BNX has momentum at $1.78 with clear technical breakout setup targeting $2.50 within two weeks. The gaming token surge reflects real institutional accumulation, not retail froth.
Market Context: Gaming Tokens Find Their Legs
Web3 gaming speculation is driving genuine capital flow into BNX, and the price action reflects institutional positioning rather than retail hysteria. The token trades 61% above its 20-day moving average, a move that typically signals sustained accumulation when volume remains measured.
Gaming tokens are emerging from months of dormancy as developers actually ship playable products. BNX benefits from this sector rotation without the breathless social media coverage that usually marks cycle tops. Smart money moves quietly, and the current price structure suggests they’re building positions ahead of broader recognition.
The derivative landscape supports this thesis. Funding rates remain neutral despite the rally, indicating leveraged speculators haven’t piled in yet. This measured approach creates runway for continued gains as momentum builds organically.
Technical Foundation Solidifies
BNX has established a clear higher-low pattern while building above key support levels. The daily chart shows consistent buyer interest on any weakness toward $1.73, creating a springboard for the next move higher.
Momentum indicators align favorably without screaming overbought extremes. The price sits above expanding Bollinger Bands while maintaining room for further extension. Volume patterns confirm accumulation rather than distribution, with selling pressure absorbed quickly on any pullbacks.
The critical resistance sits at $1.88. Multiple tests of this level show determined buyers stepping up, and a decisive break opens the path toward $2.50. Daily volatility remains elevated enough to generate meaningful moves once direction clarifies.
Institutional Footprints Visible
The absence of crypto influencer hype around BNX actually strengthens the bull case. Real accumulation happens without fanfare, and the current buying pressure appears institutional rather than speculative. Professional traders prefer to build positions before retail discovers the story.
Market structure supports this interpretation. Options flow remains muted while spot buying dominates, suggesting long-term positioning rather than short-term speculation. The funding rate stability confirms leveraged longs aren’t rushing into the trade yet.
Clear Path to $2.50
BNX needs to clear $1.88 resistance to unlock the next leg higher. The technical setup favors buyers, with support holding firm at $1.73 and momentum building for a breakout attempt.
The gaming narrative has staying power as actual products launch and users engage. Unlike previous gaming token cycles built on promises, current projects deliver playable experiences that generate real usage metrics.
Risk management remains straightforward. A break below $1.68 invalidates the bullish structure and targets a return to $1.30. But the probability matrix favors continuation, with $2.50 representing a reasonable target within 14 days once resistance breaks.
The setup rewards patient positioning. BNX offers asymmetric upside with defined downside risk, making it attractive for tactical allocation as gaming tokens continue their measured advance.
Crypto exchange Zonda said a cold wallet holding around 4,500 Bitcoin is currently inaccessible as the platform faces concerns over delayed withdrawals.
Zonda CEO Przemysław Kral posted a video statement on Thursday disclosing the exchange’s wallet address, saying the private keys to the wallet were never handed over.
In the statement, Kral denied accusations of misappropriating funds, saying the private keys were intended to be handed over by Zonda founder and former CEO Sylwester Suszek, who has been missing since 2022.
“So for all those who claim that I had anything to do with Sylwester’s disappearance, this is the prime argument that I care the most about Sylwester being found,” Kral said.
The disclosure follows weeks of controversy around the exchange after local reports suggested a probe into Zonda by Polish authorities, followed by an analysis by blockchain platform Recoveris, which alleged Zonda could have been insolvent based on a sharp drop in the exchange’s hot wallet balances.
Last recorded transaction dates to November 2025
Kral’s public disclosure of the wallet marks the first time that Zonda has disclosed the address amid the controversy.
The address cited by the CEO holds 4,503 Bitcoin (BTC) currently worth about $334 million, with the last transaction recorded in November 2025 as of the time of publication.
Source: Blockchain.com
The CEO previously denied insolvency claims following the hot wallet investigation by Recoveris on April 6, insisting that Zonda remained fully solvent with more than 4,500 BTC in holdings.
CEO plans legal action, says Zonda will meet customer obligations
In the video, Kral said that much of Zonda’s recent withdrawal pressure was driven by an abnormal spike in withdrawal requests, which he linked to negative media coverage.
He said Zonda normally processed around 100,000 withdrawal requests per year but saw more than 25,000 requests within hours and days around April 6.
Kral said the company plans to take legal action over what he described as false claims surrounding the exchange and promised to fulfill obligations to customers amid withdrawal concerns.
Source: Przemysław Kral
Polish lawmaker Tomasz Mentzen said on X that Zonda may have lost access to its cold wallet following the disappearance of former CEO Suszek. Kral did not explicitly say the funds were lost, but said the private keys to the wallet were never transferred during the company handover.
Suszek has reportedly been missing since March 2022, with reporting referencing alleged criminal ties among certain shareholders of Zonda, formerly BitBay.
The exchange was founded in Poland in 2014 and rebranded as Zonda in 2021. Kral told Cointelegraph in February that the company registered in Estonia amid regulatory uncertainty in Poland, citing delays in implementing the European Union-wide Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
The issue has drawn the exchange into a broader political debate, adding pressure on regulators and increasing scrutiny of Poland’s crypto sector.
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. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
ALPACA’s failure at $0.27 resistance has triggered a technical breakdown that points to $0.08 within 30 days – a brutal 65% massacre that’s already begun.
The Breakdown Is Here
ALPACA just got its face ripped off at $0.27 resistance, and the carnage is accelerating. The token is hemorrhaging value as institutional money exits through the back door while retail bagholders watch their portfolios evaporate. This isn’t a dip – it’s the beginning of a systematic destruction that will separate weak hands from their money.
The price action tells the story of a broken rally. Bulls had their shot above $0.25 and got absolutely demolished. Now we’re seeing the classic signs of distribution: volume expansion on red candles, tight consolidation near resistance followed by violent rejection, and momentum indicators rolling over from strength. The smart money already left the building.
Technical Carnage Unfolding
The moving average structure is setting up for a death cross that will accelerate the decline. ALPACA is trading below its short-term exponential moving averages while the longer-term simple moving averages wait below like hungry sharks. When price slices through the current support cluster around $0.20, there’s nothing but air until the 200-period moving average around $0.14.
But even that won’t hold. The 50-period moving average sits at $0.08, and that’s where this bloodbath ends. The mathematical probability of reaching that level increases exponentially once we break below $0.19 – the last meaningful support level that has any chance of holding.
The oscillators are painting the same picture. Momentum is rolling over from neutral territory, which historically precedes the most violent moves lower. Stochastic readings suggest any bounce will be brief and vicious – perfect for adding to short positions.
The Smart Money Exodus
Professional traders aren’t talking about ALPACA anymore, and that silence speaks volumes. When the algorithmic trading desks and institutional flow goes quiet on a token, it means they’ve already positioned for the move. The funding rates show no signs of excessive short positioning, meaning this decline has room to run without triggering a squeeze.
The market structure is completely broken. Support levels that held during previous corrections are being sliced through like tissue paper. The bid liquidity has evaporated, leaving nothing but market makers and arbitrage bots to catch the falling knife.
The Trade That Matters
This is a short-only environment. Any bounce toward $0.24 is free money for aggressive shorts with stops above $0.28. The primary target at $0.14 offers 36% profit, but the real prize is the extension to $0.08 where overleveraged longs will finally capitulate.
The timeline is accelerated. Traditional support levels won’t hold because the fundamental narrative has shifted. When technical breakdown combines with silence from smart money, the result is always the same: a one-way ticket lower that doesn’t stop until it finds real buyers.
ALPACA will test $0.08 within the next month. The only question is how many retail accounts get liquidated on the way down.
Australia could generate A$24 billion, or about $17 billion, annually from digital assets and tokenized finance. But that opportunity depends on whether policymakers establish clear and supportive regulatory frameworks.
Tokenization could transform financial markets by improving liquidity, automating settlement processes and expanding investor access to assets such as foreign exchange, equities, government debt and investment funds.
Tokenized money, including CBDCs and stablecoins, could significantly reduce the cost and time of cross-border payments by minimizing reliance on traditional banking networks.
Regulatory uncertainty remains the biggest barrier to growth, as financial institutions hesitate to commit capital without clear rules on licensing, custody standards and compliance for digital asset businesses.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the most technologically advanced financial markets in the Asia-Pacific region. However, in the area of digital assets and tokenized finance, the country faces a critical choice.
The Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) and the Digital Economy Council of Australia published a report titled “Unlocking Australia’s $24b Digital Finance Opportunity.” It warns that the country will capture only a small portion of these gains unless its regulatory framework is updated swiftly.
The report emphasizes that tokenized markets and digital finance could deliver around A$24 billion (approximately US$17 billion) in annual economic benefits for Australia, provided lawmakers move forward with regulation.
The scale of Australia’s digital finance opportunity
The DFCRC analysis indicates that tokenization and digital asset infrastructure could significantly improve several parts of Australia’s financial system. These improvements are expected to create economic value by making markets more efficient, increasing liquidity and allowing more investors to participate.
The report highlights three main sources of value that together represent an estimated A$24 billion opportunity.
Improved financial markets
Tokenized financial markets are likely to deliver significant economic benefits. By recording traditional securities such as shares or bonds on blockchain-based systems, markets can automate settlement processes, lower operational costs and open participation to a wider range of investors.
Tokenized infrastructure can also bring greater transparency and efficiency to assets including:
foreign exchange
investment funds
public equities
government debt
Improved liquidity and easier access for investors can lead to higher trading volumes and less friction throughout the financial system.
Improved payments
Tokenized forms of money such as stablecoins, bank deposit tokens and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could make both domestic and international payments faster and cheaper.
At present, many cross-border payments depend on correspondent banking networks, which are often slow and costly. Tokenized payment systems could enable near-instant transfers between institutions, shortening settlement times and reducing fees.
Better use of digital assets
Tokenization allows financial assets to become more programmable and easier to use in digital financial services. Smart contracts can automatically manage tasks such as margin calls, collateral handling and settlement, which are currently manual and time-intensive processes.
According to the DFCRC report, almost half of the gains related to assets could come from enabling new activities on tokenized infrastructure, including collateralized lending, repo markets and invoice financing.
Did you know? Australia was among the earliest countries to explore blockchain for financial market infrastructure. In 2017, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) began a project to replace its decades-old clearing system with blockchain technology before later reconsidering the plan.
Why regulation is the primary obstacle
While digital asset markets show great promise, the DFCRC report identifies regulatory uncertainty as the main factor holding back growth in Australia.
Large financial institutions generally avoid investing significant capital in new technologies until clear legal frameworks are established. Without specific rules on licensing, asset custody and compliance, many firms are hesitant to launch major tokenized products.
Key structural challenges include:
Vague licensing: It is currently unclear how digital asset businesses should obtain official permits.
Poor collaboration: There is a lack of communication between regulatory bodies and the industry.
Limited trials: A shortage of large-scale pilot programs limits practical testing.
Legal ambiguity: The status of tokenized financial products remains undefined.
These issues hinder progress even when the necessary technology is already available. Institutional investors need a well-defined regulatory foundation to enter the market with confidence.
The high cost of regulatory inaction
Continued delays in modernizing Australia’s regulatory framework could severely erode the country’s potential gains from digital finance.
If policy stagnation persists, Australia may capture only around A$1 billion (approximately US$710 million) from digital assets and tokenized finance by 2030. This figure represents only a small fraction of the A$24 billion in potential benefits that could be realized under a more supportive and predictable regulatory environment.
This massive shortfall highlights how regulatory hurdles can alter the future path of financial innovation. In the absence of clear, enabling policy settings, several damaging consequences could follow:
Pilot programs find it difficult to scale into live, production-grade systems.
Institutional capital stays on the sidelines, unwilling to take meaningful risks.
Cutting-edge innovation and talent increasingly relocate to jurisdictions offering regulatory clarity and predictability.
Australia’s domestic financial infrastructure modernizes more slowly than that of global peers.
Ultimately, prolonged regulatory uncertainty does not merely slow progress but may actively divert economic value and opportunity to other countries that have established favorable frameworks for digital finance.
Did you know? Australia hosts one of the densest networks of crypto ATMs in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also one of the largest markets for crypto kiosks outside North America.
What the industry is asking for in regulation
Australia has made initial strides toward establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets. However, industry stakeholders stress that more needs to be done to unlock meaningful institutional participation:
Clear licensing regimes for digital asset platforms: Trading venues, exchanges and other digital asset service providers urgently need well-defined licensing pathways. These include precise rules on permissible activities, operational requirements, capital standards and ongoing compliance obligations.
Modern, fit-for-purpose custody rules: Digital assets introduce distinct risks around security, segregation and operational resilience. Regulators should set clear, risk-based custody standards that safeguard client assets.
A coherent framework for stablecoins: Stablecoins are widely viewed as foundational infrastructure for tokenized markets and efficient on-chain payments. Industry participants are calling for clarity on issuance, reserves, redemption rights, supervision and cross-border rules to remove legal and operational uncertainty.
Balanced and proportionate consumer and investor protections: Strong safeguards against fraud, misconduct and loss are essential. But they must be designed carefully to avoid stifling legitimate innovation.
When addressed together, these regulatory building blocks would provide the clarity financial institutions need before committing significant capital and infrastructure to tokenized finance in Australia.
Why regulatory sandboxes are important
The DFCRC report recommends creating regulatory sandboxes tailored specifically for tokenized financial markets.
These sandboxes allow companies to test new financial technologies under close regulatory oversight before obtaining a full license. This approach lets regulators see how the innovations perform in practice while keeping risks under control.
Australia already has an Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox (ERS) managed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). It permits eligible firms to trial certain financial services for a limited period without holding a full financial services license.
However, industry groups argue that more specialized sandboxes would speed up testing and development in key areas such as tokenized securities and digital settlement systems.
Targeted sandboxes would also improve dialogue between regulators and the industry, enabling policymakers to shape better rules based on actual testing outcomes.
The role of tokenized government bonds and CBDCs
The DFCRC report proposes that tokenized government bonds and a central bank digital currency (CBDC) could form essential infrastructure for digital financial markets.
Government bonds are already widely used as collateral in financial markets. Tokenizing them would allow for automated collateral management, faster settlement and improved transparency.
A CBDC designed for use by financial institutions rather than the general public could provide secure final settlement for tokenized assets. Together with stablecoins and bank deposit tokens, it would help build a flexible and efficient system for digital financial transactions.
These tools would create the reliable settlement infrastructure institutional markets need to operate at scale.
Did you know? Australia’s central bank was among the first to experiment with central bank digital currency trials. Earlier projects explored how a wholesale CBDC could help automate bond settlement and other complex financial transactions between institutions.
Project Acacia and Australia’s experimentation with digital money
Australia is already exploring these concepts through initiatives such as Project Acacia. This collaboration examines how digital money could work in tokenized wholesale markets.
The project tests how different forms of digital settlement, including CBDCs and stablecoins, can support financial market infrastructure.
Pilot programs like these can play an important role. They allow policymakers and financial institutions to test technical designs, operational risks and regulatory issues before moving to large-scale systems.
Real-world experimentation helps regulators create rules based on practical experience rather than theory alone.
Technological ability alone is not enough
A central finding of the DFCRC report is that technology alone is not enough to create new financial markets.
For institutions to adopt tokenized finance, the following are required:
clear legal frameworks
reliable settlement infrastructure
proper custody standards
effective risk management protocols
appropriate regulatory oversight
Together, these elements build the trust financial institutions need to commit to new technologies.
Without that trust, tokenized finance is likely to remain confined to small pilot projects rather than becoming part of mainstream financial systems.
Australia’s competitive challenge
The global competition to develop digital asset infrastructure is accelerating. Many jurisdictions are already building regulatory frameworks for tokenized securities, stablecoins and digital payment systems.
If Australia delays, it risks losing talent, investment and innovation to countries that provide regulatory clarity sooner.
In this sense, digital asset regulation is not just a financial policy issue. It is also a question of competitiveness for Australia’s broader economy.
Countries that put credible frameworks for digital finance in place are better positioned to attract capital and technology firms seeking stable regulatory settings.
Cointelegraph maintains full editorial independence. Guides are produced without influence from advertisers, partners or commercial relationships. Content published in Guides does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals where appropriate.
South Korean tech company Naver and Upbit operator Dunamu said in a corrected filing that their planned share swap includes forming an initial public offering (IPO) committee for Naver Financial within one year of closing, outlining a path toward a future listing.
The disclosure, outlined in the corrected filing on Wednesday, said the companies would pursue a listing within five years, with a possible two-year extension. Naver said it plans to secure voting rights in Naver Financial so the fintech unit remains a consolidated subsidiary after the deal.
The filing suggests the deal goes beyond a simple ownership change, outlining a structure that could eventually bring Upbit’s parent under a listed fintech group. The move indicates Naver and Dunamu are positioning any future South Korea listing at the fintech-parent level rather than through a standalone listing of Upbit’s parent.
However, Dunamu said no specific decisions have been made on whether to proceed with the IPO or on its timing or structure. It added that the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals that could still delay or derail the transaction.
Naver Financial’s plans to acquire Dunamu were first reported in September 2025 by local outlets including Yonhap and Chosun, which said the company was preparing a share swap to bring the Upbit operator under its umbrella. Naver later confirmed the transaction in a November regulatory filing, outlining a roughly $10.3 billion all-stock deal.
Investor agreement sets IPO framework, control terms
The filing said Naver, Dunamu and related parties entered into an investor agreement tied to the share swap, under which they agreed to use their “best efforts” to pursue a future listing of Naver Financial after the transaction closes.
The agreement forms the basis for post-deal restructuring, including preparations for a potential IPO.
The filing described the listing plan as conditional, noting that key elements, including timing, structure and execution, will depend on market conditions and regulatory developments. It added that more detailed plans would be disclosed if and when formal decisions are made.
It also comes as Dunamu reported weaker operating performance in 2025, with revenue falling about 10% year-on-year to 1.56 trillion won ($1.2 billion) and operating profit dropping 26.7% to 869.3 billion won, which the company attributed to reduced crypto trading volumes during a broader market slowdown.
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. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Bitcoin’s shallow pullback from the $76,000 resistance suggests that buyers are holding onto their positions, expecting the recovery to continue.
Select major altcoins are showing strength and are expected to break above their overhead resistance levels.
Bitcoin (BTC) pulled back after crossing the $76,000 level on Tuesday, but a positive sign is that bulls have not let the price dip below $73,500. That suggests the bulls are holding their positions as they expect the overhead resistance to be broken.
Another encouraging indication for the bulls is that BTC’s move toward $76,000 has been supported by $411.5 million in inflows into US spot BTC exchange-traded funds on Tuesday, according to SoSoValue data. That pushes the total net flows for 2026 into the positive territory at roughly $245 million.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
While some analysts believe the bottom has been reached at $60,000, others remain skeptical. They anticipate BTC to collapse below $60,000 to as low as $50,000 before finally bottoming out.
Trend reversals could be tricky, but traders should be nimble when they spot one. Maintaining a negative view when the charts are screaming bullish is a recipe for disaster.
Could BTC and select major altcoins break above their overhead resistance levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC turned up from the 20-day exponential moving average ($71,116) on Monday and reached the $76,000 resistance on Tuesday.
Sellers are expected to protect the $76,000 level with all their might, as a close above it will complete a bullish ascending triangle pattern. That clears the path for a rally to the $84,000 level.
Conversely, any pullback is expected to find support at the 20-day EMA. If the BTC price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with force, it suggests a positive sentiment. That enhances the prospects of a break above the $76,000 resistance. Sellers will be back in control on a close below the support line of the triangle.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) is facing resistance at $2,415, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.
The prospects of a break above the $2,415 level increase if the ETH price turns up from the current level or the 20-day EMA ($2,198). The ETH/USDT pair may then surge to $2,800 and then to $3,050.
Sellers have an uphill task ahead of them. They will have to quickly pull the price below the moving averages to weaken the bullish momentum. The pair may then decline to the $1,916 support.
XRP price prediction
Buyers are struggling to drive XRP (XRP) above the 50-day simple moving average ($1.37), indicating that the bears are active at higher levels.
If the price turns down and dips below the 20-day EMA ($1.35), it may signal that the XRP/USDT pair consolidates between the 50-day SMA and $1.27 support for a few days. A break and close below the $1.27 level tilts the advantage in favor of the bears.
Contrarily, a close above the 50-day SMA signals the start of a sustained recovery toward the downtrend line of the descending channel pattern. Buyers will be back in the driver’s seat on a close above the downtrend line.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) reached the 50-day SMA ($626) on Tuesday, where the bears are posing a strong challenge.
If bulls do not give up much ground from the current level, the possibility of a break above the 50-day SMA increases. The BNB/USDT pair may then rally to the $687 overhead resistance. Buyers will have to overcome the $687 barrier to clear the path for a rally to $730, then to $790.
On the downside, a close below the $570 support signals that the bears have seized control. The pair may then start the next leg of the downtrend toward $500.
Solana price prediction
Solana’s (SOL) failure to rise above the 50-day SMA ($85) suggests that the bears are fiercely guarding the level.
The flattish moving averages and the relative strength index (RSI) near the midpoint do not provide a clear advantage to either the bulls or the bears. That suggests the SOL/USDT pair may continue consolidating within the $76 to $98 range for a while.
The next trending move is expected to begin on a close above $98 or below $76. If the SOL price turns down and breaks below $76, it indicates an advantage to bears. The pair may then drop to $67. On the upside, a close above $98 opens the doors for a rally to $117.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) broke above the moving averages on Tuesday, but the long wick on the candlestick shows selling on rallies.
If the price dips below the moving averages, the bears will attempt to sink the DOGE/USDT pair below the $0.09 support. If they succeed, the DOGE price may resume its downtrend toward $0.08 and then $0.06.
Instead, if the price moves above the 20-day EMA ($0.09) and breaks above $0.10, it suggests the bears are losing their grip. The pair may then rally to $0.11 and eventually to $0.12.
Hyperliquid price prediction
Hyperliquid (HYPE) is witnessing a tough battle between the bulls and the bears at the breakout level of $43.76.
If the HYPE price rallies from the current level and breaks above $45.30, it suggests that the bulls have turned the $43.76 level into support. That increases the likelihood of a move to the $50 level.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA ($40), it suggests that the break above the $43.76 level may have been a bull trap. The HYPE/USDT pair may then plunge to the 50-day SMA ($36.77).
The 20-day EMA ($0.25) has started to turn down gradually, and the RSI is in the negative zone, signaling a slight edge to the bears. If the price turns down and breaks below $0.23, the ADA/USDT pair may plummet toward the support line of the descending channel pattern. There is support at $0.22, but it is likely to be broken.
Buyers will have to propel the ADA price above the downtrend line to signal a potential trend change. The pair may then climb toward $0.36.
Bitcoin Cash price prediction
Buyers attempted to push Bitcoin Cash (BCH) above the 20-day EMA ($444), but the bears held their ground.
Sellers will strive to strengthen their position by driving the BCH price below $419. If they manage to do that, the BCH/USDT pair may start a downward move toward the $375 level.
This bearish view will be negated in the short term if buyers drive the price above the moving averages. The pair may then rise to the $486 level, where the bears are again likely to pose a strong challenge.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) has been trading near the moving averages for the past few days, signaling a balance between supply and demand.
The flattish moving averages and the RSI just above the midpoint suggest that the LINK/USDT pair may remain inside the $8 to $10 range for some more time.
The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the $10 resistance. That opens the doors for a rally to $10.94 and later to $11.61. Sellers are expected to defend the $11.61 level, as a close above it indicates that the bulls are back in the game. The bears will have to yank the LINK price below the $8 level to gain the upper hand.
This 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. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Bitcoin (BTC) circled $74,000 at Wednesday’s Wall Street open as US stocks edged higher on news that the US and Iran may be open to another round of ceasefire negotiations.
Key points:
Bitcoin consolidates as analysts warn that stocks may be too optimistic over geopolitical relief.
The S&P 500 approaches new all-time highs despite questions over Iran’s uranium enrichment.
Bitcoin traders note missing components to support a true trend change.
Iran conflict lacks “genuine resolution”
Data from TradingView showed declining BTC price volatility after a trip to two-month highs the day prior.
Stocks continued a recovery on the day as US President Donald Trump said that China had opted not to send weapons to Iran.
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran.”
Source: Truth Social
President Trump referenced the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil gateway, as WTI crude dropped below $90 to a new April low on the day.
Commenting, trading company QCP Capital was cautious about discounting the ongoing impact of the US-Iran war.
“Equities recovered, oil sold off, and crypto caught a bid. But the more important signal was what failed to confirm the move,” it wrote in its latest “Market Color” update.
“Long-end yields barely budged, gold held its levels, and the bond market, which should be front-running an inflation relief trade more aggressively, did not follow through. When oil drops and the 10-year barely twitches, rates are telling you this is a reduction in headline risk, not a genuine resolution.”
CFDs on WTI crude oil one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
QCP pointed to Iran’s uranium enrichment as a sticking point in the process of diffusing geopolitical tensions.
“The reason is enrichment. Iran is at 60% enriched uranium, while the US wants levels below 20%. That gap does not close with a framework headline. It closes with a concession Tehran has not signalled it is prepared to make,” it continued.
“Previous ceasefires have lasted weeks, while the enrichment issue has remained unresolved since 2015. Markets are trading the former, but the latter still sits at the core of the risk.”
On Monday, the S&P 500 reclaimed its yearly open level, going on to hit local highs of 6,988 on the day, coming within 15 points of new all-time highs.
BTC price “decision time” due
Bitcoin traders preserved earlier skepticism over market strength.
Trader Jelle described the latest trip to $76,000 as an “equal high” that “barely went above” February’s peak.
Liquidity games still in play.$BTC technically tagged those previous highs – but I’m viewing this as an equal high rather than a sweep, barely went above it.
Keep an eye out for a real sweep above there; that’ll likely catch a lot of traders off guard. pic.twitter.com/dxO9cgDRY3
“Bias remains down, but doubt shorts get a free ride from here,” he added in another of his latest posts on X.
Daan Crypto Trades, meanwhile, predicted that BTC/USD would soon face “decision time.”
“Price tapped the $76K high from March and is consolidating in this area currently. Low timeframe grind higher since the start of April which has been making some marginally higher highs and lows,” he summarized to X followers.
QCP also noted price action “grinding higher,” while warning that options markets were “not confirming a clean breakout.”
“The broader regime has not changed. The Fed is still boxed in, sitting near zero net cuts for the year after the oil shock repriced the easing path, while liquidity conditions remain tight,” it concluded.
“This is a geopolitical relief rally, not a macro regime shift. Last week’s trade was to fade the blockade. This week’s question is whether investors should fade the relief.”
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
Sandwich attacks cost Ethereum users an estimated $60 million per year. Transactions broadcast to the public mempool are publicly visible before inclusion, which gives MEV bots the ability to affect the order of transactions and insert their own for profit. This problem has persisted on some level in spite of years of discussion and various out-of-protocol mitigation attempts.
Encrypting mempool transactions would be one of the most compelling solutions to prevent MEV. While this idea has been actively discussed for years, it has not yet been implemented at the protocol level. In our earlier research, we examined several proposals based on threshold-encryption, including Shutter, Batched Threshold Encryption, and Flash Freezing Flash Boys. In this article, we turn to a meta proposal titled “Universal Enshrined Encrypted Mempool (EIP-8105)“.
How EIP-8105 approaches mempool encryption
Universal Enshrined Encrypted Mempool, also known as EIP-8105, is a scheme-agnostic encrypted mempool design, which means it can support a wide range of encryption methods, including threshold encryption, MPC committees, TEEs, delay encryption, and fully homomorphic encryption. A new system contract on the execution layer, called the key provider registry, is planned to facilitate this flexible design. It would allow any account to register as a key provider that holds and reveals decryption keys using their own preferred encryption technology.
How transactions are executed in Universal Enshrined Encrypted Mempool
Universal Enshrined Encrypted Mempool introduces two new transaction types under the EIP-2718 framework: 0x05 for encrypted transactions and 0x06 for decrypted transactions. An encrypted transaction is an envelope with an encrypted payload and a public payload, which contains the envelope nonce, gas amount, gas price parameters, key provider ID, key ID, and a signature. This structure is required to associate the transaction with the chosen key provider, assign a nonce and ensure gas fees for the blockspace are covered.
EIP-8105 follows a two-step execution flow. In the first step, the encrypted transaction envelope is included in a block even though the payload itself remains hidden. Key providers monitor transactions with encrypted payloads, collect the relevant transaction key IDs, and publish either the corresponding decryption keys or a withhold notice once the block builder publishes the data.
Once the block builder has published the execution payload, the relevant key provider reveals either the decryption key or a withhold notice. A Payload Timeliness Committee (PTC) monitors whether the decryption keys referenced by encrypted transactions are published on time, validates them, and attests to whether a valid key was present or missing. If the key is available and decryption succeeds, the resulting decrypted transaction is executed in the following block. If the key is missing, withheld, or decryption fails, the decrypted payload is skipped, while the envelope remains included, and the transaction fee is still paid.
The EIP also enforces a block structure that prevents MEV-extracting transactions from being inserted in the window between decryption and execution. Decrypted transactions must appear at the beginning of a block, plaintext transactions remain in the middle, and encrypted transactions are placed at the end. This ordering allows encrypted payloads to be revealed and executed only after inclusion, while preventing secondary MEV.
While EIP-8105 significantly limits MEV exposure, earlier providers in the block retain a limited ability to extract MEV from later transactions by selectively revealing or withholding their decryption keys. The proposal attempts to mitigate this by letting key providers designate other trusted providers and ordering transactions according to the resulting key provider trust graph.
Encrypted Mempools and Ethereum’s Roadmap
Encrypted mempools are becoming an increasingly important part of Ethereum’s roadmap, as the ecosystem looks for protocol-level ways to reduce harmful MEV. While EIP-8105 is no longer being positioned as one of the headliners for the first 2027 hard fork, it remains an open draft, and its ideas continue to inform the broader effort to prepare a leading encrypted-mempool proposal for the upgrade.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, investment, or other advice. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cointelegraph, which does not endorse this content or any products mentioned herein. All investments carry risk — readers should conduct their own research and bear full responsibility for their decisions. Cointelegraph strives for accuracy but makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information presented, including any forward-looking statements, and accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Wednesday it is consulting on guidance for the country’s future crypto regime, in the latest step toward a broader framework that is expected to take effect on Oct. 25, 2027.
In a statement, the FCA said it is seeking industry feedback on the guidance to help companies understand how they might be affected by the regime. The full consultation text is available on the FCA website, with the feedback window closing on June 3, 2026.
The regulator said the guidance will clarify requirements for areas such as stablecoin issuance, crypto trading, custody and staking. “We want to develop a competitive and sustainable cryptoasset sector where UK consumers are served by authorised cryptoasset firms and can make informed decisions,” the FCA said.
The guidance consultation follows a run of FCA rule consultations published since late 2025 covering trading platforms, intermediaries, prudential standards, admissions and disclosures, market abuse, and how the FCA Handbook will apply to crypto companies. Until the regime comes into force, crypto in the UK remains only partially regulated, mainly restricted to areas such as financial promotions and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
According to the FCA, the broader crypto regime is expected to come into force in October 2027, but companies will be able to start applying for authorization as early as September 2026.
That aligns with the authority’s timeline published in January, when it said the license application period would open in September. According to the FCA, the application period is expected to end in February 2027.
The FCA previously said that the authorization under the upcoming crypto regime will not be automatically granted to companies that have already been registered under existing Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) and payment-related frameworks.
According to the plan, all companies providing regulated crypto asset services in the UK will need to be authorized under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA).
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. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Market analysts say Bitcoin (BTC) is showing “renewed bullish momentum” after its 5% rally above $76,000 on Tuesday, with bulls eyeing further gains to $90,000 amid improving network activity.
The surge saw Bitcoin’s price reclaim key support levels, including the $75,000 zone where the 100-day exponential and simple moving averages converge.
“#Bitcoin surged above the $76,000 level, breaking above its March highs and signaling renewed bullish momentum,” analyst CryptoBlockto said in an X post on Tuesday.
The analyst pointed out that the next crucial resistance zone is $76,000 and that clearing it would confirm “a trend reversal and sustained upside momentum.”
BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: X/CryptoBlockto
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin is validating an ascending triangle after breaking above its upper trend line at $73,000 on Monday.
A daily candlestick close above the moving averages at $75,000 would confirm the breakout, with the next line of resistance being the psychological level at $80,000.
Above that, bulls could push the BTC price toward the triangle’s measured target of $89,050, 18% above the current price.
The daily relative strength index has increased to 63 from oversold conditions at 15 reached on Feb. 6, suggesting increasing bullish momentum.
“#Bitcoin is #trading within the horizontal supply zone of an ascending triangle pattern. The 100MA is also acting as a resistance barrier above the current price action,” analyst CryptOpus said in a recent X post, adding:
“A strong breakout above both the #pattern and the 100MA would confirm a #bullish rally in the market.”
As Cointelegraph reported, a close above $76,000 would complete a bullish ascending triangle pattern, clearing the path for a potential rally to $84,000.
The strength in BTC price is reflected in onchain activity, with Bitcoin’s daily transaction count rising by 62% in 2026 to 765,130 million on April 5.
This metric was last at these levels in November 2024, when the hype around the 2024 US Presidential Election pushed Bitcoin price above $100,000 for the first time in history.
“$BTC daily transaction count is higher than when $BTC was $120K,” analyst CW8900 said in an X post on Tuesday, adding:
Bitcoin’s total fee volume has also climbed, increasing by 4% over the last week to $153,700, indicating “heightened onchain demand,” Glassnode said in its latest Market Pulse report, adding:
“This increase implies an uptick in network activity, potentially signalling a shift in user willingness to pay for transaction priority.”
Bitcoin total transaction fee volume. Source: Glassnode
Bitcoin’s increasing transaction count and fees mean that more users are interacting with the network. It suggests high network activity, which is often correlated with increased interest and market confidence.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
