Imagine walking into a high-end jewelry store, admiring exquisite pieces, and then pulling out your phone not to use a credit card, but your crypto wallet. This futuristic scenario is rapidly becoming a reality, especially for enthusiasts of both luxury and digital assets. The latest exciting development comes from the world of high-end fashion and jewelry, signaling a significant step forward for cryptocurrency adoption in the luxury sector. This move by a renowned French jeweler is set to redefine how consumers can interact with premier brands and utilize their digital wealth. Which Luxury Brands Are Accepting Crypto Now? Messika Joins the Ranks The intersection of luxury goods and cryptocurrency has been a topic of growing interest. While some pioneering brands have dipped their toes into the space, the announcement from Messika, a celebrated Paris-based jewelry company, marks a significant moment. Known for its modern and dazzling diamond creations, Messika is now officially accepting cryptocurrency payments across its retail locations in Europe and the United States, as well as through its global online platform. This isn’t just a pilot program; it’s a full integration designed to cater to a clientele that is increasingly sophisticated and digitally native. The decision by Messika highlights a growing recognition among luxury brands that the holders of significant cryptocurrency wealth represent a valuable market segment eager for new ways to spend their digital assets. Exploring the Details of Messika Crypto Payments How exactly is Messika making this possible? The seamless integration of crypto payments is facilitated through a strategic partnership with Lunu, a leading crypto payment provider. Lunu specializes in enabling businesses to accept various cryptocurrencies and settle in traditional fiat currency, simplifying the process for merchants and customers alike. The collaboration allows Messika customers to make purchases using some of the most prominent and widely held cryptocurrencies in the market. According to reports, the accepted digital currencies include: Bitcoin (BTC): The original and largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Ether (ETH): The native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, known for its smart contract capabilities. USDT: Tether, a popular stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, offering stability compared to more volatile assets. Solana (SOL): A high-performance blockchain platform known for its speed and efficiency. The inclusion of both established giants like Bitcoin and Ether, alongside a widely used stablecoin and a fast-growing alternative like Solana, demonstrates Messika’s intention to offer flexibility and cater to a broad spectrum of crypto holders. Why Pay with Bitcoin Luxury Goods? The Appeal for Consumers For customers holding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the ability to use them directly for luxury purchases offers several compelling advantages: Convenience: Skipping the step of converting crypto to fiat through an exchange can save time and potential fees. Liquidity: It provides a direct avenue to utilize accumulated digital wealth for tangible, high-value assets. Privacy: While not entirely anonymous, crypto transactions can offer a degree of privacy compared to traditional payment methods linked to personal banking information. Access to Global Markets: For international customers, paying in crypto can sometimes simplify cross-border transactions. The appeal to pay with Bitcoin luxury items isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about making a statement. It signifies participation in a modern, forward-thinking economy where digital assets are recognized and valued by prestigious brands. Ethereum Payment Jewelry and Beyond: The Expanding Horizon While Bitcoin often grabs headlines, the acceptance of Ethereum payment jewelry by Messika is equally significant. Ethereum’s network is the backbone for much of the decentralized finance (DeFi) world and the NFT market, representing a vast ecosystem of users with substantial digital holdings. Enabling Ether payments directly connects Messika to this wealthy and active community. The inclusion of USDT provides a stable option, shielding both the customer and the merchant from the price volatility often associated with cryptocurrencies. This is particularly important for high-value transactions common in the luxury sector. Solana’s inclusion points towards an acknowledgment of newer, faster blockchain technologies and their growing user base. Solana USDT Payments: Catering to Diverse Crypto Portfolios The decision to accept a range of cryptocurrencies, including Solana USDT payments , reflects an understanding that crypto holders have diverse portfolios. It moves beyond simply accepting Bitcoin and Ether to embrace the broader digital asset landscape. This inclusivity is likely to resonate well with crypto enthusiasts who appreciate the flexibility. The process facilitated by Lunu ensures that while customers pay in crypto, Messika receives the equivalent value in fiat currency, mitigating the jeweler’s exposure to crypto market fluctuations. This backend conversion is key to making crypto payments viable for traditional businesses. What Does This Mean for the Future of Luxury and Crypto? Messika’s move is more than just a payment option; it’s a cultural shift. It signals that the luxury industry is increasingly willing to adapt to the evolving financial landscape and cater to a new generation of wealthy consumers who have made their fortunes in the digital realm. This trend is expected to continue, potentially influencing other high-end brands to explore similar integrations. This adoption by a mainstream luxury brand also lends further legitimacy to cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange, moving them beyond speculative assets into practical tools for commerce. It bridges the gap between the digital economy and traditional high-street retail, creating new possibilities for both consumers and businesses. Benefits for Messika and the Luxury Sector Beyond catering to crypto-rich customers, accepting digital payments offers benefits for Messika itself: Market Expansion: Taps into a global pool of potential customers who prefer or exclusively hold crypto. Modern Image: Positions Messika as innovative and forward-thinking, appealing to younger, tech-savvy demographics. Potential Cost Savings: Crypto transaction fees can sometimes be lower than traditional credit card processing fees, especially for international transactions. Faster Settlements: Depending on the crypto and provider, settlement times can potentially be faster than traditional methods. This move sets a precedent and could encourage other players in the luxury watch, fashion, automotive, and art markets to follow suit, accelerating the integration of crypto into high-end retail. Challenges and Considerations While exciting, the adoption of crypto payments isn’t without its challenges: Volatility: Although Lunu handles the conversion to fiat for the merchant, the customer is still exposed to volatility until the point of sale. Regulation: The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies is still evolving globally, which can present complexities. Technical Integration: Ensuring smooth and secure transactions requires robust technical infrastructure. Customer Education: Some customers may still be unfamiliar or hesitant to use crypto for payments. Despite these hurdles, the commitment from brands like Messika suggests that the perceived benefits outweigh the challenges, at least for now. Conclusion: A Sparkling Future for Crypto in Luxury Messika’s decision to accept Bitcoin, Ether, USDT, and Solana payments is a glittering example of how luxury brands are embracing the future of finance. By partnering with Lunu, the French jeweler is not only catering to a growing market of crypto holders but also setting a new standard for customer experience in the high-end retail space. This move underscores the increasing legitimacy and utility of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for goods and services, even at the highest levels of commerce. As more consumers accumulate wealth in digital assets, the ability to spend that wealth directly on desirable items like Messika jewelry will become increasingly important, paving the way for wider crypto adoption across the luxury sector and beyond. To learn more about the latest trends in luxury brands accepting crypto and crypto payment solutions , explore our article on key developments shaping the future of digital asset payments .
Recent inflows into BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF highlight a potential turning point for Bitcoin’s market dynamics, presenting significant support amid fluctuating retail interest. With nearly $1 billion invested by BlackRock’s iShares
In a recent update, COINOTAG reported that on April 29th, the most actively traded tokens on Binance by volume included KMNO, POPCAT, and FARTCOIN. Collectively, these tokens represented a significant
Strategy (MSTR) has expanded its bitcoin holdings again, purchasing 15,355 BTC for around $1.42 billion last week. The average price paid per coin was $92,737 , according to a Monday regulatory filing. This latest buy pushes Strategy’s total bitcoin stack to 553,555 BTC, now valued above $52 billion with bitcoin trading slightly over $95,000. The company’s average purchase price across all its bitcoin is $64,459. The acquisition was financed through proceeds from recent stock sales. Between April 21 and 27, Strategy sold over $4 million of Class A common shares and more than 435,000 preferred STRK shares. As of now, just $128.7 million remains in its at-the-market (ATM) stock program, which initially launched with $21 billion in October 2024. Following the announcement, MSTR shares rose 1.5% in pre-market trading, tracking a slight uptick in bitcoin's price.
BlackRock’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) bought nearly $1 billion worth of Bitcoin on behalf of its clients on April 28, with continued inflows providing “structural support” for Bitcoin’s price appreciation, according to market analysts. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF bought $970 million worth of Bitcoin ( BTC ) on April 28, its second-largest day of inflows on record after scooping up $1.12 billion of BTC on Nov. 7, 2024, Sosovalue data shows. IBIT ETF Inflows, all-time chart. Source: Sosovalue IBIT’s near $1 billion investment brought total net inflows to US spot BTC ETFs to just above $590 million, with all other ETFs realizing net negative outflows or remaining flat. ARK Invest’s ARKB ETF recorded the highest outflows of $226 million. Related: Bitcoin treasury firms driving $200T hyperbitcoinization — Adam Back “Nearly *$1bil* into iShares Bitcoin ETF today.. 2nd largest inflow since Jan 2024 inception. I still remember when there was “no demand,” Nate Geraci, the president of ETF Store advisory firm, wrote in an April 29 X post . BlackRock’s IBIT is the largest spot BTC ETF, with over $54 billion in assets under management, accounting for 51% of the total spot BTC ETF market share, Dune data shows. Bitcoin ETFs by market share. Source: Dune The latest inflows make IBIT the world’s 33rd-largest ETF among crypto and traditional finance-based ETFs, according to data from ETF Database. Last week’s “ETF inflows and croproate buying” have been significant for Bitcoin’s recovery above $94,000, as retail investor interest continued to lag, Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, told Cointelegraph. Related: Bitcoin’s role as a reserve asset gains traction in US as states adopt ETFs provide “structural” support for Bitcoin rally Bitcoin’s recovery over the past week was aided by over $3 billion worth of cumulative net inflows for the US spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking their second-highest week of investments since launch. The Bitcoin price posted its “strongest weekly gain since Trump’s election victory, but signs suggest another move could be brewing,” according to Nexo dispatch analyst Iliya Kalchev. “ETF inflows into spot Bitcoin products topped $3 billion last week — the highest since November — providing structural support that could fuel further upside,” the analyst told Cointelegraph. Bitcoin investments have previously been a significant driver of Bitcoin’s upside momentum. Bitcoin ETFs accounted for an estimated 75% of new investment into Bitcoin when it recaptured the $50,000 mark in February 2024, a month after the debut of the US spot Bitcoin ETFs. Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19
Over 85% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is currently in profit, signaling strong investor confidence and bullish trends. As Bitcoin approaches 90% of its supply in profit, a euphoric market phase
In the fast-paced world of decentralized finance (DeFi), security incidents are a stark reality. When a protocol suffers a significant breach, the focus quickly shifts from the initial loss to the potential for recovery. This is precisely the situation the Solana-based DeFi protocol, Loopscale, has been navigating following a substantial exploit. The good news breaking recently is the significant progress made in the Loopscale recovery efforts, bringing a measure of relief to the community and highlighting the complex dynamics of dealing with digital asset theft. What Happened During the Solana Exploit Affecting Loopscale? Earlier, Loopscale faced a challenging period after experiencing a major exploit that resulted in the loss of approximately $5.8 million in digital assets. This incident was a sharp reminder of the vulnerabilities that can exist within DeFi protocols, even on robust blockchains like Solana. Exploits like these can shake user confidence and pose significant questions about the overall DeFi security landscape. While the specific technical details of how the exploit occurred were not fully elaborated in the initial announcements, the financial impact was immediate and substantial, putting the protocol’s future and its users’ funds at risk. How Did the Loopscale Recovery Unfold? The path to recovery in cryptocurrency exploits is often fraught with difficulty, making Loopscale’s recent announcements particularly noteworthy. The protocol shared via its official communication channels that it had successfully recovered an additional $2.14 million from the exploiter. This follows an earlier recovery, bringing the total amount returned so far to a more significant figure. The latest recovery of 14,463 WSOL (Wrapped Solana), valued at roughly $2.14 million at the time of the transactions, occurred in two distinct phases: A transfer of 10,000 WSOL (approximately $1.48 million) A subsequent transfer of 4,463 WSOL (approximately $660,000) These amounts are in addition to the 5,000 WSOL (approximately $740,000) that was returned the day prior. This step-by-step return of funds suggests a deliberate process, possibly part of a negotiation, which is not uncommon in attempts at crypto exploit recovery . The Hacker’s Terms: Bounty or Bust? Interestingly, Loopscale had previously indicated that the individual responsible for the exploit had reached out and expressed a willingness to return the stolen assets. The condition for this return, as stated by the protocol, was in exchange for a bounty. Offering a bounty to an exploiter is a controversial but sometimes effective strategy used in the blockchain space. It incentivizes the return of funds that might otherwise be permanently lost and can potentially save the protocol and its users from total financial devastation. While the specific terms of the bounty were not disclosed, the fact that funds are being returned suggests that some form of agreement or negotiation is underway. This aspect of the Solana exploit affecting Loopscale adds a layer of complexity to the incident, moving beyond a simple theft to a more intricate interaction between the protocol and the exploiter. Why is Crypto Exploit Recovery So Challenging? Recovering funds after a blockchain hack is notoriously difficult for several reasons: Pseudonymity: While transactions are public, identifying the real-world identity of the hacker behind the wallet addresses is challenging. Global Nature: Jurisdictional issues make legal pursuit complicated across borders. Speed: Stolen funds can be quickly moved, laundered through mixers, or swapped for other cryptocurrencies, making tracing difficult. Decentralization: The very nature of decentralization means there’s no central authority to simply reverse transactions. Given these challenges, the partial Loopscale recovery stands out as a positive development, demonstrating that while difficult, recovery is not always impossible, especially when exploiters choose to cooperate, often motivated by the prospect of a bounty or other factors. Implications for DeFi Security on Solana The incident serves as a case study for DeFi security practices and incident response. For users and developers within the Solana ecosystem and the broader DeFi space, it underscores the critical importance of rigorous smart contract audits, continuous monitoring, and robust security frameworks. While Solana provides a high-throughput blockchain, the security of individual protocols built on it remains the responsibility of their development teams. The Loopscale incident, like others before it, reinforces the need for constant vigilance and improvement in security measures to protect user assets from sophisticated attacks. What Does This Loopscale Recovery Signify? The partial recovery is a significant step forward for Loopscale and its community. While the majority of the stolen funds ($5.8M – $2.14M – $0.74M = $2.92M) are still outstanding, the return of a substantial portion provides some hope and potentially reduces the total loss for affected users. It also highlights the potential, albeit rare, for negotiation and recovery in the aftermath of a major exploit. The focus will now likely shift to how Loopscale plans to distribute the recovered funds and what measures are being put in place to prevent future incidents. In conclusion, the recent announcement of an additional $2.14 million recovered by Loopscale following its $5.8 million exploit is a positive development in a challenging situation. It demonstrates that even in the face of a significant blockchain hack , avenues for recovery can exist. While the full impact of the Solana exploit on Loopscale and its users is still unfolding, the successful return of a portion of the funds offers a degree of optimism and valuable lessons for the entire DeFi ecosystem regarding security, incident response, and the complex process of crypto exploit recovery . To learn more about the latest crypto market trends and DeFi security developments, explore our articles on key events shaping the future of decentralized finance.
The cryptocurrency landscape experiences a seismic shift as Bitcoin’s profitable supply approaches 90%, indicating strong buyer interest and a potential rally toward $115,000. As on-chain analysis suggests, new demand from
COINOTAG News reported on April 29 that the co-founder of Material Indicators, Keith Alan, highlighted the critical challenge Bitcoin faces in regaining its footing from early 2025. The pivotal price
Key takeaways: Bitcoin supply in profit has climbed back above 85%, nearing the classic euphoric area. Onchain data shows strong accumulation from new and momentum buyers with minimal profit-taking. Bitcoin could rally toward $110,000–$115,000 helped by a “max buying” zone. Bitcoin ( BTC ) is charging toward a potential new all-time high near $115,000, as a surge in profitable supply signals growing bullish momentum and a classic setup for market euphoria. Nearly 87% of Bitcoin supply in profit As of April 28, approximately 86.9% of all Bitcoin coins were in profit, according to on-chain data resource CryptoQuant . Historically, the metric’s climb into the 85–90% range has signaled a transition from healthy optimism to speculative euphoria among traders. Between October and December 2024, for instance, Bitcoin’s price climbed from around $80,000 to over $100,000, a rally coinciding with Bitcoin’s profitable supply rising from under 80% to as high as 99%. Bitcoin percent supply in profit. Source: CryptoQuant In his April 28 post, CryptoQuant-based analyst DarkFrost reminded that Bitcoin’s euphoric phases may not last for longer timeframes, leading to sharp corrections as holders begin realizing gains. BTC’s price established a record high of nearly $110,000 in January, with its profitable supply hitting 99%. But the cryptocurrency dropped by over 30% afterward. Similar profit-taking behaviors have led to price corrections in the past, as shown above. “Currently, the supply in profit has climbed back above 85%, which is fairly positive,” DarkFrost writes, noting that its recovery from the recent bottom of 75% is still better when compared to 45-50% lows witnessed during bear market corrections. Besides, the BTC supply in profit still remains below 90%. Crossing above 90% has historically preceded profit-taking behavior among traders, suggesting that there’s more room to grow for BTC prices in the coming days. DarkFrost argues: “Of course, there are certain levels that are more "comfortable" than others, but generally, an increase in the supply in profit tends to fuel bullish phases.” Additional onchain data also supports the bullish outlook. Bitcoin’s First Buyers and Momentum Buyers are actively accumulating, while Profit Takers remain relatively quiet, according to Glassnode metric tracking BTC’s cumulative supply per cohort. BTC relative strength index of cumulative supply per cohort. Source: Glassnode This means fresh demand is coming in without heavy selling, a key ingredient for keeping the rally strong as anticipated by DarkFrost in the analysis above. Bitcoin “max buying” zone hints at $115,000 In late April, Bitcoin bounced strongly from the $89,000–$90,000 support zone, a key horizontal level from prior price action strengthening the case for more upside. The area, according to chartist CryptoCaesarTA , now acts as a “max buying” zone where buyers have aggressively stepped in to limit Bitcoin’s drawdowns. BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingView/CryptoCaesarTA Below it, the $70,000–$72,000 region remains untested, aligning closely with the long-term ascending trendline. If Bitcoin faces deeper pullbacks, this zone could serve as a critical secondary support. For now, Bitcoin’s resilience above $90,000 keeps the bulls firmly in control. Related: 5 Bitcoin charts predicting BTC price rally toward $100K by May A breakout above the $100,000 psychological barrier could pave the way toward new all-time highs at $110,000–$115,000, according to CryptoCaesarTA. The upside target aligns with previous resistance highs and a so-called "weak high" zone on the weekly chart above. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.