Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

WSJ: Strategy Snaps Up $109 Million Worth of Bitcoin After Week-Long Dry Spell

Claims that a Satoshi-era Bitcoin whale suddenly returned to the market with a multi-billion-dollar purchase have injected tension into an already fragile Bitcoin price action. The claims gained traction after social media posts on X revealed that an address dormant since 2011 had accumulated roughly 26,900 BTC, a move framed by some as a powerful bullish signal. 

However, a few others saw something very different. One warning revealed that the timing and context of the transfer pointed toward a setup that could lead to a large-scale distribution.

Why Some Traders See A Major Red Flag Claims that a Satoshi-Era Bitcoin address might be actually buying billions of dollars’ worth of BTC took many investors by surprise. According to a crypto participant known as 0xNobler on the social media platform X, the whale address became active for the first time since 2011 and went all in on Bitcoin again. Such a purchase goes against the trend of Satoshi-era whales becoming active after many years to sell their holdings. 

The claim of purchase is very bullish on the outside, but there are also bearish interpretations of the move. The bearish interpretation is based on market psychology and the historical behavior of early Bitcoin holders. 

A wallet allegedly active since the Satoshi era would have acquired BTC at negligible prices, often well below $1. From that perspective, the idea that such an entity waited more than a decade only to buy aggressively near all-time highs appears illogical.

A critic argued that sudden movements involving billions of dollars at the current price action indicate preparation. According to the critic, the entity behind the whale address is preparing to distribute. Large transfers into newly active wallets can be part of liquidity staging, designed to allow gradual distribution without causing immediate panic. 

Satoshi-Era Whale Story Appears To Be A Misunderstanding Closer inspection of the on-chain data indicates that the dramatic narrative surrounding this event rests on questionable assumptions. A few other crypto market participants pointed out that the circulated image claiming a Satoshi-era whale went all in on Bitcoin is edited and misleading, and that the receiving address labeled ‘3FsDiW’ may not belong to an early individual holder at all.

Interestingly, blockchain trackers link the address to Twenty One Capital, with records showing that it was created only a few days ago and the first transaction was first received on January 10, 2026. Transaction history shows a small test transfer of 1 BTC to Bitfinex, after which the remaining funds were consolidated into the new address ‘3FsDiW’ from another wallet already associated with Twenty One Capital.

Twenty One Capital is a publicly traded Bitcoin-focused company that reportedly holds more than 43,000 BTC on its balance sheet. This distinction matters, as it removes the existential fear implied by the original claims of a Bitcoin whale buying billions worth of Bitcoin.

BTC trading at $90,800 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pngtree, chart from Tradingview.com

The Ethereum (ETH) price is trading with a bullish bias, holding well above the support provided by a longstanding ascending trendline.

While a critical resistance holds on the 4-hour timeframe, positive ETH ETF flows on Monday inspire hope.

Over $5 Million Ethereum ETF Inflows on Monday Fuels ETH Price SurgeThe Ethereum price continues to show strength, at least on the 4-hour timeframe, drawing tailwinds from over $5 million in ETF inflows on Monday.

Data on SoSoValue shows that on January 12, spot Ethereum ETFs reported a total net inflow of $5.042 million. With this, they effectively ended a 3-day net outflow streak.

Ethereum ETF Flows. Source: SoSoValueAmidst the positive flows, however, BlackRock’s ETHA ETF bled $79.9 million, marking the only outflows on Monday as Fidelity, Bitwise, VanEck, Invesco, and Franklin Templeton posted zero flows.

Conversely, 21Shares recorded $5 million in positive flows, alongside Grayscale’s $50.7 million and $29.3 million inflows from its ETHE and ETH investment products, respectively.

As of January 12, the cumulative total net inflows into Ethereum ETFs was $12.44 billion, with up to $940.66 million in total value traded and $18.88 billion in total net assets. Notably, the total net assets account for over 5% of Ethereum’s market capitalization.

Elsewhere, Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a total net inflow of $117 million, marking a shift from four consecutive days of net outflows. Meanwhile, Solana spot ETFs recorded a total net inflow of $10.67 million, while XRP spot ETFs saw a total net inflow of $15.04 million.

Ethereum Price Outlook After $5.04 Million Monday InflowsWith the Ethereum price holding well above the multi-week support offered by the ascending trendline, the dominant trend remains bullish.

With the RSI (Relative Strength Index) rising, momentum is increasing, and if sustained, the ETH price could potentially realize further gains. However, the RSI position around the 50 level leaves a lot on the balance, with price action susceptible to bearish takeover.

However, its overall trajectory and position above 50 means the bulls have the upper hand, a sentiment that could be enhanced if Tuesday’s flows also come in positive for ETH ETFs.

Traders looking to take long positions for the Ethereum price, therefore, should wait for a decisive candlestick close above the $3,150 resistance level. This can be confirmed by a successful retest of that level, where price breaks above it, retests it, and manages to still hold above it on the 4-hour timeframe.

Such a move could see the Ethereum price target the $3,223 to $3,296 supply zone next, a bearish order block that stands in Ethereum’s path toward reclaiming its peak prices.

Ethereum (ETH) Price Performance. Source: TradingViewConversely, with the Ethereum price confronting immediate resistance at $3,150, the volume profiles show significant opposing forces at current price levels around $3,134. This is evident in the large nodes of bullish (green horizontal bars) and bearish (red) volume profiles on the chart.

However, with more bearish nodes and bullish nodes, the Ethereum price could pull back, which would be accentuated by negative ETH ETF flows on Tuesday.

In the event of a correction, the bullish thesis for the Ethereum price would be invalidated if the support due to the ascending trendline breaks, which could see ETH retest the $3,058 levels last seen on January 9.

20.02.2026 - 20:30

Update: 20.02.2026 - 20:30

The recent heated debate in the cryptocurrency world about whether quantum computers will end Bitcoin has divided experts.

While some analysts see this as an imminent risk, engineers argue that the threat is exaggerated and that solutions are already in place.

Quantum computing, one of the biggest theoretical threats to Bitcoin’s technological infrastructure, has once again become a hot topic in financial markets. The steps taken by tech giants like Google, IBM, and Microsoft in quantum hardware have raised the question: “Can the mathematical protection of Bitcoin wallets be broken?”

On one side of the debate are figures like Nick Carter, who claims that quantum computers could solve Bitcoin’s Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECDSA) as early as 2028. According to Carter, the developers’ slow pace in this area worries institutional investors (BlackRock, Fidelity, etc.), and this could lead to institutional intervention in the network in the future.

On the other hand, experts like Blockstream CEO Adam Back and software engineer Brandon Black argue that the threat is at least 20 to 40 years away. Black claims that today’s most advanced quantum machines have about 1,000 “noisy physical qubits,” but it would take approximately 13 million error-free logical qubits to crack a Bitcoin key in a single day.

One of the most critical details highlighted in the report is that not every Bitcoin wallet carries the same level of risk. According to Brandon Black, if a user adheres to “address purification” rules and hasn’t publicly shared their public key on the network, quantum computers cannot directly attack that wallet.

Those at greatest risk are legacy addresses, like Satoshi Nakamoto’s old wallets, whose public keys are publicly visible on the blockchain.

Experts, reminding us that Bitcoin is not a static structure, point out that the network has successfully undergone major updates before (SegWit, Taproot). Quantum-resistant address formats (such as BIP 360) are already being discussed within the community.

Furthermore, the fact that institutions with massive Bitcoin reserves, such as Michael Saylor’s company MicroStrategy, are launching quantum security programs demonstrates just how strong the financial incentives are for protecting the network.

*This is not investment advice.

Follow our Telegram and Twitter account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!

TLDR Table of Contents

TLDRRedemption Gates Hit Major FundsSoftware Loans Draw ScrutinyGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Major investment firms including BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Cliffwater have restricted investor redemptions in early 2026 PIK (Paid in Kind) interest arrangements — where companies pile on debt rather than making cash payments — have surged from 5% to 11% of the private credit market between 2022 and 2025 Loans converted mid-term from cash payments to PIK terms (“bad PIK”) jumped from 2% to 6.4% of total private credit by late 2025 Major business development corporations (BDCs) including Ares Capital and Blue Owl are trading significantly below their net asset values JPMorgan has marked down certain software-sector private credit positions, citing potential AI-driven disruption risks The private credit industry, which ballooned to $2 trillion as traditional banks retreated from mid-sized business lending, is facing its first major stress test. Several prominent asset management firms have implemented withdrawal restrictions, while a critical distress indicator — Paid in Kind interest — has reached concerning levels.

40% of private credit borrowers have negative free cash flow.

True default rate near 5%.

Morgan Stanley honored only 5% of redemption requests.

This isn't a footnote. It's the next crisis hiding in plain sight. pic.twitter.com/XQcQrTw6Fq

— Michael A. Gayed, CFA (@leadlagreport) March 13, 2026

PIK interest represents a payment arrangement where struggling borrowers defer cash interest payments by adding them to their principal balance. Lenders record this deferred interest as revenue despite receiving no actual cash flow.

⚠️US banks have nearly ~$300 billion in exposure to private credit:

Wells Fargo leads with $59.7 billion in loans to private credit funds, BDCs, and CLOs.

BDCs are publicly traded funds that give retail investors exposure to private lending, while CLOs are bundles of leveraged… pic.twitter.com/kbnR8EKQOI

— Global Markets Investor (@GlobalMktObserv) March 13, 2026

Lincoln International, responsible for valuing approximately one-third of U.S. private credit portfolios, reports that PIK-structured loans have more than doubled from 5% in early 2022 to 11% by the end of 2025. Even more troubling is the explosion of “bad PIK” arrangements — existing cash-pay loans converted to payment-in-kind terms — which skyrocketed from 2% to 6.4% during the same timeframe.

“This is certainly a sign of stress,” said Ron Kahn, who runs Lincoln International’s valuation unit.

Redemption Gates Hit Major Funds BlackRock’s HLEND fund imposed withdrawal limitations for the first time after redemption requests exceeded its 5% quarterly threshold. The fund attracted $840 million in fresh capital during Q1 2026, falling significantly short of the $1.2 billion investors attempted to withdraw. Morgan Stanley capped redemptions at one of its private credit vehicles to roughly half of investor requests, following withdrawal demands reaching 10.9%. Cliffwater similarly restricted redemptions in its $33 billion fund to 7%, despite investor requests totaling 14%.

These investment vehicles were promoted to individual investors as offering “semi-liquid” terms — allowing quarterly redemptions subject to established caps. When redemption demand outpaces available liquidity, these protective mechanisms activate, potentially trapping investor capital for extended periods exceeding twelve months.

At Ares Capital, approximately 15% of net investment income last year originated from PIK arrangements. Blue Owl Capital disclosed that PIK represented 16% of net investment income throughout 2025. Blue Owl’s shares have declined to below 80% of stated net asset value. Blue Owl Technology Finance, with concentrated exposure to software companies, has plummeted below 60% of book value.

Software Loans Draw Scrutiny JPMorgan has written down valuations on select private credit exposures to software enterprises, expressing concerns regarding artificial intelligence’s potential to undermine existing business models. The institution has not disclosed specific affected portfolio companies.

PIMCO president Christian Stracke attributed the emerging crisis to inadequate underwriting standards and insufficient transparency throughout the industry. PIMCO projects default rates in the mid-single digits persisting for multiple years, potentially compressing average private credit returns from approximately 10% down to the 6–8% range.

Blackstone president Jonathan Gray called current concerns “a ton of noise.” KKR’s CFO Robert Lewin acknowledged pressure at the firm’s publicly traded fund but said most of KKR’s capital sits outside that structure.

Companies utilizing bad PIK arrangements have experienced leverage ratios climbing to 76% of total assets by year-end 2025, a substantial increase from 40% in 2022, per Lincoln International data.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

An important ideological and operational shift is beginning to take shape in the Strategy ecosystem as Michael Saylor, whose name for years was synonymous with the "HODL forever" slogan, has now pivoted to a more pragmatic formula he made public via a new X post - "Buy more Bitcoin than you sell".

This U-turn marks a transition toward a more flexible capital management model amid Saylor's market-shaking statement that Strategy may begin selling BTC to pay dividends on its preferred shares made during the Q1 2026 earnings call earlier this week. 

Buy more bitcoin than you sell.

HOT Stories

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) May 7, 2026 Strategy's "money printer" hits the reality of $100 parityNot only did the company report a net loss of $12.54 billion, or $38.25 per share, due to the decline in the value of its Bitcoin holdings, but the situation is also being complicated by a temporary breakdown in the company's "money printer" - STRC. Since April 15, the preferred share issuance mechanism has stopped funding Bitcoin purchases after the securities fell below their $100 parity value.

To avoid halting expansion in April, Saylor had to pivot toward selling common MSTR shares through the company's ATM program. However, there were no Bitcoin purchases at all over the past week.

Adding fuel to the fire, Strategy CEO Phong Le published 6 new capital management principles, with the final point officially permitting the company to "sell BTC when it is beneficial for the business". 

You Might Also Like

Despite the rhetorical shift, Saylor continues his media offensive, calling the Strategy model "the most important chart in finance". He positions the company as a machine that converts digital capital (BTC) into digital credit (STRC) and equity capital (MSTR), and it seems like the strategy is no longer about buying forever, but about using Bitcoin efficiently to support the company's credit and equity structure.

Annualized asset performance since Strategy adopted a Bitcoin standard on Aug. 10, 2020, Source: StrategyIn this context, the "Buy more than you sell" formula appears to be an attempt to preserve Saylor's status as Bitcoin's leading optimist while simultaneously reassuring regulators and shareholders expecting dividends during a period of financial turbulence.

Maker bulls exert significant effort to counter the dampening sentiment in the cryptocurrency market, resulting in a 5% price increase for MKR to $2,850.

Bitcoin and most altcoins plunged into negative territory after Monday’s strong performance, which saw Bitcoin climb to $70,000. 

A 3% decline in total market capitalization to $2.5 trillion underscores the growing selling pressure.

Maker Begins LitePSM Upgrade Rollout  Maker Governance has voted to approve the implementation of LitePSM, a high-efficiency upgrade to the PSM.

PSM is a tool to maintain DAI’s peg to the US dollar. It allows users to swap DAI for supported stablecoins like USDC at a 1:1 ratio. This arbitrage mechanism helps stabilize DAI’s price by preventing significant deviations from its target value.

Maker Governance has approved the latest Executive Vote.

→ https://t.co/un2Ux3Cv8b

The changes described below will be available for execution within the Maker Protocol on July 30th, at 20:29 UTC.

🖥️ LITE-PSM-USDC-A Phase 1 Actions

The first phase of the migration from… pic.twitter.com/gSGVv1Ma8X

— Sky (@SkyEcosystem) July 29, 2024

According to Dewiz, a DeFi Engineering Services provider, PSM came to life “during DeFi Summer to tame $ Dai’s rollercoaster.” Critics faulted the system for hogging Dai supply amid massive spikes in gas.

The introduction of LitePSM will see users of the stablecoin Dai slash gas fees, access smoother Dai swaps, and yield more. LitePSM’s main objectives are maintaining the Dai peg the US dollar by minimizing volatility, providing liquidity, and managing the stablecoin’s systemic risk.

Dai is a stablecoin in the MKR ecosystem. It is pegged to the US dollar, allowing investors to access DeFi platforms to facilitate swaps and asset trading. Dai boasts a $5.3 market cap and is the 19th largest cryptocurrency.

MKR Price Targets $3,000 Following Breakout  After MKR price topped out at $3,118 last week, it assumed a downtrend between two slanting trend lines, forming a falling wedge pattern.

With every step taken downwards, volume decreased, suggesting that sellers lost their grip and allowed the bulls to turn things around.

Support at $2,600 allowed fresh liquidity collection, arming MKR price for a strong trend reversal. Traders increased exposure to MKR longs upon breaching the upper trend line, with the stop loss slightly below it.

A 10% increase in price is anticipated, bringing MKR near the $3,000 level. A golden cross pattern formed with the 20-day EMA crossing above the 50-day EMA affirms the ongoing uptrend. The MACD buy signal is another bullish factor when trading MKR this week.

MKR price chart | Tradingview MKR needs to find support above the previous day’s open of $2,825; otherwise, sliding under it could spook traders, who may move quickly to close positions and shift to short the token. 

Such an occurrence may accelerate the correction toward the initial support at $2,700 with the possibility of an extended decline to $2,600.

Leading cryptocurrencies rose alongside stocks on Monday as investors embraced a risk-on mood following the declaration of a peace deal with Iran.

Crypto Market Gains MomentumBitcoin extended gains, rising to an intraday high of $67,248 as trading volume jumped 40% over the last 24 hours. Ethereum topped $1.800 while XRP was up 4.5% from the previous day.

Over $480 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, predominantly in short bets, according to Coinglass data. Notably, more than $300 million in Bitcoin short positions were at risk of liquidation if the apex cryptocurrency rose to $70,000.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin's open interest rose 2.06% in the last 24 hours, suggesting an influx of new money into the futures market.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.27 trillion, following an increase of 1.59% over the last 24 hours.

Stocks Enter Record TerritoryThe stock market started the new trading week on a high. The S&P 500 climbed 1.65% to 7,554.29,  while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged 3.07% to close at 26,683.94. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 468.77 points, or 0.92%, for a record close of 51,671.03.  

The rally followed President Donald Trump's declaration that the peace deal with Iran is "complete" and that the Strait of Hormuz is open for normal traffic. The deal is due to be signed in Switzerland on June 19. 

Pullback: A Long-Term Buying Opportunity?Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Michaël van de Poppe said that Bitcoin has entered a zone where one'd want to be accumulating positions "over a longer period."

"It doesn’t mean we’ll be bottoming out here, but we’re at least close, and the ROI of buying here has historically been incredible," the analyst said. "That’s primarily why I’m not selling positions and instead want to stick with them as a whole."

On-chain analytics firm Santiment said the latest rally seems to be driven "as much by expectations as by current fundamentals."

"If inflation pressures ease and institutional investors finally begin feeling more comfortable themselves, the sharp gains following this announcement may end up looking less like a one-day relief rally and more like the opening chapter of a much larger bull cycle," the research firm added.

Photo Courtesy: Sodel Vladyslav on Shutterstock.com

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

TLDR The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed the 52,000 milestone for the first time ever on Tuesday, fueled by positive sentiment surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Iran would be permitted to resume oil exports immediately, causing crude oil prices to decline. The Federal Reserve is anticipated to maintain current interest rate levels, with newly appointed Chair Kevin Warsh scheduled to conduct his inaugural press briefing. Market participants are closely monitoring Warsh’s messaging for insights into potential future rate adjustments, especially as persistent inflation and robust employment figures have eliminated prospects for rate reductions. Bitcoin declined 1.3% during the 24-hour period to reach $64,469, demonstrating market hesitation before the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement. Equity markets in the United States advanced during premarket hours on Wednesday, extending gains from Tuesday’s historic performance by the Dow Jones Industrial Average as market sentiment improved on expectations that Washington and Tehran are nearing a formal resolution to their longstanding tensions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved an unprecedented milestone by breaking through the 52,000-point threshold on Tuesday. By Wednesday’s opening bell, Dow futures had climbed approximately 50 points, representing a 0.1% increase. Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 0.8%, propelled by strength in technology shares.

E-Mini S&P 500 Jun 26 (ES=F) The S&P 500 and Nasdaq — the other two primary market benchmarks — experienced modest declines on Tuesday as investors shifted capital away from technology stocks toward sectors that have underperformed recently.

According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, the United States would grant Iran permission to commence oil and fuel sales without delay as a component of the peace agreement. Both nations are progressing toward an official signing ceremony scheduled for Friday.

Oil prices retreated following this development. Brent crude futures declined 0.7% to settle at $78.43 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.1% to $75.25 per barrel.

Federal Reserve’s Initial Policy Decision Under New Chair Kevin Warsh The Federal Reserve is scheduled to reveal its most recent interest rate determination at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Financial markets are broadly anticipating that rates will remain unchanged.

However, market participants are particularly focused on Warsh’s debut press conference as Federal Reserve chair. The primary objective is to assess his communication approach and gain clarity on his perspective regarding potential future rate modifications.

“Investors will now have to get used to the new Fed Chair’s communication style, which is an adjustment period for markets,” said James Demmert, chief investment officer at Main Street Research.

Warsh has assumed leadership during a challenging period. Elevated inflation readings, partially linked to the Iranian conflict, coupled with strong employment figures, have eliminated the possibility of near-term rate cuts. Additionally, there remains uncertainty about whether rate increases might become necessary if inflationary pressures persist.

Demmert noted that any market turbulence resulting from Warsh’s remarks on Wednesday should be viewed as an attractive entry point, emphasizing that “market fundamentals remain in place.”

Bitcoin Retreats Ahead of Fed Announcement Bitcoin fell 1.3% during the previous 24-hour period to $64,469, mirroring the cautious sentiment across financial markets in advance of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased by 1 basis point to 4.44%. The U.S. dollar remained essentially unchanged against a collection of major global currencies.

Market participants are also monitoring developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where petroleum transport has experienced interruptions due to the ongoing conflict. The potential peace agreement has generated optimism that maritime shipping could normalize, which would alleviate some constraints on international energy markets.

The United States and Iran are targeting Friday for the formal signing of the 14-point memorandum of agreement, subsequent to the document’s details becoming public on Tuesday evening.

Analyst: Micron's earnings boost overall market sentiment for the tech sector

Chris Strazzeri, Financial Trading Manager of Moomoo’s Australia and New Zealand branch, stated: “The targeted sell-off indicates that following a sustained, strong rally in AI-related and speculative growth stocks, investors are enforcing strict valuation discipline. This serves as a warning to the market that actual earnings levels must now rise to support the currently overvalued price-to-earnings ratio. Micron Technology’s post-market earnings results largely confirm this, and its robust performance has lifted overall market sentiment in the tech sector.”

5 minutes ago

2x Leveraged Long DRAM ETF (RAM) Records $383 Million in Trading Volume on Its First Day of Listing

According to Bitget market data, the Roundhill T-REX 2X Long DRAM Daily Target ETF (Nasdaq ticker: RAM) officially launched trading yesterday. On its first trading day, the fund recorded a total turnover of $383 million, and rose 29.47% in after-hours U.S. stock trading to hit $30.8. Note: RAM’s underlying exposure covers companies engaged in memory-related technologies, including DRAM, NAND and storage solutions, targeting active traders seeking leveraged exposure to the memory chip theme and artificial intelligence infrastructure development.

5 minutes ago

BCA Research raises its S&P 500 target to 8,100 points, with AI remaining a core variable.

BCA Research has become the latest strategy firm to raise its US stock market target, reflecting Wall Street’s growing optimism about earnings support for US equities in the second half of the year. The institution lifted its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,700 points to 8,100 points. BCA’s core view is that first-quarter corporate earnings exceeded expectations in both strength and breadth, and the US economy has re-entered an expansion phase. Similar to JPMorgan Chase, BCA believes this stock rally is not only driven by valuation expansion—earnings themselves are delivering the index’s gains. AI remains the core variable in this assessment. Large tech firms including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Oracle continue to increase capital spending on data centers and AI infrastructure, driving growth in orders for chips, servers, construction, power and related industrial chains. This provides a clearer fundamental basis for upward revisions to 2026 and 2027 earnings. The institution points out that risks exist: the earnings expansion brought by AI investments has already been quickly priced into the market. If subsequent returns on capital spending are questioned, or interest rates remain elevated, further upside for the index will require more earnings confirmation rather than relying solely on investor risk appetite.

5 minutes ago

Tom Lee: Markets have nearly priced in two interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve this year, and the rise in US Treasury yields is weighing on market sentiment.

Tom Lee said the market is still digesting Kevin Warsh’s remarks from his first press conference last week and repricing the macro environment. Over the past week, oil prices have pulled back, with war premiums contracting. Current oil prices are not far from the roughly $65 level seen before the conflict, indicating the market views related war risks as declining. On the other hand, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields continue to rise, now around 4.5%, higher than the pre-conflict level of roughly 4.2%. The main headwind the market has faced recently has shifted from oil prices to yields. Tom Lee noted that the market is not only focused on 10-year U.S. Treasury yields but also starting to price in potential additional interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. According to federal funds futures, the market is currently pricing in nearly two rate hikes this year. Bank of America further projected today that the Fed will raise rates three times this year, in September, October, and December respectively. Jeffrey Gundlach often emphasizes the importance of monitoring 2-year U.S. Treasury yields, as they typically lead the Fed and signal the central bank’s policy direction. Between 2023 and 2025, the relationship between 2-year U.S. Treasury yields and the federal funds rate indicated that the Fed’s policy was overly tight, requiring interest rate cuts. However, this relationship has recently reversed, meaning the Fed would need two rate hikes to catch up with 2-year U.S. Treasury yields. He believes that, at least for now, yields have become a headwind for the market.

5 minutes ago

Japan and South Korea's stock markets closed higher across the board, with Japan's stock market hitting a new closing high.

According to Bitget market data, the Nikkei 225 index closed up 3,191.37 points, or 4.61%, at 72,366.34 points on Thursday, June 25, hitting a new all-time closing high. South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 459.76 points (5.43%) to end at 8,930.78 points; SK Hynix surged 13% while Samsung Electronics gained more than 5%.

5 minutes ago

A newly created wallet withdrew 17,675 ETH from Binance, valued at $28.58 million.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, a newly created wallet withdrew 17,675 ETH from Binance, valued at $28.58 million.

5 minutes ago

Analyst SuperBro notes that a Bitcoin close above the key level would confirm his inverted ascending scallop pattern, potentially leading to higher prices.

Bitcoin’s price has experienced a clear upward trend over the past week, seeing a significant jump from below $104,000 to over $110,000. As of today, Bitcoin is trading at $109,318, showing a 3.5% increase in the last 24 hours and a slight 0.1% rise over the past 7 days. 

Following this surge, an analyst on X suggests Bitcoin might be poised for a broader surge, even reaching new highs based on an inverted ascending scallop.

Technical Patterns and Price Targets The chart analysis shared by crypto analyst SuperBro highlights the formation of an “Inverted Ascending Scallop” pattern on Bitcoin’s weekly price chart. This pattern unfolds in multiple phases, beginning with a rise from $49,500 in August 2024 to a peak of $109,000 on January 20, 2025.

From there, Bitcoin dipped to $74,400 in early April before making a comeback. This upward trend has brought the price back near the January peak, with the final phase projecting further increases.

SuperBro highlights that if Bitcoin records a weekly close above $109,358, it will confirm the inverted ascending scallop pattern, which he has continued to watch since February 2025. Interestingly, the analyst provides two potential price targets for Bitcoin. 

The conservative target, based on a linear estimation, is set at $148,000. This target is derived from calculating 64% of the price difference between points A and B. In contrast, the more aggressive logarithmic target suggests that Bitcoin could reach as high as $244,000.

When asked about the possibility of Bitcoin hitting $130,000 this week, the analyst stated that it is possible, as the market is likely on the cusp of a parabolic move.

Bitcoin’s Strong Buying Pressure Meanwhile, data on Bitcoin holder inflows reveals strong buying pressure in both the short and long term. The 7-day change in inflows has increased by 168.70%, indicating heightened short-term demand. 

Bitcoin Large Holders Inflow | IntoTheBlock More notably, the 30-day change has surged by 522.76%, suggesting that large holders have been accumulating Bitcoin over the past month. However, despite the strong inflow data, the 90-day change in inflows shows a massive decline of 95.04%. 

Bitcoin’s Potential for Long-Term Growth On the macro scale, Bitcoin’s potential for future growth has drawn attention from prominent analysts. Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat, remains confident that Bitcoin could reach an all-time high of $250,000 by the end of 2025.

He attributes this optimistic outlook to Bitcoin’s fixed supply—95% of its maximum supply has already been mined—combined with the growing imbalance between Bitcoin’s demand and available supply. Lee speculates that more institutional and retail investors will enter the market, pushing Bitcoin’s price higher as demand continues to outpace its available supply.

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

XYO surged over 65% to an intraday high of $0.025 on Jan. 29, as the crypto rebounded from a downtrend that had persisted since December.

According to data from crypto.news, XYO Network (XYO) rose by 40% over the past day after it announced XYO Layer One, with its price moving from $0.0157 to $0.0224 at the time of writing. During the same period, the asset’s market cap shot up 42% to $312 million while its trading volume spiked by a massive 1100%, hovering around $86.7 million.

On Jan. 28, XYO launched its own Layer-1 blockchain, XYO Layer One, which is set to serve as the backbone of its ecosystem. The blockchain, featuring multichain support, will reportedly facilitate applications across various sectors, including AI models, blockchain tools, real-world asset management, and DePIN.

Market commentators also observed that the altcoin has recently broken out of a falling wedge pattern, a bullish pattern, which positions the token for more gains ahead.

Further rumors around a potential collaboration with electric car manufacturer Tesla have also gained prominence within the community.

When these rumors first surfaced, XYO responded with a 125% surge in less than 24 hours in early December 2024.

Another factor that could help support XYO’s current rally is the narrative around it being a U.S.-based project. Recent reports claim Eric Trump has floated the idea of a 0% capital gains tax on U.S.-based cryptocurrency projects as a way to boost blockchain innovation. 

While Eric Trump isn’t a policymaker himself, his comments have been interpreted as a reflection of the Trump administration’s broader stance. The mere possibility of such a tax incentive has stirred speculation, particularly around projects like XYO, which could see increased interest from investors looking to capitalize on potential tax advantages.

XYO is currently 327% up over the past year, with a circulating supply of around $13.93 billion tokens.

What is XYO crypto? XYO is the governance and utility token of the decentralized physical infrastructure network project with the same name. It powers the XYO ecosystem by supporting consumer software, developer tools, and digital assets.

The network is designed to promote data sovereignty, rewarding users for contributing and maintaining accurate location-based information, with the XYO token serving as the foundation of this system.

Can You Roll Over a 401(k) Into a Crypto IRA: Rules and Risks

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency asset, could be set for positive movement once again. Recent developments around Coinbase Premium spark the potential for a short-term rally, suggesting a positive outlook for BTC in the upcoming weeks.

Short-Term Rally For Bitcoin On The Horizon The Coinbase Premium, a key indicator that measures BTC’s price differences on the Coinbase platform and other cryptocurrency exchanges, is displaying a possible optimistic movement for Bitcoin’s price in the near term. This implies institutional investors in the United States are heavily purchasing the crypto asset, indicating rising demand and bullish sentiment in the US market, which could cause a short-term upswing for BTC as these investors seeks to capitalize on its growing strength.

Yonsei Dent, a market expert and enthusiast, reported the development in a recent quicktake post on the leading on-chain analytics platform, CryptoQuant. The expert predicts that a brief leg up may be imminent after analyzing the Coinbase Premium Index on the 1-hour time frame and using the 24-hour and weekly moving averages to identify short-term momentum.

Following the thorough investigation, Dent discovered that when the daily moving average decisively broke through the weekly moving average, significant results were also seen in the price movement.

Coinbase Premium hinting at a short-term upsurge for BTC | Source: CryptoQuant on X Considering past movements in Bitcoin, the expert highlighted that there was also a short-term rise in price when BTC attempted to create a golden cross. This is due to the fact that notable price movements have historically occurred immediately after the 1-day moving average forms a golden cross, which takes place when it strongly crosses over the weekly moving average.

In addition, the weekly moving average has been momentarily overtaken by the current daily moving average, with the current price positioned at the $66,400 level, a section where support for the September high might be anticipated, as indicated by the black arrow on the chart.

As a result, Yonsei Dent anticipates the market will develop a clear rising structure as long as the higher highs and lows, where the lows and highs have progressively increased since August, continue.

A Possible Price Correction For BTC While the Coinbase premium may flash an impending short-term rally, Kyle Doops, a technical analyst and host of the Crypto Banter show has pointed out a potential price correction for the flagship digital asset in the coming days. Kyle Doops’s pessimistic forecast is based on an analysis of Bitcoin‘s quarterly performance by contrasting its market capitalization with its realized cap, which revealed crucial patterns for the market.

After examining the metric, the expert warned of possible selling pressure and bearish signals should the market cap growth surpass the realized cap. However, a steady realized cap during downturns may suggest market bottoms. “With trends echoing 2021, a price correction might be on the horizon,” he added.

BTC trading at $67,124 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Unsplash, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email.

Godspower Owie is my name, and I work for the news platforms NewsBTC and Bitcoinist. I sometimes like to think of myself as an explorer since I enjoy exploring new places, learning new things, especially valuable ones, and meeting new people who have an impact on my life, no matter how small. I value my family, friends, career, and time. Really, those are most likely the most significant aspects of every person's existence. Not illusions, but dreams are what I pursue.

Bitcoin (BTC) has been trading within a narrow range for the past few weeks, failing to steady above the $100,000 mark since the beginning of the year. 

According to a crypto analyst, this price stagnation could be attributed to the significant decline in Bitcoin network activity. 

Bitcoin Sees Decline in Network ActivityIn a recent report, pseudonymous CryptoQuant analyst Yonsei_Dent found that the decline in activity on the Bitcoin network is responsible for its price consolidation in recent weeks. 

Dent assessed Bitcoin’s active address count and found that a “death cross” has formed between its 30-day moving average (30DMA) and the 365-day moving average (365DMA), signaling a slowdown in market activity. 

This pattern suggests that short-term investor engagement is waning as the shorter-term trend (30DMA) dips below the longer-term trend (365DMA). This points to a decrease in trading and participation on the network over the near term.

“Historically, similar patterns in Active Addresses have often coincided with bearish market conditions, making this a potentially negative indicator,” he explained.

Bitcoin Network Activity. Source: CryptoQuantAs expected, the decline in active address count on the Bitcoin network has impacted the daily transaction count on the Layer-1 blockchain. Per Dent’s report, “transaction count has been declining since Q4 2024, further reinforcing the likelihood of mid- to long-term market stagnation.”

BTC Price Prediction: Bullish Setup Could Trigger Price Surge Above $102,000 Since December 19, Bitcoin has faced resistance at $102,722 and found support at $91,431. An assessment of its moving average convergence divergence (MACD) hints at a potential break above the resistance in the near term. At press time, the coin’s MACD line (blue) rests above its signal line (orange).

BTC MACD. Source: TradingViewThis indicator measures an asset’s price trends and momentum and identifies its potential buy or sell signals. When it is set up this way, bullish momentum is strengthening. It suggests that buying pressure is increasing and that BTC’s price could surge. 

A succesful break above the $102,722 resistance level would propel BTC’s price toward its all-time high of $108,230. 

BTC Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewA failed attempt to breach this resistance could send it toward support at $91,431. If the bulls fail to defend this level, BTC’s price could drop to $86,531.

Worst Q1 for BTC price since 2018: 5 Things to know in Bitcoin this week

Black Monday 2.0? 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week

Bitcoin is trading just under $119,000, with new on-chain data suggesting the current market cycle may be nearing its top, arriving as soon as late August or early September.

Summary

Bitcoin’s MVRV 365DMA shows a pattern similar to the 2021 double-top, indicating a possible peak by late August. Macro tailwinds and Fed expectations are supporting price momentum. Technical indicators show consolidation, with room for both breakout and pullback scenarios. In a July 28 analysis, CryptoQuant contributor Yonsei Dent pointed to the MVRV Ratio’s 365-day moving average as the key signal to watch. The MVRV Ratio compares Bitcoin’s (BTC) market price to the average cost at which all coins were last moved, helping to show how much profit holders are sitting on.

According to Dent, the indicator is approaching a level that previously marked major cycle tops. “In 2021, the MVRV 365DMA formed a double top. The second peak came about six months after the first and lined up closely with the bull market top,” he wrote.

A similar structure seems to be unfolding now, with the second peak likely to form around September 10, although the price top could arrive sooner, possibly in late August.

Despite being a lagging indicator, MVRV has a good history of identifying regions where the market gets overheated. Dent said this is a time for both optimism and caution, and that traders should focus on managing risk.

U.S.-EU trade deal boosts crypto market sentiment Sentiment improved over the weekend after the U.S. and EU reached a trade deal, pushing Bitcoin back towards $119,000. Tariffs on European goods will drop from 30% to 15%, while Europe has committed to buying $750 billion in U.S. energy and investing in joint infrastructure projects. The news helped lift both stocks and crypto.

Traders are now focused on this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Rates are expected to stay unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, but markets will be listening for any hints of rate cuts later this year. If the Fed leans dovish, risk assets like Bitcoin could benefit.

Bitcoin technical analysis Bitcoin is still consolidating, hovering just below the psychological $120,000 mark. Although the Bollinger Bands indicate that volatility is tightening, price action has remained above the 20-day moving average.

Bitcoin daily chart. Credit: crypto.news With the relative strength index down to roughly 61, momentum appears to be cooling but not necessarily reversing. The current setup permits a short pullback before any additional upward movement, though a breakout is still possible.

Bitcoin may rise toward $125,000 if it surpasses $120,000. However, there could be a decline to the $114,000 range if support at $117,899 fails to hold.

WSJ: Bitcoin Depot Slides as New Regulations Expected to Dent Sales

Efforts to recover and persistent macroeconomic worries are causing the price of Bitcoin to oscillate.

The top token's price is in a sensitive stage within its broader market framework.

Currently, the market is in a stage of transition, having moved away from a period of exuberant expansion but not yet entering a condition of complete surrender. The price of Bitcoin was unable to maintain its position above $70,000 and has begun to experience another downturn.

BTC is currently positioned under the $69,200 support zone and could potentially experience further declines in the short term.

Source: CoinGeckoThe current dynamics of the market show how those driven by short-term, speculative objectives are competing with others who have longer-term, conviction-based views.

The top cryptocurrency, nevertheless, may be about to see further losses, according to onchain data.

According to market researcher Ali Martinez's latest chart on social platform X, the Cumulative Value - Days Destroyed (CVDD) has identified Bitcoin's lowest point since 2012.

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) February 14, 2026 This measure, which is now valued at $45,225 according to the expert, is highly regarded for its ability to identify structural lows over the long term on the blockchain.

Satoshi Nakamoto introduced CVDD in 2009 as a way to value Bitcoin over the long run.

Its goal is to identify major market bottoms by analysing how holders behave over the long term.

The idea of Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) must be understood in order to understand the CVDD measure of Bitcoin. The total amount of Bitcoin that has been collected but is still in a wallet is called CDD.

To determine a price that has historically matched the important Bitcoin cycle bottom, CVDD now tracks the entire historical value of destroyed coin days and uses this information in its valuation model.

As far back as 2012, CVDD has consistently and remarkably pinpointed major Bitcoin price bottoms.

At its core, the model evaluates when older, long-held coins are spent. When the market is doing well, long-term investors will sell. When the market is doing poorly, they will purchase.

In light of market volatility, CVDD has consistently provided a safety net during price declines. During the lows of various market cycles, including those in 2015, 2018, and 2022, Bitcoin's price occasionally fell beneath the CVDD line before initiating significant long-term recovery.

Experts think existing market conditions present a significant opportunity at $45,225 for CVDD.

Understanding this level as a historically important structural support is essential if market conditions deteriorate, though it does not guarantee that the price will fall to this level.

The overall market tends to be in a stronger macro position when BTC consistently trades above CVDD. Conversely, when Bitcoin's price approaches a decline, individuals often experience negative sentiments and are inclined to gather more coins for future gains.

While Bitcoin continues to find its footing in its present range, it could be instructive to watch if the price remains enough above the $45,225 CVDD mark.

Although a change in tactics in this direction might mean more correctional pressure, the fact that the cycle has been consistently strong above this level suggests it is still fundamentally solid.

Bitcoin Dips Below Key Level

Once it surpassed the $70,000 mark, the price of Bitcoin couldn't stay there. After breaking below the $69,200 support level, Bitcoin has begun a fresh decline.

Something changed below the $69,000 level.

According to TradingView, the price has dropped below the $70,935 high, which is the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement mark of the rise from the $65,072 swing low.

Support for the hourly BTC/USD pair is at $69,500, and a negative trend line underneath it. The current price of Bitcoin, at around $68,600, is quite close to the 100-hour simple moving average.

If the price remains stable over $68,000, a fresh upward trend would be possible. Approximately $68,800 is the current level to keep an eye on.

Source: TradingViewRoughly speaking, the $69,500 milestone is the first major obstacle.

Price escalation is possible if the $69,500 resistance level is broken. The price might rise and test the $70,000 level of resistance in this case. The price might reach $70,500 if there are more hikes. Potentially approaching levels of resistance for the bulls are $72,000 and $72,500.

However, Bitcoin can start a new decline if it can't break over the $69,500 barrier mark.

Nearby support is available for about $68,200. Starting from the $65,000 swing low and working its way up to the $70,935 peak, the 50% Fibonacci retracement level and the first major support level are both located around $68,000.

Currently, the $67,350 mark is where the next level of support is located.

If the price continues to fall, it may hit the $67,350 support level. Bitcoin may see difficulties in its near-term recovery if it drops below the current key support level of $66,500.

The Ethereum ecosystem witnessed the largest losses in 2024 amid a massive rise in crypto hacks.

According to a Cyvers report, the Web3 ecosystem suffered staggering financial losses in 2024, with over $6 billion drained through hacks, exploits, and cyberattacks, with Web3 hacks resulting in $2.3 billion loss.

Among the affected blockchains, Ethereum emerged as the hardest hit, accounting for 51% of these losses. Notably, as the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi), Ethereum’s widespread adoption and liquidity made it a primary target for cybercriminals.  

Alarming Growth in Web3 Security Breaches   The numbers highlight a troubling trend. Losses soared by 40% compared to 2023, showing how hackers are evolving faster than ever. The year saw $2.3 billion siphoned from blockchain projects, exchanges, and DeFi platforms, with Ethereum users bearing the brunt.  

According to Cyvers, the quarterly breakdown showed consistent financial damage, with Q1 losses reaching $517 million, Q2 rising to $587 million and Q3 peaking at $669 million. Interestingly, in Q4 2024, losses slowed to $130 million.  

Although 2024’s total remained below the $3.78 billion record set in 2022, the upward trajectory signals worsening vulnerabilities in the Web3 space.  

Why Ethereum Was a Prime Target   Ethereum’s dominance in the DeFi ecosystem made it particularly vulnerable. Its extensive user base and massive liquidity pools presented hackers abundant opportunities. From smart contract flaws to access control weaknesses, attackers leveraged every vulnerability.  

While Ethereum suffered the most significant financial damage, other blockchains also endured heavy hits. The BNB Chain accounted for 24% of losses, while Bitcoin, XRP, and Arbitrum each faced smaller but substantial breaches.

Access Control Failures   Security lapses involving access controls were the primary culprit behind the year’s crypto losses, contributing to 81% of the stolen funds. Weak authentication and poor permission management left users and projects exposed.  

The remaining 19% stemmed from smart contract exploits. Hackers exploited coding errors to manipulate systems, drain funds, and compromise platforms. Together, these vulnerabilities showed the pressing need for better security practices across the industry.  

Major 2024 Hacks The Cyvers report also called attention to some of the most high-profile incidents of 2024. For instance, DMM Bitcoin lost $305 million, while PlayDapp saw $290 million vanish. Other notable breaches included WazirX, which lost $235 million, and Radiant Capital, which suffered a $55 million theft.  

While some funds were recovered, success rates declined sharply as the year progressed. Early 2024 saw promising recoveries, with $620 million reclaimed in Q1 and $562 million in Q2. However, this momentum faded by Q4, with only $25 million recovered during the final months.  

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

Power Ledger (POWR) is a project that has seen quite a bit of interest lately. This has resulted in increased demand and trading for its POWR token.

The project was one of the first to introduce blockchain based P2P power trading. They want to not only decentralise the process but also democratize it and give users a platform to sell their excess electricity. It also aims to optimise trading and eliminate waste that comes from centralised grids and providers.

Ambitious goals, but can it realistically achieve it?

In this Power Ledger Review I will attempt to answer that. I will also take a look at the long term use cases and adoption potential of the POWR token.

What is Power Ledger?Power Ledger was the very first ICO conducted in Australia, and as a blockchain company it is somewhat unique in being non-financial in the field of financial blockchain projects.

Power Ledger has a goal of decentralizing the renewable energy markets and placing it into the hands of the users, and out of the control of centralized energy companies.

Key Areas of Focus for Power Ledger. Image via Website

Power Ledger wants to make it possible for the end user to buy renewable energy, as well as selling their own unused renewable energy, by using the Ethereum blockchain to record energy consumption, usage, and creation.

When you consider the shift to renewable energies such as solar by industry, business, and residential users it seems common sense to have a system in place that allows these new renewable energy systems to sell their excess power back into the grid rather than simply letting it go to waste.

It’s an ambitious idea, but when you consider the vast usage of energy across the globe, could Power Ledger represent a new gold rush? Could this be a project that will become as valuable as the original coal, oil, gas, and nuclear power industries have become?

Let’s take a deeper look into Power Ledger and see the potential it has for the future.

Overview of Power LedgerPower Ledger token holders are empowered to sell their surplus renewable energy through Power Ledger’s blockchain based platform. It’s possible to transmit this privately generated energy through the existing electricity distribution networks, or through micro-grids created on the Power Ledger platform.

The platform is empowering for consumers because it allows them to manage their own energy production, usage, and distribution. This is something novel in today’s world, allowing consumers to also become producers and distributors of energy products.

Overview of Decentralised Electricity Market

Power Ledger facilitates the sale and trading of energy, and consumers can receive payments for their excess renewable energy production in real-time through the decentralized, trustless, automated, and totally secure Power Ledger platform.

Buyers are able to choose only clean, green energy sources, and both buyers and sellers leverage blockchain technology. This means settlement costs are significantly lower than in the traditional energy markets, and translates to significantly higher returns for consumers who choose to invest in renewable energy.

There are a number of applications already running on Power Ledger, with more planned for the future. Current applications allow for micro-transactions, data acquisition, grid management, power metering, and more.

Key Applications on Power LedgerThe Power Ledger platform has been designed to handle most aspects of renewable energy transfer, including such things as carbon trading and market price management. Below are the current six applications that have been developed and released for PowerLedger.

xGridThe xGrid application allows individuals to sell the energy they generate from their own solar panels to other households on the electricity grid.

In the 21st century consumers are increasingly aware of, and concerned with, their impact on the environment. Many are now aware of their carbon footprint and are seeking ways to reduce it, but not everyone has the money or the space to install solar panels.

xGrid Solving the Current Market Challenges

Power Ledger believes everyone should have access to low cost renewable energy sources, and the peer-to-peer trading capabilities of the xGrid application makes that possible. As an added benefit is also ensures that the investment value of installed solar panels remains in the community where that investment is made.

With xGrid it’s possible for users to sell their excess electricity to their neighbors. This also allows electric companies to add new consumers and prosumers to their roles. If the prosumer also has batteries to store energy they can help the energy retailer manage price risk through the Power Ledger VPP 2.0 product we will discuss later.

µGridWhere xGrid works for residential users, µGrid is meant for larger applications, such as shopping centers or apartment buildings. It allows these spaces to monetize their roof space, or allows the tenants to take control of their energy supply.

One barrier to installing solar in larger complexes such as apartment buildings has been convincing all the tenants to share the cost of installing solar panels. It’s just been too difficult to find a way to make sure everyone is being equally compensated in such a situation.

How µGrid addressees challenges

Now Power Ledger has made it possible to install solar in commercial spaces and monetize the often large rooftop spaces. Tenants and residents can use their share of the energy produced, or they can sell it, often to those who are closest to them. This keeps all the investment and proceeds from the renewable energy right within the same community.

This even benefits the building developers and managers because they can offer tenants more attractive energy rates compared with the traditional energy companies. And the detailed usage statistics allows building managers to track usage at a granular level, allowing for better energy efficiency in common areas and across the entire community.

VPP 2.0The VPP 2.0 application allows those renewable energy producers with batteries to sell the stored electricity during peak demand periods to achieve the best returns of their investment. It also helps to solve the demand shortages and price spikes that are so common within the electricity delivery industry.

VPP 2.0 And its Solutions

In the current system energy companies can offer incentives ahead of time when they anticipate demand will spike, but there’s been no way to account for the energy contribution that customers might be likely to make.

With the Power Ledger VPP 2.0 application it’s now possible for energy companies to track the contributions being made by customers in near real-time. This provides energy companies with readily available capacity and energy when they need it, and provides returns to customers more quickly.

PPA VisionPPA Vision is Power Ledger’s energy data management and settlement system for energy asset owners and operators, It provides greater visibility for energy that’s sold on the spot market or to offtakers.

With PPA Vision members in a Power Purchase Agreement can receive billing and settlement functionality for energy generated and sold to offtakers or on the wholesale energy market, as well as measurement tools.

The PPA Vision application was designed specifically for co-located renewable energy assets and PPA supply arrangements.

Data collected from onsite metering is then presented in an accessible dashboard with the following features:

Matching of coincidental generation and consumption.Showing energy transactions between buyers and sellers.Simple and in-depth analysis of the usage and transaction data by both parties.Settlements for the energy supplied from the generator to the offtaker.Reports to individual consumers of their energy transactions.Remittance of any energy sold to the wholesale market.In traditional metering and billing systems inaccuracies often exist, especially when multiple power providers are in the mix. This leads to delayed payments to power producers, and possibly even a loss of revenue.

C6The C6 application is used in the verification, reporting and measuring of carbon credits and renewable energy credits. It is blockchain based, and integrates with outside data management systems and smart meters to provide crucial information regarding carbon and renewable energy credits.

C6 can generate reports for small electric vehicle infrastructure trying to track carbon credits, or it can let a massive petrochemical plant know how many carbon credits they need to purchase.

C6 Features and Use Cases

C6 also makes it a simple task for owners of wind and solar farms to track their carbon credits, as well as monitoring and obtaining carbon and renewable energy credits. The carbon credit reporting procedures are complex, but C6 automates much of the work, reducing the time and effort spent in producing paperwork and reconciling data.

C6 has also been seamlessly integrated with C6+ to create an end-to-end system for the carbon and renewable energy credit ecosystem.

C6+C6+ also resides on the blockchain and it creates a digital exchange and marketplace for renewable energy credits and carbon credits. It does this by tokenizing credits which allows for the transfer and sale of carbon credits and renewable energy credits in a decentralized marketplace.

In the U.S. alone a majority of stats require electric companies to supply a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Many electricity companies simply purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to meet these requirements. As countries around the world begin to implement programs to meet their Paris Accord targets the demand for RECs will increase dramatically.

So far most of these REC programs are paper-based and broker-driven, but Power Ledger hopes to change that by allowing RECs to be traded on an intuitive digital exchange.

Major Product Features of C6 Plus

Most have been excluded from the carbon credit and renewable energy markets due to a lack of transparency and extreme complexity. This has led to the concentration of power in the hands of a few large players and brokers. C6+ will give energy players a new paradigm that is composed of transparency, efficiency, and relative simplicity.

Buyers will be able to log into the platform and easily begin buying, and sellers will be able to log in and easily begin selling. The platform itself will handle all the details and complexity behind the scenes.

Even more importantly for those involved in the energy markets will be a drop in costs. Sellers of renewable energy and carbon credits will face lower transaction costs and faster sales, while buyers will get better pricing in a fair and open marketplace.

What are POWR Tokens?Access and permissions on the Power Ledger platform are controlled by POWR tokens. They can be used for trading on the platform, but they also have real world uses.

Those hosting applications on the Power Ledger platform are required to purchase and hold a minimum number of POWR tokens to allow their users to interact in the marketplace.

All transactions are conducted in a deregulated and decentralized marketplace, without the need for third-party intermediaries. This is one of the top reasons for using blockchain technology and tokens in a marketplace system.

ERC20 POWR Tokens on Etherscan

The market’s customers can also convert their POWR tokens to Sparkz tokens from within the platform. No intermediary is needed for this, which keeps the applications working without any outside interference.

POWR tokens are similar to a software license in that they grant access to the platform and its features. They are also valid anywhere in the world, which will encourage wider participation in the Power Ledger ecosystem.

Sparkz and Smart BondsAll that is required to have access to the smart bond functionality is possession of POWR tokens. In addition to the initial tokens acquired to host an application, the application hosts also receive additional tokens from a growth pool as an incentive to spread the usage of their application, and to create new applications. All the POWR tokens can be held as surety for Sparkz.

The POWR tokens are kept in an Ethereum smart bond contract that was designed specifically for Sparkz. These Sparkz are the internal currency used for the Power Ledger platform and are the medium of exchange for buying and selling energy on Power Ledger.

Once they are done using Sparkz they can unlock their POWR by returning the Sparkz to the smart bond contract.

The Power Ledger team has been referred to as remarkable. It was co-founded by Dr. Jemma Green, Dr. Govert Van Ek, John Bulich, and David Martin. These four co-founders have extensive experience in renewable and sustainable energy, blockchain technology, and risk management.

Dr. Green remains the Chairman of Power Ledger, guiding it in accordance with the vision initially set when the company was launched in 2016. She spent a decade with JPMorgan Chase, following which she completed her Ph.D in Electricity Market Disruption.

The Power Ledger Team. Image via Power Ledger

John Bulich is the technical director of the project and provides strategic direction for the project. He was a co-founder of Power Ledger and a pioneer in Australia’s blockchain scene.

The founders of Power Ledger created the company with a hope that they could facilitate increased green energy production and usage through blockchain technology.

It's also worth mentioning Bill Tai recently joined their advisory board. A venture capitalist since 1991, Bill Tai has served on the advisory boards of 7 publicly listed companies where he joined in the initial stages and helped guide the companies to where they are today.

Power Ledger PartnershipsPower Ledger is engaged in partnerships with international energy companies and government around the world, including a number in Australia and Japan. They have also begun trials in the U.S., in Thailand, Italy, India and Malaysia.

Power Ledger Project Distribution and Footprint

In Australia they are working with Australian National Energy Market retailer Powerclub, and have inked a deal with EPC Solar Canberra. They are also involved in a peer-to-peer solar energy trading project in the Kanto region of Japan, and have recently entered a trial to bring a blockchain based REC marketplace to the Midwestern U.S.

Other recent developments include an agreement with Thailand’s largest renewable energy developer BCPG to bring the Power Ledger technology to Thailand. They are also trialing a peer-to-peer solar energy trading marketplace in Malaysia.

POWR PerformancePower Ledger held their ICO in September/October 2017, raising $13.2 million and selling 350 million POWR tokens for $0.0838 each. The token began trading on November 1, 2017 at a price of $0.052671, which must have been disappointing for early investors.

They didn’t remain disappointed however since the ICO occurred just before the parabolic rise of the cryptocurrency markets in December 2017. POWR rose along with the broader market, hitting an all-time high of $2.01 on January 4, 2018.

POWR Price Performance. Image via CoinMarketCap

It also followed the broader market lower in the cryptowinter of 2018, and nearly two years later on December 18, 2019 it hit its all-time low of $0.034268.

2020 has been kinder to the POWR token as it began the year with a gradual move higher from its start at $0.035, and then in February it exploded to a high of $0.128305 in mid-February. It has since pulled off those highs and as of late February 2020 trades at $0.086, which is roughly where it began at its ICO.

Trading & Storing POWRWhen it comes to the markets for POWR, it has pretty broad exchange support. Your best bet for trading the token is perhaps Binance that has pretty strong Bitcoin order books. However, there are also pretty well established markets on BitHumb and Upbit.

Register at Binance and Buy POWR Tokens

In terms of volume and liquidity, it is well spread out across these exchanges. This bodes well for the price discovery of the token as it means that traders are able to quickly and effectively arbitrage out any sort of mispricings. It also means that they can trade with large block orders without too much slippage.

For storage, given that POWR is an ERC20 token you should not have too much difficulty. You can use any wallet that will support Ethereum such as MyEtherWallet, Metamask etc. Although, your best bet is probably to get your hands on a hardware device like a ledger or a Trezor.

Power Ledger vs Grid+ vs WePowerGrid+ is similar to Power Ledger, although there are some key difference. On the similarity side both are blockchain based, and both allow consumers to buy renewable energy directly. Both utilize a token based system.

Power Ledger Compared to Others

On the differences, Power Ledger is P2P focused, while Grid+ offers wholesale sales and pockets the profits. Grid+ has its own hardware for figuring out energy pricing, while Power Ledger uses local metering. Grid+ is relatively new, and Power Ledger has been around since 2016.

WePower and Power Ledger are pretty similar in that they both allow for selling solar energy, they’re both blockchain based, and they both use tokens. Power Ledger uses a straight-forward P2P selling setup, while WePower uses an auction based system. Power Ledger and WePower have both developed global partnerships.

ConclusionPower Ledger has an admirable vision in looking to improve the energy sector by making renewable energy cheaper and more easily accessible. The system they’ve developed could eventually see even those in large developments obtaining electricity from local providers working on micro-grids and PAAs.

Since its beginnings in 2016 Power Ledger has been continually developing new services, and improving their existing services, which is exactly what we like to see from blockchain projects.

As the platform gains in adoption it becomes more likely that it will disrupt the entire energy production and distribution system. That could drive down prices for consumers dramatically given the current state of electricity generation and distribution. The growing adoption also makes people begin to change the way they view the means for purchasing and consuming energy.

If Power Ledger has its way renewable energy sources will become far more feasible and widespread in usage, which is something that can only be good for the world.

Disclaimer: These are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should do their own research.

Welcome to BeInCrypto’s first daily news roundup. We plan on making these a regular feature on the site to help you quickly catch up with the latest happenings in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

The top stories from March 4 (Wed) include:

#1 Bitcoin’s Growth Likely to be Spurred by 2020 Economic Stimulus EffortsThe cryptocurrency market already started the week on a positive note against the backdrop of a stock market rebound and various stimulus measures adopted by central banks to stop the economy from collapsing. With the Bitcoin narrative consistently growing, odds are high the asset class could emerge a big winner once the panic over the coronavirus outbreak subsides.

Read the Full Article

#2 Buy Bitcoin and Be Prepared to Lose Your Shirt, Says Incoming Bank of England GovernorAndrew Bailey is back with his anti-crypto rhetorics. In a recent Treasury Select Committee hearing, the incoming Bank of England Governor stated that investors who plan on buying Bitcoin may well be prepared to lose all their money.

Read the Full Article

#3 BitMEX Users in the UK are Worried Over a Possible FCA CrackdownThe United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that BitMEX may be operating there without a valid license. The exchange was, however, not the only digital assets trading venue to have found itself in the crosshairs of the regulatory body.

Read the Full Article

#4 Kraken Receives a Warning From Top UK RegulatorSaying that Kraken was unauthorized to operate in the country, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom, likened the exchange to “scammers” in a new announcement. The announcement, however, fails to specify why Kraken users could be ‘at risk.’ Nonetheless, Kraken users in the UK are now fearing for a looming FCA crackdown.

Read the Full Article

#5 A Massive Win for Crypto in IndiaFollowing months of uncertainty, Indian cryptocurrency investors can finally breathe a huge sigh of relief as the country’s top court has struck down the Reserve Bank of India’s banking ban for cryptocurrency entities. Following the judgment, several homegrown crypto exchanges in the country are reportedly preparing to offer direct bank transfers.

Read the Full Article

#6 Binance is Down and People Are Freaking OutBinance users suffered yet another massive setback on Wednesday after most of the exchange’s services (including spot trading) went down abruptly. There were widespread reports of users failing to cancel their trades. At least on one occasion, a user alleged that they saw unauthorized transactions taking place on their Binance account.

Read the Full Story

#7 Did a Delayed Tether Chain Swap Cause the Binance Outage?Tether notified the community that there would be a delay in its planned chain swap with a third party. The delay coincided with the massive Binance outage that has left many users disgruntled and worried about the safety of their funds. Some analysts are suggesting that the two events could be related.

Read the Full Article

#8 CME Bitcoin Futures Volume Collapse Raises Uncomfortable QuestionsWith the coronavirus-induced global market panic going on a full swing, there has been a significant decline in CME’s Bitcoin futures volume. It’s a borderline collapse for the platform, the more skeptical among us might argue. But exactly what triggered this downward spiral? Did we prematurely put too much faith in institutional interest in the asset class? Has Bitcoin failed to prove its worth as a reliable hedge? Some uncomfortable questions are being raised.

Read the Full Article

#9 A New Digital Economy of CBDCs and Stablecoins Looming on the Horizon and Banks Seem to Have Accepted itNot only are several major economies around the world preparing to launch their own Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), but most major banks are also mulling over implementing distributed ledger technology (DLT) solutions. The implicants of these changing dynamics could be enormous for the cryptocurrency space.

Read the Full Article

#10 Four Altcoins That Have Considerable Upside PotentialOur technical analyst Valdrin has dug up four relatively unknown, but promising altcoins that you might be interested in. These are Chiliz (CHZ), Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR), THETA (THETA), and Power Ledger (POWR).

Read the Full Article

#11 Technical Analysis for the Day [BTC, LINK, EOS, MATIC]MATIC broke out above key resistance area, Link reached an all-time high, and Bitcoin continues to hover around the high-$8,000s with an eye on the next major resistance area at $9,150.

Read Full Analysis: BTC, MATIC, EOS, LINK

Buy and sell Bitcoin the easy way

Start your crypto portfolio today!

Australian energy exchange platform Power Ledger has partnered with green energy retailer ekWateur to revolutionise France’s electricity market, according to a press release.

The partnership will enable French citizens customise their source of electricity for the first time using Power Ledger’s blockchain-based system.

More than 220,000 electricity meters across France will gain access to Power Ledger’s new blockchain-enabled product Vision, which certifies the origin and source of renewable energy.

We get a lot of questions about how our POWR tokens work within our Power Ledger ecosystem. So we developed a short "POWR Explained" summary.

If you still have questions, please DM us and we will compile all the answers in the coming days for everyone. https://t.co/6e6M7tL1qn

— Powerledger (@PowerLedger_io) March 31, 2020

Households will be able to choose their own energy mix and track it in thirty minute intervals, as well as choose a certified source and origin of the renewable energy purchased.

“Power Ledger has proven the technology works and now we’re ready for a full scale country rollout in what will be our largest project to date. This also marks a world-first in energy trading, with customers able to select their energy mix, knowing it’s certified via an immutable blockchain platform,” said Power Ledger executive chairman Dr Jemma Green.

The platform’s token (POWR) has responded as expected to the announcement with a 7.88% move to the upside against its USD trading pair while rallying by 10% against Bitcoin.

The project now has a market cap of $25 million, up significantly from the turn of the year when it was just $15 million.

For more blockchain news and guides, click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.

Crypto Investor Positions for Possible Altcoin Season with These 6 Tokens