Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

XRP price has lost more than 50% of its value over the past year, and is now trading close to the $1 mark. While the drop has shocked investor confidence and sparked fears that the token could fall even further.

Meanwhile, some well-known crypto analysts believe XRP is approaching one of the most important price zones of this cycle before the start of an upward breakout.

XRP Lost a Support, Now All Eyes Are on the $0.87 ZoneAccording to the XRP chart analyst ChartNerd, the recent drop in XRP price began after it failed to hold the $1.19 support level. That breakdown also pushed the token below its important 0.786 Fibonacci retracement, opening the door for another move lower.

He believes the next major support sits between $0.84 and $0.87, where XRP’s long-term Gaussian Channel and the 0.854 Fibonacci level meet. According to the analyst, this area has historically marked the end of bear markets and the beginning of new upward trends.

The analyst also pointed out that every major XRP bull market, including the rallies in 2017, 2021, and the 2024 breakout, started only after XRP returned to its long-term Gaussian Channel. 

That same middle regression band now sits around $0.84, making it one of the most closely watched levels on the chart.

Historical XRP Bear Markets Suggest the Worst May Be NearFurther into the analysis, ChartNerd suggests the current XRP correction may be less severe than previous bear market cycles. 

Historically, XRP has experienced declines of 85% to 96%, with bear markets lasting between 400 and 790 days. In comparison, the current downturn has seen a roughly 69% decline over about 11 months, making it relatively shallow.

The analyst believes that if XRP finds support in the current zone, attention will shift back toward $1.30 and $1.65. While a drop below the $1 mark may trigger panic among investors.

CryptoQuant Says This Isn’t a Panic-Driven CollapseWhile prices continue to weaken, on-chain data suggests traders are not rushing for the exits. According to CryptoQuant, XRP’s Binance Perpetual-Spot Volume Imbalance remains close to normal levels. 

The indicator currently shows a Volume Imbalance of around 0.51, while its 30-day Z-Score sits near 0.17.

Meanwhile, derivatives trading in XRP has cooled after the strong rally in April and May, while trading activity has now returned to normal levels. 

This means that the recent price drop is mainly due to weaker market sentiment rather than heavy liquidations or excessive leverage.

XRP’s Last Dump Before Bull Run BeginsOn the other hand, another popular crypto analyst, Dark Defender, says XRP may be completing its final Wave 5 near the $1.05 area. At the same time, the weekly RSI is showing a rare double-dip bullish divergence, a pattern last seen during the 2022 bear market bottom.

Well, ChartNerd also noted that XRP has now spent more than 3,400 days building a long-term base, almost twice as long as the accumulation period before its historic 2017 breakout. 

Unlike previous cycles, today’s market also includes institutional partnerships, broader regulatory clarity, growing ETF expectations, and ongoing discussions around the U.S. CLARITY Act.

For now, analysts agree that XRP could still test the $0.84-$0.87 region before finding a durable bottom. 

But if history repeats, that same zone could become the foundation for XRP’s next bull run.

Story Ends Here

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PANews reported on June 25 that the Ethereum Layer 2 project Taiko released an update on the security incident, stating that this incident will not result in any loss of user funds. Currently, the bridged assets are undercollateralized. Additional collateral will be fully replenished before the bridge reopens, ensuring that every user's balance is 1:1 backed, exactly as it was before the incident. Cautious measures have been taken since the security incident occurred, including containing the impact, determining the cause of the incident, and working with the board to develop a plan to protect user assets.

Additionally, the Taiko CEO has submitted a formal report to the relevant authorities in Singapore, and the team will fully cooperate in tracing the responsible parties. Users currently do not need to take any action. At this stage, the completed fix is being tested, and the chain and bridge services will be reopened as soon as security is ensured. Users are also reminded to beware of scams. The Taiko team will not proactively send direct messages to users, and there is no claim or refund website. Any link offering such services is a scam.

As selling pressure continues in the cryptocurrency market, market analysis company 10X Research has published a noteworthy assessment for Ethereum (ETH). The company stated that the ETH price is trading at the critical $1,600 support level, and a break below this level could see the next significant support point at $1,200.

A post on the X platform emphasized that the $1,200 level stands out as a significant support zone, particularly in the recovery process that began after the FTX exchange crash. Analysts noted that the current technical outlook gives weak signals for Ethereum.

According to 10X Research, the ETH/USDT pair is trading below both its 7-day and 30-day moving averages. Furthermore, Ethereum has lost 7.4% of its value in the past week, continuing its downward trend. Technical indicators suggest that the market has yet to build strong upward momentum.

The report also listed key factors undermining investor confidence. These included the approximately 20% reduction in the workforce as part of the restructuring of the Ethereum ecosystem, financial concerns arising from the end of the incentive program for core developers, and ongoing capital outflows from spot Ethereum ETFs. Weaker-than-expected institutional investor demand was also cited as a factor putting pressure on the market.

The company stated that there is no strong catalyst to support the Ethereum price in the short term. Therefore, it is assessed that the direction of ETH will largely depend on macroeconomic developments. In particular, it was noted that the tight monetary policy stance of the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the strong US dollar, and volatility in global stock markets will continue to affect Ethereum.

Analysts predict that maintaining the $1,600 level is critical for investors, and that a loss of this support could accelerate selling pressure and pull the price back towards the $1,200 region.

*This is not investment advice.

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

Key Takeaways Historical support at the ETH Realized Price Lower Band near $1,150 suggests a potential 30% decline from current levels Spot Ethereum ETFs in the US saw $82.3 million exit on Tuesday, marking the seventh consecutive week of negative flows Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) pulled $42.62 million in ETH from Binance on June 23 Bitmine, backed by Tom Lee, acquired 35,138 ETH valued at $58.65 million, following a $92 million purchase the week before Crypto analyst Ted Pillows warns that sellers are preventing rallies beyond $1,700, with new lows likely unless this resistance is broken Ethereum is hovering near $1,615 on Wednesday, registering a decline of over 3% as bearish momentum persists across various indicators.

Ethereum (ETH) Price An important onchain metric known as the ETH Realized Price Lower Band is currently positioned around $1,150. During previous bear cycles in 2018 and 2022, Ethereum found its floor near this threshold. Should history repeat itself, this indicates a possible additional 30% drawdown from present price levels.

Cryptocurrency analyst Ted Pillows highlighted this vulnerability on social platforms, noting that selling pressure emerges above $1,700 and suppresses upward movement. According to Pillows: “Until Ethereum breaks and reclaims the $1,700 level with strong spot demand, the chances of new lows will go up.” This assessment corresponds with current technical formations.

$ETH is looking weak here.

Sellers are active above the $1,700 level and are capping any rally.

Until Ethereum breaks and reclaims the $1,700 level with strong spot demand, the chances of new lows will go up. pic.twitter.com/vanZz7qFrq

— Ted (@TedPillows) June 24, 2026

Examining the price action, ETH is positioned beneath its 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day moving averages, which range from $1,740 to $2,050. The Relative Strength Index stands at approximately 34, indicating deeply oversold conditions.

Should the selloff persist, immediate support exists at $1,611, followed by $1,524, with more substantial backing at $1,404. Dropping below this zone would create a path toward $1,156.

ETH exchange net flows have demonstrated a gradual increase during the past fortnight, indicating more tokens are being transferred to trading platforms — typically interpreted as preparation for selling activity.

Major Institutional Accumulation Continues Notwithstanding the bearish pressure, significant accumulation is occurring. On June 23, a wallet associated with venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) transferred 25,560 ETH — approximately $42.62 million — out of Binance.

Bitmine, affiliated with Tom Lee, purchased an additional 35,138 ETH valued at $58.65 million on that same date. During the prior week, the company allocated $92 million toward acquiring 52,203 ETH.

🚨LATEST: TOM LEE'S BITMINE JUST BOUGHT ANOTHER $60 MILLION OF ETH

The firm acquired 35,138 ETH over the past 6 hours, lifting its holdings to 5.65M ETH. pic.twitter.com/vbIjNi2Rl0

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) June 24, 2026

Sharplink, ranked as the second-largest Ethereum treasury entity, staked another 509 ETH this week, elevating its cumulative staked position to 22,102 ETH.

Distribution Data Reveals Long-Term Holder Confidence Data from Santiment reveals that the largest whale addresses — those controlling between 10 million and 100 million ETH — have expanded their holdings to approximately 135.2 million ETH. Medium-tier holders have similarly been accumulating since the end of May.

Source: Santiment Addresses holding 10,000–100,000 ETH and 100,000–1 million ETH have decreased their positions, pointing to redistribution dynamics rather than wholesale liquidation.

US-based spot Ethereum ETFs experienced outflows of $82.3 million on Tuesday alone. Throughout June, these products have witnessed $346.39 million in withdrawals, following $540.88 million in outflows during May.

AltcoinsBitcoin

25 June 2026 | 10:45 Bitcoin and Ethereum are clawing back ground after a brutal session. BTC has bounced to $61,742 from a low of $59,010, and ETH sits at $1,652 after touching $1,550. The recovery is real, but it's happening against a backdrop of $1 billion in liquidations over 24 hours, one of the three largest liquidation events of the past 90 days.

Key Takeaways Bitcoin and Ethereum are bouncing from yesterday’s lows of $59,010 and $1,550. Total crypto liquidations hit $1 billion over 24 hours across 177,031 traders. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a $469M outflow on June 24, accelerating the break. Thin recovery volume suggests short covering more than fresh buying. On the 2-hour charts, the recovery is clear but worth reading carefully. Bitcoin climbed $2,697, about 4.57%, off its low over roughly 14 hours.

The character of the move matters more than the size, though. Bitcoin’s recovery candles came on thin volume, which points to short covering rather than aggressive new buying. Its 2-hour RSI has climbed back to 48.41 from deeply oversold levels, but with the signal line at 37.36 still below, momentum is turning without yet confirming a reversal.

Until the time of writing Ethereum recovered $102, or 6.59%, across the same window. ETH’s percentage bounce is actually the larger of the two, notable given how much it had been underperforming lately. Volume was more substantial, and its RSI at 50.29 has crossed above its signal line at 38.05, the first bullish crossover on the 2-hour in days. So ETH shows slightly more conviction, but neither chart has confirmed a durable turn.

What Set Yesterday’s Lows: A Liquidation Cascade It looks like the $59K and $1,550 prints were not only organic selling but also forced. Total crypto liquidations hit exactly $1 billion over 24 hours across 177,031 traders, with the single largest a $12.21 million BTCUSDT position on Binance. The composition tells the story.

24-Hour Liquidations Longs Shorts Bitcoin $319.23M $95.50M Ethereum $170.39M $59.64M Total market $780.96M $219.08M The imbalance is the whole point. Across the market, $780.96 million in long positions were wiped versus $219.08 million in shorts, this was overwhelmingly a long squeeze, leveraged bulls getting forced out as price fell. Then the picture flipped on the way back up. In the most recent 12-hour window, $75.48 million in Bitcoin shorts were liquidated against just $3.14 million in longs, and ETH showed the same reversal with $38.09 million in shorts gone versus $3.55 million in longs. In other words, the traders who piled in short near the lows are now the ones getting squeezed, which is the mechanical engine behind today’s bounce.

The ETF Outflows That Amplified It Forced selling wasn’t the only pressure. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $469.08 million in net outflows on June 24 according to SoSoValue data, the largest single-day figure in recent weeks. What makes that number more telling is the context: it isn’t a one-off bad day but the sharp acceleration of a multi-day outflow streak, jumping from the prior trend of roughly $60 to $90 million daily into a near-$470 million exit.

The Unified Read Put it together and yesterday reads as a classic long-liquidation cascade, amplified by record ETF selling. The $59K and $1,550 lows were set on forced and institutional selling rather than slow distribution, and today’s recovery is largely short covering against those oversold levels, Bitcoin’s RSI climbing back toward 50, Ethereum’s already crossing its signal line.

The important question is whether it holds, and the bounce’s thin Bitcoin volume is the reason for caution, short-covering rallies can fade once the trapped shorts are flushed. The clearest level to watch is $61K on Bitcoin. If it holds that on a retest, the recovery has a foundation to build on; if it fails to hold $61K and slips back, the market could likely read this bounce as a dead-cat rally and the risk of a return to the $59K low might rise. Ethereum’s equivalent line sits around $1,650. Beyond the chart, the other half of the test is ETF flows, whether the multi-day outflow streak stabilizes or keeps extending. Until those resolve, this is a mechanical recovery from oversold conditions, which is a different thing from a confirmed bottom.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Author

Alexander Zdravkov is a market analyst and crypto journalist with interests in economics, broader financial markets and digital assets. His journey into crypto began more than four years ago, driven by a fascination with the rapid evolution of blockchain technology and the transformative potential of decentralized finance. He began analyzing market cycles and identifying emerging trends before they reach the mainstream. He holds a degree in International Relations - a background that helped shape his broader perspective on global economics, geopolitics, and the interconnected nature of modern financial markets. Whether covering the latest developments in the crypto sector or exploring broader macroeconomic themes, Alexander focuses on giving readers context rather than simply repeating headlines. During his career, he has authored more than 5,000 articles covering cryptocurrencies, traditional finance, and global market developments. His work spans everything from Bitcoin and altcoins to macroeconomic trends influencing risk assets worldwide.

Out of every four wallets actively using Ethereum a year ago, roughly one is still showing up. That might not sound like a ringing endorsement, but in crypto, where user loyalty has the half-life of a meme coin, it’s actually the best retention rate in the industry.

A new CoinGecko analysis covering 11 major blockchains found that Ethereum posted a 26.2% user retention rate for wallets active in Q1 2025 that remained active in Q1 2026. No other chain came close on a percentage basis. But here’s the thing: percentage-based retention and absolute user numbers are two very different animals, and the gap between them tells a story worth unpacking.

The retention numbers, in context CoinGecko’s methodology tracked wallets that completed at least five successful transactions during Q1 2025, then checked whether those same wallets were still transacting in Q1 2026. Ethereum’s 26.2% rate translated to 682,240 retained users out of approximately 2.6 million qualifying wallets.

BNB Chain retained 1,494,233 wallets over the same period. Solana held onto 1,394,873. Both figures dwarf Ethereum’s 682,240 in absolute terms, meaning those networks kept more actual humans (or bots, but we’ll get to that) transacting on-chain.

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Ronin, the blockchain best known for powering Axie Infinity and other on-chain games, grabbed third place with a 19.1% retention rate. CoinGecko attributed that performance to “daily gaming loops,” which is a polite way of saying: when your blockchain’s primary use case involves habitual play-to-earn mechanics, people tend to come back.

What the study did and didn’t measure The study explicitly did not filter out bot transactions. In an ecosystem where automated trading, MEV bots, and wash trading are common, that’s a meaningful gap. Some portion of those “retained users” across every chain are likely automated wallets running scripts rather than humans making deliberate choices.

CoinGecko also excluded several notable chains from the analysis. Tron and TON were left out due to data quality limitations or architectural constraints that made apples-to-apples comparison unreliable.

The five-transaction minimum threshold is also worth noting. This isn’t measuring casual users who bridged some ETH once and forgot about it. It’s filtering for wallets with meaningful on-chain activity, which arguably makes the retention metric more useful as a gauge of genuine engagement rather than speculative tourism.

Separately, Ethereum’s broader ecosystem showed record activity in Q1 2026, with monthly active users reaching 13.2 million. That figure measures something entirely different from year-over-year retention, but it suggests the network is still growing its top-of-funnel even as it retains a quarter of its existing user base.

Why retention matters more than you think CoinGecko’s report specifically cited Base’s onboarding initiatives and Ronin’s gaming habits as structural drivers of retention on their respective networks. The implication is clear: retention doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because specific use cases give people reasons to return.

Look, 26% retention over a full year in an industry where protocols can go from household names to ghost towns in months is genuinely notable. But it also means roughly three out of four active Ethereum users from a year ago have stopped transacting.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

An anonymous wallet created just hours before executing its first transaction pulled 17,675 $ETH, worth approximately $28.58 million, off Binance in a single move on June 25, according to on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain. The wallet, identified by the prefix 0xA708, had no prior history before the withdrawal.

Fresh Wallet, High-Conviction Move Newly created wallets executing transactions of this size are typically read as a new participant entering a position with strong directional conviction. Withdrawals of this scale from a centralized exchange are widely interpreted as a bullish signal, since moving coins off a trading venue into self-custody generally indicates an intent to hold rather than sell. Assets parked on an exchange are far more readily available for liquidation, so the transfer away from Binance removes that optionality.

The move does not stand alone. Also on June 25, a separate dormant wallet known as 0x096, inactive for seven years, sold 27,585 $ETH for $44.84 million in USDS at an average price near $1,625, per Onchain Lens. That seller still locked in an estimated $39.1 million in profit, a sign of just how low the entry point was for early holders.

ETH Under Pressure, But Whales Keep Buying The timing of the 0xA708 withdrawal comes as Ethereum continues to trade well below its 2025 all-time high. ETH is currently trading near the lower end of its recent range after failing to reclaim the critical $1,750 resistance zone, a level that previously acted as support earlier this year.

The 0xA708 move is part of a broader pattern of large-holder accumulation during the downturn. On June 24, a wallet linked to venture capital firm a16z withdrew 25,560 $ETH worth approximately $42.6 million from Binance, according to Coinpedia, with exchange withdrawals of that size widely viewed as a signal of long-term positioning rather than short-term speculation. Separately, Blockonomi reported that Santiment data showed the largest whale addresses controlling between 10 million and 100 million ETH have expanded their holdings to approximately 135.2 million ETH.

Whether the 0xA708 wallet represents a seasoned participant using a fresh address or a genuinely new buyer entering the market, the size and structure of the move points to someone who sees current prices as an opportunity rather than a risk.

Sources:
Coinpedia: Ethereum Price Prediction: Can Whale Buying Offset ETF Outflows?
Blockonomi: Ethereum Price Could Plunge 30% Despite Whale Accumulation of Millions

Cryptoinsightuk analyst Will Taylor says Monero’s multi-year structure could support a move toward the $1,000 area and potentially as high as $1,160 if the current weekly trend holds.

Taylor shared a weekly XMR chart on X and tied the setup to a broader thesis around privacy coins, arguing that Monero’s market structure has continued to improve despite the regulatory and exchange pressure facing privacy-focused assets.

“Looking to see if this trend continues or not. Structural higher lows and higher highs, with volatility of the upside moves increasing. I’m thinking a TP below / around the psychological level of $1,000,” Taylor wrote.

He added that the more aggressive target sits above that level. “We still have today to confirm on the weekly of course, but just an idea. There is also an argument for the $1,160 region that would align with the 2.618 fib level.”

Monero price analysis | Source: X @Cryptoinsightuk The Thesis Behind Monero The chart shows Monero trading near $388 against USDT on KuCoin. The projected move toward the $1,160 area would imply a gain of around 200% from the highlighted region, according to the chart’s measurement. Taylor’s market-cap chart also shows XMR around $7.15 billion, with Fibonacci extension levels mapped above the current range.

Taylor’s thesis is not based only on near-term price structure. In a longer note from The Weekly Insight, he framed Monero as a bet on the persistence of crypto privacy demand, even as regulators and exchanges have moved against privacy tokens.

“The next token I want to look at is XMR (Monero). There’s been an international push to essentially halt privacy tokens like Monero, Dash, and others, due to their ability to make transactions difficult, if not impossible, to trace. I’d like to remind everyone that this was the original vision for crypto—an anonymous, decentralized financial system.”

That framing is central to his argument. For Taylor, delistings and regulatory scrutiny do not eliminate the market for privacy assets; they may instead sharpen the divide between assets optimized for compliance visibility and assets built around transaction confidentiality.

“Although privacy tokens are being delisted from exchanges, there is still a valid market for them, regardless of how large that market may be. Many people, myself included, value privacy and believe that it will continue to play a significant role in the future of crypto.”

Taylor also focused on market capitalization rather than price alone, noting that Monero’s current market cap is around $6 billion in his analysis. He said Fibonacci extensions suggest the asset’s valuation could rise materially if the setup develops as expected.

“Using Fibonacci extensions, we could see its market cap rise to $35 billion,” he wrote. “Since it has been delisted from many exchanges recently, it’s important to consider market cap as a key factor.”

Taylor described Monero’s history as a major expansion from early lows followed by years of consolidation or accumulation, which he sees as a possible base for a larger upside move.

“This, to me, suggests that we could see explosive price action to the upside in the future. I believe the narrative for privacy tokens is strong and growing, especially as mainstream adoption increases and surveillance in the crypto space tightens. Privacy is likely to become a critical part of the market in the years to come.”

At press time, XMR traded at $387.97.

XRP faces the 0.786 Fib, 1-week chart | Source: XMRUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

3 Altcoins to Watch as SKYAI Surges 300% in the First Week of May

Key Takeaways Table of Contents

Key TakeawaysMonero: Mandatory Anonymity with Maximum Regulatory ExposureZcash: Zero-Knowledge Technology with Growing Institutional BackingDash: Payment Functionality with Secondary Privacy FeaturesConcluding Analysis Increasing worries about blockchain transparency and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements are driving renewed interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies Monero enforces complete transaction anonymity by default, establishing it as the leading privacy cryptocurrency while attracting the most regulatory scrutiny Zcash surged past $585 in 2026 following Multicoin Capital’s disclosure of a significant investment on May 6 Dash functions primarily as a payment-focused cryptocurrency with optional privacy capabilities rather than a dedicated privacy solution Regulatory challenges pose the greatest threat to all three cryptocurrencies, with multiple jurisdictions already implementing delisting measures Privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies are experiencing a resurgence in investor attention throughout May. Escalating anxieties surrounding financial monitoring, increasingly stringent exchange regulations, and sophisticated blockchain analysis tools are driving crypto enthusiasts toward digital assets offering enhanced transactional confidentiality.

Contrasting with Bitcoin or Ethereum, where every transaction remains permanently visible on public ledgers, privacy coins employ specialized cryptographic techniques to obscure transaction information. These technologies can mask the sending party, receiving party, and transferred amounts.

This cryptocurrency category remains divisive. Financial regulators and trading platforms have approached privacy coins cautiously, contending that they complicate compliance obligations. Advocates counter with a fundamental question: if physical currency transactions enjoy privacy, shouldn’t digital alternatives offer the same?

Three cryptocurrencies deserve particular attention this month: Monero, Zcash, and Dash. Each implements distinct privacy methodologies and presents unique risk considerations.

Monero: Mandatory Anonymity with Maximum Regulatory Exposure Monero stands as the most recognized privacy cryptocurrency. Anonymity functions as a fundamental network characteristic — every transaction maintains privacy automatically, with no mechanism for public visibility.

Monero (XMR) Price The protocol employs ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transaction technology to conceal senders, recipients, and transaction values. This architecture represents the most comprehensive implementation of compulsory transaction privacy in cryptocurrency.

Monero doesn’t attempt to compete as a smart contract platform or comprehensive payment network. Its purpose remains straightforward: functioning as untraceable digital currency.

This singular focus has cultivated one of cryptocurrency’s most dedicated communities. User demand for private transactions may intensify as surveillance concerns escalate.

The primary vulnerability involves regulatory intervention. Nations including Japan, South Korea, India, and various European jurisdictions have already imposed restrictions on privacy coins through regulated exchanges. Monero consistently faces the earliest regulatory action.

Zcash: Zero-Knowledge Technology with Growing Institutional Backing Zcash implements an alternative methodology. The protocol permits both public and private transactions, offering user choice rather than mandating universal privacy.

Zcash (ZEC) Price Its privacy infrastructure relies on zero-knowledge proof cryptography, enabling transaction verification without exposing underlying transaction details.

Throughout 2026, Zcash has emerged as a closely monitored privacy asset following Multicoin Capital’s announcement of a substantial holding on May 6. The cryptocurrency reached a 2026 peak exceeding $585 immediately afterward.

This development carries significance because privacy cryptocurrencies have traditionally attracted primarily retail investment. Institutional participation transforms the market narrative and indicates some professional investors view privacy as a broader digital rights or infrastructure investment theme.

Zcash may also attract investors seeking privacy sector exposure while preferring an asset with optional transparency features, facilitating discussions in regulated environments.

The principal concern involves actual usage patterns. If most participants continue using transparent transactions, the practical privacy advantage diminishes considerably.

Dash: Payment Functionality with Secondary Privacy Features Dash originated as a privacy-centered Bitcoin derivative but subsequently pivoted toward rapid digital payment processing. Its PrivateSend functionality employs CoinJoin-style transaction mixing, which provides limited privacy but differs fundamentally from Monero’s comprehensive default model or Zcash’s zero-knowledge proof architecture.

This characterization positions Dash less as a dedicated privacy cryptocurrency and more as a payment-focused asset with supplementary privacy capabilities.

This strategic positioning can prove advantageous in certain markets. Its payment-centric identity resonates more clearly with investors, and it has historically attracted users prioritizing transaction speed and reduced fees.

Dash appeared among the sector’s strongest performers when privacy tokens outpaced the broader market earlier this year, according to CoinDesk.

The vulnerability lies in Dash’s ambiguous positioning. It may lack sufficient privacy features for strict anonymity advocates, yet its privacy associations can still trigger challenges on regulated trading platforms.

Concluding Analysis Monero represents the most uncompromising privacy implementation. Zcash delivers advanced zero-knowledge proof technology alongside increasing institutional validation. Dash provides payment utility with moderate privacy functionality.

The opportunity remains consistent across all three: if concerns regarding surveillance and exchange restrictions intensify, privacy-focused cryptocurrencies could experience renewed demand.

The risk appears equally apparent: regulatory intervention. Exchange availability for privacy coins can shift rapidly, and this sector remains among cryptocurrency’s most politically sensitive categories.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has suggested that Zcash (ZEC) could eventually reach 10% of Bitcoin’s market capitalization, a long-term bullish thesis on privacy coins rather than a near-term price forecast. Based on ZEC’s circulating supply of around 16 million tokens, that scenario would imply a price in the high four-figure range, roughly $8,000–$10,000, depending on Bitcoin’s valuation.

A Chart Pattern Worth Watching On the technical side, traders point to a possible cup-and-handle pattern, but this is a subjective chart formation with no guarantee of outcome. Resistance is often cited around $625–$650, with some speculative projections suggesting a move toward $1,000, though this depends heavily on broader market conditions and is not a confirmed target.

The target also lines up with ZEC’s 1.618 Fibonacci extension, drawn from a $745 swing high down to a $185 swing low.

Privacy Coins Pull Ahead ZEC is not moving alone. Monero and Dash, both privacy-focused tokens, have also posted gains over the past month. But Zcash leads the pack. Reports indicate the coin climbed more than 80% in 30 days while the total crypto market cap barely moved — up just 0.2% over the same stretch.

ZEC market cap currently at $9.6 billion. Chart: TradingView $ZEC update

This thing is running its own bull market rn… gg

I closed my short. Especially with $BTC sitting on support around $76k

Even a small pump in Bitcoin makes ZEC go absolutely stupid right now https://t.co/xLs6ficv7l pic.twitter.com/obAhbnXqfp

— SnorlaX お金 (@SnorlaxOnChain) May 18, 2026

In the past three days alone, ZEC added 18% as the broader market slipped 3%. That split has prompted some traders to say Zcash is running its own bull market. Growing demand for financial privacy appears to be the main force behind the move, pulling fresh interest into a coin that had been largely overlooked for years.

Institutional Interest Adds Fuel Earlier in May, hedge fund Multicoin Capital disclosed it holds a position in ZEC. Around the same time, Robinhood added the token to its platform, opening it up to a wider pool of retail investors.

Both developments landed at a time when the privacy narrative was already building. Hayes’s comment added another layer. His estimate was speculative — based on a market cap comparison to Bitcoin — but it drew attention and, according to data, ZEC’s value in Bitcoin terms has risen about 20.5% since he made the remark.

Whether the cup-and-handle plays out or not, the coin has already proven it can move on its own terms.

Featured image from Quicknode, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading above $77,000 at press time on Thursday, easing downside pressure amid the wipeout of $180 million in crypto shorts over the last 24 hours. In the same period, Hyperliquid (HYPE), Dash (DASH), and Zcash (ZEC) led the broader market rally on intense Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) inflows and renewed demand for privacy coins.

Mild recovery in Bitcoin eases broader market stressBitcoin trades above $77,000 on Thursday, extending gains from the previous day. The near-term recovery with a rebound from its 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) suggests a reversal to its 200-day EMA around $82,000. Typically, altcoins mimic Bitcoin's recovery following a pullback. 

CoinGlass data shows $262 million in total liquidations over the last 24 hours across the market, led by $182 million in short liquidations, pointing to a forced bearish positional wipeout.

Crypto liquidation data. Source: CoinGlassHyperliquid and privacy coins eye further gainsHyperliquid is extending a strong bullish phase that has reached a seven-month high, driven by recent $22 million in ETF inflows. The everything exchange token holds well above the 50-day EMA at $42.40 and the 200-day EMA at $36.95, which together suggest a firmly established uptrend. The underlying upward-sloping trendline breakout around $53.00 further reinforces the constructive structure.

Momentum remains robust, with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator in positive territory and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering in overbought territory near 76, hinting that while buyers are in control, conditions are becoming stretched.

Looking up, the all-time high of $59.45 remains a key resistance level, and a breakout above it would signal a shift into price discovery mode.

HYPE/USD daily price chart.On the downside, initial support is seen at the broken trendline around $53.00, followed by R2 and R1 Pivot Points at $51.30 and $45.52, respectively.

DASH hovers around $50 on Thursday after a 20% surge the previous day, maintaining a bullish near-term bias. The privacy coin trades well above the 50-period EMA at $44.48 on the 4-hour chart and the 200-period EMA at $42.05, driven by the hopes of Zcash Orchard Shielded Pool integration.

Bullish momentum is rising, as indicated by a positive MACD and an RSI near 72, which hints at firm buying pressure but signals concerns about overbought conditions.

A sustained break above the 61.8% retracement at about $51.11, measured over the downswing from $58.09 to $39.84, would open the way toward the 78.6% level near $54.18.

DASH/USDT daily price chart.Initial support is seen well lower at the 50% retracement level at $48.96, followed by the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $46.81.

Zcash maintains a clear bullish bias as price trades above $665 on Thursday, well above both the 50-day and 200-day EMAs, clustered around $445 and $335. The privacy coin has also pushed decisively through the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $628, measured from $750 to $104, suggesting a steady recovery.

The RSI is around 72, hinting at overbought conditions but still constructive momentum, while the MACD remains in positive territory, suggesting that upside pressure persists despite increasingly stretched conditions.

Looking up, the next meaningful resistance is the recent swing high, aligned with the 100% Fibonacci retracement at $750, where buyers could begin taking profits.

ZEC/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, initial support lies at the 78.6% retracement at $629, followed by deeper Fibonacci cushions at $534 and $467.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

Dash has renewed its focus on digital cash, arguing that peer-to-peer payments remain one of crypto’s most useful goals even as stablecoins, DeFi and decentralized applications take more attention.

Summary

Dash says digital cash remains crypto’s strongest use case as stablecoins and DeFi gain ground. The project says stablecoins carry issuer, peg and freeze risks that digital cash avoids directly. Dash links payments, savings, DeFi and DApps to one scarce base money model for users. Dash said its strategy still follows the early idea behind Bitcoin: a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. The project said that use case has lost attention in parts of the crypto market, but it remains central to its roadmap.

In a post on X, Dash described digital cash as the “killer app” for blockchain because it can support direct payments, savings, finance and digital services. The project said digital cash should be fungible, private, fast, low-cost and permissionless.

Dash also argued that digital cash differs from tokenized versions of fiat money. In its view, a true digital cash asset should not only represent money held elsewhere. It should act as the base money itself.

The statement places Dash back inside a long-running debate over whether crypto should focus on payments, trading, stablecoins, yield products or application networks.

Stablecoin risks remain part of the argument Dash said stablecoins have grown because they move familiar fiat value onto digital rails. However, it argued that stablecoins still depend on outside assets, issuers or algorithms to keep their peg.

The project said this creates risks around depegging, technical failures and centralized control. It also argued that fiat-backed stablecoins keep users tied to currencies that can lose purchasing power over time.

As previously reported by crypto.news, U.S. enforcement actions have also placed stablecoin controls under sharper review. Recent cases included Iran-linked USDT freezes and wider debate over issuer power after Circle-related asset freeze disputes.

Dash used that backdrop to argue that digital cash offers a different model. It said a scarce crypto asset can grow more useful with adoption while reducing reliance on centralized issuers.

DeFi and DApps need usable base money Dash also linked digital cash to decentralized finance. The project said DeFi markets need a strong unit of value for lending, trading and collateral.

It argued that stablecoins often become the default base asset because many crypto tokens lack daily payment use. Dash said a widely used digital cash asset could serve both DeFi and real-world commerce.

The project made a similar point about decentralized applications. Dash said app networks often rely on gas tokens that users do not spend outside the digital economy.

Dash said its Evolution network aims to support decentralized data and applications while keeping payments at the center. The project framed this as one system for money, data and digital services.

Payments remain Dash’s core pitch Dash’s wider message is simple. It wants digital cash to serve as money for both online and offline use.

The project said a payment asset should be fast, low-cost and useful beyond speculation. Its public site says Dash payments can settle in about one second and cost less than one cent.

Dash did not reject stablecoins, DeFi or DApps. It said those tools can serve targeted use cases. However, it argued that they work better when built around scarce, usable base money.

That position keeps Dash focused on one of crypto’s oldest goals. While much of the market now chases tokenized dollars, yield products and app platforms, Dash says digital cash remains the foundation for a decentralized financial system.

After dropping below $30, buyers moved quickly to defend Dash’s [DASH] key level. The coin rebounded to a local high of $35 before settling at $34.3, up 11.02% on the daily chart at press time.

However, trading volume fell 42% during the same period, signaling weaker market participation and warning that the rally may be unsustainable. 

DASH rebounds amid renewed risk appetite After Dash signaled recovery from the recent slip, traders jumped into the market to speculate. As a result, the altcoin’s Open Interest (OI) rose 19% to $46 million as of writing.

Such a jump in OI suggested significant capital flowed into opening new positions in the derivatives market. Thus, traders opened either long or short positions. 

Source: CoinGlass Capital flows into the futures market show a sharp shift in behavior. Over the past five days, DASH recorded sustained exits, with sellers dominating the futures side. However, this trend reversed in the last 24 hours, as $23.4 million flowed in while $22.9 million flowed out. As a result, Futures Netflow surged 140% to $508k.

Such a jump suggested that most traders had begun opening new positions, either shorts or longs. While increased speculative activity raises the risk of another price crash, it could also strengthen upside momentum, albeit only for a short period. 

Profit taking on the spot, as skepticism remains Unsurprisingly, as DASH rebounded, traders who had fallen underwater rushed to cash out. CoinGlass data showed that on the spot market, traders have consistently taken profits at every opportunity. 

As such, the spot Netflow has remained positive over the past three days. At press time, Netflow was $208k, reflecting a higher exchange deposit. 

Source: CoinGlass Sellers’ dominance of the market during this period suggests skepticism, as they expect the recovery to falter. Usually, such market behavior has weakened the market and effectively undermined the chances of recovery.

What do momentum indicators say? As DASH reclaimed $30, upside momentum strengthened slightly, with the Stochastic Momentum Index (SMI) rising above its signal to ‑55 at press time. However, the indicator remained negative, keeping the overall outlook bearish. At the same time, DASH traded below the MACD‑SMA, further confirming the prevailing bearish trend.

Source: TradingView Taken together, these momentum indicators suggested that the recent speculative activity has proven insufficient, and weakness could extend. Therefore, for the uptrend on the daily charts to continue, DASH must close above the MACD-SMA at $41.

However, if the speculation witnessed fades, DASH will breach the $30 support again and fall to $29.

Final Summary Dash rose 11% after successfully defending $30, touching a local high of $35.  DASH saw renewed risk appetite, driving the uptick, although the market structure remains bearish. 

Dash is exploring the Philippines as a potential market for crypto payments, citing demand for lower-cost transactions and the country's openness to digital finance tools. 

In an interview with Cointelegraph at the Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, Daria Chernozub, global adoption lead at Dash Blockchain, said the project focuses on emerging markets where users face high fees and need simpler payment options. 

“We believe that Dash brings the technology and the payment solutions for people who are suffering from high commissions [and] who need something easy to use,” Chernozub said, adding that the Philippines fits that profile because consumers are open to learning about new technologies.

She said Dash is still assessing the local market and prioritizing legal compliance before any launch. She said Dash had begun communicating with major market participants and had prepared a legal opinion letter for discussions with regulatory and financial industry bodies.

Dash’s assessment comes as the Philippines seeks to attract foreign technology companies, though industry participants say the regulatory process for crypto firms remains significantly more demanding than basic corporate registration. 

Daria Chernozub (left) with Cointelegraph’s Ezra Reguerra (right) at the Philippine Blockchain Week. Source: Daria Chernozub

Corporate registration takes minutes, crypto compliance can take years Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner (SEC) Rogelio Quevedo told Cointelegraph during an interview at Philippine Blockchain Week 2026 that foreign investors can register a corporation online from anywhere in the world in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Quevedo said the government is ready to assist foreign investors and described the SEC’s online registration system as part of the agency’s broader push toward digitization and innovation. His comments suggest that formally setting up a local entity has become easier, though crypto companies may still face additional licensing and compliance requirements before operating. 

Marie Antonette Quiogue, BlockShoals’ head of legal and CEO of Arden Consult, told Cointelegraph in a separate interview at the event that the SEC has created a framework for foreign crypto exchanges willing to enter a regulated environment.

Quiogue said the regulated path comes with significant obligations and pointed to the roughly two years BlockShoals spent developing its arrangement with Binance.

Beyond regulation, Quiogue said the Philippines’ young population, high mobile usage and widespread English proficiency could help attract overseas crypto companies.

Magazine: China’s 107 Bitcoin memory thief, Bithumb CEO booked: Asia Express

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.

IOTA Launches Expert Advisory Board to Strengthen Real-World Trade Solutions

IOTA Hackathon Hits Midpoint as Teams Build Solutions for Trade, RWA, and AI

3 Token Unlocks to Watch in the First Week of March 2026

IOTA Launches ‘Get Started’ Hub to Onboard Developers and Users

Blockchain network IOTA is reported to be trialing a fully-fledged securitization infrastructure that mimics the three-tier structure commonly used in traditional structured finance. Early code reviews indicate this system divides pooled assets into senior, mezzanine, and junior tranches, aligning closely with finance models typically found in established capital markets.

Three-Tier Model Brings Structured Finance On-ChainBy implementing a layered structure for pooling and structuring assets, IOTA’s latest testing could create a native environment for real-world asset management. The senior tranche often receives top repayment priority with reduced risk, the mezzanine strikes a balance between risk and reward, and the junior tranche takes on higher risk for potentially greater return. This architecture enables digital instruments built upon tangible economic assets to be issued and traded on-chain.

Securitization—the process of pooling loans, invoices, or other assets and transforming them into investable products—forms the core of this development. By transferring this mechanism to blockchain, IOTA aims to streamline the process without traditional intermediaries.

Code Connections to Trade and Capital Market PlatformsAnalysis within the crypto community has linked the ongoing tests to the platforms SALUS, ADAPT, and TWIN. These operate under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is a trade bloc aiming to boost intra-African commerce by leveraging technology and lowering cross-border barriers. SALUS and ADAPT focus on trade digitization and secure data handling to support African SMEs and exporters.

Independent researcher Salima drew attention to the securitization layer, noting that the tested code resembles the backbone for handling real-world digital assets at scale rather than a standalone application. While a direct integration with AfCFTA-linked platforms is not confirmed, the apparent compatibility has led to speculation about future collaborations.

IOTA is already testing something that could change how real-world assets are financed. Full securitization infrastructure is already being tested directly on IOTA.

No official comment or partnership disclosure has come from the IOTA Foundation, the not-for-profit steward of the IOTA network that develops open-source distributed ledger technologies, despite community discussions about possible platform connections.

The implications of these technical developments extend beyond trade. IOTA’s design, known for its scalability and lack of transaction fees, positions it as a candidate for large-scale programmable financial infrastructure. Issuers and investors could build and participate in digital portfolios directly on chain, with exposure tailored by risk preference.

Invoice factoring, trade finance, and SME lending are cited by observers as immediate use cases for the new infrastructure. Expanding from these, the model could also underpin financing structures for energy initiatives and equipment leasing.

Tokenization of portfolios may redefine capital markets access, making it possible for diverse global participants to enter digital structured products unrestricted by conventional geographic or institutional gatekeepers. The ongoing work in IOTA’s codebase signals industry momentum as interest in real-world asset tokenization accelerates among traditional finance institutions.

Despite ongoing speculation, the current technical foundation does not officially link to any live product launches or capital market partners. Industry watchers continue to monitor for further updates or announcements from IOTA as the infrastructure progresses.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

IOTA Unveils “Digital Highway” to Modernize Global Trade

KEY TAKEAWAYS

IOTA uses a Directed Acyclic Graph structure called the Tangle instead of traditional blockchain, enabling feeless transactions suited for machine-to-machine micropayments. The IOTA 2.0 upgrade addresses earlier centralization concerns by transitioning the network toward full decentralization with improved scalability and network stability overall. IOTA has partnered with major corporations, including Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Dell Technologies, and Bosch, to develop real-world IoT applications and integrations. As of May 2026, IOTA trades at approximately $0.056 with a market capitalization of around $248 million, ranking roughly 130th among all listed cryptocurrencies today. The MasterZ x IOTA European Blockchain Hackathon in early 2026 produced 66 new products built on IOTA, signaling continued developer engagement and ecosystem growth. The Internet of Things continues to expand, with billions of connected devices generating data and requiring seamless microtransaction capabilities. IOTA, a distributed ledger technology designed specifically for IoT applications, positions itself as a solution to the scalability and fee limitations that traditional blockchains face when handling machine-to-machine communication. But does the technology’s promise translate into a viable investment case?

Understanding IOTA’s Tangle Technology Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, IOTA does not use a blockchain. Instead, it operates on a Directed Acyclic Graph structure called the Tangle, where each new transaction must validate two previous transactions. According to CoinMarketCap, this architecture enables parallel transaction processing, removes the need for miners, and eliminates transaction fees entirely.

The absence of fees is central to IOTA’s value proposition for IoT. When billions of devices need to transact tiny amounts of value or data, even minimal fees become prohibitive. IOTA’s design theoretically enables infinite scalability because network throughput increases as more participants join, since each new transaction helps validate others.

IOTA has also integrated the Move programming language, which introduces object-based asset models and predictable smart contract behavior. CoinMarketCap notes the network supports up to 150,000 transactions per second with near-instant finality, a throughput figure that far exceeds most competing blockchain platforms.

IOTA 2.0 and the Decentralization Question One of the most persistent criticisms of IOTA has been its reliance on a centralized coordinator node, which the IOTA Foundation maintained to protect the network during its early stages. The IOTA 2.0 upgrade directly addresses this by transitioning the network toward full decentralization through a Delegated Proof of Stake consensus mechanism.

According to Bitget’s IOTA guide, IOTA 2.0 aims to resolve criticisms around centralization and network stability while maintaining the core value proposition for machine economy applications. The upgrade also enhances the network’s robustness with features like the Starfish protocol, designed to keep IOTA operational under adverse real-world network conditions.

Enterprise Partnerships and Real-World Adoption IOTA’s partnership roster distinguishes it from many competing crypto projects. The foundation has established relationships with automotive giants Volkswagen and Jaguar Land Rover, technology firms Dell Technologies and Bosch, and municipal projects including smart city initiatives and crypto charging stations for electric vehicles.

The ADAPT initiative, built on IOTA technology, announced its first country launch for early 2026, according to Messari. Additionally, the MasterZ x IOTA European Blockchain Hackathon, which concluded in March 2026, produced 66 new real-world products built on the IOTA network by 200 developers. Projects ranged from supply chain transparency tools to loan tokenization platforms.

Market Position and Price Considerations As of May 2026, IOTA trades at approximately $0.056, well below its all-time high of $5.69 reached in December 2017. The token holds a market capitalization of roughly $248 million with a circulating supply of approximately 4.44 billion IOTA coins, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Price predictions remain speculative. DigitalCoinPrice analysts project IOTA could reach $0.38 at its highest point in 2026, while Telegaon offers a more bullish estimate of up to $3.37 for the same period. These wide ranges reflect the uncertainty inherent in projecting value for a project whose success depends heavily on IoT adoption rates and competitive positioning.

Investment Risks to Consider Several factors warrant caution. IOTA’s limited exchange availability compared to major cryptocurrencies constrains liquidity and accessibility. The project faces competition from emerging alternatives that target the same machine economy audience. 

Earlier security concerns, including the 2017 discovery of vulnerabilities in IOTA’s proprietary Curl hash function by MIT researchers, raised questions about the project’s approach to cryptographic implementation, though the foundation has since adopted standard cryptographic protocols.

Additionally, IOTA’s investment thesis is tightly linked to IoT industry growth. If enterprise IoT adoption slows or competing distributed ledger solutions gain traction, IOTA’s market position could erode regardless of its technical merits.

The Bottom Line for Investors IOTA represents a targeted bet on the intersection of distributed ledger technology and the Internet of Things. Its feeless architecture, growing enterprise partnerships, and active developer ecosystem present a compelling case for long-term investors with conviction in IoT growth. 

However, the significant distance from its all-time high, competitive pressures, and dependence on continued network upgrades make it a higher-risk position that requires careful portfolio sizing and ongoing due diligence.

FAQs What makes IOTA’s Tangle different from a traditional blockchain?
IOTA uses the Tangle, a DAG-based structure where each transaction validates two previous ones, eliminating miners and enabling zero-fee transactions for IoT devices.

What does IOTA 2.0 change about the network?
IOTA 2.0 moves the network away from centralized coordinator dependence toward full decentralization through Delegated Proof of Stake consensus and improved network resilience.

Which major companies has IOTA partnered with?
IOTA has established partnerships with Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Dell Technologies, and Bosch to develop IoT applications across the automotive and technology sectors.

Where does IOTA’s price stand as of May 2026?
IOTA trades near $0.056, significantly below its December 2017 all-time high of $5.69, reflecting broader market cycles and ongoing project evolution.

Why is IOTA’s zero-fee model important for IoT?
IOTA’s zero-fee model makes it suitable for IoT microtransactions where even minimal fees would make high-volume machine-to-machine payments economically impractical.

What came out of the MasterZ hackathon in early 2026?
The MasterZ hackathon produced 66 real-world products on IOTA, including supply chain transparency tools and loan tokenization platforms built by 200 developers.

What are the key risks of investing in IOTA?
Key risks include limited exchange availability, competition from alternative IoT-focused ledger projects, and dependence on broader enterprise IoT adoption for long-term growth.

References CoinMarketCap – IOTA Price, Market Cap, and Data Bitget Academy – IOTA Cryptocurrency Guide: Tangle Technology, Trading & Exchanges 2026 IOTA Foundation – Built to Make a Difference Messari – IOTA Price, Research, News & Fundraising

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