Crypto

PI has dumped the most from the larger-cap alts.

Forced liquidations, hidden contracts, and backchannel deals are prompting a rethink in how liquidity is structured — and who gets trusted.

Crypto markets slipped alongside stocks after Moody’s cut the U.S. sovereign credit score to Aa1, triggering risk-off sentiment and fresh concerns over government debt and macro stability.

ETH's rally is fueling investor expectations for a new 'Alt season', according to a recent CryptoQuant report.

Authorities in New Zealand arrested 13 people in a $265 million crypto fraud probe, with one Wellington man indicted under US racketeering laws. A man from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, has been arrested in connection with an FBI-led investigation into a global cryptocurrency fraud operation that allegedly stole $450 million New Zealand dollars ($265 million). According to New Zealand Police, the man is one of 13 individuals charged after authorities executed search warrants across Auckland, Wellington, and California over the past three days. The charges stem from allegations that members of an organized criminal group manipulated seven victims to obtain large amounts of cryptocurrency, which was then laundered through multiple platforms between March and August 2024. Read more

The mayor of Panama City seemingly advocated for a city-level Bitcoin reserve in a mysterious post after meeting two of El Salvador’s Bitcoin policy leaders this week. Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has hinted at establishing a city-level Bitcoin reserve in a cryptic post following his meeting with two of El Salvador’s Bitcoin policy leaders. “Bitcoin Reserve,” Mizrachi wrote to X on May 16 after meeting El Salvador-based Bitcoiners Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert. While Mizrachi didn’t share details about his discussions with Keiser and Herbert, the timing of the post came 11 days before the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, where Mizrachi is scheduled to speak. Read more

Paraguayan law enforcement has deported three undocumented immigrants from China after they were caught breaking into a crypto mining facility attempting to steal machines. Paraguayan law enforcement has deported three individuals and arrested another for attempting to steal crypto miners at a facility near the country’s Itaipu hydroelectric dam. According to a May 15 statement from Paraguayan prosecutor Irene Rolón, the men were caught by police soon after breaking into a locked section of Teratech SA’s facility in Coronel Bogado, leading to their arrest. Prosecutors believe the men may have had ties to Teratech as independent contractors, but are still waiting on official confirmation from the company’s CEO. Read more

Bitcoin (BTC) continues to exhibit on-chain strength despite a prolonged period of price compression between $100,000 and $105,000.  According to Fidelity Digital Assets’ VP of research, Chris Kuiper, the flagship crypto remains in its “Acceleration Phase,” a period characterized by elevated wallet profitability and volatility, even as derivatives activity dampens upward momentum. Bitcoin closed at […] The post Bitcoin stalls near record highs amid derivative pressures but breakout potential remains appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin price consolidation after a powerful double-digit rally is normal. Will the current bull flag confirm and send BTC to new highs? Key takeaways: Traders expect a Bitcoin price pullback to $90,000, but a bull flag could break out to new highs if profit taking near the range highs reduces. On-chain data suggests the current profit taking is too weak to extinguish Bitcoin’s current price momentum. Read more

French law enforcement will offer crypto entrepreneurs and their families a police emergency line and conduct house visits to ensure their safety amid a recent spate of attacks. Crypto entrepreneurs and their families in France will receive enhanced security measures amid a recent rise in crypto-related kidnappings in the country, Politico reported. According to the May 16 report, the measures include priority access to police emergency lines, home security assessments, and safety briefings from French law enforcement to ensure best practices are being followed. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau introduced the security measures as part of a broader effort to counter the recent wave of attacks. Read more

Bitcoin-native DeFi protocol Liquidium has passed a major governance proposal introducing a new staking model tied to the platform revenue. The protocol’s native token LIQ has climbed over 73.3% since the proposal was approved earlier this week. It was trading at roughly $0.25 as of press time, based on CoinGecko data. Liquidium introduces staking On […] The post Bitcoin DeFi protocol Liquidium’s rebrand and staking model propel LIQ token to new heights appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Moody’s downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 on May 16, marking the first time in history the agency has stripped the US of its top-tier status. The agency pointed to a decade of rising debt levels, escalating interest burdens, and a consistent failure by policymakers to enact meaningful deficit controls. […] The post Moody’s historic downgrade of US credit system could add fuel to Bitcoin safe-haven status appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Senator Bill Hagerty, who backed the Senate's version of the legislation, predicted the body will "make history" next week by passing the bill.

Though pitched as improving financial accessibility, data shows that RWA's current ownership remains concentrated among high net worth participants. Tokenization could open new opportunities for retail investors to access traditionally restricted asset classes, according to Johann Kerbrat, senior vice president and general manager of Robinhood Crypto, who called it “very important for financial inclusion.” Speaking at the Consensus 2025 event in Toronto, Kerbrat said that some real-world assets, such as real estate and private equity, are available only to up to 10% of the US population. “You need to be an accredited investor to invest in private equity right now,” he said. “How many people can afford a house or an apartment in New York?” he elaborated. “But you can get a piece of it with fractionalization, through tokenization. And so we think it makes it a lot easier to be exchanged, a lot more accessible for everybody.” Read more

Tinian, a Northern Mariana Islands municipality, has overridden a governor veto to issue the Marianas US Dollar, a USD-backed stablecoin on the eCash network. Backed by cash and Treasuries, it is paired with internet casino licenses to widen tourism and revenue. The post Tinian Defies Veto, Unveils First U.S. Public USD Stablecoin on eCash Network appeared first on Cryptonews.

Eric Trump Token has rocketed 6,200% after its May 16 launch on Solana’s Pump.fun, reaching a $140M market cap. Yet blockchain sleuths warn that more than 80% of the supply sits in only 10 wallets, mirroring distribution patterns behind earlier Solana meme-coin rug pulls like WOLF and MELANIA. The post Eric Trump Token Skyrockets 6,200% – Is a Solana Rug Pull Next appeared first on Cryptonews.

The SEC has hit a setback after Judge Analisa Torres denied its settlement bid with Ripple, saying the request to void an injunction and cut penalties lacked legal grounds. The ruling delays efforts to dismiss appeals and complicates Chair Paul Atkins’ push for clearer crypto rules. The post Judge Torres Shatters SEC-Ripple Pact, Sparking Crypto Regulation Turmoil appeared first on Cryptonews.

FTX creditors will receive between 54-120% of their claims depending on classification, with crypto values pegged to November 2022 prices.

The Interplanetary File System (IPFS) reduces latency for data transmissions in space. The Filecoin Foundation and Lockheed Martin Space have successfully transmitted data in space using a version of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) on a satellite orbiting Earth, Marta Belcher, president of the Filecoin Foundation, told Cointelegraph.  Filecoin and Lockheed Martin adapted the system for use in space and successfully tested it, Belcher said during the Consensus 2025 conference in Toronto. The IPFS enhances privacy and security compared to traditional web protocols, such as HTTP, by identifying data based on its content rather than its location. This has additional benefits for data transmission in space, Belcher said. Read more

Earlier this month, Senator Blumenthal launched an inquiry into whether the Trump family’s crypto venture has violated federal laws.