The Ethereum Economic Zone aims to unify fragmented rollups, but its broader goal is to extend interoperability to other blockchains, says Ernst.
ETH Price Rises 10% in April: So Why is Ethereum Foundation Selling?
Ether (ETH) has surged more than 10% in April, reaching as high as $2,430 this month amid renewed market optimism.
ETH/USD daily chart. Source: TradingView
Yet during the same period, the Ethereum Foundation, a nonprofit overseeing the Ethereum protocol’s development, has continued notable treasury sales.
Key takeaways:
- The Ethereum Foundation has sold approximately 20,000 ETH so far in 2026.
- Institutional demand for ETH remains strong, offsetting the foundation’s impact on the market.
Why is the Ethereum Foundation selling ETH?
In early April, the Foundation sold 5,000 ETH for roughly $11 million in DAI. This was followed by a larger 10,000 ETH OTC sale to Tom Lee’s Bitmine at an average price of $2,387, raising approximately $23.9 million.
Source: X
The sales are not reactions to price action but follow a disciplined Treasury Policy adopted in June 2025.
The Foundation maintains fiat and stablecoin reserves equal to roughly 2.5 years of operating expenses. Periodic ETH sales replenish these reserves to fund protocol development, research, grants, and ecosystem support.
In 2026 alone, the Foundation has sold approximately 20,000 ETH, raising over $45 million. It still holds around 92,500 ETH (~$215 million) in its liquid treasury, plus 53,000 ETH staked, according to data resource Arkham Intelligence.
Ethereum Foundation’s ETH balance. Source: Arkham Intelligence
The Foundation’s 53,000 staked ETH may generate $4–$5 million in annual yield, assuming the current ETH price and the annual percentage yield of approximately 2.7%–3.8% gross remains about the same or higher in the future.
This new income stream should gradually reduce the Foundation’s reliance on ETH sales to fund its operations.
Are Ethereum Foundation’s sales bearish for ETH?
The Ethereum Foundation’s ETH sales remain small relative to daily ETH volume.
A typical 5,000–10,000 ETH sale represents just 0.08%–0.25% of Ethereum’s average daily trading volume of $10–12 billion.
This modest size means the market can comfortably absorb the Foundation’s selling pressure with negligible impact.
On-chain data already highlights robust underlying demand for ETH from large holders.
For instance, the number of daily accumulation addresses, wallets steadily buying and holding Ether, rose to 2,434 this week, surpassing the number of exchange depositing addresses (wallets preparing to sell), which fell to 2,300, as shown below.
Binance ERC-20 stablecoin whale activity index. Source: CryptoQuant
Also, spot Ethereum ETFs have recorded strong inflows for three consecutive weeks, attracting more than $2 billion in new capital since early April, according to data from SoSoValue.
US spot Ethereum ETF weekly flows. Source: SoSoValue
This sustained institutional buying signals growing demand for Ethereum investment products on Wall Street.
Ether’s rising wedge hints at 15% dip ahead
From a technical perspective, Ether is currently forming a rising wedge pattern, a structure defined by two ascending trend lines that are converging, accompanied by noticeably declining volume.
In technical analysis, a rising wedge resolves when the price breaks below the lower trend line and falls by as much as the structure’s maximum height.
ETH/USD daily chart. Source: TradingView
Applying this rule to ETH’s chart brings its downside target to around $1,950, down by over 15%, by June, assuming the breakdown point is the wedge’s apex at approximately $2,580, where the two trend lines converge.
Related: Ethereum whale opens $90M long bets as ETH price chart eyes $3.2K
Conversely, a break above the wedge’s upper trendline may invalidate the bearish outlook. Instead, bulls may target the 200-day exponential moving average (200-day EMA, the blue line) at around $2,630 as their next upside target.
AAVE Price Prediction: $114 Target in 48 Hours as Whales Stack Despite Retail Panic
James Ding
Apr 27, 2026 10:38
Smart money is accumulating AAVE at 58.7% long ratios while retail sells into weakness around $96. Technical setup screams 18% pop to $114 within two trading sessions.
The Immediate Setup
AAVE is coiling like a spring at $96.27, sitting dead center in its Bollinger Bands with momentum indicators flatlining. The 24-hour range of $94.53 to $100.94 tells the story of a market caught between fear and greed, but the underlying positioning data reveals something far more interesting. With RSI parked at 47.58 and MACD histogram flat at zero, this isn’t capitulation—it’s compression before expansion.
The price action is grinding just below the 20-day moving average at $97.15, creating textbook coil conditions. Trading volume of $22.5 million on Binance spot shows decent participation without exhaustion selling, while the daily ATR of $7.82 suggests we’re due for a volatility breakout within the next 48 hours.
Key Levels Exposed
The technical roadmap is crystal clear: immediate resistance at $99.96 guards the gateway to the stronger barrier at $103.66. Breaking above that level opens the floodgates to the $114 zone that CoinCodex analysts are targeting for April 29th. On the downside, the $93.55 support level aligns perfectly with recent accumulation zones, backed by stronger support at $90.84.
What’s fascinating is how AAVE has held above the lower Bollinger Band at $82.48 despite being 37% below its 200-day moving average at $152.56. This divergence between long-term bearishness and short-term resilience typically precedes violent reversals in DeFi blue chips.
Sentiment vs Reality
The narrative disconnect is glaring. While retail sentiment appears cautious based on the aggressive selling pressure shown in the taker buy/sell ratio of 0.89, institutional positioning tells a completely different story. Top traders are running 58.7% long positions versus 41.3% short—a bullish skew that’s been building quietly beneath the surface.
Even more telling is the neutral funding rate of 0.0044% despite this whale accumulation, indicating that leverage isn’t overextended. The analysts at Blockchain.news have been tracking this institutional-retail divergence, and historically, when smart money positioning reaches these levels while funding stays neutral, violent moves follow within 24-72 hours.
BTCC’s bold $600 prediction based on v4 upgrade potential might seem aggressive, but their supply shock thesis has merit. Real-world asset integration could fundamentally alter AAVE’s tokenomics, creating scarcity dynamics that justify exponential price moves.
Actionable Trade Strategy
The setup is screaming for a momentum break trade. Entry zone sits between $96-$97.50, right where we are now, with stops below $93.50 to respect the immediate support structure. The risk-reward is compelling: risking $3 to make $17 on a move to $114 delivers a 5.7:1 ratio.
First profit target hits at $103.66 (7.7% gain), followed by the primary target at $114.41 (18.7% gain) that aligns with CoinCodex projections. If AAVE breaks above $103.66 with volume, this becomes a momentum continuation play toward $120-125.
The invalidation level is simple: a daily close below $90.84 kills the bullish thesis and suggests deeper retracement toward $80. But with current positioning data and technical compression, the probability favors explosion over implosion. The smart money rarely gets this wrong when they’re this positioned.
Image source: Shutterstock
1 in 3 Crypto Traders Cut Spending Amid Market Slump: Survey
The recent crypto market downturn has forced more than one in three crypto traders to cut everyday spending, according to a new survey by CEX.IO.
The survey, conducted among 1,100 US-based active CEX.IO users, shows the current market slump is straining household finances, though it remains less severe than 2022, when Bitcoin fell by roughly 75% from its peak. Bitcoin is still about 40% below its October 2025 high, leaving many retail investors sitting on unrealised losses.
36% of respondents said they reduced everyday spending as a direct result of market conditions, with 10% describing those cuts as significant sacrifices made to maintain their positions. 37% also reported delaying or cancelling purchases due to crypto losses, including 21% who postponed major financial commitments such as buying a home, car or undertaking renovations.
“The 2025–2026 bear market has not produced the kind of systemic shock seen in past cycles (at least for now), but its effects appear to be showing up in quieter ways at the household level,” CEX.IO wrote.
Related: Crypto Market Sentiment Reaches 3-Month High
Crypto traders navigate downturn alone
The survey revealed that many traders are managing the downturn in relative isolation. Only 5% said someone else knows the full extent and value of their holdings, while the majority either share limited information or keep their positions entirely private.
Financial strain is also evident in cash flow trends. While 77% said they did not take on debt tied to crypto, 38% reported some form of financial disruption since October 2025. A quarter said they relied on savings to maintain stability, and 12% admitted to missing or delaying payments.
Even so, most respondents have not changed plans dramatically. Nearly half reported that crypto makes up more than 30% of their investable assets, yet 73% said their approach to earning income remains unchanged.
Looking ahead, a combined 79% said they plan to either hold or increase their positions over the next six months.
Related: Bitcoin Price May Go Under $70K Despite Strategy’s Latest Big BTC Buy
Crypto offerings shape bank choice
Another survey by Börse Stuttgart Digital earlier this week found that cryptocurrency services are starting to influence how European investors choose their banks, with 35% saying they would consider switching institutions for better crypto offerings.
The poll of around 6,000 investors across Germany, Italy, Spain and France also found that nearly one in five expects their primary bank to provide crypto access within three years, pointing to a gradual shift toward integrating digital assets into mainstream banking.
Magazine: How to fix suspected insider trading on Polymarket and Kalshi
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
AAVE Price Prediction: $114 Breakout Imminent as Whales Load Heavy Bags
Darius Baruo
Apr 26, 2026 10:41
AAVE trades at $95.47 while smart money positioning reaches 59.3% long bias, signaling institutional accumulation beneath key resistance. The next 72 hours will determine whether buyers can reclaim…
Bulls Coiling Beneath Resistance
AAVE has spent the past week consolidating around $95.47, down a modest 0.45% as the token finds its footing after recent volatility. The price action might look sideways, but beneath the surface, a brewing storm of institutional positioning suggests the next move could be explosive.
Smart money has taken a decidedly bullish stance with 59.3% of top traders holding long positions against just 40.7% shorts. This isn’t retail FOMO—it’s calculated accumulation by players who move markets. The taker buy-sell ratio of 1.17 reinforces this narrative, showing aggressive buyers stepping in whenever AAVE dips toward support.
The Technical Battlefield
Current price action has AAVE pinned between two critical zones that will dictate the next major move. The 20-day moving average at $97.08 acts as immediate resistance, while proven support at $93.56 has absorbed selling pressure through multiple tests over recent sessions.
Breaking above $98.30 would signal the start of something bigger. That level aligns with where momentum indicators begin to shift from neutral to bullish territory. The Bollinger Bands show AAVE compressed at a 0.45 position, indicating volatility expansion is coming—the only question is direction.
Derivatives Tell the Real Story
While surface-level technicals appear mixed, derivatives markets paint a clearer picture of institutional intent. Open interest has climbed 2.61% to $61 million, showing fresh capital entering positions rather than existing holders closing out. The funding rate remains neutral at 0.01%, suggesting no excessive leverage that could trigger cascading liquidations.
Analysts at Blockchain.news note this positioning dynamic often precedes significant price moves in either direction. The current setup favors the bulls given the heavy long bias among sophisticated traders who typically position ahead of retail sentiment shifts.
The Path to $114
AAVE’s immediate trajectory hinges on reclaiming the $98.30 resistance zone within the next 72 hours. Success there opens a direct path to the upper Bollinger Band around $111-114, where the next major resistance cluster waits. This target zone represents roughly 20% upside from current levels.
The downside scenario remains contained as long as $93.56 support holds firm. A break below would likely trigger stops down to the $91.66 level, but current smart money positioning suggests buyers would step in aggressively at those prices.
Given the institutional accumulation pattern and technical setup, AAVE appears poised for an upward resolution to this consolidation phase. The token just needs one catalyst to spark the breakout that smart money is already positioning for.
Image source: Shutterstock
Evan Tangeman Gets 70 Months for $263M Crypto Theft Role
Felix Pinkston
Apr 25, 2026 22:11
Evan Tangeman sentenced to 70 months for laundering $263M in stolen crypto. DOJ cracks down on social engineering scams targeting crypto users.
Evan Tangeman, a 22-year-old California man, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in laundering $263 million stolen by a sophisticated criminal group targeting cryptocurrency users. The sentencing, handed down on April 25, 2026, also includes three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
As a key member of the so-called “Social Engineering Enterprise” (SE Enterprise), Tangeman admitted to converting stolen crypto into fiat, managing luxury rentals for the group, and attempting to destroy evidence after co-conspirators were arrested. The group employed social engineering tactics—such as impersonating exchange staff—and even physical burglaries to steal funds, including a single heist in August 2024 that netted over 4,100 Bitcoin from a victim in Washington, D.C.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, described the scheme as “brazen greed” and criticized Tangeman’s efforts to cover up the enterprise’s crimes. “This office and the court have treated that accordingly,” Pirro said.
The sentencing highlights the growing sophistication of crypto-related crime. Losses from scams and hacks reached $482 million in Q1 2026, according to industry estimates. Social engineering remains a favored method for attackers, with incidents ranging from domain hijacks to violent home invasions targeting crypto holders.
Wider Implications for the Crypto Sector
The Tangeman case underscores the risks crypto investors face beyond digital vulnerabilities. Criminal enterprises targeting users often exploit weak personal security measures, such as poor password hygiene or reliance on easily accessible recovery methods.
The DOJ’s crackdown on SE Enterprise reflects increased enforcement against crypto crimes, but the sector remains a target for both cyber and physical threats. Notably, France has seen a sharp rise in violent “wrench attacks,” with 41 kidnappings of crypto holders reported in Q1 2026 alone. Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, attributed these attacks to leaked tax data exposing crypto investors’ identities.
In response, governments like France are rolling out preventative measures, but systemic risks remain high. For traders and investors, the Tangeman case is a reminder to prioritize both digital and physical security. Keeping funds in cold wallets, avoiding public disclosures of holdings, and using multi-factor authentication are crucial steps to mitigate risks.
With crypto-related scams and attacks escalating—both online and offline—investors must stay vigilant. The DOJ’s actions may offer a deterrent, but as long as crypto remains highly lucrative, it will remain a prime target for bad actors.
Image source: Shutterstock
CFTC Sues New York Over bid to Apply Gambling Laws to Prediction Markets
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a lawsuit against New York to stop the state from applying its gambling laws to federally regulated prediction market platforms, escalating a growing clash over who has authority to oversee these products.
In a complaint lodged in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the CFTC argued that federal law gives it exclusive authority over these markets, asking the court for a declaratory judgment and a permanent injunction against New York’s enforcement actions.
“CFTC-registered exchanges have faced an onslaught of state lawsuits seeking to limit Americans’ access to event contracts and undermine the CFTC’s sole regulatory jurisdiction over prediction markets,” CFTC Chair Michael Selig said.
Earlier this week, New York filed suits against Coinbase and Gemini, claiming their offerings violated state gambling rules. The state had also previously targeted Kalshi, ordering it to halt parts of its sports-related contracts.
Related: Kalshi, Polymarket among 27 prediction platforms banned in Brazil
States say federal law doesn’t legalize sports betting
On Friday, a coalition of 37 states and Washington, D.C. filed an amicus brief supporting Massachusetts in its case against Kalshi, urging Massachusetts’ highest court to reject Kalshi’s argument that federal law allows it to offer sports betting nationwide without following state rules.
Kalshi argues its betting products are “swaps” regulated by a federal agency under a 2010 financial law. The states say that law was never meant to legalize or control sports betting and does not clearly override state authority, which has historically governed gambling.
37 states back Massachusetts in amicus brief. Source: New York Gov
The states also argue that removing state oversight would weaken protections. State laws currently handle licensing, age limits, fraud prevention, and gambling addiction, which are areas not covered by federal financial regulation.
Related: US appeals court upholds preventing New Jersey enforcement against Kalshi
States ramp up crackdown on prediction markets
State officials have taken a more aggressive stance against prediction markets in recent months, issuing cease-and-desist letters and pursuing legal action against firms offering prediction contracts.
States like Arizona, Connecticut and Illinois are seeking to enforce gambling laws against prediction platforms. Earlier this month, a Nevada judge extended a ban preventing Kalshi from offering event-based contracts in the state, siding with regulators who argue the products amount to unlicensed gambling.
Magazine: How to fix suspected insider trading on Polymarket and Kalshi
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Bitcoin traders eye $73K next as weekly trend line holds price hostage
Bitcoin market participants favored a short-term return to $73,000 as resistance stayed in place, with some analysis seeing even lower levels.
AAVE Price Prediction: $102 Target Within 14 Days as Smart Money Goes Long
James Ding
Apr 25, 2026 10:56
AAVE sits in technical limbo at $96 with whales loading up 58.3% long positions despite aggressive selling pressure. The convergence of support levels and oversold moving averages sets up a probabl…
AAVE’s Technical Reality Check
AAVE is caught in a classic consolidation squeeze at $96.15, trading smack in the middle of its Bollinger Bands with momentum indicators painting a mixed but increasingly constructive picture. The RSI sitting at 47.25 shows neither overbought exhaustion nor oversold capitulation – this is textbook accumulation territory where smart money typically builds positions.
The MACD histogram flatlined at zero signals the end of the recent bearish momentum that dragged AAVE down from its 200-day moving average at $154. While the price remains below both the 20-day ($97.06) and 50-day ($102.66) moving averages, the 7-day SMA at $93.08 is providing solid support underneath current levels. This technical sandwich between $93-97 is compressing volatility ahead of the next directional move.
Volume & Price Alignment
The derivatives market is telling a compelling story that contradicts surface-level selling pressure. While the taker buy/sell ratio shows aggressive selling at 0.72 (meaning sellers are hitting bids harder than buyers are lifting offers), the smart money positioning tells the opposite story. Top traders maintain a bullish 1.40 long/short ratio with 58.3% positioned long – these aren’t retail panic sellers but sophisticated players accumulating on weakness.
Daily volume of $16.7 million on Binance spot remains below average, suggesting this consolidation phase lacks the conviction needed for a major breakdown. The funding rate at 0.0077% stays neutral, indicating no excessive leverage building in either direction. Open interest dropped 1.1% to $60.4 million, likely from weak hands getting shaken out rather than institutional position reduction.
Expert Outlook Context
The analysts at Blockchain.news note the absence of fresh fundamental catalysts in the near term, with no major KOL predictions surfacing in recent sessions. This news vacuum actually works in AAVE’s favor – it removes headline risk while allowing technical factors to drive price discovery. The DeFi lending protocol continues operating without major protocol updates or governance drama, maintaining its position as a blue-chip DeFi play.
Without external noise, AAVE’s price action will likely follow pure technical patterns and institutional flow, which currently favors the bulls based on smart money positioning.
Forward Price Path
The setup screams for a 7-14 day rally targeting the 50-day moving average at $102.66. The probability matrix breaks down to 65% chance of testing $102-105 resistance cluster within two weeks, 25% chance of grinding sideways in the $93-98 range, and only 10% probability of breaking below the $91.79 strong support level.
The key trigger will be a decisive break above $97.32 immediate resistance, which would activate stops from short sellers and draw in momentum buyers. Target $102 represents a clean 6% upside with manageable 4% downside risk to support at $93. Risk management suggests entering on any dip below $95 with stops under $91.50.
Image source: Shutterstock
Brazil Bans 27 Prediction Platforms, Including Kalshi and Polymarket
Brazilian authorities have moved to shut down 27 prediction market platforms, including Kalshi and Polymarket.
The decision, announced Friday, follows a directive from the Ministry of Finance and enforcement by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), according to state-owned news outlet Agência Brasil. Authorities claimed that such services fall outside Brazil’s current legal framework and therefore operate illegally.
“We have been monitoring the evolution of this sector in Brazil, which suffered a period of anarchy because there were no rules, no oversight, from 2018 to 2022,” Finance Ministry executive secretary Dario Durigan reportedly said during a press conference at the Palácio do Planalto.
The crackdown follows Resolution 5.298 issued by Brazil’s National Monetary Council (CMN) on Friday, which takes effect in early May and sharply limits what prediction market platforms can offer. Under the new rules, contracts tied to sports, politics, entertainment, or social events are banned, as authorities consider them closer to gambling than financial investments.
Only contracts linked to economic indicators, such as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, or commodity prices, will remain allowed and fall under financial market oversight.
Related: Kalshi bans 3 US politicians for betting on their own election races
Brazil flags prediction platforms as debt risk
Durigan claimed that prediction markets could deepen household debt and expose users to financial harm. “At a time when we are working to reduce debt levels among families, small businesses, and students, we must also prevent new forms of harmful indebtedness,” he said.
The blocked platforms include a mix of international and Brazil-focused services, with major names including Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt, Robinhood (via its forecasting feature) and Fanatics Markets.
Banned prediction markets in Brazil. Source: Agência Brasil
Other affected platforms include ProphetX, Hedgehog Markets, Novig, Polyswipe, PRED Exchange and Stride, alongside several Brazil-focused services such as Palpita, Cravei, Previsao, and MercadoPred.
Related: Prediction market battle gets closer to Supreme Court
More countries ban prediction markets
A growing number of jurisdictions have moved to ban prediction markets, often folding them into gambling or financial regulations. Several European nations, including France, Belgium and the Netherlands, have blocked or penalized platforms operating without authorization.
In the United States, the situation is more fragmented, with an ongoing tug-of-war between federal regulators and individual states over prediction markets.
Magazine: How to fix suspected insider trading on Polymarket and Kalshi
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.