U.S. President Trump announced on May 24th that he is not pursuing an agreement with the European Union amid ongoing economic discussions. This statement underscores the tenuous relationship between the
Off the Grid items are selling for thousands of dollars as the game is set to expand to Steam—but how will its crypto elements be handled?
BitcoinWorld Ember Sword Shutdown: A Sobering Reality Check for Crypto Gaming The world of crypto gaming has just witnessed another significant setback. Ember Sword, an ambitious Ethereum-based MMORPG that once garnered immense hype and raised a staggering sum through NFT land sales, has officially shut down. Developer Bright Star Studios announced the closure, citing a critical lack of funding as the primary reason. This news, initially reported by Decrypt, sends a sobering message through the sector, prompting many to question the sustainability of certain models within web3 gaming . Ember Sword’s Journey: From Hype to Halt in NFT Games Remember the buzz around Ember Sword ? It felt like a cornerstone project for the future of decentralized gaming. Launched with grand ambitions to create a player-driven virtual world, it captured significant attention, particularly for its innovative approach to land ownership via NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. The project managed to raise an eye-watering $203 million through these NFT land sales, attracting both retail investors eager to own a piece of the virtual world and major backers betting on the convergence of gaming and blockchain technology. The promise was compelling: a free-to-play, browser-based MMORPG where players could truly own their assets (characters, items, land) as NFTs, participate in a player-driven economy, and potentially earn from their time and effort within the game. This vision aligned perfectly with the nascent play-to-earn (P2E) movement that was gaining traction at the time. However, despite the early financial success and media spotlight, the game struggled to transition from concept and fundraising into a fully realized, engaging experience that could sustain long-term player interest. Why Did Ember Sword Shut Down? Unpacking Challenges in Web3 Gaming The core reason cited for the shutdown is a lack of funding, which might sound surprising given the massive $203 million raised initially. This points to several potential underlying issues common in the web3 gaming space: High Development Costs: Building a complex MMORPG is incredibly expensive and time-consuming, requiring significant ongoing investment in development, infrastructure, and talent. Burn Rate: Despite large raises, operational costs, marketing, and continued development can quickly deplete funds, especially if revenue streams (beyond initial NFT sales) don’t materialize as expected. Failure to Sustain Interest: Early hype fueled by NFT speculation doesn’t automatically translate into a sticky, fun game loop. If the gameplay isn’t compelling enough, players leave, diminishing the value of in-game assets and potential future revenue from marketplaces or in-game transactions. Market Dependence: Many early NFT games and web3 projects were heavily reliant on favorable market conditions. The recent crypto bear market significantly impacted NFT values and overall investment sentiment, making further fundraising or sustained economic activity within the game much harder. Over-reliance on Speculation: Projects that primarily attract users interested in flipping NFTs rather than playing the game face a challenge in building a real, engaged community focused on the gaming experience itself. When asset values drop, these ‘players’ are often the first to abandon the project. Ember Sword’s struggle to maintain momentum and funding despite its initial success highlights the precarious nature of developing large-scale games within the volatile crypto market, especially when the economic model is closely tied to asset speculation. The Wider Picture: Is This the End of Crypto Gaming? Ember Sword is not an isolated case. Its closure adds to a growing list of crypto gaming projects that have faced significant difficulties, scaled back, or shut down entirely in the past year or two. This trend has led some to declare a ‘collapse’ or the death of the P2E model. While the narrative of a widespread ‘collapse’ might be an oversimplification, it’s undeniable that the sector is undergoing a painful correction. Many projects launched during the bull market hype cycle were perhaps undercooked, over-reliant on tokenomics and speculation, and lacked fundamental game design principles that make games fun and engaging independent of financial incentives. The bear market simply accelerated the inevitable reckoning for these projects. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between the failure of specific projects and the potential of the underlying technology. The core ideas behind blockchain games – true digital ownership, verifiable scarcity, player-driven economies, interoperability – still hold significant promise for the future of gaming. The current downturn can be seen as a necessary culling of unsustainable models, paving the way for more robust and player-centric approaches. Lessons from the Ashes: Building Sustainable Blockchain Games The failure of projects like Ember Sword offers valuable, albeit painful, lessons for both developers and the community looking to build the future of blockchain games : Gameplay First: The primary focus must be on creating a genuinely fun and engaging game. Blockchain elements should enhance the experience, not be the sole reason for playing. Sustainable Economics: Move beyond simple P2E models that resemble pyramid schemes. Develop circular economies where value is generated through gameplay and consumption, not just constant new user acquisition and asset inflation. Accessibility: Lower the barriers to entry. Complex wallet setups, high gas fees, and expensive initial NFT purchases can alienate mainstream gamers. Focus on Ownership, Not Just Earning: Emphasize the benefits of true digital ownership – persistence, potential interoperability, community governance – rather than just the speculative earning potential. Prudent Financial Management: Even with significant funding, a clear roadmap for long-term sustainability and careful management of resources are critical. The future of crypto gaming likely lies in integrating blockchain technology seamlessly into excellent games, focusing on enhancing player experience and ownership rather than leading with speculative investment opportunities. Conclusion: A Sobering But Not Fatal Blow The shutdown of Ember Sword is undoubtedly disappointing for its community and a significant loss of a project that held considerable promise. It serves as a stark reminder that even projects with massive initial funding and hype are not immune to the challenges of game development and market volatility. It highlights the difficulties in translating ambitious web3 concepts into sustainable, fun, and financially viable games. While this news contributes to a narrative of struggle within the sector, it doesn’t spell the end for crypto gaming or blockchain games . Instead, it’s a necessary, albeit painful, step in the evolution of this space. The projects that will succeed are likely those that learn from these failures, prioritize compelling gameplay, build sustainable economies, and integrate blockchain technology in ways that genuinely benefit players, moving beyond pure speculation towards true digital ownership and enhanced gaming experiences. The journey is far from over, but the path forward requires a more sober, realistic, and player-focused approach. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping blockchain games moving forward . This post Ember Sword Shutdown: A Sobering Reality Check for Crypto Gaming first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
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PEPE has recently rejected a key resistance level, prompting a pullback in the current uptrend. However, technical indicators and market structure continue to signal strength, with a higher low likely forming. PEPE’s ( PEPE ) price action has cooled off after hitting a clear resistance level, but the broader trend remains firmly bullish. The latest dip is being interpreted as a potential higher low in a healthy market structure, with several confluences pointing toward another leg up. Market participants are watching for a confirmed hold at key support to validate the continuation of the rally. Key technical points Support Zone Confluence: Price is testing support at the value area high, aligning with the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement and VWAP — a strong bullish confluence. Bullish Market Structure: Higher highs and higher lows continue to define the uptrend; current pullback is seen as a constructive retest. Volume Profile Insights: A recent volume climax may signal a local top, but continuation above resistance will require fresh volume influx. PEPEUSDT (4H) Chart | Source: TradingView Following the rejection at local resistance, PEPE has pulled back into a high-probability demand zone. This area — defined by the value area high, the 0.618 Fibonacci level, and the VWAP — is acting as a dynamic support zone. These overlapping indicators make it a prime location for bulls to defend and re-establish momentum. From a structural standpoint, PEPE is maintaining a clear pattern of higher highs and higher lows. The recent correction does not invalidate the bullish trend but instead provides a reset within it. As long as the higher low structure remains intact and price closes above the current support zone on the 4-hour chart, further upside looks increasingly probable. You might also like: Bitcoin price dips into support – bullish market structure signals push toward $125K Volume also plays a pivotal role here. While a recent volume climax hinted at short-term exhaustion, it does not signal a long-term reversal. Rather, it’s a marker of a local top. For PEPE to push higher and breach the current resistance, buyers will need to step in with conviction, marked by increased and sustained volume levels. What to expect in the coming price action If PEPE holds this key support zone, a move back toward local resistance becomes likely. A successful breakout, backed by volume, could trigger an expansion phase and new highs. Until the bullish structure is invalidated, dips like this continue to offer potential buying opportunities. Read more: Jasmy price forms a risky pattern as whales offload Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
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BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Accumulation: Whales and Retail Fuel Stunning Buying Spree Are you watching the crypto market? If so, you’ve likely felt the growing buzz around Bitcoin. Something significant is happening, and it involves everyone from the smallest retail investor to the largest crypto whales. For the first time since January, Bitcoin accumulation has surged across all wallet sizes, indicating a strong, broad-based buying phase. What is Driving This Aggressive Bitcoin Accumulation? According to data analyzed by CoinDesk, Bitcoin (BTC) has entered a robust accumulation phase. This isn’t just a few big players buying; it’s a synchronized move across the entire spectrum of wallet holders. This widespread buying pressure is a key indicator often observed before significant price movements. One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from Glassnode’s Accumulation Trend Score. This metric tracks the proportion of market participants actively accumulating or distributing BTC on-chain. A score close to 1.0 indicates that a significant portion of the market is accumulating. Recently, this score hit a peak of 1.0, signaling aggressive buying activity by investors, regardless of how much BTC they hold. This renewed buying momentum didn’t just appear overnight. It began building in early May. Initially, the charge was led by the largest holders – the crypto whales , those with over 10,000 BTC. Their increased activity often signals confidence in future price appreciation. What makes this phase particularly noteworthy is that this whale accumulation was quickly followed by increased buying from smaller holders, indicating broad conviction across the market. Think of it like this: the biggest ships started sailing first, confident in the destination, and then the rest of the fleet followed, encouraged by the whales’ lead and the prevailing market winds. Beyond On-Chain: What Does the Options Market Say About the BTC Price? The bullish sentiment isn’t confined to on-chain data alone. The derivatives market, specifically Bitcoin options, is also flashing strong signals. Open interest in Bitcoin options has seen significant activity, particularly for contracts with ambitious strike prices. Let’s look at the numbers mentioned in the initial report: Approximately $620 million in call options expiring in June at the $300,000 strike price. Approximately $420 million in call options expiring in June at the $200,000 strike price. For those new to options, a call option gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a specific price (the strike price) by a certain date (the expiry). High open interest at strike prices significantly above the current BTC price suggests that a substantial number of traders are betting on a massive price increase in the near future (by June). While these targets might seem extremely optimistic, the sheer volume of money positioned on these bets reflects a powerful belief among a segment of market participants that Bitcoin has significant upward potential in the short to medium term. It’s a clear indicator of bullish expectation in the crypto market . Why is Broad Bitcoin Buying Important? When only whales are buying, it can sometimes indicate strategic positioning that might not immediately translate to sustained upward movement. However, when accumulation spreads across all investor sizes – from the smallest retail wallets to the largest institutional-sized holdings – it suggests widespread conviction. This broad participation can create a more robust and sustainable foundation for a price rally. Consider these points: Strength in Numbers: Aggregation of many small buys adds up significantly. Reduced Selling Pressure: Accumulation inherently means fewer people are selling at current prices. Market Confidence: It reflects growing confidence across diverse market segments. This pattern of aggressive Bitcoin buying across the board is a powerful signal that market participants are positioning themselves for potential future gains, seeing current prices as attractive entry or accumulation points. What Could This Mean for the Crypto Market Going Forward? Historically, periods of strong, broad accumulation have often preceded significant price rallies for Bitcoin. While past performance is not indicative of future results, the current data suggests a market structure that is becoming increasingly bullish. Potential Benefits: Increased likelihood of upward price momentum for BTC. Positive sentiment potentially spilling over to the broader crypto market . Validation of Bitcoin as a store of value or growth asset among diverse investor groups. Potential Challenges/Risks: Market volatility remains inherent in crypto. External macroeconomic factors or regulatory news could trigger sell-offs despite accumulation trends. The ambitious options targets ($200k, $300k) may not be reached, leading to potential price corrections if sentiment shifts. Actionable Insights (Not Financial Advice): Pay attention to on-chain metrics like the Accumulation Trend Score. Observe how different investor cohorts (especially crypto whales ) are behaving. Understand that while accumulation is bullish, market conditions can change rapidly. Do your own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions based on these trends. This phase of aggressive Bitcoin accumulation , backed by strong signals from both on-chain data and the options market, paints a compelling picture of current market sentiment. It suggests that a wide range of investors are preparing for what they believe could be significant upward movement in the BTC price . Conclusion: A Unified Front in Bitcoin Buying The confluence of factors – the Glassnode Accumulation Trend Score hitting a perfect 1.0, the early lead by crypto whales followed by widespread retail participation, and the substantial options market positioning at high strike prices – points to a market that is not just hopeful, but actively positioning for a significant move. This broad-based Bitcoin buying suggests a collective confidence that hasn’t been seen across all cohorts since the start of the year. While the future is never certain, the current data presents a powerfully bullish case for Bitcoin in the near term, driven by a unified front of buyers across the entire market spectrum. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin price action. This post Bitcoin Accumulation: Whales and Retail Fuel Stunning Buying Spree first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
The current fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price may signal an impending altcoin season, potentially reshaping the crypto market landscape. Despite Bitcoin’s recent dip below $109,588, strong trader interest and incoming investment
The stablecoin supply of Aptos (APT) has dramatically surged, nearly tripling in value, signaling a significant uptick in market interest and liquidity. As of May 2025, APT’s stablecoin supply skyrocketed
Key points: Bitcoin slipped below $109,588, but technical charts suggest traders are buying each dip. Excessive leverage in Bitcoin futures increases the risk of a quick correction. Select altcoins have turned down from their respective overhead resistance levels, signaling that the bears remain sellers on rallies. Sellers have pulled Bitcoin ( BTC ) back below the breakout level of $109,588, but lower levels are likely to attract buyers. Investor interest remains strong, with the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds witnessing inflows of $934 million on May 22 and $608 million on May 21, according to SoSoValue data. Glassnode noted that the all-time high above $109,588 led to a total profit-taking volume of roughly $1 billion , far more muted than the $2 billion when the price rose above $100,000 in December. That shows the investors expect the up move to continue. Veteran trader Peter Brandt said in a post on X that Bitcoin was on target to hit between $125,000 and $150,000 by the end of August. Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360 A strong rally attracts speculators who load up on leverage. CoinGlass data shows that Bitcoin futures open interest rose to just over $80 billion on May 23. Excessive leverage increases the risk of forced liquidation when prices witness a sharp pullback. Therefore, traders should exercise caution. What are the critical support levels for Bitcoin and altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out. Bitcoin price prediction Sellers are trying to sustain the price below the breakout level of $109,588, which may trap the aggressive bulls. That could pull the price to the 20-day exponential moving average ($103,652). BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView A solid bounce off the 20-day EMA suggests that the sentiment remains positive and traders are buying on dips. The bulls will then again attempt to resume the uptrend by pushing the price above $111,980. If they can pull it off, the BTC/USDT pair could dash toward the target objective of $130,000. The first sign of weakness will be a break below the 20-day EMA. That clears the path for a drop to the psychologically crucial level of $100,000. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the $100,000 level because a break below it could sink the pair to the 50-day simple moving average ($94,001). Ether price prediction Ether ( ETH ) turned down from the $2,738 resistance, indicating that the bears are vigorously defending the level. ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The ETH/USDT pair could drop to the 20-day EMA ($2,388), which is a vital support to keep an eye on. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, the bulls will again try to clear the $2,738 hurdle. If they do that, the pair could soar to $3,000. There is resistance at $2,850, but it is likely to be crossed. This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price continues to fall and breaks below the 20-day EMA. The pair could plunge to $2,323 and then to $2,111. XRP price prediction XRP ( XRP ) remains stuck inside the $2.65 to $2 range, indicating a balance between supply and demand. XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The 20-day EMA ($2.35) is flattening out, and the RSI is near the midpoint, suggesting that the XRP/USDT pair may extend its stay inside the range for a few more days. A break and close above $2.65 will complete a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, which has a target objective of $3.70. Alternatively, a break below the $2 level suggests that the bears have overpowered the bulls. That increases the likelihood of a drop to $1.60 and subsequently to $1.27. BNB price prediction BNB ( BNB ) turned down sharply from the $693 resistance on May 23, signaling aggressive selling by the bears. BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The BNB/USDT pair bounced off the 20-day EMA ($647), as seen from the long tail on the candlestick. That shows solid buying at lower levels. The bulls will again try to thrust the price above $693. If they manage to do that, the pair could skyrocket to the $732 to $761 resistance zone. Instead, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bulls are booking profits. The pair may then plummet to the 50-day SMA ($612). Solana price prediction Solana ( SOL ) climbed above the $180 resistance on May 23, but the bears are posing a strong challenge at $185. SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The upsloping 20-day EMA ($167) and the RSI in the positive zone indicate the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers sustain the price above $185, the SOL/USDT pair could rally to $210 and later to $220. Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bulls are rushing to the exit. That heightens the risk of a drop to the 50-day SMA ($147). Dogecoin price prediction Dogecoin ( DOGE ) turned down from the $0.26 overhead resistance on May 23, indicating that the bears are fiercely defending the level. DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The DOGE/USDT pair could descend to the 20-day EMA ($0.21), which is an important support to watch out for. A solid bounce off the 20-day EMA signals a positive sentiment, improving the prospect of a break above $0.26. If that happens, the pair could rally to $0.35. There is resistance at $0.29, but it is likely to be crossed. This optimistic view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below $0.21. That suggests a possible range-bound action between $0.14 and $0.26. Cardano price prediction Cardano ( ADA ) bounced off the neckline of the inverse H&S pattern, but the bulls could not clear the overhead obstacle at $0.86. ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView If the price continues lower and breaks below the neckline, it shows that the bears are active at higher levels. The ADA/USDT pair could drop to the 50-day SMA ($0.69) and later to the solid support at $0.60. Contrarily, a solid bounce off the 20-day EMA ($0.75) shows demand at lower levels. The bulls will then again attempt to kick the price above $0.86. If they succeed, the pair could ascend to $1.01. Related: Bitcoin's new all-time high has traders asking: Is BTC price overheating at $111K? Sui price prediction Buyers failed to push Sui ( SUI ) above the overhead resistance of $4.25 on May 22, indicating that the bears are aggressively defending the level. SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView Repeated failure to cross the $4.25 level may have tempted short-term buyers to book profits. That pulled the price below the 20-day EMA ($3.73). If the price sustains below the 20-day EMA, the SUI/USDT pair could plummet to the 50-day SMA ($3.09). On the contrary, if the price turns up from the 20-day EMA and breaks above $4.25, it indicates the resumption of the up move. The pair could climb to $5 and eventually to $5.37, where the bears are expected to step in. Hyperliquid price prediction Hyperliquid (HYPE) soared above the stiff overhead resistance of $28.50 on May 22, indicating the start of the next leg of the up move. HYPE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The bulls pushed the price above the $35.73 resistance on May 23, but the long wick on the candlestick shows the bears are trying to defend the level. If buyers do not cede much ground to the bears, the HYPE/USDT pair could surge to $42.25. Time is running out for the bears. If they want to make a comeback, they will have to swiftly drag the price back below the 20-day EMA ($26.32). That signals the pair has formed a local top near $37.59. Chainlink price prediction Chainlink ( LINK ) closed above the resistance line of the descending channel pattern on May 22, but the bulls are finding it difficult to maintain the momentum. LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The bears are trying to pull the price back into the descending channel. If the price skids below the neckline, it suggests that the breakout above the resistance line may have been a bull trap. The LINK/USDT pair could sink to $13.20, keeping the price stuck inside the channel for some more time. Conversely, a solid bounce off the resistance line indicates that the bulls are trying to flip the level into support. The pair could rise to $18 and thereafter to $19.80. 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.