hodler

27 May 2026, 14:01

HTX moves over $21B in risky funds despite UK sanction

HTX, which was recently among the list of crypto companies sanctioned by the UK, has moved over $21B in risky funds. At least $7.64B of the asset flows have been linked to Russian capital. In May, the UK Government sanctioned a list of entities on suspicion of carrying rogue Russian funds and using crypto assets to disguise origins and launder money. UK citizens are banned from interacting with the sanctioned entities, while the firms and exchanges cannot establish connections to UK banking entities. The UK sanctioned long-running entities like the Exmo Exchange, as well as several companies and individuals in connection with evading sanctions. HTX was among the most prominent sanctioned entities HTX (formerly Huobi Global) was one of the key entities in the sanctioned list, as flow analysis showed the exchange moved over $21.06B connected to various attempts at illicit finance. The funds were moved between May 2021 and May 2026. On-chain analysis uncovered HTX activities spanning beyond the UK’s scope of tracking Russian capital in crypto space. As Cryptopolitan reported, HTX has been targeted by UK regulators for unlawful asset promotion. HTX remained a prime hub for risky transactions According to data from Global Ledger shared with Cryptopolitan, HTX was a hub for risky transfers of BTC, ETH, and USDT on the TRON network. The Russian capitals were moved through other intermediary high-risk entities, including Garantex, Grinex, A7A5 , and darknet markets. HTX was the hub for inflows and outfows from other entities as well. Entity Total Volume (USD) Garantex $6.16B Grinex $840M A7A5 $360M Hydra darknet $160M Kraken darknet $70M Mega darknet $50M HTX also interacted with older laundering venues like Huione Group, Nobitex , and other threat actors. Huione Group moved $4.41B, becoming the second most active entity to use HTX. HTX still processes $1.1B in daily volumes, and remains one of the top centralized exchanges. The market, linked to Justin Sun, is also one of the key venues to process USDT on the TRON network and gain liquidity from the TRON ecosystem. Russia’s sanction evasion mechanism still works The spotlight on HTX came from Russia’s well-established pathways of crypto laundering. The Grinex exchange was one of the major laundering markets, at least until it froze all trading following a hack in April. Grinex held $16.54B worth of USDT and A7A5 between March 2025 and April 2026. The sanctions evasion network is also linked to the Russian state bank Promsvyazbank and oligarch Ilan Shor. The Garantex exchange was also used in the past five years, laundering $14.52B in ETH, USDT, and USDC just for 2024. Garantex and Grinex were excluded and isolated from the crypto CEX network, and lost some of their volumes. Despite this, the exchanges continued working against the sanctions and still processed funds. Grinex managed to process $9.25B even under sanctions before it was frozen for hacking. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

27 May 2026, 13:55

Bitcoin Drops Below $75,000 for First Time in 2025 as Selling Pressure Intensifies

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Drops Below $75,000 for First Time in 2025 as Selling Pressure Intensifies Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen below the $75,000 threshold for the first time since early 2024, according to data from Bitcoin World market monitoring. As of press time, BTC is trading at $74,986.13 on the Binance USDT market, marking a significant psychological breakdown for the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Market Context and Immediate Triggers The decline below $75,000 comes amid a broader sell-off in digital assets, driven by a combination of macroeconomic headwinds and regulatory uncertainty. Over the past 48 hours, Bitcoin has shed approximately 4.5% of its value, accelerating after breaking through key support levels near $76,500. Analysts point to renewed concerns about interest rate policy from the Federal Reserve, coupled with profit-taking by large holders, as primary catalysts for the move. Data from CoinGlass shows that over $200 million in long positions were liquidated across crypto derivatives exchanges in the last 24 hours, with Bitcoin accounting for nearly half of that total. The cascade of liquidations has amplified selling pressure, creating a feedback loop that pushed prices below the psychologically important $75,000 mark. Investor Sentiment and On-Chain Signals On-chain metrics indicate that short-term holders are offloading coins at a faster pace. The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) for short-term holders has dipped below 1, suggesting that many recent buyers are now selling at a loss. Meanwhile, long-term holders appear relatively unmoved, with the supply held by addresses that have not moved coins in over 155 days remaining stable. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a widely followed sentiment gauge, has fallen to 38, entering the ‘Fear’ zone for the first time in three months. This shift in sentiment could signal further downside risk, though historically, extreme fear readings have sometimes preceded market bottoms. What This Means for Traders and Investors For active traders, the breakdown below $75,000 opens the door to a test of the next major support zone near $72,000, a level that held during a sharp correction in October 2024. A failure to hold that level could see Bitcoin revisiting the $68,000 to $70,000 range. On the upside, BTC must reclaim $76,500 and then $78,000 to stabilize the current downtrend. For longer-term investors, the current price action may present a buying opportunity if they believe the fundamental thesis for Bitcoin remains intact. Factors such as continued institutional adoption via spot ETFs and the upcoming halving cycle in 2028 provide a contrasting narrative to the short-term bearish price action. Conclusion Bitcoin’s fall below $75,000 is a notable event that underscores the persistent volatility in cryptocurrency markets. While the immediate outlook appears bearish, driven by liquidations and macroeconomic uncertainty, the reaction of long-term holders and the potential for institutional accumulation at lower levels will be key factors to watch. As always, market conditions remain fluid, and investors are advised to exercise caution and conduct their own research. FAQs Q1: Why did Bitcoin drop below $75,000? The drop is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic concerns, including Federal Reserve interest rate expectations, and a cascade of long position liquidations that amplified selling pressure after key support levels broke. Q2: Is this a good time to buy Bitcoin? Market timing is uncertain. While some investors see lower prices as a buying opportunity, the short-term trend is bearish. It is important to assess personal risk tolerance and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Q3: What is the next key support level for Bitcoin? The next major support level is near $72,000. If that level fails, Bitcoin could test the $68,000 to $70,000 range. Resistance is now at $76,500 and then $78,000. This post Bitcoin Drops Below $75,000 for First Time in 2025 as Selling Pressure Intensifies first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

27 May 2026, 13:10

Bitcoin Drops Below $76,000 And Enters Correction Phase

Summary Bitcoin has moved into a noticeable decline after several months of steady growth. In recent sessions, BTC has fallen back below the $76,000 level. The key driver is a sharp reversal in capital flows within U.S. spot ETFs: institutional investors have started taking profits and reducing risk. The technical picture is deteriorating: selling pressure is increasing in the futures market, demand for protective options is rising, and ETF outflows continue. By Anton Kharitonov Bitcoin ( BTC-USD ) has moved into a noticeable decline after several months of steady growth. In recent sessions, BTC has fallen back below the $76,000 level. The key driver is a sharp reversal in capital flows within U.S. spot ETFs: institutional investors have started taking profits and reducing risk. Around $1 billion was withdrawn from Bitcoin ETFs in just one week, with some days recording record outflows exceeding $600 million. The market is particularly concerned that selling is coming not only from retail traders but also through regulated institutional products such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK. This signals that large capital has temporarily shifted to a defensive stance, rather than this being just localized panic among traders. Macroeconomics and Fed policy add pressure The main negative pressure now comes not from within the crypto industry, but from the global economy. U.S. inflation is accelerating again, the market is revising expectations for Federal Reserve rates, and the likelihood of near-term rate cuts has dropped sharply. This is critical for Bitcoin: BTC remains a high-risk asset, sensitive to tight monetary conditions and reduced liquidity. Additional pressure comes from geopolitical risks and trade tensions. Investors are moving into gold and defensive assets, while the crypto market is temporarily losing its “alternative safe haven” narrative. Analysts note that this correction differs from previous cycles: BTC price is now directly influenced by ETF flows and institutional behavior, not just speculative demand. Outlook: Correction or start of a bear market? At this stage, I do not consider the current decline a full trend reversal. Rather, the market appears to be entering a phase of deeper repricing following the overheated growth at the end of 2025. However, the technical picture is deteriorating: selling pressure is increasing in the futures market, demand for protective options is rising, and ETF outflows continue. The key scenario for the coming weeks is high volatility within a range, with potential sharp downside moves. A drop below $76,000 increases the risk of a move toward $74,000, although such a decline could attract buying interest. If the Fed maintains a hawkish stance and ETF inflows do not resume, pressure on Bitcoin may intensify. However, in the long term, the institutional infrastructure around BTC remains strong: ETFs, banks, and funds are not exiting the market but are temporarily reducing risk amid uncertainty, as noted in " BTC/USD swings as traders react to Middle East tensions" . This material may contain third-party opinions; none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer . While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Original Post Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

27 May 2026, 12:30

Mystery Bitcoin Whale Dumps $1.3B In BlackRock’s IBIT As Market Barely Blinks

A large, unidentified holder sold roughly $1.3 billion worth of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, through a dark pool on Tuesday morning, in what ETF analysts described as an unusually large block trade. The sale stood out not only because of its size, but because the market appeared to digest it with little visible disruption. BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Handles $1.3B Block Sale Galaxy research lead Alex Thorn first flagged the transaction on X, calling it a “massive $1.289 billion IBIT block sale by an unknown party through dark pool at 10:30am today.” Thorn said it was the “biggest such trade I’ve ever seen,” while adding that he was still checking whether it was the largest in IBIT’s history. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas later said the trade had been confirmed. “Confirmed.. 29 million share trade ($1.3b) of IBIT executed at 1030am this morning. This screen shows all the IBIT trades today by size and you can see one of these is not like the others. Price unchanged today so mkt absorbed it well.” James Seyffart, another Bloomberg ETF analyst, also said he had verified the print on his terminal. “It was def a massive block sale of IBIT,” he wrote. “29.2 million shares.” Spot Bitcoin ETF Continue To Bleed The trade comes after a sharp reversal in US spot BTC ETF flows . According to SoSoValue , US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $1.257 billion of net outflows during the May 18–22 trading week, with IBIT accounting for $1.008 billion of that total. Fidelity’s FBTC followed with $112 million of weekly outflows, while total spot Bitcoin ETF net assets stood at $98.87 billion and cumulative net inflows at $57.08 billion. That followed another weak week. For May 11–15, SoSoValue data shows $1.039 billion of net outflows, ending six consecutive weeks of inflows. ARKB led that week’s withdrawals with $324 million, while IBIT saw $317 million of outflows; total spot Bitcoin ETF net assets were then listed at $104.29 billion. The daily data also shows that the pressure was not confined to a single print. SoSoValue data shows US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $70.47 million of net outflows on May 20, extending the streak to four days, followed by $101 million on May 21 and $105 million on May 22, the sixth consecutive day of outflows. Michael Nadeau of The DeFi Report framed the sale against that broader run of withdrawals. “This is on the heels of $2.5b of outflows over the last few weeks. The ETFs have held up remarkably well. Many have pointed to this as evidence that the bottom is in.” He added a more cautious macro read: “But it looks like institutions are starting to get skittish about what they’re holding in an environment where inflation and rates are rising.” At press time, BTC traded at $75,730.

27 May 2026, 12:30

Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH Trapped Below Resistance

Ethereum still needs to reclaim $2,500 and then break above $3,100 before bulls regain control. Meanwhile, a breakdown in oil has added another ETH rebound argument, with one analyst pointing to a possible move back above $4,000 if the inverse setup holds. Ethereum Price Needs Two Breakouts Before Bulls Regain Control Ethereum must reclaim two major weekly moving averages before its chart turns bullish, according to analyst Ali Charts on X. The analyst said ETH needs to move back above the 200-week SMA at $2,500 and then break cleanly above the 50-week SMA at $3,100. Ethereum Weekly Chart. Source: Ali Charts on X The weekly chart shows Ethereum trading below both major moving averages. That keeps ETH under pressure, even after its recent rebound from lower support. The first key trigger is the 200-week SMA near $2,500. A move above that level would show that buyers are starting to regain control of the longer-term trend. However, Ali Charts said Ethereum would still need a second confirmation. The next trigger is a clean breakout above the 50-week SMA near $3,100. That level sits closer to the next major resistance area on the chart. If ETH clears it, the structure would look stronger and could shift attention toward the higher resistance near $3,335. The chart also marks a larger upside level near $4,868, which lines up with the previous cycle high area. ETH would need to clear several resistance zones before that level becomes relevant again. On the downside, the chart shows support near $1,562, with a deeper level marked around $1,069. These areas remain important if Ethereum fails to reclaim the weekly moving averages. For now, the chart shows Ethereum still below its main bullish triggers. The next major test is whether ETH can break above $2,500 first, then build enough strength to challenge $3,100. Oil Breakdown Chart Points to ETH Rebound Setup, Analyst Says WTI crude oil has broken below a diamond top pattern, and analyst Sky says the move could act as an inverse signal for Ethereum. The chart shared on X shows oil falling out of a consolidation structure after failing to hold the lower trendline. Sky said crude oil could move toward the $60s, while ETH could head back above $4,000 if the inverse setup plays out. WTI Crude Oil Chart. Source: Sky on X The daily chart shows oil forming a diamond pattern after a strong rally from the low $50s to the $110–$120 area. Price then moved sideways inside the structure before breaking below its lower boundary. That breakdown matters because diamond tops often mark a loss of momentum after a major upside move. In this case, the break pushed oil below the pattern and away from the moving average cluster near the $98–$100 area. Sky said the oil breakdown remains an inverse indicator for Ethereum. Under that view, weaker oil prices could align with a stronger ETH move. The chart marks a lower target area in the $60s. That zone sits far below the breakdown point and represents the next major downside target on the oil chart. The analyst also said ETH could move back above $4,000 if oil continues toward that target. However, the ETH move depends on follow-through in both markets, not only the first breakdown signal. Sky also pointed to the red moving average line near the broken structure. He said he would add more BMNR if oil retests that line. For now, the oil chart shows a confirmed break below the diamond structure. The next test is whether crude oil continues lower or retests the former support zone as resistance.

27 May 2026, 12:10

Coinbase: What Exactly Are Bears Waiting For?

Summary Coinbase (COIN) remains a Buy despite a 32% stock decline, as my long-term bullish thesis is intact. COIN's earnings and stock performance closely mirror overall crypto sentiment, which I believe is nearing the end of 'crypto winter.' Strong capital structure, high margins, and potential for significant top- and bottom-line growth support the premium valuation. Risks include prolonged crypto winter, higher-for-longer rates, and margin pressure from increased competition, but I see no structural issues undermining the thesis. Sure enough, 2026 has been a challenging year for the cryptocurrency landscape. And Coinbase ( COIN ) remains a great example of this. I was wrong, so far. Coinbase stock is down 32% since my last piece . Yes, that's frustrating. But, quite honestly, my long-term bullish thesis remains intact. I don't see any structural issues. If anything, there are tailwinds developing favorably, which I believe the market is undermining. COIN: The Stock Declined 32% Since My Last Piece (Seeking Alpha) Now, I have decided to maintain my rating as Buy. Honestly, I view Coinbase as being at the forefront of the cryptocurrency revolution. And I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. I am just wondering here. What exactly are bears waiting for? Here's what I think they misprice. Why Double-Miss Isn't a Problem Here? We need to understand a few things. Coinbase earnings lag behind poor crypto performance. And that Coinbase remains a mirror of crypto sentiment. So, when you see a double-miss, most likely it's already priced in COIN's stock. Quite frankly, this was the case. The chart below shows that the crypto name had a solid one week push-up higher after the earnings happened on May 7th although it missed on both top and bottom-line. COIN: The Stock Is Consolidating In A Range (Seeking Alpha) Now, to be fair, I liked the quarterly report a lot. In my opinion, the broader adoption of crypto remains strong. And Coinbase remains one of the key beneficiaries. What I loved was that derivatives trading surged 169% on a year-over-year basis . Even after crypto experienced a winter period and continued selling pressure. On top of this, its crypto trading volume reached 8.6% market share. Now, that's not only the highest its been in years. But to me it also highlights user preferences toward COIN rather than available alternatives in the market. That's a big accomplishment in my opinion. COIN: Crypto Trading Volume Market Share (Coinbase Investor Relations) Now, another thing I would like to point out is that the Base Chain stablecoin transaction volume has 10x over the past 12 months. And on top of this, total stablecoin circulation continues to grow. It's now at $311 billion. So, quite frankly, this clearly shows that stablecoin adoption is accelerating. I am personally looking forward to seeing the final bill of the Clarity act . I am in the camp this could be a breakthrough moment for the cryptocurrency landscape. If anything, a clearer legal framework could be an encouraging factor that helps to accelerate stablecoin and crypto adoption in the years to come. Another thing I love that Coinbase remains disciplined with spending. It actually reduced its G&A on a year-over-year basis from $394 million to $376 million . That's not only showing management's prudence while crypto sentiment remains weak, but also raises confidence in the company executing the right decisions, which support its long-term growth and success in my opinion. COIN: Operating Expenses (Coinbase Investor Relations) Also, we shouldn't forget its shareholder-friendly capital allocation approach. Management has already repurchased $1.9 billion of shares . And, actually, still has $2.1 billion in remaining authorization. Again, this strongly supports bottom-line growth projections. And I believe this shareholder-friendly focus deserves a premium valuation. So, I wouldn't be surprised by the market repricing Coinbase sooner, rather than later if buybacks continue in the quarters to come. One Shouldn't Undermine Tokenization And Stablecoins That's very true. Now, I am in the camp that both tokenization and stablecoins remain revolutionary and will reshape the financial system we have today. I also think these are significant tailwinds supporting long-term Coinbase bull case. The tokenization market is anticipated to reach $13.53 billion by 2030 . And that's a 24% CAGR. Now, Citigroup thinks that total stablecoin issuance could reach $4 trillion by the end of this decade if tailwinds play out as anticipated. Yes, that would be somewhere around 10x to 13x over the next 4 years. Now, Coinbase is highly focusing on these two businesses. And also invests to secure market share in the years to come. This quarter it has invested $526 million in technology and development , roughly a 48% increase on a year-over-year basis from $355 million in the same quarter last year. That's not a walk in the park. Crypto Rebound Could Happen Sooner, Rather Than Later? Quite frankly, I think we are closer to the finish of the crypto winter, rather than the beginning. I'd like to point out a few arguments supporting this. Now, to begin with, Coinbase highlighted that stablecoin transaction volume by asset has more than tripled over the past 12 months. It has reached $22.4 trillion . And to me it clearly indicates accelerated adoption. Obviously, that's not bearish. I also believe that crypto participants are looking forward to the resolution of the Clarity act . To be fair, regardless of the actual bill, I think the big upside here remains the actual framework. Why? Well, simply put, it will be a much clearer legal framework for market participants. And this could turn out to be bullish in my opinion for both crypto and stablecoins. I'd also like to highlight a few important Digital Asset Treasury companies. Now, what I have particularly in my mind are Strategy ( MSTR ) and Bitmine Immersion Technologies ( BMNR ). In my opinion, they are playing a crucial part not only acquiring respective cryptocurrencies. But also building bridges between institutional investors and cryptocurrency landscape. On top of this, they both have a holding approach. Which is basically providing a floor price for both Bitcoin and Ethereum. Now, I am also in the camp that the FED may be much more dovish than the market anticipates. Given the Middle East conflict, if the inflation rebound remains temporary, I wouldn't be surprised by a cut or two. We also shouldn't forget how vocal President Trump was about interest rate cuts. And I am not sure whether tension between the new FED chair and President Trump is likely. So, I am leaning toward a more dovish FED. On top of this, I'd like to underscore that the market is clearly not pricing this. If anything, there's actually a higher likelihood of a rate hike by the end of the year . And this currently heavily suppresses liquidity and crypto sentiment in my opinion. So, interest rate cuts would likely be bullish for COIN. If that were to happen, risk on sentiment could cloud markets. As a result, crypto transaction volume may pick up, new users could become interested in this asset class. And this may result in significant improvements for Coinbase's top and bottom-line. If Crypto Rebounds, Coinbase Isn't Expensive Now, Coinbase has been trading at a significant premium for a while now. And the current forward P/E of 151x isn't exactly cheap, right? But I'd like to note that the company's performance is heavily dependent on crypto sentiment. So, as it currently experiences the crypto winter, it's not that surprising that valuation skyrocketed. But I am in the camp that it's not that expensive if crypto rebounds shortly. COIN: Forward P/E (YCharts) Wall Street analysts anticipate high double-digit revenue growth, and triple-digit percentage bottom-line growth. Now, if that were to happen, at 37x forward P/E it wouldn't be an expensive name. As I pointed out previously, the company remains at the forefront of the crypto revolution. And just because of this I also think it deserves a premium. The low-leveraged capital structure is a big advantage here. Now, Coinbase could pay its obligations with ease. It has $10.44 billion in cash while total obligations reach $7.96 billion. That's something I like about the company. It gives financial flexibility to management. COIN: Capital Structure (Seeking Alpha) Now, Coinbase benefits from high yield accounts. So, technically, it's well-positioned to operate in a high interest rate environment, too. Over the past 12 months the cryptocurrency pioneer generated $274 million in interest and investment income. Sure enough, that's significant, and strongly supports bottom-line growth. The company's margins remain high. And that's another argument for my bullish thesis. It operates at gross profit margin (TTM) of 85% . That's about 41% outperformance versus the sector median at 61%. Once crypto activity picks up, I wouldn't be shocked by net income margins expanding, too. So far, its net income margin (TTM) remains at about 13%. That's currently below peers at roughly 25%. Regardless, that remains a future tailwind. And if net income margin were to pick up, this could support strong expectations for future bottom-line growth in my opinion. COIN: Net Income (TTM) (YCharts) There's one more thing I'd like to point out. The company generated $1.76 billion in cash from operations (TTM) . That's about 8x outperformance compared to peers at about $219 million. To me it's fascinating that even with a challenging crypto season management is able to achieve these figures. Why I Could Be Wrong? Absolutely there is a scenario where my thesis could fail. I'd love to highlight a few things to monitor that could have a negative impact on COIN's stock price. Now, although I think we are close to another crypto leg, the so-called winter period could be prolonged. So, if that happens, there's surely risk of more downside momentum. I am in the camp that the FED could be dovish. But there's a risk that the current interest rate expectations may materialize. There's a chance that the Fed hikes or maintains rates higher for longer without any expectations of a cut. This could heavily contribute to poor crypto sentiment further, and COIN could experience downtrend further. There's also a possibility of further weakening margins. To be honest, if crypto activity picks up again, there's a high likelihood of more competition joining the race for new users. If that were to happen, COIN may spend more on ads and that could negatively impact margins. Also, if the market feels Coinbase is losing a market share to Robinhood ( HOOD ) or other competition, investors may not be willing to pay a high premium for the stock. That's not my base case, though. Volatility Aside, Long-Term Thesis Remains Intact Quite frankly, the current volatility isn't something new. Neither for crypto markets, nor for equities tied to this rapidly moving industry. So, if we set aside the current volatility, the long-term bullish thesis remains intact in my opinion. So, I still think it's a Buy. And I know it has been a challenging stock to hold, so far. But I don't see any structural issues that would make to rethink the thesis. Quite frankly, I view the opposite. Stablecoin adoption continues, tokenization is becoming more and more popular topic. On top of this, COIN successfully expands its market share. And I find this positive as a tailwind for the months to come. Now, Wall street analysts agree with me. They predict a $232 price target , presenting a 24% upside possibility. I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out.