Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Chainlink Deepens Multi-Chain Dominance — Expanding Across Ethereum, Solana, TON, and Stellar as LINK Eyes Next Leg Up

Blockchain data infrastructure firm Cambrian has closed a $6 million funding round, jointly led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital.

Blockchain data infrastructure project Cambrian has closed a $6 million seed round, co-led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital, with participation from Flow Traders, Selini Capital, and other investors. The project previously raised a $5.9 million pre-seed round led by a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator, bringing its total funding to $11.9 million. Cambrian currently provides institutional investors and AI Agents with real-time and historical data APIs covering on-chain yields, risks, lending markets, and trading activities, and plans to further build a verifiable data oracle network. Official data shows it has indexed over $4.5 billion in lending TVL, tracks more than 320,000 DEX liquidity pools, and currently supports Base and Solana, with plans to expand to additional ecosystems including Ethereum. The funds will be used to expand on-chain data coverage, accelerate oracle network development, and team recruitment.

5 minutes ago

Whale 0xbilly pulled off another "buy high, sell low" move, exiting with a $220,000 loss in a single day.

According to EmberCN’s monitoring, whale address 0xbilly liquidated 2,409 ETH in the early hours of today when ETH fell to around $1,569.5, worth approximately $3.78 million, with a total loss of roughly $220,000. Notably, this batch of ETH was purchased just one day ago for about 4 million USDC, at an average price of approximately $1,660.2. The address also previously bought 7,768.5 ETH at a high of $2,254 in March this year, valued at around $17.51 million, and exited via stop-loss four days later, incurring a loss of roughly $800,000.

5 minutes ago

Two whales opened a short position worth approximately $90 million on the S&P 500.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, two whale addresses are building short positions on the S&P 500, with a combined position of approximately $90 million. Details are as follows: Whale address "0x469" has opened 6,500 S&P 500 short positions, using 20x leverage, valued at around $48 million, with a liquidation price of $8,413.66. Whale address "0x4ff" has opened 5,686.66 S&P 500 short positions, using 7x leverage, valued at around $42 million, with a liquidation price of $8,358.13.

5 minutes ago

Binance's Shanghai leverage contract fee rate surges to 0.66%

Market data shows South Korea's SK Hynix rose over 10% intraday. The funding rate for Binance's SKHYNIX/USDT contract pair jumped to 0.668%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 723%, signaling the market is gripped by FOMO-driven long positions.

5 minutes ago

US-listed optical module stocks rallied broadly in after-hours trading, with MRVL surging over 5%.

According to Bitget market data, driven possibly by Micron’s better-than-expected financial results, U.S.-listed optical module stocks rose broadly in after-hours trading, with COHR up 4%, LITE up 3%, AAOI up 5%, NOK up 3.1%, and Marvell (MRVL) up 5.17%.

5 minutes ago

Vice President of Strive: Strategy's STRC Has Essential Differences from the Luna/UST Model

Strive Vice President Joe Burnett wrote in an article that prior to the TerraUSD collapse, roughly $18.7 billion in UST was in circulation, backed by just $3.1 billion in Bitcoin reserves, and UST allowed immediate redemptions. Currently, Strategy holds around $51.5 billion in Bitcoin, corresponding to a circulating STRC supply of approximately $10.5 billion, while STRC is not an immediately redeemable asset. He stressed that the two differ significantly in collateral structure, asset coverage ratio, and redemption mechanism, noting "they are clearly completely different models."

5 minutes ago

MapleStockX Launches M Bean Incentive Mechanism for Trading Platform

Blockchain data infrastructure firm Cambrian has closed a $6 million funding round, jointly led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital.

Blockchain data infrastructure project Cambrian has closed a $6 million seed round, co-led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital, with participation from Flow Traders, Selini Capital, and other investors. The project previously raised a $5.9 million pre-seed round led by a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator, bringing its total funding to $11.9 million. Cambrian currently provides institutional investors and AI Agents with real-time and historical data APIs covering on-chain yields, risks, lending markets, and trading activities, and plans to further build a verifiable data oracle network. Official data shows it has indexed over $4.5 billion in lending TVL, tracks more than 320,000 DEX liquidity pools, and currently supports Base and Solana, with plans to expand to additional ecosystems including Ethereum. The funds will be used to expand on-chain data coverage, accelerate oracle network development, and team recruitment.

5 minutes ago

Whale 0xbilly pulled off another "buy high, sell low" move, exiting with a $220,000 loss in a single day.

According to EmberCN’s monitoring, whale address 0xbilly liquidated 2,409 ETH in the early hours of today when ETH fell to around $1,569.5, worth approximately $3.78 million, with a total loss of roughly $220,000. Notably, this batch of ETH was purchased just one day ago for about 4 million USDC, at an average price of approximately $1,660.2. The address also previously bought 7,768.5 ETH at a high of $2,254 in March this year, valued at around $17.51 million, and exited via stop-loss four days later, incurring a loss of roughly $800,000.

5 minutes ago

Two whales opened a short position worth approximately $90 million on the S&P 500.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, two whale addresses are building short positions on the S&P 500, with a combined position of approximately $90 million. Details are as follows: Whale address "0x469" has opened 6,500 S&P 500 short positions, using 20x leverage, valued at around $48 million, with a liquidation price of $8,413.66. Whale address "0x4ff" has opened 5,686.66 S&P 500 short positions, using 7x leverage, valued at around $42 million, with a liquidation price of $8,358.13.

5 minutes ago

Binance's Shanghai leverage contract fee rate surges to 0.66%

Market data shows South Korea's SK Hynix rose over 10% intraday. The funding rate for Binance's SKHYNIX/USDT contract pair jumped to 0.668%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 723%, signaling the market is gripped by FOMO-driven long positions.

5 minutes ago

US-listed optical module stocks rallied broadly in after-hours trading, with MRVL surging over 5%.

According to Bitget market data, driven possibly by Micron’s better-than-expected financial results, U.S.-listed optical module stocks rose broadly in after-hours trading, with COHR up 4%, LITE up 3%, AAOI up 5%, NOK up 3.1%, and Marvell (MRVL) up 5.17%.

5 minutes ago

Vice President of Strive: Strategy's STRC Has Essential Differences from the Luna/UST Model

Strive Vice President Joe Burnett wrote in an article that prior to the TerraUSD collapse, roughly $18.7 billion in UST was in circulation, backed by just $3.1 billion in Bitcoin reserves, and UST allowed immediate redemptions. Currently, Strategy holds around $51.5 billion in Bitcoin, corresponding to a circulating STRC supply of approximately $10.5 billion, while STRC is not an immediately redeemable asset. He stressed that the two differ significantly in collateral structure, asset coverage ratio, and redemption mechanism, noting "they are clearly completely different models."

5 minutes ago

Crypto just suffered its first major electoral setback of the 2026 cycle in deep‑blue Illinois, where Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton beat pro‑crypto Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi in the Democratic Senate primary, NBC News reports.

An Electoral Crypto Loss Fairshake, the industry‑backed super political action committee (PAC), poured almost $10 million into ads attacking Stratton as anti‑innovation, but local political muscle, including Governor JB Pritzker’s endorsement and millions in support, proved stronger than crypto money this time. In a state this blue, Stratton’s primary win all but guarantees her a Senate seat in November, turning the race into a warning shot for the digital assets lobby ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Fairshake, funded by giants like Coinbase and Ripple as well as venture capital heavyweights Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, entered Illinois with more than $191 million in cash and a broader $221 million war chest for this election cycle.

The PAC and its affiliate Protect Progress spent heavily in multiple Illinois House primaries, often on the side of more centrist or business‑friendly Democrats against progressives Candidates such as Melissa Bean and Nikki Budzinski appeared in races where crypto‑aligned super PAC money was present, though it is hard to show Fairshake was uniquely decisive in “electing” them rather than being one of several big spenders.

Fairshake publicly frames its mission as defending “American innovation” and “consumer choice” in financial services, and it has signaled it plans to stay active through 2026 and beyond.

What This Means For Traders Short term, this defeat is unlikely to move prices by itself, but it adds a layer of policy uncertainty for 2026 that could resurface as volatility around key primary dates, especially if Fairshake reallocates more of its $221 million war chest into tighter, more winnable races. Regulatory and legislative outcomes around stablecoins, market structure, and crypto‑friendly bills like the GENIUS Act and Clarity Act will remain highly political and uneven across states, rather than following a straight, pro‑industry trajectory.

In the moment of writing, BTC’s trades for $72k. Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview Cover image from Perplexity, BTCUSDT chart from Tradingview

Blockchain data infrastructure firm Cambrian has closed a $6 million funding round, jointly led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital.

Blockchain data infrastructure project Cambrian has closed a $6 million seed round, co-led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital, with participation from Flow Traders, Selini Capital, and other investors. The project previously raised a $5.9 million pre-seed round led by a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator, bringing its total funding to $11.9 million. Cambrian currently provides institutional investors and AI Agents with real-time and historical data APIs covering on-chain yields, risks, lending markets, and trading activities, and plans to further build a verifiable data oracle network. Official data shows it has indexed over $4.5 billion in lending TVL, tracks more than 320,000 DEX liquidity pools, and currently supports Base and Solana, with plans to expand to additional ecosystems including Ethereum. The funds will be used to expand on-chain data coverage, accelerate oracle network development, and team recruitment.

5 minutes ago

Whale 0xbilly pulled off another "buy high, sell low" move, exiting with a $220,000 loss in a single day.

According to EmberCN’s monitoring, whale address 0xbilly liquidated 2,409 ETH in the early hours of today when ETH fell to around $1,569.5, worth approximately $3.78 million, with a total loss of roughly $220,000. Notably, this batch of ETH was purchased just one day ago for about 4 million USDC, at an average price of approximately $1,660.2. The address also previously bought 7,768.5 ETH at a high of $2,254 in March this year, valued at around $17.51 million, and exited via stop-loss four days later, incurring a loss of roughly $800,000.

5 minutes ago

Two whales opened a short position worth approximately $90 million on the S&P 500.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, two whale addresses are building short positions on the S&P 500, with a combined position of approximately $90 million. Details are as follows: Whale address "0x469" has opened 6,500 S&P 500 short positions, using 20x leverage, valued at around $48 million, with a liquidation price of $8,413.66. Whale address "0x4ff" has opened 5,686.66 S&P 500 short positions, using 7x leverage, valued at around $42 million, with a liquidation price of $8,358.13.

5 minutes ago

Binance's Shanghai leverage contract fee rate surges to 0.66%

Market data shows South Korea's SK Hynix rose over 10% intraday. The funding rate for Binance's SKHYNIX/USDT contract pair jumped to 0.668%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 723%, signaling the market is gripped by FOMO-driven long positions.

5 minutes ago

US-listed optical module stocks rallied broadly in after-hours trading, with MRVL surging over 5%.

According to Bitget market data, driven possibly by Micron’s better-than-expected financial results, U.S.-listed optical module stocks rose broadly in after-hours trading, with COHR up 4%, LITE up 3%, AAOI up 5%, NOK up 3.1%, and Marvell (MRVL) up 5.17%.

5 minutes ago

Vice President of Strive: Strategy's STRC Has Essential Differences from the Luna/UST Model

Strive Vice President Joe Burnett wrote in an article that prior to the TerraUSD collapse, roughly $18.7 billion in UST was in circulation, backed by just $3.1 billion in Bitcoin reserves, and UST allowed immediate redemptions. Currently, Strategy holds around $51.5 billion in Bitcoin, corresponding to a circulating STRC supply of approximately $10.5 billion, while STRC is not an immediately redeemable asset. He stressed that the two differ significantly in collateral structure, asset coverage ratio, and redemption mechanism, noting "they are clearly completely different models."

5 minutes ago

Blockchain data infrastructure firm Cambrian has closed a $6 million funding round, jointly led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital.

Blockchain data infrastructure project Cambrian has closed a $6 million seed round, co-led by Franklin Templeton and Polychain Capital, with participation from Flow Traders, Selini Capital, and other investors. The project previously raised a $5.9 million pre-seed round led by a16z Crypto Startup Accelerator, bringing its total funding to $11.9 million. Cambrian currently provides institutional investors and AI Agents with real-time and historical data APIs covering on-chain yields, risks, lending markets, and trading activities, and plans to further build a verifiable data oracle network. Official data shows it has indexed over $4.5 billion in lending TVL, tracks more than 320,000 DEX liquidity pools, and currently supports Base and Solana, with plans to expand to additional ecosystems including Ethereum. The funds will be used to expand on-chain data coverage, accelerate oracle network development, and team recruitment.

5 minutes ago

Whale 0xbilly pulled off another "buy high, sell low" move, exiting with a $220,000 loss in a single day.

According to EmberCN’s monitoring, whale address 0xbilly liquidated 2,409 ETH in the early hours of today when ETH fell to around $1,569.5, worth approximately $3.78 million, with a total loss of roughly $220,000. Notably, this batch of ETH was purchased just one day ago for about 4 million USDC, at an average price of approximately $1,660.2. The address also previously bought 7,768.5 ETH at a high of $2,254 in March this year, valued at around $17.51 million, and exited via stop-loss four days later, incurring a loss of roughly $800,000.

5 minutes ago

Two whales opened a short position worth approximately $90 million on the S&P 500.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, two whale addresses are building short positions on the S&P 500, with a combined position of approximately $90 million. Details are as follows: Whale address "0x469" has opened 6,500 S&P 500 short positions, using 20x leverage, valued at around $48 million, with a liquidation price of $8,413.66. Whale address "0x4ff" has opened 5,686.66 S&P 500 short positions, using 7x leverage, valued at around $42 million, with a liquidation price of $8,358.13.

5 minutes ago

Binance's Shanghai leverage contract fee rate surges to 0.66%

Market data shows South Korea's SK Hynix rose over 10% intraday. The funding rate for Binance's SKHYNIX/USDT contract pair jumped to 0.668%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 723%, signaling the market is gripped by FOMO-driven long positions.

5 minutes ago

US-listed optical module stocks rallied broadly in after-hours trading, with MRVL surging over 5%.

According to Bitget market data, driven possibly by Micron’s better-than-expected financial results, U.S.-listed optical module stocks rose broadly in after-hours trading, with COHR up 4%, LITE up 3%, AAOI up 5%, NOK up 3.1%, and Marvell (MRVL) up 5.17%.

5 minutes ago

Vice President of Strive: Strategy's STRC Has Essential Differences from the Luna/UST Model

Strive Vice President Joe Burnett wrote in an article that prior to the TerraUSD collapse, roughly $18.7 billion in UST was in circulation, backed by just $3.1 billion in Bitcoin reserves, and UST allowed immediate redemptions. Currently, Strategy holds around $51.5 billion in Bitcoin, corresponding to a circulating STRC supply of approximately $10.5 billion, while STRC is not an immediately redeemable asset. He stressed that the two differ significantly in collateral structure, asset coverage ratio, and redemption mechanism, noting "they are clearly completely different models."

5 minutes ago

According to veteran investor Jordi Visser, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) cannot rally at the moment because every speculative dollar is chasing AI stocks instead.

Visser Says Bitcoin Has No Fundamental Pull Right NowVisser argued on the latest episode of Anthony Pompliano’s podcast that Bitcoin and SpaceX function the same way for investors: both are belief-driven bets on the future with no current earnings to anchor a valuation.

Bitcoin draws energy from two sources, wealthy individuals hiding money from governments and retail momentum chasing returns, and right now neither source is showing up.

“It is very difficult for Bitcoin to be traveling higher if all the money is going into stuff that is based on earnings,” Visser said. 

He added that Bitcoin remains in a bear market until it breaks and holds above its 200-day moving average, something it has failed to do on every recent attempt at the 20-day moving average.

Q2 Earnings Could Be The Catalyst That Redirects Capital Back To CryptoVisser said the thing to watch is how much money AI companies are spending on chips and data centers. That spending is growing close to 100% this year, but is only expected to grow 30% in 2027.

He said that slowdown becomes a real problem if any major tech company announces it’s cutting back on that spending.

Microsoft stands out as the most likely candidate, given CEO Satya Nadella’s public comments about model commoditization and a possible shift toward hosting DeepSeek internally.

Visser expects Q2 earnings to disappoint more than Q1 simply because expectations have climbed too high, projecting around 22% earnings growth that the market may not fully deliver. 

If AI stock momentum stalls even briefly while the broader market holds flat, Visser said that environment favors Bitcoin far more than one where AI continues compounding 50% per quarter.

Retail Capital Goes Where The Momentum Is, And Right Now That Is Not BitcoinVisser noted that retail traders in markets like South Korea, historically heavy Bitcoin participants, have rotated their attention elsewhere as AI captured the speculative spotlight.

He framed this as a simple capital rotation dynamic rather than a verdict on Bitcoin’s long-term thesis.

On his own portfolio, Visser said 18 of his 20 holdings were down on a recent trading day, including Bitcoin, with only two AI-related positions finishing higher and covering the losses elsewhere. 

He said he still likes Bitcoin at current levels but is waiting for a pause in AI’s rally before expecting crypto to participate meaningfully again.

Image: Shutterstock

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After one of its biggest drops in 2026, XRP is making an effort to stabilize, but pressure remains on the larger trend. The asset is currently attempting to establish a local bottom close to the $1.10 area after breaking out of a multi-month consolidation pattern and falling below a number of important support levels. 

According to the daily chart, XRP recently lost the crucial support zone at $1.28, which served as a floor for the majority of March, April, and May. Before buyers intervened, sellers swiftly accelerated the decline after that level gave way, driving the token toward lows around $1.05. The resulting bounce has been modest thus far, indicating that despite the initial attempt at recovery, market participants are still cautious. Technically speaking, there is still significant resistance overhead for XRP. 

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe 100-day and 200-day moving averages are still significantly higher at $1.28 and $1.35, respectively, while the 50-day moving average is close to $1.20. This alignment demonstrates that bears are still in control of the broader trend. XRP must regain these levels and turn them back into support for any significant recovery. A slightly more positive signal is provided by volume behavior. 

HOT Stories

A significant rise in trading activity coincided with the breakdown, suggesting that a significant amount of selling pressure may have already been absorbed. Volume has steadily returned to normal since hitting its most recent low, indicating that panic selling is waning. Additionally, momentum indicators suggest stabilization as opposed to ongoing capitulation. After emerging from oversold territory, the Relative Strength Index is currently making an effort to rise. 

This suggests that the downward momentum has diminished in comparison to the initial selloff, but it does not ensure a reversal. The $1.20 region continues to be traders' immediate focus. The case for a more widespread relief rally toward $1.28 might be strengthened by a successful push above this level. However, XRP would be open to another test of recent lows if it failed to break higher.

Dogecoin's zero removal potentialDogecoin, the well-known meme coin, may be getting close to a critical point where a "zero removal rally" becomes feasible, even though it is currently far below its cycle highs. DOGE's current price structure indicates that the asset is entering a zone where long-term investors are starting to pay attention again, even though such a move is not imminent. 

DOGE/USDT Chart by TradingViewAs of this writing, DOGE is trading close to $0.084 following a protracted decline that has largely eliminated the excitement that was present earlier in the year. Another round of selling pressure was triggered when the asset recently broke below a rising support trendline that had been forming since February.

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Bears haven't been able to significantly push DOGE below the $0.08 area despite the breakdown, suggesting that buyers are still active at lower levels. Technically, the chart is still not very strong. 

A classic indication that the overall trend is still negative is that DOGE is still trading below its 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages. Stronger barriers still exist around $0.098 and $0.114, but the 50-day moving average near $0.089 now serves as immediate resistance. There are some early indicators, though, that the selloff might be slowing down. 

Following the recent crash, the Relative Strength Index approached oversold territory and has since stabilized. Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in volume during the decline, indicating that a considerable amount of weak-handed selling may already have taken place. 

The term "zero removal rally" describes DOGE's eventual recovery of the psychologically significant $0.10 level, thereby eliminating one zero from the price structure. 

Shiba Inu faces more risksAs its technical structure continues to deteriorate, Shiba Inu is under increasing downside pressure. SHIB remains one of the weaker large-cap meme assets, despite the fact that the overall cryptocurrency market has begun to stabilize after recent volatility. Several indicators point to continued elevated risks. 

The daily chart gives a worrying impression. A multi-month rising channel that had been forming since March was recently broken by SHIB. Although that pattern had previously supported several rebounds, the most recent breakdown invalidated the bullish structure and led to a precipitous selloff. 

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Since then, SHIB has found it difficult to generate sufficient buying pressure to recover lost ground. SHIB is still below all major moving averages, currently trading close to $0.0000047. The 100-day and 200-day averages are even higher, at $0.0000055 and $0.0000057, respectively, than the 50-day moving average, which is located around $0.0000050. 

This bearish alignment shows that sellers continue to benefit from both short-term and long-term momentum. After the recent crash, a small rising wedge has emerged, which is one of the more concerning developments. When such formations emerge during broader bearish trends, they more often resolve to the downside, though they can occasionally support recovery attempts. 

Since SHIB is currently testing that pattern's lower bound, the upcoming sessions are especially crucial. Additionally, volume does not produce a strong bullish signal. Despite an increase in activity during the initial decline, buying volume has not significantly increased during the recovery attempt. 

This implies that traders are still cautious and that short covering rather than genuine accumulation may be the primary driver of recent upward movements. Even though the Relative Strength Index recovered from oversold conditions earlier this month, it is still below the neutral 50 level. Although this indicates waning bearish momentum, a sustained trend reversal has not yet been confirmed.

The immediate goal for SHIB bulls is to hold above $0.0000050 and regain the 50-day moving average. The token remains susceptible to another decline toward recent lows in the absence of that rebound. The bearish trend that has dominated much of 2026 could be reinforced if SHIB breaks below the current support.

Key Takeaways Western Digital shares settled at $732.95, declining 1.78% in Monday’s session, yet maintaining a remarkable 200%+ year-to-date advance Discounted Cash Flow analysis indicates an intrinsic value of $931.56 per share, pointing to potential 21.4% additional gains The stock’s current P/E ratio of 39.77x remains beneath its calculated Fair Ratio of 59.27x, indicating further undervaluation Projected quarterly earnings show EPS reaching $3.32, representing a year-over-year doubling The stock carries Zacks’ highest #1 Strong Buy designation, while its Computer-Storage Devices sector ranks among the top 3% industrywide Shares of Western Digital concluded Monday’s trading session at $732.95, registering a 1.78% decline. This downturn exceeded the S&P 500’s more modest 0.37% retreat during the same period.

Western Digital Corporation, WDC

While the single-session performance disappointed, the broader trajectory paints a dramatically different picture. Year-to-date gains exceed 200%, with the previous month alone delivering a stunning 54.09% advance—significantly outstripping the Computer and Technology sector’s 4.52% monthly appreciation.

This raises the critical question for market participants: following such an extraordinary advance, does meaningful upside potential remain?

Valuation Framework Analysis A comprehensive Discounted Cash Flow evaluation establishes WDC’s fundamental worth at $931.56 per share. Based on the stock’s $732.62 trading level at calculation time, this framework indicates approximately 21.4% remaining undervaluation.

The DCF framework anticipates Western Digital’s unlevered free cash flow expanding from approximately $3.51 billion in 2026 to potentially $26.22 billion by 2035. Current trailing twelve-month FCF registers at $2.72 billion.

Examining earnings multiples, WDC commands a 39.77x price-to-earnings ratio. While this exceeds the broader Technology sector’s 24.59x average, it falls considerably short of the peer group’s 63.87x mean.

Simply Wall St’s calculated Fair Ratio for Western Digital stands at 59.27x—a proprietary metric derived from the company’s specific growth characteristics and underlying fundamentals. The current P/E trading below this threshold provides additional evidence supporting further appreciation potential.

Looking ahead, Zacks establishes WDC’s Forward P/E at 74.25x, representing a premium versus the industry’s 25.63x. This elevated multiple reflects substantial earnings expansion expectations already incorporated into current valuations.

Earnings Event Spotlight Western Digital’s approaching quarterly report is capturing significant investor focus. Wall Street analysts forecast EPS of $3.32, marking a 100% year-over-year expansion from the comparable period.

Revenue projections target $3.7 billion, reflecting 42.21% annual growth.

For the complete fiscal year, Zacks Consensus forecasts point toward $10.05 in earnings per share alongside $12.88 billion in total revenue. These figures represent earnings growth exceeding 103% versus the previous year.

Zacks maintains a #1 Strong Buy recommendation on Western Digital. The consensus EPS projection has experienced modest upward revision of 0.37% during the past month, indicating incrementally improving analyst sentiment approaching the release.

The Computer-Storage Devices industry presently maintains a Zacks Industry Rank of 5, positioning it within the top 3% of all monitored sectors. This context matters significantly—Western Digital benefits not merely from company-specific catalysts, but operates within a fundamentally strong industry framework.

Simply Wall St assigns WDC a valuation assessment of 4 out of 6 possible points. The company satisfies numerous criteria across DCF methodologies and comparative valuation analyses.

Throughout the past twelve months, Western Digital has generated returns of 1,116.6%—establishing itself among the technology sector’s premier performers.

The stock’s weekly return measures 12.1%, complemented by a 30-day appreciation of 51.3%.

Bitcoin and altcoins may have become healthier following the correction experienced in recent weeks.

At this point, cryptocurrency market maker Wintermute noted that the recent correction has largely cleared excessive leverage from the crypto market.

According to Wintermute’s analysis, the recent market correction liquidated most leveraged positions and left the market structure healthier than before.

At this point, the problem of excessive leverage in the crypto market has been largely resolved.

Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, stated that its continued Bitcoin purchases helped alleviate concerns about potential selling pressure.

However, analysts note that capital inflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs and key buyers like Strategy are not as strong as in past rallies, making a sideways period more likely for now.

At this point, the firm believes that unless capital inflows improve, Bitcoin and the market are likely to remain in a certain range rather than rise in the foreseeable future.

Wintermute also added that the market could experience a short-term rebound if there is new, stronger, softer US PCE data or if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ease.

However, this type of rise seems more likely to be a technical rebound rather than a sign that the market has hit its bottom.

*This is not investment advice.

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Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) may be positioned for a catch-up rally if the Federal Reserve refrains from raising interest rates, according to Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan.

Since the start of the Iran conflict in late February, U.S. equities have gained roughly 9%, while Bitcoin has slipped 1% and gold has fallen 20%.

In a "The Stack" post on June 22, Grayscale Head of Research Zach Pandl noted that the divergence comes as investors increasingly price in the possibility of tighter monetary policy amid inflation concerns.

One-year Fed rate expectations have risen about 60 basis points, while roughly half of Federal Reserve officials believe rate hikes could be appropriate in 2026, Hougan noted.

The European Central Bank has already moved to raise rates.

Because Bitcoin and gold do not generate yield, higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding those assets relative to cash and bonds, weighing on demand.

Over the past month, Bitcoin’s price has fallen roughly 19%, extending its three-month decline to about 13%.

Why Bitcoin Could BenefitHougan argued that markets may be overestimating the likelihood of future rate hikes.

"Our base case is for the Fed to hold off on rate hikes,” he said. “If we’re right, Bitcoin’s price may catch up with stocks."

While AI-related spending has fueled gains in equities, Bitcoin and gold have lagged partly due to fears that central banks will need to tighten policy further to combat inflation.

If those concerns ease, capital could rotate back into alternative assets such as Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s Dual RoleUnlike gold, Hougan views Bitcoin as serving two functions within portfolios.

He described Bitcoin as both a scarce digital commodity that acts as a long-term store of value and a public blockchain network that provides exposure to growth in the broader crypto economy.

That combination gives Bitcoin characteristics of both gold and growth equities, potentially making it an attractive portfolio diversifier.

“Bitcoin can act as a portfolio diversifier that, at current levels, appears attractively priced,” Hougan said.

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Dogecoin (DOGE) at a Crossroads: Recovery Rally or Another Rejection Ahead?

Key Takeaways Semiconductor stocks staged a Wednesday recovery following Tuesday’s sharp technology sector decline Micron shares climbed ahead of its fiscal third-quarter earnings announcement scheduled for after market close Qualcomm gained ground following news reports about potential chip supply agreement with ByteDance Cerebras plummeted 11% despite posting robust quarterly performance, as declining margins spooked investors FedEx shares tumbled more than 6% following disappointing full-year earnings guidance Equity markets displayed mixed sentiment Wednesday morning, June 24, as traders attempted to regain momentum following Tuesday’s technology-focused selloff that rattled investor confidence.

Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.5% during early morning hours, with market participants returning to artificial intelligence-related equities that experienced significant pressure during the previous session.

Semiconductor Sector Stages Comeback Micron Technology surged 3.7% in pre-market activity as market participants anticipated the company’s fiscal Q3 financial results, scheduled for release after Wednesday’s closing bell. These earnings figures are expected to provide crucial insights into sustained demand from artificial intelligence workloads.

Micron Technology, Inc., MU

Qualcomm shares jumped 2.3% following a Reuters report indicating ongoing negotiations to provide customized processors to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent organization. The chipmaker declined to provide official commentary on the matter.

Advanced Micro Devices posted a 1.3% increase, Intel shares moved up 1.5%, and Super Micro Computer added 1.8%, all participating in the broader artificial intelligence sector rebound.

KB Home shares climbed 4% after the residential construction company delivered second-quarter revenue figures exceeding Wall Street forecasts. Management maintained its annual guidance consistent with analyst projections, highlighting that 73% of net orders originated from its custom-build program.

ICON, the clinical trials organization, jumped 6% following first-quarter performance that surpassed expectations. The company reported adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share, generated $2.03 billion in revenue, and expanded its project backlog to $22.7 billion.

Cerebras and FedEx Face Selling Pressure Cerebras Systems declined approximately 11% notwithstanding impressive quarterly performance. The AI chip company reported 94% year-over-year revenue expansion to $193.4 million, while posting a smaller-than-anticipated per-share loss.

The market responded negatively to management’s second-quarter gross margin forecast of 36% to 38%, representing a significant decline from the 47% margin achieved in the opening quarter. This margin deterioration overshadowed announcements of a major OpenAI contract valued above $20 billion and a strategic collaboration with AWS.

Cerebras provided annual revenue projections ranging from $855 million to $865 million, suggesting approximately 69% growth at the median estimate.

FedEx shares declined over 6% despite fourth-quarter performance that exceeded certain metrics. The logistics giant reported 13% year-over-year revenue growth to $25 billion, with adjusted per-share earnings of $6.31 beating analyst forecasts.

The stock’s decline centered on forward guidance. Management projected fiscal 2026 earnings per share between $16.90 and $18.10, with the midpoint trailing Wall Street consensus expectations.

The report also marked FedEx’s inaugural earnings announcement following the completion of its freight division separation earlier this month.

Wendy’s shares skyrocketed 26% following social media activity on Reddit’s WallStreetBets community encouraging members to purchase the fast-food operator’s stock. This movement mirrors previous instances of retail investor-driven equity surges.

XRP price hovered at $1.08 on Wednesday, June 24th, after slipping 1.96% in 24 hours. The token stayed under pressure as the wider crypto market consolidated, with Bitcoin near $62,000. The XRP price has declined by 10% in the last week and has spread the weakness of major altcoins. 

Grok AI still predicts a possible rally before 2026 ends. The CLARITY Act includes new policy attention following its House passage on July 17 this year, which retains regulation in the center of discussion among digital asset investors.

XRP Price Rally Ahead? Grok AI Points to 2026 Upside Elon Musk’s Grok AI has projected a strong XRP price rally before 2026 ends. The model opined that XRP would recover when Bitcoin can gain support and liquidity goes back to major altcoins. It also cited the progressive CLARITY Act, ETF interest and expansion of Ripple as institutions as favorable. 

Source: Grok Ai Bullish version of case by Grok has XRP to reach 1.60 to 1.80 in 30 days should sentiment turn. A more optimistic base case has XRP between $1.55 and $1.75 at the beginning of July. Nevertheless, the prospect is risky. Additional Bitcoin vulnerability or regulatory delays might drag XRP back into the $1.00 to $1.05 support range initially. Volume, policy progress and BTC are monitored by traders.

XRP Spot ETF Inflows Hit Two-Week High as Bitwise Leads The largest daily inflow into XRP spot ETFs was 5.31 million on June 22, the highest inflow in two weeks. Bitwise XRP ETF registered the entire inflow on SoSOValue Crypto data. The last larger reading was on June 9 when dollars came in at 7.44 million. 

Source: Sosovalue data The new demand came when RLUSD got a formal listing in Japan. In the meantime, the XRPL Lending Protocol passed a security audit. Voting on the amendment of v3.2.0 also proceeded throughout the network, introducing another beneficial update to XRP traders.

XRP Price Prediction: Can Bulls Reclaim $2.0 Soon? The XRP price traded at $1.09 on the 4-hour chart, slipping 0.34% at press time.

The token has weakened short-term and is currently testing the $1.10 area. The level has turned into a significant buyer line. A decisive break above $1.10 may help in recovering to $1.15.

The first significant recovery point is at the level of $1.15. With improved momentum, the XRP price might stretch to $1.20. 

The RSI is at 31 with a low momentum. The MACD is also in favor of the prudent opinion. The MACD line remains below the signal line. This demonstrates that bearishness has not yet lost its grip.

Source: XRP/USDT 4-hour chart: Tradingview Nevertheless, the risk of downside is still present. If the XRP price loses $1.09, selling pressure may increase. The support target at the next level is around $1.05. A further dissection would reveal the psychological level of $1.00.

Key Highlights On June 24, 2026, Eli Lilly finalized its purchase of Centessa Pharmaceuticals, delivering $38 cash per share to investors. Investors received additional non-transferable contingent value rights worth as much as $9 per share. Following the deal’s closure, Centessa was removed from Nasdaq trading and operates as a fully owned Lilly entity. A comprehensive management restructuring occurred, with all existing Centessa executives and directors stepping down. The transaction places Centessa’s total value near $7.8 billion, focusing on sleep disorder therapeutics. On June 24, 2026, Eli Lilly successfully finalized its purchase of Centessa Pharmaceuticals, delivering a cash payment of $38 for each share — alongside contingent value rights potentially worth up to $9 per share — in a transaction totaling approximately $7.8 billion.

The deal closed via Lilly’s acquisition vehicle, LDH XV Corporation, after receiving authorization through a UK court-approved scheme of arrangement dated June 22, 2026.

Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc, CNTA

CNTA shares reached a record peak of $40.26 before the deal’s completion, representing a 183% price increase year-over-year and a 209% gain on a total return measurement.

At its peak, Centessa’s total market valuation reached $6.22 billion — demonstrating investor anticipation of the transaction’s finalization.

Effective June 24, Centessa transitioned into a completely owned Lilly division. Previous equity holders forfeited all ownership privileges, receiving solely the agreed-upon transaction payment.

The organization promptly initiated procedures to withdraw its American Depositary Shares from Nasdaq and cease its public disclosure requirements.

Centessa simultaneously settled and closed out its loan and security arrangement with Oxford Finance alongside other creditors as part of the closing procedures.

Complete Management Overhaul The acquisition prompted an extensive organizational transformation. Every senior executive and board member at Centessa exited their positions when the deal became effective.

Lilly designated two replacement directors who assumed control of the reconfigured board. The company’s at-the-market equity distribution initiative was simultaneously discontinued.

Centessa’s metamorphosis is now final — evolving from a standalone, Nasdaq-traded biotechnology firm into a wholly incorporated division within Lilly’s organizational framework.

Wall Street Response Financial analysts had previously adjusted their assessments to mirror the transaction parameters. Truist Securities revised CNTA from Buy to Hold after the deal announcement, establishing a $38 price objective — matching the cash payment amount.

Wolfe Research executed a comparable adjustment, transitioning its position from Outperform to Peerperform.

The latest analyst evaluation for CNTA stands at Hold with a $42 target price — marginally exceeding the acquisition price, factoring in the possible CVR distribution.

Lilly’s strategic motivation focuses on strengthening its development portfolio within the sleep disorder therapeutic area, a segment where Centessa had been advancing multiple initiatives.

The Alkermes correlation merits attention: upon the initial Centessa announcement, Alkermes shares climbed 13%, indicating wider market enthusiasm for sleep disorder therapeutics.

Following delisting completion and Centessa’s full integration, CNTA shares no longer exist as publicly available securities.

March 27, 2024 – United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates

XCAD Network – a tokenization platform for YouTubers to connect and reward their viewers with crypto tokens – today announced it has signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with multiple governments to expand incentivized Web 3.0 education to millions of people across the globe. By securing the support of several governments, XCAD aims to bridge the gap between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, and enable more people to partake in the Web 3.0 space.

XCAD Network has announced the first government agreement, which is with Pakistan.

Under this partnership, XCAD will distribute and incentivize the consumption of educational media among Pakistani citizens.

Education is the first step in bringing new people into the Web 3.0 space.

As part of the MOUs, XCAD Network will work with governments to launch pilot campaigns to educate their citizens on Web 3.0.

These campaigns will be joint campaigns launched by governments and the XCAD team alongside select content creators from that country’s jurisdiction.

Users will have to download the XCAD Network application to watch interactive educational content on various Web 3.0 topics.

Upon completing the modules and consuming content, users are rewarded with tokens.

Blockchain, cryptocurrency and the Web 3.0 world will be the key focus areas.

However, governments can also focus education on other subjects, such as financial literacy.

Oliver Bell, chief executive officer of XCAD Network, said,

“Working directly with government entities is incredibly exciting for the XCAD project and the Web 3.0 space as a whole.

“What we’re doing aligns with the government’s vision towards digitization and global blockchain adoption.”

Another way that XCAD plans to work with government entities is by leveraging the XCAD platform to boost travel and tourism engagement in their country.

They want to partner with creators and citizens to create engaging educational content around tourism in their country. Those who consume the content are then rewarded.

XCAD Network has already onboarded some of the biggest YouTubers in the world to issue creator tokens on its platform.

However, getting governments involved gives the project more credibility.

This allows XCAD Network to attract even bigger names to issue creator tokens, stay on top of regulatory requirements and drive more users to the XCAD platform.

About XCAD Network XCAD Network allows YouTube creators to launch personalized tokens and generate dedicated economies around their loyal fanbase.

It also offers new startup creators a way to earn tokens and generate income even before the creator generates traction on YouTube itself.

In addition to helping generate new revenue, XCAD Network fosters deeper engagement through gamification and rewards.

Fans benefit monetarily from the growth of their favorite creators, thus strengthening the bonds between creators and their followers.

The platform is backed by famous YouTubers such as KSI and MrBeast and is home to more than 100 celebrity influencers globally with a combined audience of over 800 million.

The XCAD ecosystem consists of DEXs, a governance portal, a browser plugin with YouTube integration, cross-chain bridges, staking pools and creator swap, which lets users exchange creator tokens.

For more information, please visit the website.

Contact Roelien Vd Westhuizen, Dverse

 

XCAD Network, a Watch2Earn tokenization platform for YouTubers, has announced the upcoming launch of its first V2 creator token, $DON, in partnership with Ape Terminal and TheDonato, a renowned South American content creator with over 40 million subscribers and 7 billion views.

The launch has already generated significant interest, with more than 25,000 sign-ups and a remarkable 2,400% oversubscription.

TLDR XCAD Network is launching its inaugural V2 creator token, $DON, in collaboration with Ape Terminal and YouTube star TheDonato. The launch has garnered over 25,000 sign-ups and a 2,400% oversubscription. The strategic listing on Ape Terminal aims to draw TheDonato’s vast fanbase into the crypto space, injecting fresh capital from Web2 users. Fans will be turned into stakeholders through governance and will find deeper engagement with TheDonato through various exclusive offerings. The $DON token has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with allocations for fan incentives, pre-sale, liquidity, contributors, and marketing. The collaboration between XCAD Network, Ape Terminal, and TheDonato marks a significant milestone in the creator economy, as it aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 by introducing TheDonato’s extensive fanbase to the world of cryptocurrencies.

This strategic move is expected to inject fresh capital into the crypto space, while simultaneously revolutionizing the relationship between content creators and their audiences.

Oliver Bell, CEO and Co-founder of XCAD Network, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that the launch on Ape Terminal represents a transformative moment for both XCAD Network and the creator economy as a whole.

He emphasized that Ape Terminal’s sophisticated infrastructure provides the perfect launchpad for creator tokens like $DON, ensuring seamless transactions and broad accessibility to both experienced crypto enthusiasts and newcomers from Web2.

The $DON token is designed to turn fans into stakeholders through governance, allowing them to have a say in the direction of TheDonato’s content.

Additionally, fans will enjoy a deeper level of engagement with the creator through exclusive offerings such as meet-and-greet sessions, appearances in TheDonato’s videos, and access to an exclusive Discord community.

Bell further emphasized that the $DON token is just the beginning, as XCAD Network aims to empower creators to deepen connections with their fans while offering unprecedented access and influence over their favorite content.

The collaboration with Ape Terminal and TheDonato will enable XCAD Network to roll out a suite of creator tokens, enhancing the digital content landscape and creating new opportunities for creators and their communities.

The $DON token has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with allocations distributed as follows: 30% for fan incentives, 20% for pre-sale, 30% for market making and exchange liquidity, and 10% each for contributors and marketing.

Through $DON, fans will transcend traditional boundaries, gaining unparalleled access and influence over TheDonato’s creative journey while being rewarded for their unwavering support.

Oliver Dale

Editor-in-Chief of Blockonomi and founder of Kooc Media, A UK-Based Online Media Company. Believer in Open-Source Software, Blockchain Technology & a Free and Fair Internet for all. His writing has been quoted by Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Investopedia, The New Yorker, Forbes, Techcrunch & More. Contact [email protected]

Wed 08 Apr 2026 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Global debt crosses a threshold reminiscent of the darkest hours in economic history. The International Monetary Fund sounds the alarm: public debt reaches levels comparable to those of World War II, in a context nevertheless devoid of global conflict. This drift raises questions far beyond the numbers, as it weakens monetary balances and revives doubts about the stability of currencies.

In Brief Global public debt reaches a level close to 100 % of GDP, an unprecedented threshold since World War II. The IMF warns of a historic break : unlike post-war, debt shows no sign of reduction. States face increasingly complex budgetary trade-offs amid rising borrowing costs. Trust becomes a central issue to maintain global economic and financial balance. Global debt at an unprecedented level since 1945 In an unstable geopolitical context, the IMF warns as global public debt now approaches 100 % of the planet’s GDP, an unprecedented threshold since the end of World War II. The institution describes a deep and worrying development, accompanied by clear warnings about future risks.

It states notably that “governments can no longer postpone difficult budgetary choices”, placing trust at the heart of the current economic equation.

The key points put forward by the IMF help measure the scale of the situation :

Global debt reaches a level close to 100 % of GDP, a historical record in a period without major conflict ; After 1945, debt dropped from 150 % to less than 50 % of GDP over two decades, a dynamic now completely reversed ; Successive crises (financial, health, geopolitical) have fueled a continuous accumulation of debt; Rising borrowing costs complicate states’ budgetary trade-offs ; Current projections indicate continued increase, with no clear reduction path. This break from historical cycles fuels concerns about economies’ ability to stabilize their debt in an environment that has become more constrained.

Towards a financial shift favorable to alternative assets ? Beyond the observation, the IMF reveals increasing pressure on global economic balances, where states’ room for maneuver is rapidly shrinking. Debt accumulation limits policy options and heightens tensions between public spending, financial stability, and growth.

This situation fosters an atmosphere of uncertainty where trust becomes a determining factor, as explicitly highlighted by the institution. Upcoming decisions are expected to be delicate, with budgetary choices that could redefine economic priorities globally.

In this context, certain dynamics are emerging in parallel. Massive indebtedness and consequent monetary policies revive concerns related to inflation and fiat currency depreciation.

This development contributes to increasing interest in alternatives perceived as uncorrelated to the traditional system, notably cryptocurrencies. The text highlights that this potential loss of trust in currencies could benefit instruments like bitcoin or stablecoins, in an environment where financial stability becomes uncertain.

As imbalances deepen, the issue no longer concerns just debt management but the possible transformation of the monetary system itself. Between increased budgetary constraints and the search for new benchmarks, upcoming policy decisions could accelerate the adoption of alternative assets or strengthen the role of decentralized solutions, particularly those of DeFi. The evolution of this debt crisis thus fits into a global perspective, where the lines between traditional finance and crypto could continue to blur.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Pundi X was one of the most highly anticipated ICOs of 2018. This meant that it was able to hit its $35 million hard cap within 90 minutes.

The project is trying to build a large decentralized crypto point of sale network. They are trying to acheive this through Merchant devices, cards and crypto wallets. If they succeed, they hope to make buying cryptocurrency as easy as "buying bottled water".

However, are these ambitions too grand?

In this Pundi X review I will attempt to answer that. I will also take an in-depth look at the use cases of the NPXS token as well as its long term adoption potential.

Pundi X Technology and Use CasesThe driving force behind the creation of Pundi X is the steep learning curve for those just entering the cryptocurrency ecosystem. With very few exceptions (Robinhood and Coinbase come to mind), current cryptocurrency exchanges are confusing and difficult to learn for new users.

And that doesn’t even touch on the difficulty and confusion associated with juggling multiple wallets, private keys, passphrases and authenticators.

Honestly, even experienced cryptocurrency users can become somewhat frustrated. Pundi X offers to change all this through three interlocking pieces of technology: The Pundi X platform, mobile wallets, and card payments.

One interesting and unique feature of the Pundi X network is that its devices are integrated into two blockchains – Ethereum and NEM. Nem (XEM) was chosen because it is popular with Asian financial institutions, and because it has the technology to enable nearly instantaneous payments.

The PlatformThe Pundi X POS device has begun production in February 2018 following the ICO and has been shipping to merchants since July 2018. The list of merchants has been expanding at an ever increasing pace. You can see a list of all of the global merchants here

It allows customers to pay for goods with cryptocurrencie stored in their mobile wallet, and can also be used to buy cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, XEM, QTUM, or ACT) to top up the wallet.

During the ICO Pundi has said that they will deliver 100,000-700,000 POS devices to at least 12 different countries over the next three years. In addition to the base model, Pundi is also designing a smaller unit and a desktop version that will be capable of accepting major credit cards, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Pundi X POS System Explained

The team is actually doing much better with XPOS devices shipped to more than 25 countries as of November 2019, and expectations for over 100,000 XPOS devices being deployed by 2021.

The POS system also serves merchants as it incorporates inventory, membership and identity management features. Pundi X says the POS system will be far better than Bitcoin ATMs thanks to the increased range of services available and the lower cost.

In addition, the devices are far smaller, enabling them to be installed in many places where a Bitcoin ATM wouldn’t be feasible. The Pundi X token (NPXS) will be used as gas for the network, powering transactions and advertisements, as well as identify customers for qualified discounts.

The initial 500 units were delivered to select locations in late June, and on July 10, 2018 the team announced the first of these, which are located in Hong Kong in four participating FAMA restaurants as part of the RISE 2018 convention. The team also distributed XPASS cards to RISE 2018 participants to demonstrate how easy it is to use cryptocurrencies to make purchases using their technology.

The current and planned Pundi X PoS devices. Image via Pundi X

The team has also said they will focus on Indonesia, which is the largest South-East Asian country, with a population of roughly 250 million. Obviously, Hong Kong has also become a target for early adoption, and the Pundi X team has also said that it has expanded into China.

It’s very exciting to see the team shipping and beta testing the actual hardware, and while it may seem unreal to be able to purchase goods with cryptocurrency, and to purchase cryptocurrency while waiting for your lunch or dinner to be served, this platform could not only make it a reality, but make it widely accepted over the next three years.

Pundi X WalletThe mobile wallet (Pundi XWallet) will simplify key management for users, storing the public and private keys and using a password system similar to any online system.

This feature alone is expected to massively increase adoption of cryptocurrencies by new users, however, there are worries that it could deter existing cryptocurrency users who worry about security and privacy issues.

The wallet is able to hold BTC, ETH, BNB and NSPX, as well as fiat currencies. There are plans to add support for additional currencies over time. The XWallet also includes a virtual XPASS card, or it can be synched with a physical XPASS card.

Screenshots of XWallet in the Google Play Store

The XWallet is available on both iOS and Android devices and are free to download. In terms of feedback on the apps, it has about a 4.3 star rating in the Google Play store. However, there appears to have recently been a number of complaints about the functionality of the app.

Some of these relate to the KYC requirement of Pundi X which is not something that they can really control. However, for those that are technical in nature, the team appears to be quite responsive and - most importantly - receptive.

The Pundi X Card Payment SystemThe company has released a card, which they are naming the XPASS card, which works together with the mobile app and wallet, enabling payments and deposits by card (a familiar medium for most) that are pulled from the mobile wallet.

In addition, users are able to see the current market price of each cryptocurrency before paying for goods and services, allowing them to pay with the cryptocurrency that brings the best value at the time. Currently, the XPASS card has support for BTC, BNB, ETH and NPXS.

This ability to pay for things easily with cryptocurrencies is what will finally give them real value in a widespread sense. The Pundi X whitepaper states that

most cryptocurrencies can only be used to buy other cryptocurrencies, reducing the relevance of them to almost zero for most people

Pundi X Card Payments

Indeed one of the primary arguments of non-crypto believers is that cryptocurrencies have no real value. It is hoped that enabling ease of payments will change that opinion.

It does seem as if the Pundi X team has created a technology system that has the potential to make cryptocurrencies widely accepted and used on a global scale. While the use cases are strong in theory, much of the adoption will depend on how quickly the POS devices can be rolled out, how well they actually work, and how successful the next several years of marketing for the technology is.

It is also notable that Pundi has partnered with iBank for the release and distribution of the XPASS cards. They offer both the standard XPASS card as well as a special edition Cao Jun designed card.

Pundi has also released a Manga themed XPASS card that also supports NEM and Qtum. Eventually, these special edition cards will be made into digital assets on the IOST blockchain.

Pundi Function X - f(x)Function X or f(x) is Pundi’s vision of the blockchain internet and includes not only a decentralized internet model, but also the hardware devices necessary to take advantage of this new blockchain based operating system.

The first device being launched is the Pundi X blockchain phone, being dubbed “BOB” for “Blok on Blok”. In addition to the blockchain based phone, the Pundi X team is also planning on redesigning the XPOS terminals to take advantage of f(x) technology. Finally, there is a Function X physical node in development.

FXTP Protocol With the BOB Smartphone

These are only three examples of hardware that can be created to take advantage of the f(x) operating system. Like everything else the Pundi X team takes on, the concept of the Function X operating system is ambitious, impressive, and far-reaching.

Pundi X TeamThe Pundi X team are a talented group of technologists and entrepreneurs, which seems to be exactly what this project will need for success. In general, the management team is comprised of computer engineers turned serial entrepreneur.

The glaring exception to this is CEO and founder Zac Cheah, who was formerly an HTML games developer, but perhaps this is why he surrounded himself with such a strong team.

The President of Pundi X, Constantin Papadimitrou, has a long history of founding successful fintech companies, and scaling them, which makes him an ideal fit for a project that will need rapid growth and adoption.

From Left: Zac Cheah (CEO), Pitt Huang (CTO), Constantin Papadimitriou (President), Danny Lim (CFO)

The CTO/COO and co-founder Pitt Huang created and sold his first business by the age of 25 and went on to create and sell several more business, including one that had over 200 employees.

The CFO and the third co-founder of the project is Danny Lim. Danny is an APAC financing expert who has product design experience with Baidu and Lenovo. Danny is a PhD Law scholar from Tsinghua University and hold ACMA and CGMA accounting qualifications.

The management team operates out of Jakarta, which the research team largely operates out of Shenzhen. Overall the team has physical offices in Jakarta, London, São Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, Shenzhen and Singapore. As of August 2018 the team is comprised of more than 150 employees, with over half filling research and development roles.

PartnershipsThe Pundi X team has worked diligently, not only on the product and platform, but also on partnerships to help spread the platform and ensure both short-term growth and long-term stability.

The most significant partnership for Pundi X has been the one with NEM. It is this partnership that will allow Pundi X to confirm transactions instantly. Without this the team would almost certainly be able to gain traction with consumers, who are not going to be willing to use a transactional payment system that takes several minutes at the least to confirm transactions. The fast and inexpensive transactions provided by NEM make it possible for Pundi X to gain mainstream adoption.

Pundi X Partnerships

The Pundi team has also spent time positioning itself within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, establishing partnerships with the Indonesian Blockchain Association, the Singapore Fintech Association, the XPOS Consortium, ACCESS, the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, and the Swiss Finance and Fintech Association.

This last led to a further partnership with Swiss company UTRUST, who have committed to deploying 1,000 of the Pundi X POS devices.

Pundi X has been proactive in creating partnerships as a key business development tool. They have also used them to maximize their value proposition, increasing trust, engagement and adoption for both consumers and merchants. This should assist them tremendously in their marketing efforts as they roll out the Pundi X devices and systems throughout Asia and beyond.

Even though the NXPS coin has been languishing along with the rest of the cryptocurrency markets, the project continues to attract members to its various online communities. In fact, it has by far the largest following on Facebook I've ever seen for a blockchain project with over 110,000 followers of its page.

That dwarfs its other social media accounts, although it does have a strong Telegram channel, with over 40,000 followers there.

The project's following on Twitter is pretty solid, with 66,600 followers. The team is also active there, not only tweeting their own stuff but also retweeting useful information from other Twitter users and blockchain projects.

The sub-Reddit for Pundi X is somewhat disappointing, with only 5,534 followers. Posts here are infrequent too. In fact, you'd be better off following the project's YouTube channel, which has a large number of videos and some very good information about Pundi X and NXPS tokens.

It also has over 4,000 subscribers, which is pretty good on Youtube for a blockchain project.

The NPXS TokenAs mentioned earlier, Pundi X held an ICO back in January, raising their $35 million hard cap in just 90 minutes. As we all know, the first quarter of 2018 was a bad one for crypto in general and the NPXS token slowly sank from $0.001 to between $0.0007-0.0008 by April.

That’s where things got interesting after the Bancor Network listed the NPXS token. That took the price to $0.004 or so, but then in May price jumped again, reaching nearly $0.015 before dropping back. Price spiked to an all-time high of $0.015621 on June 17, 2018 when the shipment of the first 500 XPOS devices was announced.

NPXS Price Performance. Image via CMC

Of course, that pump didn’t last and price turned lower almost immediately following the June shipment announcement. There was a brief rally in May 2019, but by October 23, 2019 price was at an all-time low of $0.000159. Several weeks later on November 8, 2019 price has recovered slightly to $0.00018, making NPXS the 94th largest coin by market cap.

Trading & Storing NPXSIf you think now is a good time to buy NPXS, or if you just want to support the project, you’ll find the token listed on dozens of different exchanges.

The largest trade volume can be found at Binance, but Upbit and Hotbit also have good volumes. You could also consider Bithumb, Exrates, BKEX, or Vebitcoin. There are a handful of other exchanges with acceptable trade volumes although you could struggle with larger orders.

Taking a look at the liquidity on an exchange like Binance it appears average. For example, on the BTC / USDT order book the depth is reasonable with a minor bid ask spread however daily turnover is on the lower side. So, larger block orders could lead to some slippage.

Register at Binance and Buy NPXS Tokens

The recommend wallet is the mobile XWallet that is created and released by the Pundi X team. You can get it here and it is perfect for staking too. There are other options such as the Atomic Wallet, and of course, you can store NPXS in any ERC-20 compatible wallets too.

The NPXSXEM TokenIn addition to the NXPS ERC-20 token there is also an NXPSXEM token created from the NEM blockchain. It is a utility token that was created for utilization on NEMXPOS devices.

Pundi plans on manufacturing and deploying 20,000 NEM XPOS units around the world, all of which will run on the NEM blockchain. Of course, it is also openly traded on markets and as of this writing has a value of $0.000171.

NXPSXEM hit its all-time high of $0.004845 on August 8, 2018, just a day after being exchange listed. It’s all-time low was $0.000088 on October 16, 2019. Like NXPS it can also be staked by holding it in the XWallet until the end of 2020.

ConclusionPundi X has taken on an impressive and ambitious task in tackling what could amount to everyday adoption of cryptocurrencies by the masses, if their vision is realized. The technology seems appropriate for what they’re attempting, and the delivery of XPOS devices to more than 25 countries already shows the commitment of the team, and the success of the project to date.

The entire team has substantial experience in both technology and finance, which has been helpful to the start-up. With partnerships in place, and the hope for larger partnerships to be forged, Pundi X is like a sleeping giant.

All that’s left is to see if they can deliver on their promise of 100,000 units in the coming three years, and whether they are able to market those devices appropriately.

With those two pieces in place, you could be seeing a Pundi X device at a retailer near you in the near future. In fact, if you live in Brazil, Southeast Asia or some areas of Europe and Africa you might have already come across Pundi X devices.

And now with the development of Function X Pundi is looking to not only take over cryptocurrency merchant transactions, but they also want to take over the internet. Imagine if they’re successful. Pundi X in twenty years could be like a combination of Google, Apple, and Amazon with a global reach and commanding market presence.

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

xMoney Appoints Dr. Greg Siourounis as CEO to Develop MiCA-Regulated Stablecoin Platform

Binance Pay Collaborates with xMoney to Boost Crypto Payments Across Europe

In a surprising development, Binance Pay, the payment subsidiary of the leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has joined hands with xMoney, a blockchain payment solution provider. The strategic collaboration envisions enhancing crypto payment accessibility for customers across the European market.

Notably, this alliance expands the payment platform’s global merchant network to over 32,000 businesses, with xMoney operating in compliance with MiCA regulations. The development aims to foster secure and innovative payment solutions, solidifying the firm’s leading role in the global payment network.

Binance Pay Establishes in Europe via xMoney In an official blog post, Binance announced Binance Pay’s strategic alliance with xMoney, a prominent blockchain payment solution provider in Europe. Using xMoney’s robust payment infrastructure, the firm intends to link its users with a vast network of merchants. Thereby, the move expands Binance Pay’s payment ecosystem across Europe.

Notably, the partnership envisions addressing the growing demand for secure, efficient, and easily accessible payment solutions. Elaborating on the venture’s significance, Jonathan Lim, Global Head of Binance Pay stated:

This collaboration between Binance Pay and xMoney comes at a pivotal moment when cryptocurrency is being embraced in mainstream commerce and public services. The ability to pay for luxury goods, travel, and even government services with crypto demonstrates how digital currencies are becoming a practical tool for everyday transactions.

Partnership to Expand Merchant Network In addition to creating a better crypto payment environment, the move also focuses on expanding Binance Pay’s merchant ecosystem. While xMoney’s merchant network spans diverse areas including luxury retail, gaming, travel, real estate, and public services, it could significantly drive Binance Pay’s connections.

Significantly, association with xMoney has propelled the payment platform’s merchant network to over 32,000 businesses globally. This marks a notable milestone in the firm’s growth trajectory. The expansion underscores the platform’s accelerated growth, with the platform already achieving a notable 36% year-over-year increase in its development.

xMoney CEO Greg Siourounis stated that the partnership will enable the platform to expand and provide customers with greater flexibility. The CEO added, “Partnering with Binance Pay is a significant step in building the bridge between blockchain and traditional finance.”

Another important development that the Binance ecosystem witnessed recently was Binance Lab’s rebranding to YZi Labs. This change reflects the investment firm’s plan to shift its focus towards investments and establish a distinct identity separate from the Binance brand.

Binance Pay Prioritizes Compliance While xMoney fully adheres to the EU’s MiCA regulations, the Binance Pay partnership ensures a highly secured environment for crypto payments and transactions. This joint venture becomes crucial as it comes on the heels of the French investigators’ judicial probe into charges against Binance.

Moreover, the collaborative project operates within a trusted framework, with xMoney’s strong regulatory compliance. This framework fosters cryptocurrency adoption and provides a secure environment for crypto transactions.

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Binance Pay, a virtual currency payment platform powered by Binance, today announced a strategic partnership with xMoney, a   Web3 transaction hub in Europe. Through this alliance, the two entities are making cryptocurrency payments secure and more seamless for everyone in Europe.

Expanding merchant payment network XMoney’s broad merchant network reaches various industries including real estate, travel, gaming, luxury retail, and even public service. It also supports government clientele like Liechtenstein National Administration and the City Of Lugano where locals can use crypto to pay for public services. This broad merchant network powered by xMoney evolved to accommodate the growing interest in cryptocurrency use in business premises and public sectors in the entire Europe.

Its collaboration with Binance Pay is a crucial development as it enabled it to create a seamless trading connection between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency world. By integrating its infrastructure into Binance Pay, xMoney broadened its ecosystem and provides its users with higher trading options and greater flexibility in how to conduct day-to-day transactions.

Furthermore, customers and merchants have peace of mind accessing xMoney as the platform thrives on trust and regulatory compliance. It remains committed to adhering to the EU’s   MiCa laws and emphasizes legal adherence to ensure a safe environment for Web3 accessibility and cryptocurrency transactions.

On the other hand, this alliance allowed Binance Pay users to seamlessly access xMoney’s broad merchant network, allowing more than 20,000 European businesses to accept cryptocurrency directly. This helps simplify transactions across a wide range of industries like e-commerce, gaming, travel, luxury goods, and many more.

As a result, based on this collaboration, Binance Pay’s network has experienced tremendous growth – recently onboarded 32,000 businesses worldwide. This is an indication that this alliance has been an essential initiative. The partnership also enabled Binance Pay to register an impressive 36% year-to-year growth. In just one year, Binance Pay drew in more than 12,000 merchants by December 2024.

This continued growth represents Binance Pay’s commitment to bringing innovative opportunities for crypto applications, including allowing users to book travels, buy luxury items, and access various everyday transactions using cryptocurrency. These innovative offerings coincide with the evolving demand for advanced, accessible, and real-world digital payment solutions.

Dismantling obstacles in crypto payments Based on this collaboration, the two firms jointly offer a more affordable, rapid, and accessible payment experience for both businesses and ordinary customers. Binance Pay users can now smoothly access a broad variety of Web3 and traditional products and services, enabling them to integrate cryptocurrency into their everyday transactions.

This partnership happened at a crucial time when crypto assets are increasingly being adopted in traditional markets and even public service. Paying travel expenses, luxury items, and even government services using cryptocurrency is proof that cryptocurrency is becoming a common instrument for daily transactions.

By collaborating with xMoney, Binance Pay assists in advancing the use of blockchain technology to offer real-world applications to users. This helps fulfill the increasing demand for accessible, seamless, and secure digital payment solutions.

AUTHOR

Nicholas Otieno is a fintech writer specializing in cryptocurrency markets. Since 2019, he has written articles to educate readers about cryptocurrency and its substantial positive impact on global prosperity. Nicholas is a Bitcoin holder, believing firmly in its fundamentals. His work has been featured in publications such as Finance Magnates, Blockchain.News, Bitcoin Magazine, Coincub, and among others. When he's not writing, Nicholas enjoys performing domestic tasks, spending time with friends, listening to music, and watching football.

Sui is partnering with xMoney and xPortal to launch a virtual Mastercard for European users, allowing them to spend crypto like cash.

Sui is expanding into everyday payments through a new partnership with financial platform xMoney and crypto super-app xPortal. Together, they are launching a virtual Mastercard that allows European users to spend crypto like cash.

The partnership introduces a full-stack payment solution: a custom Sui (SUI) wallet experience integrated into xPortal’s app, already used by 2.5 million people.

https://twitter.com/SuiNetwork/status/1915394307433128333

This includes a branded virtual Mastercard that users can add to Apple Pay or Google Pay and use across over 20,000 merchants. 

A physical card is expected later in 2025, according to a company note shared with crypto.news.

“This powerful new product is a significant step towards making the Sui ecosystem more accessible to everyday consumers,” said Christian Thompson, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation.

Self custody coupled with spending By leveraging xPortal’s user-friendly interface and xMoney’s licensed infrastructure, the offering combines self-custody with seamless spending. 

It positions Sui among the few Layer 1 blockchains enabling real-world payments in a compliant way, starting in the EU.

Sergiu Biris, CEO of xPortal, emphasized Sui’s performance and community as key reasons for the integration, while Greg Siourounis of xMoney highlighted the platform’s goal of bridging crypto with traditional finance.

The company plans to expand in the U.S. and introduce more enterprise services, which will be announced at the upcoming Sui Basecamp event.