Market
Solana Validators Punished as Network Protects Retail Users
Solana Foundation has removed several validator operators from its network delegation group, citing their involvement in sandwich attacks against users.
Reportedly, the bad actors added mods to their validators to enable sandwiching on Solana.
Validators Stricken Off Delegation Program For Attacking Retail Users
The Solana network struck off several validators from the ecosystem’s delegation program as punishment for violating the Foundation’s best practices. According to reports, the bad actors added mods that enabled sandwiching on its retail users.
A “sandwich attack” is a malicious form of Maximal Extractable Value attack where retail traders consistently receive the worst possible prices, while bad actors extract all the profits for themselves. MEV poses significant challenges for blockchain, impacting transaction security, efficiency, and fairness. It can also threaten network security by incentivizing miners or validators to engage in double-spending attacks or transaction censorship.
“Decisions in this matter are final. Enforcement actions are ongoing as we detect operators participating in mempools which allow sandwich attacks,” Tim Garcia, Solana’s validator relations lead, noted.
In May, Solana validators’ earnings from MEV surpassed those of the Ethereum blockchain. MEV revenue has been growing rapidly since mid-March, recently accelerating to record highs.
Read More: What Is Maximal Extractable Value (MEV)? Everything You Need To Know
In a follow-up post on X, Mert Mumtaz, co-founder of Solana RPC provider Helius, discussed the implications of the expulsion. According to the post, this action ensures that the foundation does not delegate to malicious validators who conduct sandwich attacks on retail users.
Notably, these operators will still be able to engage in their activities on the network, as Solana is a permissionless blockchain. However, they will not enjoy their usual privileges: the Solana Foundation Delegation Program aims to support validators by delegating SOL tokens to them, allowing operation without holding a substantial amount of tokens. Validators are selected based on performance merits.
“Most importantly, these operators can still do whatever they want; it’s a permissionless network—it just won’t be Foundation subsidized,” Mumtaz highlighted .
Read more: How to Buy Solana (SOL) and Everything You Need To Know
This resolve did not sit well with community members. It reawakened the argument that SOL blockchain is centralized. This discussion always comes up whenever the network shuts down for one reason or the other.
“Solana’s real scaling issue is trying not to expose how centralized it is while trying to protect the network from malicious attacks in the process,” noted Mike Three in a post on X.
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
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