Invest ideasNews
25 May 2026, 09:42
Ethereum activity reaches new peak as warning signs emerge
In the past 30 days, Ethereum transactions posted a new all-time peak and daily activity remained elevated. The trend is not due to high-value transactions and reflects a new wave of address poisoning attacks. In 2026, Ethereum took a new approach of returning to L1 scaling, after years of support for L2 networks. As a result, Ethereum abandoned its previous eras of high-priced transactions. The latest Glamsterdam update led to another price drop for gas fees. Ethereum transactions peaked at over 3.62M per day at the end of April, based on Etherscan data. The Glamsterdam upgrade lowered gas fees by 78%, encouraging on-chain activity. Regular transactions cost as low as $0.004, up to 90% lower compared to previous periods. Ethereum transactions hold near their highest level after the latest Glamsterdam decrease in fees. Investigators noted most of the additional traffic is due to address poisoning attacks. | Source: Etherscan . Even swaps and complex DEX operations are down to $0.07, from around $1 in the past few months. The lowered fees still react to increased transaction loads, but overall Ethereum is much more accessible for retail usage. At the same time, risk to end user wallets is undermining the trust in Ethereum as a suitable platform for carrying mainstream financial operations. Why is Ethereum attacked by address poisoning? Ethereum still has large holders and legacy wallets, with significant ETH or token holdings. Usually, dusting attacks have a low success rate, with one in 10,000 wallets copying a fake address. During previous upgrades that lowered transaction fees, Ethereum also noted dusting campaigns and address poisoning rose by as much as 600% . On-chain analysis for 2026 accounted for $62M in lost funds due to address poisoning attacks. Address poisoning is also sold as a package on Telegram, allowing a much higher number of threat actors to mount relatively cheap attacks. Etherscan experts have also noted that while previous attacks were manual and sporadic, in 2026, address poisoning expanded on an industrial scale, with automation and a wider reach. Users report a mix of zero-value tokens, dusting with valid tokens, and fake events recorded into wallet history. Wallet transactions also alert the dusting bots, with each transaction triggering several fake records or small transfers. An even more advanced attack has also been noted as part of AI agent workflows. New plugins intercept and change copied crypto addresses, making even manual verification more difficult. Ethereum dusting attacks become competitive As of May 25, only one address was running a high-visibility poisoning attack, based on the leaderboard of gas burner contracts . However, address poisoning attacks are competitive, and often several addresses target wallets with positive balances and an active transaction history. As seen by tracking a single user wallet, fake transactions overwhelm legitimate activity, with several flagged addresses sending zero-value tokens or dust amounts of USDT. For end users, the best approach is to use wallets with anti-phishing protection, and never use address history for new transactions. Address poisoning attacks rely on a numbers game and human error, and may steal either minimal amounts of crypto, or drain a whale wallet. The dusting attacks arrive at a time when Ethereum’s transparency is seen as a flaw and an attack vector, while users try to veil their on-chain activity for higher personal security. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
25 May 2026, 09:41
Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Tests Crucial Weekly Support
Bitcoin is testing a key weekly support area as two charts point to the same major level near the current trend zone. Surf’s chart shows BTC pressing against downtrend resistance near the 200 weighted MA, while Daan Crypto Trades highlights the bull market support band around $75,000 to $78,500. Bitcoin Weekly Chart Shows BTC Testing Downtrend Near 200 Weighted MA Bitcoin’s weekly chart shows BTC sitting near an important technical area, where the descending trendline meets the 200 weighted moving average. The chart shared by Surf compares the current setup with earlier Bitcoin cycle phases. In 2018 and 2022, BTC broke below a descending trendline, moved near the 200 weighted MA, and later recovered after the downtrend weakened. Bitcoin Weekly Surf Indicator Chart. Source: Surf on X The same pattern now appears on the right side of the chart. BTC has pulled back from its recent high and is testing a short descending trendline. The 200 weighted MA sits close to the same area, making this zone important for the next weekly move. The blue vertical bands from the Surf Indicator also mark past areas where Bitcoin entered major transition zones. Earlier bands appeared near cycle bottoms or recovery phases. The latest band now appears around the current price structure. A clean break above the descending trendline would show that selling pressure is slowing. It would also place BTC back above a key weekly trend area. However, if Bitcoin fails to hold near the 200 weighted MA, the chart could point to more sideways movement or another support test. For now, the setup is simple. Bitcoin is testing a familiar weekly structure: downtrend resistance, the 200 weighted MA, and a Surf Indicator zone that has marked major cycle areas before. Bitcoin Price Chart Shows BTC Retesting Bull Market Support Band Bitcoin is retesting the bull market support band on the weekly chart shared by Daan Crypto Trades. The chart shows BTC moving around the same area as the band, which sits near the $75,000 to $78,500 range. This zone is important because bulls need to hold it to keep short and mid term momentum in their favor. Bitcoin Bull Market Support Band Chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades on X The support band acted as a trend area during previous moves. Now, Bitcoin is testing it again after recovering from its latest pullback. The chart also shows the weekly 200 EMA near $68,871. That level sits below the current support band and could become the next major area if BTC loses the retest zone. The weekly 200 MA sits lower, near $61,373. This makes it a deeper support level, not the first level in focus. Daan Crypto Trades said BTC is “holding on” to the bull market support band retest. That means the setup has not broken down yet, but buyers still need to defend this range. For now, the main level is clear. Bitcoin needs to hold the $75,000 to $78,500 support band to keep momentum on the bulls’ side.
25 May 2026, 09:40
Bitwise Executive Compares Crypto’s Current Phase to AI’s Pivotal Moment in 2015
BitcoinWorld Bitwise Executive Compares Crypto’s Current Phase to AI’s Pivotal Moment in 2015 Jeff Park, Head of Alpha Strategies at asset manager Bitwise, has drawn a striking parallel between the cryptocurrency industry today and the state of artificial intelligence roughly a decade ago. In a recent commentary, Park described the current period as a “narrow window” of transition, suggesting that while the foundational direction of crypto has been proven, the industry is navigating its most challenging phase yet. A Historical Parallel: Crypto and AI in 2015 Park noted that in 2015, only a handful of individuals fully grasped the transformative potential of AI. It took approximately ten years for that technology to enter the mainstream. He argues that the cryptocurrency industry is now at a similar inflection point. The core concepts—permissionless money and on-chain capital markets—have been validated, but the path to widespread adoption is constrained by existing regulatory frameworks and legacy financial systems. “The direction has been proven,” Park stated, “but we are now in the most difficult phase.” He specifically pointed to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, along with outdated financial infrastructure, as primary factors slowing the pace of expansion. Defining the Core of Crypto: Technological Financialization Park offered a nuanced perspective on the nature of different crypto assets. He described Bitcoin as a “monetary experiment created by technological evolution,” emphasizing its origins in computer science and cryptography. In contrast, he characterized most other cryptocurrency projects as “technological experiments created by monetary evolution,” suggesting they are driven by financial incentives and economic design. This distinction leads to Park’s central thesis: the core of the crypto industry is not simply decentralization, but rather “technological financialization.” This concept frames the industry as the intersection of software engineering and financial markets, where code and economic incentives are merged to create new forms of value transfer and capital formation. Why This Matters for Investors and the Broader Market Park’s analysis provides a framework for understanding the current market dynamics. The comparison to AI in 2015 suggests that while the technology may still be in a nascent stage for mainstream users, the underlying infrastructure is maturing. For investors, this implies that the current period of regulatory uncertainty and market volatility may be a necessary precursor to broader institutional and retail adoption. The emphasis on “technological financialization” also has practical implications. It highlights the need for regulatory clarity that distinguishes between different types of crypto assets, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. It also underscores the importance of infrastructure improvements, particularly in areas like custody, compliance, and interoperability with traditional financial systems. Conclusion Jeff Park’s comparison of the crypto industry to AI in 2015 offers a valuable historical lens for understanding the current market. While the direction is clear, the industry faces significant hurdles related to regulation and legacy infrastructure. The concept of “technological financialization” reframes the debate, positioning crypto not merely as a movement for decentralization, but as a fundamental evolution in how financial systems are built and operated. The next few years will likely determine whether this narrow window of transition leads to the mainstream breakthrough that many in the industry anticipate. FAQs Q1: What did Jeff Park specifically compare the crypto industry to? Park compared the current state of the cryptocurrency industry to the state of the artificial intelligence industry around 2015, a time when its transformative potential was recognized by only a few before it became mainstream roughly a decade later. Q2: What does Park identify as the main barriers to crypto’s expansion? He identified AML/KYC regulations and legacy financial infrastructure as the primary factors limiting the speed of the crypto industry’s expansion during its current transitional phase. Q3: What does Park mean by “technological financialization”? Park argues that the core of the crypto industry is not simply decentralization, but the merging of software engineering with financial markets to create new forms of value transfer, capital formation, and economic incentives. This post Bitwise Executive Compares Crypto’s Current Phase to AI’s Pivotal Moment in 2015 first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
25 May 2026, 09:38
Robert Kiyosaki reveals why ‘death of the US dollar’ is coming
Late on Sunday, May 24, famous author and prominent investor Robert Kiyosaki took to X to issue another warning about the possible ‘death of the US dollar,’ directly linking the gloomy outcome to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Specifically, the writer of ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad,’ noted that the Islamic Republic has started accepting payments in Chinese yuan for its oil , while wondering about the ramifications for the American currency. Additionally, Kiyosaki pointed toward a recent episode of Ray Dalio’s podcast in which the billionaire investor speculates that Tehran’s decision represents an important milestone in the degradation of the ‘petrodollar.’ WORSE THAN WAR in IRAN Death of the US Dollar? Iran began accepting payment for oil in Chinese Yuan. What does that mean to you and your future and the future of the US dollar? I strongly encourage you to invest about and hour in your financial education. I strongly… — Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) May 24, 2026 Why Ray Dalio warned of a possible ‘death of the USD dollar’ In a nutshell, Dalio explained that the system of denominating and trading oil exclusively in USD served as an important guarantee that demand for the currency would be widespread and consistent, thus preserving its value. Without the system negotiated between Washington and the Saudi Arabian royal family, the billionaire argues, Washington will be hard-pressed to take on debt, leading to mounting interest rates and more printing. Notably, the 30-year treasuries’ yield recently soared above 5% and to highs not seen since the lead-up to the Great Recession . Robert Kiyosaki’s top assets to thrive during the ‘death of the US dollar’ Elsewhere, while Robert Kiyosaki implicitly endorsed Ray Dalio’s investment recommendations for 2026, the famous writer is well known for his own basket of favored assets. Specifically, the ‘Rich Dad’ author spent more than a decade urging his followers against holding ‘fake money’ – USD – while emphasizing the benefits of owning ‘God’s money’ – Gold – and ‘people’s money’ – Bitcoin ( BTC ). More recently, Kiyosaki has also become increasingly vocal about the value of Silver and even offered some insights into how high he believes the commodity could go. Indeed, in a separate X post published late on May 22, he not only warned that a crash is imminent, but also estimated that the argent metal is set for a climb to $200: a 160% rally from its May 25, press time price of $77. However, Robert Kiyosaki provided no specific timetable for when he believes silver will reach the forecasted value. Crash imminent. Jim Richard’s calls for gold to get to $ 100,000 Today gold is at $4,500 I think silver will hit $200 an ounce Today silver is at $75. What do you think? The best investors are able to see the future and take action. Remember you do not have to be a… — Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) May 23, 2026 Where Dalio and Kiyosaki overlap and diverge in their top investments Notably, there is significant overlap between the recommendations provided by Ray Dalio and ‘Rich Dad’ author’s own favored assets. For example, both believe that gold is a particularly strong investment and that it should, ideally, be paired with cash-generating businesses. In his podcast, Dalio described investing in companies involved with commodities – whether they be fuel, precious metals, or food – as a savvy move, while Kiyosaki is known for his Wagyu beef investments . Elsewhere, there is some divergence between the two, with Ray Dalio making no mention of cryptocurrencies in his latest episode – Robert Kiyosaki is known to be bullish on Bitcoin, Ethereum ( ETH ), and used to be positive toward Solana ( SOL ) – while the ‘Rich Dad’ writer makes little mention of stocks . The other billionaire, for his part, recommended trading a varied basket of international equity as a hedge against the USD losing its status as the world’s reserve currency. Featured image via Cavaleria Com YouTube The post Robert Kiyosaki reveals why ‘death of the US dollar’ is coming appeared first on Finbold .
25 May 2026, 09:30
Bitcoin Price Stabilizes at $77K as President Trump Updates on Iran Deal: Market Watch
After declining to about $74,000 on Saturday, Bitcoin’s price recovered to $77K yesterday and seems to have stabilized at that level. The move follows a statement from the US President Donald Trump on the state of affairs with Iran and the potential for a permanent peace, although the market seems to have accepted it as an extension of the current ceasefire. Bitcoin Price Stable at $77,000, Important Week Ahead As we reported earlier today, crypto markets have remained mostly flat over the past 24 hours. They did go through a weekend boost after the US President hinted at a “largely negotiated” deal with Iran. Analysts also hinted that the ceasefire is likely to be extended for another 60 days. “It also appears further progress has been made toward a 60-day ceasefire extension for the Iran war.” – Wrote the Kobeissi Letter. That said, Bitcoin is trading slightly above $77,000 and remains stable on Memorial Day, with markets closed. Source: TradingView However, the week ahead holds important economic events, namely: Consumer confidence data for May – on Tuesday April’s PCE inflation data – on Thursday US Q1 2026 GDP data – on Thursday It’s also important to note that spot Bitcoin ETFs marked one of their worst weeks from May 18 to May 22, noting more than $1.2 billion in outflows. Ethereum ETFs also suffered, while other products like SOL, XRP, and HYPE funds saw increases in assets under management. Altcoins Flat, HYPE Rally Cools Off Many altcoins have also traded relatively flat over the past 24 hours, especially those with the largest market capitalizations. ETH is more or less where it was yesterday; BNB is up 0.5%, TRX by 0.3%, while XRP, SOL, DOGE, and ADA are down 0.3%. Source: Quantify Crypto One of last week’s best performers, HYPE, seems to be slowing down after surging by more than 40% in the past seven days. That said, the altcoin continues to show considerable strength and is already ranked as the 11th-largest project in the industry by total market capitalization. The best performers from the past 24 hours include DEXE, which increased by 20%, STABLE, up 15%, and XDC Network (XDC), up 9.6%. On the flipside, Uniswap’s UNI is down 2.7%, making it today’s worst-performing altcoin, followed by Kaspa and Sui. The post Bitcoin Price Stabilizes at $77K as President Trump Updates on Iran Deal: Market Watch appeared first on CryptoPotato .
25 May 2026, 09:28
Russia Dumps Gold, Pushes XRP as Sanctions Pressure Mounts
Russia Sells Gold to Plug War Economy Gaps as XRP Emerges in Moscow’s Sanctions-Resistant Trade Shift As sanctions tighten and war costs rise, Russia appears to be adjusting its financial playbook in real time. According to market analyst Pumpius, recent signals from Moscow suggest more than a short-term liquidity response, they point to a gradual shift away from reliance on hard assets like gold and toward experimenting with blockchain-based settlement systems, including XRP-linked infrastructure. Well, the numbers are drawing notable attention. For instance, the Bank of Russia reduced its gold holdings by around 900,000 ounces in the first four months of 2026, bringing total reserves down to roughly 73.9 million ounces, the lowest level since early 2022. For a country that previously accumulated gold as a core sanctions buffer, such a sharp decline is notable. Gold has long served as Russia’s financial backstop, given that its a liquid, non-sovereign asset used to stabilize reserves when access to global capital markets is constrained. Selling it at this pace suggests increasing fiscal strain, likely driven by sustained military expenditure, sanctions pressure, and ongoing volatility in the ruble. On the other side of the coin, a more significant development may be unfolding alongside the gold drawdown. Even though gold reserves are being trimmed, the Moscow Exchange has been expanding its range of crypto-linked instruments, including XRP indices and futures products. Russia’s XRP Oil Rail Push Signals a New Sanctions-Proof Financial Strategy The growing XRP exposure has fueled speculation that Russia is testing alternative financial rails that operate outside traditional Western banking channels. The strategic logic is relatively clear because Russia continues to export large volumes of oil to key partners such as China and India, but the challenge lies not in demand, it’s in settlement. Traditional payment routes that rely on SWIFT, correspondent banking networks, and dollar clearing mechanisms remain vulnerable to sanctions, pressure and geopolitical restrictions. This is where XRP enters the conversation since unlike store-of-value assets such as Bitcoin, XRP is designed for fast cross-border liquidity and settlement efficiency. Transactions clear in seconds, costs are minimal, and transfers can be executed without depending on legacy banking intermediaries. For high-volume commodity trade, especially energy exports worth billions, speed and frictionless settlement are operational advantages rather than ideological considerations. Seen in this context, Russia’s evolving approach more like a layered adjustment: Using gold sales to ease immediate budget pressures Testing blockchain-based settlement infrastructure like XRP Reducing exposure to sanction-prone financial systems Strengthening trade channels with BRICS-aligned economies The oil trade adds further weight to the discussion. Global crude flows represent one of the largest and most continuous liquidity networks in the world. Even partial integration of blockchain-based settlement rails into this system would mark a meaningful shift in how cross-border energy payments are processed. None of this suggests Russia is abandoning gold or fully committing to XRP. Nevertheless, it illustrates a broader reality that sanctioned economies are increasingly exploring neutral settlement systems that cannot be easily frozen, blocked, or politically constrained. Gold helped Russia absorb the first wave of financial pressure. Digital settlement infrastructure may be shaping up as its next experiment in financial resilience.
