Crypto’s Next Big Meme Coin? Pepeto Joins the Ranks of Pepe and Shiba Inu Shiba Inu and Pepe have secured their spots as two of the most successful meme coins, bringing huge returns to early investors. Shiba Inu became famous for turning tiny investments into incredible wealth, soaring more than 80,000,000% from its initial price to its peak, marking it as one of crypto’s most impressive stories. Pepe followed with its own meteoric rise, breaking into the top meme coins and rewarding early adopters generously. However, both coins now seem to offer less potential for big new gains. With Shiba Inu’s market cap sitting in the billions and Pepe near its highest price, it’s unlikely they will repeat their early explosive success. That’s why Pepeto is now on the rise. Still in presale, Pepeto is making waves with its bold backstory, growing support base, and practical utilities through the Pepeto Exchange and fee-free PepetoSwap. Priced at just $0.000000127 per token, Pepeto gives investors a rare early-stage opportunity. As its first listing approaches, momentum is building around Pepeto as the next possible breakout in the meme coin space. Pepe and Pepeto: The Rumors, Shiba’s Reputation, and Why Pepeto Could Be the Next Big Play Rumors about the link between Pepe and Pepeto continue to stir excitement in the crypto world. According to Pepeto’s account, Pepe made its mark by using only part of the original formula, embracing four core elements: Power, Energy, Precision, and Efficiency, but leaving out two key components: Technology and Optimisation. Pepeto claims to hold the full blueprint, aiming to deliver real long-term value and practical utility that go far beyond typical meme coins. With the Pepeto Exchange and zero-fee PepetoSwap in development, Pepeto is being seen as a stronger project than both Shiba and Pepe. As the buzz builds, many believe Pepeto could rival or even exceed the impressive gains achieved by Shiba and Pepe. Presales like Pepeto’s highlight why early entry can be a game-changer, lower price, more potential, and a vision backed by real tools PEPETO presale enters its final stretch ahead of exchange launch Investors can still secure $PEPETO at the presale rate of $0.000000127 on pepeto.io. Supported payment options include USDT, ETH, BNB, and card via MetaMask or Trust Wallet. With PepetoSwap development nearly complete and listing announcements underway, early buyers are positioned to benefit from staking rewards and early access to the expanding ecosystem. Pepeto is quickly becoming one of the top tokens to watch in this emerging market cycle. Ongoing Hype: Pepeto s official accounts stats: OVER 31,3 K in Instagram, Over 18,1K in X (Twitter), and 30,8K in Telegram. To stay in touch with listing updates, here are the official links. Official Links: Website: pepeto.io Twitter: x.com/Pepetocoin Telegram: @pepeto_channel Instagram: pepetocoin YouTube: @Pepetocoin Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Times Tabloid, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. The post Searching For The Best Meme Coin To Buy Now For X100 In This Bull Run While Btc Stays Above 100k, Pepe, Shiba, Or Pepeto? appeared first on Times Tabloid .
The recent dialogue between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, described by President Xi as “in-depth, friendly and fruitful,” carries weight far beyond conventional diplomacy. While the immediate focus is on bilateral relations and global stability, such high-level discussions between major powers inevitably ripple through the Global financial system , influencing everything from trade flows to the future of digital assets. For anyone navigating the world of cryptocurrencies, understanding these geopolitical undercurrents is crucial, as they can significantly impact market dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and the accelerating shift towards digital currencies. How Does the Xi-Putin Dialogue Relate to the Global Financial System ? The relationship between China and Russia is a pivotal factor in the evolving global order. Both nations have expressed desires for a more multipolar world and have taken steps to reduce reliance on traditional Western-dominated financial infrastructure. Discussions between their leaders often touch upon enhancing economic cooperation, increasing trade in national currencies, and exploring alternative payment mechanisms. These conversations are not just about political alignment; they have tangible economic implications that can challenge existing norms within the Global financial system . The drive for de-dollarization, while a long-term and complex process, is a recurring theme in the economic strategies of both countries. Strengthening their financial ties and exploring alternatives to systems like SWIFT can have downstream effects on global liquidity, foreign exchange markets, and investor confidence. For the crypto market, this geopolitical maneuvering introduces a layer of Geopolitical risk crypto investors must consider. Instability or significant shifts in the balance of power can lead to market volatility, but they can also accelerate interest in decentralized or alternative financial tools. Understanding the China Crypto Ban in Context China’s stance on private cryptocurrencies is perhaps the most stringent globally. The comprehensive China crypto ban , which prohibits trading, mining, and related services, fundamentally reshaped the global crypto landscape. This ban wasn’t merely about financial risk; it was deeply intertwined with the state’s desire for financial control, capital flow management, and stability. From Beijing’s perspective, decentralized cryptocurrencies represent a challenge to state authority over money and information. Despite the China crypto ban on decentralized assets, China has been a frontrunner in the development and rollout of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital yuan (e-CNY). This dual approach highlights a strategic distinction: suppress private, uncontrolled digital assets while simultaneously pioneering state-controlled digital money. The discussions between Xi and Putin, while not explicitly about crypto bans, occur within this broader strategic framework where both nations are navigating the future of money and finance on their own terms, separate from the Western model. The implications of the China crypto ban continue to be felt worldwide. It led to a significant redistribution of Bitcoin mining power and reinforced the idea that state regulatory actions can have profound, immediate effects on the market. Future shifts in China’s policy, however unlikely a reversal of the ban might seem now, or the successful internationalization of the digital yuan, stemming from dialogues like the one between Xi and Putin, could introduce new variables for the crypto ecosystem. Russia Crypto Regulation : A Shifting Landscape Russia’s approach to cryptocurrencies has been less absolute than China’s but has also evolved significantly. Initially wary, facing a potential Russia crypto ban similar to China’s, the official stance has softened, particularly in light of international sanctions. There is growing discussion and legislative movement towards regulating cryptocurrencies, potentially recognizing them as property and even exploring their use for international settlements to bypass traditional financial channels. The need to circumvent sanctions has seemingly accelerated Russia’s consideration of digital assets. While the specifics of Russia crypto regulation are still being hammered out, the direction appears to be towards integrating crypto into the legal framework, albeit under strict government oversight. This contrasts with the outright prohibition in China, presenting a different model for how a major power might coexist with or utilize digital assets. For the crypto market, the potential for Russia to embrace crypto for cross-border trade introduces a new dimension. It could create demand and provide real-world use cases, although it also raises concerns about compliance and the use of decentralized technology for potentially problematic purposes. The dialogue between Xi and Putin could implicitly or explicitly involve coordination on financial strategies, including how digital assets might fit into their bilateral trade or broader economic vision, impacting the trajectory of Russia crypto regulation . The Race for CBDC Development and its Global Stakes One area where China and Russia find common ground is the push for CBDC development . Both nations are actively developing and piloting their own digital currencies – China with the digital yuan and Russia with the digital ruble. This isn’t a coincidence; CBDCs offer central banks unprecedented control over monetary policy, transaction data, and financial flows. They can also facilitate direct peer-to-peer payments and potentially streamline international settlements, bypassing existing correspondent banking networks. The race for CBDC development is not just about domestic financial efficiency; it’s a geopolitical play. A widely adopted digital yuan or digital ruble, especially if used in bilateral trade between major partners like China and Russia, could gradually chip away at the dominance of the US dollar in international transactions. While a full dethroning is highly improbable in the near term, successful CBDC development and adoption by these powers could fragment the global financial system and create parallel digital payment rails. The implications for the crypto world are complex. On one hand, state-controlled CBDCs represent the antithesis of decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. They are centralized, permissioned, and designed for surveillance. On the other hand, the very act of major economies launching digital currencies validates the underlying technology and could accelerate public and institutional familiarity with digital money, potentially creating unexpected pathways for interaction or competition with private crypto assets. The Digital Currency Impact on Global Dynamics The convergence of geopolitical shifts, national digital currency strategies (like the China crypto ban vs. evolving Russia crypto regulation ), and aggressive CBDC development by major powers like China and Russia points towards a significant transformation in the Global financial system . The dialogue between Xi and Putin is a snapshot of this larger trend – a move towards greater economic and financial autonomy from traditional structures. The Digital currency impact of these developments is multifaceted: Increased Regulatory Scrutiny: As states assert more control via CBDCs and specific regulations, the space for decentralized, permissionless crypto may face increased pressure globally. Potential for Alternative Rails: While CBDCs are centralized, their use in bilateral trade could pave the way for non-dollar denominated digital transactions, potentially highlighting the need for neutral, decentralized alternatives like Bitcoin for truly permissionless value transfer. Geopolitical Risk Premium: Heightened tensions or shifts in alliances, as reflected in high-level dialogues, can increase perceived geopolitical risk, which historically has sometimes driven interest in assets seen as hedges against traditional financial instability, including certain cryptocurrencies. Innovation in Payments: The competition between CBDCs and private digital currencies will likely spur innovation in payment technology, benefiting the broader digital asset ecosystem. The “fruitful” discussions between Xi and Putin underscore a strategic alignment that extends to reshaping financial infrastructure. While a direct link between their dialogue and the price of Bitcoin or Ethereum is tenuous, the macro forces they represent – the pursuit of financial sovereignty, the control of capital flows, and the embrace of digital money under state control – are undeniably shaping the environment in which cryptocurrencies operate and evolve. The Digital currency impact is no longer a theoretical concept; it’s a reality being actively shaped by the world’s most powerful nations. Understanding the interplay between high-level geopolitical discussions, national regulatory stances like the China crypto ban and evolving Russia crypto regulation , and the accelerating pace of CBDC development is essential for anyone looking to grasp the future trajectory of the Global financial system and the role of digital currencies within it. These dialogues, though seemingly distant from a crypto trader’s daily concerns, are foundational to the long-term landscape of digital finance. To learn more about the latest Digital currency impact trends, explore our article on key developments shaping the Global financial system and CBDC development .
Nexus is building an AI R&D organization aimed at creating artificial intelligence agents that are transparent and verifiable to their users. Artificial intelligence continues to gain attention in the blockchain space, infrastructure company Nexus announced on Thursday, May 8, the launch of its dedicated AI research and development lab: the Nexus Verifiable AI Lab. The Nexus Verifiable AI Lab will work on bridging blockchain verifiability with artificial intelligence. They will focus on developing AI models that are auditable and trustworthy, with the help of zero-knowledge proofs. You might also like: Big Tech’s biggest nightmare? Decentralized AI | Opinion The primary goal is to address a growing concern with today’s large language models: their lack of transparency. Currently, users have no insight into how AI systems arrive at specific outputs, nor can they determine whether those outputs stem from machine logic or human input. AI needs to be transparent to grow: Nexus The opacity of AI systems is a particular concern in regulated industries. In industries such as healthcare, finance, etc, corporate users have to know where the training data is coming from, and how the model generates its outputs. “Modern AI systems are powerful — but opaque. We rarely know exactly what data they were trained on, which version was deployed, or whether the output we see was actually generated by the model we tested. In regulated domains like healthcare, finance, and law, this opacity is a dealbreaker,” Nexus wrote Nexus’s efforts showcase the growing convergence between AI and blockchain technologies. In particular, blockchain systems can provide the transparency and open-source nature that current AI models lack. What is more, Nexus is just one of the companies working on verifiable AI. For instance, Oasis Protocol launched its verifiable AI agents on April 29. With these agents, users can independently verify how they is they are applying the correct trading strategy. Read more: Open-source AI isn’t the end-all game—Bringing AI onchain is | Opinion
The crypto markets opened in the green on Thursday morning as investors reacted positively to President Donald Trump’s confirmation that the U.S. will sign its first post-tariff trade deal with the UK. The move is being heralded as a step forward for global trade relations and a much-needed confidence booster for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Labeled by Trump as a “maxed-out deal,” the agreement appears to mark a shift in U.S. trade policy after years of escalating tariffs that unsettled markets and strained international relations. President Trump shuts down a negative reporter who asked if he is "overstating this deal because you need results?". President Trump: "This is a maxed-out deal, not like you said it very incorrectly." pic.twitter.com/kv12I8IjBf — Kim "Katie" USA (@KimKatieUSA) May 8, 2025 Speaking at a press conference, Trump emphasized the scale and flexibility of the agreement, stating, “This is a maxed-out deal that we’re going to make bigger and we make it bigger through growth, but we have tremendous assets involved.” In response to skepticism about the deal’s depth—particularly British ambassador Peter Mandelson’s description of the agreement as “only a starting point”—Trump pushed back, asserting, “There’ll be changes made, there’ll be adjustments made because we’re flexible—but it’s very conclusive, and we think everyone’s going to be happy.” Mandelson, for his part, acknowledged the symbolic and strategic importance of the deal, saying, “This is not the end, just the beginning—there is more we can do in reducing tariffs and trade barriers so as to open up our markets to each other even more than we’re agreeing to today.” Bitcoin Surges Past $100K on Trump Trade Deal The crypto market wasted no time responding. Bitcoin surged above $100,000 in early morning trading, while Ethereum and a host of altcoins followed suit. Analysts believe the deal’s implications for easing global trade tensions have injected new optimism into risk-on assets. Nic Puckrin, crypto analyst and founder of The Coin Bureau, noted the timing of the rally. “Traders this morning are waking up to green candles—but not because of anything Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in yesterday’s FOMC press conference,” he said. “What the market cares about much more than interest rates is the rhetoric around tariffs, and President Trump has just thrown risk assets a big lifeline.” Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Strong Flows However, Puckrin struck a note of caution. “It’s quite likely the announcement will be lacking in concrete details, which could be anticlimactic. Plus, at the moment, BTC is rallying on low volume, which is a recipe for short-term volatility.” He added that the broader outlook remains positive, citing strong flows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and increased institutional interest. “It’s shaping up to be a strong month, but prepare for some wild swings in either direction.” The market’s optimism was echoed by Charles Wayn, co-founder of Galxe, a leading Web3 growth platform. “Today’s announcement of U.S. tariff concessions for the UK and potentially the UAE is great news for the crypto industry,” said Wayn. “This uncertainty halted a crypto bull market many thought would last until at least July, and has particularly impacted altcoins.” Wayn sees the new trade agreement as potentially the first of several. “With more deals and concessions will come more certainty and better market conditions. And so, the bull market may revive yet, and altseason could still be on the horizon.” While traders wait for more details on the trade deal and monitor its ripple effects across global markets, the mood in crypto has undoubtedly shifted. For now, sentiment is bullish, but as ever in crypto, volatility lurks just beneath the surface. Is this the beginning of a sustained breakout, or simply another peak in a year already defined by turbulence? Markets will be watching closely. The post Bitcoin Rockets Past $100K on Trump’s ‘Maxed-Out’ UK Deal – Volatility Ahead? appeared first on Cryptonews .
In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, understanding which platforms are leading the charge is crucial. Recent Coingecko data for April 2025 reveals a compelling picture of the exchange landscape, highlighting one player’s significant lead. If you’re interested in the pulse of the crypto market, these figures offer valuable insights into where the bulk of trading activity is happening. What Does Binance’s Dominant Market Share Mean? According to figures released by Coingecko, Binance secured the top spot among crypto exchanges by a significant margin in April 2025. They commanded a staggering 38.0% of the total market share based on trading volume. This isn’t just about being number one; it’s about demonstrating a level of dominance that far outstrips its closest competitors. This substantial Binance market share signifies several key things: Unmatched Liquidity: A high market share typically indicates deep liquidity, making it easier for users to buy and sell assets quickly and with minimal price impact. Strong User Base: Maintaining such a lead requires a massive and active user base, drawn to the platform’s features, asset selection, and reputation. Industry Influence: Binance’s position gives it considerable influence over market trends, listing decisions, and even regulatory discussions globally. For traders and investors, this data point underscores Binance’s position as the primary venue for cryptocurrency trading worldwide during this period. Exploring the Top Crypto Exchange Rankings While Binance held a commanding lead, the crypto exchange rankings provided by Coingecko also shed light on the other key players making waves in April 2025. Understanding the landscape beyond the leader is vital for a complete market view. Here’s how the top five shaped up: Rank Exchange Market Share (April 2025) 1 Binance 38.0% 2 Gate.io 9.0% 3 Bitget 7.2% 4 MEXC 7.1% 5 OKX 7.1% This table clearly illustrates the significant gap between Binance and the rest of the pack. The competition for the spots below Binance is much tighter, with Gate.io, Bitget, MEXC, and OKX clustered together, vying for position. Who Are the Leading Trading Volume Leaders? The exchanges listed represent the trading volume leaders for April 2025. Trading volume is a critical metric as it reflects the total value of assets traded on an exchange over a specific period. High trading volume is often associated with: Better price discovery Reduced slippage for large orders Overall market activity and interest Binance’s 38% share means that for every $100 traded across these top five exchanges, $38 was traded on Binance. This level of activity solidifies its status not just as an exchange, but as a central hub for global crypto trading. Understanding the Landscape of Top Crypto Exchanges While volume is a primary metric for these rankings, what else defines the top crypto exchanges ? Factors like security infrastructure, regulatory compliance, user interface, customer support, and the range of services (spot trading, futures, options, staking, etc.) all play a crucial role in attracting and retaining users. The exchanges listed in the top five likely excel in many, if not all, of these areas to achieve such high trading volumes. For users choosing an exchange, considering these factors alongside trading volume and market share data is essential for a safe and effective trading experience. Why Coingecko Data Matters The insights shared here are based on Coingecko data , a widely respected source for cryptocurrency market information. Coingecko aggregates data from numerous exchanges, providing valuable metrics like price, trading volume, market capitalization, and exchange rankings. Their methodology aims to provide a reliable overview of the crypto market, helping users and analysts make informed decisions. Relying on reputable data sources like Coingecko is fundamental to navigating the often-complex crypto landscape and understanding genuine market trends versus noise. Challenges and Opportunities in the Exchange Market Binance’s dominance presents both challenges and opportunities. For competitors, the challenge is clear: how to capture market share from such a formidable leader? This often involves innovation, focusing on niche markets, offering unique features, or excelling in specific regulatory environments. For users, the concentration of volume on one platform means high liquidity but also raises questions about centralization and potential single points of failure. The ongoing competition among the other top exchanges, however, offers users choices and drives innovation across the board. In Conclusion: Binance’s Enduring Lead The April 2025 data from Coingecko unequivocally shows Binance maintaining an unparalleled lead in the cryptocurrency exchange market share by trading volume. With 38.0%, they continue to be the gravitational center for crypto trading activity, dwarfing the volumes seen on Gate.io, Bitget, MEXC, and OKX. This dominance highlights Binance’s robust infrastructure, massive user base, and deep liquidity. While the competition for the subsequent spots remains fierce, Binance’s position at the top appears incredibly secure based on these figures, solidifying its status as the unrivaled leader among top crypto exchanges in this period. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping crypto exchange rankings and trading volume.
The Pectra upgrade - the largest upgrade to Ethereum in terms of offerings - activated on the main network at epoch 364,032. Pectra includes a series of enhancements aimed at making Ethereum more user-friendly and efficient. The massive upgrade contains 11 key EIPs. One major update is the addition of smart contract functionality to wallets, making them easier to use and recover. The implementation of the hardfork in the Sepolia (consensus level) and Holesky (execution level) testnet led to failures. In the former case, intrusion by an attacker caused additional difficulties. In Holesky, even after restoring the network's operability, it turned out to be impossible to test the functionality of the upgrade in terms of validator output. The developers decided to create a new long-term testnet to complete the validation of the hardfork. The testnet, called Hoodi, launched on March 17, with the upgrade deployed in the same month. According to a statement from the Ethereum team, the main features introduced in the upgrade are active on the mainnet, including: wallets in the form of smart contracts; doubling the amount of data storage for scaling L2 networks; improving the user interface for validators. Developers will continue to monitor possible issues due to the hardfork activation over the next 24 hours. Ethereum price hits $2000 amid smart money activism Ethereum price indicates the best weekly dynamics among the top 10 cryptocurrencies. The coin's exchange rate grew by 8.5% during the week, exceeding $2000. The Pectra update implemented on May 7 was not a key driver of the price increase, accounts Nansen analyst Nicolai Sondergaard: ”This is a long-term process, not an instantaneous driver.” The expert noted the accumulation of ”smart money” - by institutionalizers like Wintermute. According to Nansen, within a day, the firm stockpiled the second most capitalized cryptocurrency to profit from market making. Lookonchain experts recorded the withdrawal of 41,269 ETH ($75 million) from Binance and Kraken by London-based fund Abraxas Capital. The entry price was $1930.41 per coin. The unrealized profit on the trade reached $354,000. Despite the notable growth, ether is still 59% below its all-time high ($4878) and the ETH/BTC ratio is close to five-year lows. 65.5 million wallets (nearly half of the network) are at a loss, data from IntoTheBlock shows. Ethereum's rally coincided with the overall market upswing, with capitalization reaching $3.2 trillion.
U.S. President Donald Trump was reportedly misled by a Ripple-linked lobbyist into endorsing certain crypto in a Truth Social post about a U.S. crypto reserve in March, leading to the lobbyist’s removal and straining ties with top White House officials. A Truth Social post by U.S. President Donald Trump praising Ripple ( XRP ), Solana ( SOL ), and Cardano ( ADA ) as potential components of a U.S. “Crypto Strategic Reserve” has triggered internal conflict in Trump’s circle, not due to market impact, but because of who authored the message. According to Politico, Trump published the post in early March, asserting that his administration would position the U.S. as the “Crypto Capital of the World” by including select tokens like XRP, SOL, and ADA in a new reserve system. However, the excitement quickly turned into frustration. Trump later learned that the message had been drafted by a lobbyist affiliated with Ballard Partners, a firm whose clients include Ripple Labs, the company most closely associated with XRP. Two anonymous sources told Politico that a Ballard employee handed Trump the draft during a donor event at Mar-a-Lago and encouraged him to publicly support the digital assets. Unaware of the lobbyist’s affiliations, Trump reportedly posted the message without knowing the full context. You might also like: What tariff shock? Bitcoin surges past $100k as market recovery continues Staff firing Once Trump realized Ripple’s connection, he was reportedly furious and ordered his team to sever ties with the lobbyist. “He is not welcome in anything anymore,” one source quoted Trump as saying. While Ripple maintains it does not control XRP, the company is a central player in the token’s ecosystem and has been involved in several legal and regulatory battles. The timing of Trump’s post — and the resulting price spikes in XRP, SOL, and ADA — added fuel to suspicions of market manipulation or political opportunism. Ballard Partners, led by longtime Trump ally Brian Ballard, has held significant sway in Washington since Trump’s 2016 election. The firm reportedly brought in $14 million in lobbying revenue in Q1 2025 and represents high-profile clients including TikTok and BMW. Following the incident, however, Ballard has reportedly been frozen out of Trump’s orbit, with staff instructed to avoid meetings with the firm. Ballard has pushed back on the narrative. In a statement to Politico, he said the firm is “accustomed to false accusations” and denied leveraging his relationship with Trump for business. Still, some close to the president believe the fallout was inevitable. “One way to get yourself in the doghouse is for the president to think you’re trading on his name,” a Trump confidant said. While Trump later clarified that Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Ethereum ( ETH ) would also be included in any strategic reserve, the damage had been done. The White House declined to comment on the matter. Ripple also has not issued a public statement. You might also like: Ethereum price reclaims $2000: is this the start of a major bull run?
Senate Democrats are pushing for new legislation that aims to prevent cryptocurrency-related corruption among top US officials. US Democratic senators led by Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 to prevent the president, vice president, senior executive branch officials, members of Congress, individuals appointed by the Senate and their immediate family from making money from issuing, endorsing and sponsoring crypto assets, including memecoins and stablecoins. “Any covered individual who knowingly violates section 13152(a) shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty equal to not more than 10% of the value of the financial interest that is the subject of the prohibited conduct, or the amount of financial gain, if any, that the covered individual benefitted from relating to the prohibited conduct, whichever is greater.” The move comes amid concerns that a conflict of interest arises from President Donald Trump’s crypto ventures. Merkley, who sponsored the bill, says that people who want to influence the president can enrich him by buying the crypto he owns or controls. The legislator says the setup is a corrupt scheme that endangers national security and erodes public trust in the government. Schumer says they are taking action to prevent Trump from putting consumers and national security at risk. “Donald Trump’s attempts at grift and corruption are well known and well documented. And right now, individuals can curry favor with this White House and make money for Trump by purchasing his digital assets… Our democracy shouldn’t be for sale.” Follow us on X , Facebook and Telegram Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Surf The Daily Hodl Mix Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Generated Image: Midjourney The post Democratic Senators Attempt To Block President Trump’s Crypto Ventures, Citing ‘Grift’ and National Security Risks appeared first on The Daily Hodl .
Rootstock Sees Record Merged Mining Growth in Q1 2025 Smart contract platform Rootstock reached a significant milestone in Q1 2025, achieving an all-time high of 81% merged mining participation—up from 56.4% in Q4 2024. This surge in network security came as major players Foundry and SpiderPool joined the merged mining effort, according to Messari’s inaugural “State of Rootstock” report. Hash power on Rootstock surpassed 740 exahashes per second, even eclipsing Bitcoin’s October 2024 total hashrate. Messari analysts now position Rootstock in a “mature phase” of merged mining, further establishing its place in the Bitcoin layer-2 ecosystem. The network also experienced a 60% decrease in transaction fees, further improving usability for developers and users. “As BTCFi expands, Rootstock is ready for increased adoption,” said Messari analyst Andrew Yang. TVL and User Metrics Decline Despite Mining Milestone While mining boomed, Rootstock’s decentralized finance ecosystem suffered. Dollar-denominated TVL dropped 20% quarter-on-quarter to $179.9 million, and BTC-denominated TVL dropped by 7.2%. TVL had previously surged to $244.6 million in January due to a Bitcoin rally but dropped steadily from March as the larger market cooled. Ethereum-based DeFi performed also poorly with a 27% Q1 decline, partly due to macroeconomic uncertainty and the $1.4 billion Bybit exploit, DappRadar reports . Rootstock’s stablecoin market also saw realignment. USDt remained at the top at $3.8 million worth but lost dominance, decreasing to 27.5% market share from 41.3% in Q4 2024. No single stablecoin topped 30% by quarter-end. User activity metrics showed this decrease: Active addresses decreased by 26.5% New addresses fell 54.7% Daily transactions rose 4.3% to 11,524 Development Progress and Ecosystem Growth Continue While DeFi performance eased, Rootstock continued down its technical and ecosystem tracks. Lovell 7.0.0 upgrade tightened Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility to further improve smart contract functionality. New LayerZero and Meson Finance integrations helped broaden Rootstock’s footprint. The platform also launched a hackathon and improved community governance through RootstockCollective updates. Bitcoin layer 2 evangelist Alexei Zamyatin stated, “First company in DeFi that brings an easy to use set of products on Bitcoin will capture the whole 300 million user market.”
The US Senate has put the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill that is expected to shape the future of the cryptocurrency industry, to a vote. However, the bill was rejected with 48 “yes” and 49 “no” votes. Senator Cynthia Lummis expressed disappointment in a statement following the vote: “I am deeply disappointed that we failed to pass this important bipartisan stablecoin legislation today. Digital assets are the future of finance, and America must be a leader in this space. I thank President Trump, Senator Gillibrand, Leader Thune, Chairman Scott, and Senator Hagerty for their commitment to keeping digital asset companies and jobs in our country. We must continue to advance regulations that protect America’s dollar dominance and make our country the crypto capital.” Related News: Renowned Analyst Shares His Theory on the New Bitcoin Bull: “This is What Will Happen, Get Ready” Democratic Senator Mark Warner (Virginia) made a separate statement, noting that the content of the law has not yet been finalized: “Stablecoins have an undisputed place in the future of finance. The US must set the standard for responsible innovation in this space. We have made meaningful progress with the GENIUS Act, but the text of the bill is not yet complete. As it stands, I cannot ask my colleagues to vote for this bill. I am committed to working to strengthen the legislation, and I hope we can move the process to the Senate plenary next week to consider its final version.” The bill is expected to be brought up again in the Senate in the future and voted on with amendments. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: BREAKING: US Senate Rejects Crypto-Friendly GENIUS Act – Here Are the Details