BlackRock XRP ETF Could Be Risky for Retail Investors: Warns Van Dell, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalists

The post BlackRock XRP ETF Could Be Risky for Retail Investors: Warns Van Dell, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalists appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Amid growing speculation around a potential XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), Van Dell, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalists , cautions investors against joining the celebration too quickly. While the possibility of BlackRock launching an XRP ETF seems like a milestone for mainstream crypto adoption, Dell suggests it may ultimately serve Wall Street’s interests more than those of everyday investors. “People are excited about the idea of an XRP ETF, especially if it’s backed by BlackRock,” Dell stated in a recent video. “But the real question should be—who benefits most from it?” A Calculated Move by Wall Street BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $10 trillion in assets under management, has a significant influence over global finance. Dell argues that their move toward an XRP ETF isn’t about democratizing access to digital assets, but rather about controlling and profiting from them. “It’s about wrapping disruptive digital technology like XRP in a suit and tie that Wall Street understands and dominates,” he said. Dell emphasized that while an ETF would make XRP more accessible to traditional investors—who prefer not to deal with wallets, private keys, or exchanges—it strips away the token’s actual utility. ETF holders wouldn’t own the asset itself, which means missing out on the advantages of participating in the XRP network directly. Ownership Without Ownership According to Dell, owning an XRP ETF doesn’t equate to owning XRP. “An ETF offers price exposure, not true ownership,” he said. “You can’t send your ETF to another wallet, use it for transactions, or tap into the protocol’s full potential.” He compared this to owning a piece of the protocol itself—which only comes from holding the actual digital asset, not a financial product that tracks its value. ETFs Favor Institutions, Not Retail Investors Dell outlined several reasons why BlackRock and similar firms would prefer an ETF model over promoting direct XRP ownership: Regulatory Comfort Zone : ETFs operate within the SEC’s framework, minimizing legal risks for institutions. Steady Management Fees : ETFs generate predictable income through annual fees, unlike direct crypto purchases. Price Control and Market Influence : Institutions can manipulate ETF share creation and redemption to influence price and volatility. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, for instance, reportedly brought in over $356 million in daily inflows as of May 2025. Dell argues that firms like BlackRock use insider knowledge and media timing to spark price surges and dips, profiting from market volatility while retail investors react emotionally to headlines. A Broader Perspective While acknowledging the convenience ETFs offer to traditional investors, Dell warned of their limitations and long-term consequences. “It’s business as usual for them—more control, more profit, and less operational hassle,” he said. “But for retail investors, it means less ownership, less utility, and more exposure to market manipulation.” He concluded by urging investors to critically examine both sides of the ETF debate. “Don’t get swept up in the hype,” he said. “Understand the macro picture—and remember that true crypto ownership still lies in holding the native token.”

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Aergo Community Proposes Migration of HPP L2 Infrastructure to Superior ARB Tech Stack

On May 23rd, the Aergo community unveiled an ambitious proposal to transition the House Party Protocol (HPP) Layer 2 infrastructure from the Optimism (OP) Stack to the Arbitrum (ARB) tech

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US big banks hold early talks on joint crypto stablecoin: WSJ

Some of the biggest banking companies in the US are reportedly exploring a team-up to launch a crypto stablecoin. Companies owned by JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo have discussed the possibility of jointly issuing a stablecoin The Wall Street Journal reported on May 22, citing people familiar with the matter. Other financial institutions linked to the potential stablecoin include Early Warning Services, the parent company of digital payments network Zelle, and the payment network Clearing House. The discussions are still in the early stages, and a final decision on the project could change depending on the regulatory environment and the demand for stablecoins. A JPMorgan spokesperson told Cointelegraph the company had no comment. Bank of America, CitiGroup, and Wells Fargo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On May 20, the US Senate voted 66-32 in favor of advancing discussion on the stablecoin-regulating Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. The bill outlines a regulatory framework for stablecoin collateralization and mandates compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws. The bill is now headed to debate on the Senate floor. Earlier this week, White House crypto czar David Sacks said he expects the bill will be passed and that it will receive bipartisan support. However, high-ranking Democrats plan to amend the bill to include a clause prohibiting President Donald Trump and other US officials from profiting off of stablecoins. Trump and his family launched the crypto platform World Liberty Financial, which crated the USD1 stablecoin in March. Critics argue that President Trump stands to personally benefit from passing favorable stablecoin regulation. Related: World Liberty Financial brushes off oversight concerns from Congress Stablecoin demand surges The demand for stablecoins has been on the rise, with nation state adoption and institutions wanting to incorporate stablecoins. The total market capitalization of stablecoins has shot up to $245 billion from $205 billion at the start of the year, representing a 20% increase. Earlier this week, it was reported that yield-bearing stablecoins now account for nearly 4.5% of the entire stablecoin market, with a circulating supply of $11 billion. Austin Campbell, a New York University professor and founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, said the American banking lobby is “panicking,” as stablecoins can disrupt the traditional banking business model. Earlier this month, it was reported that tech giant Meta is exploring ways to incorporate stablecoin payments into its platforms. Magainze: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

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Metaplanet Stock Undervalued Despite Bitcoin Surge – Says Investor Richard Byworth

The post Metaplanet Stock Undervalued Despite Bitcoin Surge – Says Investor Richard Byworth appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Metaplanet is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about stocks in Japan. It’s the country’s only real stock market play on Bitcoin, and right now, it looks like it’s still undervalued—even after a huge recent price jump. According to Richard Byworth , a well-known crypto investor, Metaplanet’s current price is still low compared to the amount of Bitcoin it holds. At $10.82 per share (in its U.S. OTC version, MTPLF), the stock is trading at just over 5 times its net asset value based on Bitcoin holdings. For comparison, MicroStrategy (MSTR), a U.S. company that also holds a lot of Bitcoin, trades at only 1.75 times its Bitcoin value. Short Sellers Are Getting Trapped Metaplanet is the most shorted stock in Japan, with nearly 30% of its shares sold short. But because the stock price has been rising sharply, short sellers are stuck. The stock has hit its daily price limit up for three days in a row on the Tokyo exchange. This means it can’t be sold at a higher price during trading hours, which is making it even harder for shorts to cover their positions. Some short sellers are now facing losses of more than 300%, unable to buy shares back to close their bets. When the limits are lifted, there could be a big price move—known as a short squeeze—that pushes the stock much higher. Strong Bitcoin Buying and Macro Trends Metaplanet has been buying Bitcoin aggressively, giving it a Bitcoin yield that’s over 11 times higher than MicroStrategy’s based on recent purchases. This shows the company is growing its Bitcoin holdings fast. Global bond markets are showing signs of trouble. U.S. and Japanese government bond yields are rising, which often leads central banks to lower rates again. Lower interest rates tend to be good for Bitcoin and related stocks. Why Japanese Investors Like Metaplanet Holding Bitcoin directly in Japan can be expensive because capital gains are taxed as regular income at rates up to 55%. But investing in Metaplanet through Japan’s NISA accounts lets investors avoid capital gains tax on up to about $25,000 a year. This tax advantage is attracting many retail investors in Japan, since Metaplanet is currently the only easy way for them to get exposure to Bitcoin via the stock market. What’s Next for Metaplanet? Byworth suggests that if Metaplanet’s price doubled to around $21, it would be valued similarly to MicroStrategy on a Bitcoin asset basis. Even then, it would still be below its highest valuation in the past. With short sellers stuck and strong buying interest from investors, the stock could see more big moves soon.

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Pepecoin (PEPE) Breaks Out of Bullish Pattern: Can It Hit $0.00002379?

The post Pepecoin (PEPE) Breaks Out of Bullish Pattern: Can It Hit $0.00002379? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Pepecoin has been on the watchlist of many, if not all, meme coin holders and investors. The buzz has been driven by its stupendous growth on the price chart in the past, and its bullish social metrics. Talking about Pepe price, it is up a healthy 72.96% over the past month, and has broken out of patterns to defy odds. In this Pepecoin (PEPE) price analysis, we outline the possible short-term targets for you to mark your positions. Pepe Price Analysis: Pepecoin (PEPE) price has broken out of a rounded bottom formation on its 4-hour price chart, a key bullish pattern that suggests a further upside. After climbing 72.96% over the past month and 12.89% in the past day, PEPE is trading at $0.00001561, just below its local resistance at $0.0000160. Successively, the neckline, which acted as resistance during the pattern’s formation, has now been breached, and PEPE is attempting to establish a higher support zone. The RSI is currently at 67.73 , approaching the overbought territory, indicating strong momentum but also the potential for short-term consolidation at $0.0000165. If the memecoin defies odds to chug up big, it could target its resistance at $0.00001800. Claiming that, the next big milestone is at $0.00002378. However, on the downside, profit taking could plummet the price to $0.0000136. Also read our Pepecoin (PEPE) Price Prediction 2025, 2026-2030 for long-term price targets! FAQs What is the price of Pepe? The Pepecoin price is currently at $0.00001577 with an intraday gain of 12.89%, which is assisted by its $2.42 billion worth of daily trading volume. What does the current chart pattern indicate about PEPE’s trend? The rounded bottom breakout confirms a bullish reversal, suggesting strong upward continuation if volume supports the move. What happens if PEPE fails to hold above $0.00001500? A breakdown below $0.00001500 could lead to a retest of the key support zone at $0.00001360, potentially invalidating the breakout pattern in the short term.

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Cetus Hack Drains $223M from Sui Network, Binance Steps In to Help

The post Cetus Hack Drains $223M from Sui Network, Binance Steps In to Help appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News The Sui ecosystem faced a crisis yesterday after an exploit hit its top liquidity provider, Cetus. The attack drained over $200 million from the protocol, causing panic across the network. As a result, popular Sui memecoins like Lofi, Sudeng, and Squirtle saw their prices crash by 76%, 80%, and 97% within just an hour. The Cetus token itself also plunged 53% following the incident. Data from DEX Screener shows that 46 tokens on the Sui network suffered double-digit losses in the last 24 hours. Alert Announcement There was an incident detected on our protocol and our smart contract has been paused temporarily for safety. The team is investigating the incident at the moment. A further investigation statement will be made soon. We are grateful for your patience. — Cetus (@CetusProtocol) May 22, 2025 Cetus has now confirmed that the attacker stole approximately $223 million from the Protocol, and it has successfully frozen $162 million of the stolen funds. The team acted quickly to lock the smart contract and is now working with the Sui Foundation and ecosystem partners to recover the rest. A full incident report is on the way. Binance To Help SUI Binance co-founder took to social media and said that they are doing everything within their power to get SUI out of the unpleasant situation. “ We are doing everything we can to help SUI,” he said. We are doing what we can to help SUI. Not a pleasant situation. Hope everyone stay SAFU! — CZ BNB (@cz_binance) May 22, 2025 CZ contacted the Sui team to offer help and said they responded quickly. He also mentioned that many security teams are working on finding out what happened. Binance may step up to support the network or assist the affected users. This could also mean rescue measures, technical help, or even financial aid through Binance’s SAFU fund. Attacker Uses Fake Tokens to Manipulate Cetus Protocol The attacker exploited a flaw in Cetus Protocol’s smart contracts by using fake tokens to manipulate price data and reserve balances. This allowed them to extract real assets from multiple liquidity pools, including the SUI/USDC pool. While a team member first called it a bug, the team later confirmed that it was a hack and asked users to stay calm as they investigated. The smart contract has been paused temporarily to prevent further losses. How Circle sleeps knowing there's another 9fig hack going on and the hacker is bridging out all the $USDC https://t.co/qExbuBWhhG pic.twitter.com/H7Qfbhtzjk — Wazz (@WazzCrypto) May 22, 2025 Circle Faces Criticism for Slow Action Industry experts are calling out Circle for its slow response to attacks and delays in freezing stolen funds. It took over five hours during the Bybit hack. Cyvers CEO Deddy Lavid warned that waiting for post-mortems instead of acting on real-time alerts makes delays as dangerous as doing nothing. This hack is one of the major crypto thefts in recent months, including ByBit’s $1.5 billion breach in February and Coinbase’s insider attack, which cost up to $400 million.

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The New Crypto Presale That’s Stealing the Spotlight From Avalanche and Fantom

The post The New Crypto Presale That’s Stealing the Spotlight From Avalanche and Fantom appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Crypto investor attention is shifting away from some established Layer-1 solutions like Avalanche (AVAX) and Fantom (FTM)—and toward a new crypto project that’s making serious headlines. With a unique model, a fast-moving community, and a bold market strategy, this new crypto presale could redefine what early-stage investing looks like in 2025. Why This New Crypto Presale Is Stealing the Spotlight Introducing Punisher Coin, the latest crypto presale project turning heads across the digital asset world. Unlike traditional meme coins built purely on hype, Punisher Coin offers a layered ecosystem centered on community interaction, real incentives, and aggressive market strategy. The new crypto presale kicked off with impressive momentum—raising significant funds in its first 24 hours. Early investors see promise not just in hype, but in the platform’s vision and utility. What Makes Punisher Coin Stand Out Among New Crypto Projects Built on the Ethereum network as an ERC-20 token, Punisher Coin focuses heavily on gamified community engagement. Through “missions” and rewards, users earn $PUN tokens and even real-world money, encouraging both participation and loyalty. This interactive model differentiates Punisher Coin from other meme-based projects and creates intrinsic demand during the crypto presale phase—something investors often look for in emerging new crypto offerings. Punisher Energy: A Tactical Strike on Competing Meme Coins One standout feature is Punisher Energy, a unique mechanism designed to absorb liquidity from weaker meme coins. Holders of competing tokens are incentivized to swap their assets for $PUN in exchange for bonus rewards. This not only boosts Punisher Coin’s liquidity but also reinforces its dominance in the meme coin segment—a bold move not often seen in other new crypto presales. Avalanche and Fantom: Still Innovating, but Losing Momentum? Avalanche (AVAX) Avalanche remains a leader in high-throughput blockchain solutions, with a strong focus on enterprise adoption and subnet scalability. Yet, despite its innovations, market enthusiasm around AVAX has cooled as investors explore new crypto presales with higher short-term upside. Fantom (FTM) Known for lightning-fast transactions and low fees, Fantom once dominated DeFi headlines. But congestion issues and increased competition have slowed its rise. While still robust, its ecosystem is now competing with newer, trendier projects—like Punisher Coin—that offer different forms of utility and community-driven value. Why Investors Are Choosing This New Crypto Presale Over Legacy Platforms In a sea of blockchain options, Punisher Coin’s blend of utility, aggressive market capture, and community-centric design offers something fresh. The project’s early success and roadmap signal strong long-term potential—making this new crypto one of the most promising crypto presales in 2025. Join the Most Hyped New Crypto Presale of 2025 Don’t miss your chance to invest in one of the most exciting new crypto presales in the market. Punisher Coin is redefining what it means to launch a meme token—with purpose, power, and potential. Visit Punisher Coin’s Official Website to join the crypto presale before it’s too late! Start Your Presale Journey Today With Punisher Coin: Website – https://punishercoin.com/ X – https://x.com/PunisherCoin_AI Telegram – https://t.me/Pun_Coin

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Jump Crypto’s Wallet Moves 2 Million SOON Tokens, Hinting at Potential Liquidity Provision

On May 23rd, COINOTAG reported that Jump Crypto has been actively engaging with the emerging crypto asset, SOON tokens. According to data from LookIntoChain, the wallet identified as ‘Gtxgn’ received

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Features of registration and operation of a company in Costa Rica

What are the Steps for Registering a Company in Costa Rica? Most readers will be happy to know that setting up a new firm in this nation can be a simple, pleasant, and, more importantly, easy procedure. With or without the help of a dedicated incorporation agency. The stages involved are as follows: [OPTIONAL] To begin the process of forming a company, you must first pay the costs owed to the third-party registration agency that is aiding you. Make a decision on the business structure. Make sure the chosen business name is unique. It must not conflict with any current Costa Rican firms. Prepare and sign off on the articles of incorporation or association. Officially register your company’s incorporation charter by filing the required papers with the proper government authorities. Open a corporate bank account. Register with the Costa Rican tax authorities in order to be considered a taxpayer. Get insurance. In order to safeguard your firm from potential hazards, it is pivotal to do this. You must review your business operations and determine which insurance coverage fits better. Register with Social Security. The Costa Rican Social Security Administration requires all businesses to register with them. This is done in order to comply with labor and social security requirements. [OPTIONAL] Get a company kit from an incorporation firm. It usually contains certifications and documentation that are crucial to your firm. What Types of Business Entities Can Be Registered in Costa Rica? Corporations (Sociedad Anónima – S.A.), limited liability companies (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada – S.R.L.), and branches of foreign companies are the three primary types. The most frequently picked one is the S.A. It just requires a public document with shareholder-signed bylaws and an appointed board. Also, it requires a minimum of two shareholders but no capital requirement. Although they are mostly comparable, the S.R.L. also requires a General Manager to be appointed. Foreign company branches require a public deed and power of attorney. They aren’t a good fit for SMEs, however. They can be needlessly complex and costly. What are the Legal Requirements for Company Registration in Costa Rica? There are a number of prerequisites set forth by the national law. They must all be satisfied in order to successfully complete the process of company formation in Costa Rica . One must: Choose a distinct name and check that it is not in use. Have at least two shareholders, who may be individuals or corporations. Designate a local, educated, and licensed attorney to serve as a resident agent. Define the company’s principal operations, corporate mission, and business activities in a clear and concise manner. Open a business bank account with a minimum capital transfer of $400. Register a fiscal address inside the nation. In addition, while forming a firm, you must provide: Official identification of the shareholder/shareholders; An official affirmation of the company’s principal activities, mission, and strategy; Minimum initial capital to be registered. What are the Taxation Policies for Companies in Costa Rica? The most basic rundown includes: Business Income Tax. 30% is the usual rate for business income tax here. Size, industry, and total revenue are just a few of the variables that could affect the effective rate. Depending on their sector and/or operations, certain firms could be eligible for preferential tax treatment or other breaks. Value-Added Tax (VAT). As you would expect, sales of products and services are subject to value-added tax, otherwise known as VAT. With a few notable exclusions and discounted rates, the general value-added tax rate is 13%. Businesses are typically required to register for VAT and charge it on their sales invoices. They then remit the collected VAT to the tax authorities periodically. Supplemental Taxes/Levies. Businesses might be hit with additional charges on top of the two above-mentioned. These could include things like social security contributions or local taxes. Also – withholding taxes on profits and interest. What are the Costs Associated with Registering and Operating a Company in Costa Rica? There are a number of charges to keep in mind. They may include initial/continuing registration fees, legal fees, compliance costs. Rent, utilities, and wages are examples of operational expenditures that add to the total. However, even if all (or most) expenses are known, there is almost no way to come up with a reasonable estimate for a business. A number of variables, including business size, industry, and region, could affect the overall expenses. If you want to get a closer estimate, you should get in touch with a professional agency. How Does the Labor Law Affect Companies in Costa Rica? Local businesses are subject to a number of duties and considerations, all outlined clearly in the country’s labor laws. Employment contracts for full-time work are required to be in writing and must comply with stringent requirements. As the recent Uber misclassification case shows, incorrectly categorizing employees may lead to expensive fines. Mandatory benefits, such as social security payments and several types of leaves, must be provided by employers. With no at-will employment, severance compensation and notice periods are part of the termination process. Strong anti-discrimination policies and data privacy laws also influence the dynamics between employers and employees. Finally, one more interesting detail is that, in order to be legally binding, non-disclosure agreements must fulfill very specific requirements. Of course, these are just a few examples of the nation’s labor laws affecting firms. The reality is more complex so, once again, you might want to turn to specialists for help. What are the Advantages of Operating a Business in Costa Rica? Among the many benefits of doing business are the cheap cost of living, the abundance of job-seekers, and the vast entrepreneurial network. The first upside, overall cheapness, makes it easier for startups to get off the ground without breaking the bank, which encourages business growth. In addition, the nation has a highly trained labor force and plenty of employment openings, which makes it easy to hire top people and expand businesses. Furthermore, startups and branches benefit greatly from the vast network of entrepreneurs and companies that provide invaluable help and resources. However, companies doing business in this nation may also face difficulties. Complying with regulations and overcoming bureaucratic red tape may be tough for some companies. Of course, in spite of some obstacles, Costa Rica remains a desirable location for companies aiming for development and success. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. The post Features of registration and operation of a company in Costa Rica appeared first on Times Tabloid .

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Market Expert Suggests U.S. Debt Crisis Could Position Bitcoin as a Long-Term Safe-Haven Asset

The current U.S. debt crisis is prompting experts to speculate that Bitcoin (BTC) could evolve into a long-term risk-off asset. Despite a downturn in traditional markets, Bitcoin has surged to

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