What are Ghibli memecoins, and why are they gaining popularity on Solana?
What is GHIBLI memecoin? Ghiblification (GHIBLI) is a memecoin built on the Solana blockchain. It draws inspiration from the Ghibli-styled ChatGPT-generated images, which are influenced by the aesthetic work of Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio. The token gained viral traction shortly after its launch on March 25, 2025, via the @ghibli account on X.Riding a wave of community-generated content on social media, particularly X, GHIBLI saw a sharp price rise, peaking at $0.03918 on March 28, 2025, before declining to $0.0033 by April 7. During this period, its market capitalization fell from $39.179 million to $3.37 million. In its first 24 hours, the GHIBLI/SOL trading pair jumped 37%, signaling strong investor interest. Some traders view this as a hopeful signal for the memecoin sector, which has slumped by more than 50% since December 2024. The total token supply of GHIBLI memecoin is capped at 1 billion, with over 999 million currently in circulation.Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, is known for its meticulously hand-drawn animation, richly detailed backgrounds and emotional storytelling. By April 7, 2024, the studio had produced 22 full-length animated features. Some well-known films by the studio include Grave of the Fireflies (1998), Spirited Away (2001) and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013).GHIBLI reflects the emerging pattern of memecoins driven by cultural references and movements. It follows in the footsteps of the CHILLGUY token launched on the Solana blockchain on Nov. 15, leveraging the viral “Just a chill guy” meme. By Nov. 27, CHILLGUY propelled to a $643-million market capitalization, though its value sharply declined later. Memecoins are cryptocurrencies that take a humorous jab at mainstream cryptocurrencies and their disruptive aspirations against traditional finance. Their very existence stems from viral internet memes. Since the introduction of ChatGPT’s image generation feature, several memecoins linked to the feature have emerged on the Solana and Ethereum blockchains.Did you know? The studio’s name, “Ghibli,” is derived from a Libyan Arabic word meaning a hot desert wind. How to buy GHIBLI on a Solana-based DEX To purchase GHIBLI memecoin on a Solana-based DEX, you need to set up a wallet, acquire SOL, connect to a DEX, and swap SOL for GHIBLI.Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase GHIBLI memecoin on a Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX):Step 1: Set up a cryptocurrency walletInstall Trust Wallet by downloading it from the official Trust Wallet website or Google Play Store.Complete the setup process.Securely store your seed phrase. It is essential to recover your wallet if any issues arise.Step 2: Acquire SOL and transfer it to your walletPurchase Solana (SOL) on a centralized exchange like Binance or another platform that facilitates SOL trading.Transfer the SOL to your Trust Wallet address via the Solana network. Step 3: Connect to a DEXVisit a Solana-supported DEX.Connect your Trust Wallet to the platform.Step 4: Purchase GHIBLIAfter connecting your wallet, locate a trading pair like SOL/USDT or SOL/GHIBLI on the DEX.Specify how much SOL you want to swap for GHIBLI and finalize the transaction.Once the swap is complete, the GHIBLI tokens will appear in your Trust Wallet.Did you know? Studio Ghibli, known for its whimsical and dreamlike animation style, puts a strong emphasis on hand-drawn animation, even in the digital age. GHIBLI memecoins — From AI art to crypto craze The rise of GHIBLI memecoins began with the viral impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o update on March 25, 2025. This update introduced a unique feature that allowed users to transform regular images into the iconic art style of Studio Ghibli. GHIBLI represents a growing trend of anime-themed tokens gaining traction, fueled by increasing interest in both Japanese animation and AI-generated art. Days after the launch of GHIBLI anime images, an overwhelming number of users, including influencers and politicians, started using ChatGPT to transform their images into art. This intense interest in the new image-generation capability resulted in an 11% increase in global downloads and a 5% rise in weekly active users compared to the previous week of launch, while in-app purchase revenue also grew by 6%. According to data from market research firm Similarweb, the number of average weekly active users breached the 150 million mark for the first time in 2025. The extensive demand placed a significant load on OpenAI’s servers, leading to temporary restrictions on users accessing the tool.As Ghibli-style images flooded social media, the Ghiblification phenomenon quickly inspired a new wave of anime-themed memecoins. These tokens, themed after Studio Ghibli’s timeless creations like Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service, captured the imagination of crypto enthusiasts. Rather than offering traditional utility, Ghibli memecoins thrive on cultural nostalgia and online hype.Leading the movement is GHIBLI, which became the face of the trend. What began as a viral AI art trend soon evolved into a full-blown crypto sensation, transforming playful creativity into market momentum almost overnight.Interestingly, similar memecoins failed to gain traction. For instance, Ghibli Rizzler (GRIZLLER) attained a market capitalization of $6,000, while Ghibli Sigma (GIGMA) and Ghibli Mona Lisa (GLISA) fared even worse, reaching meager market caps of just $4,200 and $3,800, respectively.Most memecoins are created anonymously, making it very difficult to verify if they are legitimate or safe investments. Only investors with advanced Web3 skills can access the vetting methods necessary to determine the legitimacy of these projects, as the available vetting tools primarily require a high level of Web3 expertise.Did you know? Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI, has suggested an upcoming version of the feature, which will be more advanced than the current one. No wonder the next version of the anime images tool propels another memecoin spree. What fueled the GHIBLI memecoin surge? The way GHIBLI memecoin prices fluctuate isn’t just by chance; it’s driven by a blend of cutting-edge technology, celebrity buzz and a market eager to chase the next big trend.Backing by top tech influencersTech influencers like Sam Altman and Elon Musk helped amplify the trend. On March 27, 2025, just after the launch of the GHIBLI feature — Musk posted a hilarious image of himself as Rafiki from The Lion King, raising a Dogecoin mascot in the air. That post alone triggered massive attention for Ghibli-themed tokens.Five days later, on April 6, Altman also posted a playful Ghibli-themed image on X, giving another push to the image-generating feature.Joining the Ghibli trend, Binance co-founder and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao updated his X profile picture in the style of the animation studio. White House crypto czar David Sacks also participated, sharing a Ghibli-esque image of himself with the US president working in the office.Massive market gainsPost-launch, GHIBLI experienced a sharp rise in value, exceeding 40,000% within a 24-hour period. Getting listed on exchanges like Gate.io and Binance Alpha added credibility to the token and sparked a wave of FOMO (fear of missing out) among investors eager for big returns.Emotional appealStudio Ghibli’s storytelling and beloved characters evoke strong emotional connections worldwide. Their timeless charm blends perfectly with the memecoin formula of fun, fandom and hype. For many, buying GHIBLI tokens feels like honoring their favorite anime memories while riding the wave of a hot trend.Vibrant communityOn social media, GHIBLI’s community is thriving. Users have been sharing memes, tips and posts out of excitement and are pumping the token in the process. The energy resembles the early Dogecoin (DOGE) days, though it has an anime twist with GHIBLI. Risk factors concerning GHIBLI memecoin Potential investors in GHIBLI should consider volatility, possible legal issues and the ethical considerations highlighted by Studio Ghibli’s leadership.Here’s what you need to know:Volatility and trend dependency: Ghibli memecoins, while currently popular, are highly susceptible to the transient nature of internet trends. Their value is closely tied to the trend of ghiblification. As this trend loses steam, the tokens’ appeal and market value are likely to go down as well. Historical precedents, such as the rapid rise and fall of memecoins like CHILLGUY, highlight the probability of significant losses after the initial excitement subsides.Legal and ethical considerations: Studio Ghibli has a history of actively protecting its intellectual property. The studio has previously taken legal action against unauthorized use of its artwork, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding its creations. The emergence of Ghibli-themed memecoins and AI-generated art raises concerns about potential copyright infringements. Studio Ghibli could pursue action against organizations that take advantage of its distinctive style without permission, especially if such use dilutes the brand value of the studio. Miyazaki’s stance on AI and artistic integrity: Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, strongly disapproves of AI-generated art. In a 2016 documentary, he described such creations as “an insult to life itself,” underscoring his belief that AI cannot capture the depth of human experience essential to authentic artistry. This perspective adds an ethical dimension to the proliferation of AI-generated Ghibli-style images and related memecoins. How to do spot trading of GHIBLI GHIBLI has been listed on centralized exchanges such as Gate.io and Kraken for spot trading. For spot trading on centralized exchanges, you must deposit funds on the exchange or purchase stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) or USDC (USDC). You navigate to the “Spot Trading” page, select a trading pair, and execute trades using market or limit orders.Here is the process for spot trading in more detail:Create an account: If you don’t have one, create an account on the exchange.Deposit funds: Deposit funds into your Gate.io account using an approved method or purchase compatible stablecoins.Navigate to spot trading: Go to the “Spot Trading” page on the platform.Select a trading pair: Select the cryptocurrency pair you want to trade (e.g., GHIBLI/USDC).Place orders: You have two options: market order and limit order. With a market order, you can execute a trade at the current market price, whereas with a limit order, you can set a specific price for buying or selling.Monitor and close positions: Monitor your trades and close your positions when desired. Caution! Centralized exchanges carry risks — hacks have cost billions (e.g., Mt. Gox in 2014 and Bybit hack in 2025), liquidity can dry up during volatility, and regulatory shifts may freeze funds. Verify platform security, fees and withdrawal limits before committing. Research GHIBLI’s volatility and exchange reputation to avoid losses.Moreover, memecoins like TRUMP and GHIBLI carry risks: Their hype-driven volatility can lead to rapid losses, and scams or rug pulls often target uninformed investors. Therefore, with full self-ownership, always protect your keys and funds; scams exploit the unwary.
Crypto stocks see big gains alongside US stock market rebound
Crypto stocks have surged as part of a broader recovery in the US stock market on April 9 following President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on sweeping global tariffs.The Wednesday, April 9 trading day closed with Michael Saylor’s Strategy up 24.76% to $296.86, while crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) closed up 17% to $177.09, according to Google Finance data.Crypto mining companies also saw gains, with MARA Holdings (MARA) up 17%, Cipher Platforms (CIFR) up 16.59%, and Riot Platforms (RIOT) rising 12.77%.Michael Saylor’s Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, surged 24.76% during the trading day. Source: Google FinanceMost of the gains in crypto stocks and the broader US market came in the final three hours of the day’s trading session, spurred by an afternoon post from Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the post, Trump announced a 90-day pause on his global “reciprocal tariffs,” instead lowering the tariff rate to 10% on every country besides China, which he increased to 125% due to the country’s counter-tariffs against the US.The S&P 500, which tracks the 500 largest public US companies, closed 9.52% higher, its third-largest single-day gain since World War II, according to reports. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 posted a 12.02% gain over the trading day.APAC markets and Bitcoin see gainsAsia Pacific markets saw an uptick as trading began on Thursday, April 10, local time. Australia’s ASX 200 index is up 4.55% at the time of writing, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened the trading day almost 10% higher.Related: Bitcoin, stocks crumble after ’90 day tariff pause’ deemed fake news — BTC whales keep accumulatingAlthough Trump’s initial mention of tariffs in early February shook the markets and was a key catalyst in Bitcoin dropping below the $100,000 price level, it was his major escalation in early April that triggered significant volatility across the markets.On April 4, the US stock market lost $3.25 trillion — around $570 billion more than the entire crypto market’s $2.68 trillion valuation at the time of publication. It came only two days after Trump signed an executive order establishing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners and a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries.Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) has also experienced an uptrend. At the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading 7.52% higher than 24 hours ago, at $82,065, according to CoinMarketCap data.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of FlameThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Bitcoin price soars to $83.5K — Have pro BTC traders turned bullish?
US equities and crypto markets shifted dramatically on April 9 after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariffs, except for China. Bitcoin (BTC) price responded by surging by 5% in less than an hour, reclaiming the $83,000 level which was last seen on April 6.While the S&P 500 gained 8%, Bitcoin derivative metrics have yet to turn bullish as traders remain cautious about changes in US long-term government bonds.Bitcoin 2-month futures annualized premium. Source: Laevitas.chThe BTC futures premium briefly rose above the neutral 5% threshold but failed to sustain its momentum. Investors were skeptical about whether the US Federal Reserve would lower interest rates throughout the year. However, this indicator has moved away from the 3% level observed on March 31, signaling growing confidence among Bitcoin bulls after several failed attempts to push prices below $76,000.Bitcoin traders worry after 10-year yield volatilityTraders’ hesitancy can partly be attributed to the April 9 release of minutes from the Federal Reserve Committee (FOMC) meeting held on March 18-19. The minutes highlighted concerns about stagflation. According to CME FEDWatch Tool data, the probability of the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates below 4% by Sept. 17 dropped from 97.6% on April 8 to 69.7% on April 9.Traders are worried about the implications of a weakened 10-year US Treasury yield. This decline reflects reduced confidence in the government’s ability to manage its growing debt. Economist Peter Boockvar, editor of The Boock Report, explained to Yahoo Finance: “We can draw a line at around the 4.40% level in the 10-year yield.” He added that investors fear “foreigners will continue to reduce their holdings of US Treasurys.”US 10-year Treasury yield. Source: TradingView / CointelegraphWhen bond yields rise, it indicates that buyers are demanding higher returns from the US government. As a result, the cost of rolling over debt increases, potentially creating a negative cycle that weakens the US dollar. This uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment has also been reflected in Bitcoin options markets.Bitcoin derivatives signal a lack of conviction from bullsWhen traders anticipate a market correction, put (sell) options typically trade at a premium, pushing the 25% delta skew (put-call) metric above 6%. On the other hand, during bullish periods, this indicator usually drops below -6%.Bitcoin 1-month options 25% delta skew (put-call). Source: Laevitas.chOn April 9, the Bitcoin options delta skew peaked at 12% after China announced higher tariffs in retaliation. However, this trend reversed completely following President Trump’s announcement of a tariff pause, with the indicator returning to a neutral 3%. This shift suggests that options markets are now pricing equal probabilities for upward and downward price movements, marking the end of a bearish phase that began on March 29.Related: US Dollar Index (DXY) falls close to level that was followed by 500%+ Bitcoin price ralliesTo determine whether this lack of bullish sentiment is limited to monthly futures and options markets, one can examine leverage demand in perpetual futures (inverse swaps). These contracts closely follow spot prices but rely on an 8-hour funding fee. In neutral markets, this funding rate typically ranges between 0.4% and 1.4% over a 30-day period.Bitcoin perpetual futures 8-hour funding rate. Source: Laevitas.chOn April 9, the 30-day Bitcoin futures funding rate rose to 0.9%, its highest level in over six weeks. This increase likely reflects retail buyers entering the market but remains within the neutral range. This consistency across BTC derivatives metrics suggests that the tariff pause was insufficient to restore confidence, especially as tensions in the trade war with China persist.It remains unclear what will drive Bitcoin traders to adopt a bullish stance, but reduced macroeconomic uncertainty—such as a decline in the US 10-year Treasury yield—will likely play a critical role.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
Ethereum Researcher Virgil Griffith released from prison
Ethereum researcher Virgil Griffith was released from prison custody on April 9, the Bureau of Prison (BOP) officials confirmed to Cointelegraph.According to crypto developer Brantly Millegan, Griffith will remain in a halfway house for several weeks while waiting to complete the next steps in his parole process.Griffith was arrested in 2019 for giving a lecture about blockchain technology and its power to circumvent US sanctions to an audience in North Korea.Virgil Griffith pictured in the center with his parents immediately following his release from prison custody on April 9. Source: Brantly MilleganThe US government claimed the researcher violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by giving North Korea “highly technical information” despite the content of the lecture being widely available knowledge published on the internet.Griffith’s case highlights the tension between blockchain developers and state powers as the nascent technology continues to create avenues for individuals and countries to escape financial controls, censorship, and surveillance.Related: Crypto urges Congress to change DOJ rule used against Tornado Cash devsVirgil Griffith’s legal battle against US prosecutorsIn January 2020, a US grand jury indicted Griffith with conspiracy to violate the IEEPA, which gives the Executive Branch of government the power to restrict economic activity between US citizens and foreign powers deemed to be adversarial to the United States.Griffith initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. The software developer’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case in October 2020, arguing that Griffith did not violate the law by presenting what was already widely available public knowledge.Griffith on a crypto-focused lecture in 2019 to a North Korean audience. Source: Cointelegraph/United States Department of Justice.Following a lengthy legal battle, which took nearly two years, Griffith pleaded guilty to violating sanctions laws as part of a plea deal with the US government in September 2021.The Ethereum researcher was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine by the court in April 2022. However, the legal battle did not end there.Two years later, in April 2024, the researcher’s attorneys submitted a motion to reduce the prison sentence, which US prosecutors opposed, citing Griffith’s actions as harmful to national security.Despite the pushback from the prosecutors, New York Judge Kevin Castel issued a ruling in July 2024 reducing Griffth’s prison sentence to 56 months.Magazine: The FBI’s takedown of Virgil Griffith for breaking sanctions, firsthand
Bitcoin DeFi booms as Core blockchain hits $260M in dual-staked assets
Core, a proof-of-stake blockchain built on Bitcoin, has surpassed $260 million in dual-staked assets as institutional interest in Bitcoin-based decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to grow.Core’s initial contributor, Rich Rines, told Cointelegraph that as of April 7, over 44 million Core tokens have been dual-staked with 3,140 Bitcoin (BTC). At the time of writing, the assets are worth about $260 million. Core’s dual-staking model lets Bitcoin holders earn higher yields with CORE tokens. While users can stake BTC at a lower rate, those who stake BTC with Core tokens get an enhanced yield. “Dual Staking can multiply base staking rewards over 15 times, depending on how many CORE tokens are staked,” Core said in a statement. Core’s new milestone highlights growing demand for Bitcoin stakingThe latest milestone was driven in part by institutional investors integrating Core’s staking model into their platforms.Core Foundation said that major custodians like BitGo, Copper and Hex Trust have enabled their clients to gain access to the protocol by integrating dual staking. Core added that it had partnered with Maple Finance for a structured asset that uses Core’s dual-staking to generate yield. Rines told Cointelegraph that institutions have been crucial catalysts to the early success of its dual staking model. He said the model unlocks new opportunities for institutions. “This shift has broader implications for the Bitcoin ecosystem. Historically, institutional BTC holdings required paying custody fees without generating yield,” Rines told Cointelegraph.He added that by integrating Core’s staking model, institutions can turn Bitcoin into a yield-bearing asset that offsets costs and unlocks new capital efficiencies.At the time of writing, Core holds the biggest total value locked (TVL) among Bitcoin sidechains. Footprint analytics puts Core’s TVL above $400 million, with a market share of 28%. Distribution of chain TVLs among Bitcoin sidechains. Source: Footprint AnalyticsRelated: Bitcoin ETFs lose $326M amid ‘evolving’ dynamic with TradFi marketsBitcoin becoming “productive” The Core team said the increase in the number of dual-staked CORE tokens highlights how the product fulfills its design. Rines told Cointelegraph: “The 44 million+ CORE tokens dual-staked to date show real adoption of the model. It reflects that users, both retail and institutional, are actively looking to put their Bitcoin to work securely and sustainably.”Rines emphasized that Core’s dual-staking system offers a sustainable utility for long-term Bitcoin holders without requiring them to relinquish custody.“This is Bitcoin becoming productive, not by trusting third parties, but by participating in a system designed to reward real alignment and long-term engagement,” Rines said.Magazine: New ‘MemeStrategy’ Bitcoin firm by 9GAG, jailed CEO’s $3.5M bonus: Asia Express
US gov’t actions give clue about upcoming crypto regulation
The early days of the Trump administration saw a flurry of activity that could give the crypto industry an idea of forthcoming crypto regulations, namely that they may not be regulated as securities. Practitioners have decried a lack of concrete change in the form of new rules and guidance. The skeptics have their reasons. The formation of the crypto task force, Trump’s crypto executive order, crypto czar David Sacks’ lone press conference, and the digital asset reserve has been criticized as mere theater.The real work of regulating comes not in press conferences but in the guidance, enforcement, and rulemaking that support the structure of rules-based systems.A faithful account of all of the cryptocurrency decisions from the Trump administration reveals a new approach to enforcement and regulation that could meaningfully affect the rights of operators in the United States. Trump’s regulatory approach opens up banking to cryptoIn the dog days of the Biden administration, a policy known as “Operation Chokepoint 2.0” became a major scandal in certain crypto media channels. The allegations were that, during the Obama administration, the Justice Department developed a program called Operation Choke Point that it used to surveil and curtail certain disfavored businesses like payday lenders and firearms dealers. Some speculated that the Biden administration adopted the same policies for cryptocurrency companies. There was a lot of back and forth over this issue — some denied it ever happened, but many cryptocurrency firms and individuals lost access to banking services.Whether this was a directive or simply an unforeseen consequence of other policies, many in the industry were incensed; the issue became politically charged. Crypto execs went on popular shows and podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss debanking. Source: Nic CarterAs a result, one of the first steps the Trump administration took regarding crypto was to fix the industry’s debanking problem. This began only two days after Trump took office with Staff Accounting Bulletin 122 (SAB 122), a directive that repealed the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) SAB 121 — which had effectively prohibited banks from holding cryptocurrencies by making it difficult and inefficient to do so. On March 7, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released its own interpretive guidance, Letter 1183, itself undoing Letter 1179. The latter required banks to ask OCC’s permission to participate in certain crypto-native activities like custodying cryptocurrency, holding stablecoin reserve deposits and functioning as validation nodes.On March 28, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) followed up with its own guidance. It rescinded the Biden era FIL-16-2022, which required FDIC-supervised institutions to notify the FDIC of their intent to dabble in crypto and provide information on possible risks. Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill also signaled that “banking regulators should not use reputational risk as a basis for supervisory criticisms” at all.It may be difficult to separate the effects of these policies so early in the administration because banks are large institutions and move slowly. But across three agencies the rules have changed substantially and dramatically, which could have major effects on cryptocurrency access to banking services in the medium to long term. Fully dismissed crypto cases Virtually every pending SEC matter with a cryptocurrency defendant has been dropped. While nice for the targets, it doesn’t create much precedent that anyone can build off of. That said, the result does suggest that the underlying activities in those dropped cases won’t be pursued for enforcement, at least for the immediate future.Related: Ripple celebrates SEC’s dropped appeal, but crypto rules still not setIt’s helpful, then, to consider what activities have received implied license through this campaign of dropped enforcement.There are a number of cases in which the SEC filed a complaint and litigated to varying degrees of resolution, which the commission either fully dropped or settled without admissions of wrongdoing on the part of the targets:Feb. 27, 2025 — Coinbase Inc. March 3, 2025 — Payward, Inc. (Kraken)March 25, 2025 — Ripple Labs, Inc.March 27, 2025 — Cumberland DRW LLC March 27, 2025 — Consensys Software, Inc.These cases revolved around the unregistered sale and offer of securities under the Securities Act of 1933, and acting unregistered as a broker, dealer, clearing agency and exchange. While the allegations and actors are different, the common thread between them is that none would be subject to the laws in question if the underlying assets were not themselves securities.The sole exception is Consensys, which was accused of providing staking as a service without first registering it as a security. While the texture of this claim is familiar, the activity is somewhat different than the pure offer and sale of securities. This dismissal, along with the related guidance concerning mining pools, suggests that the current SEC does not consider most token-generating activities to be investment contracts, either. Crypto firms were quick to celebrate after the SEC dropped cases against them. Source: Bill HughesStayed pending resolutionOther cases have been filed in court and halted through joint motions to pause the suits. This is presumably in anticipation of eventually dismissing them, but since they have not yet been dismissed, it is hard to say for sure. Feb. 11, 2025 — Binance and Changpeng Zhao (CZ)Feb. 25, 2025 — Tron Foundation and Justin SunApril 2, 2025 — Gemini Trust Company, LLC These cases mostly differ from the ones that have already been dropped in that, in the case of Binance and Tron, the government brought allegations not just of unregistered operation but of actual fraud as well. The pause indicates the government may be conciliatory, but the aggravating nature of these allegations is stalling resolution. Gemini fits more naturally into the category above, and it is not clear why that case has not yet been dropped.SEC drops investigations into crypto firms There are other cases where the SEC opened investigations and even issued Wells notices indicating potential enforcement. However, the commission has reportedly ceased investigations after Trump’s inauguration. Feb. 21, 2025 — Robinhood Crypto, LLCFeb. 21, 2025 — Ozone Networks, Inc. (OpenSea)Feb. 25, 2025 — Universal Navigation Inc. (Uniswap Labs)March 3, 2025 — Yuga LabsThe investigations were focused around allegations that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) were securities, or that intermediaries like Robinhood or Uniswap were operating as unregistered brokers. While little has come of these actions, on balance they match the trend suggested above.What the dismissals say quietlyNone of the dismissals could be considered an SEC edict that certain crypto activities are legal. But taken together, these dismissals, pauses and dropped investigations paint a clear picture of how the current SEC thinks about cryptocurrency’s place in securities regimes. The SEC dropped charges where allegations revolved around operating as a broker, dealer, clearing house or exchange. This is consistent with the position that the underlying assets themselves are not securities. The same is true about cases of issuance. The commission dropped charges alleging that an entity issued securities in the form of cryptocurrency tokens.Still, claims of fraud and market manipulation have not yet been dropped. This might indicate a reticence among commission attorneys to let these claims go. Still, if the assets at hand are not securities, the SEC will not be the correct agency to bring those claims, and so, if the SEC is consistent, then it will likely drop these cases too.Furthermore, in three official statements, the SEC notified the public that traditional memecoins, proof-of-work mining, including pooled mining, and traditional “covered” or asset-backed stablecoins denominated in dollars are not subject to securities laws.Related: Crypto has a regulatory capture problem in Washington — or does it?This, alongside the chain of dismissals, suggests that secondary market sales of fungible cryptocurrency tokens, NFTs, and staking-as-a-service products are also outside of the scope of traditional securities law. Some might argue that this is more confusing than clarifying, but applying the principle of Occam’s Razor would suggest the SEC simply does not consider cryptocurrency assets to be subject to securities laws as currently construed.But what does it all mean?“Flood the Zone” is a tactic that Trump strategist Steve Bannon made famous during the president’s first term, and it might now apply to the manic flurry of policy and dismissals over the past few months. Take any one at face value and it would be easy to discount the project as insubstantial, but together they arguably represent a sea change in the crypto policy of the United States government. Banks, once effectively prohibited from holding cryptocurrencies, are now unrestrained. Companies once bogged down in litigation are now free. They may well be followed by new entrants comforted by their survival. At a biweekly clip, the SEC is releasing new guidance as to which products exist outside its remit. And Trump nominee Paul Atkins isn’t even in the door yet. This is a dramatically improved regulatory environment, and there are now affirmatively legal paths through which industry participants can do business onchain. Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame
EU markets regulator says crypto may cause ‘broader stability issues’ as market grows
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has warned that crypto will increasingly threaten traditional financial markets’ stability as the industry grows and becomes more entwined with traditional finance players.“We cannot rule out that future sharp drops in crypto prices could have knock-on effects on our financial system,” ESMA’s executive director Natasha Cazenave said in an April 8 statement to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.Cazenave noted, however, that crypto currently only accounts for 1% of global financial assets and is not yet significant enough to cause major “spillover effects” into traditional financial markets.She warned that interconnections between crypto and traditional markets are rapidly growing — particularly in the more crypto-friendly US — and called for closer monitoring.“Crypto-assets markets evolve quickly, in an often unpredictable manner, and we need to keep a close eye on these developments,” Cazenave said, adding:“Turmoil, even in small markets, can originate or catalyze broader stability issues in our financial system.”Cazenave’s concerns ranged from spot crypto exchange-traded funds and stablecoin use to hacks, scams and scandals — highlighting the recent $1.4 billion Bybit exploit and FTX’s collapse in November 2022.Today in the ECON Committee, the role of crypto assets in relation to financial market stability was discussed. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) were present.I raised a critical question about the digital euro.… pic.twitter.com/KST7FRBhFF— Engin Eroglu (@EnginEroglu_FW) April 8, 2025The European Union has already implemented several measures to safeguard against crypto risks, most notably the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation that was rolled out last year.While Cazenave said MiCA marked a “breakthrough” for crypto regulation, she added that there is “no such thing as a safe crypto-asset” and that more rules may need to be implemented to mitigate future risks.Related: EU could fine Elon Musk’s X $1B over illicit content, disinformationHer comments come as both crypto and the stock markets have experienced double-digit falls over the last few weeks as the Trump administration continues to follow through on its tariff plans.Europe lags US in crypto adoptionWhile crypto adoption has accelerated in the US, Cazenave noted that over 95% of European banks remain on the sidelines, with no involvement in crypto-related activities.However, retail participation is on the rise, with an estimated 10% to 20% of European investors having crypto exposure, which is in line with growing global interest, Cazenave said.Most reports measuring US crypto adoption suggest that the range of adoption is between 15% and 28% of the population.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again
Ethereum whale sells ETH after 900 days, missing $27M possible peak profit
An Ether whale who had held 10,000 Ether for the last 900 days has sold their entire stash and missed out on a peak profit of $27.6 million when the cryptocurrency was worth over $4,000. The whale initially bought a total of 10,000 Ether (ETH) across two transactions in October and November 2022 for $13 million at the time for an average price of $1,295 per token, blockchain analytics service Lookonchain said in an April 8 X post.“He didn’t sell when Ether broke through $4,000. But today, he exited with a $2.75 million profit. The profit at the peak was $27.6 million,” Lookonchain said.Source: Lookonchain The whale sold when Ether was around $1,578, according to Lookonchain. Within the period that the whale wallet was holding its stack, Ether hit a high of $4,015 on Dec. 9, CoinGecko data shows. Ether is sitting at around $1,426, down 24% over the last seven days amid a broader market sell-off sparked by the Trump administration’s sweeping global tariffs.ETH hit its all-time high of $4,878 on Nov. 10, 2021, about a year before the whale’s first purchase.Trump’s World Liberty Financial sells part of ETH stash In a separate April 9 post to X, Lookonchain said the Donald Trump-backed crypto project, World Liberty Financial (WLF), might have also sold some of its Ether stash at a loss. “A wallet possibly linked to World Liberty sold 5,471 ETH ($8.01M) at $1,465,” Lookonchain wrote.Source: LookonchainBefore the supposed sale, Lookonchain said World Liberty Financial had a stash of 67,498 Ether, which it bought at an average price of $3,259.Related: Trump tariffs could lower Bitcoin miner prices outside US, says mining execTwo other whales have also made big moves amid a market bloodbath that has seen some traders buying the dip. On April 7, an unidentified crypto whale had to inject 10,000 Ether— worth more than $14.5 million, to save their position of 220,000 Ether worth more than $300 million from liquidation amid the market slump. Another whale wasn’t as lucky, losing 67,570 Ether on April 6, worth around $106 million, when their significant position on decentralized finance lending platform Sky was liquidated. Magazine: Bitcoin heading to $70K soon? Crypto baller funds SpaceX flight: Hodler’s Digest
Bitcoin rebounds as traders spot China ‘weaker yuan’ chart, but US trade war caps $80K BTC rally
Bitcoin (BTC) danced around $80,000 at the April 8 Wall Street open as US stock markets staged a fresh recovery, but unresolved tensions between China and the US continue to put a damper on BTC’s upside. BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHayes: Bitcoin can repeat historic China inflowsData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC price volatility cooling while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index gained up to 4.3% in the first few hours of trading.Stocks built on a strong rebound that had accompanied the start of the week’s TradFi trading, alleviating fears of a 1987 “Black Monday” style crash. US trade tariffs nonetheless stayed top of the agenda for traders, who in particular eyed the ongoing war of words with China.In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump claimed that Beijing “wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started.”“We are waiting for their call,” he told readers.Source: Truth SocialBitcoin advocates eyed the devaluation of the yuan as part of China’s tariff response and the potential inflows to hedges such as BTC as a result.“Xi’s major weapon is independent monetary policy which necessitates a weaker yuan,” Arthur Hayes, ex-CEO of crypto exchange BitMEX, wrote in part of X coverage of the topic.Hayes suggested that either the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) or the US Federal Reserve would ultimately provide the fuel for a BTC price rally.“If not the Fed then the PBOC will give us the yachtzee ingredients,” he argued in his characteristic style. “CNY deval = narrative that Chinese capital flight will flow into $BTC. It worked in 2013 , 2015, and can work in 2025. Ignore China at your own peril.”USD/CNY 3-day chart. Source: Cointelelgraph/TradingViewThe Fed, meanwhile, could boost Bitcoin and risk assets by lowering interest rates to stimulate growth. In a blog post on the day, AllianceBernstein predicted this happening even as tariffs added to inflationary pressures.“If the economy slows, as we expect it will, the Fed will be inclined to cut rates even if price levels are high,” Eric Winograd, the firm’s Developed Market Economic Research director wrote. “The view is that actual inflation tells us what the economy was doing but not what it will do. The Fed has cut rates before with inflation elevated, and we expect it to do so again unless—a very big ‘unless’—inflation expectations become unanchored.”Fed target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME GroupWinograd said that AllianceBernstein expected 75 basis points of rate cuts in 2025, with the latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showing markets betting on the first of these coming at the Fed’s June meeting.Related: $2T fake tariff news pump shows ‘market is ready to ape’Fibonacci offers a “big level to watch” for BTC priceConsidering the global market tumult of the last three days, Bitcoin’s price action has remained eerily cool on the shorter timeframes as snap price moves gave way to consolidation.For traders, among the key levels to watch was the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement level, currently near $73,500.“In a bull market, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement acts as key support,” popular trader Titan of Crypto explained, describing BTC/USD as “in a reversal zone.”“As long as BTC closes above it, the uptrend remains intact, even with a wick below.”BTC/USD 1-month chart with Fibonacci levels. Source: Titan of Crypto/XFellow trader Daan Crypto Trades also underscored the level’s potential significance, with it coinciding with old all-time highs from March 2024.“$BTC Has respected its .382 Fibonacci retracements, measured from the cycle bottom to the local tops, quite well so far,” he told X followers. “This is the 3rd time we get such a test this cycle. This time we got some confluence from the 2024 highs as well. Big level to watch.”Other important trend lines, as Cointelegraph reported, include the 200-day simple moving average (SMA), a classic bull market support line that was lost when BTC first fell below $82,000.BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200 SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
US govt. sets AI policies across agencies
The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued two directives specifying policies and deadlines for deploying AI tools that enhance public services, providing a roadmap for implementing US President Donald Trump’s executive order advance US “dominance” in the use and development of artificial intelligence.According to two memorandums from April 3, all government agencies “should invest in the AI marketplace and maximize the use of AI products and services that are developed and produced in the United States.” The memorandums list various deadlines for the adoption of AI, including a 270-day deadline to update policies and procedures.In early 2025, Trump took significant steps to reshape US policy on emerging technologies by repealing former President Joe Biden’s 2023 executive order on AI safety — arguing it imposed excessive regulations that stifled innovation — and declaring his intention to make the US the “world capital”of AI and cryptocurrency. Critics, however, have raised concerns that removing safety frameworks could leave the public vulnerable to AI-related risks.OMB memorandum M-25-21. Source: White HouseSome common AI models developed and produced in the United States include OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Meta’s Llama, and Elon Musk’s Grok. The directive from the OMB follows Trump’s promises to boost American dominance in this new sector of technology.Related: Did ChatGPT come up with Trump’s tariff rate formula?In January 2025, Trump announced an AI infrastructure project called “Stargate,” aimed at building AI data centers across the country.The surging demand for AI infrastructure has prompted Bitcoin miners to pivot and expand their operations to support the growing needs of the AI sector.At the same time, the convergence of AI and blockchain fueled a rally in AI-related tokens throughout 2024. However, that momentum has sharply reversed in 2025. Despite continued enthusiasm around AI’s long-term potential, tokens linked to the technology have seen steep losses, shedding over 42% of their market cap over the past 12 months, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Performance of top AI and big data tokens. Source: CoinMarketCapMarket focus has shifted toward memecoins, while broader macroeconomic uncertainty has stoked fear across capital markets.For the Trump administration, winning the AI race continues to be a priority. In April 2025, David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, said that the release of Meta’s Llama 4 puts the US back in position to win the AI race. That race had been upended in January 2025 with the release of DeepSeek, an AI tool produced in China.Magazine: AI Eye: Vitalik on AI apocalypse, LA Times both-sides KKK, LLM grooming