Former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler has weighed in on the dynamics of Bitcoin’s price movements, asserting that they are primarily driven by market sentiment rather than underlying fundamental factors. This perspective offers a contrasting view to those who emphasize Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition based on its technology and economic properties. Gensler’s … Continue reading "Ex-SEC Chair: Bitcoin Price Driven by Sentiment, Not Facts" The post Ex-SEC Chair: Bitcoin Price Driven by Sentiment, Not Facts appeared first on Cryptoknowmics-Crypto News and Media Platform .
In 2024, AI captured investor imaginations.
The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with news of a significant funding round that signals a major push in both Bitcoin mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Auradine, a Silicon Valley-based company specializing in high-performance computing solutions, has just announced a successful $153 million Series C funding round. This substantial capital injection, led by StepStone Group, is set to propel Auradine to new heights in the competitive landscapes of Bitcoin mining and the burgeoning field of AI data centers. Let’s dive into what this means for the future of crypto and AI. What’s Driving Auradine’s Meteoric Rise in Bitcoin Mining and AI? Auradine isn’t just another player in the tech space; they are carving a niche by focusing on creating cutting-edge computing equipment designed specifically for the demanding tasks of Bitcoin mining and AI applications. Their recent funding round underscores the growing investor confidence in companies that are strategically positioned at the intersection of these two high-growth sectors. Here’s a breakdown of what makes Auradine stand out: Specialized Hardware: Auradine designs and manufactures specialized hardware optimized for both Bitcoin mining and AI workloads. This dual focus allows them to cater to two of the most computationally intensive industries. Strategic Funding: The $153 million Series C round, bringing their total funding to $300 million, is a testament to their vision and execution. The involvement of major players like StepStone Group and Marathon Digital (MARA) adds significant credibility and industry expertise. Innovation in Cooling Solutions: With the launch of AuraLinks AI, Auradine is tackling a critical challenge in AI data centers – cooling. Their focus on open-standard cooling solutions for next-generation AI data centers could be a game-changer. Auradine’s innovative solutions are driving advancements in both Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers. Series C Funding: A Launchpad for Bitcoin Mining and AI Innovation The successful Series C funding round is more than just a financial milestone for Auradine; it’s a launchpad for significant expansion and innovation. Let’s explore what this funding enables Auradine to achieve, particularly in the realms of Bitcoin mining and AI. Boosting Bitcoin Mining Capabilities For the Bitcoin mining industry, Auradine’s continued growth means more efficient and powerful mining equipment. In a sector where energy efficiency and hash rate are paramount, Auradine’s innovations can translate to: Increased Efficiency: Funding will likely be channeled into R&D to develop even more energy-efficient Bitcoin mining ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). This is crucial as miners constantly seek to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Scalability: The capital infusion allows Auradine to scale up production and meet the increasing demand for advanced mining hardware. This can help decentralize the mining landscape by providing access to cutting-edge technology for a broader range of miners. Competitive Edge: With fresh funds, Auradine can further innovate and stay ahead of the curve in the highly competitive Bitcoin mining hardware market, potentially introducing breakthroughs in chip design and mining rig architecture. Powering the Future of AI Data Centers with AuraLinks AI The launch of AuraLinks AI is a strategic move that positions Auradine to capitalize on the explosive growth of the AI industry. AI data centers require immense computational power and, consequently, generate significant heat. AuraLinks AI aims to address this challenge head-on by developing advanced cooling solutions. Why is this important? Addressing a Critical Bottleneck: Cooling is becoming a major bottleneck in AI data center performance and efficiency. Traditional cooling methods are often insufficient and energy-intensive. Open-Standard Approach: Auradine’s commitment to open-standard cooling solutions is noteworthy. This approach can foster collaboration and innovation across the industry, leading to more widely adopted and effective cooling technologies. Sustainability: Efficient cooling is not just about performance; it’s also about sustainability. By developing advanced cooling solutions, AuraLinks AI can contribute to making AI data centers more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run. Investor Confidence: Why are StepStone Group and Marathon Digital Investing in Auradine? The participation of StepStone Group and Marathon Digital in Auradine’s Series C round speaks volumes about the company’s potential. Let’s examine why these investors are backing Auradine: Investor Reason for Investment StepStone Group A leading global private markets firm, StepStone likely sees Auradine as a high-growth potential company in the rapidly expanding sectors of Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure. Their investment reflects confidence in Auradine’s technology, team, and market strategy. Marathon Digital (MARA) As a major Bitcoin mining company, Marathon Digital’s investment is strategically aligned with their core business. By investing in Auradine, a key hardware provider, Marathon secures access to cutting-edge mining technology and potentially influences the direction of future hardware development. This blend of financial acumen from StepStone and industry-specific insight from Marathon Digital creates a powerful backing for Auradine, further validating its position in the market. Actionable Insights: What Does This Mean for the Crypto and AI Communities? Auradine’s successful funding round and the launch of AuraLinks AI have several implications for the crypto and AI communities: For Bitcoin Miners: Expect to see continued advancements in Bitcoin mining hardware, potentially leading to greater efficiency and lower operational costs. Keep an eye on Auradine’s future product releases. For AI Developers and Data Center Operators: AuraLinks AI’s focus on open-standard cooling solutions could lead to more efficient and sustainable AI infrastructure. This is a space to watch for innovations that can impact data center design and operations. For Investors: Auradine’s success highlights the investment potential at the intersection of crypto and AI. Companies that can effectively bridge these two sectors are likely to attract significant investor interest. The Road Ahead: Auradine’s Vision for the Future With $300 million in total funding, Auradine is well-positioned to execute its ambitious vision. The company’s dual focus on Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure, coupled with its commitment to innovation and open standards, sets it apart in a crowded tech landscape. The coming years will be crucial as Auradine scales its operations, delivers on its promises, and navigates the ever-evolving demands of the crypto and AI industries. In conclusion, Auradine’s $153 million Series C funding round is a significant event that underscores the continued growth and convergence of Bitcoin mining and AI technologies. The launch of AuraLinks AI further solidifies Auradine’s commitment to addressing critical challenges in AI data centers. As the company moves forward, it is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both industries, driving innovation and efficiency in the digital age. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin institutional adoption.
Solana experiences over 7% value increase, attracting trader interest. Significant capital flows signal renewed confidence in Solana's network. Continue Reading: Solana Surges with Over 7% Gain as Capital Flows Increase The post Solana Surges with Over 7% Gain as Capital Flows Increase appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Bitcoin (BTC) traded at $84,688 on Thursday, inching up just under 1% while holding steady above key support levels. Though price action remains subdued, momentum is building behind the scenes thanks to a wave of institutional, regulatory, and adoption-focused developments. Blockdaemon CEO: Governance Is Crypto’s Missing Link Konstantin Richter, CEO of crypto infrastructure firm Blockdaemon, is calling on project founders to introduce professional governance frameworks. In an interview with TheStreet , Richter warned that the absence of formal structures—like boards of directors—has hindered institutional trust. New York regulators just slammed Block Inc. with a $40M penalty after uncovering massive AML failures in its Cash App crypto operations. 169,000+ alerts left untouched. Reports filed over a year late. Bitcoin & fiat transactions flagged too slowly. This isn’t just about… — Bitcoin.com News (@BTCTN) April 11, 2025 He cited high-profile failures like FTX and recent scandals involving HAWK and Mantra’s OM, arguing that without governance, mainstream financial institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs remain hesitant to engage with crypto projects. “Decentralization is essential, but accountability through governance is what brings in the big players,” Richter said. Improved governance could encourage greater institutional adoption of Bitcoin, potentially reinforcing long-term price strength and industry credibility. Bitwise Launches 4 Crypto ETFs on London Stock Exchange In a major move for European crypto exposure, Bitwise Asset Management has launched four new exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE): BTC1: Core Bitcoin ETP BTCE: Physical Bitcoin ETP ZETH: Physical Ethereum ETP ET32: Ethereum Staking ETP All are physically backed and secured in cold storage with third-party oversight. Bitwise’s expansion is aimed at meeting rising institutional demand across the UK and EU. Bitwise has introduced four Euro-based cryptocurrency ETPs to the London Stock Exchange via a Bitwise trading hub, allowing institutions in the UK to invest in crypto via the Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP $BTC pic.twitter.com/ze29g41VIg — ALLINCRYPTO (@Allincrypto0) April 17, 2025 “Institutions want regulated, transparent crypto exposure—and we’re here to deliver that,” said Bitwise Europe President Bradley Duke . This move is a bullish signal for Bitcoin’s legitimacy and broader financial integration. Panama City to Accept Crypto for Taxes and Fees Panama City has officially joined the growing list of crypto-forward municipalities. As of April 15, residents can pay taxes, fees, and permits using BTC, ETH, USDC, and USDT. Payments are automatically converted to USD via a local banking partner. Mayor Mayer Mizrachi likened the move to cities like Lugano, Colorado, and Vancouver, which already support digital assets for public services. LATEST: Panama City Council approves plan to accept crypto payments. Residents can now pay taxes, fines, permits, and fees using BTC, ETH, USDC, and USDT. pic.twitter.com/TQnvzrmxcE — Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) April 16, 2025 This development marks another milestone in Bitcoin’s real-world utility and underscores its evolving role in public finance and inflation-hedging strategies. Bitcoin Price Holds Support Near $84K From a technical perspective, Bitcoin is holding bullish structure above the $84,135 support and the 50-period EMA, despite light trading volume. The RSI at 53.9 signals neutral momentum with room for a breakout. A push above $85,508 could ignite a rally toward $86,446 and $87,416. Bitcoin Potential Trade Setup: Entry: Buy on confirmed breakout above $85,500 Target: $86,446 – $87,416 Stop Loss: Below $83,800 Tip: Wait for a full candle close with strong volume above resistance before entering. Bottom Line With calls for improved governance, a growing number of ETF offerings, and expanding municipal adoption, Bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals are strengthening. While price remains range-bound for now, the broader narrative continues to build in favor of further institutional engagement and upside potential. BTC Bull Presale: Earn Real Bitcoin with Every Price Milestone BTC Bull ($BTCBULL) is gaining traction as one of the most exciting presales in crypto, combining meme culture with real utility. Designed for long-term holders, the token automatically rewards investors with real Bitcoin as BTC reaches major price thresholds—aligning community incentives with Bitcoin’s growth. Staking for Passive Bitcoin Income BTC Bull offers a lucrative staking program boasting a 119% APY, allowing users to earn passive income while supporting the network. With over 882.5 million BTCBULL tokens already staked, community engagement continues to grow. Latest Presale Updates: Current Token Price: $0.00246 per BTCBULL Raised So Far: $4.6M of $5.3M target With limited time remaining and demand accelerating, this is a key window to secure BTCBULL at presale rates before the next price jump. The post Bitcoin Holds Strong Near $84.6K— Panama & ETFs Fuel Bulls appeared first on Cryptonews .
XRP’s price (XRP-USD) has been dancing around $2.14 this week, recovering from earlier swings between $2.00 and $2.24. But while broader crypto sen...
Donald Trump’s second presidency may play a major role in the reshaping of international relationships. The partnership between the European Union and the United States of America has been challenged by a trade war, disagreement over the vision of the future of the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, and other critical questions. Differences in the approach to cryptocurrencies and America’s striving to dominate the sector also draw a line between the U.S. and the EU. Trade war and unconditional tariffs still dominate the headlines and narratives two weeks after Apr. 2, 2025, known as Liberation Day. On that day, Trump announced the adoption of so-called reciprocal tariffs and signed a respective executive order, starting a period marked by market chaos, uncertainty, and speculations over the reasoning behind tariffs and possible implications. The trade war further increased the alienation between the U.S. and the EU. Table of Contents The credit rating of the U.S. is facing a downgrade in Europe USD-pegged stablecoins vs. Euro The credit rating of the U.S. is facing a downgrade in Europe One of the signals of potential cooling in the U.S. and EU partnership is the downgrade warning sent to the U.S. by Scope, a European credit rating agency, on Apr. 15, 2025. According to Scope, America’s credit rating will be downgraded if the U.S. doesn’t stop its trade war. Credit default swap markets expect several rating downgrades for the U.S. The current rating of the U.S., according to Scope, is AA with a negative outlook. S&P and Fitch rate the U.S. higher, at AA+, while Moody’s gives America the highest rating, AAA. The European Central Bank uses the estimations by Scope to evaluate the creditworthiness of the countries. According to Scope’s research, the trade war severely damages the U.S. and the countries that trade with America the most. Scope outlines three scenarios: Tariff-light. In this scenario, tariffs turn out to be just a cause for negotiation. It will result in a new balance with short-term inflation volatility, confidence shock, recession in the U.S., etc. Trade war. This scenario assumes that tariffs are high and constant. It triggers counter-tariffs, a full-year recession takes place, supply chains re-arrange, the potential for growth still exists, though, depending on the trading connections, etc. Economic and financial crisis. Tariffs are constant and high. Escalation of the China vs. the U.S. conflict. Europe is taking countermeasures against the U.S. America is going through years of recession, while the world enters a serious financial crisis. Unfortunately, the erratic nature of Trump’s policies makes it hard to make predictions about what is going to happen. For instance, Scope notes that it is not clear if the named tariff rates are the floor or the ceiling. However, it is clear that countries that have surplus trade with the U.S. or strong linkages with U.S. banks are at greater risk. European countries such as Turkey, Georgia, Italy, and Ireland are among those who may be harmed by the tariffs the most. According to Scope, the country facing the biggest risks is the U.S. itself. I am more and more concerned about the White House’s trade negotiations, to the point where I feel I need to sound an alarm. The White House needs new members on its team for trade. In ~3-6 months we are going to start having shortages of transformers, pumps, air conditioners,… https://t.co/F4MXYVqSxG — molson 🧠⚙️ (@Molson_Hart) April 15, 2025 Such measures as Draconian unconditional tariffs, taxes on foreign investment, or the deployment of government capital controls from the American side may shut the USD from being a leading currency for international transactions and lose its role as a global store of value. However, it is not clear what currency may serve as an alternative. The head of sovereign ratings in Scope, Alvise Lennkh-Yunus, assumes that the EU may get closer to China as a result of the decline in U.S. creditworthiness. Read more: Dimon warns tariffs may push U.S. toward recession, hits crypto slide The trade war has already affected the U.S. dollar. In April alone, the position of USD has really become shaky. The U.S. dollar saw the worst year-to-day decline against other major currencies in decades. These factors undermine trust in the USD around the world. See the main thought of the Scope’s report : “If implemented, the tariffs would represent the biggest peacetime trade shock to the global economy in more than 100 years. If sustained, this policy shift will have important credit implications for both the US (AA/Negative) and for sovereigns globally. Conversely, even their full reversal, though unlikely, would not fully restore the confidence of previous alliances and supply chains, indicating a degree of durable economic loss.” The potential implications of a downgrade will worsen the conditions for the further economic development of the U.S. It will get harder to pay off the national debt as its cost will increase, following the rising interest rate for loans. Mortgages and other types of borrowing will soar for Americans. However, it’s worth saying that the overall credit rating of the U.S. is still much higher than the rating of most other countries. USD-pegged stablecoins vs. Euro Another important narrative voiced on the same date, when the Scope’s report saw the light of day, is the threat of the USD-pegged stablecoins to the Euro. The concern was brought by Italian economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti. He urged the EU officials to speed up the work on the digital Euro and improve the Euro’s status as an international reference currency. According to Giorgetti, the threat of the U.S. stablecoins domination in Europe is a larger problem than the discussions about Trump’s tariff policies. The main concern is that Europeans lean toward the dollar-denominated stablecoins, as they are a handy cross-border payment method. At the same time, Europe has nothing to offer as a convenient alternative. While Europe is working on the CBDC solution, a central bank-backed digital Euro, the U.S. stopped the work on the digital dollar, allowing the private sector to step in instead. The move is motivated by striving to maintain the financial privacy of U.S. citizens. CBDC solutions are widely criticized as being an instrument of surveillance. In this regard, it is unclear if the digital Euro will have a preference for Europeans. The MiCA act regulating the stablecoins in the EU has already given a hard time to the biggest stablecoin issuer, Tether, as the American company doesn’t meet the new requirements of regulators. You might also like: Tether’s market cap sheds $1.4b as MiCA activates
Ripple coin wavered at a crucial resistance level this week as Bitcoin and most major altcoins stalled. Ripple ( XRP ) was trading at $2.10 on Thursday, up over 30% from its lowest point this month. The most significant news on Ripple was a U.S. court’s decision to grant both Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission a 60-day pause as they negotiate a potential settlement. XRP’s price reacted mildly to the report, as it aligned with expectations from analysts and investors. Additionally, the SEC has recently taken a more conciliatory stance toward the crypto industry, ending lawsuits against companies like Coinbase and Uniswap. You might also like: Here’s why SYRUP surged over 35% today Ripple Labs hopes that resolving the SEC lawsuit will help it reach new agreements with financial institutions, including banks and money transfer companies. In a recent statement, Brad Garlinghouse said that his ultimate goal is to position Ripple as a faster and cheaper alternative to SWIFT, which currently handles over $150 trillion annually. He argued that SWIFT’s technology is outdated, having been built over 50 years ago, and remains slow and costly to consumers. Ripple, on the other hand, offers faster transaction speeds, with transfers completing in seconds at minimal cost. Ripple has continued efforts to boost the utility of the XRP Ledger. It recently integrated the Ripple USD stablecoin into its payment network. The company also acquired Hidden Road , a firm with $10 billion in daily transactions, which it plans to migrate to the XRP Ledger. XRP price technical analysis XRP price chart | Source: crypto.news Technical indicators suggest the XRP price may break higher in the coming weeks. That outlook will strengthen if the coin rises above the 50-day moving average, a level it has failed to surpass since March 6. XRP will also need to break above the descending trendline that connects the highest swings since January 6. Further confirmation of upside momentum would come if it climbs above $2.90, the shoulders of the head-and-shoulders pattern. If these three conditions are met, XRP could rally to its year-to-date high of $3.40 — approximately 55% above its current level. The bullish outlook would be invalidated if Ripple falls below the neckline of the head-and-shoulders pattern at $1.9035. You might also like: Bitcoin’s hashrate hits record high amid miner sell-offs
U.S. President Donald Trump takes issue with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, asserting the central bank leader is “always too late and wrong.” Trump insists Powell should cut the federal funds rate immediately, declaring that his “termination cannot come fast enough.” Fed Showdown: Trump Calls for Powell’s Exit Over Delayed Moves During a week rattled
XRP is riding its longest-ever winning streak against ETH, with six straight months of outperformance — but is this momentum sustainable? Ripple ( XRP ) has now outperformed Ethereum ( ETH ) for six consecutive months, marking its longest winning streak on record against ETH. The run began in November last year, when XRP surged by 160.4% relative to ETH. That momentum continued with gains of 18.5% in December, 47.3% in January, 4.3 in February, 19.6% in March, and 14.3% in April. Altogether, XRP has gained more than 264% against ETH during this six-month stretch. Historically, XRP has rarely outperformed ETH for more than two consecutive months. So, this winning streak raises the question of whether the trend is sustainable. Source: @traderview2 Crypto analyst Dom highlighted that XRP has also recently broken above a historically significant resistance level on the XRP/ETH chart (around 0.00022–0.00025 ETH range). He explained this level has held importance for over eight years, and in past instances (early 2017, late 2017, and 2018), XRP only began to accelerate once it flipped this zone into support. If the historical pattern holds, this could signal that XRP’s recent outperformance isn’t just a short-term anomaly but part of a broader shift in the XRP/ETH market dynamics between ETH and XRP. Source: @traderview2 Ripple’s recent performance can be attributed to several factors, most notably its inclusion in the U.S. strategic reserve and whispers that the SEC vs Ripple lawsuit may be nearing an end. Of course, let’s not forget about the potential upcoming spot XRP exchange-traded fund, which has 77% of approval in 2025, according to Polymarket . You might also like: Ethereum on thin ice: is a drop below $1,000 imminent? While XRP gains steam, Ethereum has been hit with a series of setbacks that put a dent in investors’ confidence. According to Binance research , the upcoming upgrades Pectra and Fusaka may potentially weaken Ethereum’s revenue model because they’re mainly geared toward L2s that operate on top of Ethereum. As a result, both upgrades could erode Ethereum’s value accrual, putting downward pressure on the price as investors question the long-term profitability of holding ETH. Ethereum’s fundamentals have also weakened sharply. Data from DeFiLlama shows that Ethereum’s total value locked has plunged from approximately $70 billion at the beginning of the year to $46 billion, while its monthly revenue has collapsed from $109 million in January to just $7.2 million in March. On top of that, ETH ETFs continue to see outflows. As for Ethereum’s price itself, it has recently fallen into a multi-year trading range and is now hovering near its midpoint. Unless buyers step in soon, ETH is at risk of rotating down to the range low — a level that could either trigger a major bounce or a breakdown below $1,000. So, whether XRP’s winning streak is sustainable remains to be seen — but for now, the momentum is clearly in its favor. You might also like: Ethereum upgrades may improve tech, but not investor confidence: Binance Research