Ethereum faces heavy selling pressure, with over $570 million worth of ETH offloaded in just 48 hours, indicating significant investor profit-taking. Recent MACD analysis shows a bearish crossover after seven
In the decentralized finance (DeFi) market, certain projects begin to stand out due to their design, community traction, and value proposition. One name making waves recently is Mutuum Finance (MUTM) and its utility token, MUTM . With growing excitement around its unique lending model, dynamic interest structure, and upcoming platform beta launch, analysts are starting to pay closer attention. Some even predict that MUTM could climb as much as 15x by October. While no one can forecast the market with absolute certainty, there are several reasons why this projection doesn’t seem far-fetched. Why MUTM is Gaining Attention MUTM isn’t just another speculative crypto token. It has been created to power a decentralized, non-custodial liquidity protocol. Mutuum allows users to lend, borrow, and stake crypto assets through a system that automatically adjusts interest rates based on supply and demand. It offers both peer-to-contract (P2C) and peer-to-peer (P2P) models—making it attractive to casual users, yield seekers, and advanced DeFi strategists alike. The platform’s automated interest rate adjustment is one of its most attractive features. When borrowing activity increases and liquidity becomes limited, interest rates go up. When there is excess liquidity, rates drop, making borrowing more accessible. This natural balancing mechanism helps avoid liquidity crises and encourages consistent participation across market cycles. For lenders, this model provides a fair and transparent way to earn income, and for borrowers, it creates flexible and responsive borrowing terms. Mutuum’s presale is structured in 11 phases, with each phase slightly increasing the price of MUTM. Phase 1 began at just $0.01. The current phase—Phase 5—has pushed the price to $0.03, already showing a 200% gain for early supporters. At the time of writing, over 503 million tokens have been sold, and more than 11,000 users are holding MUTM, signaling strong early adoption. As the presale moves forward, each new phase brings an automatic price increase. By the time it reaches Phase 11, MUTM will be priced at $0.06—a 500% increase from the initial entry point. This gradual appreciation model has fueled ongoing demand, while also creating a sense of urgency. The window for high-margin entry is closing, and many believe that once the token is listed publicly and trading begins, rapid price discovery could follow. Beta Launch and Momentum Building According to the project’s roadmap, the team is planning to release a beta version of the Mutuum platform by the time the token goes live. This timing is important. It means that when tokens are unlocked, users won’t just be trading—they’ll also be able to start using the platform. This level of readiness is rare among presale projects and adds credibility to Mutuum’s mission. Analysts often look for signals beyond just token prices. A working beta, especially in a sector as competitive as DeFi lending, adds major weight to a protocol’s long-term potential. Once users begin lending and borrowing on the live platform, MUTM’s utility will move beyond speculation. It will become the fuel that powers borrowing incentives and yield payouts. This is where value could start to scale quickly. Community Growth and $100K Rewards Program Community sentiment around Mutuum is building fast. With over $9 million raised already, the momentum shows that this isn’t just a project with a clever whitepaper. It has user backing. The team has also launched a $100,000 promotional giveaway to reward new users, expand reach, and keep buzz growing around the token sale and eventual platform launch. Giveaways like these are not just marketing—they’re early growth engines. They bring in curious users, some of whom become long-term holders, liquidity providers, or stakers. In DeFi, community participation often equals liquidity, and liquidity is what drives returns. Staking, mtTokens, and Long-Term Value Mutuum has taken a unique approach to rewarding its users. When you deposit assets into the protocol, you receive mtTokens—representing your share of the liquidity pool plus earned interest. These mtTokens can also be staked in a safety module that gives you access to dividends. Here’s how it works: the protocol uses part of its revenue to buy back MUTM tokens from the market and redistributes them to those who stake their mtTokens. This creates a cycle where more lending and borrowing leads to more revenue, which funds more buybacks, which reduces supply and increases demand for MUTM. For long-term holders, this mechanism creates passive yield and supports long-term price stability. A Perfect Storm for Token Discovery Mutuum isn’t just launching a token—it’s launching an ecosystem. And once the token is live, all eyes will be on price discovery. With the current price at $0.03 and strong forecasts pointing to as much as a 15x rise by October, some investors see this moment as a rare opportunity. If the token does reach $0.45 after launch, that would represent significant gains even for those joining in Phase 5. But for those waiting until after launch, the upside may not be as substantial. Analysts are closely watching the token’s entry into public markets, the community response to the beta platform, and the level of adoption for lending and staking. These are not speculative dreams—they’re real economic signals that point to strong fundamentals. If user activity explodes after launch, the price could move quickly, catching latecomers off guard. While there are no guarantees in crypto, the pieces are falling into place for something big. A 15x gain by October may seem ambitious, but it’s rooted in logic, not just hype. As the DeFi space continues to grow, Mutuum is becoming a project to watch closely—and possibly act on while the presale is still underway. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://www.mutuum.finance/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance
XRP may repeat its 2017 breakout with a 1,772% surge over a 63-day cycle, peaking near July 21, 2025. A weekly close above $2.70 could trigger a major bullish move toward resistance levels at $3.35 and higher. The 21-week EMA at $2.30 remains critical for XRP’s bullish structure in the current symmetrical triangle formation. XRP could be heading for a significant breakout, echoing its explosive rally from late 2017. EGRAG CRYPTO, a technical analyst, highlights a potential 1,772% price surge over a 63-day cycle, aligning with historical fractal behavior observed in October 2017. Fibonacci Circle Suggests XRP Could Repeat 2017’s 1,772% Rally A zoomed-out fib spiral projection highlights XRP’s 2017 rally, where the token surged 1,772% from a consolidation pattern in just 63 days. XRP Fib Spiral Rally Projection. Source: EGRAG CRYPTO via TradingView That move began on October 30, 2017, and peaked near $3.13. Using this exact timeframe and applying Fibonacci Circle analysis, EGRAG now places a potential upside target of $28.70 by July 21, 2025, if history repeats. The 2025 setup mirrors the 2017 triangle breakout, both in shape and structure. A s… The post XRP Fractal Suggests 1,772% Rally by July—Is History About to Repeat? appeared first on Coin Edition .
Bitcoin has broken past the $110,000 mark, with XRP riding the momentum as crypto markets roar back into the spotlight. In the wake of this rally, investors are scanning for promising altcoins and meme tokens, and Solaxy is gaining traction. The project brands itself as the first-ever Layer 2 solution built on the Solana network—an appealing proposition on paper. However, a closer examination raises questions about its necessity and potential impact. Layer 2 solutions are typically designed to help slow blockchains with high fees—useful for Ethereum, but perhaps less so for Solana, which is already fast and low-cost. Introducing a Layer 2 on a network that doesn’t face major performance issues may not offer meaningful value. While early hype around Solaxy could yield a short-term 5x return, long-term value remains uncertain. This has many investors shifting their focus—and that’s where Influencer Pepe (INPEPE) is gaining serious ground. INPEPE Has a Stronger Foundation: Real Tools, Real Market Impact, Real Vision While Solaxy benefits from technical intrigue, Influencer Pepe (INPEPE) is quickly emerging as the top utility-focused meme coin of 2025. INPEPE offers a real-world solution to a massive market—the $25+ billion influencer economy—by acting as a borderless, fee-free payment system for digital creators. Unlike meme coins driven solely by hype, INPEPE is built for long-term ecosystem growth. Its core features include: Instant, borderless payouts for creators No platform fees or intermediaries On-chain proof of performance and engagement A staking APY of 4754%, offering unmatched passive income potential Education and community resources, helping users navigate crypto with confidence With a presale price of just $0.0000002051, $150,093.82 has already been raised toward the $505,881 funding goal—demonstrating strong early demand. What Sets Influencer Pepe Apart in the 2025 Meme Coin Arena: Built for Utility – Unlike meme coins with no function, INPEPE solves real problems for creators struggling with delayed payments and platform fees. Massive Staking Yields – Early users can earn a whopping 4754% APY through the staking dashboard. Cultural and Financial Relevance – INPEPE bridges the influencer economy with blockchain technology, giving it both narrative and utility strength. Upcoming Tier 1 Exchange Listings – Roadmap includes listings on top crypto exchanges. Viral Community Growth – Driven by creator partnerships and community memes, the project is gaining visibility beyond traditional crypto circles. The Origin Story: Why INPEPE Could Be Bigger Than the Meme INPEPE draws inspiration from meme coin giants like PEPE and Dogecoin but adds functionality and purpose. According to community supporters, the meme legacy of “Pepe” was missing two critical pillars—Technology and Optimization—which INPEPE aims to fulfill. Rather than clinging to nostalgia, Influencer Pepe has built a practical framework for creator payments in Web3. As the influencer economy moves toward decentralization, INPEPE is poised to become the go-to payment method for digital talent and content creators. Some even speculate that individuals tied to early Pepe coin developments are involved in INPEPE’s mission—offering both a cultural reset and a technical upgrade to the meme coin model. The Bottom Line: INPEPE Brings Real Utility in a Time When Meme Coins Must Offer More The market has matured. With Bitcoin above $110K and XRP surging, investors are prioritizing substance over spectacle. The days of meme coins pumping purely on internet jokes are fading—projects now need utility, structure, and a vision. Influencer Pepe delivers on all fronts—from staking and payment rails to education and ecosystem growth. It’s a meme coin designed not just to entertain, but to function. Solaxy may still enjoy attention as Solana’s experimental Layer 2, but for those looking to back a meme coin with real-world adoption potential, INPEPE is proving to be the more complete package. What a $10,000 Investment in Influencer Pepe Could Mean for Your Portfolio? Some early adopters are already speculating that a $10,000 investment in Influencer Pepe today could potentially 64x, reaching $640,000 — especially as the influencer economy continues to grow. With the global influencer industry projected to hit $48 billion by 2027, projects that merge crypto with creator culture are catching serious attention. If $INPEPE gains traction as a go-to payment option among influencers, its market cap could challenge — or even surpass — meme coin giants like Dogecoin and PEPE. That kind of adoption could fuel the kind of momentum meme coin investors dream of. How to Join the $INPEPE Project: Set Up a Wallet – Use MetaMask or Trust Wallet. Add Funds – Deposit ETH, USDT, or BNB. Access the Presale – Visit influencerpepe.com to buy tokens. Stake and Earn – Begin earning high APY rewards through the staking dashboard. Why $INPEPE Stands Out? INPEPE merges meme energy with real-world functionality. With its zero-fee payout model, high staking returns, and Web3 creator tools, the project is turning heads across the retail and influencer communities. And here’s the big picture: if just a fraction of the $48 billion influencer marketing industry adopts INPEPE as a preferred payment method, the token could realistically challenge—and even outperform legacy meme coins like Dogecoin and PEPE in terms of market cap. In a market driven increasingly by utility-backed narratives, Influencer Pepe is leading the next wave of meme coin evolution. Media Links To stay in touch with listing updates, here are the official links: Join Presale: https://influencerpepe.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inflencerpepe/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/InfluencerPepe Telegram: http://t.me/InfluencerPepe
Crypto enthusiasts have their eyes on Chainlink and Litecoin as key levels are reached. Chainlink has moved past its downward trend, sparking interest. Meanwhile, Litecoin aims for a bullish flag breakout, raising questions about potential new highs. Find out if these coins are gearing up for a summer rally and which ones show the most promise for growth. Chainlink: Mixed Momentum and Key Ranges Signal Trading Opportunities Chainlink experienced a 17.71% gain over the past month but showed a 4.15% decline over the last six months. The recent week brought a 4.04% rise, showing a short-term uptick amid volatility. Price movements have oscillated between enthusiasm and longer-term pullbacks, indicating fluctuating investor sentiment and market responses. Current trading places Chainlink within a range of $11.15 to $16.41. Immediate resistance lies at $18.52, with a secondary level at $23.77. Support can be found around $8.01 and $2.75. With a relative strength near 60, the market shows mixed momentum with bulls and bears competing. Traders might look to buy near support levels and sell at immediate resistance. Litecoin Price Analysis: Short-Term Gains and Long-Term Stability Litecoin showed a noticeable boost over the past month with a nearly 20% rise while the six-month change remained close to flat at just under 1%. Price swings between roughly $68 and $94 marked recent activity, reflecting short-term buying interest combined with minimal movement over a longer period. The indicators point to some conviction among traders during this burst of monthly momentum yet a steady longer-term outlook. Current trading sees Litecoin confined between clear key levels—a support near $53 and immediate resistance at about $104, rising to a secondary resistance around $129. Bulls are in play short-term, evidenced by the monthly rally, but the mix of positive and negative signals means no clear trend is set. Traders might consider buying when prices revisit support and look to sell near the resistance zones. Conclusion LINK has broken its trendline, showing potential for upward movement. LTC is approaching a bullish flag breakout, suggesting a positive trend. Both cryptocurrencies are positioned for growth. New all-time highs could be seen this summer if current trends hold. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
It started with a wave of cautious optimism. As geopolitical instability gave way to regulatory clarity, digital assets experienced a fresh resurgence. The U.S. SEC softened its stance on decentralized infrastructure tokens, while the European Union ratified a uniform framework under MiCA, effectively inviting institutional money to flow into promising blockchain projects. As a result, token sales began heating up again — especially among those that align with long-term utility and short-term execution.Amid this resurgence, Qubetics emerged as a standout force. Meanwhile, blue-chip projects like BNB and Aptos are navigating this renewed market confidence with major partnerships and technology upgrades of their own. This shift has changed the question from which coin has the most hype to which projects offer the most near-term value. For those tracking the best crypto presale to join in May 2025, Qubetics, BNB, and Aptos aren’t just candidates — they’re top-tier picks. Qubetics ($TICS): Driving Scalable Web3 Utility Across Chains with Real Tools The Qubetics crypto presale is now in Stage 35, offering $TICS tokens at $0.2785. It has already surpassed 512 million tokens sold, engaging over 26,900 holders and raising more than $17.3 million. These figures represent more than excitement — they reflect belief in a system designed to streamline blockchain interoperability and digital access across borders. At its core, Qubetics addresses a persistent problem in Web3: cross-chain application development. Using a two-pronged solution built around QubeQode and the Qubetics IDE, it enables developers and enterprises to launch applications that function seamlessly across Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and BNB chains without the usual overhead or security risk. Real Applications in Emerging Regions In places like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the UAE, enterprises are testing Qubetics-based deployment kits to launch blockchain-powered systems for ID verification, remittances, and logistics. These aren’t testnet experiments — they are enterprise-grade pilots validated by regulatory sandboxes and academic research hubs. Qubetics doesn’t attempt to be another “Ethereum killer.” Instead, it complements the Layer-1 ecosystem by providing infrastructure that smooths integration and reduces development friction. That has made it one of the best crypto presale to join in May 2025, especially for those seeking short-term adoption alongside long-term scalability. Why did this coin make it to this list? Qubetics delivers actual tools that developers and businesses are using now. Its growing ecosystem, real-world application focus, and presale momentum make it a serious contender for those evaluating the best crypto presale to join in May 2025. BNB (Binance Coin): Expanding Beyond the Exchange with Greenlighted Ecosystems BNB started as a utility token for the Binance exchange, but in 2025, it has become a multi-dimensional digital asset embedded in DeFi, GameFi, and even payment systems. This month, Binance Smart Chain (BSC) was approved by Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) for a pilot decentralized financial sandbox — granting legitimacy to its scaling technology and governance model. Transaction volumes on BSC reached a 90-day high, spurred by newly launched apps in synthetic asset trading, cross-border FX settlement, and gamified token economies. The network also introduced opBNB, a new L2 rollup designed to improve scalability without sacrificing decentralization — a direct response to Ethereum’s L2 dominance. BNB’s use case now includes fee reductions on Binance, collateral in DeFi protocols, access to token launchpads, and even proof-of-identity applications. With active partnerships across Mastercard, Vodafone MENA, and Paymob, BNB’s influence continues to stretch beyond crypto-native circles into legacy payments. The latest news that Binance Cloud will expand into 14 new markets — powered by BNB — adds weight to the claim that BNB remains a stable, well-backed project amid an evolving market. BNB is more than a token — it’s a bridge between traditional finance and Web3 ecosystems. This maturity, scalability, and institutional integration affirm BNB’s role as one of the best crypto presale to join in May 2025, particularly for stable infrastructure plays. Aptos (APT): From Meta DNA to Modular Momentum Aptos was born from Meta’s abandoned Diem project but has since forged its own identity. In Q2 2025, Aptos reached a new milestone: processing 15,000+ TPS (transactions per second) while maintaining cost-efficiency and network decentralization. That performance, validated through open-source benchmarks and GitHub audits, has drawn comparisons to Solana — without Solana’s historical instability. Major moves came earlier this year when Aptos announced its partnership with Microsoft Azure’s confidential computing wing, allowing secure, private smart contract execution for use cases in healthcare and confidential enterprise data sharing. New DeFi protocols are launching on Aptos at a record rate. According to Messari, Aptos added 37 unique DeFi projects in Q1 2025 alone, thanks to its fast finality and Move-based programming — an architecture that emphasizes safety and efficiency. The Aptos Foundation has also allocated $45 million for early-stage dApps, with specific focus on on-chain games, loyalty systems, and real-time AI integrations. Aptos is delivering a high-throughput Layer-1 network that’s secure, scalable, and battle-tested. It’s positioned for both Web3 and institutional adoption, earning its place among the best crypto presale to join in May 2025. QubeQode and Qubetics IDE: Making Blockchain Development Scalable and Accessible Qubetics isn’t just a coin — it’s a toolkit. Here’s how QubeQode and the Qubetics IDE are enabling Web3 development like never before: Enables drag-and-drop smart contract deployment across major chains Supports Rust, Solidity, and Vyper with live code compilation Integrated node monitoring and analytics dashboards Offers compliance automation tools for GDPR, FATF, and MiCA Built-in testing environments for multi-chain deployments These tools empower both solo developers and institutional teams to scale blockchain infrastructure without starting from zero — a unique value-add in a fragmented ecosystem. Conclusion: Market-Ready Solutions for 2025’s Demand Surge The shift toward utility-based, regulation-compliant crypto infrastructure has created clear demand for tools, ecosystems, and tokens that serve tangible needs. Qubetics is filling the infrastructure gap. BNB is scaling beyond its exchange roots. Aptos is proving modular scalability and real-world readiness. In this landscape, these projects don’t merely exist — they solve. And that’s why they stand out as the best crypto presale to join in May 2025 for builders, institutions, and technologists alike. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com Presale: https://buy.qubetics.com Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics FAQs What is the current stage of the Qubetics presale? Qubetics is in Stage 35, offering $TICS at $0.2785, with over 512M tokens sold and $17.3M+ raised. How is BNB evolving beyond exchange use? BNB now powers financial sandboxes, L2 networks, DeFi protocols, and legacy payment integration projects. Why is Aptos gaining developer momentum in 2025? Its Move-based secure architecture, low latency, and Microsoft-backed use cases are accelerating adoption. How does QubeQode benefit blockchain developers? QubeQode simplifies smart contract deployment and compliance integration across multiple chains. Are these projects suited for short-term impact or long-term holding? Each project demonstrates strong near-term catalysts, real-world use, and long-term ecosystem relevance. The post Qubetics Presale Surges, BNB Expands, and Aptos Scales: Best Crypto Presale to Join In May 2025 for Real Utility and Speed appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
Ethereum price rally has stalled in the past 15 days, but Polymarket traders and technicals point to more upside in the coming weeks. Ethereum ( ETH ) traded at $2,550 on Saturday, a few points below this month’s high of $2,735. It has jumped 85% from its lowest level this year. Most Polymarket traders believe that ETH price will jump to $4,000 in 2025. A poll shows that the odds of this happening have risen to 40% from last month’s low of 16%. These odds are at their highest level since March 1. Moving to $4,000 would imply a 60% surge from the current level. Polymarket places the odds of Ethereum price hitting $5,000 at 25% and $6,000 at 17%. On the other hand, the odds that it will crash to $1,000 have fallen to 16%. You might also like: Will Tron price rise as crypto billionaire Justin Sun meets Trump? There are signs that Ethereum’s fundamentals have improved in the past few weeks. For example, Nansen data shows that the number of transactions on the network has grown by 35% in the last 30 days to 39 million. Active addresses have increased by 0.4% to 6.7 million. Additionally, spot Ethereum ETFs have started attracting inflows. This week, they added over $238 million in assets, bringing the cumulative total to $2.76 billion. BlackRock’s ETHA has $3.4 billion in assets, while Grayscale’s ETHE and ETH have $2.9 billion and $1.28 billion, respectively. Ethereum price technical analysis ETH price chart | Source: crypto.news Technicals point to more ETH price gains in the coming months. It formed a golden cross as the 50-day and 200-day Arnaud Legoux Moving Averages crossed each other earlier this month. Ethereum is also forming a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart. The flagpole started earlier this month and peaked at $2,736, the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level. The recent consolidation is part of the flag formation. Therefore, there’s a chance that the coin will rebound in the next few days or weeks. A move above the 50% retracement at $2,736 will point to more gains, potentially to the 61.8% retracement point at $3,052. Rising above that retracement will point to more upside to $4,000. You might also like: Sui Foundation stays neutral as $162m hack recovery goes to vote
Shiba Inu's community burns SHIB tokens daily to increase demand by decreasing supply. Total burned supply reached 410.7 trillion, stirring discussions about potential price effects. Continue Reading: Shiba Inu Drives Demand by Reducing Token Supply The post Shiba Inu Drives Demand by Reducing Token Supply appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
A federal jury in Brooklyn has found Braden John Karony, former CEO of SafeMoon, guilty of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The conviction follows an extensive 12-day trial and an 18-month investigation into one of the most high-profile crypto fraud cases in recent memory. Prosecutors alleged that Karony and his associates deliberately deceived investors by falsely claiming SafeMoon’s liquidity pool was locked and untouchable, when in reality, they were stealing millions from it to fund a lavish lifestyle. According to the official press release by the DOJ, evidence presented in court revealed that Karony used investor funds to purchase luxury vehicles, including an Audi R8 and a Tesla, as well as multimillion-dollar real estate in Utah. While Karony maintained that liquidity funds could be accessed only in emergencies, testimony from SafeMoon’s former CTO, Thomas Smith, who took a plea deal, painted a picture of calculated deception. Smith admitted the executive team routinely coordinated public statements to cover their tracks and manipulate investor sentiment, all while personally trading SafeMoon tokens in ways that influenced the asset’s price. Karony’s conviction also includes the forfeiture of at least $2 million worth of assets, including residential properties. With sentencing looming, he faces a maximum of 45 years in prison. US Attorney Joseph Nocella described SafeMoon as a “front for theft” and Karony as someone who “lined the driveways of his million-dollar homes with luxury cars.” While Smith awaits sentencing and Kyle Nagy, the project’s elusive founder, remains at large. In an official statement, HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge McCormack said, “Steered by his selfish desires and insatiable greed, Braden John Karony treated millions of dollars in investors’ funds as his own personal bank account. The defendant will soon be trading his sprawling real estate and luxury vehicles for a jail cell within the four walls of a federal penitentiary.” Safemoon had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in December 2023. The post SafeMoon CEO Braden Karony Found Guilty of Fraud and Money Laundering appeared first on CryptoPotato .
Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union starting June 1. He clearly thinks this move will force Brussels into making major trade concessions, even as investors warn it could wipe out the modest global stock market recovery. Until now, talks between Washington and Brussels have made only slow progress. But Trump’s sudden announcement that he will impose heavy duties on EU goods has shifted the negotiating ground. If no agreement is reached, he plans to begin on June 1. FT reported that financial markets have been at ease recently due to Trump’s friendlier trade talks with Britain and China. Now, investors worry that a fresh tariff war with Europe could undo the recovery in global stocks and strain relations with long‐time allies. “It’s a classic Trump bullying tactic,” said Bill Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “If he doesn’t get what he wants, he pushes back with threats and waits to see what happens.” Reinsch added that the aim is to make European leaders “back down,” though he doubts they will. On Friday afternoon in the Oval Office, Trump insisted he was in no rush to strike a bargain before the deadline. “That’s the way it is,” he declared, reaffirming his plan to proceed with the 50% tariffs unless Brussels agrees to US demands. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the tariffs were meant to “light a fire under the EU.” He hinted there could be room to talk both before and after the official start date. A note from Oxford Economics said the threat of tariffs “will keep policy uncertainty elevated” since the administration may use duties as leverage any time talks stall. It remains unclear what the US wants from the EU In a social media post on Friday, Trump listed complaints about EU taxes, regulations, and trade rules that would be hard to fix quickly. Washington trade experts are fed up because the EU is repeating the same offers as before, and those offers never led to a deal. “Traditional methods haven’t produced a US‐EU agreement under any administration,” said Kelly Ann Shaw, a former White House trade official. Shaw, now a partner at Akin Gump law firm, said the threat of much higher tariffs “creates an action-forcing event” that will force both sides to decide soon whether they can reach a deal. From Washington’s view, the Europeans don’t seem to grasp that this round of talks is different and won’t follow the usual give‐and‐take, Reinsch said. On Friday, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held talks with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Trade Representative Katherine Tai. There was no sign of a breakthrough. Afterward, Šefčovič wrote on X that “EU‐US trade is unmatched & must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests.” Trump’s efforts to divide the EU could backfire EU officials wonder why they should give in so much when US and EU import taxes are nearly the same, only about one percentage point apart, and Europe’s VAT works out much like sales taxes in the US. Brussels also resists giving the US market access that other countries lack, warning it would violate World Trade Organization rules. Further complicating matters, many of the trade barriers the US objects to are set by national governments, even though EU trade policy is handled in Brussels. “EU negotiators should hold their nerve,” said Georg Riekeles, associate director at the European Policy Centre in Brussels. He pointed out that Canada and China have met US pressure with strong retaliation. “If the EU is ready to fight back, US bullying is ultimately self‐harmful, and you can move toward a deal.” But some EU members, such as Ireland and Italy, rely heavily on US exports and have decided against tough countermeasures. Trump may be hoping these splits will weaken Europe’s unity. Michael Smart, a former congressional trade counsel, warned that trying to split the EU could backfire. Most EU governments have so far backed the commission’s cautious approach of talking while buying time. They believe that, sooner or later, Trump will eventually back down because his tariffs would end up hurting the US economy. “One reason markets have calmed is that they’ve already priced in some concessions from Trump,” said one EU diplomat. Another added, “We don’t make policy decisions on the basis of tweets, at least not on this side of the Atlantic.” KEY Difference Wire : the secret tool crypto projects use to get guaranteed media coverage