Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao to advise Kyrgyzstan on blockchain tech April 3, 2025, 10:35 pm
Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao will begin advising the Kyrgyz Republic on blockchain and crypto-related regulation and tech after signing a memorandum of understanding with the country’s foreign investment agency.“I officially and unofficially advise a few governments on their crypto regulatory frameworks and blockchain solutions for gov efficiency, expanding blockchain to more than trading,” the crypto entrepreneur said in an April 3 X post, adding that he finds this work “extremely meaningful.” His comments came in response to an earlier X post from Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov announcing that Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency (NIA) had signed a memorandum with CZ to provide technical expertise and consulting services for the Central Asian country. The NIA is responsible for promoting foreign investments and assisting international companies in identifying business opportunities within the country. Source: Changpeng Zhao “This cooperation marks an important step towards strengthening technological infrastructure, implementing innovative solutions, and preparing highly qualified specialists in blockchain technologies, virtual asset management, and cybersecurity,” Zhaparov said. The Kyrgyzstan president added: “such initiatives are crucial for the sustainable growth of the economy and the security of virtual assets, ultimately generating new opportunities for businesses and society as a whole.” Kyrgyzstan, which officially changed its name from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the Kyrgyz Republic in 1993, is a mountainous, land-locked country. It is considered well-suited for crypto mining operations due to its abundant renewable energy resources, much of which is underutilized. Over 30% of Kyrgyzstan’s total energy supply comes from hydroelectric power plants, but only 10% of the country’s potential hydropower has been developed, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. CZ has met with several
Investor demand for XRP falls as the bull market stalls — Will traders defend the $2 support? April 3, 2025, 8:33 pm
Between Oct. 25, 2024, and Jan. 16, 2025, XRP (XRP) had one of the best rallies of the current bull market, gaining 600% as investors piled in with the hope that a pro-crypto presidency would benefit Ripple and its cryptocurrency. During this time, the quarterly average of daily active addresses jumped by 490% and XRP price hit a 7-year high. XRP’s 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView Fast forward to the present, and data shows that the speculative interest surrounding XRP is declining. Holders are increasingly facing losses rather than gains, which is dampening their risk appetite. “Retail confidence in XRP may be slipping”Since bottoming in 2022, Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP have gained 500% to 600%, but the bulk of XRP’s gains came from a parabolic price increase. Data from Glassnode shows that XRP daily active addresses jumped by 490%, whereas the same metric for Bitcoin increased by 10% over the past four months. XRP's new investor realized the cap. Source: Glassnode This retail-driven surge pushed XRP’s realized cap from $30.1 billion to $64.2 billion, with $30 billion of that inflow coming from investors in the last six months. The share of XRP’s realized cap held by new investors (less than six months) jumped from 23% to 62.8%, signaling a rapid wealth shift. However, since late February 2025, capital inflows have dipped significantly. XRP realized profit/loss ratio. Source: Glassnode The primary reason is that investors are currently locking in fewer profits and staring at higher losses. This can be identified by the realized loss/profit ratio, which has constantly declined since 2025. Glassnode analysts said, “Given the retail-dominated inflows and largely concentrated wealth in relatively new hands, this alludes to a condition where retail investor confidence in XRP may be slipping, and this may also be extended across the broader market.”Besides weakening confidence among newer investors, the distribution of XRP among whale addresses reflects a
DeFi TVL falls 27% while AI, social apps surge in Q1: DappRadar April 3, 2025, 8:04 pm
Economic uncertainty and a major crypto exchange hack pushed down the total value locked in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to $156 billion in the first quarter of 2025, but AI and social apps gained ground with a rise in network users, according to a crypto analytics firm.“Broader economic uncertainty and lingering aftershocks from the Bybit exploit” were the main contributing factors to the DeFi sector’s 27% quarter-on-quarter fall in TVL, according to an April 3 report from DappRadar, which noted that Ether (ETH) fell 45% to $1,820 over the same period. Change in DeFi total value locked between Jan. 2024 and March 2025. Source: DappRadar The largest blockchain by TVL, Ethereum, fell 37% to $96 billion, while Sui was the hardest hit of the top 10 blockchains by TVL, falling 44% to $2 billion. Solana, Tron and the Arbitrum blockchains also had their TVLs slashed over 30%. Meanwhile, blockchains that experienced a larger volume of DeFi withdrawals and had a smaller share of stablecoins locked in their protocols faced extra pressure on top of the falling token prices. The newly launched Berachain was the only top-10 blockchain by TVL to rise, accumulating $5.17 billion between Feb. 6 and March 31, DappRadar noted. Market fall didn’t stunt AI and social app user growthHowever, the number of daily unique active wallets (DUAW) interacting with AI protocols and social apps increased 29% and 10%, respectively, in Q1, while non-fungible token and GameFi protocols regressed, DappRadar’s data shows. The monthly average of DUAWs interacting on the AI and social protocols rose to 2.6 million and 2.8 million, while DeFi and GameFi protocols fell double-digits. DappRadar said there was “explosive growth” in AI agent protocols, stating that they’re “no longer a concept.” “They’re here, and they’re shaping new user behaviors,” said the firm. Change in DeFi total value locked between Jan. 2024 and March 2025. Source: DappRadar
EigenLayer to begin 'slashing' restakers in April April 3, 2025, 5:43 pm
EigenLayer plans to start “slashing” restakers on April 17, resulting in the Ethereum restaking protocol’s “first feature-complete iteration,” it said in an April 2 announcement. Implementing slashing will mark EigenLayer’s final step toward establishing the protocol as “infrastructure for a new generation of verifiable apps and services built on the Verifiable Cloud,” it said in a post on the X platform. In 2024, EigenLayer started distributing rewards — including emissions of its native EIGEN token — to incentivize restakers. However, slashing has so far been limited to EigenLayer’s testnets. Once slashing is live, node operators and restakers will be able to voluntarily “opt-in,” resulting in a gradual transition for users, EigenLayer said in a blog post. Slashing starts on EigenLayer’s mainnet soon. Source: EigenLayer Related: EigenLayer eyes consumer adoption post EIGEN unlock, founder says Gradual roll-outLaunched in 2023, EigenLayer secures third-party protocols — dubbed actively validated services (AVSs) — against a pool of “restaked” cryptocurrencies used as collateral. Restaking involves taking a token that has already been staked — posted as collateral with a validator in exchange for rewards — and using it to secure other protocols simultaneously. Slashing is the primary method for securing proof-of-stake protocols — including Ethereum as well as “restaking” protocols such as EigenLayer — and involves penalizing a network’s node operators for poor performance or misbehavior. “If Operators do not meet the conditions set, the AVS may penalize them. But, if the Operator runs the service successfully, AVSs can reward the Operator’s performance and incentivize specific activity,” EigenLayer said in an April 3 blog post. This “allows for a free marketplace where Operators can earn rewards for their work and A
Gemini to open Miami office after judge stays SEC case April 3, 2025, 5:29 pm
The cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, backed by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, plans to move into a Miami-area office space, as US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement case may have reached its end.According to a March 31 post from Sterling Bay Properties, Gemini signed a lease for an office in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. The move would expand the exchange’s offices from Europe and New York to Florida, where some crypto companies are headquartered. Bloomberg reported Gemini was expected to move into the Miami office by May. Cointelegraph reached out to the exchange for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. Wrapping up regulatory issues?The move to Florida came amid a federal judge ordering a 60-day stay on the SEC’s lawsuit against Gemini Global Capital “to allow the parties to explore a potential resolution.” The enforcement action, filed in January 2023, alleges the crypto firm offered and sold unregistered securities through its Gemini Earn program. Cameron Winklevoss said in February that the regulator had closed an investigation into a separate matter involving Gemini. The firm also agreed in January to a $5 million penalty imposed by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission over alleged “false and misleading” statements related to its 2017 bid to offer Bitcoin (BTC) futures contracts. Related: Crypto PAC-backed Republicans win US House seats in Florida special elections Gemini reportedly filed confidentially for an initial public offering (IPO) earlier this year. The exchange may have pursued an IPO as early as 2021 before shares of many US-based crypto firms were publicly traded. Several crypto firms have regional offices in Miami, possibly due to Florida’s seemingly favorable regulatory environment and the lack of state income tax for residents. Ripple Labs has an office in the Wynwood neighborhood, not far from Gemini’s future location, and BTC miner MARA Holdings is headquartered in Fort Laud
XRP holds $2 support as chart pattern hints at 73% gain April 3, 2025, 4:31 pm
XRP (XRP) stabilized near its $2 support after today’s marketwide sell-off sent the altcoin and several other cryptocurrencies close to their swing lows. Data now shows the XRP/USD pair exhibiting early signs of a bullish breakout. Ripple’s RLUSD integration could boost XRP priceRipple’s integration of its RLUSD stablecoin into its cross-border payments system, Ripple Payments, could significantly boost XRP’s price by enhancing its utility and liquidity. On April 2, Ripple, the company behind XRP, announced that it had integrated its stablecoin into the company's cross-border payments system to boost adoption for Ripple USD (RLUSD). RLUSD, a USD-pegged stablecoin launched in December 2024, complements XRP by providing stability for transactions, while XRP serves as a fast, liquid bridge currency. This dual-asset strategy targets the $230 billion cross-border payments market, and ims to increase demand for both assets. Source: X / Ripple RLUSD’s market cap now stands at $244 million, with 87% growth in March alone, according to data from rwa.xyz. As adoption grows, financial institutions using Ripple Payments may rely more on XRP for liquidity, especially in volatile corridors. Pairing RLUSD with XRP on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and exchanges could drive trading volume and activity on XRPL’s decentralized exchange, tightening XRP’s supply. Positive sentiment from RLUSD’s success could also lift XRP’s value, with analysts suggesting increased adoption might push XRP toward $3.50 or higher. “Ripple's $RLUSD integration is a pivotal move for cross-border payments,” said crypto market insights provider Alva in an April 3 post on X. As a result, “optimism around $RLUSD soaring, with eyes on its ripple effect on XRP,” Alva said, adding: “Overall: A solid play for strengthening Ripple's ecosystem and pushing stablecoin adoption forward. Get ready for potential shifts!”Related: How many US dollars doe
How to sell crypto via MetaMask: A beginner’s guide to cashing out April 3, 2025, 4:02 pm
Key takeawaysNot all tokens can be sold immediately. Airdropped or obscure tokens may lack liquidity or could be scams, so it’s important to check before attempting to cash out. Swapping and bridging may be required. To sell, you might need to convert tokens to ETH or stablecoins and bridge them to the Ethereum mainnet. MetaMask integrates fiat off-ramps. You can use the MetaMask Portfolio to sell ETH directly, but be prepared for KYC with third-party providers. Non-KYC and P2P options exist. Platforms like Bisq or LocalCoinSwap allow trading without ID, but they carry more risk and require caution. There are plenty of ways you might end up with a mix of different cryptocurrencies sitting in your MetaMask wallet. Maybe you work in Web3 — as a developer, copywriter or designer — and your client paid you in their project’s native token. Or maybe you’re part of a Bitcoin mining pool and occasionally receive rewards straight to your wallet. You could be farming yield in decentralized finance (DeFi), earning annual percentage yield (APY) on your locked assets. Or, perhaps the most straightforward of all: You completed a few SocialFi tasks and received some community tokens via an airdrop. Whatever the case, you’ve got crypto in your MetaMask — and now you want to turn it into cash. In this guide, you’ll learn all the ways you can sell your crypto and withdraw the funds to your bank account or even in cash — whether you’re going through official Know Your Customer (KYC) channels or sticking to more private, non-KYC routes. Things to know before selling tokens on MetaMaskBefore you can turn your tokens into cash, there are a few things you need to get sorted in MetaMask because “not all tokens are created equal.” It’s not always as simple as hitting a “sell” button — especially if you’ve just received tokens via an airdrop or from a lesser-known project. 1. Why some airdropped tokens can’t be sold (yet)Just becaus
10-year Treasury yield falls to 4% as DXY softens — Is it time to buy the Bitcoin price dip? April 3, 2025, 3:49 pm
On April 3, yields on long-term US government debt fell to their lowest levels in six months as investors reacted to growing concerns over the global trade war and the weakening of the US dollar. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note briefly touched 4.0%, down from 4.4% a week earlier, signaling strong demand from buyers.US 10-year Treasury yield (left) vs. Bitcoin/USD (right). Source: TradingView / Cointelegraph At first glance, a higher risk of economic recession may seem negative for Bitcoin (BTC). However, lower returns from fixed-income investments encourage allocations to alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies. Over time, traders are likely to reduce exposure to bonds, particularly if inflation rises. As a result, the path to a Bitcoin all-time high in 2025 remains plausible. Tariffs create ‘supply shock’ in the US and impact inflation and fixed-income returnsOne could argue that the recently announced US import tariffs negatively impact corporate profitability, forcing some companies to deleverage and, in turn, reducing market liquidity. Ultimately, any measure that increases risk aversion tends to have a short-term negative effect on Bitcoin, particularly given its strong correlation with the S&P 500 index. Axel Merk, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Merk Investments, said that tariffs create a “supply shock,” meaning the reduced availability of goods and services due to rising prices causes an imbalance relative to demand. This effect is amplified if interest rates are declining, potentially paving the way for inflationary pressure. Source: X/AxelMerk Even if one does not view Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, the appeal of fixed-income investments diminishes significantly in such a scenario. Moreover, if just 5% of the world’s $140 trillion bond market seeks higher returns elsewhere, it could translate into $7 trillion in potential inflows into stocks, commodities, real estate, gold, and Bitcoin. Weaker US dollar amid gold all-time highs fa
Here’s what happened in crypto today April 3, 2025, 3:12 pm
Today in crypto, President Donald Trump’s pick for US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair passed a key committee vote, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned eight crypto addresses linked to Russian crypto exchange Garantex and the Yemeni political and military organization the Houthis, and the US House Financial Services Committee voted through a stablecoin bill. Paul Atkins’ SEC nomination passes committee votePaul Atkins is one step closer to securing the top position at the US Securities and Exchange Commission after the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance his nomination. In an April 3 banking committee session, lawmakers voted 13 to 11 for Atkins to serve two consecutive terms as a commissioner at the government agency, effectively taking over former Chair Gary Gensler’s term. Atkins’ nomination is expected to go to a full Senate vote in the near future. Senator Tim Scott speaks at the committee hearing. Source: US Senate Banking Committee Before the vote, committee chair Tim Scott said Atkins would bring “much-needed clarity” to the cryptocurrency sector. Donald Trump selected Atkins to replace Gensler as the SEC head in December, roughly one month after winning the presidential election. At the time, Trump praised Atkins’ track record as a former SEC commissioner and for his expertise in digital assets. US sanctions 8 crypto wallets tied to Garantex exchange and Yemeni HouthisThe US Treasury Department sanctioned eight cryptocurrency wallet addresses linked to Russian crypto exchange Garantex and the Yemeni political and military organization the Houthis. The United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned eight crypto addresses that data from blockchain forensic firms Chainalysis and TRM Labs had linked to the organizations. Two are deposit addresses at major crypto platforms, while the other six are privately controlled. Visualization of transaction flow related to OFAC sanctions. Source: Chainal
Why is Solana (SOL) price down today? April 3, 2025, 2:45 pm
Solana’s native token, SOL, has dropped by nearly 12.75% in the last 24 hours to a three-week low of $112.50 on April 3.SOL/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView Key drivers behind SOL’s sharp correction include: The latest round of tariffs from the Trump administration and their potential to erase trillions of dollars from the stock market. Negative SOL futures basis and funding rates. Multiple technical factors. Let’s examine these catalysts in detail. Trump tariffs rattle Solana and broader crypto marketSolana’s decline occurred in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s April 2, “Liberation Day” tariffs. The escalation in trade tensions led investors to move away from riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies like SOL, in favor of safer investments. SOL/USD vs. TOTAL crypto market cap and Nasdaq Composite daily performance chart. Source: TradingView Related: Trump 'Liberation Day' tariffs create chaos in markets, recession concerns SOL’s recent price decline is closely tied to fading demand in its futures market, as reflected by a sharp drop in the annualized rolling basis on three-month contracts. The annualized rolling basis shows how much more (or less) futures contracts are trading compared to the current spot price, expressed as an annual percentage. A high basis means futures are trading at a significant premium, signaling bullish expectations and strong demand for leveraged long positions. On the other hand, a low or negative basis means futures are trading close to or below the spot price, indicating a lack of speculative interest or growing bearish sentiment. SOL futures basis peaked in mid-November 2024 at 18% and was below 0% as of April 3, showing that traders are no longer paying a premium for SOL. Solana futures annualized rolling basis. Source: Glassnode Solana’s funding rates turn negativeSolana’s price drop further aligns with its declining funding rates, indicating a weakening bullish momentum in the market. SOL’s weekly