Key takeaways: Bitcoin trades within a narrowing range between $91,000 and $94,500 over the last three days. A rare divergence between rising open interest and negative funding rates could set up a short squeeze. BTC price must establish $95,000 as new support to continue the uptrend. Bitcoin ( BTC ) price has been consolidating within a tight $91,700- $94,490 range since April 22. However, expert opinions and indicators suggest that Bitcoin’s choppy price action could soon end. The key question remains when Bitcoin will break out of consolidation. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/ TradingView BTC funding rates hint at potential short squeeze One of the most significant signs that consolidation will end soon is the presence of negative funding rates in its futures markets. While the recent recovery in Bitcoin price was accompanied by a 15% rise in open interest, average funding rates declined, suggesting rising short interest. Bitcoin’s funding rates dropped to as low as -0.023% as the price tapped $94,700. This indicates a growing bias toward short-side positioning, indicating that many traders are betting against the uptrend. This suggests that futures traders are “potentially viewing the recent move as overextended,” Glassnode said in its latest Week Onchain report, adding: “This divergence between rising open interest and negative funding sets the stage for a possible short squeeze scenario if upward momentum continues.” Bitcoin open interest and funding Rates. Source: Glassnode A short squeeze occurs when prices rise sharply, forcing traders with short positions to buy back contracts to cover losses. Often triggered by unexpected market events or supply constraints, this buying pressure further drives prices up, trapping short sellers. Commenting on this, analysts at Jlabs Digital said that “a rally with negative funding and rising OI is rare and bullish.” “Until that flips, the momentum has room to run despite some caution signals we see elsewhere.” Bitcoin must break $95K to end consolidation According to one popular crypto analyst, Bitcoin may continue consolidating in its current range for a bit longer, particularly if the resistance at $95,000 is not broken. “Bitcoin consolidating under resistance,” said market analyst AlphaBTC in an April 25 post on X. He referred to the resistance at $95,000, which capped Bitcoin’s latest rally. As Cointelegraph reported, $95,000 remains the next significant resistance . Until it is reclaimed, AlphaBTC says that the price is likely to continue consolidating within the $93,000-$95,000 range before moving higher. “The best case is $BTC consolidating and building a base before pushing higher to take liquidity above 100k.” BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: AlphaBTC Analyst Jelle shared similar sentiments, saying Bitcoin’s current consolidation cycle could continue until the price breaks above $94,000. “Bitcoin is slowly munching its way through the monster resistance zone,” Jelle said in an April 24 post on X, highlighting the weekly resistance around $95,000. “Impressive strength. A break above $94K and this sends a lot higher.” BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Jelle The breakout could come in the next few days as April ends. QCP Capital said, "Call options at $95K strikes for end-April and end-May expiries have dominated flow, pointing to a tactical appetite for further upside.” In an April 25 Telegram note to investors, the investment firm said: “With macro risks temporarily subdued and trade tensions cooling, BTC is likely to consolidate in a narrow $90K–$94.5K range while awaiting a catalyst for a decisive push toward the elusive $100K mark.” This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
COINOTAG News reported on April 25th that Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, has revised its bullish price forecast for Bitcoin from $1.5 million to an ambitious $2.4 million for
U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a Pennsylvania Republican and ex-CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has become the largest Bitcoin investor in Congress. According to financial disclosures , McCormick has made repeated investments in Bitwise’s spot Bitcoin ETF, purchasing nearly $250,000. Source: US Senate Financial Disclosures The lawmaker has invested approximately between $310,000 to $700,000 in the Bitwise ETF in March alone. In February, McCormick disclosed as much as $450,000 in the same product, bringing his total investments close to $1 million. Per filings, the Senator bought up $65,000 to $150,000 in shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, days before Trump’s Executive Order to explore a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve . Sen. McCormick also disclosed several other trades, notably selling between $1 million and $5 million in Goldman Sachs stock. Crypto-Friendly Sen. McCormick Endorsed by Coinbase CEO During Campaign The Senator, who previously headed the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has been perceived as being friendly to the cryptocurrency sector. His pro-crypto stance prompted an endorsement from Coinbase Global CEO Brian Armstrong, helping him narrowly win a Senate seat in the 2024 election. “[McCormick] is the better candidate on crypto among many other credentials,” Armstrong said at the time. In February, the lawmaker addressed the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets’s first hearing, stressing that “2025 is the year for digital assets.” “Blockchain and digital assets offer Pennsylvania and America a chance to lead the next wave of innovation, enhancing our national security and our economy,” he wrote on X . US Senators Having Direct Stakes in Crypto Apart from Sen. McCormick, Steve Daines of Montana owned a variety of different ETFs, which have since been sold. This includes ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF, Amplify Blockchain Leaders ETF, Vaneck Bitcoin Strategy ETF, and Valkyrie’s Bitcoin and Ether Strategy ETF. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia has disclosed buying shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), shortly before Trump’s Bitcoin Strategic Reserve announcement. Further, Justin Sun, the advisor to Trump’s World Liberty Financial, has claimed he is the largest shareholder of Valkyrie. The post US Senator McCormick is Bitcoin’s Biggest Investor in Congress appeared first on Cryptonews .
Wall Street analysts are now warning that the S&P 500 could sink to 3,700 this year, even without a full-blown recession. That’s what Chris Senyek, chief investment strategist at Wolfe Research, told clients on Thursday. He said the index could drop anywhere between 3,700 and 4,100 if the U.S. economy slows down, making it a 37% to 30% crash from where it started in January. The S&P 500 has already dropped more than 7% this year and is sitting 11% lower than its peak in February. It officially entered a bear market earlier this month after President Donald Trump dropped his April 2 tariff bomb. Since then, the market has been moving sideways. Earnings expectations collapse under recession fears Chris said the biggest danger right now is what happens if the U.S. slides into a recession. If that happens, he expects S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) to fall from $266 to $225, which would be a 15% drop. That drop lines up with what has happened in past downturns. “If uncertainty caused by tariff policy were to push the U.S. economy into recession in 2025, we’d expect SPX EPS to fall at least 15% from current levels in line with the median EPS peak to trough over the past four recessions, of 16.7%,” Chris wrote Thursday. He also pointed out that price-to-earnings ratios would shrink in that case. The S&P 500 currently trades at 19.4x earnings. If it drops to the 15-year average of 16.6x or the 10-year average of 18.4x, and EPS hits $225, then the index would crash to somewhere between 3,700 and 4,100. For now, earnings season is off to a solid start. Out of the 157 companies on the S&P 500 that have reported so far, 76% beat expectations. That’s better than what analysts were expecting on March 31. Back then, they predicted a 7.2% growth rate, but the current blended rate—which combines actual results and remaining forecasts—is now at 8%, according to John Butters, senior earnings analyst at FactSet. Death cross formation warns of more losses ahead The charts are flashing warnings too. On April 14, the S&P 500’s 50-day moving average dropped under its 200-day moving average, forming what traders call a death cross. This kind of crossover isn’t normal. It’s only happened 50 times since 1928, and when it does, things usually get worse before they get better. The data was tracked by Bank of America, and it shows that in the 20 days after a death cross forms, the S&P 500 has fallen 0.5% on average, and it’s ended lower more than half of those times. If you stretch that window to 40 days, things don’t look much better. The index still ends up lower in almost half the cases, but when it rises, it gains 0.9% on average. Push out to 80 days, though, and there’s some light. The index rises more often than not and brings in an average gain of 2.6% from when the cross forms. But in this case, things are even messier. The 200-day moving average was also dropping when the death cross hit, which makes the pattern more dangerous. Bank of America pulled data from times when both moving averages were trending down during the five days before the crossover. In those rare setups, the S&P 500 was down two out of every three times in the following 20 days, with an average loss of 1.6%. The good news doesn’t really start until day 40, when the index rises in more than half of those cases and gains around 1%. If you wait two months, the odds are even better—67% of the time, the market goes up, and the average return grows to 3.5%. Still, those gains only come after traders get knocked around. Bank of America’s Paul Ciana told clients this week, “This suggests we should consider buying a dip/retest of lows in April.” As of now, resistance for the S&P 500 sits around 5,500, and the index hasn’t been able to push past that level and was last seen just under it, trading at 5,483. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More
North Korean hackers posing as American tech entrepreneurs quietly registered companies in New York and New Mexico as part of a campaign to compromise developers in the crypto industry, security firm Silent Push said Thursday. Two businesses, Blocknovas and Softglide, were created using fictitious identities and addresses. The operation is tied to a subgroup within the Lazarus Group. The North Korean-backed hacking unit has stolen billions worth of crypto in the past years using sophisticated techniques and strategies that target unsuspecting individuals or companies. “This is a rare example of North Korean hackers actually managing to set up legal corporate entities in the US in order to create corporate fronts used to attack unsuspecting job applicants,” said Kasey Best, director of threat intelligence at Silent Push, said. The hackers’ playbook is as manipulative as it is effective: use fake LinkedIn-style profiles and job postings to lure crypto developers into interviews. Then, during the recruitment process, they are tricked into downloading malware disguised as job application tools. Silent Push identified multiple victims of the operation, especially those contacted through Blocknovas, which researchers say was the most active of the three front companies. The firm’s listed address in South Carolina appears to be an empty lot, while Softglide was registered through a tax office in Buffalo, New York. The firm added that the malware used in the campaign includes at least three virus strains previously tied to North Korean cyber units. These programs can steal data, provide remote access to infected systems, and serve as entry points for additional spyware or ransomware. The FBI has seized the Blocknovas domain, per Reuters. A notice posted to the site states it was taken down “as part of a law enforcement action against North Korean cyber actors who utilised this domain to deceive individuals with fake job postings and distribute malware.”
The SUI token has surged 62% this week due to rumors of a Pokémon collaboration fueled by Parasol Technologies’ involvement. Parasol Technologies, acquired by Mysten Labs, is linked to the
Blockchain technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our digital world. At its core, a blockchain is a decentralized ledger that records transactions across a peer-to-peer network. This innovative approach allows participants to confirm transactions without the need for a central clearing authority, fundamentally altering how trust and verification are established in digital interactions. It can be understood as an advanced database mechanism that facilitates transparent information sharing within a business network. This database stores data in blocks that are linked together in a chain, forming a chronological and unalterable record of events. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are not the same as often perceived. The fundamental definition of blockchain emphasizes the concepts of decentralization, immutability, and a shared, distributed ledger. These core attributes are consistently highlighted across various expert sources, underscoring their paramount importance in understanding what blockchain technology truly is. These differentiating factors, most notably decentralization and immutability, are what imbue blockchain technology with its revolutionary potential and enable its diverse applications across various industries. Decoding the Blocks and Chains Blocks: The Building Units In blockchain technology, data is organized and stored in fundamental units known as blocks. These blocks are designed to store transaction data and are sequentially linked to preceding blocks, forming an ordered chain. Each block incorporates a cryptographic hash of the block that came before it, along with a timestamp indicating when the block was created and transaction data, which is often structured using a Merkle tree to ensure data integrity. A single block within a blockchain transaction serves to record the movement of assets, whether physical or digital, from one participant to another within the network. Once a transaction has been recorded within a block, its validity must be confirmed by the majority of participants on the distributed blockchain network through a process called consensus. Each block is assigned a unique identifier, akin to a fingerprint, known as a hash. This hash is generated based on the data contained within the current block as well as the hash of the immediately preceding block in the chain. Furthermore, blocks contain metadata within their header, which includes crucial information such as a timestamp to denote the block’s creation time, a random number called a nonce used in the mining process for certain types of blockchains, and the cryptographic hash of the previous block. The data stored within these blocks is not limited solely to monetary exchanges; it can encompass a wide array of data types, illustrating the versatility and broad applicability of blockchain technology across various domains. The fundamental definition of blockchain emphasizes the concepts of decentralization, immutability, and a shared, distributed ledger. While the terms “digital ledger” or “database” provide a familiar starting point for comprehension, it is crucial to recognize the key distinctions that set blockchain apart from traditional databases. These differentiating factors, most notably decentralization and immutability, are what imbue blockchain technology with its revolutionary potential and enable its diverse applications across various industries. Chains: The Linkages Between the Blocks The organization of blocks in blockchain technology follows a sequential and cryptographic linkage, forming what is aptly named a chain. Each new block that is added to the blockchain is securely connected to the blocks that came before and after it through the use of cryptographic hashes. A critical aspect of this linkage is that the cryptographic hash of a block incorporates data from the preceding block in the chain. This design makes it computationally infeasible to alter any single block without also necessitating the modification of all subsequent blocks in the chain. The irreversible nature of this chain is a significant security feature; each newly added block reinforces the security and validation of all the blocks that preceded it, thereby strengthening the entire chain against tampering. Consensus Mechanism Before a block is added to the chain, the network has to validate the transaction using consensus algorithms like Proof-of-work (POW) and Proof-of-stake (POS). This is done to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. Different Types of Blockchain Public Blockchain: A public blockchain is defined as a distributed ledger system that operates without restrictions, allowing individuals or entities to access, view, and participate in the network. This permissionless characteristic is central to their design, distinguishing them from the private or permissioned blockchains that impose control on network participation. Private Blockchain: Also known as permissioned blockchain, it is a type of blockchain network where access is restricted to a specific group of participants. Unlike public blockchains, these blockchains are controlled by a central authority or a consortium of trusted entities. Consortium Blockchain: It is a hybrid form of blockchain technology that combines elements of both public and private blockchains. Consortium blockchains are governed by a group of pre-selected entities or organizations that collaborate to manage the network. It is useful when multiple institutions need a shared, secure, and decentralized platform without giving full control to a single party. Real World Applications of Blockchain Blockchain in Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Ethereum are built on blockchain, enabling decentralized digital currencies. Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: Blockchain helps in traceability, accountability, and efficiency in logistics. Blockchain in Healthcare: Securely stores patients’ records, ensuring privacy and quick access for authorized personnel. Blockchain in Finance: Ensures faster payments, smart contracts, and fraud prevention in the current banking system. Advantages of Blockchain Blockchain technology is a transformative force, offering multiple benefits in different sectors from medical to education. Its decentralized nature ensures that no single entity controls the network, enhancing transparency, and reducing the risk of a single point of failure. The following are the advantages that blockchain provides: Decentralization : Blockchain removes the need for an intermediary by allowing peer-to-peer transactions, reducing reliance on central authorities. Transparency: In a public blockchain, all transactions are recorded on a public ledger, allowing anyone to verify and audit the data. Immutability: Once the data is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, ensuring data integrity. Enhanced Security : Blockchain uses cryptographic algorithms to secure the data, making it highly resistant to unauthorized access. Efficient Transactions: With blockchain, settlements can be done on real real-time basis, which is useful especially in financial transactions or supply chain. Disadvantages of Blockchain Blockchain is proving to be revolutionary; however, it is not without limitations: Scalability Issues: Public blockchains often face performance bottlenecks due to limited transaction throughput. Complexity and learning curve : Blockchain development and integration require specialized skills and knowledge, making adoption difficult for some businesses. Conclusion Blockchain technology is reshaping the digital world by offering decentralized, transparent, and secure solutions across a wide range of industries. From powering cryptocurrencies to enabling smart contracts on platforms, the potential applications are vast and continuously expanding. Despite challenges, ongoing innovation and growing adoption are helping to address these issues. As we move forward into a more connected and decentralized world, blockchain will undoubtedly play a central role in shaping the technologies and economies of tomorrow.
Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, has strongly criticized Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield following the state’s lawsuit against Coinbase. The lawsuit claims that XRP and other digital assets offered by the exchange are unregistered securities, placing Coinbase in violation of Oregon state law. Tyler, who responded to the complaint, referenced 2023’s federal ruling in the SEC vs. Ripple case, which concluded that XRP is not a security when sold on public exchanges. He called out Oregon’s attorney general for disregarding this outcome, stating, “Maybe Oregon’s AG didn’t get the memo. A U.S. Federal judge already ruled that XRP is NOT a security.” He went further, calling for the AG’s impeachment for wasting taxpayer money and defying existing legal precedent. Maybe Oregon’s AG didn’t get the memo. A U.S. Federal judge already ruled that XRP is NOT a security. Impeach this clown for wasting taxpayer money and blatantly defying the law. https://t.co/viuTwbMxov — Tyler Winklevoss (@tyler) April 22, 2025 Oregon’s Legal Challenge The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase , Ripple, and many other cryptocurrency companies. Despite this, the Oregon Department of Justice, in an April 18 statement, framed the lawsuit as an attempt to address a regulatory vacuum left by what it claimed was federal inaction under the Trump administration. It argues that Coinbase, through its standard platform and Prime service, offered tokens such as XRP, Aave, and Uniswap as investment contracts, allegedly making them securities under Oregon law. Coinbase’s chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, expressed frustration with the legal challenge , as it ignores important precedent, including the ruling on XRP’s status and Judge Katherine Polk Failla’s decision to allow an interlocutory appeal in the SEC’s case. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 What’s Next for XRP? For Winklevoss and others in the crypto sector, Oregon’s action contradicts that clarity and reintroduces uncertainty into an issue many considered resolved at the federal level. By ignoring the federal court ruling, Oregon’s attorney general has drawn direct criticism from the crypto community members who see the move as legally unsound and politically motivated. Winklevoss’s response reflects broader frustration within the industry regarding continued attempts to relitigate XRP’s status through state-level enforcement. Despite the legal uncertainty, Coinbase recently expanded its support for XRP by adding futures contracts to its derivatives platform on April 21. Coinbase is not backing down, and just as Ripple fought the SEC for years, Coinbase could win another major victory for the crypto space in Oregon. 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. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Gemini Co-Founder Backs XRP In Latest Case Against Coinbase appeared first on Times Tabloid .
The post XRP News Today : Ripple IPO Plans On Hold Says Ripple President, Monica Long appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Ripple News April 25th : Despite ongoing buzz and years of speculation, Ripple has confirmed it has no plans for an IPO in 2025. The company behind XRP is choosing a different path, even after resolving its long-standing legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Why Ripple IPO Plan is Delayed? Ripple’s President, Monica Long, told CNBC that the company is financially secure, with billions of dollars in cash reserves. She noted that IPOs are typically used to raise capital or increase market visibility—neither of which Ripple needs right now. Echoing her statement, CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that the company isn’t looking to go public anytime soon and doesn’t require external funding. Years of Hype Around Ripple IPO Fizzles Out The Ripple IPO has been a topic of discussion for years. In 2022, Garlinghouse said the company would consider going public once its legal battles with the SEC were resolved. However, even after gaining some legal clarity, he clarified in late 2023 that an IPO wasn’t a top priority. In early 2024, Ripple repurchased shares at a valuation of $11.3 billion—down from a $15 billion peak in 2022. That buyback raised $285 million, bringing the company’s total funding to $318.5 million. Investors include major names like Andreessen Horowitz, Google Ventures, and Founders Fund. Focus on Growth Through Acquisitions Instead of going public, Ripple is doubling down on growth through acquisitions. One of its most significant moves was the $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road , a prime brokerage handling over $3 trillion in annual transactions. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Ripple’s global presence, especially in the stablecoin space with the upcoming RLUSD token. It also signals Ripple’s ambition to become a bigger player in traditional and digital finance alike. FAQ Why is Ripple not launching an IPO despite resolving the SEC case? Ripple says it doesn’t need an IPO right now because it has billions in cash and no urgency to raise funds or gain public exposure. The company is financially strong and prefers to grow through acquisitions. Will RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, be integrated into global payment systems? Yes, Ripple plans to integrate RLUSD into its expanding global network. The recent $1.25B acquisition of Hidden Road is a key step toward that, aiming to boost RLUSD’s adoption in institutional finance.
Gone are the days when fiat was being used for payments, but with the advent of cryptocurrencies, the payment dynamics are changing at a transformative speed. The year 2025 is being seen as a pivotal year for the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies. As per the projections, cryptocurrency markets are expected to reach $5 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 15.4% from its $2.1 billion valuation in 2024 ( Cryptocurrency Trends Business Report 2025: Global Market ) By leveraging blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies eliminate intermediaries, making transactions more transparent and efficient, unlike the traditional banking system. Efforts are being made to bring more clarity, which will eventually bring more confidence and attract more users to adopt cryptocurrencies as a mode of payment. In this guide, you will explore different methods through which you can leverage cryptocurrencies for payments, also discussing about pros and cons of each. Let’s dive in. 1. Direct Cryptocurrency Payments Direct payments are transactions with merchants using digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum and involve using a cryptocurrency wallet to send funds directly to the merchant’s wallet address. With the transactions happening using blockchain technology, there is an added layer of privacy and security. One can facilitate the payment by scanning a QR code provided by the merchant or by manually inputting their wallet address. Pros: There is a potential for lower transaction fees compared to traditional payment gateways. Offers faster settlement as there are no intermediaries involved. Cons: The merchants who accept crypto payments are relatively few, therefore, there is limited merchant acceptance. It is highly likely that the price of cryptocurrency fluctuates between the time when the payment is initiated and when it is confirmed on the blockchain. Payments are usually irreversible. In countries like El Salvador , where Bitcoin has been recognized as legal tender, direct acceptance is more prevalent. Platforms such as BitPay play a crucial role by facilitating direct crypto payments for a growing network of merchants. 2. Cryptocurrency Debit Cards Just like regular debit cards, crypto debit cards offer a convenient method to make the payments. Such cards operate by linking to a user’s cryptocurrency holdings and automatically converting the crypto into fiat at the point of sale. This conversion is very seamless and allows cardholders to make payments to merchants who don’t otherwise accept crypto payments. Pros: They are highly convenient to use as they are accepted anywhere major cards like Mastercards or Visa are used. Certain cards offer a reward system that allows users to utilize their cryptocurrency holdings for everyday spending. Cons: Users may have to face several fees, such as transaction fees, currency conversion fees, charges for ATM withdrawals, and even inactivity fees. There is also an inherent risk of volatility associated with cryptocurrency payments. It may happen that the value of a digital asset may fluctuate between the time of purchase and the final settlement of the transaction. Some crypto debit cards require users to stake a certain amount of the platform’s native cryptocurrency to unlock higher rewards or access different card tiers. Crypto debit cards are available on a number of platforms, with regional availability changing. The Coinbase Card, the Crypto.com Visa Card, and the BitPay Card are well-liked choices in the USA. Options such as the Binance Card, the Wirex Card, and the Crypto.com Visa Card are available to consumers in Europe. Notably, Mastercard and Kraken have teamed up to enable Bitcoin payments at more than 150 million shops in Europe. Cards like the Bybit Card, the Wirex Card, and the Crypto.com Visa Card are also available in Australia. 3. Engaging in Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Crypto Payments Peer-to-peer crypto payments, or popularly known as P2P, are those payments that happen directly between two individuals without the need of any intermediary or central authority. These interactions are often enabled through P2P exchange platforms. Pros: One key advantage of P2P crypto payments is the lower transaction fees compared to centralized exchange because of fewer intermediaries. Users often have more control over the price at which they trade, as they can negotiate directly with counterparties. P2P platforms offer a wide variety of payment options like bank transfer, digital wallets, and cash. The decentralized nature provides enhanced privacy and transparency. Cons: One potential threat is that of scams and fraud as people deal with unknown parties while transacting. Transaction speed might be of concern as the process relies on mutual payment confirmation. Another potential drawback might be liquidity due to difficulties in finding suitable trading partners or executing large trades quickly. Regulatory compliance can also be a challenge, as P2P platforms and users need to be aware of and adhere to varying regulations across different jurisdictions. Binance P2P is widely recognized for its high liquidity, global reach, and support for numerous payment methods and fiat currencies. Paxful is known for its inclusivity, particularly in emerging markets, offering a wide range of payment options. 4. In-Game Crypto Payments The in-game crypto payments are gaining momentum and opening up new possibilities for digital commerce and ownership. Cryptocurrencies enable true ownership of in-game assets through the use of Non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This allows for the play to earn models where players can earn real-world value through their in-game activities. Pros: Transactions within these gaming ecosystems using cryptocurrency can be faster and less expensive than traditional means. Cons: The value of game-specific tokens can fluctuate, affecting their real-world value. The integration of cryptocurrency payments into popular gaming is still in its early stages. Concerns about the environmental impact of some blockchain technology are also prevalent in the gaming world. Leading metaverse platforms, such as Decentraland (MANA) and The Sandbox (SAND), use their own native currency for all in-world transactions, including purchasing virtual land and digital assets. Blockchain-based games built on platforms like Solana and Polygon are progressively embracing cryptocurrency payments for a variety of in-game features. 5. AI-Powered Crypto Payments The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cryptocurrency payments is a cutting-edge concept that aims to improve and streamline transaction operations. AI can greatly increase security by incorporating improved fraud detection mechanisms. AI has the potential to personalize payment experiences depending on user behavior and preferences. Pros: AI can greatly increase security by incorporating improved fraud detection mechanisms. AI has the potential to personalize payment experiences depending on user behavior and preferences. Cons: Concerns about data privacy arising from AI analysis of payment information must also addressed. The reliability and accuracy of AI in handling financial transactions are areas that require further validation. Rezolve Ai and Tether are collaborating to build an AI-powered crypto payment platform with the goal of redefining point-of-sale transactions. Alchemy Pay is also actively creating an AI-native payment infrastructure as part of its future plans. Conclusion: Embracing Cryptocurrency Payments in 2025 In 2025, the options for purchasing with cryptocurrencies are growing more diversified and complex. From direct peer-to-peer transactions and the convenience of crypto debit cards to the inventive usage of stablecoins and the immersive economies of the metaverse, cryptocurrency users have a rapidly expanding range of possibilities. Payment processors’ involvement in enabling merchant adoption, as well as the emergence of AI-powered solutions, underscore the industry’s dynamic evolution. While each technique has advantages and problems, the overall trend shows a rising integration of cryptocurrencies into the fabric of ordinary trade.