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Bybit Hack, SEC Lawsuits, and Bitcoin ETFs

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This week in crypto, the Lazarus Group stole $1.5 billion from Bybit, yet the exchange has sustained the damage and remained operational. US Bitcoin ETFs saw a record $2.6 billion outflow turning BTC bearish and impacting major crypto stocks. At the same time, meme coin scams on social media are still on the rise.

On the regulatory front, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase, prompting one Commissioner to accuse it of open corruption. Meanwhile, the recently launched Pi Network is being accepted by some Florida businesses.

Lazarus Group Pulls Off $1.5 Billion Hack

One week ago, Bybit, a leading crypto exchange, was hacked. With $1.5 billion in damages, it was the most successful crime in crypto history. A few conflicting narratives circulated throughout the community, but famous sleuth ZachXBT cracked the case.

The culprit was none other than the Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacker collective.

“At 19:09 UTC today, ZachXBT submitted definitive proof that this attack on Bybit was performed by the Lazarus Group. His submission included a detailed analysis of test transactions and connected wallets used ahead of the exploit, as well as multiple forensics graphs and timing analyses. The submission has been shared with the Bybit team,” Arkham claimed.

The Lazarus Group conducted a sophisticated security breach that sought to exploit Bybit’s wallet signing process. Safe Wallet confirmed that the hackers were able to breach its infrastructure but claimed its smart contracts remain secure.

Several community figures criticized its statement as too vague. Bybit, for its part, has rebuilt its reserves through several methods. The industry and crypto community have applauded the exchange’s excellent crisis management.

SEC Drops Coinbase Lawsuit, Dissension in the Ranks

After hinting that it would do so for weeks, the SEC finally dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase this week. Brian Armstrong, the crypto exchange’s founder and CEO, pre-emptively announced that he and the SEC struck a deal, but it took a few days for everything to finalize.

“Great news! After years of litigation, millions of your taxpayer dollars spent, and irreparable harm done to the country, we reached an agreement with SEC staff to dismiss their litigation against Coinbase. Once approved by the Commission (which we’re told to expect next week) this would be a full dismissal, with $0 in fines paid and zero changes to our business,” he said.

The Commission has been dropping several lawsuits and enforcement probes into the crypto industry this week. However, the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple is still active, and there’s no clear hint of when it will end.

Additionally, these actions have attracted criticism from within the Commission.

Earlier today, Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw publicly lambasted the SEC’s shift towards the crypto industry. She accused its leadership of willfully ignoring 80 years of precedent to deliberately favor a political faction.

Moreover, she did not offer to resign and will remain an active Commissioner for over three months. This is a shocking upset to the SEC’s normal operations.

Bitcoin Drops 17%, Damaging ETFs and Corporate Holders

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), one of the world’s largest Bitcoin holders, recently spent nearly $2 billion on the asset. However, this did not help the company’s stock price, following sharp drops in BTC itself.

This fueled concerns that Strategy may have to liquidate some of its crypto holdings, as it might be overleveraged into the asset.

“Forced liquidation of MSTR is not necessarily impossible. But, it is highly unlikely. It would need a “mayday” situation to occur,” one commentator claimed.

Since those rumors started two days ago, things have gotten worse. Several key metrics are showing a decline in Bitcoin, and it’s proved contagious. Bitcoin ETFs had $2.6 billion in outflows this week, and corporate Bitcoin holders like Strategy and Tesla are all dropping.

Liquidations are up, and the Federal Reserve is predicting economic downturns; it looks like a bear market.

Pi Network Gets Institutional Adoption in Florida

Pi Network, one of the highly-anticipated crypto projects, made new headway in institutional acceptance this week. According to several social media posts, a Florida real estate company is now accepting Pi tokens. Cube Motor, a car dealership in the state, also set up similar infrastructure.

“American film producer and actor James J Zito is currently the director of Zito Realty, a real estate company in Florida, USA, which accepts real estate transactions with Pi coins,” the post read.

Pi Network is generating huge amounts of hype, with Binance’s community overwhelmingly voting to list the token. However, not everyone in the crypto sphere is thrilled with the project.

Before the hack, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou called the project a scam and a pyramid scheme. Its price is showing a few signs of market fatigue, but nothing definitive has happened yet.

Meme Coin Scams Are On the Rise

Kanye West, a famous American rapper, may or may not be wrapped up in a social media scam. Earlier this month, he denied involvement with any extant Kanye meme coin but allegedly planned to launch his own.

However, some crypto sleuths are speculating that he sold his X account to Barkmeta for $17 million, enabling a major fake token scam.

“Kanye West sold his X account for $17 million. The most anticipated meme coin launch is Barkmeta’s rug pull. The chance of YE’s sold account is above 95%. I do not recommend you to buy Kanye’s meme coin in any case,” a sleuth named Blade claimed.

A scam-centric paranoia is circulating through the crypto space, and the Bybit hack is only helping matters. Pump.fun’s social media account was hacked to promote a scam this week.

After the initial posts were deleted, the hackers were able to advertise another scam on the same page minutes later. Fears are building that this chaos is damaging the industry’s reputation.

In short, a lot has happened in crypto this week. Major crimes and bearish market conditions go alongside political developments and institutional adoption.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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TRUMP Still Remains Bearish As US-Ukraine Tensions Rise

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The TRUMP meme coin has been in a continuous downtrend for the past month, failing to break above the $21.45 barrier. The token fell below $12 earlier in the week but recovered after the political clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Despite being up by 8% today, technical indicators show persistent bearish pressure as the meme coin struggles to find a support level.

TRUMP Is Facing Bearish Pressure

The investor sentiment surrounding TRUMP has been largely negative in recent days. As the political showdown between Trump and Zelensky created significant buzz on social media, the meme coin saw some buying actions today, but the overall momentum remains notably low.

This reflects a lack of confidence in any immediate price recovery. 

Negative sentiment surrounding political conditions is likely to discourage new investments, which will only deepen TRUMP’s ongoing price drawdown. This overall atmosphere suggests that further declines are possible unless significant changes occur.

Trump Weighted Sentiment
Trump Weighted Sentiment. Source: Santiment

The technical indicators for TRUMP reflect the overall negative market sentiment. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator, which tracks the accumulation and distribution of an asset, shows a clear downward trend.

The CMF has failed to secure the zero line as support, indicating that the inflows that once kept the altcoin afloat have turned into outflows. 

This reflects weakening investor confidence, exacerbated by the ongoing political tension and the lack of bullish triggers for the asset. Without a shift in the broader market or sentiment, the downward pressure on TRUMP’s price is expected to continue.

TRUMP CMF
TRUMP CMF. Source: TradingView

TRUMP Price May Fall Further

TRUMP’s price has recently hit a new low of $11.07, marking a significant drop from its previous levels. At the time of writing, the altcoin has managed to recover slightly to $13.12, but it remains stuck below the critical resistance of $14.48.

This barrier has proven difficult to overcome, indicating that the altcoin could continue its struggle in the short term.

If the bearish momentum persists due to political factors like Trump’s tariff policies, TRUMP could slide even further. The next potential support level lies at $11.07, and if this fails, the altcoin could fall below $10.00, deepening losses for investors.

Given the current conditions, the price may continue its downtrend unless broader market cues shift.

TRUMP Price Analysis
TRUMP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

Although the likelihood of breaking through the $14.48 resistance seems low, positive developments in the broader market could bring some relief. If this happens, TRUMP could attempt to flip the $16.00 level into support, but it would likely face consolidation below the key $21.45 barrier.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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5 Meme Coins to Watch in March 2025

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Similar to the wider crypto market, most meme coins performed terribly throughout February. The drawdown witnessed by these meme tokens even led to some forming new all-time lows. However, there is an opportunity in this downtrend that is seemingly coming to an end.

BeInCrypto has analyzed five meme coins that could make their way back up and recover their losses in March.

Daddy Tate (DADDY)

DADDY has surprised the market this week with a 70% price increase, recovering February’s losses and more. The altcoin is currently trading at $0.054. This rally marks a shift in investor sentiment, potentially signaling further upside if the current momentum persists.

DADDY is now eyeing a further rally, potentially breaching the $0.068 resistance. This level has been a challenge for the meme coin since mid-December, but with bullish factors driving the price, it may finally break through. The continuation of this uptrend depends on sustained investor confidence.

DADDY Price Analysis.
DADDY Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if DADDY fails to hold the support of $0.054, the price may fall back to the $0.045 support level. A deeper decline could invalidate the bullish outlook, potentially triggering a shift in sentiment and setting the coin back further.

Pepe (PEPE)

PEPE continues its downtrend, trading at $0.00000718 after starting this decline in November 2024. The altcoin’s price remains under pressure, but the situation could shift. Notably, PEPE has a strong correlation of 0.89 with Bitcoin, potentially setting the stage for a recovery if BTC rebounds.

With Bitcoin potentially nearing a market bottom, PEPE could benefit from its recovery. If Bitcoin gains momentum, PEPE is likely to follow suit. A key marker for this would be PEPE flipping $0.00000951 into support and eventually surpassing the $0.00001146 resistance level, signaling further upside.

PEPE Price Analysis.
PEPE Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If the downtrend persists, PEPE faces the risk of falling below its $0.00000748 support. A breakdown through this level could lead to a test of $0.00000632, further invalidating the bullish thesis and signaling a deeper decline.

Popcat (POPCAT)

POPCAT has made a notable recovery, currently down just 9.5% over the month, trading at $0.265. The altcoin aims to breach the resistance of $0.342, with potential for further upside. A successful breakout could lead to significant gains, especially if market sentiment continues to improve.

In previous market cycles, a bounce off the $0.238 support, coupled with bullish signals, has fueled rallies up to $0.645. The ADX currently sits below the 25.0 threshold, indicating weakening bearish momentum.

If POPCAT follows a similar pattern, this shift could set the stage for a 129% rise.

POPCAT Price Analysis.
POPCAT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if POPCAT fails to breach $0.342, it may return to its support levels at $0.238 or even $0.203. Such a drop would invalidate the bullish outlook, signaling continued consolidation or further losses.

Peanut The Squirrel (PNUT)

Another one of the top meme coins, PNUT, has outperformed expectations with a 56% rally this week, reaching $0.226 and erasing February’s losses. The altcoin is now focusing on securing $0.227 as a stable support level. Maintaining this level will be crucial for continued upward momentum and price stability in the short term.

With $0.227 successfully established as support, PNUT could leverage the improving market conditions and investor confidence to rise toward $0.442. This recovery would significantly offset the losses suffered in January, potentially positioning the altcoin for further gains if market trends remain favorable.

PNUT Price Analysis.
PNUT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if PNUT fails to secure the $0.227 support floor, the altcoin risks falling back to $0.142. Such a decline would invalidate the bullish outlook, prompting further consolidation and raising concerns over a sustained recovery.

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)

PENGU hit a market bottom in February, forming a new all-time low of $0.0067 amid bearish conditions. Despite this, the altcoin has shown resilience and could be preparing for a potential rebound.

After bouncing back by 24.6% this week, PENGU is currently trading at $0.0090 and targeting a breach of the $0.0100 level. If this resistance is overcome and flipped into support, the altcoin could reach $0.0147. This would help recover most of February’s losses, signaling a positive outlook.

PENGU Price Analysis.
PENGU Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if PENGU fails to break the $0.0100 barrier, it risks consolidating above its all-time low of $0.0067. In this case, the bullish thesis would be invalidated, potentially leading to further losses and undermining investor confidence in the short term.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Solana to Unlock Over $1.5 Billion in SOL for FTX Estate

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Solana is set to release 11.2 million SOL tokens today, valued at approximately $1.57 billion. This unlock is part of the ongoing bankruptcy process for the defunct FTX exchange.

Notably, the unlock comes as mounting legal expenses are making FTX bankruptcy one of the most costly Chapter 11 cases in US history.

A Massive Solana Token Unlock for FTX Bankruptcy Estate

On-chain data shows that the unlocked SOL represents about 2.2% of Solana’s circulating supply, which currently stands at 488 million tokens.

Still, the FTX estate has two additional smaller SOL unlocks in the coming months. On April 1, 12,700 SOL will be released, followed by 73,700 SOL on May 1.

These tokens were part of FTX’s holdings, which had been sold at discounted rates to investors in previous auctions.

Bankrupt FTX Upcoming Solana Token Releases.
Bankrupt FTX Upcoming Solana Token Releases. Source: Messari

Sunil Kavuri, a leading creditor advocate, revealed that FTX had liquidated 41 million locked SOL across three auctions. According to him, the buyers included crypto investment firms like Galaxy Digital and Pantera Capital.

Indeed, Galaxy Digital, the largest buyer, secured 25.5 million locked SOL at $64 per token, well below the current market price of $144.

Pantera and other firms made their purchases at approximately $95 per token. Meanwhile, Figure and its partners acquired SOL at $102.

FTX Discounted Solana Sales.
FTX Discounted Solana Sales. Source: X/Sunil Kavuri

Arthur Cheong, founder of DeFiance Capital, confirmed his participation in Galaxy Capital’s over-the-counter (OTC) sale. He stated that he purchased an undisclosed amount of SOL at $64 per token. Cheong also mentioned that he has no plans to sell, as he anticipates a significant price increase.

“Participated in the SOL OTC deal at $64 via Galaxy and received the bullet unlock today. Not selling a single one of them. I think it will be substantially higher in 3 months,” Cheong stated.

Meanwhile, the release of SOL tokens raises concerns about potential selling pressure. A flood of new tokens could increase supply and push prices downward.

Over the past week, Solana’s price dipped to a four-month low of around $136 amid a broader crypto market decline. However, the digital asset’s value has since rebounded to approximately $140 as of press time.

Moreover, this development comes as FTX’s bankruptcy proceedings entered a critical phase, with initial creditor distributions underway.

However, the legal expenses tied to the case are nearing a staggering $1 billion, positioning it among the most costly Chapter 11 filings in US history.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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