A divide is forming within the Securities and Exchange Commission over the classification of stablecoins as non-securities, posing potential challenges for upcoming regulatory legislation. The remarks from SEC Commissioner Caroline
Following what turned out to be fake news of a partnership between Hedera and Nvidia, HBAR — the native asset of the Hedera network and a top twenty cryptocurrency by market cap — experienced an over 30% price surge, with the price peaking today, April 8. Starting yesterday, after dipping sharply to $0.126, the price of HBAR rallied to just over $0.16, while its market cap grew $2 billion, increasing from $5.3 billion to near $7 billion, according to CoinGecko data . HBAR has been trading sideways around $0.16 for the past week, before dipping and sharply rallying April 7-8. To continue reading this as well as other DeFi and Web3 news, visit us at thedefiant.io
Binance’s BNSOL is quietly capturing Solana’s liquid staking market, reaching second place in dominance just six months after launch Binance is quietly gaining dominance in Solana’s (SOL) liquid staking market. According to Dune analytics, after just six months of launch, Binance’s BNSOL reached a market share of 21.4%. This puts the BNSOL total value locked at 8.4 million in staked SOL, or $901 million . By this measure, BNSOL is second only to Jito, which controls 42.7% of the market. BNSOL by @binance launched just over 6 months ago and has quickly grown its presence in @solana ’s LST market—now holding a 21.4% share with 8.4M staked SOL, second only to @jito_sol (42.7%). pic.twitter.com/ZegQvcBSse — Dune (@Dune) April 8, 2025 A likely driver of this rapid growth is BNSOL’s deep integration with the Binance ecosystem and various DeFi protocols. The token is accessible through Binance’s centralized exchange and wallet, allowing users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity. Traders can use BNSOL for trading, lending, and collateralization without un-staking their SOL holdings. You might also like: Here’s why altcoins like Pepe, Solana, Jasmy, and Bonk are rising Solana’s liquid staking ratio rises to 12.8% The growth of liquid staking popularity on Solana also played a role, a figure that has been consistently on the rise. According to Blockworks, the liquid staking ratio on Solana rose to 12.8% , doubling from the year prior. Blockworks gives slightly different figures on liquid staking dominance, putting BNSOL at 18% and JitoSOL at 38%, while Marinade’s mSOL holds a 16.8% share. At the same time, the staking ratio on Solana remained 62%, which indicates investor confidence in the project. Notably, unlike liquid staked tokens, staked Solana tokens only give out rewards if users lock them up for a given period. This effectively locks the SOL tokens out of the circulating supply, creating positive pressure on the price. You might also like: The missing pieces of DeFi liquid staking | Opinion Still, both liquid staking TVLs and Solana’s price have declined sharply from their January highs. BNSOL’s TVL, for instance, has dropped from a peak of $2 billion on January 20. The decline is largely due to Solana’s broader price retracement, which saw SOL fall 63% from its January all-time high of $294.33. Read more: BNB outpaces Solana amid market slump, $400 becomes key level
President Donald Trump is going ahead with the full 50% tariff increase on Chinese imports tonight, and he’s making it clear he doesn’t care what Wall Street thinks about it. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the new tariffs will go live at midnight, pushing total U.S. trade penalties on Chinese goods to a combined 104%. Karoline said Trump “will not accept a situation where Wall Street is allowed to run the economy.” This announcement came as U.S. markets started crashing again. On Tuesday afternoon, the S&P 500 dropped 0.2%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a weak 93 points or 0.2%. The session started with huge rallies—Dow up nearly 3.9%, S&P and Nasdaq both over 4%—but that didn’t last. As Trump’s tariff deadline moved closer, the gains vanished. Tariff deadline hits as volatility destroys investor confidence In the morning, traders reacted to speculation that Trump’s team might negotiate with U.S. allies to soften the tariffs. That fantasy didn’t survive the afternoon. Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday that he had a “great call” with the acting president of South Korea and claimed that China “also wants to make a deal badly.” But neither country had any deal in place when U.S. markets closed. Instead of dialing things back, Karoline said the president is standing firm. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that around 70 countries had approached the U.S. government looking to make trade deals. Scott said, “If they come to the table with solid proposals, I think we can end up with some good deals. And part of the calculus of that may be that some part of the tariffs stay on.” That means the administration might keep certain tariffs locked in no matter what happens. Tuesday was the fourth straight day of violent price swings triggered by Trump’s tariff plan, which was announced last week. On Monday, the U.S. stock market had its highest trading volume in 18 years, with nearly 29 billion shares changing hands. The Dow moved more than 2,500 points from high to low during the day. The S&P 500 briefly dropped into bear market territory, falling over 20% below its all-time high. Traders panic as big names collapse and fear index explodes The swings weren’t limited to broad indexes. On Tuesday, Apple stock fell 3%, after going up over 4% earlier in the day. The iPhone maker, which gets a lot of its money from China, has now lost about 20% over just three sessions. The losses are being driven by traders expecting more damage from Trump’s tariff hikes. The CBOE Volatility Index, known as the VIX, hit around 60 on Monday. That’s one of the highest levels in years. On Tuesday, it hovered near 50, still far above normal. This metric is Wall Street’s main gauge of fear. When it’s this high, traders expect chaos. Small-cap stocks also got crushed. The Russell 2000, which focuses on smaller U.S. companies, dropped 0.5% by early afternoon Tuesday. The index is now down more than 3% from where it peaked earlier that day. The brief rally that started in the morning collapsed before lunch. Some analysts still see a way for stocks to recover. Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, told CNBC that the S&P 500 could climb back to 5,400. That would be a 6.7% jump from where it ended Monday. “I think we probably have to go up to about the 5,400 level on the S&P, which would represent the September retest of 2024,” Sam said. “That becomes resistance.” Cryptopolitan Academy: Tired of market swings? Learn how DeFi can help you build steady passive income. Register Now
In today’s crypto market, stablecoins are more than a place to park capital - they’re the base layer of on-chain activity. But simply holding stablecoins isn’t enough anymore. With inflation, capital opportunity costs, and increasingly sophisticated users in the space, generating yield is now a necessity, not a luxury. Yet for professionals - whether asset managers, power users, or long-term crypto holders - accessing stablecoin yield across the DeFi ecosystem is still far too complicated. Managing multiple protocols, tracking returns, and evaluating risk is not only time-consuming but also difficult to execute consistently. Brava , now live on Mainnet Beta, solves that problem with a single, powerful idea: put all of DeFi behind one deposit. Brava offers professionals a seamless, non-custodial platform that allocates stablecoins across trusted, vetted protocols - automatically optimizing for yield while actively managing risk. One Deposit, Full DeFi Access Brava is designed for professionals who want reliable exposure to DeFi yields without micromanaging dozens of platforms. Instead of jumping from one protocol to another or chasing APYs across chains, users deposit once into Brava and gain instant access to a curated network of yield-generating opportunities. Behind the scenes, Brava monitors and reallocates capital in real time, based on both return potential and security posture. The platform acts like a yield strategist that never sleeps - adjusting positions, exiting underperforming protocols, and capitalizing on the best opportunities available. What used to take hours of manual effort, research, and monitoring now happens automatically. “We built Brava for the user who’s serious about performance but doesn’t want to babysit DeFi,” said GC Cooke, Founder and CEO of Brava. “It’s everything we wanted in a yield product - automated, secure, and non-custodial.” Trusted Protocols, Vetted Access DeFi is filled with promise, but not all protocols are created equal. Brava addresses this by taking a strict approach to protocol selection. Every yield source on the platform undergoes rigorous due diligence across three areas: smart contract risk, liquidity stability, and performance consistency. Protocols are reviewed both internally and externally, including through a full audit process. Brava’s smart contracts have also been independently audited by SigmaPrime, a leading blockchain security firm known for its work with Ethereum and other major networks. Only protocols that meet Brava’s internal risk thresholds make it onto the platform. That means users don’t have to spend hours comparing safety metrics or second-guessing whether their capital is exposed to under-the-radar risks. “Too many users either play it too safe and miss out or take unnecessary risks just to chase an extra percent,” added Fiona King, Head of Risk and Operations at Brava. “We designed Brava to strike the right balance. Strong returns, with strong oversight.” Full Control, Zero Custody Brava is fully non-custodial - users maintain complete control over their assets at all times. There are no intermediaries, no pooled funds, and no centralized custody risk. When users connect their wallet and activate Brava, the platform routes their stablecoins to yield strategies through smart contracts, but the assets remain in the user’s ownership. This approach gives professionals what they need: transparency, flexibility, and peace of mind. Deposits can be withdrawn at any time. Users see exactly where their funds are allocated and what yields are being generated, with no lock-ins or hidden mechanics. Optional Risk Coverage While Brava’s vetting process minimizes exposure to protocol-level risk, DeFi is still an open system—and smart contract failures remain a real concern. To address this, Brava offers optional coverage via its integration with Nexus Mutual, a decentralized risk-sharing protocol. Users who opt in can protect themselves against specific failure scenarios, such as a smart contract exploit or protocol insolvency. If a covered event occurs, users can file a claim and receive direct compensation, helping to mitigate downside exposure. This additional layer of protection is especially valuable for professionals deploying meaningful capital and seeking an added layer of defense—without relying on centralized insurance structures. Simplicity Meets Performance At its core, Brava is about removing friction. Professionals don’t need to track dozens of tabs or interpret protocol metrics just to make a smart yield decision. The platform surfaces clear performance data, rebalances intelligently, and works quietly in the background—so users can focus on the bigger picture. With Brava, there’s no need to choose between ease of use and control. Users get both. And with the Mainnet Beta now live, early adopters can experience the full Brava platform in production, with access to its complete suite of tools and features. Built by Finance and Crypto Veterans The team behind Brava brings a rare mix of backgrounds—from institutional finance to DeFi protocol design. CEO GC Cooke previously led product and risk initiatives at fintech firms and decentralized platforms, while Fiona King comes from a career in capital markets and blockchain security. Their shared vision: to give users a tool that works like an expert portfolio manager—intelligent, efficient, and always on. “Crypto users are getting more sophisticated,” says Cooke. “They want systems that work smarter and don’t want to worry about the underlying complexity. That’s what Brava delivers.” Why Stablecoin Yield Matters Now With more capital flowing into stablecoins than ever before, efficient yield generation is no longer niche—it’s a core strategy. Professionals looking to maximize idle capital need tools that are both smart and safe. Brava delivers on that need, offering a single point of access to the best of DeFi, without the manual work or guesswork. Stablecoins have become the new base layer of crypto finance. Brava makes sure they work harder for the people holding them. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
The European Securities and Markets Authority is sounding a fresh caution at the potential risks crypto could pose to financial markets. ESMA, the European Union’s securities watchdog, has once again touched on the issue of crypto regulation , warning that crypto-related risks could impact financial stability. According to ESMA executive director Natasha Cazenave, this possibility has increased as the cryptocurrency industry records tremendous growth amid further integration with traditional finance. Cazenave commented on the topic in an opening statement at the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee hearing on crypto-assets and financial stability on April 8, 2025. But while ESMA sees events in the crypto assets markets as likely risks to financial stability in the future, the current impact is minimal. You might also like: U.S.-China escalation ‘worst case scenario’ for risk assets and crypto: Nansen Cazenave noted that crypto remains a relatively small sector, only accounting for about 1% of the total global financial assets. There’s also “limited integration” with traditional finance and the real economy, with crypto not yet a major part of the global financial services market, including payments. More than 95% of EU banks also do not participate in crypto, Cazenave said. “Crypto-assets markets are still comparatively small. However, in the current market environment, turmoil even in small markets can originate or catalyze broader stability issues in our financial system,” she concluded. The new warning from ESMA comes a few months after the agency asked for the delisting of stablecoins that remained non-compliant with the Markets in Crypto Assets rules. MiCA went into full implementation in December 2024 and ESMA’s statement followed swiftly in January 2025. While the EU’s markets watchdog revisits the topic of crypto asset risks, there’s a marked shift in approach from regulators in the United States. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has taken multiple positive steps to promote crypto innovation, a similar approach taken by President Donald Trump’s administration. The Justice Department also announced it was disbanding its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team. Read more: Coinbase, Kraken, and 32 other companies urge to block the DOJ from prosecuting web3 builders like Tornado Cash
Analysts at the asset manager said Coinbase’s Ethereum-based network is driving a potent flywheel.
The Cboe BZX ETF application has spurred interest in SUI tokens. Canary Capital focuses on both SUI and other cryptocurrencies. Continue Reading: Exciting Developments in SUI Coin ETF Application Boost Market Activity The post Exciting Developments in SUI Coin ETF Application Boost Market Activity appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Asset management giant BlackRock has expanded its digital asset coverage to meet growing demand from individual and institutional investors, appointing Anchorage Digital as a second crypto custodian alongside Coinbase. Coinbase has previously served as the sole custodian for BlackRock’s most prominent crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), including the $48 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and the $2.1 billion iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA). The addition of Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto bank backed by major investors such as KKR, GIC, Andreessen Horowitz, and Goldman Sachs, represents a strategic move by BlackRock to diversify and strengthen its infrastructure. “As demand for digital asset products grows and our footprint in the ecosystem grows, we continue to expand our service provider network with a focus on the highest quality institutional providers,” said Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock. “After a comprehensive assessment, Anchorage Digital clearly meets these standards.” Related News: JUST IN: White House's New Tariff Announcement Brings a Sudden Drop in Bitcoin Anchorage was last valued at over $3 billion and has begun to gain traction among institutional investors. The firm has seen significant growth in its trading business this year, according to co-founder and CEO Nathan McCauley. “We serve a lot of large companies that are buying Bitcoin,” McCauley said. “A lot of large institutions are buying Bitcoin in significant amounts.” McCauley also noted that the next phase for crypto ETPs could include adding more crypto assets and features like staking that allow investors to earn returns on backed assets. Despite the market volatility in 2025, BlackRock’s IBIT has continued to lead the industry as the largest Bitcoin ETF, attracting over $2.6 billion in inflows year-to-date, while its Ethereum counterpart ETHA has attracted over $500 million in inflows in the same period, according to Bloomberg data. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: BlackRock Doesn’t Stop During the Decline: They Made a New Cryptocurrency Move
Ethereum investors face significant challenges as recent market trends indicate many are currently at a loss, but signs suggest a potential bottom is nearing. The recent 65% drop in ETH