Author: James Wilson

The crypto market held close to the $2.5 trillion market cap with no signs of movement as traders reassess their positions amid the current market environment. Summary Crypto market held near $2.5 trillion with muted price action as Bitcoin stalled above $70,000 and major altcoins posted modest declines. Investor sentiment weakened amid Middle East tensions, rising oil prices, and hawkish Fed signals following stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data. Lack of fresh liquidity, ETF caution, and a record $5.7 trillion options expiry contributed to sideways trading and $393 million in liquidations. Bitcoin (BTC), the so-called digital gold asset, has stalled shortly after…

Decentralized social platform Bluesky has disclosed that it had raised $100 million in a Series B round back in April 2025. Summary Bluesky disclosed a previously unannounced $100 million Series B round led by Bain Capital Crypto, with backing from multiple venture and institutional investors. The platform has grown its user base from 13 million to over 43 million since its Series A, alongside expansion of its AT Protocol ecosystem. According to the official announcement, the round was led by Bain Capital Crypto, while other notable investors include Anthos Capital, Bloomberg Beta, Knight Foundation, Alumni Ventures, and True Ventures. Bluesky…

Bitcoin price marched back above $70,000 on Friday morning, erasing part of the losses seen over the past two days. However, its momentum quickly gave up as Asian tech stocks dropped lower. Summary Bitcoin rebounded above $70,000 after an 8% drop, supported by dip buying despite rising geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Risk sentiment weakened as Asian and U.S. tech stocks declined, reflecting broader pressure on risk assets amid strong inflation data and hawkish Fed outlook. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded over $250 million in outflows in two days, signaling a pause in institutional demand after a week of strong…

Nevada state authorities have been cleared to issue a temporary restraining order against prediction market platform Kalshi. Summary A federal appeals court denied Kalshi’s request to halt proceedings, clearing the way for Nevada regulators to pursue a temporary restraining order against the platform. Industry experts say Kalshi may be forced to exit Nevada for at least 14 days if the order is issued, as such rulings are not appealable under state law. On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court denied Kalshi’s emergency request to stay proceedings. The case will now be sent back to federal court, where Nevada regulators can…

Gemini shareholders have targeted the crypto exchange through a new class action lawsuit alleging that it misled investors during and after its initial public offering. Summary Gemini has been hit with a class action lawsuit in New York alleging it misled investors in its IPO filings about its business strategy. Plaintiffs claim the firm shifted to a prediction markets model, cut 25% of staff, and exited key international markets shortly after listing. Shares have fallen sharply since the IPO, with investors alleging losses tied to what they describe as artificially inflated prices. Filed in New York, the class action lawsuit…

A state-level crypto regulatory bill introduced in Kentucky includes provisions that would force hardware wallet manufacturers to build a “backdoor” into devices, according to the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Summary Kentucky House Bill 380 proposes requiring hardware wallet providers to enable recovery of seed phrases, raising concerns over potential backdoor access. Bitcoin Policy Institute says the requirement is technically unworkable for non-custodial wallets and could undermine self custody of private keys. Kentucky House Bill 380 has been amended at the last minute to require manufacturers to provide recovery options for users’ seed phrases, the BPI said. The bill was introduced by…

The FBI has issued a warning about a fake token on the Tron blockchain that is impersonating the agency to trick users in a crypto phishing scam. Summary FBI warns of fake Tron tokens impersonating the agency and claiming wallets are under investigation. Users are directed to fraudulent websites demanding AML verification to avoid asset freezes. Token has reached at least 728 wallets, with some holding over $1 million in USDT. FBI’s New York Field Office issued a message on Thursday warning that scammers were sending tokens to users to siphon personal information under the pretence that the recipient’s wallet…

JPMorgan cuts its S&P 500 target and warns investors are dangerously complacent about Iran war risks, oil above $110, and the hit to growth, earnings, and stocks. Summary JPMorgan trims its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,500 to 7,200, arguing markets are making a high-risk bet on a quick Middle East resolution. With Brent crude above $110 and shut-ins near record levels, the bank warns each sustained 10% oil rise can shave 15–20 bps from GDP and cut S&P earnings 2–5%. Strategists say a deeper selloff could push the S&P 500 below its 200-day moving average toward 6,000–6,200 as demand destruction and…

Trump ramps up pressure on Powell to slash rates to 1% even as the Fed holds at 3.50%–3.75%, lifts inflation forecasts, and warns the Iran oil shock risks stagflation. Summary Trump renews attacks on Powell, demanding immediate cuts and even 1% rates despite Brent above $110 and inflation expectations rising with the Iran war energy shock. The Fed leaves rates at 3.50%–3.75% and signals only one 2026 cut, with officials warning that oil-driven inflation could keep PCE near 3% and delay any easing.​ Economists say the U.S. now faces a classic stagflation trap, as cutting to appease Trump risks entrenching inflation while…

Crypto saw $458m in liquidations in 24 hours as Iran’s Gulf strikes and $110 oil triggered a brutal flush of overleveraged BTC and ETH longs led by a Hyperliquid whale. Summary Total crypto liquidations hit $458 million in 24 hours, with $357 million of that from long positions and just $101 million from shorts, as 128,087 traders were wiped out. Bitcoin longs lost $138 million versus $24.3 million for shorts after BTC broke below $69,000, while Ethereum longs saw $82.6 million in liquidations as ETH briefly slipped under $2,100. A $10.8 million BTC-USD long on Hyperliquid was the day’s largest…