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Shiba Inu Eyes 100% Move if It Concludes This Structure Retest

Elendu Benedict
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Shiba Inu Eyes 100% Move if It Concludes This Structure Retest

Shiba Inu is beginning to show early signs of a structural change on the daily timeframe, following months of steady price decline.

At the time of writing, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is trading at $0.00000621, marking a 3% increase in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the rebound holds more significance for the meme-themed token, as its sustenance confirms a bullish structure breakout on higher timeframes.

Key Points

  • Shiba Inu recently broke out of a multi-year descending triangle and is currently retesting this zone.
  • The reaction here is critical, as holding the channel’s upper boundary would confirm the breakout and a shift from a downtrend to an uptrend.
  • Several events support a successful retest, including positive MACD and a broader bullish market condition.
  • Shiba Inu is showing positive signs around the retest area, and its sustenance opens the way for the next resistance between $0.00000785 and $0.00000821.
  • A move beyond that opens the path to a larger supply zone between $0.00001038 and $0.00001261.

Shiba Inu Channel Breakout

A recent TradingView analysis highlighted that the current price level closely aligns with a key retest zone. This region, roughly between $0.0000058 and $0.0000060, is the upper boundary of a multi-year descending channel.

A chart accompanying the analysis shows that SHIB has traded within this channel since November 2025, making lower highs and lower lows. However, recent recovery attempts saw it break above the channel’s upper boundary on April 16, following its 5.20% rise.

Shiba Inu Breakout and Retest
Shiba Inu Breakout and Retest

Subsequently, SHIB pulled back to retest the resistance breakout, as seen in its nearly 7% decline between April 18 and 19. The reaction here is critical, as holding the channel’s upper boundary would confirm the breakout and a shift from a downtrend to an uptrend.

Events Support Successful Breakout Retest

The chart clearly shows the breakout from the descending channel, followed by a pullback that is now testing the breakout point. This type of movement often acts as confirmation if the price stabilizes above the level. 

The analysis highlighted Bollinger bands, with the lower, mid, and upper bands at $0.00000572, $0.00000598, and $0.00000625, respectively. So far, SHIB is attempting to build support at the channel’s descending neckline resistance while pushing toward the upper Bollinger Band at $0.00000625.

At the same time, the analysis noted that momentum indicators are beginning to turn. The MACD has flipped positive for the first time since February, suggesting that selling pressure is easing. However, the move remains in its early stages, and confirmation depends on how the price behaves during this retest phase.

Looking at the broader market, Bitcoin has reclaimed $78,000 while Ethereum approaches $2,400. This relative stability across major crypto assets is helping support smaller tokens like SHIB as they attempt to recover.

What’s Next for Shiba Inu as Retest Nears Conclusion

Interestingly, Shiba Inu is showing positive signs around the retest area. Its nearly 2% rise since the start of today builds on the momentum from the last two days, where prices have steadily climbed from the former channel resistance.

If SHIB continues to move away from this area, then the retest might be nearing its conclusion. Further, this will also indicate that the retest was successful and that a bullish continuation would follow.

The chart outlines two clear resistance zones ahead, where the token would target next. The first sits between $0.00000785 and $0.00000821, representing increases of 26% and 32% from the current price.

A move beyond that opens the path to a larger supply zone between $0.00001038 and $0.00001261. From current levels, reaching this price range would imply growth of 67% and 103%, respectively.

Positive On-Chain Metrics Back SHIB Recovery

At the same time, on-chain data further adds a layer of positivity. Burn activity has spiked by 544% in the past 24 hours, with the community burning over 23 million SHIB, highlighting their commitment to reducing supply.

Shiba Inu Burn Rate/Shibburn
Shiba Inu Burn Rate/Shibburn

The Shiba Inu open interest has also spiked 13% in the past 24 hours to $69.27 million, reflecting the growing derivative appetite for the meme coin. Notably, this is the highest OI for SHIB since April.

Why This Is One of the Best Bitcoin Bear Markets Ever

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Why This Is One of the Best Bitcoin Bear Markets Ever

Crypto Rover, a prominent YouTuber and Bitcoin analyst, shares why he believes this may be one of the best Bitcoin bear markets ever.

The market pundit discussed this while sharing historical data surrounding drawdowns from previous Bitcoin bear markets. Specifically, the data confirms that despite the overly sour sentiment, Bitcoin’s lowest drawdown so far this season has been an improvement from past bearish phases.

Key Points

  • Crypto Rover calls the current Bitcoin downturn one of the best bear markets ever.
  • The ongoing bear market began around October 2025 and has lasted about seven months, with weak market sentiment.
  • Bitcoin trades around $78,000, about 38% below its $126,000 all-time high in this cycle.
  • The lowest price so far is $59,930 in February 2026, marking a 52% drawdown from the peak.
  • Past cycles saw deeper losses, with declines between 70% and 85% before reaching their final bottoms.

Current Bitcoin Drawdown Remains Historically Low

The ongoing downturn began around October 2025 and has now stretched to roughly seven months, pushing sentiment into bearish territory. Despite this negative mood, the data suggests that the damage remains relatively limited.

Crypto Rover’s chart shows that the present cycle has only recorded drawdowns of about 42% to 52% more than 190 days after the all-time high. Even as the timeline progresses, the decline remains moderate. 

Specifically, at the time of the snapshot on April 15, 2026, Bitcoin traded at $74,836. This price indicated that the cycle’s drawdown stood at 40% from the all-time high of $126,000, attained in early October 2025.

At press time, Bitcoin changes hands at $78,000, which implies a 38% drop from the cycle high. The lowest point so far came in early February 2026, when the price fell to $59,930. This level represents a 52% decline from the peak. Even at this lowest point, the drawdown remains much less severe than what previous cycles experienced.

If the $59,930 level ultimately marks the bottom of this cycle, it would confirm that Bitcoin avoided the deeper corrections typical of past bear markets. Notably, the current cycle has not reached a 55% decline at any stage, confirming how this downturn has been unusually mild.

Historical Data Around Past Drawdowns

For context, the chart compares different Bitcoin cycles by using percentage drops instead of actual prices. Each cycle starts at Day 0, which marks the exact day Bitcoin reached its all-time high for that period. 

Bitcoin Cycle Drawdowns
Bitcoin Cycle Drawdowns

From there, the chart calculates the decline by dividing the current price by the all-time high price, minus 100%. In this model, 0% means the price is still at its peak, while negative values show how far it has fallen.

Historical comparisons confirm why Crypto Rover called this phase one of the best Bitcoin bear market phases. Earlier cycles consistently recorded drawdowns between 70% and 85%. By 300 to 400 days after their peaks, most past cycles had already dropped between 70% and 80%.

The 2015 cycle hit $198, an 82% decline. The 2018 cycle reached a low of $3,135, translating to an 84% drop. Meanwhile, the 2022 cycle ended at $15,460, with a drawdown of roughly 77%. These declines occurred over periods ranging from 300 to 700 days, with prices remaining deeply suppressed for extended durations.

A Mild Bitcoin Bear Market… For Now

Essentially, Bitcoin’s current downturn remains historically mild. The data shows that the asset has avoided the extreme losses recorded in past cycles. This confirms the claim that the ongoing bear phase ranks among the least damaging on record.

However, there is still uncertainty. While the current drawdown sits at 38%, the cycle has not yet fully concluded. Bitcoin’s future price action could still push prices to new lows, potentially changing the narrative. For now, though, the evidence indicates that this is one of the most resilient bear markets Bitcoin has ever experienced.

Cardano Founder Mocks Blockstream Conservative Quantum Strategy, Says ‘Never Change Bitcoin’

Lele Jima
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Cardano Founder Mocks Blockstream Conservative Quantum Strategy, Says ‘Never Change Bitcoin’

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has criticized Blockstream for favoring a conservative upgrade path in Bitcoin’s push to address quantum threats. 

His remarks came in response to proposals supported by Blockstream co-founder Adam Back and Director of Research Jonas Nick. Notably, they both advocated hash-based post-quantum signature schemes, such as SHRINCS and SHRIMPS, as a promising solution.

Key Points

  • Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson criticized Adam Back for supporting conservative upgrade paths to address quantum threats in Bitcoin.
  • His criticism targets a proposed hash-based post-quantum signature scheme, such as SHRINCS and SHRIMPS, as a promising solution.
  • Beyond Bitcoin, the broader crypto industry, including Ethereum and XRP, is actively debating quantum risks to existing cryptography.
  • Estimates suggest roughly 1.7 million BTC in early wallets could be vulnerable, prompting proposals such as BIP-361, led by Jameson Lopp.

Blockstream Proposes Solution to Addressing Bitcoin Post-Quantum Risks

For context, at the OPNEXT 2026 Bitcoin scaling conference, Jonas Nick presented a case for adopting hash-based post-quantum signatures, including SHRINCS and SHRIMPS, as a viable upgrade path for Bitcoin.

He framed the challenge as navigating a complex design space shaped by tradeoffs among efficiency, security assumptions, and protocol complexity.

First, his proposal introduces statefulness, adding a new design dimension that enables more efficient signature schemes. Second, it embraces targeted trade-offs, in which a modest increase in protocol complexity can deliver significant performance gains.

Moreover, the framework avoids new cryptographic assumptions by relying on well-established hash functions, which are widely understood and easier to implement securely.

Cardano Founder Mocks Blockstream Proposal

However, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson pushed back, mocking the approach as an attempt to solve Bitcoin’s quantum challenge with the least expressive post-quantum signatures.

Notably, the commentary highlights the functional limitations of hash-based systems, which are primarily suited for secure transaction signing and offer limited flexibility beyond that role.

In contrast, he argued that more expressive cryptographic systems can support richer programmability and more complex validation logic. From his perspective, Bitcoin is choosing a minimalist solution over a more versatile and forward-looking alternative.

“Never Change Bitcoin”

Moreover, Hoskinson broadened his critique by invoking Bitcoin’s conservative development culture, summed up in his remark, “Never Change Bitcoin.”

The comment highlights Bitcoin’s focus on stability and predictability, even if it means avoiding more advanced innovations.

Efforts Toward Addressing Quantum Risks Accelerate

Meanwhile, the wider crypto industry continues to debate the risks posed by advanced quantum computing to major networks like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.

Recent research from Google indicates that future quantum machines may require less computational power than previously expected to exploit current cryptographic systems.

Specifically, researchers estimate that roughly 1.7 million Bitcoin held in early Pay-to-Public-Key (P2PK) wallets could be vulnerable to quantum attacks. In response, Jameson Lopp and other developers recently introduced BIP-361, a proposal to strengthen Bitcoin’s defenses against potential quantum-era threats.

Market Updates: US Senator Pushes CLARITY Act Markup to May, EU Banks Tap Fireblocks for Euro Stablecoin Project, South Korea Advances CBDC Plans

Zabi
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Market Updates: US Senator Pushes CLARITY Act Markup to May, EU Banks Tap Fireblocks for Euro Stablecoin Project, South Korea Advances CBDC Plans

Latest Market Updates: As of 21st April 2026.

Global crypto policy and innovation saw several significant developments today. From legislative delays in the United States to Europe’s stablecoin expansion and fresh investment activity in Southeast Asia, the digital asset sector continues to evolve at pace.

US Senator Seeks Delay of CLARITY Act Senate Markup

In the United States, momentum around crypto regulation appears to be slowing as lawmakers seek broader consensus.

US Senator Thom Tillis has urged Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott to postpone consideration of the CLARITY Act until May 2026.

According to Punchbowl News, the request reflects ongoing disagreements between banking institutions and crypto industry participants. In particular, these disputes center on how stablecoin yields should be regulated.

Tillis, who is helping facilitate discussions between both sides, stressed that additional time would allow for a more thorough review of the legislation. He added that it would also help produce a more balanced regulatory framework.

Consequently, the Senate Banking Committee is now unlikely to take up the bill before the end of April, giving negotiators more time to address unresolved issues.

EU Banks Tap Fireblocks for Euro Stablecoin Project

Meanwhile, in Europe, banks are moving more aggressively toward regulated digital currency infrastructure.

A consortium of major financial institutions, led by Qivalis, has partnered with Fireblocks to develop a MiCA-compliant euro-denominated stablecoin. It is primarily for institutional use cases such as settlements, treasury operations, and tokenized financial assets.

Under the partnership, Fireblocks will provide critical infrastructure, including custody services and wallet systems. In addition, it will offer compliance tools such as identity verification and sanctions screening.

Notably, the initiative is backed by leading banks, including BNP Paribas, BBVA, UniCredit, and ING. The stablecoin will be fully regulated and backed one-to-one with the euro under Dutch supervision.

However, final approval from De Nederlandsche Bank is still pending. If approved, the consortium aims to launch the product in the second half of 2026.

Bank of Korea Governor Signals Strong Support for CBDCs

At the same time, policy direction in South Korea also became clearer under the country’s new central bank leadership. 

In his first public remarks, Shin Hyun-song voiced strong support for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and tokenized deposits. He confirmed that the Bank of Korea will proceed with the next stage of its CBDC pilot program, Project Hangang.

The initiative focuses on building wholesale digital currency infrastructure for financial institutions rather than retail consumers.

In addition, Shin highlighted the importance of international cooperation in digital finance. In particular, he referenced the Agora Project, launched in April 2024 by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) along with seven central banks to explore tokenized cross-border payments.

According to Shin, these initiatives could strengthen the global standing of the Korean won in a more digitized financial system. 

Notably, he did not address the possibility of a won-based stablecoin in his speech. This omission comes as South Korea continues to debate its stablecoin policy.

Notably, regulators and lawmakers are divided over whether issuance of won-pegged tokens should remain limited to banks or be expanded to technology firms.

Bybit Backs Malaysia’s Hata in $8 Million Funding Round

Elsewhere, investment activity in the crypto sector continued to gain momentum in Southeast Asia.

Bybit has led an $8 million Series A funding round in Malaysian digital asset platform Hata. The round also included several global family offices and follows Bybit’s earlier participation in Hata’s $4.2 million seed round.

According to the company, the new capital will be used to improve platform liquidity, expand the user base, and launch additional products and services.

Hata currently operates under licenses from both the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Labuan Financial Services Authority. These dual licenses enable it to offer digital asset trading and custody services within Malaysia.

Since its launch in 2023, the platform has surpassed 209,000 registered users and recorded 1.04 billion Malaysian ringgits in transaction volume in 2025. Meanwhile, data from CoinMarketCap continues to rank Bybit among the world’s five largest crypto exchanges by trading volume.

Coinbase Expands XRP Derivatives With New Settlement Feature

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Coinbase Expands XRP Derivatives With New Settlement Feature

Coinbase is moving to strengthen its derivatives offering around XRP, introducing a new trading mechanism that could make the asset more attractive to large institutional players.

Key Points

  • Coinbase will launch a Trade at Settlement (TAS) feature for XRP derivatives starting May 1, 2026.
  • TAS lets traders execute XRP futures at official settlement prices, reducing exposure to intraday volatility.
  • The feature targets institutional players using block trades, offering more controlled and risk-managed execution.
  • XRP ETFs saw $1.28B in inflows, marking eight straight days of positive momentum despite minor outflows.

XRP Included in New Trade at Settlement (TAS) Feature

In a fresh filing with the CFTC, Coinbase revealed plans to roll out Trade at Settlement (TAS) functionality starting May 1, 2026.

TAS allows traders to execute orders at a contract’s official settlement price rather than trading directly in live, fluctuating markets. The feature will apply to block trades, which are typically used by large participants handling significant volume.

Notably, both nano XRP and full-sized XRP futures contracts were listed among the products eligible for TAS. The listing also included major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and commodities like gold and crude oil.

What TAS Means for XRP

TAS gives institutional traders a simpler, more controlled way to trade XRP. Instead of worrying about price swings during the day, they can base trades on a set closing price. This is useful for managing risk in large portfolios.

Overall, it shows XRP is increasingly fitting into traditional financial systems, where stable pricing and lower risk matter most.

Regulatory Framing and Market Oversight

Coinbase said the new feature follows key rules under the Commodity Exchange Act, including maintaining fair, transparent, and manipulation-free markets.

All TAS trades will still be monitored under its existing rules, with its Market Regulation team overseeing activity to ensure fair trading. The exchange also added that there are no known objections to launching this feature.

Adding tools like TAS for XRP shows it is becoming more integrated into mainstream financial markets.

By using the same trading methods as traditional assets and major cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is likely making XRP more attractive to institutional investors, something many see as important for the next stage of growth in digital assets.

Beyond the derivatives market, institutions are also participating in the XRP ecosystem via ETFs.

Major Inflows into XRP ETFs

According to SoSoValue data, XRP ETFs have recorded cumulative inflows of $1.28 billion after attracting a fresh $3 million investment on Monday.

This marks the eighth consecutive trading day of positive flows into the XRP ETF market. Major contributors include Bitwise, with $416 million in inflows since 2025; Canary Capital, with $421 million in inflows; Franklin, with $345 million; and Grayscale, with $120.93 million.

However, 21Shares has seen cumulative outflows of $20.70 million, although it still holds $154 million in total assets in its XTRP ETF.

American Airlines Confirms Ripple Treasury Has Exceeded Their Expectations

Mark Brennan
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American Airlines Confirms Ripple Treasury Has Exceeded Their Expectations

American Airlines, one of the largest airlines globally, confirms that its use of Ripple Treasury has yielded better results than expected. 

For context, the airline combined all treasury operations into a single platform, which improved efficiency and allowed its team to focus more on other financial work, and less on routine processes.

Key Points

  • American Airlines has confirmed that its use of Ripple Treasury has delivered better results than expected.
  • The airline adopted Ripple Treasury (formerly GTreasury) even before Ripple’s acquisition last year.
  • With Ripple Treasury, American Airlines replaced disconnected systems and bank portals with a unified treasury solution.
  • Ripple Treasury connects to about 13,000 banks globally and integrates with firms like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

American Airlines Endorses Ripple Treasury

The XRP community recently highlighted the remarks from American Airlines, a client of Ripple’s treasury platform, which noted how the solution has delivered beyond initial expectations. 

The airline uses Ripple Treasury as part of its financial operations, and its internal leadership has openly acknowledged the system’s impact.

Ryan Millard, who serves as Director of Global Banking and Treasury Services at American Airlines, explained that the company has improved its treasury technology infrastructure through Ripple Treasury. 

Image

He noted that combining all treasury management activities into a single system has delivered better results than what the team initially expected and has allowed staff to pay more attention to other priorities instead of routine operational tasks.

Relationship Between American Airlines and Ripple Treasury

American Airlines maintains a client relationship with Ripple Treasury, which previously operated as GTreasury before Ripple acquired it for $1 billion in October 2025. This acquisition marked Ripple’s move into the multi-trillion-dollar corporate treasury market.

The airline appears as a featured customer success story on Ripple Treasury’s official platform. The partnership involves upgrading treasury operations, especially for managing the airline’s global fleet and financial workflows. 

American Airlines on Ripple Treasury Success Story
American Airlines on Ripple Treasury Success Story

Before the acquisition, American Airlines already used GTreasury’s platform. On May 1, 2025, the company earned recognition as a finalist in the Technology Excellence category at Treasury & Risk magazine’s 29th annual Alexander Hamilton Awards. 

American Airlines has continued using the platform and expanded its adoption following Ripple’s acquisition in October 2025, with the recent comments from Millard confirming the company’s satisfaction with the platform.

Issues Faced by American Airlines

American Airlines operates flights to more than 350 destinations in over 60 countries, which creates difficult treasury needs. The airline manages a large fleet with many maintenance partners, each with different contracts, assets, and terms.

In the past, the company dealt with rigid software, heavy use of spreadsheets, and separate bank portals. These issues caused repeated work, limited growth, and reduced control. 

They also created risks such as dependence on key staff, audit concerns, foreign exchange exposure, and limited visibility into cash and capital positions.

How Ripple Treasury Provided a Solution

To address these issues, Ripple Treasury worked with American Airlines to build a solution using its Collateral Management System. The platform introduced a flexible fleet database that allowed the airline to track and manage contracts, assets, and operational details in one place.

This replaced disconnected systems and provided real-time visibility. American Airlines also added tools for cash management and forecasting, bank account management, debt tracking, letter-of-credit handling, short-term investments, and foreign exchange risk management.

The airline reported massive improvements after adopting the platform. Specifically, global cash visibility rose from about 65% to 99%, while automated accounting tasks increased from roughly 50% to 90%. Also, automation freed up as much as 20% of treasury staff time and gave teams more room to focus on higher-level work.

Notably, besides American Airlines, Ripple Treasury connects to around 13,000 banks worldwide and works with platforms such as Goldman Sachs’ Mosaic system, which supports trading across more than 200 money market funds, as well as JPMorgan for real-time cash tracking through APIs.

BlackRock, Mastercard, and Franklin Templeton Show Interest in XRP Ledger

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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BlackRock, Mastercard, and Franklin Templeton Show Interest in XRP Ledger

Odelia Torteman, XRPL Commons’ Director of Corporate Adoption, has revealed that BlackRock, Mastercard, and Franklin Templeton are exploring the capabilities of the XRP Ledger.

This came in an interview during the Digital Assets Forum event earlier this year in London, as Torteman discussed the growing involvement of institutions and what it could mean for the broader XRP ecosystem.

Key Points

  • BlackRock, Mastercard, and Franklin Templeton are exploring XRP Ledger, says Ripple’s Odelia Torteman.
  • XRPL is for institutions, enabling payments, settlements and cross-asset transfers via XRP bridge asset.
  • Firms like BlackRock and Ripple partners are testing tokenization, AMM, DEX, and stablecoin liquidity on XRPL.
  • Mastercard, Gemini, and Ripple previously tested RLUSD for XRPL card payments, showing regulated stablecoin settlement use.

XRP Role Within the Network

Torteman described XRPL as a decentralized system where XRP plays a core role in enabling transactions and settlements. Acting as a bridge asset, XRP facilitates the transfer of value across different assets on the network.

She pointed out that the ledger already supports a range of financial applications, from payments to enterprise-grade solutions. Within this framework, supporters view holding XRP as exposure to the infrastructure that powers transparent and efficient cross-asset transfers.

Institutions Taking a Closer Look

During the interview, the host noted that companies such as Mastercard, Visa, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock have appeared at XRPL events. This raises questions about their level of involvement.

Remarkably, Torteman confirmed that interest is real and growing. She emphasized that XRPL was designed from inception with financial institutions in mind for cross-border and multi-asset transactions.

She also noted that XRPL includes features such as an automated market maker (AMM), a built-in decentralized exchange (DEX), trust lines, and tools for compliance and KYC. These features make it easier for institutions to use blockchain technology while meeting regulatory requirements.

Expanding Partnerships Across the Ecosystem

Meanwhile, recent collaborations show how major firms are already engaging with Ripple’s technology.

Last September, Ripple, Franklin Templeton, and DBS Bank jointly introduced tokenized lending and trading solutions using tokenized money market funds and RLUSD. The idea is that combining regulated stablecoins with tokenized assets can improve liquidity and capital efficiency, while also building trust.

Around the same time, Ripple partnered with Securitize to allow investors in BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and VanEck’s VBILL fund to convert their holdings into RLUSD. This enables continuous (24/7) liquidity through smart contracts for tokenized Treasury products.

Meanwhile, in November, Mastercard teamed up with Gemini and Ripple to test RLUSD for settling card payments on XRPL. The goal was to demonstrate how regulated stablecoins can help banks process payments faster and more transparently on a public blockchain.

What It Means for XRP

The increasing presence of major financial institutions on XRPL suggests a shift in how XRP is viewed. It is no longer seen only as a trading asset, but also as a bridge asset within a blockchain designed for large-scale financial activity.

Market Updates: Crypto Scammers Target Strait of Hormuz Vessels, Philippines SEC Flags Unauthorized Crypto Platforms, Tether Secures 8.2% Position in Antalpha

Zabi
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Market Updates: Crypto Scammers Target Strait of Hormuz Vessels, Philippines SEC Flags Unauthorized Crypto Platforms, Tether Secures 8.2% Position in Antalpha

Latest Market Updates: As of 21st April 2026.

Crypto markets today reflect a blend of regulatory pressure, security risks, and continued institutional momentum.

In the Strait of Hormuz, scammers are reportedly targeting ships with fake crypto payment demands. Meanwhile, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission has issued warnings against unregistered platforms such as dYdX.

At the same time, institutional interest continues to strengthen, with Tether acquiring a stake in Antalpha and Bitmine increasing its Ethereum holdings.

Fake Crypto Demands Target Ships Near Strait of Hormuz

Amid ongoing instability in the Middle East, shipping companies operating near the Strait of Hormuz are facing an unusual form of fraud.

Specifically, according to maritime risk firm Marisks, unknown actors have been contacting vessel owners with deceptive payment requests.

These messages falsely claim to come from Iranian security authorities and request cryptocurrency payments, such as Bitcoin or USDT, in exchange for safe passage. Marisks has clarified that these communications are not linked to any official Iranian body and should be treated as scams.

The warning, first reported Monday, comes at a sensitive time for global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that historically handles around one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, has seen increased disruption due to regional tensions.

Adding further context, earlier reports this month suggested Iran had considered introducing transit fees payable in Bitcoin. Under the reported proposal, empty tankers would pass freely. In contrast, loaded vessels could be charged roughly $1 per barrel of oil.

Philippines Warns Against Seven Unregistered Crypto Platforms

While maritime security concerns emerge in one region, regulators elsewhere are tightening oversight of the crypto sector.

In particular, the Philippine SEC has issued an advisory warning investors about several unregistered crypto platforms operating in the country. The list includes dYdX, gTrade, Aevo, Pacifica, Deriv, Orderly, and Ostium.

According to the regulator, these platforms appear to promote investment products promising returns or profits without proper authorization.

Under Philippine law, such services must be licensed as crypto-asset service providers and meet strict operational and capital requirements.

In addition, the SEC warned that individuals or groups promoting these platforms could face serious legal consequences. Violations of the Securities Regulation Code carry penalties of up to 5 million pesos, or imprisonment of up to 21 years.

In some cases, both penalties may be imposed together. This move underscores a broader push to safeguard investors amid rising crypto adoption.

Tether Builds Stake in Bitcoin Finance Firm Antalpha

At the same time, institutional players continue to expand their presence in the crypto ecosystem. Tether has increased its exposure to Bitcoin-focused financial infrastructure by acquiring a significant stake in Antalpha.

A filing with the US SEC shows that Tether now holds an 8.2% share, equal to about 1.95 million shares. The document also notes that Giancarlo Devasini has voting and decision-making authority over the holdings.

Antalpha, which went public in May 2025, specializes in Bitcoin-backed lending and provides financing solutions for mining equipment.

By the end of 2024, it reported a loan portfolio of around $1.6 billion and maintains close ties with mining hardware manufacturer Bitmain.

The filing suggests Tether may adjust its position over time depending on market conditions.

Bitmine Expands Ethereum Holdings with Major Purchase

Meanwhile, corporate accumulation of major crypto assets continues, with Bitmine Immersion Technologies significantly expanding its Ethereum holdings.

The company purchased 101,627 ETH between April 13 and April 19, according to a press release and regulatory filing—its largest acquisition since December 2025.

Following the latest purchase, Bitmine now holds nearly 4.98 million ETH, valued at approximately $11.5 billion at a reference price of $2,301 per token.

The position represents over 4% of Ethereum’s circulating supply, with the company still targeting a long-term goal of reaching 5%.

Charles Schwab Releases Bitcoin Risk Guide Ahead of BTC Trading Launch

Lele Jima
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0
Charles Schwab Releases Bitcoin Risk Guide Ahead of BTC Trading Launch

Leading investment manager Charles Schwab has released an explainer video on Bitcoin, emphasizing a risk-first approach to portfolio construction. 

The firm published the video ahead of launching its crypto product, Schwab Crypto, which will offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to millions of users.

Key Points

  • Charles Schwab released an educational video to help investors understand risk management when investing in Bitcoin.
  • The firm launched the video ahead of its upcoming crypto product, Schwab Crypto, which will support Bitcoin and Ethereum trading.
  • This move reflects an institutional trend, as firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley continue expanding into Bitcoin products.
  • Morgan Stanley has disclosed its Bitcoin address, revealing a portfolio of 1,821 BTC.

Schwab’s Explainer Video Educates Investors on Bitcoin Risk Management

Notably, Schwab is setting expectations early as it prepares to roll out crypto trading to its massive client base. In the explainer video, the firm promoted a disciplined, risk-focused framework that could shape how traditional investors approach digital assets.

Rather than encouraging large allocations, Schwab urges investors to evaluate cryptocurrencies based on the risk they introduce to a portfolio. The firm stressed that since Bitcoin is significantly more volatile than traditional assets, even a small allocation can have an outsized impact.

For example, an investor seeking modest Bitcoin exposure may only need to allocate about 2.7% of their total portfolio. In contrast, a more aggressive investor could allocate roughly 6.9% while still maintaining a defined risk balance.

Meanwhile, Schwab extends this caution to Ethereum and other digital assets, noting that their higher volatility may justify even smaller allocations.

Schwab Prepares to Launch Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading

This guidance comes as Schwab prepares to launch Schwab Crypto, which would enable users to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum in the coming weeks. The firm has been signaling this move for months in response to growing client demand.

Last year, CEO Rick Wurster revealed that many customers already hold around 98% of their assets with Schwab, while keeping about 2% in crypto on external platforms. Notably, he suggested that many of these clients want to consolidate their holdings within Schwab’s ecosystem for trust and convenience.

TradFi Bitcoin Adoption Accelerates as Morgan Stanley Publicizes BTC Address

Schwab’s move reflects a trend of traditional finance embracing crypto. For instance, Goldman Sachs has filed to launch a Bitcoin-linked income ETP, while Morgan Stanley recently introduced a spot Bitcoin ETF.

Moreover, Morgan Stanley has taken an additional step to boost transparency by publicly sharing its Bitcoin address. The wallet currently holds 1,821 BTC, valued at approximately $138.91 million.

Overall, Schwab’s move underscores a risk-aware crypto adoption as major financial institutions increasingly integrate digital assets into mainstream investment portfolios.

Bitcoin Eyes $88,000 as Early Week Rebound Builds Momentum

Elendu Benedict
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Bitcoin Eyes $88,000 as Early Week Rebound Builds Momentum

Bitcoin is showing renewed strength at the start of the week, with price action pointing to a continuation of the upward momentum towards $88,000.

According to market analyst Michael van de Poppe, the recent pullback over the weekend appears to be part of a typical risk-off pattern rather than a sign of deeper weakness. With the strong start to the week, he expects further recovery to higher prices.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin is showing renewed strength at the start of the week.
  • This followed a scare over the weekend, during which BTC declined 6% from $78,360 to the key support at $73,600.
  • Broader market conditions support further short-term uptrend amid declining volatility.
  • Price is also approaching a key resistance band between roughly $85,000 and $88,000.
  • This is the next major hurdle, and breaking it sets BTC up for much more advanced price action, potentially targeting $100,000.

Bitcoin Builds Momentum as Risk Appetite Returns

Van de Poppe suggested that the broader context supports a recovery. He stated that he doesn’t see why Bitcoin (BTC) and the crypto markets will not go higher in the coming days.

Looking at a shared chart, Bitcoin rebounded cleanly from the $73,000 region, a key support zone the analyst had earlier highlighted as a crucial area to hold. This followed a scare over the weekend, during which BTC declined 6% from $78,360 to $73,600.

Bitcoin Price Analysis/Michael van de Poppe
Bitcoin Price Analysis/Michael van de Poppe

Bitcoin has respected the support. It bounced back toward the $76,000 range on Monday and continued the resurgence today.

The analysis points out that early-week conditions have shifted back toward a risk-on environment, with no major negative developments affecting markets. This shift is also reflected in declining volatility across traditional indicators, including lower movement in the VIX and reduced fluctuations in gold. As such, market conditions support further short-term uptrends.

Capital Rotating into Bitcoin Via ETFs

Furthermore, capital appears to be rotating back into crypto-related products. Notably, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded approximately $1 billion in inflows last week, reinforcing the idea that institutional participation remains active during this phase. Data from SosoValue confirmed this as the 13 US BTC spot ETFs brought in $996.38 million in the past week.

Van de Poppe expects these inflows to continue, predicting a stronger week for the Bitcoin investment funds. Notably, the ETFs recorded a net inflow of $238 million on Monday, a strong start to the week.

Bitcoin ETFs Inflow/SosoValue
Bitcoin ETFs Inflow/SosoValue

Such increased institutional acquisition further drains the limited BTC supply, increasing the chances of a supply shock.

$88K Resistance Test Imminent

On the chart, Bitcoin continues to form higher lows and higher highs on lower timeframes, confirming a developing uptrend. The price is also approaching a key resistance band between roughly $85,000 and $88,000, representing an 11% and 15% rise from the current market price, respectively.

The chart shows that this is the next major hurdle, and breaking it sets BTC up for much more advanced price action, potentially targeting $100,000. The analyst had earlier mentioned that the premier asset would reach this zone before the end of April and reiterated that in the analysis. He noted that this price is very likely by May.

However, this outlook remains dependent on external conditions. Van de Poppe notes that geopolitical stability will play a role in sustaining momentum. In the absence of major disruptions, the current trajectory points toward continued upward pressure for Bitcoin.

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