12 May 2025, 15:41

Avalanche price spikes as active addresses hit 950k

Avalanche’s native token rose slightly as the blockchain network hit two key milestones in daily transactions and active addresses. The Avalanche ( AVAX ) token jumped nearly 5% in 24 hours as top cryptocurrencies soared, with the Avalanche Foundation sharing details of two major milestones for the layer blockchain network. Per the team, activity across the Avalanche network saw daily transactions on the platform hit an all-time high of 10.8 million on May 11, 2025. Another key metric, active addresses, also jumped to 950,000, the highest count for Avalanche since June 2023. Activity across the Avalanche network is surging, with milestones achieved on May 11th, 2025: 🔺 10.8M+ daily transactions — an all-time high 🔺 950K active addresses — highest since June 2023 🔺 Nearly 30M contracts deployed — and growing Momentum is building across the… pic.twitter.com/ZfN8PfoJqk — Avalanche Foundation 🔺 (@AvalancheFDN) May 12, 2025 Growth for Avalanche has come amid momentum in decentralized finance, gaming, and other ecosystems. Adoption momentum has seen nearly 30 million contracts deployed. Interestingly, Avalanche is seeing notable traction ahead of its highly anticipated Avalanche Summit in London. The rate of growth, alongside key partnerships, means milestones such as the above “will look minuscule in time,” Ava Labs founder and chief executive officer Emin Gün Sirer said via a post on X . You might also like: Bitget and Avalanche join forces to bolster web3 growth in India Avalanche price gaining momentum Avalanche price recently broke higher after buyers managed to take out bears near the key resistance level of $23. The gains above this zone align with a broader acceleration of upside momentum for cryptocurrencies in the past week, with AVAX price up more than 30% in this period at the time of writing. Notably, the dip in downside pressure for AVAX, in place since February, comes as crypto reacts to macroeconomic tailwinds. Avalanche gains as Bitcoin ( BTC ) spikes to above $105k on risk assets strength following a major U.S.-China trade agreement. The deal, reached after a meeting in Switzerland over the weekend, had stocks surging with the Dow opening more than 1,000 points higher on Monday. Strong buyer momentum pushed most coins up and analysts see a potential continuation. Aurelie Barthere, Principal Research analyst at Nansen, expressed such a bullish take in comments shared with crypto.news. In his opinion, altcoins, equities, and the U.S. dollar are poised for upward movement. “Bitcoin has been the clear outperformer so far, largely because it remains insulated from tariff-related risks while also benefiting from its own powerful catalysts, including the reserve asset narrative and continued institutional accumulation, led by Saylor and other corporate buyers. However, following the latest Bessent and Greer announcements, I expect altcoins, US equities, and the US dollar, which all underperformed sharply in Q1, to begin catching up as the broader risk environment improves,” Barthere noted. Avalanche hit its all-time high above $146 in November 2021. Read more: Dow soars 1,000 points as markets cheer U.S.-China trade deal

12 May 2025, 15:32

Input | Output Partners with Brave to Integrate Cardano into Brave Wallet

Once live, the Input | Output (IO) led integration will bring full Cardano support to Brave Wallet, including Cardano native assets, as well as send, receive, swap, and signing capabilities- all natively embedded within Brave’s best-in-class browser wallet. This establishes Brave as a key partner to the Cardano community in the age of Voltaire. SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Input | Output (IO), the preeminent Web3 blockchain infrastructure and engineering firm, today announced a strategic partnership with Brave Software, the creator of the leading privacy-first browser and integrated multi-chain Brave Wallet. Together, they will integrate Cardano into the Brave Wallet, enabling Cardano blockchain access and token management from within the Brave wallet. “Our partnership with IO reflects Brave’s commitment to building a Web3 that maximizes interoperation for user choice, while giving them better tools to engage with decentralized ecosystems,” said Brendan Eich, CEO and co-founder of Brave and the Basic Attention Token (BAT). “Integrating Cardano into Brave Wallet not only expands multi-chain access, but also enhances security, governance participation, and the overall user experience.” Through this integration, Brave users and the broader Cardano community will gain direct access to Cardano’s blockchain for activities such as governance participation and native asset management, all within the privacy-focused Brave Wallet. Additionally, Brave Wallet will support the execution of swaps with Cardano native tokens and other on-chain transactions. This major milestone enhances Brave’s multi-chain capabilities, adding to its existing support for networks like Ethereum and Solana. Cardano users will now be able to manage native assets like NIGHT, engage in governance, and seamlessly swap tokens—securely and privately—through Brave’s in-browser wallet. “This collaboration with Brave is a natural fit,” said Charles Hoskinson, CEO of IO. “We share a vision for a more secure, accessible, and user-respecting Web3. By bringing Cardano into Brave Wallet, we are not only expanding functionality for Cardano users in the age of on-chain governance, but also advancing a new standard for how blockchain networks should empower individuals—protecting privacy while enabling active, on-chain participation.” The partnership also sets the stage for future innovation around engagement with Cardano’s governance and Midnight, a blockchain developed by Shielded Technologies, an Input | Output spinout focused on confidential smart contracts and data protection. Media Contacts: Georgia Hanias Input | Output (IO) [email protected] Catherine Corre Brave Software [email protected] About Input | Output (IO) Input |Output (IO) is a world-leading blockchain infrastructure and research engineering firm dedicated to building a sustainable Web3 ecosystem. IO is committed to advancing the next generation of blockchain innovation, focusing on scalability, security, and real-world adoption through pioneering research and cutting-edge engineering. About Brave Wallet and Brave Brave Wallet is the secure, multi-chain crypto wallet built directly into the Brave privacy browser—no extensions required. With Brave Wallet, users can manage tokens and NFTs; connect to DApps and onramp to Web3; and explore decentralized finance, social media, gaming, and more. Brave Wallet users can connect other “cold” wallets like Ledger & Trezor. They can buy, store, send, and connect to DApps on Solana, Ethereum and EVM chains, Zcash, and Filecoin. Brave Wallet is available on desktop, Android, and iOS, and is free to use. To get started on desktop, Brave browser users can click the wallet icon near the address bar. On mobile, users can tap “⋮” (Android) or “…” (iOS), then tap the wallet icon. Brave is a driving force leading the way for Web3 adoption, directly supporting Web3 into the broader Web through its privacy browser, independent search engine, and browser-native, multi-chain crypto wallet. Brave currently has over 85 million monthly active users. Learn more at brave.com .

12 May 2025, 15:15

Ethereum flips Alibaba and Coca-Cola in market cap, dumps underperformer tag with 40% rally

Ethereum has registered a 42% rally in just five days, surpassing the market capitalizations of global giants Coca-Cola and Alibaba. The surge followed the successful implementation of Ethereum’s highly anticipated Pectra upgrade on its mainnet on May 7. According to market data from 8marketcap, Ether reached a market capitalization of over $308 billion as of Sunday, pushing it ahead of Coca-Cola, valued at $303.5 billion, and Alibaba, which stood at $303.7 billion. The crypto sits at the 39th position in the global market cap tallies, trailing behind Bank of America by approximately $7 billion. Global Assets Market Cap: Source: 8marketcap At the time of publication, ETH was trading at around $2,550, 58% higher than its 30-day lows. Pectra upgrade precedes price rally Ethereum’s price rally came almost immediately after the Pectra upgrade , which went live on Wednesday. Developers have coined the network update as “Ethereum’s most ambitious” since The Merge in 2022, which transitioned the network from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Pectra has added a number of technology improvements that make the experience better for users and give validators flexibility and scalability. Some of the changes are that account abstraction is now supported, validator staking limits have been raised, and data handling has been improved for layer-2 scaling. Externally owned accounts can now function like smart contracts, allowing users to pay gas fees using tokens other than ETH. Validator staking limits were expanded from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH to simplify node operations for institutional and large-scale stakers. The network also increased the number of data blobs per block, an adjustment that significantly benefits layer-2 networks by improving data throughput and efficiency. In the time leading up to the upgrade, ETH’s price charts reveal that holders were unhappy. In early May, it was $1,786, and by mid-May, it had risen to $2,550, a 42% increase. After reaching $2,727 in February, the cryptocurrency fell 33.3% to $1,818 in the three months that followed. Ethereum price market data Regardless of the upswing, analysts say that Ethereum will test the $2,624.480% Fibonacci level, which has previously served as the rally’s ceiling. If the current level of resistance can be overcome, there will be opportunities to trade towards higher price targets of $2,771 and $2,896. Coinglass estimates that a short squeeze would prompt a quick increase in price if Ethereum were to rise another 3% to above $2,586. This amount is equivalent to around $786 million in short holdings. On the flip side, almost $715 million in long holdings might be liquidated if prices fall below $2,438. Approximately 67 million ETH would be profitable if Ethereum reaches $2,600, according to data from IntoTheBlock. At this price point, about 6.61 million Ethereum holders are purchasing the cryptocurrency on average. Cryptopolitan Academy: Want to grow your money in 2025? Learn how to do it with DeFi in our upcoming webclass. Save Your Spot

12 May 2025, 15:12

DigitalX taps SOL Strategies for Solana staking via BitGo

SOL Strategies has announced a new staking partnership with DigitalX Limited, a publicly traded blockchain technology company based in Australia. Under the agreement , DigitalX will stake its Solana ( SOL ) holdings through BitGo’s institutional custody platform, using SOL Strategies as its validator partner. BitGo’s recent integration with SOL Strategies enables institutional clients to access a high-performance, secure validator network with minimal friction. The partnership represents a key development for both companies. For SOL Strategies, it builds on its recent entry into BitGo’s validator offering, placing the firm among a small group of validators available to institutional clients. For DigitalX, the move supports its goal of expanding exposure to Solana while maintaining strong security and operational standards. You might also like: Strategy buys $1.34b more Bitcoin, total holdings near $60b Institutional appeal SOL Strategies CEO Leah Wald said the partnership underscores the infrastructure company’s growing institutional appeal. “DigitalX shares our vision for expanding institutional access to the blockchain economy,” Wald said. “Their decision to stake with SOL Strategies further validates the strength and performance of our platform.” This news comes as Superstate launched Opening Bell, a platform enabling SEC-registered public shares to be issued and traded directly on blockchains, starting with Solana. SOL Strategies became the first company to list its shares through the system, marking a step toward integrating public markets with digital assets. DigitalX Interim CEO Demetrios Christou described SOL Strategies as a “best-in-class” infrastructure provider, citing its performance and BitGo integration as key selection factors. Both companies are publicly listed and aim to offer regulated, scalable solutions in the digital asset space. You might also like: Dow soars 1,000 points as markets cheer U.S.-China trade deal

12 May 2025, 15:12

PancakeSwap Infinity brings ZK-powered intelligent UX with Brevis

PancakeSwap Infinity will get advanced, intelligent UX features, all built into the blockchain with Brevis partnership. Decentralized exchanges are one step closer to competing with centralized exchanges on user experience. On Monday, May 12, Brevis and PancakeSwap (CAKE) announced an integration that will enable decentralized, intelligent UX for its next-generation version, PancakeSwap Infinity. Formerly known as PancakeSwap v4, PancakeSwap Infinity will feature “Intelligent UX” powered by Brevis hooks. These hooks use zero-knowledge proofs to perform on-chain computations that allow PancakeSwap’s interface to adapt to individual users. You might also like: PancakeSwap v4 rebrands to PancakeSwap Infinity with major upgrade At the same time, the new hooks will affect core features such as trading fees, personalized incentives, and VIP discounts. Crucially, the system will run fully on-chain, ensuring trustlessness and decentralization. It’s important to note that while these features are described as “intelligent,” they do not use AI or large language models. Instead, the system relies on programmable logic, ensuring consistency and predictability. How intelligent UX will run on-chain Brevis runs its computations on an off-chain engine to minimize gas fees. However, it publishes ZK proofs of all processes, allowing the blockchain to verify that the computations are valid without accessing full transaction data. This design is key for PancakeSwap, one of the largest DEXs in the market. Operating on BNB Chain, PancakeSwap needs to ensure that its core platform logic remains decentralized, verifiable, and trustless. Otherwise, users would have to rely on the platform or its partners to safeguard their assets, contradicting the core ethos of decentralized finance. The integration of intelligent UX is a strong example of how ZK-proof technology can help decentralized platforms match or surpass centralized alternatives in both performance and user experience. By offloading the heavy computational work and proving results on-chain, PancakeSwap can improve scalability and reduce costs, while maintaining the fundamental benefits of blockchain technology. Read more: PancakeSwap price surges as 24h DEX volume hits $2.2b

12 May 2025, 14:29

Demand for Censorship-Resistant ‘Dark Stablecoins’ May Rise Amid Regulatory Crackdown

As governments worldwide increase their efforts to regulate stablecoins, a new class of decentralized digital assets, dubbed “dark stablecoins,” could emerge as a response to the increasing scrutiny. Ki Young Ju, CEO of blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant, sounded the alarm in a May 11 post on X, warning that privacy-focused stablecoins may become more attractive to users seeking censorship resistance and financial privacy. Dark stablecoins are likely to emerge in the future. #Bitcoin was created by the cypherpunk community to be censorship-resistant and belongs to no one, making it impossible to control. Stablecoins, however, act as a bridge between the internet and the real world, so they need… — Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) May 11, 2025 Ju’s comments come amid a broader global trend toward stablecoin regulation, as traditional finance principles seep into the digital asset world. From Banking Tools to Surveillance Risk: Stablecoins Under the Microscope Stablecoins have long served as a bridge between traditional and digital finance, offering users the stability of fiat currencies without the need for banks. However, regulators concerned about money laundering, illicit transfers, and financial instability are re-evaluating this utility. “Soon, any stablecoin issued by a country could face strict government regulation, similar to traditional banks,” Ju warned. “Transfers might automatically trigger tax collection through smart contracts, and wallets could be frozen or require paperwork based on government rules.” These developments threaten the promise of stablecoins being borderless, permissionless value transfer. Ju predicts that this could drive users, especially those who conduct large cross-border transactions, toward alternative assets designed to resist oversight. These “dark stablecoins” would prioritize decentralization, privacy, and freedom from state control. While President Donald Trump’s return to office has ushered in more crypto-friendly rhetoric, U.S. lawmakers are actively considering stablecoin legislation to ensure such assets are used primarily for legal, regulated payments. Also, the European Union has already taken a step forward with implementing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation , mandating complete transparency and strict compliance for stablecoin issuers operating in the bloc. The Rise of Algorithmic and Jurisdictional Alternatives Ju speculates that developers may lean on algorithmic mechanisms to circumvent tightening regulations to create censorship-resistant stablecoins. Unlike fiat-backed assets like USDC or USDT, algorithmic stablecoins maintain their peg without holding reserves, relying instead on supply-and-demand balancing techniques. “One possible example could be a decentralized stablecoin that follows the price of regulated coins like USDC using data oracles like Chainlink,” Ju suggested. Such coins would not be backed by fiat, gold, or any centralized authority, potentially placing them outside the reach of traditional financial enforcement. Another potential route is for stablecoin issuers to operate from jurisdictions with minimal financial censorship. Ju also pointed to Tether (USDT), which has historically marketed itself as a censorship-resistant asset. He speculated that if Tether were to reject compliance with U.S. government mandates in the future, particularly under a deregulation-leaning administration, it could once again be viewed as a “dark stablecoin” in an increasingly monitored internet economy. “USDT itself used to be considered a censorship-resistant stablecoin,” Ju noted. “If Tether chooses not to comply with US government regulations under a future Trump administration, it could become a dark stablecoin in an increasingly censored internet economy.” Privacy Tools Already Embedded in Crypto and Drawing Government Attention The growing demand for censorship-resistant “dark stablecoins” builds on an active ecosystem of privacy technologies within the crypto space. Privacy coins like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) and mixers such as Tornado Cash have long provided users with ways to obscure their transactions. Once niche, these tools are increasingly viewed as essential by those wary of surveillance, tax enforcement, or state interference. Blockchain mixers have become particularly controversial, breaking the traceable link between wallet addresses. In 2022, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Tornado Cash , citing its alleged use in laundering over $1 billion in illicit funds. More recently, eXch, a long-running crypto-swapping service linked to money laundering operations, was taken down. Germany seizes €34M from eXch linked to the $1.4B Bybit hack and illicit crypto flows. #Bybit #Lazarus #eXch https://t.co/Ih2CekO6XM — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) May 9, 2025 On May 8, German authorities seized €34 million ($38 million) in crypto assets from eXch , which was allegedly used to launder funds from Bybit’s record-setting $1.4 billion hack in February 2025. eXch had been operating since 2014, branding itself as a privacy-first exchange without AML or KYC checks. That reputation made it a hub for criminals employing sophisticated obfuscation techniques like token hopping, cross-chain transfers, and wallet daisy-chaining. The post Demand for Censorship-Resistant ‘Dark Stablecoins’ May Rise Amid Regulatory Crackdown appeared first on Cryptonews .