HTX DAO successfully hosted the HTX DAO Dubai Whale Night 2025, bringing together top builders, investors, and industry leaders for a high-impact evening of insights, product reveals, and ecosystem strategy.
The event’s central focus was a keynote speech by Justin Sun, Advisor to HTX and Founder of TRON, delivering a clear message about HTX’s momentum and vision for global expansion.
“Currently, HTX is among the top five offshore exchanges and continues to expand,” Sun stated. “We are completely focused on the Middle East and are also targeting clients from the CIS region and Europe.”
Sun also emphasized HTX’s commitment to long-term regional growth and global reach. He highlighted the platform’s U.S. ambitions, stating, “The TRX ETF application in the United States represents significant progress. Over the next few years, we will focus on U.S. development to increase our international footprint, which I think is extremely important for both HTX and our broader strategy.”
He added that HTX is expanding its trading ecosystem with projects like USDD and $TRUMP and invited users around the world to share ideas.
HTX DAO Drives Growth, Deepens Ecosystem Governance
Molly, Spokesperson for HTX and Ambassador of HTX DAO, shared updates on platform performance and DAO integration. In Q1 2025, HTX became the only top 10 global exchange to increase spot trading volume, boasting over 50 million registered users and a 210% increase in net deposits. HTX continues to maintain a reserve ratio above 100%.
She noted that the platform’s success stems from its “security, transparency, and precise market sensitivity.” Looking ahead, HTX will strengthen DAO integration, enabling the community to participate in governance and listing decisions through decentralized voting. This blend of centralized efficiency and decentralized control is key to HTX’s future.
SVIP Benefits Unveiled, $1M Recruitment Program Launches
HTX officially unveiled its upgraded SVIP benefits system, tailored for high-frequency traders, institutional clients, and long-term holders. The system focuses on three pillars: cost efficiency, capital efficiency, and exclusive privileges.
Key highlights include:
Ultra-low fees: Spot maker fees as low as 0.0126%, futures maker fees as low as 0%, dramatically reducing transaction costs.
Efficient margin and crypto loans: Enjoy up to 9% discount on margin interest rates, flexible loans, and zero service fees. Eligible users can access up to $20 million in credit lines per account, with Fireblocks custody integration to ensure asset safety.
SVIP-only privileges: 1-on-1 account managers with 24/7 support, Improved API rate limit, and invitations to private SVIP gatherings.
SVIP users can further enhance returns by optimizing their Prime tier levels, potentially saving up to $10,000 in monthly fees and increasing overall yields by up to 20%.
To mark the launch, HTX is rolling out a $1 million SVIP recruitment campaign:
Invite new users to become SVIPs and earn up to $5,000 in USDT
Enjoy double rewards for VIP users migrating from other platforms
Earn an additional $2,000 cashback voucher when referring multiple qualified users
More SVIP-exclusive benefits will be unveiled in mid-May, further elevating the premium trading experience for top-tier clients.
About HTX DAO
As a multi-chain deployed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), HTX DAO demonstrates an innovative governance approach. It pioneers a blended CeFi/DeFi paradigm, including listing and community governance, through its focus on building an exchange DAO and a free financial hub ecosystem. Unlike traditional corporate structures, it adopts a decentralized governance structure composed of a diversified group, jointly committed to the success of this organization. This unique ecosystem advocates openness and encourages all DAO participants to propose ideas that can promote the development of HTX DAO.
World Liberty Financial (WLF), a project tied to the Trump family, has signed a letter of intent with the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). According to the project, this partnership will boost blockchain development, stablecoin use, and DeFi expansion in Pakistan.
A WLF delegation recently met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and other top officials to explore collaboration opportunities.
Pakistan is Ramping Up Crypto Developments
The Pakistani government is preparing to announce a full set of cryptocurrency regulations. This move aims to position Pakistan as one of the fastest-growing crypto hubs globally.
Last month, Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao was reported to have joined the Pakistan Crypto Council as a Strategic Advisor.
Meanwhile, president Trump is seemingly using his influence to push forward the DeFi initiative linked to World Liberty Financial.
BeInCrypto sat down with members of the LBank team to analyze the possible resurgence of the meme coin market as a leading crypto narrative and what their fusion with artificial intelligence (AI) can have on their reach.
LBank also discussed the impact of the four-month-old Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation on its operations across Europe. They described a fundamental change in investor confidence in light of greater regulatory clarity and simplified accessibility.
Have Meme Coin Highs Given Way to Devastating Lows?
In recent years, the meme coin market has largely been characterized by overwhelming highs and devastating lows. The first few months of 2025 have further confirmed the volatile nature of these tokens, to the point that a vocal part of the crypto community believes that their recent lows have marked the end of the meme coin lifecycle.
These claims are not unfounded, especially now that the US President has become a meme coin player. When Trump launched his meme coin in mid-January, TRUMP reached a market capitalization of nearly $8.8 billion, a number never before seen by a meme coin launch.
When insider traders capitalized on the surge to sell off their holdings and retain millions of dollars in gains, retail investors bore the brunt of the massive sell-off, suffering hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.
“The decline in meme coin market cap since January can be attributed to a combination of market dynamics and sentiment shifts. A key driver was the rapid rise and subsequent crash of the TRUMP token, which drew significant market capital due to its viral appeal but collapsed sharply, eroding investor confidence and triggering a broader risk-off sentiment,” Eric He, Community Angel Officer and Risk Control Adviser at LBank told BeInCrypto.
After similar experiences with the MELANIA token and the LIBRA launch, some of these retail investors realized that meme coins —as unregulated and unpredictable as they are— may not be the best investments.
Is the Meme Coin Frenzy Coming to a Halt?
Given the devastating effects that these episodes have had on the meme coin market, trading has reduced significantly. The crypto community seems to have become saturated with news of pump-and-dump schemes and rug pulls, likely contributing to a halt in the meme coin frenzy.
The total meme coin market capitalization has been free-falling since January’s peak following the presidential token launches. Now, its levels resemble those of September 2024. The greater economic downturn that traditional and crypto markets experienced over the past several weeks has only worsened prospects.
Yet, despite this downward pressure, the market still experiences a high level of activity. It has a $14.5 billion trading volume and a $57 billion market capitalization.
Total meme coin market capitalization. Source: CoinGecko.
According to the LBank team, the meme coin industry is due for a revival.
LBank’s Belief in the Revival of the Meme Coin Market
Though the decline in meme coin performance has been significant, the LBank team expressed that these circumstances are far from unexpected. Meme coins are inherently tied to community support and social momentum.
The sustained trading volumes and large market capitalization serve as tangible indicators that, even in a downturn, the market is seeing active community engagement and liquidity. Investors still see value in the tokens’ cultural and speculative appeal.
“We see it as a healthy market correction rather than a fundamental shift. Meme coins have always been volatile, but the fact that trading volumes remain high shows continued interest. What’s happening now is not the end of the trend—it’s just a recalibration before the next wave,” Mario Iemma, Head of Spanish Markets at LBank, told BeInCrypto.
In fact, Iemma believes that meme coins will not be dying out anytime soon.
AI agents represented the first significant shift in the evolution of the cryptocurrency industry. These autonomous systems proved that they could make decisions and perform tasks independently. This technology enhances intelligence, adaptability, and fairness in financial mechanisms.
Now, developers have unlocked artificial intelligence’s potential on tokens. Systems like Grok have already made news by using AI to automatically and independently design and launch tokens.
However, with a nascent technology like AI, the LBank team emphasized the need for responsible and thorough deployment for the long-lasting success of AI-generated tokens. This success hinges on two particular factors: accessibility and security.
Security and Accessibility Challenges for AI-Generated Tokens
The concept of security is frequently associated with any emerging technology. Artificial intelligence is no exception, especially in a particularly unregulated industry like crypto.
According to He, AI-generated token projects’ degree of security and transparency will determine their success.
Iemma agreed, adding that if AI-generative tokens become widely accessible, this development will also require additional layers of oversight.
“That same accessibility demands better filters, vetting, and AI-based security audits—areas where exchanges like LBank are already investing resources,” he said.
While reflecting on the security risks associated with artificial intelligence and the breaches in consumer trust that meme coins have had on the crypto community, the LBank team also emphasized the need for greater regulation in the industry.
The development of cryptocurrency regulations varies significantly across the globe. Notably, the European Union implemented comprehensive rules almost five months ago, while key markets such as the United States are still establishing adequate frameworks.
MiCA’s Effect on the European Crypto Market
Last December, with the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the European Union became the first jurisdiction to establish a comprehensive and unified regulatory framework for crypto-assets across all its member states, marking a significant milestone.
According to the LBank team, MiCA gives users and institutions a trustworthy framework. This development has proven critical for industry growth across the region.
“MiCA has forced firms to become more transparent and compliant, which is a good thing for long-term trust. We’ve seen exchanges accelerate their legal and operational upgrades. For users, it creates a safer, more predictable environment,” Iemma said, adding, “With clearer rules, banks and investment firms are more willing to explore crypto partnerships, custody solutions, and even tokenized assets. Regulation reduces reputational risk, and MiCA is helping bridge that gap.”
However, this experience can be largely attributed to established firms in the industry and investors with access to substantial resources. Other players, however, have struggled to gather the requirements to apply for a MiCA license.
Future Accommodation for Smaller Crypto Businesses
In discussing the impact of MiCA since its enactment last December, He highlighted how different industry players have responded to the landmark regulation. He noted that startups struggle the most to obtain an operational license.
When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of an operational license, He’s conclusions make sense.
MiCA is an expensive regulation. It mandates minimum capital requirements based on the crypto services offered. These requirements range from €50,000 for advisory and order-related services to €125,000 for exchange and trading platforms and up to €150,000 for custody services. Businesses must maintain this capital as a financial safeguard.
Beyond minimum capital requirements, companies must factor in government and legal fees, local presence costs, bank setups, and ongoing operational costs. But for prominent exchanges like LBank, the benefits outweigh the costs.
Future MiCA updates could address the high compliance costs for smaller businesses. Meanwhile, other regions developing their crypto regulations should consider this aspect to avoid creating similar barriers.
President Trump is again urging lower interest rates after bullish US employment data. Some analysts are hopeful that new rate cuts will generate positive momentum for Bitcoin.
However, there are no signs that Powell will change his mind. If anything, it’s even less likely. Tariffs could cause unprecedented chaos, and the economy doesn’t need rate cuts to survive right now.
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 177,000, far outperforming expectations, while unemployment remained steady and wages went up. This prompted President Trump to ask once again for cuts to the interest rate:
Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment strong, and much more good news, as Billions of Dollars pour in from Tariffs. Just like I said, and we’re only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 2, 2025
President Trump has repeatedly asked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates. The crypto industry has also heavily advocated for such a move, which would encourage investment in risk-on assets.
Powell’s position has been very consistent. Tariffs could severely damage the economy, and the Federal Reserve needs to keep its powder dry to stave off future collapse. If it cut rates after bullish news, the Fed would have one less potential tool in the event of a real crisis.
To put it bluntly, there is a very low chance that Trump will get his desired rate cuts soon. Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, explained why the bullish report actually makes rate cuts less likely:
“I’m almost certain that the Fed remains on hold at its next meeting. The real economy (so far) is strong enough to not warrant a rate cut. And the big questions are all just over the horizon. Powell has been clear: He doesn’t want to guess what’s over that horizon, he wants to wait & see. The report is absolutely legit. White House interpretations are a different issue,” he said.
