⚠️ Peter Schiff Warns of Impending Economic Catastrophe in the U.S.

🗣 Economist and gold advocate Peter Schiff has issued a stark warning about the U.S. economy during an interview on the Schwab Network on April 18. He cautioned that current economic policies are paving the way for a severe downturn, potentially worse than the Great Depression.

📉 Schiff attributed the worsening economic situation to tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump’s administration. He stated,

The recession that Trump inherited is already much worse and is going to get much worse as a result of these misguided tariffs.

He emphasized that unless these tariffs are removed, the U.S. could face the worst recession since the Great Depression, possibly even worse than that period.

🟢 The economist dismissed recent employment data as misleading, arguing that all jobs created last year were part-time positions filled by individuals unable to sustain themselves with a single job. He pointed out that many Americans are relying on multiple jobs and maxed-out credit cards just to make ends meet. Schiff warned that tariffs will exacerbate inflation by raising the prices of imported goods, leading to a collapse in retail spending:

There’s going to be massive layoffs, bankruptcies, in the retail sector, a lot of defaults.

💸 He expressed concern over the continued capital flight from U.S. financial assets, which is driving up interest rates and could lead to an “inflationary recession.” Schiff noted the U.S. economy's reliance on imports and the risk of collapse without them. He stated that previous monetary policies had pushed inflation abroad while preserving domestic asset prices, but this trend is reversing. As inflation moves from Wall Street to Main Street, it will impact both low- and high-income groups.

💰 Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition: A $3 Billion Initiative by Cantor Fitzgerald, Softbank, and Tether

🚀 Financial Times reports that Cantor Fitzgerald, Softbank, and Tether are finalizing a $3 billion bitcoin acquisition vehicle aimed at leveraging the cryptocurrency's resurgence under the Trump administration. The project is led by Brandon Lutnick, son of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and seeks to replicate Strategy’s (formerly Microstrategy) approach by building a substantial bitcoin reserve.

💼 According to reporters Antoine Gara and Oliver Barnes, the consortium's special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Cantor Equity Partners, plans to gather $3 billion in bitcoin from Tether ($1.5 billion), Softbank ($900 million), and Bitfinex ($600 million). These funds will support a new firm called 21 Capital, which aims to list at $10 a share, suggesting a bitcoin valuation of nearly $85,000 each. The SPAC has already raised $200 million and will issue a $350 million convertible bond along with a $200 million private placement to acquire more bitcoin.

📈 Participants' bitcoin holdings will be converted into 21 Capital equity, indicating a bet on long-term crypto appreciation. Bitcoin recently surged to almost $94,000, diverging sharply from equities this week. However, sources familiar with the negotiations caution that while an agreement is anticipated soon, it could still fall through.

➡️ The report notes that Cantor declined to comment, and Softbank and Tether did not respond. Tether, which issues the world's largest dollar-linked token USDT, currently holds 92,646 BTC after adding 8,888 bitcoin in Q1.

🚀 NEAR Price Hints Breakout As Bitwise Registers Near Protocol ETF 🚨

👉 Read more

➡️ Uncertain Negotiations: U.S.-China Trade War Continues

🤔 The U.S.-China trade war remains unresolved, despite some indications of potential easing of tariffs by the U.S. President Trump mentioned ongoing discussions, but China has firmly denied any such meetings took place.

We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open, if the US wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit

said Lin Jian, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.

🗣 In contrast, the Trump administration maintains that talks are happening. Trump stated,

They had a meeting this morning. It doesn’t matter who ‘they’ is.

A White House official corroborated this, noting low-level in-person talks and phone communications between the two nations earlier this week.

📉 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the current tariff levels as akin to an embargo and labeled the situation as “unsustainable.” His comments were positively received by the markets, suggesting a possible shift towards resolving the trade conflict.

💰 Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Surge with Record Inflows

📈 Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced significant inflows on Friday, April 25, with Bitcoin ETFs attracting $380 million and Ether ETFs bringing in $104 million. This marked Ether's best daily performance in months.

Bitcoin ETFs attracted $379.99 million in net inflows, marking yet another day of strong momentum.

🔝 Blackrock’s IBIT led the charge with an influx of $240.15 million, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC with $108.04 million. Grayscale’s BTC added $19.87 million while Ark 21Shares’ ARKB and Vaneck’s HODL contributed $11.39 million and $8.08 million respectively. The only outlier was a small outflow of $7.53 million from Grayscale’s GBTC.

↪️ Trading activity remained robust with a total value of $3.31 billion and total net assets climbing to $109.27 billion.

Ether ETFs also had a stellar session, raking in $104.16 million in net inflows, their strongest day in recent months.

📊 Blackrock’s ETHA brought in $54.43 million, Fidelity’s FETH collected $35.94 million, and Grayscale’s ETH added $10.20 million. Smaller contributions of $1.80 million each came from Bitwise’s ETHW and Invesco’s QETH. Notably, there were no outflows recorded across the nine active ether ETFs.

🚀 With both Bitcoin and Ether ETFs performing strongly, bullish sentiment seems to be firmly reestablished in the crypto markets.

📉 Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Experience Net Outflows, Ending Bullish Streak

🔄 After over a week of continuous gains, bitcoin and ether ETFs faced net outflows on April 30. Bitcoin ETFs saw a loss of $56 million, while ether ETFs experienced a slight dip of $2.36 million, interrupting their recent upward trend.

📊 The 8-day inflow streak for bitcoin ETFs was broken with a net outflow of $56.23 million. Leading the withdrawals was Fidelity’s FBTC, which lost $137.49 million, followed by Ark 21shares’ ARKB with $130.79 million. Other notable outflows included Grayscale’s GBTC and Bitwise’s BITB, which saw losses of $31.96 million and $23.02 million respectively.

➡️ Despite a significant inflow of $267.02 million into Blackrock’s IBIT, it was insufficient to offset the overall losses. The total trading volume was $2.39 billion, with total net assets decreasing to $108.58 billion.

📉 Ether ETFs also faced challenges after four days of inflows, recording a modest net outflow of $2.36 million. This was primarily due to Grayscale’s ETHE which saw an exit of $7.13 million and Bitwise’s ETHW losing $1.02 million. However, Fidelity’s FETH brought in $5.08 million, partially mitigating the decline.

🔍 Total trading activity for ether ETFs was $176.42 million, with net assets slightly dropping to $6.17 billion. It remains uncertain whether this pullback indicates a significant shift in the market or if it is merely a temporary pause in the inflow momentum.

🌎 XRP ETF: A Gateway for Ripple in Latin America

🚀 The recent approval of the XRP ETF marks a significant milestone for Ripple's expansion in Latin America, particularly in Brazil. This development provides Brazilian institutions with a regulated avenue to invest in XRP without the need for direct custody, thereby mitigating associated risks.

📈 The introduction of the XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the Brazilian stock exchange B3 is poised to boost institutional interest in XRP. This comes at a time when retail demand is already significant; Bitso, a major exchange in the region, reported that 9% of all purchases in 2024 involved XRP, outpacing other cryptocurrencies like ETH and SOL.

🌍 Ripple has previously identified Latin America as a promising market for payments and remittances, despite not heavily promoting its token due to regulatory challenges in the U.S.. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has acknowledged Brazil's progressive stance on crypto regulation, describing it as

one of the fastest-growing markets in the adoption of crypto assets and blockchain

💼 With the launch of the XRP ETF, Ripple is shifting its focus from retail to institutional investors. This dual functionality of XRP as both an investment instrument and a remittance facilitator positions it well for greater adoption in the region.

💰 Profiting from Memecoins: The MELANIA Token Surge

💸 A Financial Times report has highlighted that a select group of traders made approximately $99.6 million by buying the Melania Trump memecoin, MELANIA, just minutes before its public announcement on January 19. In the two and a half minutes leading up to the launch, about two dozen digital wallets purchased $2.6 million worth of tokens, which increased in value after Melania Trump’s social media post.

⏳ The traders swiftly sold off most of their holdings, with 81% of sales occurring within 12 hours. The MELANIA coin was launched shortly after Donald Trump introduced his own TRUMP token. This situation raises concerns about regulatory oversight, as these celebrity or political memecoins are not classified as securities under U.S. financial regulations.

📈 XRP's Market Performance and Technical Analysis on May 10, 2025

📊 On May 10, 2025, XRP was trading at $2.40 with a total market capitalization of $140.48 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of $3.654 billion. The cryptocurrency experienced mild volatility, with an intraday price range of $2.33 to $2.42.

🔍 The one-hour chart showed a short-term pullback from a recent high of $2.439 to a consolidation zone around $2.40. This minor correction was attributed to profit-taking rather than a fundamental shift in sentiment. The price remained range-bound between $2.38 and $2.42, indicating healthy consolidation. A breakout above $2.44 with increased volume would signal renewed momentum.

📈 On the four-hour chart, the trend exhibited strong bullish characteristics, marked by a consistent pattern of higher highs and higher lows. The recent swift breakout from $2.077 to $2.439 highlighted aggressive buying interest. Currently, the asset is consolidating around $2.40, potentially forming a bullish flag—a classic continuation pattern that supports the likelihood of a breakout above current resistance levels.

↪️ The daily chart provided a broader bullish perspective following a prolonged period of sideways price action. A decisive breakout above $2.30 on elevated volume confirmed a shift in market sentiment, reinforced by a resistance flip with $2.20 now acting as solid support. Traders may look for a pullback toward the $2.30–$2.33 zone to enter long positions, especially if the dip occurs on lower volume. A daily close above the minor resistance at $2.439 could pave the way for an advance toward $2.50 or higher in the near term.

🔄 Samson Mow Proposes Forking Bitcoin Core Amid OP_RETURN Policy Changes

🗣 Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, has sparked significant discussion within the bitcoin community regarding the upcoming changes to Bitcoin Core's OP_RETURN policy. He suggests that it may be time to fork the software to address what he describes as "misaligned incentives" among current developers and to establish a more effective funding structure.

🎙 In a recent podcast, Mow referred to the ongoing "core wars" surrounding these policy changes, which some view as a shift towards allowing non-monetary data on the bitcoin blockchain. He argued that forking Bitcoin Core could provide "a different way forward" and facilitate necessary changes that are currently challenging to implement within the existing framework.

💡 Mow's proposal involves utilizing the current version of Bitcoin Core while creating a new funding structure to support this fork. He emphasized the importance of providing grants for developers to work on and maintain the new software. He stated,

If there is economic power saying bitcoin is money, then this is how you could show it

highlighting that this new fork could offer a better charter and overall structure.

➡️ Additionally, Mow suggested that developers involved in this new initiative should remain anonymous to ensure their motivations are aligned with contributing to bitcoin rather than seeking personal recognition. This approach contrasts with his previous calls for action against Bitcoin Core developers he perceives as acting "in bad faith".

📈 Since the controversy over the OP_RETURN policy began, there has been a notable increase in the adoption of alternative node software like Knots, which has risen to 1,868 out of 21,767 public bitcoin nodes. This shift indicates a growing willingness within the community to explore alternative solutions amidst the ongoing debates over Bitcoin Core's direction.

🌍 Bolivia's Shift Towards Crypto Adoption

🚀 Latin America is witnessing a significant shift in the adoption of digital currencies, with countries like Bolivia reversing their previous bans. Once known for its strict prohibition on cryptocurrencies, Bolivia has recently lifted its ban and is now exploring the implementation of a digital currency.

➡️ In 2020, Bolivia imposed a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrency assets, prohibiting banks from engaging with them. This stance was one of the strictest in the world. However, by June 2024, the central bank reversed this decision, leading to a doubling of crypto volumes within three months.

⚡️ The adoption of cryptocurrencies in Bolivia is evolving rapidly. In March 2024, a new use case emerged where cryptocurrencies were used for energy purchases. This marked a significant step in demonstrating the security and reliability of digital assets.

💱 Now, Bolivia is taking further steps towards embracing digital assets. The government has announced plans to design its own digital currency aimed at preserving foreign reserves for international transactions.

Even nations that opposed crypto in the past can fall under the allure of digital currency’s advantages,

the article notes. This case illustrates a broader trend where countries are reconsidering their stance on cryptocurrencies.

➡️ South Korean Actress Hwang Jung-eum Admits to $3.1M Crypto-Driven Embezzlement

🚨 South Korean actress Hwang Jung-eum has been removed from a major TV broadcast and commercial campaign after admitting in court to embezzling over $3 million from her own agency for cryptocurrency investments.

⚡️ The 39-year-old appeared before Jeju District Court last week, where she confessed to misappropriating ₩4.34 billion from a one-person agency she owned and operated. The prosecution has charged her under Korea’s Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

🔴 The fallout was immediate. On Tuesday, SBS Plus announced that all of Hwang’s footage had been cut from the final episode of the reality show Because I’m Single. The network said her MC commentary would also be “minimized.”

🙏 “I sincerely apologize for causing concern. I made the investment in hopes of growing the company, but it was a hasty and immature decision,” Hwang said in a public apology issued through her new agency, Y.One Entertainment.

♾ Meanwhile, health supplement brand Daesang Wellife Nucare pulled newly launched ads featuring the actress and canceled a related online event, citing “changes in internal schedules.”

⚖️ Hwang’s legal team argued that the embezzled funds originated from her own entertainment income, held temporarily by her company due to corporate restrictions on crypto ownership. “The agency’s profits come from her personal work, so they effectively belong to her,” her attorney stated.

💰 Hwang has reportedly sold a portion of her crypto assets and is preparing to liquidate real estate to cover the rest. Her next court date is set for August. The case unfolds as she navigates a highly publicized divorce and a recently attempted comeback on national television.

💱 Braza Group Launches USDB: A Dollar-Pegged Stablecoin on XRP Ledger

🌍 Braza Group, one of Brazil's largest financial institutions, has introduced USDB, a dollar-pegged stablecoin built on the XRP Ledger. Currently available to institutional clients, it will be accessible to regular customers via the group's app starting in May.

💪 Stablecoins are rapidly gaining traction globally, and Braza Group aims to capitalize on this trend. USDB is backed by U.S. and Brazilian government bonds and will undergo regular audits to maintain transparency and integrity.

🚀 Marcelo Sacomori, CEO of Braza Group, emphasized the benefits of USDB:

With USDB, Brazilian individuals and companies gain new alternatives to hedge against volatility and speed up their operations. We are committed to offering a stablecoin that not only meets but exceeds the highest standards of security and compliance.

📈 Anticipating growing demand for stablecoins in Brazil and Latin America, Sacomori predicts that USDB could capture 30% of the Brazilian stablecoin market. He stated,

We’re positioning ourselves to lead this movement. We began by selling these assets in the institutional market, serving Brazilian companies with specific demands.

🔗 USDB is Braza Group's second stablecoin on the XRP Ledger; the first was BBRL, a Brazilian real stablecoin launched in February. This positions Braza Group as the first bank to offer both local and international stablecoin solutions.

🔄 Ledn's Strategic Shift: Going Bitcoin-Only by 2025

🗓 Ledn, a crypto lending platform, has announced a significant strategic shift to become a bitcoin-only company by July 1, 2025. This move involves discontinuing support for ethereum (ETH) and focusing exclusively on bitcoin-backed loans.

🔒 The decision is driven by Ledn's commitment to providing a safer and simpler financial service for bitcoin holders. The company emphasizes client security and transparency in its operations. As part of this transition, Ledn will retire its BTC and ETH Growth Accounts and cease institutional lending of client collateral. This ensures that client assets are not exposed to additional risks.

📉 To enhance user experience, Ledn aims to offer better collateral control and competitive loan rates. Notably, the current Custodied loan rate will decrease from 14.9% APR to 12.9% APR. Ledn's leadership believes that these changes will strengthen their market position and improve the overall bitcoin-backed lending experience for clients.

🎉 Join the Freedx Lucky Draw Campaign

Freedx is on a mission to build something powerful and community-driven. As a thank you to the early supporters, they are launching weekly giveaways for new members!

They are giving away $100 in crypto every week to one lucky new Telegram member 💰Once they reach 10,000 members, one randomly selected winner will receive a $200 Grand Prize along with extra rewards for their earliest supporters 🎁

This is part of the Freedx Pioneer Rewards, a $10 million program created to reward their first believers. More details coming soon 👀

✅ To qualify, join Freedx’s Telegram growing community! Don’t forget to follow them on socials to get noticed.

🗓 The first draw is on Friday, May 30

Join early. Grow with them. Get rewarded

🔗 www.tg-me.com/freedxofficial/2

Let’s build something great together 🚀

➡️ Bitget Launches BGUSD: A Yield-Bearing Stable Asset Certificate

🌍 Bitget, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has introduced BGUSD, a yield-bearing stable asset certificate aimed at enhancing capital efficiency and providing passive income opportunities for users globally. BGUSD is fully integrated into the platform’s trading and wealth management infrastructure, offering a multifaceted utility layer backed by real-world assets.

💱 BGUSD is redeemable for USDC at a 1:1 ratio and can be subscribed using USDC or USDT. Holding BGUSD provides users with an annualized yield starting at 4%, credited daily to their spot accounts based on their minimum daily balance. For the first 30 days following launch, a promotional APY of 5% will apply.

At Bitget, our mission has always been to prioritize our users’ needs — whether they come from the crypto-native community, institutional circles, or traditional finance.

said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

With BGUSD, we are delivering a solution that bridges the best of both worlds: the transparency and innovation of crypto with the stability and yield opportunities traditionally found in real-world assets.

🔒 This structure positions BGUSD as a secure, yield-generating alternative within the platform, minimizing exposure to crypto market volatility while maintaining full liquidity through redemption options. Users can opt for instant redemptions, fulfilled from Bitget’s reserve pool, or standard redemptions with settlement within three business days. Subscription and redemption fees are fixed at 0.1%.

💪 More than a tool for preservation, BGUSD is built for active deployment and fully supports Bitget’s broader ecosystem. It can be used as lending collaterals, futures margin, Launchpool, and PoolX. The asset’s full-scenario usability contributes to enhanced capital retention and supports platform-level strategies aimed at generating stable, risk-adjusted returns.

⚖️ Resignation of Czech Justice Minister Amid Bitcoin Controversy

🚨 The Czech political landscape was recently rocked by the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek. This followed the revelation that his ministry had accepted a bitcoin donation worth one billion crowns from an ex-convict with a history of narcotics charges. Despite Blažek's claims of ignorance regarding the donor's background and the legality of the transaction, he chose to step down in agreement with Prime Minister Petr Fiala to maintain public trust in the government.

➡️ The swift support for Blažek's resignation from coalition leaders highlights their commitment to preserving governmental credibility. In contrast, opposition figures are calling for a thorough investigation into the origins of the digital assets, raising concerns about potential money laundering and the need for transparency.

🔄 Blažek's departure signifies a significant shift in the government's approach to accountability in relation to cryptocurrency. He stated,

I do not want to harm the image of our government.

As calls for further examination of the incident continue, the situation underscores the complexities and challenges surrounding the intersection of politics and digital currencies.

🚀 Riot Platforms Appoints Jonathan Gibbs as Chief Data Center Officer

🆕 Riot Platforms (NASDAQ: RIOT) has appointed Jonathan Gibbs as its new Chief Data Center Officer (CDCO) to enhance its focus on high-performance computing (HPC) and AI hosting. With over 15 years of experience in designing large-scale data centers, Gibbs will lead Riot's new platform targeting hyperscale and enterprise clients.

📈 This appointment reflects a growing trend in the Bitcoin mining industry as companies seek to diversify into data center services for more stable revenue. Earlier this year, Riot paused its Bitcoin mining hashrate expansion at its Corsicana, Texas facility, reserving its 600 megawatts of capacity for potential HPC opportunities. CEO Jason Les stated,

The creation of this new data center platform furthers Riot’s strategy to maximize the value of its assets by expanding into non-bitcoin-related data centers.

🌍 Gibbs has overseen data center projects totaling over one gigawatt across North America, Europe, and Asia, with investments exceeding $17 billion. Prior to joining Riot, he was the Executive Vice President of Product Delivery at Prime Data Centers, where he led U.S. data center design and construction.

🔄 Riot's move into the data center market aligns with a shift among major Bitcoin miners towards HPC and AI hosting. Bitfarms recently appointed James Bond to head its HPC initiatives, while Bit Digital and HIVE Digital established subsidiaries for high-performance computing. Applied Digital, which operates data centers for Bitcoin mining, saw its stock rise after announcing a lease deal with AI hyperscaler CoreWeave.

🚨 Just In: Apple, X, Google, Airbnb To Explore Stablecoins for Payments Integration 🌐

👉 Read more