hodler

25 Apr 2026, 21:00

Why Bitcoin Still Acts Like A Risk Asset Despite Safe-Haven Claims

Bitcoin was built with many of the qualities typically associated with a safe-haven asset: it is portable, censorship-resistant, and independent of traditional financial systems. In theory, those characteristics make a compelling case for BTC as a refuge in times of instability, particularly in a world facing geopolitical tensions, inflation risks, and growing uncertainty around legacy institutions. How Long It Might Take For Bitcoin To Be Widely Accepted The idea that most Bitcoiners believe Bitcoin is already a full-fledged safe-haven asset misses an important nuance. Crypto analyst Willy Woo has mentioned on X that when an asset is independent of the system and thrives even if the system collapses, there are certain properties that should be expected of a true safe-haven asset. Meanwhile, BTC clearly carries these properties. In extreme scenarios, such as war, a seed phrase can preserve wealth across borders. Despite its characteristics, Bitcoin still tends to trade like a risk asset during periods of uncertainty and war. BTC is sensitive to uncertainty, trading like the NASDAQ Composite. Willy explained that this is because the large capital pools don’t acknowledge their properties, and BTC is considered new and untested. It will take another decade for BTC to gain market acceptance as a safe-haven. When BTC does, it will compete with gold market capitalization as a dominant store of value in the modern financial system. Bitcoin is showing clear signs of weakness after forming a bearish market structure shift (MSS) at the highs. Instead of continuing its uptrend, the price has now broken back into its previous range, marking it the first real loss of momentum since the rally began. According to ctm_trader, this shift clearly shows that the price is losing its strength and has now turned to a potential retest of the lower boundary of the channel. However, with the MSS at the highs, most liquidity is sitting below the current price levels, while long positions heavily outweigh shorts. The probability of a breakdown is much higher than the probability of continuation. For market makers, this is a perfect opportunity for a long squeeze as there is a massive market imbalance right now. What The Monthly FVG Rejection May Be Signaling A similar trade setup that has repeated multiple times throughout this bear market may be setting up once again. Crypto trader Minga highlighted that BTC price is still trading inside the bear-flag rising wedge structure and currently rejecting from the monthly fair value gap (FVG). As long as BTC remains within this pattern and continues to reject the FVG, the broader downside thesis remains intact. Every push into resistance has looked more like a relief rally than true strength. With momentum shifting back toward the downside, the market is likely preparing for another leg lower. Meanwhile, this structure setup will remain clean until BTC breaks out of the formation and reclaims resistance with strength.

25 Apr 2026, 15:23

0xArbitrage Brings PAXG Trading Further Into DeFi

Tokenized Gold Meets On-Chain Trading Tokenized real-world assets have become a growing part of decentralized finance, and gold is one of the clearest examples of how traditional assets can move on-chain. Paxos Gold, or PAXG , represents physical gold through an ERC-20 token, allowing gold exposure to be used across blockchain-based markets without relying on traditional settlement systems. 0xArbitrage is building around this idea with a DeFi platform focused exclusively on PAXG. Instead of treating tokenized gold only as a passive holding, the platform gives it a more active role in decentralized markets through trading, lending, and arbitrage. A Dedicated Trading Section for PAXG 0xArbitrage has introduced a trading section designed around PAXG as the core asset. The section gives users a dedicated environment for trading around tokenized gold, rather than moving between unrelated crypto assets. This structure reflects a more specific approach to DeFi. PAXG is not simply used as another digital token on the platform. It is treated as a real-world asset backed by physical gold, giving the trading section a connection to one of the most established traditional stores of value. Futures Trading Around Tokenized Gold One of the features included in the platform is futures trading. This gives users a way to engage with PAXG-based price movements through on-chain contracts. The use of futures expands how tokenized gold can function in DeFi. Rather than only being transferred or held in wallets, PAXG can be used within a broader trading system that connects gold-market exposure with decentralized market activity. Loans and On-Chain Utility 0xArbitrage also includes a loan system built around PAXG. This adds another layer of utility by allowing gold-backed tokens to be used within borrowing and lending activity. In this model, PAXG is not only a tokenized representation of gold. It also becomes a functional asset inside the platform, supporting financial activity while remaining tied to a recognized physical asset. Arbitrage as a Supporting Feature The platform also includes an arbitrage system , which works alongside its trading and loan functions. Arbitrage can help address price differences across markets and create additional use cases for PAXG within the platform. This gives 0xArbitrage a broader structure while keeping the platform centered on tokenized gold. A Decentralized Platform for Gold-Backed DeFi By focusing only on PAXG, 0xArbitrage presents a narrower and more specific approach to decentralized finance. Its trading section, futures tools, loan system, and arbitrage features are all built around tokenized gold as the central asset. This approach highlights a practical direction for real-world assets in DeFi: using gold-backed tokens not only as digital representations of physical gold, but as active assets within on-chain trading and financial systems. 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. The post 0xArbitrage Brings PAXG Trading Further Into DeFi appeared first on Times Tabloid .

25 Apr 2026, 14:50

Top 8 stories: What happened in crypto market this week & what's next?

More on Bitcoin USD, Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF Whale's Insight: If BTC's Top Was Pulled Forward, Why Not The Bottom? Markets Are Stuck In The Waiting For U.S.-Iran Talks Bitcoin 2026 Price Prediction: Why The Dollar, Global Liquidity And Volume Signal More Downside Ahead Metaplanet issues ¥8B bonds for BTC; zero-yield hits shares Saylor's setup uncovered: Inside Strategy’s $2.8B gain at $79K BTC

25 Apr 2026, 13:17

Is XRP Part Of A Secret US Government Masterplan? Former Ripple CTO Has Shocking Answer

Since 2013, Ripple-linked XRP has been surrounded by recurring speculation and large-scale theories claiming it could become a global reserve asset.

25 Apr 2026, 11:49

U.S. states ramp up crypto ATM crackdown with Tennessee at the forefront

Crypto ATMs continue facing growing legal pressure across the United States, with Tennessee emerging as one of the latest states to move toward criminalizing their operation. The legal pressure reflects a growing national effort to limit decentralized, street-level access to digital currencies amid concerns about financial control, regulation, and fraud. On April 24, Tennessee lawmakers passed a law making it illegal to operate cryptocurrency ATMs, signaling a broader crackdown on these devices across the U.S. A similar action is taking place in Minnesota as legislators are working on a bill that would completely outlaw virtual currency kiosks, demonstrating that several states are independently targeting the same access points. Tennessee bans ATMs while Minnesota regulates access 🚨 BOOM: Tennessee lawmakers PASS legislation authorizing LETHAL force when a criminal storms your property and starts unleashing havoc, in several cases This is a citizens-first policy! You shouldn’t have to WAIT to defend what you own 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Mm5fkuB0FI — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 24, 2026 The law goes beyond regulation by making it illegal to operate cryptocurrency ATMs and designating infractions as Class A misdemeanors, the same category as crimes like simple drug possession or domestic abuse under Tennessee law. Sponsors like Jay Reedy and Cameron Sexton contended that the machines have become a crucial tool for con artists, noting that victims rarely get their money back after a transaction is complete. Tennessee took strong action to ban cryptocurrency ATMs completely. The Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 2505, which effectively outlawed the machines statewide by requiring operators to deactivate any kiosks that allow customers to purchase digital assets like Bitcoin with cash by July 1. On April 13, 2026, Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation into law, citing an increase in fraud cases involving these kiosks, especially those targeting senior citizens who are frequently coerced into making irreversible payments. A similar strategy emerged in Minnesota, where lawmakers introduced Senate File 3868 to impose strict regulations on virtual currency kiosks rather than outright prohibit them. The proposal outlined a regulatory paradigm that prioritizes consumer protection over prohibition, requiring kiosk operators to provide thorough risk disclosures. The lawmaker’s proposal imposed a $2,000 daily transaction limit for new clients. The proposal also guarantees complete reimbursement to fraud victims within a specified 72-hour window. Minnesota’s framework permits kiosks to continue operating under stricter compliance requirements and disclosure standards, unlike Tennessee’s law, which criminalizes operators. These actions demonstrate that states are independently pursuing various enforcement tactics while, taken together, focusing on the same issue. Crypto ATMs trigger fraud fears and industry pushback The growing evidence that cryptocurrency ATMs have emerged as a significant conduit for fraud, especially scams targeting older Americans, is a major factor driving this policy convergence. A Cryptopolitan report, dated January 11, 2026, revealed that the FBI said $240 million of the $333 million Americans lost to cryptocurrency ATM fraud disappeared in the first half of 2025, twice as much as they lost in the first half of 2024. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2025 annual report, scammers routinely trick victims, typically older adults, into depositing money into Bitcoin ATMs under pretenses, such as posing as law enforcement or threatening legal action, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The report revealed that law enforcement authorities have identified the irreversible nature of these transactions as a critical issue, as victims usually cannot recover funds once they are sent. Even as regulators tighten regulations, industry participants and proponents of cryptocurrency are resisting the increasing number of prohibitions. More than 85 companies are attempting to increase real-world cryptocurrency payments and financial access, according to a recent Cryptopolitan piece on the Ripple and Mastercard relationship. The report further noted that proponents contended that ATMs and other cryptocurrency infrastructure are essential for onboarding customers who don’t have access to conventional banking institutions. Another Cryptopolitan report revealed that cryptocurrency firms are quickly marketing digital assets as alternatives to conventional financial systems, particularly in regions or demographics that banks do not sufficiently serve. According to the report, Industry voices cautioned that complete prohibitions may restrict innovation and decrease the number of access points available to regular users. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

25 Apr 2026, 11:29

Vegan meat millionaire chokes YouTuber ex-girlfriend at a NYC 5-star hotel to evade crypto scam lawsuit

Ben Pasternak, the 26-year-old Australian entrepreneur and crypto fanatic, who was once hailed for having made great strides towards developing a vegetarian meat, is now charged with a felony following an alleged physical altercation he had with his ex-girlfriend inside one of the world’s finest hotels in New York City. This happened on March 31, 2026, inside the Baccarat Hotel, which offers rooms going for up to $2,000 per night, located on West 53rd Street. Ben Pasternak strangles his ex-girlfriend for turning snitch In a complaint filed by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, the incident allegedly started at the Baccarat Hotel. This is when Pasternak’s girlfriend at the time, a 27-year-old Korean-American YouTube personality named Evelyn Ha, attempted to record him on her cell phone. In court documents, it is stated that Pasternak grabbed Evelyn Ha by the neck with both hands, which resulted in marks and redness on her neck and throat pain and difficulty breathing for her. According to the documents, Pasternak also slammed the door shut on her multiple times, resulting in bruises on both of her arms and hips. Ha, who has 530,000+ subscribers on YouTube, responded to the event through her YouTube channel on April 24. “There were serious boundaries that were crossed, and I decided to move away from that relationship for the sake of my safety and my wellbeing,” she said. “It’s still really raw for me… I’m just spending time with friends and family and just trying to take everything day by day.” Believe founder Benjamin Pasternak faces second-degree strangulation and assault charges. Source: Court Docs . Pasternak was apprehended on Tuesday, April 22, 2026. Pasternak is charged with one charge of second-degree strangulation, which is a felony, as well as two charges of third-degree assault, which are misdemeanors, with intent to inflict bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty and was granted personal recognizance bail despite the prosecution’s demand for a $30,000 bail. However, Pasternak and his lawyers categorically refute the allegations of assault. In an interview with the press, lawyer Josh Kirshner explained that his client entered a not guilty plea because he is truly not guilty and his actions were limited to defending himself against his aggressor and separating from him. self-defense? she's aggressive? bro bffr. pic.twitter.com/0cN4giGYr6 — bel’s | ꯱ָׂ2 (@jourdaain) April 25, 2026 Meanwhile, spokeswoman Dini von Mueffling, a close friend of Pasternak, called Ha his aggressor, who suddenly flew into a rage and has been emotionally and physically abusive during their entire relationship. She adds that she had always been very jealous. She adds that she threatened to kill him if he ever dared to break up. Crypto lawsuit provides motive for hiding Pasternak’s entrepreneurial journey started young, leaving high school at age 15 to focus entirely on being an entrepreneur, per Forbes. By age 14, Pasternak was developing iOS games, and at 18, he developed and sold Monkey, a video-calling app, gaining 10 million users. Pasternak went on to start Simulate in 2018, a New York-based company that made Nuggs. By 2020, Simulate had achieved a $250 million valuation and earned $8 million in revenue, earning him a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. After selling the company and stepping down as CEO, Pasternak turned to crypto, founding Believe (formerly Clout.me), a SocialFi platform on the Solana network that enables token creation without coding. Now, prosecutors claim that Pasternak was hiding at the Baccarat hotel to avoid being served in an ongoing class action lawsuit filed on March 23, 2026. Investors Joshua Lee and Pierre Montmeas sued him in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against him, B24 Inc., d/b/a Believe, and Believe Foundation. According to the lawsuit, Pasternak did not admit to having any personal stake in the tokens , yet received creator fees from all transactions involving them. He failed to honor at least 12 buybacks pledged publicly, and engaged in a token swap that resulted in a 33% dilution of token holdings. $BELIEVE token hits rock bottom. Source: CoinGecko . It is reported that the platform had traded over $6 billion in tokens and earned millions in transaction fees before the tokens’ crash, when the price of $BELIEVE fell 99% to below $0.00075. It now has a market capitalization of less than $900,000. The plaintiffs argue that “consumers lost nearly everything,” and the lawsuit is demanding that the defendants return the unlawfully obtained revenues, including $54 million in income. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .