Market
Sam Bankman-Fried Appeals Conviction, Seeks Retrial
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On September 13, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) filed an appeal to overturn his last November conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges.
In a 102-page filing, SBF’s legal team argued the trial was unfair, calling it a “sentence first, verdict afterward” situation. They claimed the judgment was rushed and biased.
SBF’s Legal Team Claims He Was Presumed Guilty From the Outset
Led by attorney Alexandra Shapiro, SBF’s lawyers stated that he was never presumed innocent. They argued that everyone involved, including the judge, assumed his guilt from the start.
“Sam Bankman-Fried was never presumed innocent. He was presumed guilty — before he was even charged. He was presumed guilty by the media. He was presumed guilty by the FTX debtor estate and its lawyers. He was presumed guilty by federal prosecutors eager for quick headlines. And he was presumed guilty by the judge who presided over his trial,” the lawyers lamented.
Read more: FTX Collapse Explained: How Sam Bankman-Fried’s Empire Fell
The defense accused US District Judge Lewis Kaplan of bias, alleging he influenced the trial’s outcome. Shapiro contended that Kaplan’s remarks during the trial suggested guilt before the case had concluded. The defense also criticized the judge for restricting key arguments that could have demonstrated SBF’s attempts to stabilize FTX.
“Many of the judge’s rulings were not just erroneous but unbalanced — repeatedly putting a thumb on the scale to help the government and thwart the defense. But that is not all. The judge continually ridiculed Bankman-Fried during trial, repeatedly criticized his demeanor, and signaled his disbelief of Bankman-Fried’s testimony,” the lawyers wrote.
SBF’s legal team further argued that the jury saw only “half the picture” regarding FTX user funds. They claimed the prosecution misrepresented the case by portraying the funds as permanently lost, while SBF allegedly caused the loss intentionally.
“From day one, the prevailing narrative — initially spun by the lawyers who took over FTX, quickly adopted by their contacts at the US Attorney’s Office — was that Bankman-Fried had stolen billions of dollars of customer funds, driven FTX to insolvency, and caused billions in losses. Now, nearly two years later, a very different picture is emerging — one confirming FTX was never insolvent, and in fact had assets worth billions to repay its customers. But the jury at Bankman Fried’s trial never got to see that picture,” the lawyers stated.
Bankman-Fried’s lawyers also raised concerns about Sullivan & Cromwell’s role in the case. According to them, the law firm — which initially served as FTX’s external legal counsel and later became its lead bankruptcy firm — wrongly pressured SBF to step down as CEO. The lawyers also argued that the law firm aimed to place full blame on Bankman-Fried to divert attention from its own questionable practices.
“Sullivan & Cromwell — which billed hundreds of millions of dollars in this case — performed prosecutorial tasks that had nothing to do with bankruptcy. Moreover, the Debtors and S&C were motivated to place all blame squarely on Bankman-Fried — to avoid scrutiny of their own business decisions, their own conflicts of interest, their own exorbitant billing, and their own misconduct,” SBF lawyers claimed.
Considering all of these reasons, the defense is asking for a new trial with a different, impartial judge.
Read more: Who Is John J. Ray III, FTX’s New CEO?
Last year, Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. He received a 25-year prison sentence and was ordered to forfeit $11 billion for his role in defrauding FTX customers, investors, and Alameda Research lenders.
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
Berachain (BERA) Falls 15% After Recent Rally Surge
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Berachain (BERA) is down almost 15% in the last 24 hours, with its market cap now at $778 million, although its price remains up nearly 20% over the past seven days. This sharp pullback comes after a strong rally between February 18 and February 20, when BERA reached levels above $8.5.
BERA’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped from overbought levels, signaling a loss of bullish momentum, while its Directional Movement Index (DMI) shows growing bearish pressure. As BERA navigates this correction phase, it faces key support at $6.1, with potential resistance levels at $8.5, $9.1, and $10 if bullish momentum returns.
BERA RSI Is Dropping Steadily After Touching Overbought Levels
Berachain Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 50.6, down sharply from 86.7 just two days ago when its price surged above $8.5. RSI is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements, ranging from 0 to 100.
It is commonly used to identify overbought or oversold conditions, with values above 70 indicating overbought levels and below 30 suggesting oversold territory.
The steep decline in BERA’s RSI reflects a significant loss of bullish momentum after reaching overbought levels above 86, where a correction was likely.
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With RSI now at 50.6, BERA is in a neutral zone, suggesting that buying and selling pressures are relatively balanced.
This could indicate a period of consolidation as the market digests recent gains. If RSI continues to decline below 50, it could signal increasing bearish momentum. This could lead to a further price drop for BERA.
Conversely, if RSI stabilizes and begins to rise, it could suggest renewed buying interest and a potential recovery in Berachain price.
BERA DMI Chart Shows Buyers Are Losing Control
Berachain Directional Movement Index (DMI) chart shows its Average Directional Index (ADX) currently at 50.5, after peaking at 60.2 yesterday, up from just 13.3 five days ago. ADX is an indicator used to measure the strength of a trend, regardless of its direction, ranging from 0 to 100.
Values above 25 typically indicate a strong trend, while values below 20 suggest a weak or sideways market. The sharp rise in ADX reflects a significant increase in trend strength, confirming that BERA has been experiencing strong directional movement recently.
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Meanwhile, BERA’s +DI is at 24.4, down from 48.4 two days ago, indicating weakening bullish momentum. Meanwhile, -DI has risen to 15.1 from 4.9, suggesting growing bearish pressure.
This shift signals that the bullish trend that drove prices higher is losing steam, and selling interest is beginning to increase.
If -DI continues to rise above +DI, it could indicate a bearish crossover, signaling a potential reversal or deeper correction in BERA’s price. However, if +DI stabilizes and moves upward again, it could suggest a continuation of the uptrend, albeit with reduced momentum.
Will Berachain Fall Below $6 Soon?
Berachain surged 53% between February 18 and February 20, pushing its price above $8.5 after the coin struggled following its airdrop. However, after this sharp rally, BERA entered a correction phase and is currently down almost 15% in the last 24 hours.
This pullback suggests profit-taking and a shift in market sentiment as buyers hesitate to push prices higher. If the downtrend continues, BERA could soon test the support at $6.1, and a break below this level could lead to a further decline towards $5.48, reflecting increased selling pressure.
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On the other hand, if Berachain can regain its bullish momentum from a few days ago, it could rise above $8.5 again, potentially testing the next resistance levels at $9.1 or even $10.
To confirm this bullish scenario, Berachain would need to see renewed buying interest and strong upward momentum. If buyers can defend key support levels and push the price above resistance zones, it could indicate the continuation of the uptrend.
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 Could Rebound to $100,000 Soon Despite Bearish Pressure
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Bitcoin (BTC) has been trading below $100,000 since February 5, facing continued resistance despite attempts at recovery. Recent indicators suggest that sellers have gained control, with BTC’s Directional Movement Index (DMI) showing increased bearish pressure.
However, the Ichimoku Cloud points to a potential reversal if Bitcoin can break above key resistance zones. If bullish momentum returns, BTC could test the $97,756 resistance and possibly retake the $100,000 level, with $102,668 as the next target.
BTC DMI Shows that Sellers Gained Control In the Last 24 Hours
Bitcoin’s Directional Movement Index (DMI) shows its Average Directional Index (ADX) currently at 21.2, after briefly touching 22.9, rising from 15.5 two days ago.
ADX measures the strength of a trend without indicating its direction, ranging from 0 to 100. Typically, values above 25 indicate a strong trend, while values below 20 suggest a weak or ranging market.
With ADX hovering around 21.2, Bitcoin’s trend is relatively weak, signaling a potential transition period.
This suggests that the previous uptrend momentum is losing steam, possibly leading to a reversal or the beginning of a downtrend.
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Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s +DI is at 15.5, down from 23.3 just one day ago, indicating a decline in bullish momentum, while -DI has climbed to 21.9 from 9.2, reflecting growing bearish pressure.
This crossover, where -DI has moved above +DI, indicates that sellers are gaining control over the market, potentially signaling a shift from an uptrend to a downtrend.
If -DI continues to rise and +DI remains weak, Bitcoin could see increased selling pressure and a potential price decline. However, if +DI stabilizes and rebounds, Bitcoin might consolidate before choosing a more definitive directional move.
Bitcoin Ichimoku Cloud Paints A Bearish Picture, But It Could Change Soon
The Ichimoku Cloud chart for Bitcoin shows a mixed outlook with early signs of potential recovery. The blue Tenkan-sen line is currently above the red Kijun-sen line.
This crossover suggests that buying pressure is trying to recover, which could support a potential upward move.
However, Bitcoin’s price is still below the Kumo cloud, signaling that the overall trend remains bearish and that resistance is strong above the current levels.
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The Kumo cloud ahead is thin and slightly shifting upwards, suggesting that the bearish momentum might be weakening. If Bitcoin can break above the cloud, it would signal a potential trend reversal, especially if the Tenkan-sen continues to lead above the Kijun-sen.
Conversely, if Bitcoin fails to break above the cloud and the Tenkan-sen drops below the Kijun-sen again, it would confirm a continuation of the bearish trend.
For now, Bitcoin faces a crucial resistance zone, and the next move will depend on whether it can clear the cloud or get rejected downward.e
Bitcoin Could Return to $100,000 Very Soon
Bitcoin was on the verge of forming a new golden cross yesterday before the Bybit hack triggered a sharp price drop from $98,000 to roughly $95,000 within four hours.
Its Exponential Moving Average (EMA) lines are still bearish, with short-term EMAs positioned below long-term ones, indicating ongoing downward momentum.
This bearish setup suggests that selling pressure remains dominant. If sellers continue to control the market, Bitcoin could retest the support at $94,818, which was maintained during yesterday’s decline.
If this support breaks, Bitcoin could drop further to $93,415, and a continued downtrend could push it as low as $91,300.
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However, if Bitcoin price manages to recover from this drop, there are signs that the downtrend may not be as strong as it seems.
Both the ADX and Ichimoku Cloud indicate weakening bearish momentum, suggesting that a reversal is possible. In this case, Bitcoin could test the resistance at $97,756, and if this level is broken, it could rise to $100,000.
Should the uptrend gain more momentum, Bitcoin could continue climbing to test $102,668, marking its highest levels since early February.
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
Myanmar Junta Leader’s Social Media Hijacaked for Crypto Fraud
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Hackers potentially took control of the official X account of Myanmar’s military junta leader on Saturday, using it to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency.
This incident could be the part of a growing trend where scammers exploit high-profile political figures to add credibility to scam tokens, deceiving unsuspecting investors.
Another Political Crypto Scam Now Targeting the Myanmar Government
On February 22, the X (formerly Twitter) account belonging to Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, began posting about a so-called national cryptocurrency launch.
The posts described it as “Myanmar first national crypto,” attempting to present it as an official digital asset.
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Crypto users on X quickly noticed irregularities. The hackers initially shared multiple cryptocurrency wallet addresses before deleting them.
Soon after, they claimed the launch was postponed and provided a new wallet address, raising further suspicion.
“This account from the government of Myanmar has been hacked . Dropped several CAs and deleted, as well as announcing a space then deleted 3 minutes later,” one user wrote on X.
Meanwhile, market observers questioned whether a military-led government could successfully launch a cryptocurrency. They noted that such an initiative contradicts the principles of decentralization.
One user pointed out that state-backed digital assets often serve as a tool for financial control rather than innovation. The analyst also speculated that countries under economic sanctions might explore cryptocurrency as a way to bypass traditional financial systems.
“Signals a shift: more nations exploring state-backed crypto to sidestep sanctions & SWIFT dependence Geopolitically, it’s a test case If it works, expect more isolated regimes to follow This isn’t about innovation but it’s about sovereignty vs financial gatekeeping,” Cedric Beau stated.
Meanwhile, this attack on Myanmar’s junta leader follows a broader pattern of cyber threats targeting political figures.
Earlier this month, the Central African Republic’s President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, introduced an official meme coin called CAR. The token was meant to highlight the country’s confidence in blockchain technology.
While that initiative was legitimate, hackers have used similar tactics to deceive users by falsely linking government officials to fake token launches.
Just days ago, scammers impersonated Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency.
In another case, anonymous hackers took over the X account of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to push a fake meme coin.
These incidents reveal a troubling pattern of hackers hijacking political figures’ social media accounts to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. By exploiting their identities, scammers create a false sense of legitimacy for fake tokens.
As these scams become more common, users must stay vigilant and verify sources before engaging with any token promotions linked to public figures.
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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