19 May 2025, 07:41

How Trump’s Family Ties to Binance are Shaping Cryptocurrency Regulations and Ethical Concerns

According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration’s evolving relationship with cryptocurrency is significantly shaping the industry landscape. As President Trump navigates his second term,

19 May 2025, 06:45

Is Ethereum $ETH Price Gearing Up for a Major Crypto Bull Run?

The post Is Ethereum $ETH Price Gearing Up for a Major Crypto Bull Run? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Ethereum (ETH) just dropped 6% from last week’s high of $2,608, and the sudden dip has made some investors nervous. Many are now wondering if this is the start of a bigger sell-off. But not everyone is worried. Popular crypto analyst Ali Martinez believes this pullback could be the start of something much bigger. He’s confident that ETH is gearing up for a strong rally, with a bold prediction that Ethereum could reach $4,000 soon. Here’s the reason why he’s so sure about it. MVRV Ratio Turns Bullish One big reason Ali is staying positive is the MVRV Ratio. This is a tool that helps show if a cryptocurrency is overpriced or underpriced. According to Ali, this ratio has now turned bullish for Ethereum, which often means the price has room to go higher. The MVRV Ratio has flipped from bearish to bullish, a strong sign that momentum is now favoring the #Ethereum $ETH bulls. https://t.co/ZWnVR6mgJ4 — Ali (@ali_charts) May 18, 2025 Whales Are Quietly Buying Ethereum Another bullish sign is the rising whale activity. In just the past month, they’ve added over 450,000 ETH to their wallets. This kind of quiet accumulation usually means they expect the price to move up soon. Less ETH on Exchanges Means Less Selling Pressure Exchange data is also showing a positive trend. Nearly 1 million ETH have been withdrawn from exchanges since April. When investors take their coins off exchanges, it usually means they don’t plan to sell soon, which reduces selling pressure on the market. Eth Need To Hold This Level: $2,200 AS of now, Ethereum is trading around $2,383, holding above a critical support level of $2,200. If it can maintain this level, Ali thinks the next targets are $3,000 and possibly $4,000, especially if more buyers jump in and momentum continues to grow. ETH Ready to Break $4000 Mark Adding to this bullish outlook, another analyst, Ted Pillows, believes Ethereum is on the edge of a major breakout. He points out that ETH has been trading inside a big triangle pattern since late 2020, and now it’s approaching the upper edge. In the last few weeks, ETH jumped more than 60%, from $1,400 to over $2,600, showing strong upward momentum. But all eyes are now on the $4,000 level, a price ETH has failed to break several times in 2024. This level also lines up with the top of the long-term triangle pattern. If Ethereum finally breaks through that barrier, Ted says it could ignite the next explosive rally.

19 May 2025, 06:36

Crypto Executives Hire Bodyguards Amid Surge in Kidnapping Threats

Crypto executives are turning to personal security services as targeted kidnappings and ransom attempts continue to escalate, particularly in France. Private security firms such as Infinite Risks International, based in Amsterdam, report a sharp increase in demand from crypto professionals seeking round-the-clock protection amid rising crypto kidnapping, according to a report by Bloomberg . The rise in inquiries comes amid a spate of violent attacks, including multiple kidnappings attempts that have alarmed both investors and law enforcement. France Rolls Out Emergency Measures to Protect Crypto Entrepreneurs French authorities have responded by rolling out a set of emergency measures aimed at shielding the country’s crypto entrepreneurs. These include offering security briefings, direct access to emergency police support, and public safety recommendations — such as avoiding displays of wealth or clothing tied to crypto brands that might draw unwanted attention. The threat became more tangible earlier this year when David Balland, co-founder of the hardware wallet maker Ledger, was kidnapped in January and held for ransom. He was freed days later in a police operation . It was one of several cases that have exposed the growing risks for those operating in the digital asset space. In May 2024, the father of a crypto entrepreneur was rescued from captivity after French police stormed a suburban Paris location. The suspects had severed one of the victim’s fingers , echoing earlier high-profile attacks involving physical mutilation and digital wallets. Just days ago, Pierre Noizat, founder and CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, saw his own family targeted. A group of masked men attempted to abduct Noizat’s daughter and grandson in broad daylight. The assault was foiled when the victims and a bystander managed to fight off the attackers. En plein Paris, un homme a été violenté par des individus cagoulés, habillés tout en noir. Ils tentaient de l'enlever. Un homme a surgi, extincteur à la main, pour les faire fuir. → https://t.co/P0qV6PR40v pic.twitter.com/9f4r2Gi7ho — Le Figaro (@Le_Figaro) May 13, 2025 More recently, three teenagers were accused of kidnapping a man at gunpoint after he returned from hosting a crypto-related event in downtown Las Vegas. After returning to his apartment, the victim was ambushed at gunpoint by three teenagers from Florida. The assailants forced him into their vehicle, covered his head with a towel, and warned him not to look at them. They drove him over 70 miles to a remote desert near White Hills, Arizona. These incidents have intensified calls for better protection for those tied to the crypto world, particularly as rising asset values make high-profile figures more attractive targets. France Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has since convened discussions with crypto executives, signaling that the government is treating the threats with growing urgency. Security Expert Documents Several Kidnappings of Crypto Figures Crypto security expert Jameson Lopp has documented dozens of such attacks against crypto figures since 2014. His GitHub list shows over 20 in-person incidents this year, with 28 in 2024 and 17 in 2023. These cases show that crypto theft is no longer limited to hacks and online scams; personal safety is now a significant concern for those in the industry. The post Crypto Executives Hire Bodyguards Amid Surge in Kidnapping Threats appeared first on Cryptonews .

19 May 2025, 06:36

Metaplanet shares jump 12% on $104m Bitcoin purchase

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has increased its Bitcoin holdings by 1,004 BTC, bringing the total reserve to 7,800 BTC. Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet has expanded its Bitcoin ( BTC ) holdings with a new purchase of 1,004 BTC, bringing its total reserves to 7,800 BTC. In a regulatory filing on May 19, Metaplanet disclosed that the latest buy, valued at around $104 million, was made at an average price of $97,182 per BTC, placing the company’s total Bitcoin investment at approximately $712.5 million to date. *Metaplanet Acquires Additional 1,004 $BTC * pic.twitter.com/r86rLc7ngh — Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet_JP) May 19, 2025 The purchase comes as Bitcoin’s market price surpassed $100,000, buoyed by optimism over U.S.-China tariff discussions. Based on current prices, Metaplanet now holds an unrealized profit of $77.4 million, according to the company’s website. You might also like: Metaplanet to launch U.S. subsidiary and raise $250M to expand Bitcoin treasury The announcement sent Metaplanet’s stock price up by 12% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, pushing shares to levels last seen in February, while the company’s market capitalization rose to ¥365.12 billion (approximately $2.34 billion), based on data from Yahoo Finance. Bitcoin holdings by public companies | Source: Bitcoin Treasuries The latest accumulation puts Metaplanet within range of major corporate Bitcoin holders such as Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc, which holds 8,584 BTC, and U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase , which holds 9,267 BTC, according to tracking website Bitcoin Treasuries. Metaplanet chief executive Simon Gerovich earlier said the company aims to accumulate 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025. With the latest purchase bringing total holdings to 7,800 BTC, Metaplanet has now reached 78% of that target. Read more: Metaplanet doubles down on Bitcoin with ¥3.6 billion bond raise

19 May 2025, 06:35

Coinbase impersonators steal over $2m in BTC and ETH from retired artist

Coinbase impersonators stole over $2 million worth of crypto from retired artist Ed Suman using data possibly obtained in the exchange’s recent customer support breach. According to Bloomberg, Suman, 67, was targeted in early March after receiving a text message that appeared to be from Coinbase, warning of suspicious activity on his account. When he responded, a man posing as a Coinbase security staffer called him and claimed his funds were at risk, even though they were reportedly stored offline in a hardware wallet. The caller, who identified himself as Brett Miller, seemed convincing. He knew Suman used a Trezor Model One and claimed it could still be vulnerable. Social engineering scams frequently rely on creating doubt around a user’s security, prompting them to take actions they otherwise wouldn’t. Suman was guided through what was described as a “security check,” which involved entering his seed phrase into a fake website designed to look like Coinbase’s interface. Nine days later, another impersonator claimed the earlier fix hadn’t worked and asked Suman to repeat the process, following which all of Suman’s crypto was gone, a stash that included 17.5 Bitcoin and 225 Ether, now valued at over $2 million. You might also like: Milei siblings ghost court in $4.5m LIBRA scam hearing Suman, who spent nearly two decades working on large-scale art pieces before turning to crypto investing in 2017, had stored his assets in cold storage specifically to avoid exchange-related risks. The scammers’ ability to reference details like Suman’s wallet type and holdings raised red flags about how they obtained such specific data. It now appears this attack may have been one of many that followed a broader breach at Coinbase, which the company confirmed on May 15. The breach wasn’t caused by a technical exploit but rather by social engineering. Criminals reportedly bribed third-party support contractors in India to leak sensitive customer information, including names, account balances, and transaction histories. In some cases, even partial Social Security numbers and Know Your Customer documents may have been accessed. Coinbase said the intrusion was detected through internal monitoring, but signs suggest it may have begun as early as January, months before it was disclosed. Adding to the fallout, the attackers reportedly tried to extort Coinbase for $20 million in exchange for not leaking the stolen data, a demand the company refused. Per Coinbase, less than 1% of its monthly transacting users were affected, but that still represents tens of thousands of accounts. One high-profile victim was Sequoia Capital’s managing partner, Roelof Botha, whose personal details were also reportedly compromised . The exchange is now facing an estimated $180–$400 million in costs tied to remediation and reimbursements. While Coinbase has pledged to compensate victims of scams stemming from the breach, Suman told Bloomberg he has yet to receive confirmation that he’ll be reimbursed. Read more: How the Coinbase scam unfolded and what it means for the exchange

19 May 2025, 06:30

Here’s Why XRP Holders Are Bullish Today

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing significant development today with the launch of XRP futures by the CME Group. This move has generated considerable optimism among XRP holders and market participants. This launch represents a critical step toward mainstream financial adoption of XRP, signaling increased institutional interest and liquidity in the asset. The introduction of XRP futures on a regulated exchange like CME is expected to enhance price discovery and provide investors with new tools for risk management. The Impact of the XRP Futures Launch Financial experts have discussed why today’s launch could be transformative. One expert explained that the availability of futures contracts will likely attract institutional investors waiting for regulated exposure to the digital asset. He noted that this event could lead to increased market stability and potentially higher valuations, as futures markets often help reduce volatility by allowing hedging against price swings. His comments suggest that this development is not more than a short-term catalyst, as he believes CME’s XRP futures launch could change everything for the digital asset . An Incredibly Important Step Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has publicly commented on the significance of the CME Group’s XRP futures launch. He emphasized that this milestone validates the asset’s growing acceptance in traditional financial markets. Garlinghouse described the launch as “an incredibly important and exciting step in the continued growth of the XRP market.” This launch is an important development for Ripple’s long-term vision and the broader adoption of the digital asset, and it could kickstart a huge wave of institutional adoption. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 Market Implications and Bullish Sentiment The introduction of XRP futures by CME Group is expected to have several market implications. Firstly, it provides a regulated platform for trading XRP derivatives, which can attract institutional capital that has been cautious about entering unregulated markets. Secondly, futures contracts typically improve liquidity, leading to tighter spreads and more efficient pricing. Thirdly, the ability to hedge positions using futures may encourage more sophisticated trading strategies, contributing to market maturity. Finally, some experts have listed the absence of XRP futures as a barrier to spot ETF approval , and this launch could open the doors for spot XRP ETFs and even more institutional participation. Investor sentiment has turned notably bullish in response to this launch, as the anticipation of increased institutional participation and the validation from a leading derivatives exchange have boosted confidence among token holders. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Here’s Why XRP Holders Are Bullish Today appeared first on Times Tabloid .