Market
Tezos (XTZ) Loses Steam In Q2, Market Cap Drops 30% Following SEC Crackdown

According to a recent report by crypto research firm Messari, Tezos has been progressing in its roadmap development, with several new features and upgrades being introduced to the network.
The platform’s core developers have announced a strategic shift to hybrid optimistic/zk rollups, with multiple teams committed to building rollups that will enable the platform to process more transactions per second (TPS) and enhance scalability.
Tezos DeFi Ecosystem Booms
Per the report, the recent launch of the 14th network upgrade, Nairobi, has brought improvements to the platform, new rollup functionality, and enhanced attestations.
In addition, Tezos core developers have unveiled the Data Availability Layer (DAL), which operates in parallel with Tezos Layer-1 and ensures data availability while scaling bandwidth and storage capacity.
Tezos has also been experiencing growing traction in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) space, with the Total Value Locked (TVL) nearly doubling in the past year. The platform is seeing the launch of several new DeFi protocols, including novel DEXs, lending protocols, and perps protocols.

To further support the growth of the Tezos ecosystem, the XTZ Ecosystem DAO has been introduced to manage and distribute XTZ, Tezos’ native token, to support community initiatives.
Nevertheless, despite experiencing a strong Q1 2023, with market capitalization surging from $0.66 billion to $1.03 billion (+55%), outperforming the broader market by 9%, the platform saw a 30% Quarter-over Quarter (QoQ) drop in Q2, ending the quarter with a market capitalization of $0.72 billion, primarily following the SEC’s complaints against Binance and Coinbase.
Related Reading
Furthermore, the total crypto market capitalization during Q2 increased by 2%, driven by Bitcoin and Ethereum, which saw a 7% and 6% rise, respectively, propelled by the introduction of Bitcoin Spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
On the other hand, Tezos’ revenue, measured by total gas fees spent (excluding storage costs), experienced an 82% QoQ decrease in Q2, primarily influenced by a 79% decrease in the average transaction fee.
The reduction in the average transaction fee was attributed to the decline of the XTZ price and a slowdown in NFT front-running bidding activities.
Fixed Inflation Rate And Burn Mechanisms
Tezos’ native token, XTZ, serves multiple functions within the network, including staking, governance, and payment for gas fees.
The token has a fixed annual inflation rate of 4.4%, with a total supply of 965 million XTZ. The report notes that Tezos has implemented burn mechanisms by creating new accounts or smart contracts and imposing penalties on misbehaving validators.
Moreover, During Q2, Tezos displayed consistent usage levels compared to previous quarters. The network recorded an average of 53,000 daily smart contract calls and 41,000 daily transactions, indicating a 7% decrease and a 1% decline in QoQ, respectively.
However, NFTs remain the key driver of activity on Tezos, while DeFi applications continue to see greater adoption.
Related Reading
Conversely, Tezos’ ecosystem experienced mixed activity, with NFTs and gaming remaining relatively flat, while DeFi continues to see increased activity. Regarding decentralization and staking, Tezos has a globally distributed validator set with a high staking rate relative to other base-layer protocols.
Looking ahead, Tezos’ strategic shift in its roll-up roadmap, continued developments in the Data Availability Layer, and the anticipated activation of the Hybrid Optimistic/ZK Rollup hold promise for further growth and innovation on the network.
Overall, Tezos remains a promising player in the blockchain space, with a robust ecosystem and a growing community of developers and users.
Currently, the price of XTZ is $0.810801, representing a 0.41% price decline in the last 24 hours and a 2.06% price decline in the past 7 days.
The 24-hour trading volume for XTZ is $15,383,765.48, indicating significant trading activity on the Tezos network.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView.com
Market
South Carolina Could Spend 10% of Funds on Bitcoin Reserve

Representative Jordan Pace introduced legislation to create a Bitcoin Reserve for South Carolina, joining a nationwide effort. Currently, nearly half of all US states have an active bill to create a similar Reserve.
However, the talking point that this bill “allows 10% of state funds” in Bitcoin investments is taking off like wildfire. It may scare off fiscal conservatives, which contributed to recent failures.
South Carolina Joins the Bitcoin Reserve Race
Since President Trump announced his intention to create a US Bitcoin Reserve, many state governments have attempted to create smaller models.
In the last month, these efforts have been intensifying, with more and more states joining the effort. Today, South Carolina filed its own Bitcoin Reserve bill, allowing the state to make substantial purchases:
“The State Treasurer may invest in digital assets including, but not limited to, Bitcoin with money that is unexpended, unencumbered, or uncommitted. The amount of money that the State Treasurer may invest in digital assets from a fund specified in this section may not exceed ten precent of the total funds under management,” it reads.
State Representative Jordan Pace proposed South Carolina’s Bitcoin Reserve legislation. He claimed that this bill “gives the Treasurer new tools to protect taxpayer dollars from inflation,” one of crypto’s most well-known use cases. Pace is currently the bill’s only sponsor, and it’s unclear what chances it has of passing.
Still, there may be challenges ahead. Similar proposals in other Republican-led states—like Montana and Wyoming—have already failed. This was largely due to concerns over using public funds to buy cryptocurrency.
Even though Trump backs the idea on a national level, not all GOP lawmakers are convinced at the state level.
That said, there are some signs of progress elsewhere. For example, Texas has advanced its Bitcoin Reserve bill, achieving bipartisan support. A key reason for its success is that the bill doesn’t require the state to make crypto purchases; it simply allows them at the Treasurer’s discretion.
Likewise, South Carolina’s bill wouldn’t force the state to invest 10% of its funds into Bitcoin. It just opens the door for that possibility, giving the state financial flexibility rather than a mandate.
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
FDIC and CFTC Rescind Old Crypto Guidelines

The FDIC and CFTC have both been working to change previous crypto guidelines. As federal regulators reconcile with the industry, they are removing old rules that specifically target crypto.
The former institution is removing the requirement that banks report crypto business, while the latter holds crypto to the same standards as other industries.
FDIC and CFTC Change Crypto Policies
The FDIC is one of the top financial regulators in the US, and it’s turning over a new leaf. After being one of the principal architects of Operation Choke Point 2.0, it recently began declassifying documents and changing rules that allowed crypto debanking.
Today, the agency is revoking a 2022 directive that impacted banks’ interactions with crypto:
“With today’s action, the FDIC is turning the page on the flawed approach of the past three years. I expect this to be one of several steps the FDIC will take to lay out a new approach for how banks can engage in crypto- and blockchain-related activities in accordance with safety and soundness standards,” said FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill.
Specifically, it rescinded a rule that mandated that all banks and institutions under its supervision notify the FDIC of any crypto involvement. The new guideline claims that banks “may engage in permissible crypto-related activities without receiving prior FDIC approval” without enacting any other policies.
Since Gary Gensler left the SEC, all the top US financial regulators have been trying to rework their relationship with crypto. In an apparent coincidence, the CFTC made a very similar move to the FDIC by rescinding two crypto guidelines.
Both of these actions did not establish a new policy; they merely removed the old ones.
Essentially, both of the CFTC’s rule changes are set to ensure that crypto-related derivatives are subject to the same requirements as non-crypto ones. This is somewhat surprising, considering that the industry has typically tried to insist that it necessitates specific regulations.
However, this is largely beside the point. The FDIC and CFTC are both working to remove previous guidelines that opposed the crypto industry.
These institutions will undoubtedly be amenable to creating new ones in the spirit of cooperation. In the meantime, this olive branch can help build a lot of goodwill.
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
Pi Network (PI) Drops Further Despite Telegram Wallet Deal

Pi Network (PI) has been under heavy selling pressure, with its price down more than 61% over the last 30 days. Despite a recent partnership with the Telegram Crypto Wallet, PI has struggled to regain momentum, as technical indicators remain mostly bearish.
Its BBTrend has been negative for 12 consecutive days, and although the RSI has recovered slightly from oversold levels, it still sits below the neutral 50 mark. With the downtrend firmly intact and critical support levels approaching, PI’s next move will likely depend on whether buyers can step in and reverse the current trajectory.
PI BBTrend Has Been Negative For 12 Days
Pi Network (PI) continues to face bearish pressure, as reflected in its BBTrend indicator, which remains deep in negative territory at -22.34.
This is despite recent headlines about the Telegram Crypto Wallet integrating Pi Network, news that has yet to translate into sustained upward momentum.
The BBTrend hit a recent low of -41 on March 21 and has stayed negative since March 16, marking twelve consecutive days of bearish trend signals. This prolonged weakness highlights the ongoing struggle for buyers to regain control of the market.

BBTrend, or Bollinger Band Trend, is a momentum-based indicator that helps gauge the strength and direction of a trend. Positive BBTrend values indicate bullish momentum, while negative values point to bearish sentiment—the further from zero, the stronger the trend.
With PI’s BBTrend sitting at -22.34, the market remains firmly under bearish influence, even if the worst of the recent downtrend may be easing slightly from its extreme lows.
Unless this trend flips back into positive territory soon, PI’s price could remain under pressure, with buyers staying cautious despite the recent integration news.
Pi Network RSI Has Recovered From Oversold But Still Lacks Bullish Momentum
Pi Network is showing early signs of recovery in momentum, with its Relative Strength Index (RSI) rising to 40.45 after hitting 23.8 just two days ago.
While this rebound suggests a reduction in overselling pressure, PI’s RSI hasn’t crossed above the neutral 50 mark in the past two weeks—highlighting ongoing weakness in bullish conviction.
Despite the slight uptick, the market has yet to see enough strength to shift sentiment meaningfully in favor of buyers. This cautious climb could either lead to a breakout or stall into continued consolidation.

The RSI, or Relative Strength Index, is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements. It ranges from 0 to 100, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and those below 30 suggesting the asset is oversold.
With PI’s RSI currently at 40.45, it’s in a neutral-to-bearish zone—no longer extremely oversold but still lacking strong buying pressure.
For a clearer trend reversal, the RSI would likely need to break above 50, which hasn’t happened in two weeks. Thus, the current move is more of a potential bottoming attempt rather than a confirmed shift.
Will PI Continue Its Correction?
PI price is currently trading within a well-established downtrend, as indicated by the alignment of its EMA (Exponential Moving Average) lines—where shorter-term EMAs remain firmly below longer-term ones.
This setup reflects persistent selling pressure, and if the correction continues, PI could revisit key support levels at $0.718, with a potential drop to $0.62 if that floor fails to hold.

However, recent signs of life in the RSI hint that a short-term rebound might be brewing, offering some hope for a recovery.
If bullish momentum builds, PI could challenge resistance at $1.05 in the near term. A breakout above that level would shift sentiment and open the door for further gains, with $1.23 and even $1.79 as potential targets if the uptrend strengthens.
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.
-
Market22 hours ago
Dogecoin (DOGE) Faces Market Correction—Will Buyers Step Back In?
-
Bitcoin22 hours ago
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Proposed by Brazil’s VP Advisor
-
Market20 hours ago
XRP Price Slides Slowly—Is a Bigger Drop Coming?
-
Market23 hours ago
$14 Billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Set to Expire Today
-
Altcoin16 hours ago
Why the US SEC Is Delaying the Ripple Case?
-
Ethereum16 hours ago
Ethereum Fails To Break $2,100 Resistance – Growing Downside Risk?
-
Market15 hours ago
Analysts Reveal Q2 Crypto Market Outlook: BTC at $200,000?
-
Market21 hours ago
Terra’s Crypto Claims Portal Opens Soon: Key Dates and Info