Ripple’s Hidden Road Wins FINRA Approval: What It Means for XRP’s Future

Ripple’s recently acquired Hidden Road has secured a broker-dealer license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This marks a significant milestone in expanding its prime brokerage services for institutional investors. 

Market watchers see it as a deliberate strategy by Ripple to build infrastructure and position itself for future growth. That being said, traders are expecting that XRP’s value will rise later.

Ripple Expands Institutional Presence with Hidden Road’s FINRA License

According to the latest press release, Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC was granted approval. The license now enables the firm to provide a broader suite of regulatory-compliant services, including clearing, financing, and prime brokerage for fixed-income assets to institutions.

Noel Kimmel, President of Hidden Road, highlighted that the license was a pivotal development for the company. According to him, it enhances Hidden Road’s ability to operate in traditional financial (TradFi) markets.

“As a FINRA member, we will be able to bring our best-in-class, technology-driven fixed income service offering to an expanded universe of institutional clients. Our business has tremendous momentum, and we look forward to continuing to provide superior execution and support to our clients amidst today’s exceptionally dynamic market environment,” Kimmel said.

The FINRA approval follows Ripple’s $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road. Announced on April 8, 2025, this was one of the largest deals in the digital assets sector. 

The move positions Ripple as the first cryptocurrency company to own a global, multi-asset prime broker. Experts believe the acquisition and subsequent license are part of a broader strategy Ripple is employing. 

“Hidden Road just secured a broker-dealer license right after Ripple’s acquisition. This isn’t a coincidence, it’s a statement. XRP is not playing checkers. It’s playing regulatory chess,” an analyst wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Is Ripple Behind XRP’s Low Price? Analyst Thinks So

In fact, analysts also claim that XRP’s neutral reaction to recent milestones isn’t a sign of weakness but rather a strategic move. In a recent analysis, crypto analyst Levi argued that the current price of XRP, hovering around $2, is not coincidental, but rather a result of Ripple’s deliberate approach.

He suggested that the low price is designed to allow Ripple to operate under the radar while making key strategic moves, such as the Hidden Road acquisition. 

“Hidden Road isn’t a flex. It’s infrastructure. It’s the final puzzle piece — giving Ripple a fully integrated, lightning-fast, global value settlement system,” he stated.

The analyst emphasized that while the public focused on Ripple’s legal battles with the SEC, the company quietly built its global value settlement system behind the scenes.

“XRP at $2 isn’t undervalued — it’s deliberately suppressed. When the switch flips, the revaluation won’t be gradual — it’ll be instant,” Levi noted.

In his view, those who have invested early will be positioned to benefit as the market shifts. Meanwhile, XRP, after hitting an all-time high earlier this year, has continued to decline. 

XRP Price Performance
XRP Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

At press time, the altcoin was trading at $2.0. According to BeInCrypto data, this represented a decline of 1.0% over the past day.

The post Ripple’s Hidden Road Wins FINRA Approval: What It Means for XRP’s Future appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Gate.io’s 12-Year Milestone: Ecosystem Reconstruction and Future Blueprint Behind GT’s Value Surge

In the fast-evolving world of digital assets, 12 years marks a period of deep engagement that spans nearly the entire lifecycle of the industry. From early exploration to becoming a witness to the industry’s development, every step Gate.io has taken has been closely tied to market cycles, technological evolution, and shifting user demands. This has not been a linear journey but a long-term game of trust, technology, and forward-looking judgment.

Looking back, Gate.io has evolved from a product-oriented platform focused solely on cryptocurrency trading into a global ecosystem covering asset trading, asset management, public chains, industry research, and Web3 infrastructure. This transformation represents not a mere quantitative accumulation but a qualitative leap. Every product upgrade and strategic pivot has been a deep reflection and practical exploration of ecosystem efficiency and user core value.

Now, in its 12th year, Gate.io has chosen GT as the key anchor connecting the past and the future. GT is not just the value carrier of the ecosystem’s operations but also shoulders multiple missions including brand revitalization, mechanism restructuring, and community engagement. At this pivotal point, GT is taking on a central role in reshaping ecosystem value with clearer positioning and more open architecture, activating the next phase of growth.

Anniversary Celebration and Brand Evolution: Crossing from Trading to Ecosystem

Gate.io’s 12th anniversary celebration is not only a tribute to its past achievements but also a key milestone for its brand strategy upgrade. From a cryptocurrency trading platform to a global ecosystem giant, Gate.io‘s transformation is reflected in every detail. 

The upgrade of the brand name and the revamp of the visual identity signify not just superficial changes but a redefinition of the brand’s core. The new brand image conveys a message of greater professionalism and credibility, aligning with the global and futuristic positioning of Web3 and providing strong trust support for GT’s value.

GT, as the core token of the Gate.io ecosystem, has long surpassed the role of a mere trading medium. It runs through the entire ecosystem, connecting user rights, ecosystem applications, and market growth, becoming a true super token. On the occasion of the 12th anniversary, GT’s value logic is undergoing profound changes. The platform’s sustained growth, the breakthrough in user numbers, and continuous ecosystem expansion have all laid a solid foundation for GT’s value appreciation. And this is just the beginning.

Platform Growth and Resonating Demand for GT

In the first quarter of 2025, Gate.io’s user base surpassed 22 million. This surge in users not only signifies increased platform activity but also drives growth in both spot and derivatives trading volumes. These increases, through the buyback and burn mechanism, further feed back into GT’s value.

The deflationary model is a crucial pillar supporting GT’s value growth. To date, over 170 million GT have been cumulatively burned, with a destruction value of approximately $408 million. The continuous reduction in circulating supply is enhancing GT’s scarcity. 

This scarcity, combined with the ongoing growth in user numbers and trading volume, provides a solid foundation for further value appreciation. GT’s value is reflected not only in trading but also in its unique properties as an ecosystem token. As the platform continues to expand, the demand for GT will only keep increasing.

GT Holder Rights Upgrade and Value Closed-Loop

GT’s holding mechanism is continuously being optimized, progressively building a “holding equals earning” closed-loop system of value. Based on holding GT, users can enjoy multiple benefits, including trading fee discounts, Launchpool participation rights, and HODLer rewards. Paired with the VIP tier system, GT holders can unlock more personalized services and higher-tier earning structures.

CMC data shows that the number of GT holders has continued to rise since the beginning of the first quarter, and GT’s market cap ranking has climbed to 40th globally. These trends indicate that user trust in GT is strengthening, and holding behavior is shifting from short-term speculation to long-term allocation. Changes in the holding structure help stabilize the price and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the platform’s ecosystem.

The enhancement of the rights mechanism is not just about incentivizing active users; it also showcases GT’s capability to unlock ecosystem value. By deeply binding token holding with ecosystem revenue, Gate.io is gradually releasing GT’s intrinsic value potential, promoting its application and recognition across wider scenarios.

Breaking Out of the Ecosystem: Global Resource Integration Empowering GT

Gate.io’s brand evolution is not merely a visual refresh but marks strategic repositioning. Through the unified presentation of the new name and visual system, the platform conveys a stronger sense of professionalism and trust, aligning with Web3’s globalized, technological, and future-forward aesthetic standards. This change not only enhances brand recognition but also injects a stable cognitive foundation into GT’s market value.

Focusing on “ecosystem expansion” as the core direction, Gate.io is actively expanding partnerships with world-class IPs. Deep collaborations with FC Internazionale Milano and Oracle Red Bull Racing in F1 not only increase brand visibility in the international market but also introduce GT into broader consumer scenarios. Through such cross-sector partnerships, the platform successfully bridges the crypto world with mainstream sports culture, establishing a connection between token value and user emotions.

At the same time, the application boundaries of GT are being redefined. It is evolving from a trading medium into a cross-scenario connector, sparking new possibilities across industries like sports, entertainment, and consumer goods. This cross-industry integration allows GT to move beyond internal digital asset circulation and gradually assume the critical role of linking the real world with the Web3 ecosystem. In the future, with continued global resource integration, GT’s ecosystem value is poised to leap to a higher level.

GT’s Growth Potential: Core Logic and Market Expectations

Historical data shows that GT often outperforms BTC during bull markets, demonstrating strong resilience and valuation recovery capabilities. As a platform token, its price fluctuations are highly correlated with industry cycles, giving it significant room for revaluation when the market recovers. The overall industry rebound provides external momentum, while Gate.io’s ongoing ecosystem expansion builds internal support, creating a dual foundation for GT’s growth.

Currently, Gate.io’s ecosystem is forming a positive feedback loop. Growth in user numbers helps drive platform revenue, increased revenue enhances GT’s buyback and burn efforts, deflationary effects further boost market prices, and rising prices, in turn, attract new users. This “flywheel effect” strengthens the value closed-loop between the platform and the token, creating a long-term upward drive system for GT.

The token burn mechanism is a core element of GT’s deflationary model. As scarcity gradually accumulates, GT’s pricing power in the market is steadily enhanced. The expansion of Gate.io’s ecosystem not only brings more application scenarios but also provides stronger intrinsic value support for GT. From supply-demand dynamics to deflationary logic and evolving user behavior, multiple factors are now shaping the core growth logic behind GT’s potential.

12th Anniversary: A Short-Term Catalyst for GT Value Release

To celebrate its 12th anniversary, Gate.io has launched multiple user incentive programs, including airdrops, the WCTC S7 trading competition, and high-yield staking opportunities, aimed at boosting GT’s market activity in the short term. These initiatives are expected to drive greater user participation, increase GT’s usage frequency, and enhance its market visibility. Furthermore, through these activities, new users may gradually be converted into long-term holders, further strengthening the ecosystem’s stickiness.

The anniversary incentives are designed to work synergistically. Airdrops increase GT’s market exposure and attract new users to the platform. Trading competitions, through ranking and rewards, drive higher trading activity. Staking incentives encourage users to hold GT longer, extending the participation cycle. These measures not only unlock short-term value but also lay a solid foundation for long-term ecological growth.

Importantly, the focus of this anniversary celebration is not merely short-term market stimulation. Instead, it aims to drive full-cycle user conversion from awareness to engagement, through a key milestone event. As users become more integrated into the ecosystem through participation, GT’s value support base will be further solidified. Compared to short-lived price fluctuations, long-term value accumulation carries greater strategic significance, and this anniversary serves as a critical trigger point for that transformation.

GT: A Value Carrier in the Web3 Era

After 12 years of development, Gate.io has expanded its ecosystem and integrated global resources, pushing the boundaries of its platform token. GT has evolved beyond a simple trading tool, emerging as a “passport of rights” within the Web3 ecosystem. This transformation is not a mere extension of its functionality but a deep evolution driven by strategic upgrades, compliance initiatives, and technological innovation. GT is now entering a new phase of value revaluation.

GT’s core value is no longer limited to scarcity or platform-driven price support. As an ecological token, GT plays a pivotal role in resource allocation, rights distribution, and user engagement. Gate.io’s continuous efforts in product diversification, cross-industry collaboration, and global expansion are steadily broadening GT’s practical applications and strengthening its intrinsic value.

The 12th anniversary marks the completion of one development cycle and the starting point for the next growth phase. GT’s future extends beyond the platform itself; it is being embedded into the broader trajectory of the Web3 era. Against the backdrop of accelerating ecosystem integration, GT is poised to become a critical hub connecting on-chain and off-chain applications, establishing itself as a core asset in the emerging digital economy.

Disclaimer The content herein does not constitute any offer, solicitation, or recommendation. You should always seek independent professional advice before making any investment decisions. Please be noted that Gate.io may restrict or prohibit the use of all or a portion of the Services from Restricted Locations. For more information, please read the User Agreement.

The post Gate.io’s 12-Year Milestone: Ecosystem Reconstruction and Future Blueprint Behind GT’s Value Surge appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Wifi Dabba CEO Karam Lakshman on Using BONK and DePIN to Help Connect India

According to Wifi Dabba CEO and founder Karam Lakshman, India’s rapid digital growth has outpaced its broadband infrastructure, leaving hundreds of millions without stable access. He believes decentralized networks may offer a way to bridge that gap, using global capital, local deployment partners, and tokenized incentives to scale internet access cost-efficiently.

Wifi Dabba is putting that belief into practice. After seven years of operating in India’s broadband space, the Bangalore-based provider is now repositioning itself as a decentralized physical infrastructure network, or DePIN project.

In a recent interview with BeInCrypto, Lakshman discussed the company’s latest initiative to partner with BONK, one of Solana’s most active communities. Through this collaboration, Wifi Dabba aims to deploy 10,000 decentralized Wi-Fi hotspots across underserved regions in India.

A Network Too Big to Scale the Old Way

India is the world’s second-largest telecom market, with more than 800 million 4G and 5G subscribers. Yet when it comes to broadband, the country lags behind. Lakshman points out that while the United States has over 120 million broadband connections and China has more than 600 million, India counts only about 40 million.

“India developed rather quickly in the last 20 years, and we skipped the broadband step,” he said. “So there’s this mad race that’s happening now in India to build broadband networks.”

Wifi Dabba’s early work included powering segments of Google public Wi-Fi programs and helping the Indian government shape national telecom policy. But as the company expanded its own branded network, Lakshman said they discovered just how limited broadband access really was.

“We didn’t realize that the stat was so bad. Only five percent of India has broadband internet. We really thought most people did. So to us, that was the biggest eye-opener,” Lakshman told BeInCrypto.

In response, Dabba restructured its model around a decentralized deployment system powered by tokenized incentives. The premise is straightforward. Anyone in the world can purchase a Dabba Lite hotspot, and instead of receiving the device themselves, the company installs it in a home or office in India where there’s real demand.

“By decoupling the person that owns the hotspot from where the hotspot is going to be deployed, we do two incredibly powerful things. The first is it allows us to match supply and demand more efficiently because we’re deploying only in places where people need it and are willing to pay for it. The second is that the person buying the hotspot, like someone sitting in the US, ends up subsidizing the cost of that internet connection for someone in India,” he explained.

What Crypto Looks Like When the End User Doesn’t Know It’s There

For the person receiving internet access, Dabba’s system doesn’t feel like crypto at all. It’s a standard broadband connection, paid in fiat, installed in their home or business. What stands out to users is the price. Dabba’s service can be three to ten times cheaper than other options.

Some grow curious after noticing the discount. Dabba shares a small portion of its native token with users, which they can use for future discounts or trade on a decentralized exchange. For many, it becomes their first interaction with crypto. This time, it’s tied directly to a useful service.

Lakshman put it simply. “For the people who are curious, they learn what crypto is through a real benefit. For the people who aren’t, they just get a cheap, reliable broadband connection. And they’re happy.”

A Meme Coin Meets a Connectivity Mission

This model, which lets global participants fund local connectivity, is now being tested at scale through a new campaign with BONK. Earlier this month, the company launched a collaboration with BONK, a Solana-based meme coin project with a large and engaged user base. 

The campaign will see 10,000 Dabba Lite hotspots reserved for BONK participants. Each device will trigger a $20 burn in BONK tokens at activation, followed by monthly $2 burns over 18 months.

Although the choice to work with BONK might seem unconventional at first glance, Lakshman sees it as a strategic step toward bringing DePIN to a broader audience.

“We took a long look at how to increase awareness of DePIN within the broader crypto community. Most people in the space haven’t even heard of it. Our strategy is to expand to one vertical at a time, and communities were the first,” Lakshman outlined.

According to Lakshman, BONK stood out for its long-term focus and surprising depth of utility. He pointed to existing BONK-backed projects and tools like BONKbot and Bonkler, as well as the community’s role in driving Solana Saga phone adoption. But scale was also a factor.

“BONK has almost a million wallet holders, and they’ve proven they know how to get a message across. If one of the biggest challenges in DePIN is awareness, BONK gives us distribution.”

The partnership ties token burns directly to real-world usage. BONK is only burned when a hotspot is deployed and data is consumed. This mechanism, Lakshman said, creates a clear link between network activity and token utility.

“We wanted to attract people who care about long-term utility. When a BONK holder sees tokens being burned only when the internet is being used, it shows that real work is being done. It connects utility with belief.”

The post Wifi Dabba CEO Karam Lakshman on Using BONK and DePIN to Help Connect India appeared first on BeInCrypto.

ECB Rate Cuts Reflect Europe’s Fading Influence on the Crypto Market

The European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates by another 25 basis points today, but the crypto market has hardly noticed. This highlights the European market’s declining influence over the crypto sector compared to the US.

Meanwhile, the crypto community is praying for rate cuts in the US, and false tariff rumors caused a massive pump. These policies still matter, but Europe is losing its macro influence.

The ECB Cuts Rates To Crypto Ambivalence

Global recession fears are circulating throughout the crypto market, and regulation plays a key role in them. US investors have been desperate for a rate cut in the hopes that it could provide a bullish narrative.

None has yet materialized. However, the ECB cut interest rates today for the sixth consecutive time, yet the crypto market barely reacted.

“The outlook for growth has deteriorated owing to rising trade tensions. Increased uncertainty is likely to reduce confidence among households and firms, and the adverse and volatile market response to the trade tensions is likely to have a tightening impact on financing conditions,” the ECB said in a public statement.

According to price data, the total crypto market cap has decreased by 0.2% since the ECB announced these rate cuts. Of the top 10 largest assets, all of them posted gains today except one.

Does this mean that macroeconomic factors are losing influence on crypto markets? That notion is demonstrably untrue. Less than two weeks ago, crypto had a huge rally after a false rumor that Trump would pause tariffs.

These gains came back when the pause actually happened. So, macro influence is still very strong in the current markets; it’s specifically that the ECB and Europe are losing influence.

The European Union isn’t the only economic bloc that’s losing its power in the space. Yesterday, the British government announced that inflation was lower than expected, potentially enabling another rate cut.

This, too, had a negligible impact on crypto. Macroeconomic concerns still impact the crypto market, but its strongest links are to the US and Asia.

A clear sign of this change in crypto happened months before the ECB cuts. Tether was forced to leave the EU due to MiCA regulations, but its business was minimally impacted.

It’s still the world’s largest stablecoin despite losing out on the entire European market. In fact, since then, it has taken steps to better integrate with US regulations.

Meanwhile, many large crypto businesses are reorienting towards Asia and the US and away from Europe. Earlier this year, a16z shut down its London office to focus on the US.

Tether relocated to El Salvador, giving it close proximity to the US and easier access to the Latin American market. This growth area is apparently more fruitful than trying again in Europe.

The ECB’s rate cuts barely impacted the crypto market, but that doesn’t mean that the industry will ignore the whole continent. Moving forward, however, EU operations will matter less and less to the largest companies.

This mirrors broader trends, as international capital is refocusing away from Europe. It’s only natural that crypto is part of that pattern.

The post ECB Rate Cuts Reflect Europe’s Fading Influence on the Crypto Market appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Cardano (ADA) Might Turn Bearish As Price Struggles to Breach $0.70

Cardano (ADA) has been trading below the $0.70 mark since March 29, struggling to regain bullish momentum. Despite brief signs of strength, recent indicators now point to weakening trend conditions.

Both the BBTrend and ADX show fading buying pressure, while EMA alignment remains bearish. With price stuck between key support and resistance levels, ADA’s next move could define its short-term direction.

Cardano BBTrend Turns Negative, Signaling Momentum Reversal

Cardano’s BBTrend has flipped negative, currently sitting at -0.78 after spending the last five days in positive territory. The indicator reached a peak of 9.76 on April 14, signaling strong bullish momentum at the time.

BBTrend, short for Bollinger Band Trend, measures the strength and direction of a price move relative to its Bollinger Bands.

Positive values typically indicate bullish trends, while negative values point to bearish conditions or weakening momentum.

ADA BBTrend.
ADA BBTrend. Source: TradingView.

The shift to -0.78 suggests that Cardano’s recent uptrend has lost strength and may be reversing. A negative BBTrend reading means the price is now moving closer to the lower band, often a sign of rising selling pressure.

While it doesn’t confirm a strong downtrend yet, this reversal could indicate the beginning of a broader consolidation or bearish phase unless momentum quickly recovers.

Traders may want to watch closely for follow-through or a bounce to assess ADA’s short-term direction.

Cardano Momentum Fades as ADX Crashes and Selling Pressure Rises

Cardano’s DMI chart shows a sharp drop in trend strength, with its ADX falling to 15.12 from 28.34 just two days ago.

The ADX (Average Directional Index) measures trend intensity—readings above 25 suggest a strong trend, while values below 20 indicate a weak or consolidating market.

The steep decline in the ADX signals that the momentum behind Cardano’s recent move is quickly fading.

ADA DMI.
ADA DMI. Source: TradingView.

At the same time, the +DI (bullish directional indicator) has dropped from 22.61 to 17.39, showing weakening buying pressure. Meanwhile, the -DI (bearish indicator) has risen from 10.5 to 14.95, pointing to a gradual increase in selling strength.

With both the ADX and +DI falling, and -DI climbing, the setup hints at a potential shift in favor of the bears.

Unless bullish momentum returns quickly, Cardano could enter a period of sideways movement or even a short-term downtrend.

Bearish Structure Still Dominates Cardano

Cardano’s EMA lines remain bearish, with short-term averages still positioned below the long-term ones—indicating that downward momentum is intact.

Cardano price is holding above a key support zone near $0.594, but if this level fails, it could trigger a deeper drop toward $0.511. This would confirm a continuation of the downtrend and reflect growing selling pressure.

ADA Price Analysis.
ADA Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if ADA manages to reverse its current momentum, the first major resistance lies at $0.64. A breakout above that level could open the door to further gains, with potential targets at $0.66 and $0.70.

If the uptrend strengthens, ADA could even rally toward $0.77, marking a more decisive recovery and trend shift.

The post Cardano (ADA) Might Turn Bearish As Price Struggles to Breach $0.70 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Binance Dominated the CEX Market in Q1 with $8.4 Trillion Trading Volume

Despite regulatory hurdles and listing concerns, a new report from TokenInsight shows that Binance is comfortably leading the CEX market. Increasing competition from MEXC and Bitget saw Binance’s market share drop 1%, but it still dominates more than one-third of the CEX trades.

The firm dominates in every metric that the report examined, from market share to public notoriety. It leads both in spot and derivatives trading volume and maintains the most stable ratio between the two of any CEX.

Binance is Winning the CEX Race By a Mile

Binance suffered a few setbacks in this period, but it still comfortably leads the CEX market in a few key areas. Its token listings are not performing like they used to, prompting community backlash, and its potential ties with the Trump family are also raising concerns.

However, the exchange had a strong Q1 2025, as its trading volume continued to dominate one-third of the CEX market.

“Binance maintained its market-leading position in both quarters, with a trading volume of $9.95 trillion in Q4 2024. Due to market volatility, its trading volume in Q1 2025 was approximately $8.39 trillion. Binance continued to lead in market share, holding 36.5% in Q1 2025,” the report claimed.

In terms of total market share, Binance isn’t completely surpassing the CEX market. In fact, its control actually decreased by 1.38%.

No other exchange saw this level of decline, as Bybit only lost 0.89% after the infamous hack. Nonetheless, most of the biggest CEXs also declined slightly, and none of the growing exchanges managed to compete with its head start.

Binance Is Larger than Any CEX
Binance Is Larger than Any CEX. Source: TokenInsight

Binance accounts for nearly 36% of the CEX market share, but this isn’t its only advantage. It also leads in both spot trading and derivatives volumes, controlling 45% of the former and maintaining a 17% lead with the latter.

Additionally, TokenInsight determined that it had the most stable platform structure, keeping its ratio of spot to derivatives trading very consistent.

The firm also ranked number one in open interest market share, but this was its least comfortable lead. However, TokenInsight identified a few intangibles that significantly impacted Binance’s CEX performance.

crypto spot market share
Crypto Spot Market Share. Source: TokenInsight

In its list of noteworthy industry events for Q1 2025, Binance was mentioned more than any other exchange. In one such mention, Forbes listed it as one of the world’s most trusted crypto exchanges.

Overall, despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny in several different regions, the exchange seemingly holds a firm grip on the market.

The post Binance Dominated the CEX Market in Q1 with $8.4 Trillion Trading Volume appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Who Was Behind the OM Sell-Off? Deep Analysis Reveals the Truth

The recent OM collapse at MANTRA has left the community confused. In a series of instant drops, $5.5 billion was erased. According to several analyses, the incident was caused by one trader manipulating two exchanges.

This whole incident highlights the fragility of many token projects. Despite an ostensibly huge market cap, a comparatively tiny amount of liquidity triggered a complete collapse.

Exploring the OM Crash

When MANTRA’s OM token collapsed earlier this week, it left a huge number of unanswered questions. It sparked allegations of foul play, and rumors of insider activity have dogged the company since.

According to a new analysis, the initial trigger of the OM crash was a single trader:

“This was due to an entity(s) on Binance perpetuals market. That’s what triggered the entire cascade. The initial drop below $5 was triggered by a ~1 million USD short position being market sold. This caused over 5% of slippage in literal microseconds. That was the trigger. This seems intentional to me. They knew what they were doing,” he stated.

After triggering this initial anomaly, this OM trader continued dumping short positions at five-second intervals, which powered the overall crash. As these continual dumps continued on Binance, the OKX spot market saw a discount of nearly 20%.

OM Trading Anomalies
OM Trading Anomalies. Source: Traderview2

The Seller Finds Exit Liquidity

This strange behavior on OKX was caused by a massive whale. A limit sell order allows the seller to specify the minimum price they are willing to sell a crypto asset for. The order will only execute if the market price reaches or exceeds the limit price. Until then, the order remains open in the order book.

This person single-handedly kept the price fixed on OKX for over a minute, causing market makers and arbitrage bots to buy the assets despite panic selling in the broader market. By this method, the perpetrator was able to dump OM tokens while the crash was underway.

The issue, then, is not that OM fell because of a nefarious actor trying to engineer a crash. Instead, the problem is that a single entity could manipulate the markets so thoroughly.

For an attack like this to work, OM’s ostensible market cap had to be substantially more fragile than anticipated.

In other words, even though OM’s market cap was theoretically very high, it took a comparatively small investment to crash the RWA token like a house of cards. Some have even speculated that this trader wasn’t even trying to cause a crisis.

Rather, they may have been investors who were forced to sell due to loan terms or risk limits. Some slight manipulation could’ve led to a larger catastrophe.

The post Who Was Behind the OM Sell-Off? Deep Analysis Reveals the Truth appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Sui Meme Coins are Becoming Popular As DEX Volume Surges in April

Sui meme coins, not typically seen at the forefront of the sector, are surging in volume recently. Their market cap is far smaller than Solana meme coins, but it’s also growing fast.

LOFI, a meme coin deployed on the blockchain, surged by over 186% in a week. If fresh DEX trading volumes start flowing into these assets, Sui could be the next emerging ecosystem for meme coins.

Are Sui Meme Coins About to Explode?

Meme coins based on Solana have been getting a lot of attention lately, with surging trade volumes and token prices. This has fueled speculation that Solana’s poised to lead a new meme coin boom, especially as the sector is exposed to new risks.

However, Sui meme coins are gaining some unexpected traction, and DEX volumes are noticeably soaring.

Sui DEX Volume In the Past Month. Source: DefilLama

Sui is a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain that shares many similarities with Solana but several key differences.

Its design focuses on scalability, using parallel transaction processing and an object-centric transaction model to achieve this aim. Sui’s ecosystem is much less mature than Solana’s, but this could present opportunities for meme coins.

Sui’s developers are constantly working on upgrades to encourage new projects, some of which are explicitly geared towards meme coins. Solana’s 6.3 billion meme coin market cap grew by 2.4% in the previous 24 hours, while Sui’s increased by 4.6%.

LOFI grew 184.5% in the last week, highlighting its dedicated community.

LOFI’s impressive rise stands out, but several other projects on the layer-1 network have also attracted speculative interest. Meme coins thrive on community hype, and the blockchain’s DEX volumes are soaring.

If this high performance and committed enthusiasm connect with fresh investors, it could present an explosive opportunity.

For now, Sui’s meme coin ecosystem has a ways to go, with a total market cap of $123 million. However, this sector moves fast, and the Sui ecosystem could be poised to make some major growth soon, if meme coin enthusiasts continue to trade.

The post Sui Meme Coins are Becoming Popular As DEX Volume Surges in April appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Top 3 AI Coins to Watch for the End of April

AI coins continue to draw attention as April nears its end, with Render (RENDER), Story Protocol (IP), and CLANKER standing out. RENDER has led the pack, surging nearly 17% this week and reclaiming a $2 billion market cap.

In contrast, Story (IP) is down 6.5%, the worst performer among the top 10 AI tokens, while CLANKER dropped over 7% in the last 24 hours. With momentum shifting across the sector, all three tokens are positioned at key technical levels that could define their next move.

RENDER

Render Network provides decentralized GPU computing power for creators, developers, and artificial intelligence applications. Its infrastructure supports rendering for 3D graphics, visual effects, and artificial intelligence model training.

RENDER Price Analysis.
RENDER Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

RENDER, the network’s native token, has surged nearly 17% over the past week, pushing its market cap back above $2 billion. It was the top performer among the ten largest AI coins in the market.

If the bullish momentum holds, RENDER could test resistance levels at $4.065 and $4.21, and a breakout could open the path to $4.63.

However, if the trend reverses, key support lies at $3.82 and $3.68—losing these could trigger a deeper decline toward $3.47 or even $3.14 in a stronger correction.

Story (IP)

Story Protocol is a decentralized infrastructure designed to manage and monetize intellectual property (IP) on-chain, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence.

It allows creators to register stories, characters, and other digital assets, enabling collaborative development, licensing, and programmable royalties—all while integrating AI into the creation and distribution process.

IP Price Analysis.
IP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Despite its explosive 477% rally between February 16 and 26, Story’s native token, IP, is down 6.5% over the last seven days—the largest drop among the top 10 AI coins.

If the current correction continues, IP could test support at $3.82, and a break below that may push the price under $3. However, if bullish momentum returns, IP could retest resistance at $4.49 and then aim for $5.04.

A strong rebound could eventually lift the token back toward the $6.61 zone, reclaiming some of its earlier hype.

tokenbot (CLANKER)

Tokenbot is a coin launchpad built on the Base chain. Its native token, CLANKE, has been down over 7% in the last 24 hours.

Notably, Base has climbed to the fourth spot in weekly DEX volume, reaching $4.7 billion—just behind BNB, Ethereum, and Solana—although its volume is down 7.73% in the last week.

CLANKER Price Analysis.
CLANKER Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

Interest remains around Base’s recent push into “Content Coins,” with the community watching closely to see how the narrative evolves.

If CLANKER’s current downtrend deepens, it could test support at $27.97 and potentially fall to $22.84, dropping below $25 for the first time since April 6.

On the upside, a recovery could lead to a test of the $36 resistance, followed by $40. If sentiment around Base tokens strengthens, CLANKER could rally toward $47 as momentum builds.

The post Top 3 AI Coins to Watch for the End of April appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Former JP Morgan Exec and Crypto Casino Founder Charged With Securities Fraud

Richard Kim, founder of Zero Edge, a defunct “crypto casino,” was arrested and subsequently released on bail in a federal securities fraud case. After an arrest on Tuesday, Kim posted a $250,000 bond using $100,000 in cash as collateral.

Before Zero Edge, Kim had an esteemed career at major institutes like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. The Southern District of New York (SDNY) is hearing this case.

How Richard Kim’s Crypto Casino Collapsed

Before everything fell apart, Richard Kim was ostensibly a successful crypto entrepreneur. former executive at Galaxy Digital, an attorney, and an elite trader, he left in March 2024 to found Zero Edge.

This “crypto casino” would bring classical gambling onto the blockchain, according to a recent court document:

“In particular, Kim represented to prospective investors that Zero Edge would ‘develop a number of onchain games,’ beginning with craps, and operate both a ‘free to play / social casino version of the game’ in which players could win virtual currency, as well as a real money version of the game. KIM wrote that he would serve as the ‘chief architect’ of the company,” it read.

Kim leveraged his former connections, including those at Galaxy, to raise over $7 million in seed funding. However, Kim’s casino never opened.

According to his public statements, Kim initially lost $80,000 to a phishing scam and blew through $3.8 million by chasing losses in “high-risk leveraged crypto trades.” This happened within a week of his initial funding round.

From there, he misled investors for months before finally coming clean last June, describing himself as a gambling addict. Several of the casino’s investors, including Galaxy, filed complaints that progressed to federal charges this week.

The FBI arrested Kim on charges of wire fraud and securities fraud, and he is being tried in the Southern District of New York (SDNY).

In the grand scheme of things, Kim’s aborted attempt to open a digital casino is on the smaller end of crypto crimes. Nonetheless, it’s important that the federal government actually seeks to prosecute him.

For example, the Department of Justice recently shut down its Crypto Enforcement Team and stopped investigating tumblers and exchanges. “Crime is legal now” is a growing refrain in the community, as regulators are halting all enforcement.

Even the SDNY, which is handling Kim’s casino case, claimed it would end crypto prosecutions.

This may be a small win for justice, but fresh crypto cases are being tried. Kim is currently out on bail, but he still faces repercussions for his failed casino. Whatever happens, its results will be an important data point for US crypto enforcement.

The post Former JP Morgan Exec and Crypto Casino Founder Charged With Securities Fraud appeared first on BeInCrypto.