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29 Apr 2026, 17:31

Visa adds Polygon, Base to expanded stablecoin payments program

Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement pilot by integrating five additional blockchains, including Polygon and Coinbase's Base, with this coming amid a broader acceleration in stablecoin adoption. The news ignited a slight bullish outlook for Polygon (POL) and other tokens. Polygon, Base expansion part of strategic multi-chain move Visa announced on Wednesday that it added Polygon, Base, Canton Network, Circle's Arc, and Stripe-backed Tempo to its stablecoin settlement program. The move now sees these platforms become part of a network that initially supported Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Stellar. Visa’s solution is now accessible to nine networks and comes as the network hits $7 billion in annualized run rate. The program has seen a 50% spike from the previous quarter. “Our partners are building in a multi-chain world, and they expect their options to reflect that reality,” Rubail Birwadker, Visa's global head of growth products and strategic partnerships, said in a statement. The integration gives partners the option to choose what “best fits their needs, while relying on Visa to provide a common settlement layer across all of them,” Birdwadker added. The initiative builds on pilots in regions like Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, alongside USDC-linked card programs in over 50 countries. Global adoption of stablecoins, with Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC the leading players, has increased significantly amid regulatory milestones across the world. Many large financial institutions and banks see stablecoins as increasingly vital to cross-border payments, and blockchain integrations are helping bring this to users. “Visa adding Polygon signals that stablecoins are moving into real-world payments at scale,” Polygon Labs chief executive officer Marc Boiron said. “By combining Visa’s global reach with Polygon’s fast, low-cost infrastructure, we are making stablecoin settlement more practical, reliable, and accessible for partners around the world,” he added. Jesse Pollak, Base's founder, noted its role in "making stablecoin payments a daily reality for billions," while Canton Network's Eric Saraniecki highlighted compliance for institutions. These partnerships underscore blockchain's maturation for mainstream finance, potentially accelerating adoption amid rising stablecoin volumes. Polygon and Canton Network price outlook Polygon (POL), the ex-MATIC token, did not react sharply to the news, largely as Bitcoin and Ethereum retested $76,000 and $2,270, respectively. The same outlook played out for Canton Network (CC). However, with traction a key factor to network activity, investors may see benefits from heightened visibility via Visa's program as bullish for the tokens. Polygon, a blockchain platform for global payments and digital commerce, could target gains above $0.10 amid the rising daily volume. The token traded around $0.091 on Wednesday, flat in the past 24 hours and down nearly 4% over the past week. Meanwhile, Canton Network (CC), tailored for regulated markets, traded near $0.15 as of writing. The token has earlier seen a brief upside to $0.16 amid a 200% spike in daily volume but faced downward pressure as BTC and ETH pared gains. The post Visa adds Polygon, Base to expanded stablecoin payments program appeared first on Invezz

29 Apr 2026, 17:30

Gold Price Struggles Near One-Month Lows as Oil-Driven Inflation and US-Iran Tensions Escalate

BitcoinWorld Gold Price Struggles Near One-Month Lows as Oil-Driven Inflation and US-Iran Tensions Escalate Gold prices remain stuck near one-month lows as a potent mix of oil-driven inflation and escalating US-Iran tensions reshapes the safe-haven landscape. Investors now face a complex environment where traditional hedges behave unpredictably. This article explores the forces keeping gold under pressure and what it means for your portfolio. Gold Price Under Pressure: The Oil-Inflation Link Rising crude oil costs directly fuel inflation expectations. Higher oil prices increase production and transportation costs across the economy. This reduces consumer purchasing power and forces central banks to maintain or raise interest rates. Higher rates make non-yielding assets like gold less attractive. Consequently, gold holds near one-month lows despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. The correlation between oil prices and gold has strengthened significantly since early 2025. Data from the World Gold Council shows a 0.78 correlation coefficient between Brent crude and gold prices over the past quarter. This is unusually high for the precious metal. US-Iran Tensions: A Double-Edged Sword for Gold Geopolitical risks usually boost gold demand. However, the current US-Iran tensions create a paradoxical effect. The standoff threatens oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz. This fear pushes oil prices higher, which feeds inflation fears. As a result, gold fails to gain its typical safe-haven premium. Market participants now price in the inflationary consequences of a potential conflict. They expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates elevated to combat this inflation. This expectation directly caps gold’s upside. Analysts at Goldman Sachs note that gold’s traditional safe-haven role is temporarily muted by the overriding inflation narrative. Key Drivers of the Current Gold Price Stalemate Oil prices above $90 per barrel – Sustained high crude costs pressure gold. Fed rate expectations – Markets price in no rate cuts before Q4 2025. US dollar strength – The dollar index remains near three-month highs. Reduced physical demand – China and India report lower gold imports this quarter. ETF outflows – Global gold ETFs saw net redemptions for four consecutive weeks. Historical Context: Gold During Oil Shocks History shows gold reacts differently during oil-driven inflation. In 1973-74, the Arab oil embargo pushed gold from $100 to nearly $200 per ounce. However, that rally occurred during a period of negative real interest rates. Today, real rates remain positive at around 1.5%. This difference explains why gold holds near one-month lows rather than rallying. The 2008 oil price spike to $147 per barrel saw gold fall initially before surging later. Investors should note this delayed reaction pattern. The current environment mirrors the 2018-2019 period when trade wars and oil volatility kept gold range-bound between $1,200 and $1,350 per ounce. Technical Analysis: Key Levels for Gold Gold currently trades around $2,320 per ounce, near its one-month low of $2,305. The metal faces strong resistance at $2,380, the 50-day moving average. A break below $2,300 could trigger a sell-off toward $2,250. Conversely, a close above $2,380 would signal a reversal. The Relative Strength Index sits at 42, indicating bearish momentum but not oversold conditions. Trading volumes remain elevated, suggesting institutional repositioning. The Commitment of Traders report shows hedge funds reducing net long positions by 15% in the latest week. This aligns with gold holding near one-month lows. Impact on Other Safe-Haven Assets The oil-inflation dynamic reshapes the entire safe-haven complex. The Japanese yen, another traditional safe haven, also weakened against the dollar. The Swiss franc showed mixed performance. Bitcoin, often called digital gold, failed to decouple from risk assets. It dropped 3% alongside equities. This broad-based weakness in safe havens confirms that oil-driven inflation dominates market sentiment. Investors now question the diversification benefits of traditional hedges. Some rotate into inflation-linked bonds or commodities like copper and agricultural products. Expert Perspectives on Gold’s Outlook Market strategists offer divided views on gold’s near-term path. JPMorgan’s precious metals desk maintains a neutral rating. They cite the conflicting forces of geopolitical risk and monetary policy tightening. UBS, however, recommends buying gold on dips below $2,300. They argue that once oil prices stabilize, gold will regain its safe-haven status. The World Gold Council emphasizes that central bank buying remains a strong floor under prices. Central banks purchased 1,037 tonnes in 2024, and 2025 purchases are tracking at a similar pace. This institutional demand prevents a sharper decline. What This Means for Retail Investors Retail investors should not panic sell gold at current levels. The metal holds near one-month lows, but the macro backdrop remains supportive over the long term. Diversification remains key. Consider allocating no more than 10% of your portfolio to gold. Use dollar-cost averaging to build positions during dips. Avoid leveraged gold ETFs in this volatile environment. Physical gold and gold mining stocks offer different risk profiles. Mining stocks may provide leverage to gold prices but carry operational risks. Evaluate your risk tolerance carefully before adjusting positions. Conclusion Gold holds near one-month lows as oil-driven inflation and US-Iran tensions create a uniquely challenging environment for the precious metal. While short-term headwinds persist, the long-term case for gold remains intact. Central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and eventual Fed rate cuts support higher prices. Investors should monitor oil prices and Fed policy closely. A break above $2,380 would signal a return to safe-haven demand. Until then, patience and strategic allocation are the best approaches. FAQs Q1: Why is gold falling despite geopolitical tensions? Gold falls because oil-driven inflation raises expectations of higher interest rates. Higher rates make gold less attractive compared to yield-bearing assets. This effect temporarily overrides gold’s safe-haven appeal. Q2: How does oil-driven inflation affect gold prices? Oil-driven inflation increases production costs and reduces consumer spending. Central banks respond by maintaining or raising interest rates. Higher rates strengthen the dollar and increase the opportunity cost of holding gold. Q3: Should I buy gold now or wait? Consider buying gold on dips below $2,300 per ounce. Use dollar-cost averaging to reduce timing risk. Long-term investors can accumulate gradually. Short-term traders should wait for a confirmed breakout above $2,380. Q4: What is the outlook for gold in 2025? Most analysts expect gold to trade between $2,200 and $2,600 in 2025. Central bank buying and geopolitical risks provide support. However, persistent inflation and high interest rates limit upside. A Fed rate cut would be the key catalyst for a rally. Q5: How do US-Iran tensions impact gold? US-Iran tensions threaten oil supply routes, pushing oil prices higher. Higher oil prices fuel inflation fears. This inflation fear dominates market sentiment and keeps gold under pressure. The net effect is negative for gold in the short term. This post Gold Price Struggles Near One-Month Lows as Oil-Driven Inflation and US-Iran Tensions Escalate first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

29 Apr 2026, 17:24

Stable Sea-WisdomTree Partnership Strengthens ONDO

Stable Sea-WisdomTree partnership sees institutional cash flowing into the WTGXX fund. ONDO's tokenization leadership has been enriched with price analyses and support/resistance levels. The sector...

29 Apr 2026, 17:20

Ripple CEO Just Said “All Roads Lead Back to XRP”: Is Garlinghouse Seeing Something the Market Is Missing?

Brad Garlinghouse just reminded the entire crypto market who Ripple XRP is, and he did it in five words. XRP trades at $1.40, up 1% in the last 24 hours, hovering directly on critical support as the broader market sends mixed signals. The question isn’t whether Garlinghouse is confident. It’s what he’s seeing that retail investors aren’t. The Ripple CEO took to X to quote-tweet Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who had posted that a “CEO’s responsibility is to communicate and re-communicate the North Star. Again and again.” Garlinghouse’s reply was blunt: “100%. All roads lead back to Ripple’s North Star, XRP.” The statement tracks with remarks he made during a recent X Spaces broadcast, where he called XRP the “heartbeat” of Ripple and confirmed every product the company builds is designed to benefit the token directly. 100% All roads lead back to Ripple’s North Star, $XRP . https://t.co/z7cWxoQN1H — Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) April 28, 2026 This is a very deliberate signal, especially with XRP still down more than 63% from its all-time high. The timing of Garlinghouse’s reaffirmation matters. XRP is at a technical inflection point, and institutional adoption is accelerating behind the scenes . Whether the chart follows Garlinghouse’s conviction is the only question that counts right now. Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with Can Ripple XRP Price Breakout This Week or Is $1.30 the Real Bottom First? XRP is sitting right on support around $1.40, and this is a fragile spot, because the XRP price is below most short-term averages, which usually means sellers still have control. Momentum leans bearish overall, but the RSI is getting low, especially on higher timeframes, which suggests selling pressure may be running out rather than accelerating. Source: Tradingview The level that matters is $1.38. If it holds, that is where stabilization can happen, and price can start grinding back toward $1.42–$1.45, then $1.50. If $1.38 breaks, that is where things can drop quickly toward $1.30, which would reset the structure and potentially create a stronger bounce later. So this is a tight, high-pressure setup, hold support, and it stabilizes, lose it, and it flushes before any recovery. Discover: The best pre-launch token sales What if The Real Play Is Not XRP But Newly Launched Layer 3 Like LiquidChain XRP being this far off its peak shows the reality of large caps; even strong narratives can trap entries, and upside gets harder as market cap grows, especially when support levels start to weaken. That is why some traders look earlier in the cycle, where the upside is not already priced in. LiquidChain is targeting that space, focusing on cross-chain liquidity by connecting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana into one execution layer. The idea is to remove fragmentation so developers and users can interact across ecosystems without the usual friction. The presale is still early, around $0.01454 with just over $700K raised, which means it is in the early discovery phase and not widely priced yet. But it is also unproven. Execution, adoption, and post-launch liquidity remain unknown, which is the trade-off of early-stage infrastructure. So the contrast is simple: XRP offers more stability but limited upside, while something like LiquidChain offers earlier positioning with higher potential, but also higher risk. Visit LiquidChain Here . The post Ripple CEO Just Said “All Roads Lead Back to XRP”: Is Garlinghouse Seeing Something the Market Is Missing? appeared first on Cryptonews .

29 Apr 2026, 17:17

SOL price drops towards $83 as Solana ETF flows dwindle

Solana’s native token, Solana (SOL), traded near $83 on Wednesday after failing to hold above the $85 mark, extending its decline as investor momentum cooled and exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows slowed. At the time of writing, SOL was trading at around $83.40, posting a modest 0.4% gain over the past 24 hours. Despite the slight daily increase, the broader trend remains under pressure. The token has fallen 5.7% over the past seven days and remains down more than 43% over the previous year. Weak ETF demand adds pressure to price action Solana’s recent decline has coincided with fading institutional enthusiasm tied to spot crypto investment products. Earlier optimism surrounding Solana-focused ETF products had supported stronger buying activity, helping SOL maintain higher trading ranges. However, recent data suggests those inflows have moderated significantly, removing an important source of upward pressure. Institutional participation remains a key factor for major digital assets in 2026, particularly as firms such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale continue to shape broader crypto market sentiment through regulated investment products. While Solana remains a prominent altcoin in institutional discussions, weaker ETF-related momentum has reduced buying urgency in recent sessions. This shift has left SOL more vulnerable to technical breakdowns, especially as broader crypto markets remain cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Technical indicators point to growing downside risk SOL’s rejection below $88 has emerged as a key technical development. Price charts now show repeated lower highs—a structure often associated with increasing seller control. Momentum indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) have also softened, pointing to weakening buyer strength. Solana price support and resistance levels Immediate support is forming near $80, a level traders are closely monitoring. A break below this threshold could expose SOL to further downside toward the $75–$70 range. Some projections also identify $63–$67 as a stronger medium-term support zone if bearish pressure intensifies. Trading volume remains elevated Despite weakening momentum, trading activity in Solana remains substantial. SOL recorded more than $3.74 billion in 24-hour trading volume, reflecting active participation from both short-term traders and longer-term investors adjusting positions. High trading volume during declining price action often indicates increased defensive positioning, with market participants reacting to uncertain signals rather than strong conviction buying. This suggests traders are closely watching near-term support levels while waiting for clearer catalysts. Long-term fundamentals remain intact Although technical indicators currently favour caution, Solana’s broader ecosystem remains relevant. The blockchain continues to rank among the largest smart contract platforms, with ongoing adoption across decentralised finance, NFTs, and payment infrastructure. Companies such as Visa have previously integrated Solana for stablecoin settlement initiatives, while developers continue building on its high-speed network. SOL also remains significantly above its historical low of $0.5008 recorded in May 2020, though it is still roughly 71.5% below its all-time high of $293.31 reached in January 2025. This contrast highlights the gap between Solana’s long-term growth trajectory and its current technical correction. The post SOL price drops towards $83 as Solana ETF flows dwindle appeared first on Invezz

29 Apr 2026, 17:15

Bitcoin Spot Volumes Crash to Bear-Market Lows – Apathy Now, Opportunity Next?

Bitcoin has struggled to surge past $80,000 despite multiple attempts. Interestingly, its spot trading volumes have dropped to their lowest levels since the end of the previous bear market and have returned to levels last seen in September 2023. The decline continued throughout April, indicating a clear slowdown in activity and a sharp reduction in overall market participation, according to the latest findings from analyst Darkfost. Traders Stepping Away? The drop is evident across major exchanges. Since March, Binance, which still holds the largest share of trading activity, has recorded a decline of roughly $25 billion in volumes within a month. The trend extends beyond a single platform. For instance, Gate.io witnessed its volumes cut in half, which is a $13 billion decrease. OKX, on the other hand, reported a drop of around $6 billion. The contraction comes against a challenging macroeconomic backdrop that continues to weigh on sentiment. Ongoing developments surrounding the conflict with Iran have not provided clarity, while concerns over continued inflation have strengthened. In this context, the Federal Reserve is seen as having limited room to accelerate monetary easing at the current FOMC meeting. As a result, Darkfost stated that investors remain hesitant to build long-term spot exposure, which reflects a lack of conviction in the medium-term outlook. While declining volumes indicate weaker short-term momentum and reduced interest, the return to bear-market activity levels is also often where “new opportunities begin to emerge.” Bullish Projections Another crypto analyst, Ali Martinez, flagged signs of a potential turnaround on BTC’s monthly chart, as he highlighted a “Morning Star” pattern forming. He explained that this setup signals moving from fear to uncertainty and then toward stronger buying pressure. Similar patterns have appeared three times over the past few years, each followed by notable gains, including a 34% rise in 2023, a sharp 212% rally in early 2024, and another near-34% increase later that year. According to him, as long as Bitcoin stays above the $73,000 level, the broader trend continues to lean upward. The notion of opportunity is echoed in increasingly optimistic projections. Maelstrom CIO and BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes recently predicted that Bitcoin could reach $125,000 by year-end as rising wartime spending boosts global liquidity. Speaking at Bitcoin Vegas 2026, he explained that higher defense budgets, increased borrowing, and monetary expansion are changing conditions in the asset’s favor. Hayes added that AI-driven credit contraction and changes in banking regulations could inject significant liquidity into the system, thereby outweighing economic pressures. Despite ongoing tensions like the US-Iran conflict, he said markets remain focused on liquidity trends rather than panic. The post Bitcoin Spot Volumes Crash to Bear-Market Lows – Apathy Now, Opportunity Next? appeared first on CryptoPotato .