Torrent Capital Announces Closing of $8.75 Million Financing

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$96,855.98 as markets wrapped for the day, up 0.5 percent in 24 hours. The day's range has seen a low of US$96,855.69 and a high of US$97,281.99.

Bitcoin network economist Timothy Peterson suggests that Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high, potentially reaching US$135,000 in the event of a short squeeze in the next 100 days.

His broader outlook is partly based on low market volatility, indicating risk appetite.

Ethereum (ETH) ended the day at US$1,839.38, a 0.5 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,834 and reached its daily high of US$1,865.38.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) ended the day valued at US$148.08, down 1.4 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$147.97 and peaked at $151.55.

• XRP traded at US$2.21, reflecting a 0.6 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.20 and reached its highest point at US$2.24.

• Sui (SUI) was priced at US$3.42, showing a decreaseof 6.7 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.41 and a high of US$3.49.

• Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.6913, down 1.9 percent over the past 24 hours, and its lowest price of the day. It reached a high of US$0.7149.

Today's crypto news to know

Trump-backed stablecoin triggers US$2 Billion UAE deal

MGX, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) investment firm tied to Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, has committed to a US$2 billion investment in Binance — and it’s doing so using “USD1,” a stablecoin controlled by the Trump family.

The coin was developed by World Liberty Financial, a company where Trump is listed as “chief crypto advocate” and his sons serve as “Web3 ambassadors.” The token, launched shortly after Trump’s re-election, has already sold over US$550 million worth of coins — much of it after November.

The deal was announced in Dubai by Zach Witkoff, son of Trump’s former envoy to the Middle East, who appeared on stage with Eric Trump. Democrats have accused the move of being a front for corruption, with Senator Elizabeth Warren calling it “a shady deal backed by a foreign government.”

With Trump set to visit the UAE and Saudi Arabia in two weeks, critics say the overlap between his private interests and foreign diplomacy has never been more naked.

Strategy doubles down on Bitcoin with fresh US$21 billion raise

Michael Saylor’s Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) reported a US$16.5 billion quarterly loss and a massive US$5.9 billion writedown on its Bitcoin stash — but that hasn’t slowed its hunger for more.

Instead, the firm announced a new US$21 billion stock offering, the proceeds of which will go toward purchasing even more Bitcoin. As of April, Strategy held 553,555 BTC acquired at an average cost of US$68,459 — now worth around US$53 billion at current prices. The company is targeting a 25 percent BTC yield and a US$15 billion gain by the end of the year, signaling a long-term vision despite short-term pain.

Morgan Stanley moves toward crypto trading on E*Trade

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is reportedly gearing up to launch direct crypto trading for users of E*Trade, its retail investment arm, in a major leap toward integrating digital assets with mainstream finance.

The bank, which acquired E*Trade in 2020, currently only offers crypto ETF access, but new plans would allow clients to buy and sell actual tokens. Insiders say Morgan Stanley is in talks with multiple crypto-native firms to provide backend infrastructure, signaling a shift from hesitancy to full participation. The move comes just days after the US Federal Reserve scrapped prior crypto-related restrictions, effectively greenlighting banks to enter the space.

With more than 5 million active users, E*Trade could become one of the largest onramps into crypto for average investors if the plan moves forward.

CIA deputy director discusses Bitcoin's role in intelligence

During an appearance on Anthony Pompliano’s podcast, Michael Ellis, deputy director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said the agency is increasingly incorporating Bitcoin as a tool in its counter-intelligence operations, also noting that working with the cryptocurrency is a matter of national security.

“People may have thought Bitcoin was anonymous, but I'd say it's synonymous, and there's a lot of work that we do with law enforcement to try to track illicit crypto payments by bad actors,” he said.

“Whether they're drug cartels or terrorist groups, outlaw regimes use cryptocurrency," Ellis continued.

“There is tremendous potential for law enforcement and the intelligence community to be able to use cryptocurrency to help track what our adversaries are doing to disrupt it.”

Coinbase to delist MOVE token

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) will halt trading of the Movement Network token (MOVE) starting May 15.

In a Thursday (May 1) announcement on X, the exchange said the decision is due to MOVE’s inability to meet its listing requirements. Following this news, the price of MOVE dropped to below US$0.20.

Later, Movement Labs confirmed the suspension of co-founder Rushi Manche due to a controversial market maker agreement he facilitated, which led to an external investigation and Coinbase's delisting.

Metaplanet issues bonds to increase Bitcoin holdings

Japan’s Metaplanet (OTCQX:MTPLF,TSE:3350) issued 3.6 billion yen, equivalent to roughly US$25 million, in bonds on Friday, earmarked to buy more Bitcoin. The newly issued bonds, which according to a filing were sold entirely to EVO FUND, carry no interest and can be redeemed at par value by October 31, 2025.

Metaplanet has been actively acquiring Bitcoin throughout 2025 and currently holds 5,000 BTC worth over US$485 million following its most recent purchase of 330 BTC on April 20.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$93,992.22 as markets closed for the day, down 1.3 percent in 24 hours. The day's range has seen a low of US$93,333.62 and a high of US$94,464.34.

Cryptocurrencies have fallen slightly after the US Department of Commerce revealed that US gross domestic product declined by 0.3 percent in Q1, in contrast to economists’ expectations for a 0.4 percent gain.

Wednesday's reading marks the first decline since Q1 2022. “Multiple indicators are now showing a recession to be the base case expectation in 2025,” according to the Kobeissi Letter.

Ethereum (ETH) ended the day at US$1,782.75, a 1.9 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,750.28 and reached its daily high as the markets wrapped.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) ended the day valued at US$145.18, down 2.5 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$141.31 and peaked at $145.61.

• XRP traded at US$2.19, reflecting a 4.3 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.15 and reached its highest point at US$2.20.

• Sui (SUI) was priced at US$3.41, showing a decreaseof four percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.32 and a high of US$3.46.

• Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.6808, down 3.6 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Wednesday was US$0.6711, with a high of US$0.6862.

Today's crypto news to know

Grayscale launches Bitcoin Adopters ETF

On Wednesday, Grayscale announced the launch of the Grayscale Bitcoin Adopters ETF on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol BCOR. The fund is based on the Indxx Bitcoin Adopters Index.

The launch of this exchange-traded fund (ETF) represents the growing interest in Bitcoin among corporations. According to Rahul Sen Sharma, president and Co-CEO at Indxx, public companies’ Bitcoin holdings increased by 16.1 percent in the year's first quarter, valued at approximately US$57 billion. Roughly 3 percent of Bitcoin's total supply is now held by companies globally, indicating a major shift in corporate treasury management.

“Bitcoin adoption as a corporate treasury asset is rapidly growing as companies seek to hedge against inflation, currency debasement, and geopolitical risks,” said Vaibhav Agarwal, head of products and innovation at Indxx, in exclusive correspondence with the Investing News Network. “Its fixed supply and decentralized nature make it an attractive store of value, with corporate holdings surging over 587 percent since 2020, signaling a global shift in treasury management strategies. (The) BCOR ETF, based on the Indxx Bitcoin Adopters Index, provides investors with a ready opportunity to take advantage of and exposure to this rapidly growing trend in a liquid, transparent manner.”

Tether announces plans for US dollar stablecoin

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced in a CNBC interview on Wednesday afternoon that his company plans to launch a US dollar stablecoin in the US as early as the end of this year or in early 2026.

Tether's existing USDT stablecoin is the leading US dollar exporter with a market cap of nearly US$150 billion; however, it is overshadowed in the US by Circle’s rival product, USDC.

Ardoino told CNBC that USDT was created for smaller, developing economies, and that its new product will be designed with features that cater specifically to the US market.

SEC postpones decisions on XRP and DOGE ETFs

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended its review period for two proposed spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to XRP and Dogecoin, delaying any decision until mid-June.

The agency cited a need for more time to evaluate the filings, specifically the Bitwise DOGE ETF and the Franklin XRP Fund, and the legal issues they raise.

Under federal securities law, the SEC is allowed up to 90 days from the initial publication to make a decision, and this delay appears to fall within that window. Analysts speculated that the delay was anticipated and aligns with broader expectations that most final rulings will land in the fall.

While DOGE and XRP prices saw little immediate movement, the delay signals the SEC’s continued caution around expanding ETF offerings beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Kraken launches "Embed" service to let banks offer crypto trading

Crypto exchange Kraken is opening a new front in institutional crypto adoption with the launch of “Embed,” a plug-and-play crypto trading service for fintechs, neobanks, and traditional financial institutions.

Announced on Wednesday, the service enables companies to integrate crypto trading directly into their apps and websites using Kraken’s APIs, bypassing the need to build costly infrastructure or secure their own licenses.

Amsterdam-based digital bank Bunq is the first to roll out the new service, debuting "Bunq Crypto" to let European users trade digital assets within its existing app.

According to Kraken’s head of payments, Brett McLain, the goal is to offer access to a wide range of tokens and fast asset listings, which he says sets Kraken apart from other white-label providers like Bitpanda.

Embed customers will pay variable service fees and share a portion of trading revenues with Kraken.

KuCoin pledges US$2 billion to Trust project

KuCoin announced a bold US$2 billion investment into what it’s calling the “Trust Project,” a sweeping initiative to restore user confidence and improve transparency across its platform.

The announcement was made during the TOKEN2049 conference in Dubai, where KuCoin executives laid out a roadmap focused on regulatory alignment, user protection, and responsible innovation.

A major component of the project involves giving the exchange’s native token, KCS, a larger role in governance, risk mitigation, and user reward structures. CEO BC Wong said the investment is aimed at securing the “long-term health” of the digital asset ecosystem by strengthening accountability and neutralizing systemic risks.

The initiative arrives as global regulators intensify their scrutiny of centralized exchanges and demand higher standards for custody, disclosures, and user safeguards.

Nasdaq files to list 21Shares Dogecoin ETF

In a fresh bid to tap into retail enthusiasm for meme coins, the Nasdaq has submitted a formal application with the SEC to list the 21Shares Dogecoin ETF, according to a 19b-4 filing released Tuesday.

The ETF is designed to track Dogecoin’s market performance via the CF DOGE-Dollar Settlement Price Index and will hold the token directly, without using leverage or derivatives.

Coinbase Custody Trust has been named as the fund’s official custodian, offering added legitimacy and security to the proposed vehicle. The filing comes in the wake of 21Shares' S-1 registration and its partnership with the House of Doge — a corporate arm of the Dogecoin Foundation — to promote the fund.

Although the SEC recently delayed a decision on Bitwise’s similar DOGE ETF, Nasdaq’s move signals sustained momentum behind bringing more meme coin exposure to regulated markets.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$94,867.28 as markets closed for the day, up 0.4 percent in 24 hours. The day's range has seen a low of US$93,589.07 and a high of US$95,212.29.

Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley said heightened institutional activity drove Bitcoin’s rally to US$94,000.

In a client note, Greg Cipolaro, the global head of research at NYDIG, said, “Bitcoin has acted less like a liquid levered version of levered US equity beta and more like the non-sovereign issued store of value that it is.” However, it’s worth noting that Bitcoin fell by about US$2,000 after the markets opened in tandem with declining US Treasury yields.

Ethereum (ETH) ended the day at US$1,799.74, a 0.5 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,754.97 and a high of US$1,803.29.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) ended the day valued at US$148.64, down one percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$145.89 and peaked at $150.06.

• XRP traded at US$2.30, reflecting a 0.8 percent increase over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.26 and reached its highest point at US$2.31.

• Sui (SUI) was priced at US$3.61, showing an increaseof 0.6 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.55 and a high of US$3.73.

• Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.7091, up 1.1 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Monday was US$0.6879, with a high of US$0.7136.

Today's crypto news to know

US$330 million Bitcoin transfer sparks concern

On-chain investigator and analyst ZachXBT has called out a “suspicious transfer” of 3,520 BTC to a new address just after midnight on Monday; the coins were worth approximately US$330.7 million at the time.

“Shortly after the funds began to be laundered via 6+ instant exchanges and was swapped for XMR causing the XMR price to spike 50%,” Zach wrote, adding that the move was “likely a theft” roughly an hour later.

Zach concluded that a longtime holder using major exchanges to suddenly transfer a large sum in many small, costly increments to instant exchanges would be an inefficient method for legitimate use.

To date, there has been no confirmation of anyone coming forward to say they have been robbed. Monero’s price has retracted to near its post-spike price, up 10 percent in 24 hours to US$253.09 at the time of writing.

Loopscale suffers hack, bounty negotiations ongoing

On Saturday (April 26), approximately US$5.8 million of USDC and SOL were stolen from the Solana-based DeFi protocol Loopscale. Roughly US$5.7 million UDSC and around 1,200 SOL were taken from Genesis vaults.

Loopscale’s analysis reveals that the attackers manipulated Loopscale’s RateX PT token, which allowed them to exploit a flaw in how the system determined the value of deposited assets.

The stolen funds represent around 12 percent of Loopscale’s total value locked.

In response, Loopscale suspended all withdrawals from its vaults and temporarily halted trading. The platform has offered the attackers a 10 percent bounty and said it would not pursue legal action if the remaining 90 percent is returned. According to Loopscale’s update, posted on X on Sunday (April 27) evening, the attackers agreed to return the funds in exchange for a bounty, but said they expected 20 percent. According to the latest update from Etherscan, negotiations are ongoing, and there have been no reports of the funds being returned as of the time of writing.

Strategy stacks US$1.42 billion in Bitcoin

Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor’s firm, Strategy, added another 15,355 BTC to its holdings last week, spending roughly US$1.42 billion between April 21 and 27 as Bitcoin surged past the US$90,000 mark.

According to Strategy’s April 28 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the purchase was made at an average price of US$92,737 per Bitcoin, bringing the company’s total haul to a staggering 553,555 BTC — now valued at more than US$50 billion. The move marks Strategy’s largest Bitcoin acquisition since late March and reflects the firm's aggressive accumulation strategy despite growing market volatility.

On social media, Saylor celebrated the purchase, noting that Strategy’s Bitcoin yield now sits at 13.7 percent year-to-date, and reaffirmed his belief that Bitcoin remains massively undervalued despite its recent rally.

With the company’s market cap pushing toward US$100 billion and Bitcoin trading around US$95,000, Strategy’s latest moves signal continued institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a core asset class.

Grayscale pushes SEC to approve Ethereum ETF staking

Grayscale Investments is renewing pressure on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to allow staking activities for Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), highlighting that restrictive rules have already cost US funds more than US$61 million in foregone rewards.

In a high-level meeting with the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, Grayscale executives presented a proposal to amend existing Ethereum ETF filings to permit staking, emphasizing the competitive disadvantage US funds now face compared to their European and Canadian counterparts.

Grayscale argued that staking would not only enhance investor returns but also contribute to Ethereum network security, supporting a more resilient decentralized infrastructure.

The company also laid out a liquidity management plan to address concerns about redemption risks, including credit facilities and liquidity sleeves with custodians like Coinbase Custody.

Coinbase to launch Bitcoin yield fund

Coinbase is set to introduce the Coinbase Bitcoin Yield Fund on May 1, which will offer exposure to institutional investors from outside the US. “This fund is a conservative strategy that seeks a 4-8 percent net return in Bitcoin per year, over a market cycle, with investors subscribing and redeeming in Bitcoin,” the company said on Monday.

The yield will be generated through a cash-and-carry strategy, through the difference between spot Bitcoin prices and derivatives, as Bitcoin itself lacks a built-in mechanism for generating passive income like staking on other blockchains.

According to Coinbase, custodians of the fund will trade using third-party custody integrations to lessen counterparty risk, avoiding higher-risk Bitcoin lending and systematic call selling.

SEC’s Peirce likens US crypto regulation to "floor is lava," demands real reform

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce delivered a blistering critique of US crypto regulations, comparing them to the children’s game "floor is lava," where firms must hop precariously across unclear legal guidelines to avoid regulatory pitfalls.

Speaking at the SEC’s “Know Your Custodian” roundtable on April 25, Peirce criticized the lack of coherent, actionable rules for investment advisers, custodians and exchanges dealing with crypto assets.

She stressed that without clear definitions around securities classifications and custodial qualifications, the industry is being paralyzed by uncertainty, stifling innovation and deterring responsible market participants.

Fellow commissioner Mark Uyeda reinforced Peirce’s warnings, urging the SEC to expand custodial options by recognizing state-chartered trust companies, a move he said is essential to the healthy development of crypto trading platforms and alternative trading systems.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$95,030.17 as markets closed for the day, up 1.8 percent in 24 hours. The day's range has seen a low of US$94,367.25 and a high of US$95,563.75.

As the crypto market stages its comeback after weeks below its key resistance level, ARK Invest increased its most optimistic Bitcoin price forecast for 2030 from US$1.5 million to US$2.4 million. The firm attributes this upward revision to growing interest from institutional investors and Bitcoin's expanding role as "digital gold." Cointelegraph’s market analysis cites five technical indicators pointing to valuations above US$100,000 by May.

Ethereum (ETH) ended the day at US$1,796.65, a two percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,772.18 and a high of US$1,819.79.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) ended the day valued at US$151.24, down 0.1 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$150.90 and peaked at $155.18.

• XRP traded at US$2.19, reflecting a 0.6 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.19 and reached its highest point at US$2.22.

• Sui (SUI), this week's outperformer, was priced at US$3.60, showing an increaseof 8.8 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.56 and a high of US$3.73. Sui is up by over 67 percent for the week.

• Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.7127, down 1.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Friday was US$0.7099, with a high of US$0.7268.

Today's crypto news to know

ARK Invest sees Bitcoin hitting US$2.4 million by 2030

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has revised its already optimistic Bitcoin forecast, projecting on Thursday (April 24) that the asset could reach as high as US$2.4 million by 2030 in its most bullish scenario.

The firm's report outlines three trajectories: a bear case of US$300,000, a base case of US$710,000, and a sky-high scenario that factors in growing institutional allocations and rapid expansion of on-chain financial services.

The US$2.4 million target assumes Bitcoin captures 6.5 percent of the US$200 trillion global investable asset pool, with sustained 60 percent annual growth in BTC-driven financial infrastructure.

National reserves, corporate treasuries, and rising adoption in emerging markets also play critical roles in the model, but ARK identifies institutional capital as the most transformative force.

While skeptics still cite volatility and regulatory uncertainty, ARK argues that BTC’s asymmetric upside — especially amid global monetary shifts — makes it a once-in-a-generation investment thesis.

Saylor predicts BlackRock ETF will eclipse all ETFs within a decade

MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor declared that BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) will become the largest ETF in the world within 10 years, following a record-breaking week where US Bitcoin ETFs drew US$2.8 billion in net inflows.

IBIT led the pack with US$1.3 billion, lifting its total assets to roughly US$54 billion and driving daily trading volumes above US$1.5 billion. For context, the current largest ETF, Vanguard’s VOO, commands a market cap over US$593 billion — nearly ten times IBIT’s current size.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas acknowledged Saylor’s claim wasn’t farfetched, but said IBIT would need to consistently attract US$3 billion US$4 billion per day to overtake VOO within a decade.

The bold prediction reflects mounting institutional appetite for BTC exposure, but also underlines the extraordinary capital movement that would be required for such a paradigm shift in ETF rankings.

$ TRUMP meme coin rallies after president offers private dinner

Donald Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin surged over 70 percent after the president promised an exclusive gala dinner for the token’s top 220 holders, including a VIP reception at his Washington DC golf club for the top 25.

Launched just before Trump’s January inauguration, the coin has exploded in both market cap — now estimated around US$2.5 billion — and political intrigue, reflecting the former president’s aggressive expansion into crypto.

This latest move aims to blend campaign optics with digital asset hype, positioning Trump not just as a “crypto president,” but as an active participant in speculative retail culture.

Critics have slammed the dinner-for-holders gimmick as a political stunt and potential conflict of interest, while others say it signals a new model of decentralized donor engagement.

Regardless, the announcement caused a major pump and reignited interest across meme coin forums and pro-Trump financial channels.

Swiss central bank rejects Bitcoin in reserves

Swiss National Bank Chairman Martin Schlegel flatly rejected proposals to include Bitcoin in the country’s currency reserves, stating it "cannot currently fulfil the requirements" needed for official holdings.

At the SNB’s annual meeting in Bern, Schlegel cited Bitcoin’s extreme volatility and insufficient liquidity as major concerns, making it unsuitable for maintaining the stability and convertibility of the national reserve portfolio.

This comes as activists behind the "Bitcoin Initiative" mount a constitutional referendum campaign that would legally compel the SNB to hold BTC alongside gold. Luzius Meisser, one of the movement’s leaders, argued Bitcoin could prove invaluable in a future marked by declining trust in government debt.

The SNB’s resistance, however, signals continued institutional reluctance to enshrine Bitcoin as a strategic monetary asset, even in one of the world’s most financially progressive nations.

CME Group to launch XRP futures

The Chicago Mercantile Group (CME) announced plans to launch XRP futures contracts, according to an announcement by the derivatives marketplace on Thursday.

“As innovation in the digital asset landscape continues to evolve, market participants continue to look to regulated derivatives products to manage risks across a wider range of tokens,” said Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group. “Interest in XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL) has steadily increased as institutional and retail adoption for the network grows, and we are pleased to launch these new futures contracts to provide a capital-efficient toolset to support clients' investment and hedging strategies.”

Pending regulatory approval, participants will be able to trade micro-sized contracts comprising 2,500 XRP and/or large contracts of 50,000 XRP starting on May 19.

Nasdaq calls for consistent digital asset regulation

In a Friday letter, the Nasdaq calls on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to apply the same regulatory standards to digital assets as it does to securities, particularly if these assets function as "stocks by any other name."

The Nasdaq asserts that the SEC needs to develop a more distinct classification system for cryptocurrencies, suggesting that some digital assets should be categorized as "financial securities." The exchange contends that these tokens should continue to be regulated in the same manner as traditional securities, irrespective of their tokenized format.

“Whether it takes the form of a paper share, a digital share, or a token, an instrument’s underlying nature remains the same and it should be traded and regulated in the same ways,” the letter states.

The letter also proposes categorizing some cryptocurrencies as “digital asset investment contracts,” which would still be overseen by the SEC, but subject to “light touch regulation."