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Bitcoin Taker Sell Volume Spikes to $1.6B Within an Hour

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Bitcoin Taker Sell Volume Spikes to $1.6B Within an Hour

Bitcoin saw $1.67 billion in taker sell volume within an hour as the price faced strong resistance around the $80,000 level.

The recent surge in Bitcoin’s taker sell volume came on the back of a price recovery push above $80,000 for the first time since January 2026. However, the higher sell volume contributed to the resistance in this area, leading to a pullback.

Key Points

  • The Bitcoin taker sell volume hit $1.67 billion in one hour, marking the highest level in two weeks.
  • Bitcoin briefly crossed $80,000 for the first time in three months before facing strong rejection.
  • The rally followed macro-driven risk-on sentiment around U.S. military action.
  • Whale wallets have accumulated 270,000 BTC as exchange reserves drop to seven-year lows.
  • About 62.8% of Binance futures positions are short, raising chances of a short squeeze above $80,000.

Sudden Rise in Selling Pressure Slows Bitcoin’s Climb

Verified CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn first reported this event, confirming that Bitcoin saw a sharp jump in taker sell volume, hitting $1.67 billion in just one hour, the highest level recorded in the past two weeks. 

This surge came right as Bitcoin tried to extend its recovery, briefly moving above $80,000 for the first time in three months. However, the rally did not hold, as strong resistance formed at the $80,000 level, leading to a pullback visible on the 1-hour chart.

Bitcoin Taker Sell Volume CryptoQuant
Bitcoin Taker Sell Volume | CryptoQuant

For the uninitiated, taker sell volume measures the amount of Bitcoin sold through market sell orders, where traders sell immediately at the best available bid price. 

These traders are called takers because they remove liquidity from the market instead of placing orders and waiting. When this figure spikes, it shows urgent selling, which can push prices down, especially when liquidity is limited.

For perspective, the jump to $1.67 billion in one hour indicates heavy selling activity driven by several factors. Some traders likely took profits after the recent price rise, while others reacted to the clear rejection at a major resistance level. 

Overall, the data suggests that $80,000 acted as a distribution zone rather than a breakout point in the short term. This means the market did not have enough buying strength to push higher and hold those levels.

What Contributed to the Latest Bitcoin Rally

Speaking on the recent price action, analyst Frigg pointed out that a quick move above a level does not count as a confirmed breakout without a strong close. According to her, recent macro events contributed to the latest rally.

For context, Donald Trump announced Project Freedom on Sunday night, with the United States beginning to escort stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz the next day. The operation reportedly involved 15,000 troops, destroyers, and over 100 aircraft. 

According to Frigg, this development helped push oil prices lower and improved overall market sentiment, which supported risk assets like Bitcoin. As a result, Bitcoin rose quickly from $78,200 to $80,526 within a few hours.

Frigg also noted that tensions are still present, mentioning that a tanker was hit near Fujairah that same morning, and that Iran called the operation a ceasefire violation. She stressed that the situation has improved slightly but is far from resolved.

Factors Still Supporting Bitcoin

Despite the rejection at $80,000, several factors continue to support Bitcoin. Frigg mentioned April ETF inflows of $1.97 billion, which marked the largest monthly capital flow for this year. She also highlighted that Strategy holds 818,334 BTC, which keeps supply tight and makes the market more sensitive to new demand.

Bitcoin $80K Test Frigg
Bitcoin $80K Test | Frigg

Further, on-chain data shows that whales bought 270,000 BTC in April, while exchange reserves dropped to their lowest level in seven years. In the derivatives market, 62.8% of Binance futures positions are currently short, and Frigg suggests this is very important.

She explained that if Bitcoin manages a daily close above $80,000, it could trigger a short squeeze, pushing the price quickly toward $82,228, which is the 200-day moving average and has not been tested for seven months. 

She also pointed to May 5, when Strategy will release its Q1 earnings, noting that Michael Saylor’s comments on future Bitcoin purchases could have a bigger impact than technical signals.

Donald Trump-Tied WLFI Sues Tron Founder Justin Sun for Defamation

Elendu Benedict
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Donald Trump-Tied WLFI Sues Tron Founder Justin Sun for Defamation

A new legal dispute has emerged between World Liberty Financial and Justin Sun, adding fresh tension to their strained relationship.

The company confirmed in a Monday tweet that it has filed a lawsuit accusing Sun of defamation, claiming he orchestrated a coordinated campaign to damage its reputation and undermine confidence in its token.

Key Points

  • World Liberty Financial confirmed in a Monday tweet that it has filed a lawsuit accusing Sun of defamation.
  • It alleges that Sun made a series of false public statements about the project on several media channels and social platforms beginning on April 12.
  • The lawsuit seeks damages for WLFI tokens, holding Sun accountable.
  • Meanwhile, the lawsuit followed an earlier legal action by Sun against World Liberty Financial.

World Liberty Financial Files Lawsuit Against Justin Sun

According to the filing, World Liberty Financial alleges that Sun made a series of false public statements about the project on several media channels and social platforms beginning on April 12. The Donald Trump-affiliated firm claims these statements were part of a broader effort to influence sentiment and push the WLFI token price “to shit.”

Excerpt from WLFI Lawsuit Against Justin Sun
Excerpt from WLFI Lawsuit Against Justin Sun

Notably, both parties’ relationship dates back to November 2024, when Blue Anthem, an entity linked to Sun, reportedly acquired $30 million in WLFI tokens. Sun also joined World Liberty Financial as an advisor.

The company states that Sun attempted to transfer these tokens to crypto exchange Binance, violating the agreed terms. In response, World Liberty Financial says it exercised a contractual right to freeze the assets, a move it describes as necessary to protect the network.

Rather than resolving the matter privately, the firm alleges that Sun escalated the situation by publicly criticizing its governance model and raising concerns about a secret backdoor. These claims, according to the lawsuit, were misleading and ignored disclosures already outlined in the project’s documentation.

Lawsuit Seeks to Hold Sun Accountable

World Liberty Financial also accuses Sun of using financial resources to amplify his narrative, including working with influencers and bot accounts to expand reach across social media. The company argues that such actions go beyond typical disagreements and risk damaging trust across decentralized finance (DeFi) more broadly.

The lawsuit seeks damages for WLFI tokens, holding Sun accountable. Notably, while the WLFI token has increased by 9% in the past 24 hours in reaction to this lawsuit, it has crashed 16% in the past week and 37% over the last 30 days.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit followed an earlier legal action by Sun against World Liberty Financial. The Tron founder sued the company in late April, claiming that it froze its tokens worth $1 billion at one time and wrongfully stripped him of his voting rights.

Sun has also reacted to the lawsuit today, claiming it is a “meritless PR stunt.” According to him, he will stand by his actions and looks forward to winning the case in court.

Western Union Launches US Dollar-Backed Stablecoin on Solana

Lele Jima
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Western Union Launches US Dollar-Backed Stablecoin on Solana

Global financial services company Western Union has announced the launch of a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin on the Solana blockchain. 

The company unveiled the initiative today, emphasizing that it marks a decisive step in its transition toward a regulated, digital-first payments infrastructure.

Key Points

  • Western Union has finally launched USDPT stablecoin on Solana.
  • Issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, USDPT is a fully U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin supported by fiat reserves.
  • The company plans to expand USDPT’s utility with broader exchange listings and deeper integration across global payment and liquidity networks.
  • Growing regulatory clarity, particularly from the GENIUS Act, is accelerating stablecoin adoption within traditional finance. 

Western Union Launches USDPT Stablecoin on Solana 

For decades, Western Union has facilitated cross-border money transfers via traditional rail networks. However, it is now actively embracing blockchain technology to eliminate inefficiencies that have long slowed international transactions. 

As a result, Western Union launched USDPT, a fiat-backed stablecoin issued by Anchorage Bank and built on the Solana blockchain. The company first hinted at launching USDPT on Solana in October 2025, and then confirmed the plan last month. Now, it has officially unveiled the stablecoin. 

According to the announcement, the launch of USDPT on Solana will leverage the network’s high-speed infrastructure, enabling near-instant transaction processing and 24/7 availability. 

Moreover, Western Union has integrated the stablecoin directly into its global payments network, further enhancing the efficiency of cross-border transactions.

Upcoming Features

Following the launch, Western Union plans to expand USDPT’s utility across several key areas. First, it will make the stablecoin available on licensed global cryptocurrency exchanges, thereby increasing accessibility. 

In addition, the company intends to position USDPT as the backbone of a digital asset network that connects exchanges and custodians to its global payout infrastructure.

On the consumer front, Western Union is preparing to roll out “Stable by Western Union” later this year. This new offering will provide a spending solution across more than 40 countries. 

Meanwhile, at the institutional level, USDPT will enable near-instant, round-the-clock settlement between Western Union and its global agent network, ultimately improving liquidity management and operational efficiency.

Growing Interests in Stablecoin Among Financial Institutions 

In the meantime, interest in stablecoins among traditional financial institutions continues to accelerate. Over the past year, firms such as JPMorgan Chase and PayPal have already launched their own blockchain-based stablecoins. 

Similarly, institutions like Citigroup and Bank of America have expressed interest in participating in joint stablecoin projects. This growing momentum follows the enactment of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., which established a clearer regulatory framework for stablecoins. As a result, banks and financial institutions now feel more confident in deploying digital dollar solutions at scale.

Most People Are Completely Misreading XRP Right Now, Says Long-Time Investor

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Most People Are Completely Misreading XRP Right Now, Says Long-Time Investor

A long-time XRP holder has argued that most investors are misinterpreting what’s really happening with XRP’s price and on-chain activity.

In a recent post, Nepentia, who claims to have held XRP since 2017, pointed to exchange reserve trends as a key indicator that tells a very different story from overall sentiment.

Key Points

  • XRP holder says market misreads price action as on-chain data shows distribution, not strength in 2025 rally.
  • Binance reserves peaked above 3B XRP before the price topped at $3.66, followed by heavy sell-side distribution.
  • Reserves have dropped to 2.55B while XRP fell 69%, then stabilized near 2.75B as selling pressure eased.
  • Analyst sees possible accumulation phase, with $500B market cap target implying ~$8 XRP long-term upside.

Distribution, Not Strength at the Top

According to Nepentia’s analysis, XRP’s rally above $3 in mid-2025 coincided with exchange reserves peaking near 3.05 billion XRP. To her, that was not strength, but distribution.

Indeed, data from CryptoQuant shows Binance’s XRP reserves reached their highest level above 3 billion XRP in September 2025. However, XRP’s price had already peaked two months earlier, in July, at $3.66.

In other words, large holders were moving XRP onto exchanges at the time in preparation to sell. This influx of supply into trading venues aligned with the eventual price top.

Source| CryptoQuant
Source| CryptoQuant

Capitulation Followed the Decline

Meanwhile, between September 2025 and February 2026, exchange reserves dropped sharply to about 2.55 billion XRP. At the same time, XRP’s price fell roughly 69.6%, from $3.66 in July 2025 to $1.11 in February 2026.

The decline in reserves during this phase suggests that much of the available supply had already been absorbed.

Stabilization Points to a Turning Phase

Since February 2026, XRP reserves have stabilized around 2.75 billion, with price hovering near $1.38.

This shift, according to the investor, indicates that selling pressure has cooled significantly. Instead of continued distribution, the data may now reflect a transition toward accumulation.

Falling exchange reserves generally point to reduced sell pressure, while stabilization can signal that accumulation is underway. When combined with a gradual price increase, this can form what traders often interpret as a bullish divergence.

Nepentia suggests that early-stage trends typically begin quietly, often when the majority of market participants remain unconvinced. Rather than focusing on short-term sentiment, the analysis urges holders to watch underlying data flows, which may be hinting at a positive setup for XRP in the months ahead.

XRP Long-Term Potential: $500B Market Cap

Amid these on-chain signals, analysts are increasingly discussing XRP’s long-term potential. Recent commentary by analyst ChiefraT argues XRP could surpass its previous peak valuation and reach a $500 billion market cap.

At present, XRP trades around $1.41 with an $87.1 billion market cap, still well below its July 2025 peak of $216.7 billion when it hit $3.66.

ChiefraT says the outlook is supported by a cup-and-handle pattern forming on higher-timeframe charts. Based on its circulating supply of 61.79 billion XRP, a $500 billion market cap implies a price of about $8.09.

While promising, XRP still faces immediate resistance at $2 and $3 before proceeding to set a new all-time high.

The Second-Largest XRP Holder is an Unknown Whale That Has Been Sitting Very Quietly

Elendu Benedict
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The Second-Largest XRP Holder is an Unknown Whale That Has Been Sitting Very Quietly

An unknown XRP whale, who controls large amounts of the token, is bringing renewed attention to the XRP distribution table.

Notably, this unidentified whale is making the rounds for its large yet quiet XRP holdings. Currently, it sits in the second position in the XRP distribution table, just below Bithumb by a small margin.

Key Points

  • An unidentified whale is making the rounds for its large yet quiet XRP holdings.
  • This wallet was activated with 10 XRP on December 1, 2024, by the address “rLD5k3.” 
  • The whale, “rJ9Ey7H,” holds 1.80 billion XRP, accounting for 1.8% of the asset’s maximum supply of 100 billion tokens.
  • Analysis suggested that someone big, who has clearly chosen to be very quiet, is sitting on a large amount of XRP.

Unknown XRP Whale

The address “rJ9Ey7H” holds 1.80 billion XRP, accounting for 1.8% of the asset’s maximum supply of 100 billion tokens and nearly 3% of the circulating supply of 61.8 billion tokens. At the current price of $1.41, this stash is worth a staggering $2.53 billion.

Interestingly, the address holding the largest XRP belongs to Bithumb, with 1.82 billion tokens ($2.56 billion) kept there. This is just about 25 million XRP higher than the balance in this unidentified wallet. Yet, no one knows who holds this address.

XRP Distribution Table/Bithomp
XRP Distribution Table/Bithomp

Analyst Xaif Crypto spotlighted this in a curiosity-driven tweet on May 3. He noted that the top 4 XRP wallets currently account for nearly 7% of the maximum supply. Among these addresses, Bithumb, Binance, and Uphold are known entities. However, the second-largest holder, with over $2.5 billion in its possession, is unidentified.

As such, he suggested that someone big, who has obviously chosen to be very quiet, is sitting on large amounts of XRP.

Pseudonymous XRP Whale Very Active

A closer look at this wallet shows it is not just a passive holder. The address has gone about its normal business while remaining anonymous. This wallet was activated with 10 XRP on December 1, 2024, by the address “rLD5k3.” 

Data from XRP Scan shows that this activating address traces back to “rMJXDz,” a wallet that regularly interacts with the crypto exchange Robinhood. However, there has been no direct link between the whale in question and Robinhood.

Notably, this “rJ9Ey7H” wallet was active 17 days ago, transferring 345 million XRP tokens over ten transactions to the address “r4jcgk.” Its last activity was receiving 79.9 million XRP just 10 days ago from the sending address “rLD5k3.”

At this time, its identity and affiliations remain unidentified, with some pointing to affiliations with Robinhood or Bitstamp. However, according to the analyst, whoever it might be is quietly accumulating XRP while others panicked in preparation for something big.

1.15B Token in 11 Days

Aside from this whale, other large XRP holders are aggressively accruing the token. Recent reports show that some of the largest holders bought 1.15 billion XRP tokens in 11 days, adding buying pressure to prices. Specifically, this was done by wallets holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP.

Such an accumulation spree, further bolstered by strong ETF inflows in April, has continued to support XRP’s price. At the time of writing, XRP trades at $1.39, up slightly in the past 24 hours and 6.4% in the past 30 days.

Ex-Ripple CTO Adds Over 1K XRP and Over 23M FUZZY to AMM Pool to Boost Liquidity

Lele Jima
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Ex-Ripple CTO Adds Over 1K XRP and Over 23M FUZZY to AMM Pool to Boost Liquidity

Ripple CTO emeritus David Schwartz has drawn attention to his latest liquidity provision in the XRP/FUZZY automated market maker (AMM) pool. 

He shared the transaction today, offering a clear example of how liquidity provision on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) works, while also highlighting the financial and tax complexities involved.

Key Points

  • Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz executes a two-sided deposit into the XRP/FUZZY AMM pool. 
  • In the latest transaction, Schwartz deposited 1,009 XRP and 24.78 million FUZZY to the AMM pool. 
  • The deposit earned him 96.66 million XRP/FUZZY LP tokens, enabling him to earn a share of swap fees generated within the AMM. 
  • FUZZY’s market cap surged from $16 million to $19 million within a few days. 

Ex-Ripple CTO Provides Liquidity to XRP/FUZZY AMM Pool 

In a tweet today, Schwartz revealed that he executed a two-sided deposit into the XRP/FUZZY AMM pool via XPMarket. Specifically, he supplied both his XRP holdings and the FUZZY tokens he had previously received as a gift, thereby boosting market liquidity. 

According to data from Bithomp, Schwartz deposited 1,009 XRP (worth about $1,429) alongside 23.78 million FUZZY tokens (valued at roughly $1,433). As a result, he obtained 96.66 million XRP/FUZZY LP tokens. 

Notably, the transaction incurred a minimal network fee of just 0.000012 XRP, underscoring XRPL’s cost efficiency. By taking this position, Schwartz can now earn part of the trading fees generated from swaps within the pool. In addition, he also gains exposure to price fluctuations between XRP and FUZZY. 

Meanwhile, Schwartz pointed to several unresolved tax considerations tied to the transaction. For instance, he questioned how to determine the correct asset valuation, establish cost basis, and calculate potential capital gains obligations. 

David Schwartz LP for XRP/FUZZY AMM Pool
David Schwartz LP for XRP/FUZZY AMM Pool

Not an Endorsement

Notably, Schwartz clarified that this move does not signal an endorsement of FUZZY. Instead, he described the liquidity provision as a gesture of appreciation after the community gifted him 100 million FUZZY tokens, which followed his earlier trust line addition of 320.93 million FUZZY on the XRP Ledger.

For context, FUZZY launched in February 2025 as an XRPL-based meme coin inspired by the historic “FuzzyBear” address, which first appeared in 2013. 

Although the token has existed for over a year, it gained renewed traction during the recently concluded XRP Las Vegas event, where a series of giveaways, some of which benefited Schwartz, boosted visibility. 

Consequently, FUZZY’s market cap climbed from around $16 million to approximately $19 million this month. It currently trades at about $0.00006107, giving it a market cap of roughly $19.41 million. 

XRP Long-Term Potential Targets $500B Market Cap: What It Means for XRP Price

Elendu Benedict
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XRP Long-Term Potential Targets $500B Market Cap: What It Means for XRP Price

The prospect of XRP surpassing its peak market cap has recently become a topic of discussion among market analysts.

While XRP trades well below prior valuation highs, the optimism that it will turn things around in the long term is strengthening. Most recently, projections of a $500 billion market cap have emerged.

Key Points

  • XRP trades at $1.41 with a market cap of $87.1 billion, making it the 4th largest crypto.
  • The present valuation is 59% below XRP’s all-time market cap high of $216.7 billion in July 2025.
  • Analysis suggests that the altcoin will not only recover to its peak but also increase more than twofold to $400 billion-$500 billion.
  • Chart data shows XRP forming a classical cup-and-handle pattern on the 2-week chart.
  • A $400 billion market cap will push the XRP price to $6.47 per coin.
  • For a $500 billion valuation, XRP would hit a new all-time high of $8.09.

Current XRP Market valuation

Analyst ChiefraT is among those making bold valuation projections for XRP. In a recent tweet, the market watcher claimed that XRP’s long-term potential targets a market cap between $400 billion and $500 billion.

Interestingly, this is well above the current market standing. At the time of writing, XRP trades at $1.41 with a market cap of $87.1 billion, making it the 4th largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Its present valuation also trails its all-time market cap high by a wide margin. Recall that XRP reached a valuation peak of 216.7 billion in July 2025, a period where it reached a new all-time high of $3.66. From that threshold, it has dropped nearly 60% to the current value.

As such, ChiefraT projects that the altcoin will not only recover to its peak but also increase more than twofold to unprecedented valuations.

Reasoning Behind Bold Call

An accompanying chart shows XRP’s price forming a classical cup-and-handle pattern on the 2-week chart. For the uninitiated, this pattern comprises two structures—the cup and the handle.

XRP Cup and Handle Pattern/ChiefraT
XRP Cup and Handle Pattern/ChiefraT

The cup, usually the larger U-shaped curve, started forming from the January 2018 market cap peak, when XRP reached its previous all-time high of $3.35. Per TradingView’s CryptoCap, this was around $128.5 billion.

Notably, from that peak, the price dipped in a U-shaped curve, reaching a bottom of $0.105 in March 2020, with its valuation at $5 billion. A resurgence began after this low, pushing it to the July 205 peak and completing the cup structure.

The handle has been in play since then, with XRP dropping considerably to the current levels. The analyst’s projection is that this handle would complete in the long term, forcing a breakout from the bullish pattern to unprecedented prices.

What a $400B and $500B Market Cap Means for XRP Price

Currently, XRP has a circulating supply of 61.79 billion, which is about 61.8% of its maximum supply of 100 billion XRP.

In a hypothetical scenario where XRP attains a $400 billion market cap, according to ChiefraT, and the available supply remains unchanged, it will reach $6.47 per coin. For a $500 billion valuation, XRP would hit $8.09. Notably, both mark new all-time highs for the prominent altcoin.

For possible timelines, prediction site Changelly sees XRP reaching $6.47 by December 2034. Furthermore, the platform does not expect the coin to reach $8.09 until September 2040.

XRP Price Prediction/Changelly
XRP Price Prediction/Changelly

XRP Can and Will Be Used Across Corporate Treasuries With or Without the Clarity Act — Ripple Report Hints

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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0
XRP Can and Will Be Used Across Corporate Treasuries With or Without the Clarity Act — Ripple Report Hints

A new report from Ripple is fueling fresh discussion about XRP role in corporate finance.

Commentators argue that adoption is already structurally in place, regardless of regulatory outcomes such as the proposed Clarity Act.

XRP community pundit Chad Steingraber pointed to a key section of Ripple’s latest treasury report, stressing that “digital assets” are becoming part of enterprise systems. He emphasized that “XRP can and will be used” across corporate treasuries, with or without new legislation.

Key Points

  • XRP is usable in corporate treasuries regardless of Clarity Act outcome, Ripple report suggests.
  • Ripple treasury tools integrate XRP, RLUSD, and fiat into one system for CFO-level asset management.
  • Analysts say Ripple’s infrastructure could enable XRP to act as a bridge currency in global treasury flows.
  • Institutional adoption grows as firms explore digital assets for payments, liquidity, and cash management.

Ripple Treasury Expands into Digital Assets

Notably, the Ripple report introduces Digital Asset Accounts and a Unified Treasury system, two core features to integrate digital assets directly into treasury management systems.

With this setup, CFOs can hold, manage, and track both fiat and digital assets like XRP and RLUSD within a single interface. The system eliminates the need for separate wallets, custody providers, or reconciliation processes, treating digital assets the same as cash.

Ripple says this marks a major shift. Its treasury infrastructure already processed $13 trillion in payment volume in 2025. It now extends that scale to digital asset management.

The firm’s survey of over 1,000 global finance leaders also found that 72% believe offering digital asset solutions is necessary to stay competitive.

The “Missing Link” Points to XRP

Speaking on the report, XRP analyst ChartNerd highlighted what he sees as the next phase of this system.

He pointed out that Ripple already has systems that connect banks and work with networks like SWIFT through its ClearConnect layer. Now, it is adding new treasury tools to manage money more efficiently.

The next step is linking all of Ripple’s products so companies can send money across borders and between branches using stablecoins and digital assets.

This is where XRP and RLUSD come in.

Ripple’s treasury system will soon support instant payments, 24/7 returns on unused funds, and seamless global transfers. If that happens, XRP could act as a bridge currency to move money quickly within corporate treasury systems.

XRP’s Position Is Independent of Regulation

Separately, market commentator Kamilah Stevenson argued that XRP’s trajectory does not depend on whether the Clarity Act passes in Congress.

She noted that while crypto regulation could impact the industry, XRP stands apart due to its legal and operational positioning stemming from Ripple’s past regulatory battles.

In her view, the asset is already set for institutional use, meaning legislative delays would not materially change its adoption path.

Institutional Adoption Narrative Strengthens

Meanwhile, the broader context reinforces this narrative. Stablecoins processed $33 trillion in volume last year, up 72% year-over-year. However, much of that activity has yet to fully translate into enterprise treasury workflows.

Ripple’s new system aims to change that by integrating digital assets into existing financial processes without disrupting compliance or approvals.

Ultimately, this could make XRP and similar assets useful for everyday business finance, not just speculation.

Market Updates: Strategy Pauses Bitcoin Buys Ahead of Q1 Earnings, Ethereum Foundation Offloads 10,000 ETH in Latest BitMine OTC Trade, NY Court Fines Uphold $5M Over Crypto Fraud

Zabi
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Market Updates: Strategy Pauses Bitcoin Buys Ahead of Q1 Earnings, Ethereum Foundation Offloads 10,000 ETH in Latest BitMine OTC Trade, NY Court Fines Uphold $5M Over Crypto Fraud

Latest Market Updates: As of 4th May 2026.

Crypto markets began the week on a cautious note. Strategy paused its Bitcoin purchases ahead of its Q1 earnings release, while the Ethereum Foundation continued trimming its ETH holdings through over-the-counter deals with BitMine.

On the regulatory side, New York authorities fined Uphold $5 million for promoting a disputed investment product. At the same time, new polling data pointed to growing skepticism among Americans toward both cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence.

Strategy Pauses Bitcoin Buying Ahead of Earnings

Strategy, the largest publicly listed corporate holder of Bitcoin, has temporarily paused new purchases.

Executive Chairman Michael Saylor confirmed on X that the company would not be adding to its holdings this week. His updates are often closely watched as signals of Strategy’s broader accumulation strategy.

The pause comes just ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report scheduled for Tuesday, suggesting a period of internal financial reassessment.

According to a filing with the US SEC dated 27 April, Strategy last added to its position between 20 and 26 April. During that window, it purchased 3,273 BTC for approximately $255 million.

This brings its total holdings to 818,334 BTC, acquired at an average cost of $77,906 per coin, with an overall cost basis of $75,537. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading around $80,043, slightly above Strategy’s average acquisition price.

Meanwhile, analysts cited by Yahoo Finance expect the company to report a loss of $18.98 per share, wider than the $16.49 loss recorded a year earlier. The projected decline is largely attributed to mark-to-market accounting adjustments on its Bitcoin holdings.

Ethereum Foundation Continues Large-Scale ETH Sales

While Strategy pauses accumulation, the Ethereum Foundation has continued to unlock liquidity through structured sales.

In a recent OTC transaction, the Foundation transferred 10,000 ETH to BitMine Immersion Technologies at a weighted average price of $2,292 per token, resulting in proceeds of approximately $22.9 million.

In a statement on X, the Foundation said proceeds will fund core operations, including protocol R&D, ecosystem growth, and community grant programs.

Notably, this marks the third similar sale in two months, underscoring a consistent pattern. A comparable transaction occurred just a week earlier at $2,387 per ETH. Before that, in March, the Foundation sold 5,000 ETH at around $2,043.

In parallel, the Foundation unstaked 17,035 ETH last week, valued at approximately $40 million. This move suggests a potential shift away from its previously stated goal of maintaining 70,000 staked ETH, signaling a broader adjustment in treasury strategy.

Uphold to Pay $5 Million in New York Settlement

Meanwhile, in New York, authorities have reached a significant settlement with crypto platform Uphold.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the firm will pay over $5 million to settle claims related to its marketing of CredEarn, a product developed by Cred, LLC under CEO Daniel Schatt.

According to the Attorney General’s office, Uphold advertised the product between January 2019 and October 2020 as a safe, reliable investment with attractive returns. However, key details about how those returns were generated were not disclosed to users.

Investigators found that customer deposits were diverted to provide small loans to low-income gamers in China, many of whom had no credit history or access to conventional banking. Additionally, claims that the product was protected by comprehensive insurance were found to be inaccurate, as no such coverage existed in the industry at the time.

Further concerns included the platform operating without the required broker-dealer registration. Cred started reporting losses in March 2020 and, about eight months later, was said to have filed for bankruptcy, which led to financial losses for many users.

Under the settlement terms, Uphold will compensate impacted customers directly. The payout exceeds five times the fees it earned from the product. Moreover, any funds recovered from Cred’s bankruptcy proceedings, in which Uphold has a $545,189 claim, will also be distributed to users. Customers will be notified once payments are processed.

US Public Shows Growing Skepticism Toward Crypto and AI

At the same time, public sentiment appears to be shifting in ways that could influence the industry’s future. A survey conducted by Public First for Politico highlights increasing concern about both cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

The poll, carried out between April 11 and 14, surveyed 2,035 US adults online. The results, weighted for demographic factors, have a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points.

According to the findings, 45% of respondents believe cryptocurrency investments are not worth the risk. Meanwhile, 44% say AI development is progressing too quickly. Nearly half of those surveyed expressed greater trust in traditional banks than in crypto platforms.

Importantly, the survey also points to strong demand for regulation. Around two-thirds of participants support stricter oversight of AI technologies. This sentiment could have political consequences, especially as industry-backed super PACs increase spending ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The report notes that voters are less likely to support candidates associated with groups favoring relaxed AI regulations. This suggests that public skepticism may translate into electoral pressure if concerns continue to grow.

ChangeNOW Scales New Heights With Premiere of “Beyond the Hype” Documentary

Esra Zuhal
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ChangeNOW Scales New Heights With Premiere of “Beyond the Hype” Documentary

Some milestones mark a date on a calendar. Others mark a shift in how a company sees itself and the world it operates in. For ChangeNOW, the release of its first-ever feature documentary: “Beyond the Hype”, belongs firmly in the second category.

This project follows a period of massive growth for the ChangeNOW platform, which now supports over 1,500 cryptocurrencies across 110 networks, proving that our infrastructure has matured to meet global demand. This expansion is driven by our ability to serve the 8 million users who depend on us to connect the gaps between technology and its practical applications.

This is not a product launch or a marketing campaign dressed up as content. It is a genuine reckoning with a question that sits at the heart of everything ChangeNOW does: What does it actually mean to build financial infrastructure for real people?

You can watch the full film on ChangeNOW official YouTube channel.

Built for the People

Fundamentally, all financial systems are promises. A guarantee that value may flow from one location to another and from one person to another in a dependable, cost-effective, and frictionless manner. But for millions in places like Manila, Caracas, or Lagos, those promises have been broken for generations.

The reality of cross-border finance is often a story of care arriving diminished. Fees accumulate at every handoff, and processing times stretch into days as intermediaries extract their share before a single cent reaches its destination.

ChangeNOW exists because that is not good enough. We believe that Web3, built with intention, offers a different path: transfers that are instant and secure, amounts received in full, with no gatekeeper deciding what portion of someone’s own money they deserve to keep. The documentary captures this not as a technical achievement, but as a human one.

Voices from the Frontier

“Beyond the Hype” is not a one-way conversation. It draws on the perspectives of some of the most thoughtful and forward-looking figures currently operating at the intersection of

decentralization, finance, and community-building. The following figures (listed in order of appearance) share their vision for a landscape where the work of building trust is no longer just an ideal, but a requirement for survival:

  • ChangeNOW: Pauline Shangett & Tim
  • Strategic Partners: WanKyu Kim (D’Cent Wallet), KG (Internet Money), Tadeas Kmenta (Zelcore), Joel Valenzuela (Dash), Dorian Vincileoni (Kraken), Martin Masser (TON Foundation), Jye Sandiford (WalletConnect), Thomas D’Eletto (Arculus)
  • Ambassadors & Media: Ornella Hernandez, Albert Quehenberger (AQForensics), Oihyun Kim (BeInCrypto), Ramia Farrage (Forbes Middle East).

Their collective honesty provides the film with its unique depth, proving that in the new digital economy, building trust is no longer an ideal, it is a necessity.

Why a Documentary, Why Now

ChangeNOW has reached a point in its evolution where telling the story behind the service feels not just appropriate, but necessary. The crypto industry has spent years explaining what it does. This film is an attempt to show why and to do so in a way that connects with people who may never have interacted with a blockchain in their lives.

Decentralization, at its best, is a community project. It works when people trust it, when they understand it, and when the systems built on it reflect their actual needs. Building that kind of trust requires more than whitepapers and wallet addresses. It requires stories. This documentary is one of those stories.

About ChangeNOW

ChangeNOW is a leading non-custodial crypto exchange service, built for maximum safety, speed and simplicity. With a commitment to making the digital economy transparent and accessible to everyone, everywhere, the platform serves millions of users across the globe, from seasoned traders to first-time explorers. ChangeNOW provides a truly borderless experience, supporting over 1,500 cryptocurrencies, 70+ fiat currencies, and spanning across 110 networks, ensuring that users always have the tools they need to navigate the future of finance.

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Contacts:

ChangeNOW PR Team Website: changenow.io

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