What are address poisoning attacks in crypto and how to avoid them?
Address poisoning attacks are malicious tactics used by attackers who can reroute traffic, interrupt services, or obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data by inserting bogus data or changing routing tables. The integrity of data and network security are seriously threatened by these assaults, which take advantage of flaws in network protocols.This article will explain what address poisoning attacks are, their types and consequences, and how to protect oneself against such attacks.Address poisoning attacks in crypto, explainedIn the world of cryptocurrencies, hostile actions where attackers influence or deceive consumers by tampering with cryptocurrency addresses are referred to as address poisoning attacks.On a blockchain network, these addresses, which are made up of distinct alphanumeric strings, serve as the source or destination of transactions. These attacks use a variety of methods to undermine the integrity and security of cryptographic wallets and transactions.Address poisoning attacks in the crypto space are mostly used to either illegally acquire digital assets or impair the smooth operation of blockchain networks. These attacks may encompass:TheftAttackers may trick users into transmitting their funds to malicious addresses using strategies such as phishing, transaction interception or address manipulation.DisruptionAddress poisoning can be used to disrupt the normal operations of blockchain networks by introducing congestion, delays or interruptions in transactions and smart contracts, reducing the effectiveness of the network.DeceptionAttackers frequently attempt to mislead cryptocurrency users by posing as well-known figures. This undermines community trust in the network and might result in erroneous transactions or confusion among users.To protect digital assets and the general integrity of blockchain technology, address poisoning attacks highlight the significance of strict security procedures and constant attention within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.Related: How to mitigate the security risks associated with crypto paymentsTypes of address poisoning attacksAddress poisoning attacks in crypto include phishing, transaction interception, address reuse exploitation, Sybil attacks, fake QR codes, address spoofing and smart contract vulnerabilities, each posing unique risks to users’ assets and network integrity.Phishing attacksIn the cryptocurrency realm, phishing attacks are a prevalent type of address poisoning, which involves criminal actors building phony websites, emails or communications that closely resemble reputable companies like cryptocurrency exchanges or wallet providers.These fraudulent platforms try to trick unsuspecting users into disclosing their login information, private keys or mnemonic phrases (recovery/seed phrases). Once gained, attackers can carry out unlawful transactions and get unauthorized access to victims’ Bitcoin (BTC) assets, for example.For instance, hackers might build a fake exchange website that looks exactly like the real thing and ask consumers to log in. Once they do so, the attackers can gain access to customer funds on the actual exchange, which would result in substantial financial losses.Transaction interceptionAnother method of address poisoning is transaction interception, in which attackers intercept valid cryptocurrency transactions and change the destination address. Funds destined for the genuine receiver are diverted by changing the recipient address to one under the attacker’s control. This kind of attack frequently involves malware compromising a user’s device or network or both.Address reuse exploitationAttackers monitor the blockchain for instances of address repetition before using such occurrences to their advantage. Reusing addresses can be risky for security because it might reveal the address’s transaction history and vulnerabilities. These weaknesses are used by malicious actors to access user wallets and steal funds.For instance, if a user consistently gets funds from the same Ethereum address, an attacker might notice this pattern and take advantage of a flaw in the user’s wallet software to access the user’s funds without authorization.Sybil attacksTo exert disproportionate control over a cryptocurrency network’s functioning, Sybil attacks entail the creation of several false identities or nodes. With this control, attackers are able to modify data, trick users, and maybe jeopardize the security of the network.Attackers may use a large number of fraudulent nodes in the context of proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain networks to significantly affect the consensus mechanism, giving them the ability to modify transactions and potentially double-spend cryptocurrencies.Fake QR codes or payment addressesAddress poisoning can also happen when fake payment addresses or QR codes are distributed. Attackers often deliver these bogus codes in physical form to unwary users in an effort to trick them into sending cryptocurrency to a location they did not plan.For example, a hacker might disseminate QR codes for cryptocurrency wallets that look real but actually include minor changes to the encoded address. Users who scan these codes unintentionally send money to the attacker’s address rather than that of the intended receiver, which causes financial losses.Address spoofingAttackers who use address spoofing create cryptocurrency addresses that closely resemble real ones. The idea is to trick users into transferring money to the attacker’s address rather than the one belonging to the intended recipient. The visual resemblance between the fake address and the real one is used in this method of address poisoning.An attacker might, for instance, create a Bitcoin address that closely mimics the donation address of a reputable charity. Unaware donors may unintentionally transfer money to the attacker’s address while sending donations to the organization, diverting the funds from their intended use.Smart contract vulnerabilitiesAttackers take advantage of flaws or vulnerabilities in decentralized applications (DApps) or smart contracts on blockchain systems to carry out address poisoning. Attackers can reroute money or cause the contract to behave inadvertently by fiddling with how transactions are carried out. Users may suffer money losses as a result, and decentralized finance (DeFi) services may experience disruptions.Consequences of address poisoning attacksAddress poisoning attacks can have devastating effects on both individual users and the stability of blockchain networks. Because attackers may steal crypto holdings or alter transactions to reroute money to their own wallets, these assaults frequently cause large financial losses for their victims.Beyond monetary losses, these attacks may also result in a decline in confidence among cryptocurrency users. Users’ trust in the security and dependability of blockchain networks and related services may be damaged if they fall for fraudulent schemes or have their valuables stolen.Additionally, some address poisoning assaults, such as Sybil attacks or the abuse of smart contract flaws, can prevent blockchain networks from operating normally, leading to delays, congestion or unforeseen consequences that have an effect on the entire ecosystem. These effects highlight the need for strong security controls and user awareness in the crypto ecosystem to reduce the risks of address poisoning attacks.Related: How to put words into a Bitcoin address? Here’s how vanity addresses workHow to avoid address poisoning attacksTo protect users’ digital assets and keep blockchain networks secure, it is crucial to avoid address poisoning assaults in the cryptocurrency world. The following ways may help prevent being a target of such attacks:Use fresh addressesBy creating a fresh crypto wallet address for each transaction, the chance of attackers connecting an address to a person’s identity or past transactions can be decreased. For instance, address poisoning attacks can be reduced by using hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallets, which create new addresses for each transaction and lessen the predictability of addresses.Utilizing an HD wallet increases a user’s protection against address poisoning attacks because the wallet’s automatic address rotation makes it more difficult for hackers to redirect funds.Utilize hardware walletsWhen compared to software wallets, hardware wallets are a more secure alternative. They minimize exposure by keeping private keys offline.Exercise caution when disclosing public addressesPeople should exercise caution when disclosing their crypto addresses in the public sphere, especially on social media sites, and should opt for using pseudonyms.Choose reputable walletsIt is important to use well-known wallet providers that are known for their security features and regular software updates to protect oneself from address poisoning and other attacks.Regular updatesTo stay protected against address poisoning attacks, it is essential to update the wallet software consistently with the newest security fixes.Implement whitelistingUse whitelisting to limit transactions to reputable sources. Some wallets or services allow users to whitelist particular addresses that can send funds to their wallets.Consider multisig walletsWallets that require multiple private keys to approve a transaction are known as multisignature (multisig) wallets. These wallets can provide an additional degree of protection by requiring multiple signatures to approve a transaction.Utilize blockchain analysis toolsTo spot potentially harmful conduct, people can track and examine incoming transactions using blockchain analysis tools. Sending seemingly trivial, small quantities of crypto (dust) to numerous addresses is a common practice known as dusting. Analysts can spot potential poisoning efforts by examining these dust trade patterns.Unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) with tiny amounts of cryptocurrency are frequently the consequence of dust transactions. Analysts can locate possibly poisoned addresses by locating UTXOs connected to dust transactions.Report suspected attacksIndividuals should respond right away in the event of a suspected address poisoning attack by getting in touch with the company that provides their crypto wallet through the official support channels and detailing the occurrence.Additionally, they can report the occurrence to the relevant law enforcement or regulatory authorities for further investigation and potential legal action if the attack involved considerable financial harm or malevolent intent. To reduce possible risks and safeguard both individual and group interests in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, timely reporting is essential.
ETH may reclaim $2.2K ‘macro range’ amid growing whale accumulation
Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has been facing a downward trend for the past three months. After reaching an all-time high of over $4,100 on December 16, 2024, Ether’s price has dropped by over 51%, according to data from TradingView.
To reverse this downtrend, Ether needs to reclaim the “macro range” above $2,200, as noted by popular crypto analyst Rekt Capital in a recent post. This range, which is marked in black on the monthly chart, has been a key level for Ether’s price in the past.
However, despite positive regulatory developments and a surge in open interest for Ether futures, the cryptocurrency has been unable to gain significant momentum. This is due to global macroeconomic concerns, which are expected to continue until at least the beginning of April.
But there is hope for Ether’s price as large investors, or “whales,” have been accumulating the cryptocurrency. According to Nicolai Sondergaard, a research analyst at Nansen, the number of addresses with at least $100,000 worth of Ether has been increasing since the beginning of March. This suggests that these whales are confident in Ether’s long-term potential.
In fact, some analysts predict a $6,000 cycle top for Ether’s price and a $180,000 Bitcoin price by the end of 2025. This optimism is shared by investment firm VanEck, which also predicts a strong year for cryptocurrencies.
Despite short-term volatility, investors remain bullish on Ether and the overall crypto market. And with whales accumulating and positive developments in the regulatory landscape, it’s only a matter of time before Ether reclaims its “macro range” and continues its upward trajectory.
Bitcoin needs weekly close above $85k to avoid correction to $76k: analysts
Bitcoin analysts are eying the weekly close to gauge Bitcoin’s price trajectory for next week, as traditional and crypto markets are lacking direction amid a mix of global trade war fears paired with easing inflation concerns.Bitcoin’s (BTC) price may see more downside next week unless it manages to close the week above the $85,000 psychological mark, according to Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research.“Bitcoin’s relief rally after the FOMC meeting and lower CPI readings has analysts eyeing a weekly close above $85,000, as critical for resuming upside momentum,” Lee told Cointelegraph, adding:“A close above this level could prevent a drop to $76,000 and signal strength, while $87,000 would provide even clearer bullish confirmation. Macro factors like steady rates and cooling inflation support risk assets, but the Sunday close will be decisive.”BTC/USD, 1-year chart. Source: CointelegraphBitcoin’s price has been lacking momentum, rising only 0.9% over the past week, Cointelegraph Markets Pro data shows. A disappointing weekly close risks a revisit to the previous week’s price low of $76,600.Related: Whale closes $516M 40x Bitcoin short, pockets $9.4M profit in 8 daysMarkets should “pay attention” to long-term holder accumulation: analystWhile Bitcoin may experience short-term downside, the relief rally after the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) meeting was a positive sign for market participants, according to Enmanuel Cardozo, market analyst at Brickken real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform.Instead of short-term fluctuations, investors should pay attention to long-term Bitcoin holder accumulation to gauge BTC’s trend, the analyst told Cointelegraph, adding:“Long-term holders continue to stack, as we’ve seen in on-chain data, the accumulation by these holders, quietly building since the dip is what we should be paying attention to.”Long-term holders resumed their Bitcoin accumulation at the beginning of February, buying over $21 billion worth of Bitcoin since.BTC: Total supply held by long-term holders, year-to-date chart. Source: GlassnodeThe total Bitcoin supply held by long-term holders increased by over 250,000 BTC in less than two months, from 13.1 million BTC on Feb. 11 to over 13.3 million on March 22, Glassnode data shows.Related: Trader nets $480K with 1,500x return before BNB memecoin crashes 50%BTC/USD, 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewDespite a wave of positive regulatory and crypto-specific developments, global tariff fears will continue to pressure the markets until at least April 2, according to Nicolai Sondergaard, a research analyst at Nansen.Magazine: Bitcoin’s odds of June highs, SOL’s $485M outflows, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 2 – 8
Sonic unveils high-yield algorithmic stablecoin, reigniting Terra-Luna ‘PTSD’
The Sonic blockchain is working on the implementation of its yield-generating, algorithmic stablecoin despite fears over a potential collapse similar to the Terra-Luna meltdown that led to the industry’s longest crypto winter.Algorithmic stablecoins employ code-based mechanisms to ensure their price stability, as opposed to fiat stablecoins pegged directly to the value of the underlying currency.The Sonic blockchain is working on the implementation of an algorithmic stablecoin with up to 23% annual percentage rate (APR), according to Andre Cronje, co-founder of Sonic Labs and founder of Yearn.finance.Cronje wrote in a March 22 X post:“POC looks good. Yielding > 200% APR @ 10m tvl, around 23.5% APR @ 100m, steady at around 4.9% at 1bn+. Will scale up and get team for a full release.”Source: Andre CronjeThe announcement came a day after Cronje admitted to experiencing Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to algorithmic stablecoin due to previous cycles:“Pretty sure our team cracked algo stable coins today, but previous cycle gave me so much PTSD not sure if we should implement.”In May 2022, the $40 billion Terra ecosystem collapsed, erasing tens of billions of dollars of value in a matter of days. Terra’s algorithmic stablecoin, TerraUSD (UST), was yielding an over 20% annual percentage yield (APY) on Anchor Protocol. As UST lost its dollar peg, crashing to a low of around $0.30, Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon took to X to share his rescue plan. At the same time, the value of sister token LUNA, once a top-10 crypto project by market capitalization, plunged over 98% to $0.84. For reference: LUNA was trading north of $120 in early April.Related: Sonic TVL rises 66% to $253M since rebranding from FantomSonic claims to be the world’s fastest Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chain, with a “true” 720 milliseconds (ms) finality — the assurance that a transaction is irreversible, which happens after it is added to a block on the blockchain ledger.Sonic has garnered attention in the crypto industry since its testnet achieved a 720 ms finality on Sept. 8, 2024.Related: FTX liquidated $1.5B in 3AC assets 2 weeks before hedge fund’s collapseInvestors are still buying collapsed LUNA token years after Terra crashThe Terra (LUNA) token is down over 98% from its all-time high of 19.54 recorded on May 28, 2022, nearly three years ago, CoinMarketCap data shows.LUNA/USD, all-time chart. Source: CoinMarketCapDespite the collapse, the token saw over $21 million worth of trading volume over the past 24 hours, which shows that “people are still buying it even though it’s dead,” noted popular technical analyst Optimus KevTron.The collapse of the algorithmic stablecoin issuer created shockwaves among both crypto investors and lawmakers.To create more stability, the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) bill will prohibit the issuance of algorithmic stablecoins to avoid another collapse similar to the Terra ecosystem’s.Magazine: ‘Hong Kong’s FTX’ victims win lawsuit, bankers bash stablecoins: Asia Express
Nvidia's stock price forms 'death cross' — Will AI crypto tokens follow?
Chip-making giant Nvidia’s (NVDA) stock is flashing a major bearish signal — the last time this pattern appeared, it retraced nearly 50%. This may raise questions for the AI crypto sector, which has, at times, seemed to react to Nvidia’s price.“NVDA just formed a Death Cross for the first time since April 2022. The last one sent shares plunging 47% over the next 6 months,” markets data platform Barchart said in a March 23 X post. A death cross is a bearish signal that occurs when the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) of an asset’s market price falls below the 200-day SMA.Source: BarchartWhile Nvidia’s stock price formed the bearish signal before the trading week closed on March 21, several crypto AI tokens have risen since then. Render (RENDER) is up 4.06%, while Bittensor (TAO) and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) are both up around 2.88%, according to CoinMarketCap data. Nvidia has been a closely watched stock for AI crypto traders in recent times. While some crypto analysts have linked AI crypto token surges to NVDA’s performance — like its nearly 70% rally ahead of Nvidia’s Q2 earnings in 2024 — there have also been times when no clear correlation emerged. After Nvidia’s Q1 2024 revenue jumped 18% from Q4 2023, some AI token traders seemed disappointed that the strong results didn’t lead to a similar move in AI crypto token prices.Nvidia’s stock price is down 9.66% over the past month. Source: Google FinanceSome crypto traders recently suggested that the bubble has burst and that only AI tokens with real utility will thrive. Crypto trader CryptoCosta said in a March 22 X post, “The whole AI hype has already died down, now it’s time for those who provide market solutions and have revenue.”Over the past month alone, the market capitalization of the top AI and big data crypto tokens has fallen 23.70%.The largest token in this sector by market cap, Near Protocol (NEAR), has retraced almost 59% over the past 12 months, now trading at $2.70.NEAR is trading at $2.70 at the time of publication. Source: CoinMarketCapHowever, in a recent survey, nearly half of crypto pundits said they are bullish over crypto AI tokens prices.Of the 2,632 respondents surveyed by CoinGecko between February and March, 25% were “fully bullish,” and 19.3% indicated they were “somewhat bullish” for crypto AI tokens in 2025. Related: AI and crypto drive criminal efficiency: EuropolAround 29% of respondents were neutral on the subject, while a combined 26.3% were either somewhat bearish or bearish. Meanwhile, former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao recently said, “While crypto is the currency for AI, not every agent needs its own token.”“Agents can take fees in an existing crypto for providing a service. Launch a coin only if you have scale. Focus on utility, not tokens,” he said.In February, Sygnum said in an investment report, while AI agents have gained “remarkable traction” so far, they have “struggled to prove their worth beyond speculation.”Magazine: What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation
Misleading crypto narratives continue, driven by 'sensationalist' sentiment
The cryptocurrency market is constantly evolving and with it, the narratives surrounding it. However, a recent report by CryptoQuant contributor “onchained” highlights the prevalence of misleading information in the market, driven by sensationalist sentiment rather than objective analysis.
The report cautions against falling for these false narratives and emphasizes the importance of relying on data rather than noise. Onchained points to the movements of Bitcoin long-term holders (LTH) as an example, debunking claims of LTH capitulation with onchain data showing consistent holding patterns.
This sentiment is echoed by crypto analytics platform Glassnode, which also notes a decline in sell-side pressure from long-term holders. It’s a reminder that narratives are constantly being challenged and that data should be trusted over speculation.
One long-standing narrative that has come under scrutiny is the 4-year cycle theory, which suggests that Bitcoin’s price follows a predictable pattern tied to its halving event every four years. However, MN Trading Capital founder Michael van de Poppe believes this theory may no longer hold true for altcoins.
Similarly, Bitwise Invest chief investment officer Matt Hougan believes the traditional four-year cycle is over in crypto due to the recent change in the US government’s stance. This introduces a new wave that will play out over a decade, according to Hougan.
Some analysts are even debating whether the entire Bitcoin bull market is over, with CryptoQuant founder and CEO Ki Young Ju stating that all onchain metrics indicate a bear market. However, it’s important to note that these are just opinions and should not be taken as fact.
In the ever-changing world of cryptocurrency, it’s crucial to stay informed and rely on data rather than falling for sensationalist narratives. As the saying goes, “trust, but verify” – always cross-check sources and validate information before making any decisions.
Crypto security will always be a game of ‘cat and mouse’ — Wallet exec
Cryptocurrency wallet providers are getting more sophisticated, but so are bad actors — which means the battle between security and threats is at a deadlock, says a hardware wallet firm executive.“It will always be a cat and mouse game,” Ledger chief experience officer Ian Rogers told Cointelegraph when describing the constant race between crypto wallet firms adding new security features and hackers finding more advanced ways to access victims’ wallets.Rogers said, unfortunately, the most straightforward scams work best because scammers rely on people making simple mistakes.“People give their 24-word phrases to people every day, so as long as that happens, then they are going to go for the low-cost tax,” he said, adding:“Anyone who asks for your 24 words is a criminal.”Rogers highlighted a common crypto scam where victims get tricked by replies under “any post on Twitter about crypto,” with messages like “DM me, and I’ll help you.”“You know that scammers are always asking you for your 24 words,” Rogers said. CertiK chief business officer Jason Jiang recently told Cointelegraph that being aware of phishing attacks on social media can drastically increase a user’s crypto security.Sometimes, scammers hijack the accounts of well-known industry figures to post malicious links, making it even harder for users to spot the scam.In September 2023, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s account was compromised, leading to a fake NFT giveaway that tricked followers into clicking — only to drain over $691,000 from their wallets.Source: CertiKRogers emphasized that this will always be the case, just as bad actors aren’t limited to crypto — scams like fake emails from the “Nigerian president” have been around for years.“The cost of the attack is always commensurate with the size of the prize, right?” Rogers said. In 2024, crypto hacks jumped 15% from 2023, with over $3 billion stolen.Related: Hacker steals $8.4M from RWA restaking protocol ZothMeanwhile, pig butchering scams have emerged as one of the most pervasive threats to crypto investors, with losses on the Ethereum network costing the industry $5.5 billion across 200,000 identified cases in 2024.Pig butchering is a type of phishing scheme that involves prolonged and complex manipulation tactics to trick investors into willingly sending their assets to fraudulent crypto addresses.Magazine: Dummies guide to native rollups: L2s as secure as Ethereum itself
Gold-backed stablecoins will outcompete USD stablecoins — Max Keiser
Gold-backed stablecoins will outcompete US dollar-pegged alternatives worldwide due to gold’s inflation-hedging properties and minimum volatility, according to Bitcoin (BTC) maximalist Max Keiser.Keiser argued that gold is more trusted than the US dollar globally, and said governments of foreign nations with an adversarial relationship to the United States would not accept dollar-pegged stablecoins. The BTC maximalist added:”Russia, China, and Iran are not going to accept a US dollar stablecoin. I predict they will counter the USD stablecoin with a Gold one. China and Russia have a combined 50,000 tonnes of Gold — more than what is reported.”The potential for gold-backed stablecoins to outcompete dollar-pegged tokens in international markets would upend plans to extend US dollar dominance through stablecoins proposed by US lawmakers.Source: Max KeiserRelated: Gov’t can realize gains on gold certificates to buy Bitcoin: Bo HinesGold-backed stablecoins fulfill the original promise of USD?Stablecoin issuer Tether launched a gold-backed stablecoin called Alloy (aUSD₮), backed by Tether’s XAU₮ — a token that provides a paper claim to physical gold — in June 2024.According to PointsVille founder and former VanEck executive Gabor Gurbacs, “Tether Gold is what the dollar used to be before 1971.””XAU₮ is up 15.7% year-to-date, while the broad crypto market is in the red. Foundations and businesses should hedge their holdings with XAU₮,” the executive wrote in a March 19 X post.XAUT is now at all-time highs following a historic rally in the gold market. Source: Gabor GurbacsUS policymakers have a different ideaUnited States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Trump administration would focus on using dollar-pegged stablecoins to protect the dollar’s reserve currency status and ensure US dollar hegemony in global financial markets.Speaking at the March 7 White House Crypto Summit, Bessent indicated that this stablecoin regime would be a top priority for the administration.Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller also voiced similar comments and expressed support for using stablecoins to prop up the US dollar before Bessent made the remarks at the summit.US lawmakers have also introduced several stablecoin bills to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for tokenized fiat assets, including the Stable Act of 2025 and the GENIUS stablecoin bill.Magazine: Unstablecoins: Depegging, bank runs and other risks loom
The current BTC 'bear market' will only last 90 days — Analyst
The current Bitcoin (BTC) bear market, defined as a 20% or more drop from the all-time high, is relatively weak in terms of magnitude and should only last for 90 days, according to market analyst and the author of Metcalfe’s Law as a Model for Bitcoin’s Value, Timothy Peterson.Peterson compared the current downturn to the 10 previous bear markets, which occur roughly once per year, and said that only four bear markets have been worse than the price decline in terms of duration, including 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024.The analyst predicted that BTC will not sink deeply below the $50,000 price level due to the underlying adoption trends. However, Peterson also argued that based on momentum, it is unlikely that BTC will break below $80,000. The analyst added:”There may be a slide in the next 30 days followed by a 20-40% rally sometime after April 15. You can see that in the charts around day 120. This would probably be enough of a headline to bring weak hands back into the market and propel Bitcoin even higher.”Crypto markets experienced a sharp downturn following United States President Trump’s tariffs on several US trading partners, which sparked counter-tariffs on US exports, leading to fears of a prolonged trade war.Comparison of every bear market since 2025. Source: Timothy PetersonRelated: Is Bitcoin going to $65K? Traders explain why they’re still bearishInvestors flee risk-on assets over trade war fears Investor appetite for speculative assets is declining due to the ongoing trade war and macroeconomic uncertainty.The Glassnode Hot Supply metric, a measure of BTC owned for one week or less, declined from 5.9% amid the historic bull rally in November 2024 to only 2.3% as of March 20.According to Nansen research analyst Nicolai Sondergaard, crypto markets will face trade war pressures until April 2025, when international negotiations could potentially lower or diffuse the trade tariffs altogether.A recent analysis from CryptoQuant also shows that a majority of retail traders are already invested in BTC, dashing long-held hopes that a massive rush of retail traders would inject fresh capital into the markets and push prices higher in the near term.The trade war also placed Bitcoin’s safe haven narrative in doubt as the price of the decentralized asset collapsed over tariff headlines alongside other risk and speculative assets.Magazine: Bitcoiners are ‘all in’ on Trump since Bitcoin ’24, but it’s getting riskyThis 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.
Pakistan Crypto Council proposes using excess energy for BTC mining
Bilal Bin Saqib, the CEO of Pakistan’s Crypto Council, has proposed using the country’s runoff energy to fuel Bitcoin (BTC) mining at the Crypto Council’s inaugural meeting on March 21.According to an article from The Nation, the council is exploring comprehensive regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies to attract foreign direct investment and establish Pakistan as a crypto hub.The meeting included lawmakers, the Bank of Pakistan’s governor, the chairman of Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP), and the federal information technology secretary. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb had this to say about the meeting:“This is the beginning of a new digital chapter for our economy. We are committed to building a transparent, future-ready financial ecosystem that attracts investment, empowers our youth, and puts Pakistan on the global map as a leader in emerging technologies.”The Crypto Council represents a radical departure from the government of Pakistan’s previous stance on crypto. In May 2023, former minister of state for finance and revenue, Aisha Ghaus Pasha said crypto would never be legal in the country.Pasha cited anti-money laundering restrictions under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as the primary motivation for the government’s anti-crypto stance.The presence of Bitcoin miners can stabilize electrical grids. Source: Science Direct Related: Pakistan eyes crypto legal framework to boost foreign investmentPakistan follows the United States in embracing cryptoThe government of Pakistan moved to regulate cryptocurrencies as legal tender on November 4, 2024 — the same day as the elections in the United States.Following the re-election of Donald Trump in the US and the Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump moved quickly to establish pro-crypto policies at the federal level.On Jan. 23, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Working Group on Digital Assets — an executive advisory council tasked with exploring comprehensive regulatory reform on digital assets.President Trump signs executive order establishing the President’s Working Group on Digital Assets. Source: The White HouseThe Jan. 23 order also prohibited the government from researching, developing, or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).President Trump also signed an executive order creating a Bitcoin strategic reserve and a separate digital asset stockpile in March 2025 that will likely include cryptocurrencies made by US-based firms.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025