Market
Bitcoin ATH, Binance Drama, Shiba Inu Plans
This week in crypto, a lot happened across different ecosystems, with momentum reinvigorated by the broader market’s prevailing bullish sentiment. Besides Bitcoin’s (BTC) testing unchartered territory, the following are some of the updates you won’t want to miss.
For starters, Bitcoin established a new local top at $93,265 on Binance amid other BTC-related chatter. Other notable updates include developments on Telegram’s Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) and the Binance listing controversy.
Why HMSTR Soared Over 50%
Over the last seven days, the HMSTR token has soared over 50%, driven by the anticipated launch of the Hamster Kombat Season 2 airdrop. This play-to-earn (P2E) game rewards players in HMSTR tokens, combining engaging gameplay with tangible financial incentives.
The game’s success lies in its unique appeal, catering to the growing intersection of gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi). The rise also reflects broader trends in niche gaming tokens gaining popularity, particularly when aligned with a dedicated community. Analysts highlight the importance of timing and novel strategies in HMSTR’s unexpected ascent.
Nevertheless, some remain skeptical about season 2 of the project’s airdrop after the first one failed to impress participants.
“Hamster Kombat’s Season 2 won’t succeed unless they fix the big mistake of disqualifying 65%+ of their players. It feels like a planned move to get rid of many users after gaining from their effort. Yes, cheaters should be punished, but their system has failed to spot the real cheaters. Many who used key generators are still eligible, while honest players who spent months collecting 100-200 keys were unfairly disqualified,” said Keyur Rohit on X.
Shiba Inu’s S.H.I.B. Proposal
The Shiba Inu ecosystem is also featured in this week’s crypto trends, following the proposal to create a “Strategic Hub for Innovation and Blockchain” (S.H.I.B.) in the US. As BeInCrypto reported, Shytoshi Kusama, the pseudonymous lead developer of the Shiba Inu network, made the revelation.
The “S.H.I.B.” proposal seeks to transform Shiba Inu into more than just a meme coin by positioning it as a leader in blockchain innovation. The initiative emphasizes fostering a decentralized environment for developers, investors, and tech entrepreneurs.
If successful, this move could elevate the Shiba Inu ecosystem, providing long-term utility for its tokens. It could also reshape perceptions of meme coins in the crypto market.
Kusama’s proposal for a strategic blockchain hub in the US is designed to serve as a “Silicon Valley for crypto.” The estimated budget is $2.35 billion over five to ten years amid plans to establish the US as a global center for blockchain technology and sustainable development. Against this backdrop, the network plans to involve Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), which Elon Musk will co-lead.
“[It is] a visionary approach that our foundation WILL officially propose to this new administration now that this has been announced, and I believe that even a fraction of the funds gathered through D.O.G.E. will pay for these innovations,” Kusama stated.
Binance Listing Drama
Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume metrics, was recently under scrutiny following its decision to list low-cap Solana-based meme coins PNUT and ACT. These tokens experienced sharp price surges post-listing, leading to accusations of market manipulation.
Critics argue that such listings often result in pump-and-dump schemes that benefit insiders. Binance, however, maintains that its listing process is rigorous and aimed at supporting diverse blockchain projects.
This controversy raises questions about centralized exchanges’ responsibilities and transparency, especially in volatile markets dominated by speculative trading.
Notably, the ACT rallied a thousand-fold in the immediate aftermath of the listing announcements. While the controversy caused the tokens to lose some of the ground covered, they are both trying to recoup some of the gains lost.
Peter Schiff Calls Out Bitcoin
Renowned economist and Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff once again criticized the cryptocurrency. He recently claimed the pioneer crypto lacks intrinsic value and cannot serve as a reliable hedge in economic downturns.
Schiff argues that Bitcoin’s volatility undermines its position as “digital gold,” favoring traditional assets like precious metals instead. While Schiff’s views resonate with many traditional investors, Bitcoin proponents counter. They say that its decentralized nature and finite supply offer unique advantages, particularly in an era of uncertainty about fiat currency.
The Bitcoin skeptic also quashed hopes of a possible Bitcoin reserve in the US, contrary to Donald Trump’s previous assertions. According to Schiff, a Bitcoin reserve in the US would lead to a series of inflationary shocks that could destabilize the economy.
“That would cause the market to crash, forcing the US government to print even more dollars to buy more Bitcoin to prevent the price from crashing, thereby diminishing the value of its Bitcoin reserve. Of course, a reserve of something you can never sell and must continuously buy is worthless as a reserve. To maintain the pretense that its Bitcoin reserve has actual value, the US government would be forced to keep buying, destroying the value of the dollar in the process,” Schiff explained.
More recently, Schiff made another quip at the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), sarcastically urging them to bet on Bitcoin.
El Salvador’s Bitcoin Pivot
Meanwhile, while Peter Schiff remains skeptical about Bitcoin, El Salvador’s decision to adopt BTC as legal tender continues to yield notable benefits. Recent developments reveal that the country leveraged Bitcoin-driven economic gains to repurchase sovereign debt at a discount.
This milestone highlights the potential for cryptocurrency to bolster national finances despite initial skepticism from global financial institutions. President Nayib Bukele’s administration credits Bitcoin’s role in improving tourism, remittances, and investor confidence. This signals the success of the country’s bold experiment in integrating cryptocurrency into national policy.
According to data on Arkham, the El Salvador government now boasts a Bitcoin portfolio of 5,935 BTC, which is valued at $520.50 million at current market rates.
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
Will It Smash Another ATH?
Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above the $104,000 zone. BTC is consolidating above $105,000 and might aim for a new all-time high.
- Bitcoin started a decent increase above the $102,500 resistance zone.
- The price is trading above $104,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
- There was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $104,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it stays above the $103,500 support zone.
Bitcoin Price Regains Traction
Bitcoin price started a decent upward move above the $102,500 zone. BTC was able to climb above the $103,500 and $104,000 levels.
The bulls even pushed the price above the $105,000 level. Besides, there was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $104,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The pair surpassed the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $109,112 swing high to the $100,114 low.
Bitcoin price is now trading above $104,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $107,000 level. It is close to the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $109,112 swing high to the $100,114 low.
The first key resistance is near the $107,500 level. A clear move above the $107,500 resistance might send the price higher. The next key resistance could be $109,000.
A close above the $109,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $110,000 resistance level and a new all-time high. Any more gains might send the price toward the $112,500 level.
Downside Correction In BTC?
If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $107,000 resistance zone, it could start a downside correction. Immediate support on the downside is near the $104,500 level. The first major support is near the $103,500 level.
The next support is now near the $102,800 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $100,500 support in the near term.
Technical indicators:
Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $104,500, followed by $103,500.
Major Resistance Levels – $107,000 and $108,500.
Market
Trump’s $500 Billion Stargate Venture Sparks AI Crypto Boom
AI tokens surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump unveiled a new joint venture to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The partnership involves major players such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank and will form a new entity called Stargate.
Market Focuses on AI Coins as Trump’s Stargate Initiative Gains Traction
The Stargate Project will invest $500 billion over the next four years, building new AI infrastructure in the US. The venture will focus on developing crucial data centers and the electricity generation required to power the AI sector.
The announcement has already had a noticeable impact on the broader market, particularly in AI-related cryptocurrencies. Following the news, the market capitalization of AI tokens surged by 9%, reaching $45.83 billion at press time, according to CoinGecko.
In fact, the market cap of AI agent tokens alone rose by 13% to hit $14.9 billion.
AI agent tokens, such as Virtuals Protocol, AIXBT, and AI16Z, saw impressive gains. Virtuals Protocol rose by over 13% in the past 24 hours, while AI16Z experienced a remarkable 36% increase. AIXBT token rose by 27% over the same period.
The surge in AI tokens reflects a broader shift in market interest as investors move capital towards more “sentient” tokens.
“Capital is rotating back from static memes to sentient coins,” AI researcher S4mmy commented on Twitter.
The analyst added that Fartcoin and AIXBT are sustaining their “mindshare dominance,” but face declining market caps after a heated run. Commenting on Virtuals Protocol, he said it continues to solidify its position as a backbone of the Agentic infrastructure.
Moreover, analyst CyrilXBT said he believes “AI will create generational wealth in 2025.”
“People said Bitcoin was a joke. People said AI agents are a gimmick. Guess what else they’ll say? ‘Why didn’t I listen when generational wealth was staring me in the face?,” CyrilXBT commented.
The shift towards AI is particularly interesting, given the trend of investments a few days back. Capital was flowing into Donald Trump-related tokens, such as TRUMP and MELANIA, which have seen significant volatility.
However, BeInCrypto reported that smart money traders are now focusing on AI tokens after the hype around TRUMP faded. According to data from Nansen, a substantial amount of VIRTUAL, FARTCOIN, and AIXBT tokens are held by smart money.
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
Will an Upside Break Spark a Surge?
Ethereum price is struggling below the $3,500 resistance while Bitcoin gains. ETH is consolidating above $3,150 and might aim for an upside break.
- Ethereum failed to gain pace for a close above $3,400 and $3,450.
- The price is trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
- There is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it clears the $3,400 resistance level.
Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break
Ethereum price started a decent upward move from the $3,200 level but upsides were limited compared to Bitcoin. ETH cleared the $3,250 resistance to move into a short-term bullish zone.
The bulls were able to push the price above the $3,300 resistance zone. Besides, there was a clear move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low. However, the bears are still active below $3,400.
Ethereum price is now trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $3,350 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low.
There is also a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first major resistance is near the $3,400 level. The main resistance is now forming near $3,445.
A clear move above the $3,445 resistance might send the price toward the $3,550 resistance. An upside break above the $3,550 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,650 resistance zone or even $3,720 in the near term.
Another Decline In ETH?
If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,400 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,300 level. The first major support sits near the $3,250.
A clear move below the $3,250 support might push the price toward the $3,200 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,120 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $3,050.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.
Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.
Major Support Level – $3,200
Major Resistance Level – $3,400
-
Regulation18 hours ago
Acting SEC Chair Uyeda announces new crypto task force
-
Regulation20 hours ago
Tether’s market capitalisation slips as MiCA regulations kick in
-
Regulation16 hours ago
Turkey rolls out new crypto AML regulations
-
Ethereum13 hours ago
ETH breaks $3,900 as Bitcoin spikes past $103k
-
Market13 hours ago
Top 4 altcoins to buy before the market fully recovers
-
Regulation12 hours ago
Bitpanda becomes first European firm to secure Dubai VARA in-principle approval
-
Blockchain20 hours ago
Jordan Adopts Blockchain Policy To Propel Government Into The Future
-
Regulation14 hours ago
Crypto custody firm Copper withdraws UK registration