On Ethereum’s 10th anniversary, developer Justin Drake discussed quantum computing and how it could threaten ETH. He called for “lean Ethereum” to efficiently marshal tremendous resources to counter the threat.
Specifically, Drake believes that hash-based cryptography should take over the entire L1, from signatures to zkVMs and more. A lot of his discussion was highly technical,
The technology isn’t quite able to crack the crypto industry open yet, but advancements may happen in the next decade.
To be clear, many core team members share this view. Vitalik Buterin unveiled The Splurge last year, representing Ethereum’s proactive defenses against quantum computing.
After the 10-year anniversary, Bitget’s Usi Zade also drew attention to this impending risk. Drake’s solution isn’t fully realized, but he has a clear vision for approaching the problem.
Drake claims that a series of cryptography upgrades he calls “lean Ethereum” is the key to defeating quantum computing. This involves, for one thing, stunning new technical capabilities.
To meet the challenge, ETH should handle one billion gas per second and 10,000 TPS on the base layer, and one trillion gas per second and one million TPS on the L-2.
However, that’s not where the leanness comes in. Ethereum needs to continue operating its ecosystem in a decentralized and efficient manner while countering the threat of quantum computing.
Plus, it’s not like this technology is the only threat. Ethereum still needs to be anti-fragile and resistant to nation-states’ interference.
This system must therefore be elegant; “an aesthetic, an art form, a craft,” Drake claimed. He said that hash-based cryptography is the answer.
Of course, this technology isn’t fully realized either, and it may be beyond our scope to get into the weeds here.
Suffice it to say that hash-based cryptography could keep Ethereum’s blockchain performing normally while the execution layer maintains quantum resistance. But it will require a bone-deep restructuring. Brute force simply won’t meet the challenge.
For now, quantum computing is a long way away from defeating Ethereum’s cryptography. Drake and his colleagues hope to keep it that way.
The creators of the TRUMP meme coin have moved over $52 million worth of tokens to centralized exchanges, sparking debate about the project’s motives and transparency.
The token, themed after US President Donald Trump, has gained massive attention since its launch, but now faces scrutiny over insider activity and market impact.
TRUMP Team Describes $52 Million Token Transfer as ‘Liquidity Operations’
On May 10, on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain revealed that the team behind TRUMP deposited 3.5 million tokens, valued at more than $52 million, across three major exchanges—Binance, OKX, and Bybit.
According to the firm, Binance received the largest share at 1.5 million tokens, estimated at $22 million. OKX followed with 1 million tokens worth $15 million, while Bybit received just over 500,000 tokens valued at $7.5 million.
However, the TRUMP token team claimed the transfer aimed to strengthen liquidity and maintain stable market access.
They explained that the tokens came from a pre-designated liquidity wallet created during the project’s launch. The team also assured users that all recently unlocked tokens had been relocked and would remain so for 90 days.
“Demand for $TRUMP has been tremendous. On May 10, 2025 at approximately 1:30 am UTC, 3.5 million $TRUMP will be moved onto exchanges to further support liquidity operations to help ensure continued availability of $TRUMP for both buyers and sellers. All of this liquidity is being provided from a liquidity wallet from the initial launch,” the team stated.
While the team maintains that the token transfers are part of routine liquidity management, recent findings suggest a different story.
A CNBC report, citing Chainalysis, revealed that the team behind TRUMP has earned over $320 million in trading fees.
Furthermore, there is a wide gap between investor outcomes. Of more than two million wallets holding TRUMP, roughly 760,000 are currently at a loss.
In sharp contrast, only 58 wallets have each made over $10 million, together netting about $1.1 billion in profits.
This stark imbalance suggests that a small group of insiders may have captured most of the value generated by the token.
According to BeInCrypto data, the token surged to $77 on its first trading day. However, it has since plummeted by 86%, trading near $14 at the time of writing.
According to Johnny Garcia, Managing Director of Institutional Growth and Capital Markets at the VeChain Foundation, Texas will likely become the next state to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve after New Hampshire.
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Garcia explained that states with pro-innovation leadership are more inclined to follow New Hampshire’s example. Meanwhile, others may adopt a more cautious, wait-and-see approach.
Why States Like Texas Are More Likely to Follow New Hampshire’s Bitcoin Reserve Lead
The VeChain executive described New Hampshire’s passage of House Bill 302 as a ‘landmark moment’ for digital assets. He stated that the development highlights Bitcoin’s growing recognition as a strategic financial instrument.
It also lays the groundwork to encourage wider blockchain adoption by normalizing digital assets in public portfolios.
“Momentum has been gathering at the State level since the presidential inauguration, and have commented before, there is a sea change taking place in the minds of State representatives across the general perception of Bitcoin [and other crypto assets] in the US,” Garcia told BeInCrypto.
Importantly, he believes the move could prompt the states already considering related legislation to accelerate their efforts so they don’t fall behind. The latest data from Bitcoin Laws shows that as of May 2025, 37 digital asset-related bills are active in 20 states.
Live Bitcoin Reserve Bills Across 20 States. Source: Bitcoin Laws
However, Garcia emphasized that the success of these bills depends on various factors. These include a state’s political climate, economic priorities, and risk tolerance.
“States with pro-innovation leadership, like Texas or Utah, are more likely to follow New Hampshire’s lead in short order, while others may wait to see how things play out for N.H,” he added.
With Texas now in the spotlight, there is strong optimism that similar legislation will be signed into law. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has expressed a favorable outlook toward the industry. The Texas Legislative session ends on June 2, so the decision could come any day now.
This trend highlights a clear difference of opinion between Democrats and Republicans regarding investments in digital asset reserves, a divide Garcia also acknowledges.
“These differences are nothing new, and I chalk them up to deeper-rooted perspectives, just like there are conservatives and liberals, or risk takers and those who like to play things safe. Some may try to tease out those groups and label people on one side as Democratic and the other as Republican, but I think that is too simplistic,” he said.
He acknowledged that bridging this gap poses a significant, but surmountable, challenge. The executive noted that increased cooperation can be fostered through education and a deeper understanding of the technology’s potential benefits and risks.
According to Garcia, the focus should be on identifying shared goals, such as leveraging blockchain to improve efficiency and transparency in government operations—an approach that could lay the groundwork for bipartisan collaboration.
“The ultimate goal would be to develop a thoughtful and balanced approach to digital assets that can benefit all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. This can be achieved by moving the conversation beyond partisan lines and focusing on the long-term economic and technological implications,” Garcia disclosed to BeInCrypto.
How Will State-Level Interest Impact Broader Crypto Adoption?
Whether Democrats and Republicans will ever fully agree on digital assets remains uncertain. Despite this, the introduction of bills and increased discussions at the state level signal growing interest and momentum.
Garcia said this shift marks a fundamental change in how public finance views blockchain assets, recognizing them as tools for innovation and resilience.
“It, combined with the strength of Bitcoin, has rekindled the discussion around ‘digital gold’ and could help reshape public finance by introducing decentralized, censorship-resistant assets into traditional portfolios,” he commented.
It normalizes digital assets as a strategic asset class, not just speculative. This encourages more institutional and enterprise participation.
This also pushes policymakers and the public to better understand digital assets’ risks and benefits, which can lead to clearer and better regulations.
It helps build infrastructure like regulated custody and on-chain auditability. This makes blockchain adoption easier for businesses.
He also said that while accessibility remains a challenge for mainstream adoption, state-backed initiatives could foster partnerships between the public and private sectors. This collaboration could lead to the development of user-friendly wallets, custody services, and decentralized finance platforms, expanding access for both retail and institutional users.
“This aligns with our focus at VeChain on scalable, enterprise-grade blockchain solutions, and we anticipate that state-level adoption will create a ripple effect, accelerating the integration of digital assets into both public and private sectors,” Garcia remarked.
The Balance Between Opportunity and Risk in State Crypto Holdings
While the benefits inspire optimism, the reserves carry several implications for a common taxpayer. Garcia explained that supporters believe state investments could boost long-term returns and diversify away from inflation-prone assets, potentially strengthening the state’s finances and benefiting taxpayers. Yet, he claimed,
“We have not yet reached the point where Bitcoin has achieved a greater level of stability, and if it sees a similar pullback compared to previous cycles, that would greatly diminish interest in setting up reserves and could cost taxpayers money.”
Garcia warned that significant price drops could lead to losses in the state’s reserves. Thus, if the allocation is too large or poorly managed, this could potentially threaten financial stability.
“This could, in theory, lead to pressure for tax policy changes to offset those losses, although this would depend heavily on the scale of the investment and the state’s overall financial health,” he mentioned to BeInCrypto.
Garcia advocated educating taxpayers about both the benefits and risks to maintain public trust. He emphasized that the long-term impact will depend on the responsible and strategic management of these reserves.
Beyond tax concerns, Garcia detailed several challenges states may face when implementing crypto reserves.
“The volatility of digital assets remains the biggest challenge facing states looking to implement reserves, as managing this volatility within a public treasury framework will require careful consideration and potentially sophisticated risk management strategies,” he commented.
Garcia also mentioned that educating lawmakers and the public is crucial for wider acceptance, as many state officials lack expertise in digital asset management and will need training or specialists. He underlined that federal regulatory uncertainty adds complexity. Therefore, clear rules on custody and reporting are necessary.
According to Garcia, transparency and strong cybersecurity measures are other key factors essential to ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives.
The Road to a National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Meanwhile, Garcia pointed out that concerns over taxes and market volatility are why President Trump’s Bitcoin reserve does not include provisions for investing the country’s funds. Instead, it focuses on using forfeited assets to build the stockpile.
The SBR would involve acquiring 1 million Bitcoins over five years and holding them for at least 20 years. Garcia declared that allowing direct Bitcoin investments would depend on shifting political and economic factors.
“Allowing for such purchases will require bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, along with the President’s signature, but as the recent stall for the GENIUS Act shows, lawmakers are far from being on the same page,” the executive shared with BeInCrypto.
Garcia believes that a clear regulatory framework for crypto and a plan to incorporate Bitcoin into a strategic reserve will eventually be established by law. Nonetheless, the timeline and specific details of these bills remain ‘challenging to predict.’
