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Custodia Bank to Retrench Staff Again Amid Regulatory Heat

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Wyoming-based crypto bank Custodia is reportedly deliberating more layoffs as it braces for ongoing regulatory scrutiny under the Biden administration. The decision comes as the crypto sector faces unprecedented challenges, including de-bankings and increasing pressure from US regulatory agencies.

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency market participants remain hopeful of a better regulatory environment amid expectations of policy shifts with the incoming Donald Trump administration.

Custodia Banks Plans More Layoffs Amid Regulatory Pressure

Custodia Bank might enact more layoffs after retrenching 25% of its staff in August. This comes as the digital asset-focused bank continues to devote resources to its ongoing lawsuit with the Federal Reserve (Fed), which denied the lender a master account last year.

“Fox Business has learned that Wyoming-based crypto bank Custodia Bank will implement further layoffs in order to preserve capital,” Fox Business correspondent Eleanor Terrett reported.

The bank did not immediately respond to BeInCrypto’s request for comment on the supposed layoffs. Early in 2023, Custodia Bank was denied a master account, which would give it access to the Fed’s liquidity facilities. The lawsuit challenges this denial.

Custodia Bank has been trying to conserve capital as it continues its legal battle against the Fed. During its last layoffs three months ago, the company’s founder and CEO Caitlin Long attributed the retrenchments to “right-sizing.” She said it was necessary to maintain operations while preserving capital during the lawsuit against the Fed.

Long also indicated that the efforts could continue “until after Operation Choke Point 2.0 ends,” referring to the alleged ongoing crackdown on digital assets under the Biden administration. Operation Choke Point was the name of an Obama-era effort that “choked off” high-risk industries such as payday lending, gambling, and firearms from banking access.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Custodia team, the services we’re building for our customers and our resilience in the face of repeated de-bankings due to no fault of our own. I especially thank Custodia’s customers and shareholders who have helped us continue the fight for the durability of banking access for the law-abiding US crypto industry,” Terrett added, citing Long.

Noteworthy, oral arguments in the lawsuit will take place on January 21. This will be the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, following his recent win.

Regulatory Pressures Intensify But There’s Hope for Change Under Trump

Custodia is not alone in struggling against regulatory pressure. The crypto industry at large has recently faced mounting regulatory challenges. High-profile companies like Consensys have also recently announced significant layoffs.

As BeInCrypto reported in late October, the blockchain software firm behind Ethereum infrastructure tools like MetaMask revealed it was cutting 20% of its workforce. Its CEO, Joe Lubin, cited mounting pressure from the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), among other uncertainties in the regulatory space.

“The broader macroeconomic conditions over the past year and ongoing regulatory uncertainty have created broad challenges for our industry, especially for US-based companies,” Lubin shared.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been accused of taking an increasingly aggressive stance toward the crypto industry. Among the accusations include enforcing stringent banking restrictions and debankings. Nevertheless, Trump’s recent win and upcoming inauguration reignited hope within the crypto sector for a more supportive regulatory environment.

The hope hinges on the delivery of Trump’s crypto blueprint. Experts believe Trump’s pro-business stance could revive the industry by easing regulatory pressures on crypto.

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has also expressed optimism about a potential shift in regulatory attitudes. Armstrong recently urged the next SEC chair to drop “frivolous cases” against crypto firms and issue a public apology. He slammed the current SEC composition for what he views as overly aggressive enforcement, calling out Gary Gensler.

“The next SEC chair should withdraw all frivolous cases and issue an apology to the American people. It would not undo the damage done to the country, but it would start the process of restoring trust in the SEC as an institution,” Armstrong posted.

Still, Custodia’s ongoing lawsuit is a symbol of the crypto industry’s fight for legitimacy and fair treatment within the financial sector. While the industry’s outlook remains uncertain in the short term, there is cautious optimism that the incoming Trump administration could bring relief to embattled crypto firms.

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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Analyst Reveals ‘Worst Case Scenario’ With Head And Shoulders Formation

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Recent XRP price action has sparked a new prediction from a crypto analyst, as a potential Head and Shoulders pattern emerges on the chart. The analyst warns that this technical formation could trigger a significant price correction for XRP, describing this downturn as the worst-case scenario. 

Analyst Predicts XRP Price Crash To $1.15

The ‘Charting Guy,’ a pseudonymous crypto analyst on X (formerly Twitter), has unveiled a potential Head and Shoulder pattern formation on the XRP price chart. The analyst has shared insights into the implications of this technical pattern, projecting a potential crash in the XRP price

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As a well-known bearish reversal pattern, the formation of a Head and Shoulder in the XRP price chart suggests a potential shift from an uptrend to a downtrend. Typically, a Head and Shoulder pattern consists of three peaks: the Left Shoulder, Head, and Right Shoulder. However, the Charting Guy has confirmed that XRP’s current pattern formation consists of two right shoulders and one head. Due to this irregularity, the analyst has expressed doubt about the possibility of the pattern playing out. 

If the Head and Shoulder pattern eventually takes shape, it could lead to a significant drop in the XRP price, potentially bringing it down to as low as $1.15. This price level aligns with a key Fibonacci Golden Pocket retracement zone between 0.618 – 0.786.

XRP
Source: The Charting Guy on X

Notably, the analyst has described this projected price crash as the worst-case scenario for XRP. While he believes a bearish move is possible, the analyst is confident that XRP’s broader market structure is bullish.

Moreover, the Charting Guy argues that if XRP does decline to $1.15, it would likely serve as a healthy retracement in an overall bullish trend. He noted that XRP’s price has been holding the $2 level on daily closes, meaning its price action remains strong above support levels. This also indicates the possibility of an uptrend resumption that could yield higher highs and higher lows for XRP.

Key Support And Resistance Levels To Watch

The Charting Guy’s analysis of XRP’s potential Head and Shoulder pattern formation highlights several critical price levels to watch. Since XRP has consistently closed daily candles above $2, the analyst has determined this level as short-term support. 

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XRP has also been wicking during recent pullbacks in a crucial range between $1.7 and $1.9. As a result, the crypto analyst has revealed that he will be watching this area closely for a potential price bounce

The Golden Pocket retracement zone, which represents the worst-case scenario for the XRP price, is between $1.15 and $1.30. If XRP experiences a deeper price correction, lower support levels have been marked from $1.19 to $0.91.

For its resistance levels, the Charting Guy has pinpointed $2.27 as a key price point. Additionally, $3.14 – $3.32 has been identified as an upper resistance range where XRP could rally if bullish momentum resumes.

XRP
XRP trading at $2.1 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Medium, chart from Tradingview.com



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BeInCrypto US Morning Briefing: Standard Chartered and Bitcoin

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Welcome to the US Morning Crypto Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.

Grab a coffee to see how Standard Chartered sees early signs of institutional investors turning to Bitcoin as a hedge against equity market volatility, just as traders gear up for a potentially volatile week driven by tariff news. At the same time, Coinbase wraps up its worst quarter since the FTX collapse, and U.S. regulators inch closer to unified stablecoin legislation.

Standard Chartered Sees Signs of Bitcoin Starting to Be Used as Hedge Against Market Volatility

Geoff Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, sees signs that institutional traders are starting to use Bitcoin as a hedge against equity market volatility.

In a recent exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Kendrick highlighted that this trend is already underway, with investors seeking alternatives to traditional instruments. “This is happening already,” Kendrick stated. “Investors used to use FX, specifically AUD, for this purpose due to its highly liquid and positive correlation to stocks, but now I think Bitcoin is being used because it is also highly liquid and trades 24/7.”

Additionally, in an investor note from late March, Kendrick expanded on Bitcoin’s evolving role in investment portfolios, suggesting that over time, Bitcoin may serve multiple purposes—both as a hedge against traditional financial market fluctuations and as a proxy for tech stocks.

He pointed out signs that markets could anticipating a less severe tariff announcement from the U.S. on April 2. “Given this has been the worst quarter for the Nasdaq since Q2 2022, there should be a degree of portfolio rebalancing (buying) that needs to take place,” Kendrick added.

As of April 1, 2025, Bitcoin has shown resilience amid broader market uncertainties. The cryptocurrency is up approximately 3.32%, trading at $84,282. This uptick comes alongside an overall increase in the global cryptocurrency market capitalization. In contrast, U.S. stock futures, including Dow Futures, S&P 500 Futures, and Nasdaq Futures, are all trending lower in pre-market trading, reflecting investor caution ahead of the anticipated tariff announcements.

Bitcoin Options Heat Up Before Trump’s “Liberation Day”

FalconXCrypto Global Co-Head of Markets, Joshua Lim, noted that in anticipation of Wednesday’s Trump-tariff “Liberation Day,” crypto funds are actively purchasing Bitcoin options at two key strike prices: $75,000 on the downside to hedge against potential losses and $90,000 on the upside to capitalize on a price surge.

Lim highlighted that the options market is pricing in a potential 4% move in Bitcoin’s price during the event. “The implied event move embedded in Bitcoin options is around 4% for the 2 April event,” he told BeInCrypto.

He also pointed out that traders are likely to keep buying put options in the short term as a protective measure, maintaining a high options cost premium. “We believe the front of the options curve will hold its premium as traders continue to hedge their portfolios or replace spot positions with limited-loss option positions,” Lim added.

Additionally, he noted a 4-point increase in the VIX, signaling that investors expect heightened volatility in the coming days and are turning to options to manage risk or capitalize on price swings. “US equities are also showing a bid in options, with the front-month VIX up 4 points to 22v from last week,” he said.

Crypto Stocks Slide: Coinbase Suffers Worst Quarter Since FTX Collapse

Coinbase is closing out its roughest quarter since the FTX collapse, with its stock tumbling over 30% since January. While it dipped nearly 1% in early U.S. pre-market trading on Monday, the stock managed to claw back losses and is now up around 1%.

Other crypto-linked companies are also feeling the pressure. Galaxy Digital Holdings has dropped over 8% in pre-market trading, while mining firms Riot Platforms and Core Scientific are only barely staying afloat, each gaining less than 0.5%.

Meanwhile, CoreWeave, which pivoted from Bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure, is struggling after a disappointing IPO. Initially aiming for a $2.7 billion raise, the company had to settle for $1.5 billion, slashing its offer price from the $47–55 range to $40 per share. Since going public last Friday, its shares are down 6.8%, with a 7.3% drop recorded in the last 24 hours.

Byte-Sized Alpha

– Today’s JOLTS report, a key gauge of U.S. job openings, could sway Bitcoin—strong data may boost the dollar and hurt crypto, while a sharp decline could fuel rate-cut hopes and lift risk assets.

– Bitcoin is off to its worst quarterly start since 2018, dropping nearly 12% in Q1 2025—but growing whale accumulation, falling exchange supply, and signs of consolidation hint at a potential rebound ahead.

Crypto scams are on the rise, with fake Gemini bankruptcy emails and a Coinbase employee breach fueling phishing attacks

OKX has appointed former NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell as Chief Legal Officer, a move aimed at bolstering its regulatory credibility as the exchange accelerates global expansion into regions like Europe and the UAE.

A unified U.S. stablecoin regulation could soon become reality, as the STABLE and GENIUS Acts differ by only 20% and enjoy strong bipartisan support alongside SEC and CFTC involvement.

– A push for expanded crypto oversight is underway as incoming CFTC Chair Brian Quintenz meets with Senator Chuck Grassley to discuss regulating the crypto spot market.

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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SUI Price Stalls After Major $147 Million Token Unlock

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SUI enters a critical phase today as a $147 million token unlock threatens to inject selling pressure into a market already testing key resistance levels. Despite a sharp rebound in momentum—evident in the RSI’s surge from oversold territory—SUI failed to break above the crucial 60 mark, signaling buyer hesitation.

The Ichimoku Cloud shows price action pressing against the cloud’s edge, but lacking the conviction needed for a clear breakout. With a possible golden cross forming on the EMA lines, bulls still have a chance—if they can overcome resistance at $2.50 and avoid being dragged down by post-unlock volatility.

SUI RSI Surged Since Yesterday But Failed To Break Above 60

SUI’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has jumped sharply to 58.94, up from 29.38 just a day ago, reflecting a strong shift in short-term momentum.

The RSI is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes. It typically ranges from 0 to 100. Readings below 30 suggest an asset may be oversold, while levels above 70 indicate it may be overbought.

The rapid rise in SUI’s RSI suggests buyers have stepped in aggressively after a period of heavy selling.

SUI RSI.
SUI RSI. Source: TradingView.

However, despite the impressive rebound, SUI’s RSI briefly approached but failed to break above the 60 threshold earlier today.

This level often acts as a short-term resistance during recovery phases, and the rejection may indicate lingering hesitation among buyers or profit-taking after the surge.

While the RSI nearing 60 is encouraging, a decisive move above it would be needed to confirm a breakout. For now, SUI appears to be in a recovery mode. However, the inability to push past 60 highlights that bulls are not fully in control just yet.

Ichimoku Cloud Shows Lack Of Strong Upward Momentum

SUI blockchain Ichimoku Cloud chart shows a potential breakout attempt, as the price has surged upward and is now hovering right at the edge of the Kumo (cloud).

This movement suggests bullish momentum is trying to build. However, the resistance provided by the thick, red cloud ahead could make it difficult for SUI to sustain the uptrend without stronger confirmation.

The Tenkan-sen (blue line) is starting to rise and has crossed above the Kijun-sen (red line), which is a bullish signal. However, the price still needs to clearly break and hold above the cloud to flip the overall trend from bearish to bullish.

SUI Ichimoku Cloud.
SUI Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView.

For now, the cloud remains bearish and flat, indicating possible resistance and a lack of strong upward conviction.

The current position suggests that SUI is at a key decision point—either break through the cloud to initiate a trend reversal or get rejected and slip back into the previous downtrend range.

If buyers can sustain the pressure and push the price above the upper cloud boundary, it could trigger a stronger rally. But without increased volume and broader market support, the price risks getting stuck in consolidation or turning back downward.

Will SUI Rise Back To $2.80?

SUI’s EMA lines are tightening and showing signs of a potential golden cross. That happens when a short-term moving average crosses above a longer-term one—a classic bullish signal that often precedes upward momentum.

However, the price is currently grappling with a key resistance near the $2.50 level.

If bulls manage to break through this level, it could open the path for a move toward $2.83.

Price Analysis for SUI.
Price Analysis for SUI. Source: TradingView.

That said, downside risks remain, particularly with today’s $147 million token unlock, which could introduce significant selling pressure. If that selling materializes, SUI price could fall back to test the support at $2.23.

A breakdown below that level would likely shift momentum back in favor of bears. This would expose deeper supports at $2.11 and $1.96.

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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