Binance Futures is launching LDUSDT, a reward-bearing margin asset based on Tether’s popular stablecoin. This product will focus on offering flexibility to the user, who can trade LDUSDT while reaping APR rewards.

This is the second product of this nature that Binance Futures has offered following its BFUSD launch last November. LDUSDT is scheduled to launch this month, and its success may encourage similar margin offerings in the future.

Binance Futures To Launch LDUSDT

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, continues to expand its product offerings. It dominates crypto trading and the vast majority of staking rewards, but it also offers several margin assets.

Binance Futures added another such asset today: LDUSDT, a reward-bearing margin asset that lets users earn APR rewards from Simple Earn USDT Flexible Products.

“After the launch of our first reward-bearing margin asset BFUSD was positively received by users, we are pleased to introduce yet another product to bring more utility to our users. LDUSDT increases capital efficiency for users and lets users put their assets to work for them,” Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance, said in an exclusive press release shared with BeInCrypto.

Binance’s new asset is based on Tether’s USDT, the world’s leading stablecoin, but LDUSDT is a totally different asset. Its main focus is on giving Binance users more flexibility, as they can trade this asset while continuing to reap passive income from APR.

This option is available to all users that have USDT on Binance Earn’s Simple Earn Flexible Products. LDUSDT is Binance’s second reward-bearing non-stablecoin margin asset, following BFUSD, which was launched last November.

Although the firm recently delisted USDT from its European operations due to regulatory concerns, this product is centered around the popular stablecoin.

According to the announcement, the exchange will launch LDUSDT “soon” without a specific release date. The exclusive press release claimed that the asset will be released sometime this April.

The company did not indicate whether it would offer more margin assets like this in the future. However, LDUSDT gives Binance Futures’ users a huge level of flexibility, which will hopefully encourage users to experiment.

A success here could encourage the firm to follow this up with similar products in the future.

Ethereum has experienced a significant downtrend since the start of the year, causing the altcoin to fall below the $1,500 level. 

While this recent decline may seem concerning to some, many investors view this as an opportunity. The low price is tempting new entrants and fueling optimism for a potential recovery.

Ethereum Investors Find Opportunity

Ethereum’s price dip below $1,500 has resulted in a surge of new addresses, reaching a two-month high. This uptick in new investors suggests growing confidence in Ethereum’s future, especially at these lower price levels. The recent price decline has made Ethereum more accessible, which may be encouraging fresh investment.

The increase in new addresses also indicates that investors are positioning themselves for a potential rebound. With prices currently lower than earlier in the year, some see this as a buying opportunity. 

The MVRV Ratio, which measures the market value relative to the realized value, is currently in the “opportunity zone,” ranging from -8% to -21%. This range signals that Ethereum is undervalued, as prices have dipped to levels where investors typically step in. Historically, such conditions have led to reversals in price trends.

This low MVRV ratio reinforces the belief that Ethereum is in a prime accumulation phase. When the MVRV Ratio is in this zone, it indicates that investors who purchase during this period are likely to see positive returns in the future.

ETH Price Aims To Recover

Ethereum’s price has dropped by nearly 19% over the last 48 hours, reaching a yearly low of $1,375. As of writing, the altcoin is trading at $1,467. It has lost the crucial support of $1,533, which pushed it below $1,500. Despite the losses, Ethereum is likely to recover, given its resilient historical performance and renewed investor interest.

If Ethereum manages to reclaim the $1,533 support level, it could pave the way for a recovery towards $1,745. A break above $1,745 would confirm the reversal, ending the 4-month-long downtrend.

However, if the bearish trend continues, Ethereum could fall further, testing support levels below $1,429. Should it break through $1,375, the bearish thesis would be validated, and the altcoin could experience a prolonged period of decline.

The US Senate will decide tomorrow the fate of Paul Atkins, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

The cloture vote, scheduled for 11:30 AM ET, April 10, will end the debate, followed by a confirmation vote that could reshape financial oversight.

Will Paul Atkins Be Confirmed As SEC Chair?

After serving as SEC Commissioner between 2002 and 2008, Atkins is poised to replace Gary Gensler as chair of the commission. His predecessor stepped down on January 20 amid a contentious tenure and returned to MIT, where he now focuses on AI and fintech.  

As the clock ticks toward the vote, investors are bracing for a potential shift toward deregulation and a seismic jolt to the crypto market.

The Senate Banking Committee advanced Atkins’ nomination on April 3 in a razor-thin 13-11 vote, split along party lines. Republicans rallied behind his vision of a leaner SEC, while Democrats, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, decried his past record and ties to Wall Street.

“Mr. Atkins championed policies that fueled the 2008 financial crisis,” Warren charged.

This remark came during his March 27 confirmation hearing, pointing to his 2004 vote to loosen capital rules for firms like Lehman Brothers.

Ahead of the hearing, the SEC Chair nominee disclosed $327 million in assets. Among them were up to $6 million in crypto, holding stakes in Anchorage Digital and Off the Chain Capital, and up to $500,000 in call options.

Nevertheless, with Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority, Atkins’ confirmation seems likely.

What Paul Atkins As SEC Chair Means for Crypto Investors

If confirmed, Atkins would take the SEC’s reins at a pivotal moment. He promised to reset priorities and return common sense to an agency he claims has strayed under Gensler’s enforcement-heavy leadership.

“Mr. Atkins affirmed his commitment to an SEC that works transparently, with industry and consumer input…emphasized that digital assets are a top priority this year…addressed debanking and committed to end this undemocratic practice for good…,” Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal reported.

Known for his light-touch regulatory philosophy, Atkins has criticized “overly politicized and burdensome” rules that choke capital formation. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott praised Atkins as a leader who will “promote capital formation and provide clarity for digital assets,” a nod to his potential to ease compliance burdens.

A deregulated SEC could spark more IPOs (initial public offerings), expanding options for retail and institutional investors.

Yet, critics warn that Atkins’ pre-2008 tenure could leave markets exposed if economic headwinds return. This refers to when he resisted tighter oversight.

“Paul Atkins dismissed calls for stronger regulations before the 2008 crash—then told Senator Warren he STILL thinks he was right. Even after millions lost their homes, jobs, and savings. This is who Trump wants to run the SEC,” wrote Accountable.US. 

Nevertheless, no sector will gain more than crypto if Atkins takes the helm. A vocal advocate for digital assets since advising the Chamber of Digital Commerce, Atkins has pledged “a firm regulatory foundation” for an industry battered by Gensler’s crackdowns.

His confirmation could set the tone for new opportunities, including altcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) in the US or a rollback of hard-won protections.

Altcoin-based exchange-traded funds, such as spot Solana (SOL) and XRP ETFs, would unlock institutional investment and mainstream adoption for these tokens.

“SEC has delayed decisions on +60 crypto ETF applications including: Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE).  Approvals hinge on the confirmation of President Trump’s SEC chair nominee, Paul Atkins,” Block News noted.

Markets at a Crossroads: Innovation vs Protection

However, the stakes are high. Atkins’ past consulting for the collapsed FTX exchange has drawn scrutiny. Senator Warren questioned his judgment on digital asset oversight.

A lighter regulatory touch might bolster innovation and embolden fraudsters in the $2 trillion crypto market. Such an outcome would leave retail investors to bear the risk.

Beyond crypto, Atkins’ agenda could redraw the lines of market oversight. He has called current disclosures “inefficient” and signaled skepticism toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates, potentially sidelining sustainable investors.

Enforcement would likely narrow to retail fraud, including penny stock scams, rather than broad regulatory sweeps. While such a shift could ease pressures on companies, it would loosen scrutiny of bad actors.

The outcome remains a cliffhanger as senators prepare to cast their votes today.

If confirmed, Atkins will be the next SEC chair as early as 7:00 PM today and assume office by mid-April. He would then serve out Gensler’s term until June 5, 2026, with a possible re-nomination thereafter.

His first moves, whether clarifying crypto rules or unwinding Gensler’s legacy, will signal whether the SEC tilts toward Wall Street or Main Street.