Pastor Charged with Fraud in $6 Million Solano Fi Cryptocurrency Scam

In a significant legal development, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced that Pastor Francier Obando Pinillo has been charged with 26 counts of fraud by the Federal Grand Jury

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Bitcoin’s 30-Day MVRV Ratio Declines Amid Bearish Sentiment and Short-Term Losses

Recent trends in Bitcoin and Ethereum are demonstrating significant shifts in market sentiment, with many short-term holders currently facing losses. Despite a bearish overall atmosphere in the crypto market, some

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Crypto Market Enters “Banana Zone” Toward “Banana Singularity”

Crypto markets are in the “Banana Zone” and heading toward a “Banana Singularity,” a phase where “everything goes up,” according to Real Vision co-founder and CEO Raoul Pal. The “Banana Zone,” coined by Pal, refers to periods of significant upward price movement. “Yes, we are still in the Banana Zone,” Pal said on X on Jan. 10, adding that the first phase of this bull market began with a breakout in November last year. This phase was followed by consolidation, similar to the 2016–2017 cycle, which Pal noted “won’t last long.” Pal predicted the next stage, the “Banana Singularity,” as an altcoin season “when everything goes up, followed by a bigger consolidation.” Altcoin seasons typically follow declines in Bitcoin (BTC) dominance, which currently remains high at 58%, per TradingView. DeFi researcher 0xNobler appeared to agree with Pal, writing on X that “Bitcoin just entered the acceleration phase” and forecasting a dramatic rise to $500,000, which could “ignite the biggest altseason in history.” Futures trader CoinMamba, however, offered a more skeptical take, saying, “This sell-off is so bad that we will have an altseason just by prices going back to what it was one week ago.” Pal described the third and final phase of the Banana Zone as the “concentration phase,” where “core winners explode on to make much higher highs.” Despite recent corrections, crypto markets have risen 90% year-over-year in total market capitalization, growing from $1.8 trillion to $3.4 trillion after most of 2024 was spent consolidating. Total market capitalization reached an all-time high of $3.9 trillion on Dec. 17, marking a 27% increase over the previous cycle’s peak.

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Bitcoin – Wait or accumulate? Look out for THESE short-term signals!

The 30-day MVRV ratio for both Bitcoin and Ethereum were negative, highlighting that short-term holders were facing losses.

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Whole Foods Embraces Bitcoin Payments: A New Era for Grocery Shopping

COINOTAG News, January 12: Prominent supermarket chain Whole Foods, traded on Nasdaq, has officially begun accepting Bitcoin payments via a third-party application, enabling customers to buy grocery items seamlessly with

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Usual Money’s Protocol Changes Shake Staked USD0 and Governance Token Values

The stablecoin usual usd (USD0) has experienced a $340 million contraction in its supply over the past four days. This decrease coincides with an 8% decline in the value of the project’s USD0++ token, the staking derivative of USD0. Redemption Policy Shift Sparks Decline in USD0++ Value Throughout this past week, notable developments have emerged

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5 Cryptos Essential for Any 2025 Portfolio: XRP, ADA, RBLK, SHIB, and SOL

Top coins like XRP, Cardano (ADA), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Solana (SOL) are among the top picks for the best cryptos of the year across investors’ portfolios. However, a new token called Rollblock makes the top 5 list of coins to consider in 2025 after a presale raise of over $8.5 million. Let’s check out our top 5 coins for 2025 and why they could be worthwhile investments. 1. Rollblock (RBLK) Rollblock is the newest kid on the block, but it has already established itself as one of the top cryptos to buy. The Rollblock project features a blockchain-based casino that eliminates conventional issues like rigged games and unfair house edge. It also features DeFi features like staking, with up to 30% APY for investors. There’s also a revenue-sharing program that rewards players and investors with a chunk of the casino’s weekly profits. So, both the operator and users get to benefit from the casino’s operations. The Rollblock RBLK token presale is currently in stage 9, trading for $0.045. 2. Solana (SOL) Solana is fast becoming the top choice for developers, especially those building dApps. As a result, the SOL token is predicted to reach new highs in the coming months. This will be fueled by DeFi projects gaining more traction. Consequently, SOL went up to $222 in early January, but the SOL price is now down to around $185. 3. Cardano (ADA) The ADA blockchain is famous for its altcoin. However, its use cases include supporting dApps to solve different blockchain-related problems. The ADA network’s DeFi features, including staking, are also attractive to investors. These features are powered by the ADA token. The ADA price is currently around $0.92, down by over 13% in the past week. However, analysts remain optimistic about a massive breakout in the near future. 4. XRP XRP is notable for its global payment network, which businesses leverage and developers use to exchange cryptocurrencies. The XRP token powers the ecosystem, and it has started 2025 on a high. In the past week, XRP has surged to $2.35 from its $2.25 price at the start of the year. The increase in the XRP price is a result of its increased demand following various strategic partnerships and network upgrades. However, there’s still a massive demand required for the XRP price to reach its all-time high value of $3.40 this year. 5. Shiba Inu (SHIB) SHIB is another crypto that started the year strong and can be a decent addition to any portfolio based on its recent performance. The meme coin has surged by over 100% in the past year, and its initial run to $0.000025 in early January indicates more potential gains. Though the Shiba Inu price is now down by over 9% in the past week, some investors are packing it up. That means they consider the current Shiba Inu price of $0.000022 to be a bargain ahead of its potential jump. Conclusion XRP, ADA, SHIB, RBLK, and SOL are the altcoins to consider in 2025. However, at its current low price, RBLK is better positioned for a massive jump. Interested investors can purchase the casino token for $0.045 before it increases to $0.052 in the next stage. Discover the exciting opportunities of the Rollblock (RBLK) presale today! Website: https://presale.rollblock.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/rollblockcasino

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Heritage Distilling and 5 other companies embracing Bitcoin

Heritage Distilling is just the latest company to integrate Bitcoin into their operations, either by accepting it as a payment method or by holding it as part of their corporate treasuries. The Gig Harbor, Washington-based craft spirits producer will implement Bitcoin ( BTC ) payments through its direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. The move follows the creation of the company’s Technology and Cryptocurrency Committee, led by digital payments expert Matt Swann. Heritage’s policy highlighted Bitcoin’s growing adoption among consumers, financial institutions, and policymakers. The company points to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s 2023 policy change, which allows public companies to mark Bitcoin to fair value as an asset, making it more practical for corporate treasury management. The company also shares a different approach to managing Bitcoin price volatility, insisting that it offers protection that traditional Bitcoin investors lack when purchasing with fiat currency. As a consumer product manufacturer, Heritage notes that its production margins provide a buffer against Bitcoin price fluctuations. “As a company producing goods for sale, acceptable margins between the retail price of our products and their cost of production are expected to offset potential fluctuations in the value of bitcoin we accept as payment,” CEO Justin Stiefel said Jan. 10 in a prepared statement. You might also like: Nasdaq-listed Heritage Distilling introduces Bitcoin treasury plans Swann, who chairs the company’s Technology and Cryptocurrency Committee, will develop a formal Bitcoin Treasury Policy for board approval. “The growth of bitcoin is still in its early stages, and the opportunity for companies to accept bitcoin as payment is substantial,” he added. The policy builds on recent developments in corporate Bitcoin adoption (i.e. MicroStrategy ), as companies are adopting cryptocurrency for Treasury management and/or payment options. Here are several other notable examples in the food/beverage space: Table of Contents Steakholder Foods Beck & Bulow Chipotle Whole Foods Starbucks Honorable Mentions You might also like: 10 companies launch Bitcoin treasuries, but not Microsoft: Here are the risks, benefits Steakholder Foods Steakholder Foods Ltd., a company specializing in alternative protein production, announced in November that its board has approved the purchase of up to $1 million in Bitcoin or cryptocurrency tracking indices. CEO Arik Kaufman explained the decision, citing the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies. “As demand for cryptocurrencies grows and their acceptance as an asset class increases, we believe Bitcoin, or a mix of cryptocurrencies, will be strong treasury reserve assets for the company,” he said. Kaufman also pointed to recent developments like cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and institutional investor interest as reasons for the move. “Cryptocurrencies could add value to our treasury strategy and act as a store of value,” he said. Based in Rehovot, Israel, Steakholder Foods focuses on sustainable food technology. The decision to invest in cryptocurrency reflects the company’s interest in new financial strategies beyond its core business. Beck & Bulow Beck & Bulow, a Santa Fe-based meat and seafood company, announced last April that it would start accepting Bitcoin as a payment method, both online and in-store. The move, described by the company as an “innovative step,” aims to enhance payment flexibility and promote financial independence for customers and employees. Through an integration with IBEX, a third-party payment processor, customers can now purchase Beck & Bulow’s products using Bitcoin. But the company didn’t stop there. It also revealed plans to convert 20% of its assets into Bitcoin, citing the cryptocurrency’s potential as a reliable store of value. “We will also retain all Bitcoin payments received, reinforcing our confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential,” the company said in a statement. Beck & Bulow’s commitment to Bitcoin extends beyond payments and treasury. The company pledged to incorporate Bitcoin into its employee 401(k) program, offering staff a way to invest in the digital asset as part of their retirement planning. This bold move places Beck & Bulow among a growing number of businesses adopting Bitcoin, not just as a payment method but also as a core component of their financial strategies. The company’s decision reflects confidence in the cryptocurrency’s role in fostering financial innovation and resilience. Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill is especially bullish on Bitcoin and digital currencies as part of its strategy to innovate and engage tech-savvy customers. The fast-casual restaurant chain accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for in-store payments through Flexa, a digital payments platform. Customers can use Flexa-enabled apps like Gemini or SPEDN to make cryptocurrency payments seamlessly. Chipotle has also leveraged cryptocurrency in its marketing campaigns, creating unique promotions to attract attention and reward customers. In April 2021, the company celebrated National Burrito Day by giving away $100,000 in Bitcoin. Participants guessed a six-digit passcode on a microsite for a chance to win. In July 2022, Chipotle ran another crypto-themed campaign, awarding over $200,000 in digital currencies through an interactive game. Of this, $35,000 in Bitcoin was split among six lucky winners. Chipotle’s digital innovation extends beyond cryptocurrencies. The company launched “Burrito Bucks,” its in-game currency on the Roblox platform, allowing players to exchange their Burrito Bucks for free entrée codes redeemable at participating Chipotle locations. Whole Foods Whole Foods currently accepts Bitcoin payments through third-party applications, allowing customers to purchase groceries using cryptocurrency. While the supermarket franchise doesn’t hold its own crypto treasury, its parent company is reportedly considering it. Recall how Amazon.com Inc. acquired Whole Foods in 2017, in a deal valued at $13.7 billion. The acquisition was a landmark move at the time, marking Amazon’s entry into the brick-and-mortar grocery business. And last month, a group of Amazon shareholders — led by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) — has proposed that the Seattle-based company allocate at least 5% of its assets to Bitcoin. The measure is currently set for review ahead of Amazon’s 2025 annual meeting, according to Guru Focus. Amazon’s board has yet to respond to the proposal. This push follows a similar effort by the NCPPR to encourage Microsoft to adopt Bitcoin, which was ultimately rejected by its shareholders. Starbucks In 2018, there was some confusion regarding Starbucks’ stance on accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment. The company later clarified that it didn’t accept any form of crypto as a payment option. But that has since changed. The Seattle-based coffee giant now accepts Bitcoin payments via Flexa’s SPEDN app. This enables customers to pay for their drink and food orders using cryptocurrency. So far, there is no indication that Starbucks plans to build a Bitcoin treasury. The company’s focus appears to be on providing customers with diverse payment options rather than using cryptocurrency as a reserve asset, aligning with its strategy of convenience and innovation. While the adoption of Bitcoin as a treasury asset is still emerging in the food and beverage industry, these examples highlight a growing trend of integrating cryptocurrency into various aspects of business operations. Honorable Mentions Pizza Hut : In Venezuela, the casual dining franchise began accepting Bitcoin for payments due to the country’s economic challenges, though there are no reports of Bitcoin being held as part of its treasury. Restaurant Brands International : The Burger King parent company has begun accepting Bitcoin for payments in specific markets, including Germany and Venezuela. It remains to be seen whether the so-called “home of the Whopper” discloses crypto treasury holdings. Sheetz : The convenience store chain has begun accepting digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, at all its locations. This move caters to the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies among consumers. Read more: Crypto VC funding: Some $190m put to work, OG Labs and Eventflo secure capital

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Dogecoin Rally Fizzles As DOGE Fails To Break Through 4-Hour SMA Resistance

The recent attempt of Dogecoin to recover lost ground has faced a significant hurdle as the price struggles to break above the crucial 4-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA). This resistance level has proven a formidable barrier, with bearish pressure consistently preventing any meaningful breakout. Despite initial signs of a potential rebound, DOGE’s inability to surpass this key threshold suggests that bullish momentum remains fragile, leaving the meme coin in a precarious position. The rejection at the 4-hour SMA highlights the growing dominance of sellers in the market, casting doubt on whether buyers can regain control to push the price higher. A decisive move above the 4-hour SMA could signal a resurgence of positive sentiment, possibly paving the way for DOGE to target higher resistance levels. On the other hand, a continued failure to overcome this obstacle might lead to increased selling pressure, pushing the price toward lower support zones. Analyzing DOGE’s Recent Price Movement Analyzing Dogecoin’s recent price movement reveals a significant challenge for the bulls. Despite an initial rebound, DOGE has struggled to break through the resistance at the 4-hour SMA, which has become a critical barrier. Related Reading: Dogecoin (DOGE) Dips: A Warning Sign or A Hidden Opportunity? This indicates that upward momentum has faltered, and the market sentiment may be shifting. The failure to surpass this key level could suggest that further gains are unlikely without a consolidation phase or additional bullish catalysts. Also, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator provides additional confirmation of the current bearish trend as the RSI line continues to stay below the 50% threshold. The RSI is widely used to assess the market’s strength, and when it remains below 50%, it often signals that selling pressure is prevailing over buying activity. This aligns with the recent price action of DOGE as the asset struggles to break through the key resistance level at the 4-hour SMA. DOGE’s RSI’s failure to rise above the 50% mark implies that bearish forces persist, limiting the meme coin’s chances of sustaining a rally. As long as the RSI remains below 50%, downward pressure may continue, making it hard for Dogecoin to break resistance and potentially push the price toward lower support levels. A bullish reversal would require the RSI to climb above 50%, signaling a shift in market sentiment. For now, the bearish tone indicated by the RSI highlights the challenges DOGE faces in maintaining an upward trajectory. Critical Support And Resistance Levels To Watch For DOGE, key support and resistance levels offer vital insights into its future price movements. Dogecon’s price is currently testing the $0.3066 support level, which could act as a foundation if the bearish momentum persists. If DOGE falls below this support, it may head toward $0.2677, reflecting more downside risks. Related Reading: Dogecoin Price Confirms Breakout: Analyst Sets New Price Targets On the upside, should Dogecoin make a positive turn and break above the 4-hour SMA, the immediate resistance to watch is $0.3563. Furthermore, a successful breach of this level might pave the way for further upward movement, with the next target being the $0.4 resistance zone. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from Tradingview.com

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XRP Breakout Alert! Price Poised for 80% Rally

The post XRP Breakout Alert! Price Poised for 80% Rally appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News XRP, the native token of Ripple Labs, is poised for significant upside momentum following the breakout of a bullish price action pattern on the daily timeframe. Over the past few days, the overall cryptocurrency market has been struggling, and during this period, XRP experienced a prolonged consolidation. XRP Price Prediction According to expert technical analysis, XRP has broken out of a bullish flag and pole price action pattern on the daily timeframe and has closed a daily candle above the pattern. This pattern breakout has ended XRP’s prolonged consolidation. Based on recent price action, there is a strong possibility that it could soar by 80% to reach the $4.5 level in the coming days. Source: Trading View This bullish pattern appears to be a textbook example, indicating an ideal buying opportunity for traders and investors looking for long-term holdings. On-Chain Metrics Signal Investor Confidence Besides the recent breakout, XRP investors have already shown strong interest and confidence in the token, even during periods of price struggles. Since December 18, 2024, exchanges have recorded token inflows on only three days, despite a notable price decline across the market, as revealed by Coinglass’s spot inflow/outflow metrics. Source: Coinglass $13 Million Worth of XRP Outflow from Exchanges However, in the past 24 hours, on-chain metrics indicate that investors have withdrawn a significant 13 million XRP tokens from exchanges, highlighting the continuous accumulation by long-term holders. This ongoing accumulation could strongly support XRP in its rally. Besides long-term holders, trader participation has also skyrocketed. Since the breakout, XRP’s open interest has jumped by 31%, indicating strong engagement from traders amid the market shift. Current Price Momentum Currently, XRP is trading near $2.54 and has experienced a price surge of over 8.75% in the past 24 hours. During the same period, its trading volume jumped by 60%, indicating heightened participation from traders and investors.

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