gemini Exchange. Understandably, some novice investors would heed this email and even move their assets to the address. After all, some victims of FTX Exchange contagion continue to pursue their funds even years after the incident.

“I got one also. It is better than your typical ‘Coin Base’ one, but still not quite there. Might fool a boomer though,” one X user remarked.

However, security experts advise users to always verify information through official channels, avoid clicking on unsolicited links, and refrain from sharing personal data. Gemini issued an official warning in response to the scam, acknowledging the threat against its users.

“We recently learned that some Gemini customers are being targeted with scam emails requesting users to transfer their crypto to outside wallets. Please be aware that Gemini will never request that you send crypto to outside wallets,” the exchange articulated.

Coinbase Admits Employee Illegally Accessed User Account Data

Coinbase exchange acknowledged a privacy violation by one of its staff in a somewhat related development. Specifically, a customer service employee accessed user account information without authorization.

This breach has raised concerns about potential scams targeting Coinbase users. Mike Dudas, a crypto investor and co-founder at The Block, shared an email from Coinbase acknowledging the incident.

“That explains the fake Coinbase phishing emails and phone calls today,” he stated.

Coinbase note to customers
Coinbase note to customers. Source: Mike Dudas on X

This breach coincides with reports of phishing attempts, as users have received fake emails and calls purporting to be from Coinbase. These incidents reflect a broader wave of crypto-related fraud.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT reported that Coinbase users lost over $65 million to social engineering scams between December 2024 and January 2025.

“Coinbase did not detect it; I sent them the intel,” the blockchain investigated noted.

Additionally, crypto analyst Cobie suggested Kraken might be experiencing a similar issue. Per his post, a new attack may be budding, where attackers infiltrate customer service roles to exfiltrate data.

“Kraken also recently hit with this too. Maybe a new scheme from attackers (get a CS agent employee in, exfil data),” the analyst remarked.

Amidst these events, ZachXBT recently explained how to avoid crypto scams. He emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research before engaging with new DeFi protocols, especially those forked from existing projects on newly launched EVM chains.

Additionally, he advises caution when dealing with projects with few credible followers, as these may indicate potential scams.

Therefore, it is imperative that users remain vigilant against sophisticated phishing scams and unauthorized data breaches.

The post Crypto Scams on the Rise: Gemini and Coinbase Customers Warned appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Cardano (ADA) Price Recovery Blocked by Weak Inflows and Skepticism

Cardano has faced a series of setbacks recently, with its price failing to break through key resistance levels and subsequently experiencing a decline. 

These struggles have left traders and investors feeling uncertain and bearish. The combination of weak inflows and skepticism among traders has stalled Cardano’s recovery.

Cardano Needs To Find Strength

For the past week, Cardano’s funding rate has fluctuated between positive and negative values, reflecting the unstable sentiment in the market. This fluctuation indicates that traders are attempting to capitalize on the price decline by placing short contracts. At the time of writing, short contracts dominate long positions, signaling that traders remain cautious and expect further declines.

This bearish sentiment is reinforced by the fact that short positions are outpacing long positions. As a result, the market is under heavy downward pressure, and there is little indication that a strong recovery is imminent unless there is a significant shift in trader behavior.

Cardano Funding Rate
Cardano Funding Rate. Source: Coinglass

Cardano’s macro momentum is also impacted by a lack of investor support, as shown by the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator. The CMF has been stuck below the zero line for the past three weeks, indicating that money is flowing out of Cardano, not into it. This suggests that investor confidence is low, which is a major barrier to price growth.

Although the CMF recently showed a slight uptick, the broader trend of negative netflows remains intact. The lack of sustained inflows signals that investor sentiment has weakened, making it challenging for Cardano to break free from its current bearish trend.

Cardano CMF
Cardano CMF. Source: TradingView

ADA Price Is Attempting to Recover Losses

Cardano’s price currently sits at $0.68, just under the crucial resistance level of $0.70. The altcoin appears to be on track for consolidation between $0.77 and $0.70. However, this consolidation could signal a lack of upward momentum and indicate a prolonged period of stability.

If ADA’s bearish sentiment persists, Cardano’s price could struggle to break the $0.70 barrier and instead slide further toward $0.62. This would mark a further decline and signal that the current price action is unlikely to result in a recovery without substantial shifts in market conditions or investor sentiment.

Cardano Price Analysis.
Cardano Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

On the other hand, if investors begin to see the current price as an opportunity, Cardano could breach $0.70 and potentially rise beyond $0.77, towards $0.85. This would invalidate the bearish outlook, opening the door for a more significant price rally. However, without a notable increase in support, Cardano’s price is likely to remain under pressure.

The post Cardano (ADA) Price Recovery Blocked by Weak Inflows and Skepticism appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin Logs Worst Q1 in 7 Years: Market Metrics Point to Brewing Bullish Momentum

Bitcoin (BTC) has faced a challenging start to 2025, recording its worst quarterly returns in seven years during Q1. 

This significant downturn has left investors questioning whether now is the time to buy or sell. 

Bitcoin’s Q1 Performance: A Seven-Year Low

Bitcoin’s performance in Q1 2025 has been its weakest since 2018, a year marked by a brutal bear market that saw BTC lose over 50% of its value. Data from Coinglass shows that Bitcoin’s performance in Q1 2025 has decreased by 11.82%. In Q1 2024, Bitcoin recorded an increase of more than 68%.

Bitcoin Price Performance.
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: Coinglass

According to a March 31, 2025, Bitcoin’s price has declined from $106,000 in December 2024 to around $80,200 by late March 2025. 

This drop reflects a combination of macroeconomic pressures and policy uncertainties, particularly following US President Donald Trump’s new tariff policies

Amid this bearish backdrop, on-chain data reveals a contrasting trend: Bitcoin whales are accumulating. A post from Santiment on X, dated March 31, 2025, reported that the number of whale addresses holding 1,000 to 10,000 BTC has reached 1,993.

This is the highest since December 2024. This represents a 2.6% increase over the past five weeks, signaling growing confidence among large holders. 

Bitcoin whale wallets (specifically 1K-10K $BTC holders) continue growing in number. Source: Santiment
Bitcoin whale wallets continue growing in number. Source: Santiment

Glassnode reported on March 31, 2025, that trading activity among Bitcoin holders with a 3-6 month horizon has dropped to its lowest level since June 2021. This decline indicates that short-term holders either hold steady or exit the market, reducing selling pressure. 

“Spending from BTC holders is at the lowest levels since mid-2021. This inactivity reinforces the idea that recent top buyers are holding their positions rather than exiting, despite recent volatility.” reported Glassnode.

Additionally, on the same day, Bitcoin’s supply on exchanges fell to 7.53%, the lowest since February 2018. Low exchange supply often correlates with long-term holding behavior, creating scarcity that can drive prices higher over time. Together, these metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering a phase of accumulation and consolidation.

Bitcoin’s supply on exchanges
Bitcoin’s supply on exchanges. Source: Santiment

Market analyst Axel Adler Jr. stated on X on April 1, 2025, that Bitcoin’s selling pressure has been exhausted. Adler predicts a consolidation range forming in April and May, suggesting that the market may stabilize before its next significant move.

Fidelity Research believes Bitcoin is gaining momentum for the next stage of its “acceleration phase.” Fidelity’s analysis draws on historical cycles, noting that periods of consolidation often precede major price increases. It is driven by institutional adoption and Bitcoin’s role as an inflation hedge. 

This aligns with the whale accumulation trend and the decreasing exchange supply, pointing to potential upward momentum in the medium to long term.

The post Bitcoin Logs Worst Q1 in 7 Years: Market Metrics Point to Brewing Bullish Momentum appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Coinbase Faces Worst Quarter Since FTX Collapse as Crypto Markets Struggle

Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, has recorded its worst quarter since the dramatic collapse of FTX in late 2022.

Coinbase’s stock (COIN) plummeted by 30% in Q1 2025, mirroring the steep losses seen across the broader crypto market.

Crypto Stocks and Assets Bleed Red in Q1

According to Bloomberg, the sharp decline has hit several other major crypto-related stocks as well. This includes Galaxy Digital, Riot Blockchain, and Core Scientific, all of which have experienced significant downturns.

Crypto Stocks in the Red Since Election Day. Source: Bloomberg

Furthermore, the broader crypto market is facing tough times. Bitcoin, which has long been considered the bellwether of digital assets, has dropped by 10% this quarter. More dramatically, Ethereum (ETH) has seen a staggering 45% decline. These losses reflect a broader downturn in the crypto market, fueled by several macroeconomic factors.

Analysts point to the global uncertainty surrounding the US economy, including concerns over Trump’s tariffs and recession fears. This has resulted in a general “risk-off” mood among investors.

“In a risk-off mood, no asset is safe stocks, crypto, all get hit. It’s more about sentiment than fundamentals in those moments,” an investor commented on X.

While some point to these macroeconomic pressures as the primary cause, others argue that the market’s underperformance is more due to lingering fears of trade wars and broader geopolitical instability.

“Trump’s trade wars are driving markets into a panic. As much as he is doing for crypto, the macro market conditions are speaking louder – as bullish as the news is from the white house – His trash trade war is squelching any price surge,” another X user remarked.

Coinbase has been hit especially hard in this downturn. Coinbase’s revenue model is heavily reliant on altcoins and transaction volumes beyond Bitcoin. Hence, the overall market drop could have made a mark on the exchange’s stock prices. Moreover, the news comes as Coinbase users have collectively lost more than $46 million to scams in March.

While crypto has been in a freefall, other assets have fared much better. Gold, for example, has surged, posting its best quarter since 1986 as investors flock to safer assets amid the market turmoil. The shift toward traditional assets is particularly noticeable as the post-election crypto hype, which briefly boosted Bitcoin’s value to $109,000, begins to fade.

Despite the overall market challenges, some crypto-related firms have shown resilience. MicroStrategy, led by CEO Michael Saylor, remains in the green year-to-date, bolstered by its substantial Bitcoin holdings.

For now, the crypto market is left to weather the storm, with analysts continuing to scrutinize the interplay of macroeconomic factors and its impact on digital assets.

The post Coinbase Faces Worst Quarter Since FTX Collapse as Crypto Markets Struggle appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Venus Protocol Breaks New Ground: Key Takeaways from Messari’s ‘State of Venus Q4 2024’ Report

In its latest “State of Venus Q4 2024” report, Messari offers a comprehensive analysis of Venus Protocol’s performance over the past quarter. The report highlights the protocol’s impressive growth, key innovations, and strategic advancements, particularly its sustained leadership on BNB Chain and continuous improvements in the DeFi space.

Robust Growth and Market Performance

In Q4 2024, Venus Protocol demonstrated strong performance, maintaining its status as the largest lending protocol on BNB Chain. The protocol continued to see substantial user adoption, with total value locked (TVL) remaining resilient despite broader market fluctuations. The quarter also saw significant improvements in liquidity, borrowing demand, and supply-side growth.

Protocol Enhancements and Security Measures

Venus Protocol made key technical advancements in Q4, enhancing its risk management framework to improve capital efficiency while maintaining robust security. The team introduced new governance proposals aimed at optimizing reserve factors, improving oracle reliability, and refining liquidation mechanics. These updates ensure Venus remains one of the most secure and efficient lending platforms in the DeFi space.

Expansion and Ecosystem Growth

The report highlights Venus’s continued ecosystem expansion, with integrations into new chains and collaborations that strengthen its cross-chain lending capabilities. Additionally, the protocol has deepened its partnerships with leading DeFi platforms to enhance liquidity and utility for its users.

Looking Ahead

With a strong foundation and a clear roadmap for 2025, Venus Protocol remains focused on innovation and sustainability. Future developments include further enhancements to its risk engine, governance refinements, and the potential expansion to additional blockchain networks.

Venus Protocol’s Q4 2024 report underscores its position as a market leader in decentralized finance, reaffirming its commitment to providing a secure, efficient, and scalable lending platform for users worldwide.

For more details, read the full Q4 2024 report on Messari

About Venus Protocol

Venus Protocol is the leading decentralized lending and borrowing platform on BNB Chain, offering users seamless access to crypto-backed loans, yield generation, and an innovative governance model. By providing a secure, efficient, and scalable DeFi ecosystem, Venus empowers users to maximize their digital asset holdings.

The post Venus Protocol Breaks New Ground: Key Takeaways from Messari’s ‘State of Venus Q4 2024’ Report appeared first on BeInCrypto.

What Comes After 200 Million Downloads? Trust Wallet’s Eowyn Chen Charts the Next Moves

Trust Wallet surpassed 200 million downloads this year and ranked as the most downloaded wallet globally in March 2025. As more users look for direct control over their digital assets, the company is shifting its focus from simple storage to a broader set of tools for interacting with Web3.

In this interview, CEO Eowyn Chen discusses Trust Wallet’s product direction, the growing role of AI, and what it takes to design accessible tools without compromising on autonomy. She also reflects on her leadership approach and the long-term vision behind the company’s push toward user empowerment.


Eowyn Chen: Being a Web3 companion means showing up for users across every step of their journey—not just storing assets, but helping them safely explore, learn, and engage. The wallet is no longer just a tool; it’s the interface to the future economy. That means abstracting technical hurdles, offering helpful context when users need it, and keeping them protected along the way. 

For us, it’s also about values—standing on the user’s side, upholding self-custody, and enabling freedom without compromise. Whether someone is making their first swap or interacting with an AI-powered dApp, the wallet should feel like a trusted guide, not a challenge to overcome.


BeInCrypto: Hitting 200 million downloads and topping March 2025’s global wallet charts is no small feat. What do you believe this milestone says about the direction of user behavior in Web3, and what signals are you paying the most attention to?

Eowyn Chen: This milestone shows that users are increasingly prioritizing autonomy, access, and ownership. Self-custody is no longer just for early adopters—it’s becoming a mainstream expectation. 

We’re also seeing strong demand for tools that make Web3 simpler without sacrificing control. That means onboarding must improve, cross-chain interactions must feel seamless, and safety must be embedded into the experience. 

At a deeper level, we’re tracking signals beyond just volume: retention, confidence, and the kinds of real-world problems users are trying to solve with Web3 tools. Our job is to listen closely and build with intention, not just scale for growth’s sake.

Eowyn Chen: It’s a fine balance, but an essential one. The ethos of self-custody means putting users in control—but that shouldn’t mean putting them through unnecessary friction. We’re working to abstract away pain points like gas fees, key management, and confusing transaction flows, while still keeping users informed and empowered. Our approach is to blend technical standards (like account abstraction) with intuitive UX and even AI-driven assistance. The goal is to make the complexity feel seamless—so users don’t need to think about what’s under the hood, only that it works, and they’re in control.


BeInCrypto: You’ve spoken about Trust Wallet evolving into something like the “Revolut of Web3.” What does that analogy look like in practice—and how do onramps, token discovery, and scam protection play into that larger ambition?

Eowyn Chen: Think of it as combining the polish and ease of a Web2 fintech app with the freedom and transparency of Web3. 

In practice, this means enabling users to move smoothly across experiences: accessing crypto with fiat, discovering real on-chain opportunities, engaging with dApps, and avoiding threats like scams or fake tokens. It’s about building a unified experience where everything—from token discovery to protection to exploration—feels cohesive and trusted. 

We’re not trying to replace banks or exchanges, but to offer a self-custody alternative that feels just as seamless and far more empowering.


BeInCrypto: TWT utility is growing beyond governance into a more integrated part of the user journey. What role do you see it playing in strengthening user retention, trust, and community participation in 2025 and beyond?

Eowyn Chen: We’re focused on aligning TWT utility with meaningful user value. That includes areas like supporting gas fees, boosting staking rewards, or unlocking loyalty and referral benefits. 

The more TWT becomes part of the everyday user experience—without compromising security or sovereignty—the more it can help strengthen long-term engagement. It’s not about short-term incentives, but creating mechanisms that reward participation, build trust, and reinforce community ownership over time.


BeInCrypto: With AI-powered assistance becoming part of Trust Wallet’s interface, how do you balance the value of helpful automation with the responsibility of preserving user agency and privacy?

Eowyn Chen: We believe AI can enhance self-custody, not replace it. The key is giving users smarter context, not taking decisions out of their hands. Whether it’s flagging a suspicious address, summarizing a transaction, or helping someone troubleshoot an issue, AI should feel like a co-pilot—not a black box. 

Privacy is non-negotiable, so we’re building AI in ways that don’t compromise control or expose sensitive data. The vision is a wallet that knows you well enough to help, but respects your boundaries. It’s about trust, transparency, and user-first design at every layer.


BeInCrypto: You’ve led Trust Wallet through volatile markets and deep technical shifts. What has shaped your leadership style most—and how do you keep your team aligned with a long-term mission when the industry often rewards short-term hype?

Eowyn Chen: Resilience, clarity, and values. This industry moves fast, but we’ve seen time and again that chasing hype doesn’t build lasting trust. 

What grounds me is staying close to our users and our mission: to empower people with ownership, access, and opportunity. I try to lead with transparency—sharing both our ambitions and our challenges—and to create space for builders to experiment without losing sight of why we’re here. 

The best ideas often come from people who deeply care, so part of leadership is protecting that space while still moving decisively.


BeInCrypto: Looking ahead, what would success look like for Trust Wallet not just in terms of users or revenue, but in terms of reshaping how people interact with digital value every day?

Eowyn Chen: A big part of success means users don’t even have to think about the word “Web3”—they just do what they need to do, confidently and securely. Whether it’s sending money to family, collecting rewards, securely storing their crypto assets, or interacting with a digital ID, their wallet handles it naturally. 

We want to help make self-custody the default experience—not just for crypto, but for digital value in all forms. 

If we’ve done our job right, users will feel more empowered, more connected, and more in control of their digital lives—not just because of Trust Wallet, but because of what it enabled them to do.

The post What Comes After 200 Million Downloads? Trust Wallet’s Eowyn Chen Charts the Next Moves appeared first on BeInCrypto.

PureFi Advances Privacy-Based ZK Compliance Infrastructure for Institutional-Grade DeFi Protocols 

PureFi, a ZK privacy-based compliance infrastructure provider for institutional grade DeFi projects like Panther protocol, Astra DAO and RAILGUN has launched the integration of its advanced AML/KYC framework directly into Uniswap V4’s smart contract. This upgrade addresses critical security gaps by enforcing regulatory compliance at the protocol level, ensuring all transactions undergo verification before execution—effectively closing loopholes exploited by malicious actors. 

Protocol-Level Compliance: Closing Security Gaps at the Core

Unlike traditional security solutions that apply compliance measures solely at the front-end, PureFi’s technology embeds verification into the blockchain’s core logic. This ensures compliance persists even when users bypass interfaces and interact directly with smart contracts, the same method used in the recent Bybit hack when the Lazarus Group was able to swap 8000 mETH using Uniswap. PureFi was created with the aim of enabling tailored, rules-based compliance without compromising the core values of decentralization and privacy.

“Combating on-chain criminality is absolutely essential to not only ensuring privacy sets like RAILGUN can safely grow, it’s also vital to the sustainability of DeFi. PureFi is leading the way in real time analytics to keep you and your funds safe on-chain.” – Railgun Team

Bridging Compliance with Decentralization: PureFi’s Uniswap V4 Integration

Built on Uniswap V4, PureFi Dex demonstrates how decentralized exchanges (DEXs) can align with regulatory standards without compromising decentralization. Its architecture includes:

  • Custom Compliance Routers: Replacing standard Uniswap interfaces with protocol-specific routers.
  • Level Based Verification: A dynamic system scaling checks based on transaction volume:
    • Low-volume: Basic identity and sanctions screening.
    • Mid-volume: Enhanced liveness checks and source-of-funds validation.
    • High-volume: Comprehensive KYC, risk-based wallet scoring, and real-time monitoring.

“We’re not enforcing compliance on DeFi. We’re giving protocols the tools to interact with new user groups — especially institutions — in a secure, privacy-preserving way. And we’re doing it in a way that anticipates future regulation, while respecting today’s decentralization ethos.” – Slava Demchuk, CEO, PureFi Protocol

PureFi vs. Predicate:  The Competitive Edge in DeFi Compliance

PureFi’s framework outperforms alternatives like Predicate through:

  1. Centralized Issuer Reliability: A unified issuer service powered by AMLBot’s compliance engine and integrated KYC/KYT providers ensures consistency. Predicate’s reliance on multiple third-party Operators introduces fragmentation risks.
  2. Hybrid Transaction Security: Combining co-signed transactions with user-managed whitelists reduces delays for institutional traders while maintaining compliance. Whitelisted addresses engaging in suspicious activity are revoked instantly.
  3. Unified KYC/AML Workflow: Unlike Predicate’s disjointed compliance tools, PureFi integrates both checks into a single system.
  4. Progressive Enforcement: Cumulative transaction thresholds mirror centralized exchange (CEX) standards, enabling adaptive compliance.

Features: Enabling Secure, Privacy-Preserving, and Compliant DeFi

🔹 Rule-Based and Customizable

PureFi’s system isn’t about enforcing blanket KYC — it’s about enabling contextual compliance. Protocols and institutions can define flexible rules (e.g., based on transaction volume or risk profiles) and adapt over time. Since global DeFi regulation is still evolving, we mirrored existing CeFi compliance frameworks to provide a usable starting point and future customise the rule-based approach based on the regulations and market demand. 

🔹 PureFi Is Built On SSI Concept

Our initial design was based on the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) principle — putting control in the user’s hands. However, due to practical and legal constraints (like GDPR, which does not recognize users as data controllers in a VASP context), we developed a more robust, on-chain identity system that preserves decentralization while meeting compliance needs. When regulations mature to allow a truly decentralized SSI setup, our infrastructure is ready to support it.

🔹 Zero-Knowledge Proofs at the Core

Privacy is not an afterthought — it’s fundamental. PureFi uses ZK proofs so that once a user is verified, no personal data is revealed to third parties or the DeFi protocol itself. The system simply checks whether a user meets a predefined rule — nothing more, nothing less.

A Blueprint for Future Regulation-Ready DeFi

PureFi Dex is currently operational for UFI/BNB trading pair, offering a blueprint for secure, regulation-ready DeFi platforms. Its modular design allows seamless updates to compliance rules via off-chain configuration, eliminating the need for smart-contract redeployment as regulations evolve.

About PureFi

PureFi specializes in blockchain-native compliance solutions, enabling DeFi protocols, institutions, and traders to meet global regulatory standards without sacrificing decentralization. PureFi DEX enables fully compliant DeFi swaps and liquidity management for Hedge funds, trading desks and institutions.

The post PureFi Advances Privacy-Based ZK Compliance Infrastructure for Institutional-Grade DeFi Protocols  appeared first on BeInCrypto.

NeoTech Lands Major City Deal as Romania’s Târgu Mureș Scales Its Digital Twin Infrastructure

A city-wide smart infrastructure initiative enters a new phase with a multi-million-dollar expansion and a growing Web3 footprint.

Târgu Mureș, located in central Romania, is actively using NeoTech’s AI-powered 3D mapping technology to modernize urban systems. This is not a new move; the partnership began back in 2022, with strong support from local officials. 

Through NeoTech’s 2 cm-accurate 3D mapping, the city can model roads, buildings, public green spaces, and infrastructure assets in high fidelity. This data is already being applied to real-world planning, from simulating public works projects to visualizing zoning decisions.

In one notable use case, Târgu Mureș opened an international architectural competition using NeoTech’s 3D models. Architects worldwide used the digital twin to design a new parking structure entirely virtually without ever stepping foot in the city.

From Infrastructure to On-Chain Revenue

In collaboration with both the City Hall and Mureș County Council, NeoTech is now executing a seven-figure agreement to expand its digital twin infrastructure across the region, making it one of the most comprehensive municipal 3D mapping deployments in Eastern Europe.

The latest phase of the partnership will see over $100,000 in revenue reinvested directly into the NEOT token ecosystem. This approach connects physical infrastructure with digital economies, starting from a city contract to platform revenue to on-chain buybacks and token utility.

It’s a tangible demonstration of how Web3 technology can serve public sector goals while supporting tokenized ecosystems.

Political Support and Long-Term Vision

Mayor Zoltan Soos has been a supporter of the technology, noting the city’s ability to track investments, improve accountability, and forecast urban change, all through NeoTech’s interface.

“We are impressed by the results… We can follow in real time all the costs, budget and investments,” said the Mayor.

This kind of support highlights the growing institutional appetite for decentralized platforms that offer practical value.

What Sets NeoTech Apart

NeoTech combines LiDAR-based scanning, AI-powered processing, and blockchain-based asset tokenization, all into a single platform. Its sub-2cm digital twins are used not only by city governments but also by metaverse developers, real estate firms, and virtual tourism platforms.

Key features include:

  • Ultra-precise mapping for smart cities
  • NFT-based asset ownership for real-world locations
  • Tokenized infrastructure with built-in monetization
  • B2B marketplace for licensing digital assets

The company has already scanned over 500 cities across seven countries, with more deployments in progress. Unlike traditional GIS platforms that silo data, NeoTech enables shared access, tokenized ownership, and decentralized governance. Assets can be rented, traded, or used in metaverse applications, all tied back to verifiable real-world locations.

This model opens up new possibilities in areas like: urban planning, digital advertising, immersive simulations, AI training datasets, on-chain asset trading, etc.

Looking Ahead

With Târgu Mureș as a leading example, NeoTech is now in discussions with additional municipalities and private sector partners in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The goal is to expand the smart city network and the on-chain economy that supports it.

As cities continue to explore new models for managing data, planning infrastructure, and engaging citizens, NeoTech offers a working blueprint.

About NeoTech

NeoTech is a leading AI-powered 3D mapping and RWA tokenization company with a strong foundation in enterprise geospatial solutions. Having worked with governments, municipalities, and businesses in Romania, NeoTech is now expanding into Web3 to bring real-world asset ownership to blockchain.

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