Ethereum is set to undergo its highly anticipated Pectra upgrade tomorrow, and on-chain data suggests that validators are preparing to weather any market volatility.
Despite ETH’s lackluster price performance over the past week, the drop in validator exit points to a sense of confidence among network participants.
Ethereum Validators Hold Firm Ahead of Pectra
According to Glassnode, Ethereum’s validator voluntary exit count has declined noticeably since May 1, signaling a drop in the number of validators choosing to leave the network. On May 5, only 238 validators exited the network — the lowest daily count of validator exits from Ethereum since April 5.
This trend indicates that more validators are opting to stay put rather than liquidate their staked ETH, a sign of long-term confidence in the network and its coin.
With fewer exits, Ethereum validators appear optimistic about the network’s near-term outlook and the potential impact of the Pectra upgrade. Such sentiment, if sustained, could help lay the foundation for a post-upgrade ETH rally.
Moreover, the coin’s persistently positive funding rate reinforces the bullish sentiment surrounding ETH. At press time, ETH’s funding rate is 0.0027%, indicating that traders are still willing to pay a premium to maintain long positions.
A positive funding rate suggests bullish sentiment dominates the futures market, as long-position holders pay short sellers to keep their trades open. This dynamic reflects traders’ expectations of upward price movement.
Despite ETH’s continued struggle to break decisively above the $2,000 level, futures traders remain optimistic, consistently placing leveraged bets in anticipation of a price surge.
Bullish Setup Meets “Sell-the-News” Fears
As the countdown to Pectra ticks down, the fall in validator exit from Ethereum could tighten ETH’s circulating supply, contributing to a bullish breakout post-upgrade. If bullish sentiment persists, ETH’s price could rally to $2,027.
However, the risk of a “sell-the-news” event remains.
If the upgrade fails to meet market expectations or triggers profit-taking, ETH could experience downside pressure despite the optimistic signals from validator behavior. In this scenario, its price could fall to $1,744.
According to a new report from Pine Analytics, token deployers on Pump.fun systematically funded sniper wallets to buy their own meme coins. This impacted over 15,000 token launches on the platform.
These sniper wallets operated primarily during US trading hours, executing standardized, profitable strategies. Unrelated bot activity obscures their behavior, making it extremely difficult to isolate these wallets—and they can readily adapt to new countermeasures.
However, Pine Analytics’ new report has uncovered a new controversy, discovering systematic market manipulation on the platform. These snipes include as much as 1.75% of all launch activity on Pump.fun.
“Our analysis reveals that this tactic is not rare or fringe — over the past month alone, more than 15,000 SOL in realized profit was extracted through this method, across 15,000+ launches involving 4,600+ sniper wallets and 10,400+ deployers. These wallets demonstrate unusually high success rates (87% of snipes were profitable), clean exits, and structured operational patterns,” it claimed.
Solana meme coin deployers on Pump.fun follow a consistent pattern. They fund one or more sniper wallets and grant them advance notice of upcoming token launches.
Those wallets purchase tokens in the very first block and then liquidate almost immediately—85% within five minutes and 90% in just one or two swap events.
Pump.fun meme coin developers exploit this tactic to create the appearance of immediate demand for their tokens. Retail investors, unaware of the prior sell‑off, often purchase these tokens after the snipe, giving developers an unfair advantage. This constitutes market manipulation and erodes trust in the platform.
Pine Analytics had to carefully calibrate its methods to identify genuine snipers. Apparently, 50% of meme coin launches on Pump.fun involve sniping, but most of this is probably bots using the “spray and pray” method.
However, by filtering out snipers with no direct links to developer wallets, the firm missed projects that covered their tracks through proxies and burners.
In other words, the meme coin community does not have adequate defenses against systematic abuse on Pump.fun. There are a few possible ways that the platform could flag repeat offenders and sketchy projects, but adaptive countermeasures could defeat them. This problem demands persistent and proactive action.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to enact such policies. Meme coin sniping is so systematic that Pump.fun could only fight it with real commitment.
Analysts think that building an on-chain culture that rewards transparency over extraction is the best long-term solution. A shift like that would be truly seismic, and the meme coin sector might not survive it.
Japan’s government bond market faces its worst liquidity crisis since the 2008 financial meltdown. This has prompted fears of a broader economic contagion that could ripple into global crypto markets.
Analysts are sounding the alarm as bond yields surge and long-standing financial structures unravel.
Japan’s Bond Market Crisis Sparks Global Contagion Fears
In just 45 days, Japan’s 30-year government bond yield has surged 100 basis points (bps) to a record 3.20%. Meanwhile, the 40-year bond, previously seen as a “safe” investment, has shed more than 20% in value, with over $500 billion in market losses.
According to analyst Financelot, liquidity in the bond market has also deteriorated to levels last seen during the Lehman Brothers collapse, suggesting a potential impending financial crisis.
“Japan’s bond market liquidity has dropped to 2008 Lehman crisis levels. Are we about to experience another financial crisis?” wrote Financelot on X (Twitter).
The central bank still holds $4.1 trillion in government bonds, 52% of the total outstanding. With this, its grip on the market has distorted pricing and investor expectations.
Japan’s total debt has ballooned to $7.8 trillion, pushing its debt-to-GDP ratio to a record 260%, more than double that of the US.
The fallout has been swift. Japan’s real GDP contracted 0.7% in Q1 2025, more than double the expected 0.3% drop.
Meanwhile, CPI inflation accelerated to 3.6% in April. Real wages, however, plunged 2.1% year-over-year (YoY), intensifying fears of stagflation.
“Japan needs a major restructuring,” warned The Kobeissi Letter, highlighting the fragility of the nation’s economic model.
Bitcoin Emerges as a Safe Haven Amid Yen Carry Trade Unwind
As global investors digest these warning signs, attention is turning to the crypto markets, specifically Bitcoin. The pioneer crypto is progressively presenting as a potential refuge from bond market volatility.
The yen carry trade, a strategy in which investors borrow low-yielding yen to invest in higher-yielding assets abroad, is now under threat.
According to Wolf Street, surging Japanese yields and a weakening economy are squeezing these highly leveraged positions.
“The huge mess is coming home to roost,” the outlet wrote, noting that the unwind of this trade could trigger a global risk-off event.
That shift is already visible. As yields rise in Japan and the UK, demand for Bitcoin has soared in both regions.
“Is it a coincidence that the UK and Japan are seeing huge demand for bitcoin exposure?” analyst James Van Straten posed.
The analyst referenced the 30-year UK gilt yield nearing a 27-year high.
Meanwhile, Cauê Oliveira, Head of Research at BlockTrendsBR, also noted a growing positive correlation between bond volatility and Bitcoin flows, with Bitwise’s European Head of Research, Andre Dragosche, agreeing.
“A lot of big players [are] rotating from bonds to BTC,” Oliveira noted.
BeInCrypto data shows Bitcoin was trading for $109,632 as of this writing, down 0.17% in the last 24 hours.
Still, Bitcoin’s role comes with its own risk. BeInCrypto reported a recent analysis of the yen carry trade, warning that disorderly unwinds could pressure crypto assets alongside traditional markets. This is especially true if a global flight to safety prompts USD strength and capital outflows from risk assets.
Yet, in the long term, Japan’s debt crisis may strengthen Bitcoin’s case as a hedge against monetary instability. As traditional “safe” assets like long-dated sovereign bonds falter, institutions increasingly consider digital assets viable alternatives.
Elon Musk has emerged as the most influential figure in crypto, surpassing US President Donald Trump. The top ranks of crypto influence also include current and former Congresspeople. Notably, only one non-US politician and one woman made it onto this influential list.
The analysis carried out by ApeX Protocol used data-driven metrics to identify and rank public figures who have the most influence in crypto today.
Crypto’s Most Influential Voices Today
Earlier this month, trading platform ApeX Protocol released an in-depth analysis identifying crypto’s most influential voices. Their methodology combined estimated crypto holdings, net worth, and social media reach.
“What this ranking really shows is that crypto influence isn’t just about who has the biggest wallet. It’s also about who’s being listened to… That kind of mix is what makes the crypto space so unique right now. It’s not just tech or finance, it’s politics, communication, and culture all wrapped into one,” an ApeX spokesperson said.
Politicians who have the most influence in crypto. Source: ApeX Protocol.
Final scores were determined by total followers across X and Instagram, reflecting each figure’s ability to shape public opinion and attract attention to the crypto space.
1. Elon Musk
The Tesla CEO and Dogecoin enthusiast surpassed President Trump as crypto’s most influential political figure. Musk’s substantial social media following of 221.2 million, where he frequently shares his crypto views, and his estimated $2 billion in crypto holdings, including corporate investments, propelled him to the top across all measures.
2. Donald Trump
The sitting US President secured the second position. He commands 142.7 million followers on X and possesses the third-highest crypto portfolio, exceeding $1.3 million. A report published by the Democracy Defenders Fund earlier this year found that the President’s crypto assets make up 37% of his total wealth.
3. Nayib Bukele
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele is the only non-US politician in the top 10. He holds an estimated $8.4 million in crypto assets and, despite initially making Bitcoin legal tender, later reversed this under pressure from the International Monetary Fund. He frequently engages with his 17.6 million followers on social media about crypto.
4. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The current Secretary of Health and Human Services holds $750,000 worth of cryptocurrency in his portfolio. He has widely followed social media accounts totalling nearly 11 million.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr becomes more of a legend everyday.
Kennedy frequently refers to Bitcoin as the “currency of freedom.” He believes it offers a hedge against inflation for middle-class Americans and can act as a remedy against the devaluation of the US dollar, which he fears is at risk.
5. Ted Cruz
The current US Senator for Texas and former Solicitor General of his home state holds approximately $32,500 in cryptocurrency. He maintains a significant social media presence with 9.1 million followers across X and Instagram.
Cruz strongly advocates Texas as a Bitcoin mining and crypto hub for jobs, innovation, and growth. He champions Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as vital safeguards against government control and for financial freedom, emphasizing decentralization against overreach, unlike Central Bank Digital Currencies.
6. JD Vance
Following closely behind Senator Cruz, Vice President JD Vance emerged as a key influential figure in cryptocurrency, securing the sixth spot. His impact is drawn from his role in public office and his substantial social media reach of 6.2 million followers. His estimated crypto holdings of $375,000 place him ahead of most politicians.
Vance believes the US should strategically embrace Bitcoin, especially given China’s ban on cryptocurrency trading and mining. He suggests Beijing’s Bitcoin opposition should motivate the US to adopt it.
The Vice President has also commended the US government’s establishment of a Strategic Bitcoin reserve and consistently encourages the crypto community to remain politically active.
7. Madison Cawthorn
Madison Cawthorn, the 29-year-old former Republican US Representative for North Carolina, holds $116,500 in digital assets.
As the youngest public figure on this list, he maintains a significant social media presence with over 1.18 million followers. Identifying as a constitutional conservative, he demonstrates crypto’s appeal among a new generation of political voices.
Cawthorn generally favors crypto. He previously promoted the “Let’s Go Brandon” (LGB) coin, expressing bullish sentiments like “This is going to the moon.” Yet, his crypto dealings sparked controversy.
In December 2022, the House Ethics Committee determined he improperly promoted a token in which he held an undisclosed investment and received an “improper gift” through favorable terms.
A recent disclosure filed with the #US House of Representatives revealed that @RepCawthorn failed to report $950,000 in #crypto trades!
He also failed to file timely transaction reports. Allegations of insider trading were investigated, though the Committee didn’t conclude he profited from non-public information.
8. Cynthia Lummis
Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis is a leading advocate for cryptocurrency in Congress, often called the “Queen of Crypto,” and is the only woman on this list to make the top 10.
She holds an estimated $230,000 in crypto reserves and commands an engaged social media following of over 390,000. Lummis currently chairs the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets.
Pro-digital assets. Pro-innovation. Pro-America.
These market structure principles will guide legislation to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. pic.twitter.com/UQki5meTcc
In March 2025, she reintroduced the BITCOIN Act to establish a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Lummis also co-sponsored the GENIUS Act, which President Trump recently signed into law.
She supports the CLARITY Act, a bill that, if enacted, would establish a regulatory market structure for digital assets.
9. Francis Suarez
Miami Mayor and prominent lawyer Francis Suarez comes in second-to-last place with $10,000 worth of virtual currencies and over 200,000 followers across social media.
Despite being on the lower end of the net worth scale, the Republican mayor has gained significant national attention for his strong advocacy and ambitious cryptocurrency-related initiatives.
Suarez has actively pursued a vision to make Miami the “Bitcoin capital of the world” to drive economic growth and attract tech talent. His initiatives include accepting his salary in Bitcoin and enabling tax payments in crypto.
He also played a key role in launching MiamiCoin and actively recruits crypto businesses. Despite market volatility, he views Bitcoin as a “currency of freedom” and a vital tool for economic diversification.
10. Pat Toomey
American businessman and former Representative from Pennsylvania Pat Toomey rounds out the top ten with nearly $8,000 worth of crypto and almost 187,000 followers on social media.
As former Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, Toomey championed the need for a defined regulatory framework distinguishing crypto commodities from securities.
Toomey was a key figure in stablecoin legislation, introducing the 2022 Stablecoin TRUST Act to ensure proper backing and transparency.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Collins and Michael McCaul
Michael Collins, a US Representative for Georgia, holds an estimated $8,000 in cryptocurrency. While he only has 130,000 followers across social media, his substantial $18.75 million net worth keeps him influential in the broader crypto conversation, placing him just outside the top 10.
Michael McCaul, a US Representative for Texas and the current House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, concludes the list of influential political figures in crypto.
He possesses the third-highest net worth in the ranking at an estimated $200 million. McCaul’s reported crypto holdings are tied to those of Michael Collins.
A recent disclosure filed with the 
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