Market
Bitwise’s Matt Hougan Foresees the End of Meme Coin Boom
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According to Matt Hougan, Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer, the meme coin market hype is heading for a dramatic downfall, which could mark its end.
Hougan pointed to a series of high-profile scams and illicit activities as the catalysts that will likely extinguish the speculative frenzy surrounding meme coins.
Bitwise CIO Discusses the End of Meme Coin Era
In a recent X (formerly Twitter) post, Hougan noted that the crypto market is currently processing the end of the meme coin frenzy. While the decline may not happen overnight, he predicts that it could be effectively dead within six months.
“The combination of Melania, Libra, and the Lazarus Group using meme coins to launder stolen ETH will kill it dead,” the post read.
The MELANIA token, tied to the former US First Lady, and LIBRA, promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei, have both been embroiled in controversy after insiders reportedly cashed out millions.
Meanwhile, the Lazarus Group has reportedly leveraged platforms like Pump.fun—a Solana (SOL)-based meme coin launchpad recently compromised in a hack—to launder over $1.5 billion in stolen funds from a massive Bybit exchange heist.
Hougan emphasized that the decline of interest in meme coins could leave a short-term void in market enthusiasm. Yet, new narratives are already poised to take their place. These include the institutional adoption of Bitcoin (BTC), which continues to gain traction with ETFs and large-scale corporate holdings.
Stablecoins are becoming crucial as major institutions hint at increased adoption. Tokenization is unlocking liquidity in real-world assets. Finally, decentralized finance (DeFi) is staging a comeback, attracting retail and institutional users with fresh innovations.
Nonetheless, not all share Hougan’s pessimism. Memecoins have long thrived on hype and community belief rather than intrinsic value—a phenomenon recently praised by Cryptoquant CEO Ki Young Ju.
“If you can create something people believe in, you can thrive as an entrepreneur in the crypto industry,” he stated.
Ju argued that meme coins tap into deep-seated human instincts and cultural patterns. They reflect the need for symbols and beliefs that bring people together, much like religious or spiritual systems have in the past.
Despite Hougan’s concerns, the meme sector is still showing signs of life. At press time, its market cap stood at $64.2 billion, reflecting a 1.2% increase in the last 24 hours.
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This growth contrasts with the broader crypto market, which has shed $109 billion at the same time. Notably, 7 of the top 10 meme coins have posted gains in the past 24 hours.
Nonetheless, despite these recent gains, 90% of the top 10 meme coins have registered losses over the past week.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Litecoin Faces 3-Month Resistance—Will Price Break Out Or Fall?
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Litecoin (LTC) has encountered a persistent challenge over the past three months, failing to break above the key resistance at $136. Despite recent attempts to breach this barrier, the altcoin has struggled to maintain upward momentum.
While some believe a breakthrough is imminent, a lack of investor support suggests the price may face further declines.
Litecoin Investors Are Not Supportive
Litecoin’s Long-Term Holders (LTHs) have not shown substantial bullish behavior recently, according to the Mean Coin Age (MCA) indicator. The lack of a noticeable uptick suggests minimal accumulation, leaving the market stagnant. If the MCA indicator were to show a significant downtick, it could signal that LTHs are selling off their holdings, which would be a bearish sign. However, since this is not happening, Litecoin may avoid a sharp crash but still struggles to attract long-term investment.
Without stronger conviction from LTHs, Litecoin may continue its sideways movement without a significant rally. This minimal accumulation by investors who typically dictate long-term trends leaves the altcoin vulnerable to remaining stuck in the same range without meaningful progress. Until LTHs show more interest, substantial gains for Litecoin seem unlikely.
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The overall macro momentum for Litecoin is being heavily influenced by the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator, which has struggled to stay above the zero line for the past two months. The lack of inflows has hindered Litecoin’s ability to rally sharply. Although the CMF has shown some signs of upward movement recently, it has yet to signal a sustained rise, leaving the altcoin in a state of indecision.
Since the start of the year, Litecoin’s price has remained relatively flat, with the absence of strong market inflows contributing to its stagnation. The CMF’s continued struggle to break above zero reflects broader market hesitancy toward Litecoin. While the recent uptick provides some hope, whether this momentum can be sustained remains uncertain.
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LTC Price Faces Key Barrier
Currently, Litecoin is trading at $129, reflecting a 13% rise over the last 24 hours. This uptick has brought the altcoin closer to the critical resistance of $136, which it has struggled to breach for the past three months. The current price movement suggests that Litecoin may attempt another rally, but the same factors that caused previous failures remain.
Should Litecoin fail to breach the $136 resistance, the price could fall back to $117, with further support at $105. A decline below these levels would signal a continuation of the downtrend, keeping Litecoin stuck below key resistance for an extended period.
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If Litecoin successfully breaks above the $136 resistance and flips it into support, a significant rally could follow. The next target would be $147, just under the psychological $150 price point. Reaching this target would invalidate the bearish outlook and could set Litecoin on a path toward even higher prices.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Bitcoin Falls as Technical Indicators Signal Bearish Trend
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Bitcoin (BTC) has faced significant downward pressure over the past week, with its price falling below $90,000 for the first time since November 2024. It is down 11% in the last seven days and is currently trading near a critical resistance level of $85,985.
Technical indicators are showing predominantly bearish signals. The red cloud is positioned above the current price action and widening slightly, indicating increasing bearish momentum. Despite this short-term weakness, some analysts point to potential signs of recovery as short-term EMA lines begin to trend upward.
Bitcoin Ichimoku Cloud Shows a Bearish Setup
The Ichimoku Cloud for Bitcoin shows a predominantly bearish sentiment. The red cloud (Kumo) is positioned above the current price action, signaling a resistance zone that BTC would need to break through to reverse the trend. The cloud is also widening slightly, indicating increasing bearish momentum.
The Leading Span A (green line) is below the Leading Span B (red line), further confirming the bearish outlook. Additionally, the price is trading below both the blue Tenkan-sen (conversion line) and the red Kijun-sen (baseline), suggesting that the short-term trend is still under downward pressure.
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The Tenkan-sen has started to flatten out, which typically indicates a pause or consolidation in the downtrend. However, it remains below the Kijun-sen, reinforcing the bearish bias.
The green Chikou Span (lagging line) is below the price action and the cloud, supporting the continuation of the bearish trend. Overall, unless BTC can push through the cloud resistance and the Tenkan-sen crosses above the Kijun-sen, the bearish momentum is likely to persist.
BTC Whales Are Going Down In the Last 5 Days
The number of Bitcoin whales, defined as addresses holding at least 1,000 BTC, demonstrated steady growth until reaching a peak of 2,054 on February 22.
Since that high point, however, the metric has begun to decline, with the current count standing at 2,042 whale addresses.
Tracking these large holders is crucial for market participants, as whales possess significant market-moving power. Their accumulation or distribution patterns often precede major price movements, and their concentration levels provide insight into Bitcoin’s wealth distribution and overall network health.
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The recent decline in whale addresses could signal short-term selling pressure, as these large holders may be taking profits or redistributing their holdings across multiple wallets for security purposes, potentially contributing to price volatility or downward pressure in the near term.
Despite this recent decrease, it’s important to note that the current whale count of 2,042 remains historically elevated compared to previous years, suggesting continued strong institutional and high-net-worth individual interest in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value. According to Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC:
“The long-term trend remains unchanged: institutional demand and the development of Bitcoin infrastructure, including ETFs and new investment products, continue to strengthen its position. However, the short-term outlook remains under pressure: the market is going through a phase of liquidation of excess leverage and a decrease in risk appetite.The market is going through a phase of liquidation of excess leverage and a decrease in risk appetite, but this is beneficial for BTC’s long-term healthy development,” Jin told BeInCrypto.
Will Bitcoin Recover Levels Above $90,000?
Bitcoin currently has a significant resistance level at $85,985. A failure to maintain this support could trigger a downward movement toward the $82,000 range, continuing the current correction.
The proximity to this resistance level has created heightened tension among traders who are carefully watching for signs of direction in this volatile market.
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Despite the current bearish configuration of Bitcoin’s Exponential Moving Average (EMA) lines, with short-term indicators positioned below their long-term counterparts, there are emerging signs of potential optimism.
“Despite the current decline, Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory remains strong. Institutional players continue to increase their positions in BTC, and the development of Bitcoin infrastructure (including new ETFs and payment solutions) only strengthens its status as digital gold. In the short term, the price needs to recover above $96,000-$100,000, which will confirm the market’s readiness for new growth. If the pressure persists, the market may enter a phase of a deeper correction.”
Maria Carola, CEO of StealthEx.
The upward trajectory of the short-term EMA lines suggests a possible trend reversal in the near future. If this bullish crossover materializes, Bitcoin price could gain momentum to challenge the resistance at $93,000.
A breakthrough at this level might propel prices toward the next significant target of $96,375, potentially signaling the resumption of the broader uptrend that has characterized much of Bitcoin’s recent performance.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
$4 million Stolen, 6 Wallets Hit
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According to Cyvers report, Mask Network founder Suji Yan’s account has been hacked. A suspicious address received nearly $4 million in digital assets before the funds were immediately swapped to ETH and distributed across six different addresses.
Mask Network’s native token, MASK, has been nearly 50% down in the past three months, and this incident could further impact its price.
Hackers Target Mask Network Founder
The breach involved a complex mix of tokens. The suspicious address collected 113 ETH, 923 WETH, 301 ezETH, 156 weETH, 90 pufET, 48,400 MASK, 50,000 USDT, and 15 swETH.
Reports from Web3 security firm Cyvers reflect that the hack unfolded rapidly. Following the initial acquisition of nearly $4 million worth of cryptocurrency, the hackers converted the stolen assets to ETH.
The ETH was then dispersed evenly to six separate addresses, a maneuver likely intended to obscure the money trail and complicate efforts to trace the funds.
“Our system has identified a suspicious $4 million transfer linked to an address associated with Suji Ya, founder of Mask Network. The stolen assets were swiftly converted to ETH and dispersed across multiple addresses, indicating a well-coordinated laundering attempt. This incident underscores the increasing sophistication of threat actors in the Web3 space and highlights the urgent need for real-time transaction monitoring, preemptive prevention, and rapid incident response,” Meir Dolev, Co-founder & CTO at Cyvers told BeInCrypto.
Mask Network, which bridges mainstream social media with blockchain technology, has yet to release an official statement confirming the hack.
However, the founder, Suji Yan, has confirmed the hack on his social media. According to him, the hack is likely to have occurred at his birthday party yesterday. Yan alluded to the idea of an offline attack, as he was away from his phone for a few moments during the party.
Overall, Yan confirmed that the funds were transferred manually from his wallet. More details are yet to be revealed.
“6 hours ago, I turned 29. About 3 hours ago, $4 million was stolen from one of my public wallets. All of the stolen transactions appear to have been manually transferred and lasted for more than 11 minutes. So, either my private keys were compromised on my birthday and the hacker manually moved the funds, or this could have been an offline attack. I was at a private party with a dozen friends and my phone was away from me for a few minutes, like when I went to the bathroom. I trusted my friends, but this situation is a nightmare for anyone,” Yan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Crypto hacks and scams have massively increased in the first two months of 2025. Last week, North Korea’s Lazarus Group carried out the biggest hack in crypto history, the Bybit attack.
At the same time, several high-profile social media accounts are almost regularly being hacked to promote fake meme coins. The latest incident is part of this growing trend that has been plaguing the industry.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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