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28 Apr 2026, 17:05

MARA Holdings announces Bitcoin expansion beyond mining role

MARA Holdings has introduced a new initiative to strengthen Bitcoin’s long-term infrastructure, even as parts of the mining sector shift toward alternative revenue streams. The company launched the MARA Foundation during the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas, outlining a strategy centered on network security, sovereignty, and accessibility. The move comes alongside internal restructuring, asset sales, and broader operational changes that mark a shift in how the firm positions its role within the digital asset ecosystem. MARA Holdings expands Bitcoin focus through foundation The newly established MARA Foundation will focus on protocol research, open-source development, and self-custody infrastructure. It will also support policy advocacy and global education efforts tied to Bitcoin usage. According to company statements, the initiative symbolizes an extension of MARA’s mining role into broader network support functions. At launch , the foundation committed $100,000 to be distributed through a community vote. However, voting remains open until April 29, both online and at the company’s conference booth. Three organizations are under consideration: SateNet, the 256 Foundation, and Libreria de Satoshi. Each group focuses on different aspects of Bitcoin development, including connectivity, mining software, and technical education. Fred Thiel, chairman and CEO, stated that the company’s position in securing the Bitcoin network carries responsibility beyond operational mining. He linked the foundation’s work to long-term protocol health rather than short-term financial outcomes. As a result, the initiative emphasizes infrastructure resilience, including research into emerging risks, such as quantum-related threats. Strategic shift aligns with financial restructuring and layoffs The launch of the MARA Foundation comes after recent financial and operational decisions at MARA Holdings. In March, as highlighted by Cryptopolitan, the company sold a total of 15,133 Bitcoin for about $1.1 billion. This allowed it to repurchase $1 billion in convertible senior notes due in 2030 and 2031 at a discount, reducing its convertible debt by roughly 30%. Meanwhile, it also announced layoffs, which impacted around 15% of employees. MARA is also investing in data infrastructure. It completed a majority acquisition of Exaion, a data center company owned by EDF, and signed a deal with Starwood to convert up to 1 gigawatt of mining capacity to AI processing. Market activity signals volatility as MARA Holdings repositions Recent trading data shows MARA Holdings shares closing at $11.18 with no net daily change. However, intraday volatility was evident, with the stock rising to $11.60 before falling below $11.20. Prices later stabilized within a narrow range heading into the close. MARA Holdings Inc. shares Pre-market activity pointed to additional pressure, with shares trading at $10.94, down 2.15%. These movements follow broader industry trends, with several publicly traded miners selling portions of their Bitcoin holdings. Companies, including Cipher Digital, Bitdeer, and others, have taken similar steps as they adjust their business models. Despite these shifts, MARA Holdings continues to operate one of the largest proprietary mining fleets among public firms. The company reported operating approximately 66.45 EH/s, representing about 5% of the Bitcoin network’s hashrate. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

28 Apr 2026, 17:03

World Cup fever: Chiliz expands to Solana and Base to supercharge fan token trading

Chiliz rolled out its own layer-1 network in 2023 to host the trading of its tokens, but is transitioning to what it calls "omnichain distribution."

28 Apr 2026, 17:03

Bitwise projects $29.32 XRP price for 2030

🚀 Bitwise expects a $29.32 price in $XRP by 2030. XRP is currently trading at $1.39, far from the future projection. Continue Reading: Bitwise projects $29.32 XRP price for 2030 The post Bitwise projects $29.32 XRP price for 2030 appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

28 Apr 2026, 17:00

The Calm Before XRP Storm: Why A Massive Breakout Is Brewing

XRP is showing signs of calm, but the underlying structure tells a different story. Following a major breakout, the price has shifted into a tight consolidation range, often a precursor to powerful expansion moves. With key support levels holding and momentum quietly building, the stage appears set for a breakout that could catch many off guard. XRP Breaks Free: Multi-Year Compression Finally Gives Way EGRAG CRYPTO highlighted a major structural shift in XRP that many market participants may be overlooking. According to the analyst, XRP has broken out of a multi-year compression phase spanning from 2018 to 2024, marking a significant macro development. After reaching the 1.618 Fibonacci level around $195 billion in market cap, price action has since entered a consolidation phase. Related Reading: XRP Signals Massive Breakout: $10 Target In Sight As Momentum Builds Despite the pause, XRP continues to hold firmly above the 1.0 Fibonacci level, roughly in the $73–74 billion range. The analyst emphasized that this behavior should not be mistaken for weakness. Instead, it reflects a classic re-accumulation phase before a potential expansion to higher levels. A key level to monitor is the $73 billion mark, which now acts as a critical line in the sand. Holding above this zone keeps the broader bullish structure intact and allows it to flip into a strong macro support level. Such stability reinforces the idea that XRP is undergoing accumulation rather than distribution, strengthening the case for further upside. However, a break below $73 could cause a decline toward an ascending trendline support, signaling the need for a deeper reset before any continuation higher. Why Holding $73B Keeps The Bullish Structure Alive EGRAG CRYPTO went on to emphasize that the focus should remain on the upside as long as XRP holds above the critical $73 billion level. Maintaining this threshold keeps the overall structure intact, while momentum continues to build beneath the surface, with the next expansion move gradually taking shape. Related Reading: XRP Sends Bullish On-Chain Signal Despite Weak Price Action Looking at the broader picture, he outlined a macro target of $600 billion in market capitalization, aligned with the 1.618 Fibonacci extension. Reaching this level would place XRP near the $10 price mark, highlighting the potential magnitude of the move. He also described the current market cycle as a sequence of compression, breakout, retest, and expansion. Based on this framework, XRP is currently in the retest phase, a crucial stage that often determines whether the breakout will lead to a sustained upward trend or require further consolidation. The $73–74 billion zone continues to define the bullish boundary, while $46 billion (0.702 Fibonacci) serves as strong underlying support. Losing the $73 billion level could trigger a deeper reset before continuation. In his view, respecting and defending this level is critical because once the real move begins, it is likely to unfold rapidly rather than gradually. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com

28 Apr 2026, 16:59

BitMine stock analysis: what next for this future free cash flow machine?

BitMine stock price has gone sideways this month, even as Ethereum has remained above the important support level at $2,000. This consolidation could be the calm before the storm as the company continues its Ethereum purchases and staking. BitMine stock on edge as Ethereum buying and staking continues The BMNR stock price has moved sideways in the past few weeks, even as the company has continued its Ethereum buying spree . Data shows that the company has accumulated 417,483 coins currently worth almost $1 billion in the past 30 days. It now holds 5,078,388 coins currently worth over $11.56 billion, making it the biggest holder of Ethereum in the world. It will soon hold more ETH than those held by its ETF investors. The company is aiming to achieve 5% ownership this year. This is unlike Michael Saylor's Strategy, which has an open-ended Bitcoin accumulating strategy. One notable aspect about the company’s 5% target is that it will stop the ongoing dilution since it raises cash by selling shares to buy ETH. That’s notable as each share is now being diluted by between 6 million and 9 million shares being issued each week. Once the buying stops, the ownership locks in. The only dilution risk is when the company raises cash to invest in other companies. A good example of this is what happened when it invested in Beast Industries. As such, chances are that any new investment will be highly bullish for the company when it comes to the exit. Meanwhile, the company continues to stake its Ethereum holdings. Eventually, the goal is to stake its 6 million coins. With a 3% yield, this staking will generate 180k coins each year, with the value being determined by Ethereum price. An Ethereum price surge to $5000 means that the company will now start making $900 million in annual revenue. This is a high number for a company with just a handful of employees. The company will now use these funds to either fund new acquisitions or return it to investors. It has already shared the goal of buying back shares worth $4 billion, a substantial amount for a company valued at $11 billion. https://twitter.com/Badie912/status/2048766162914205943 Still, the main short-term risk for the company is Ethereum, which has faced substantial rejection at $2,400. It has formed a bearish flag pattern, pointing to more downside in the near term. Still, BitMine has leveraged the concept of dollar cost averaging (DCA) to lock in a lower price. This will ensure more gain over time when Ethereum rebounds. BitMine share price technical analysis BMNR stock chart | Source: TradingView The daily timeframe chart shows that the BMNR stock price has remained in a narrow range in the past few days. It has been stuck slightly above the important support level at $17.10, its lowest level on February 3rd and 26th. It has formed a double-bottom and a falling wedge. There are signs that it is in the accumulation phase of the Wyckoff Theory. Also, the three lines of the Bollinger Bands are nearing their confluence. Therefore, these technicals suggest that the stock will have a strong rebound in the near term, potentially to the psychological level at $30. The post BitMine stock analysis: what next for this future free cash flow machine? appeared first on Invezz

28 Apr 2026, 16:55

Short Funding Rate Hit 19% – A Shocking Surge Signals Extreme Bearish Sentiment in Crypto Markets

BitcoinWorld Short Funding Rate Hit 19% – A Shocking Surge Signals Extreme Bearish Sentiment in Crypto Markets The short funding rate on cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO has surged to an annualized 19%, the highest level since early 2023. This spike reveals an extreme concentration of bearish bets against digital assets. Traders now pay a record premium to maintain short positions. The data highlights growing pessimism in the market. What Does the Short Funding Rate Surge Mean? The short funding rate represents the cost for traders who borrow assets to sell them short. In April, this rate reached an annualized 11% before peaking at 19%. This marks a dramatic increase from the 1-3% range seen in late 2023. Such a high rate signals that many traders expect prices to fall further. Funding rates work like a periodic payment between long and short positions. When shorts dominate, they pay longs to maintain their positions. This mechanism ensures perpetual futures contracts stay close to the spot price. The current level suggests a severe imbalance in market sentiment. Historical Context: Comparing to Early 2023 The last time funding rates reached 19% was in early 2023. Back then, the crypto market was recovering from the FTX collapse. Bitcoin traded around $16,000. Today, Bitcoin hovers near $65,000. The comparison shows that extreme bearishness can occur at any price level. In early 2023, the high funding rate preceded a significant rally. Bitcoin gained over 100% in the following months. This pattern suggests that excessive shorting can create a short squeeze. A short squeeze happens when rising prices force short sellers to buy back assets, fueling further gains. Key Differences Between 2023 and Now Market maturity: The crypto ecosystem now has more institutional participation. Regulatory clarity: Spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in early 2024, changing the landscape. Liquidity conditions: Order book depth has improved significantly. Macro environment: Interest rates remain high, but inflation is cooling. Why Are Traders Betting Against Crypto? Several factors drive this bearish sentiment . First, the Federal Reserve maintains a hawkish stance on monetary policy. Higher interest rates reduce appetite for risk assets. Second, regulatory uncertainty persists in the United States. The SEC continues to scrutinize crypto exchanges and tokens. Third, on-chain data shows reduced network activity. Transaction volumes on major blockchains have declined. Fourth, geopolitical tensions add to market uncertainty. Traders often short assets during periods of global instability. Fifth, the lack of a clear catalyst for upward movement leaves bears in control. Impact on Retail and Institutional Traders The high short funding rate affects different trader groups differently. Retail traders often use high leverage, making them vulnerable to funding costs. A 19% annualized rate can erode profits quickly. Many retail short sellers may exit positions prematurely. Institutional traders, however, can absorb these costs more easily. They use sophisticated hedging strategies to offset funding expenses. Some institutions even use the high funding rate as a signal to go long. They anticipate a potential short squeeze. Short Squeeze Potential History shows that extreme funding rates often precede sharp reversals. When funding costs become too high, short sellers close positions. This buying pressure pushes prices up. The upward move forces more shorts to cover, creating a feedback loop. The CEX.IO data suggests this scenario is possible. How Does the Funding Rate Compare Across Exchanges? CEX.IO reported the highest rate, but other exchanges show similar trends. Binance and Bybit have funding rates around 8-12%. Deribit, which focuses on options, shows elevated implied volatility. The table below summarizes the current landscape: Exchange Funding Rate (Annualized) Trend CEX.IO 19% Spiking Binance 11% Rising Bybit 9% Stable Deribit N/A (Options) Elevated volatility Expert Perspectives on the Data Market analysts view the short funding rate as a contrarian indicator. When bearish sentiment peaks, markets often bottom. However, timing these reversals is difficult. The funding rate alone does not guarantee a rally. Dr. Elena Torres, a derivatives strategist, notes: ‘Extreme funding rates signal crowded trades. When everyone bets against the market, there are few sellers left. This creates a setup for explosive moves.’ She adds that traders should monitor open interest alongside funding rates. Risk Management for Traders High funding rates demand careful risk management. Traders should reduce leverage when funding costs rise. Using stop-loss orders becomes critical. Additionally, diversifying across assets can mitigate single-asset risk. For those holding short positions, monitoring funding payment schedules is essential. Some exchanges charge funding every 8 hours. A 19% annualized rate translates to approximately 0.052% per 8-hour period. Over a week, this compounds to 0.36%. Conclusion The short funding rate hitting 19% on CEX.IO marks a significant milestone. It reflects extreme bearish sentiment not seen since early 2023. While this data points to potential market stress, it also creates opportunities. Traders should approach with caution, understanding that high funding rates can precede sharp reversals. Monitoring funding rates across exchanges provides valuable insight into market psychology. The current environment demands disciplined risk management and a clear strategy. FAQs Q1: What is a short funding rate? A: The short funding rate is the cost paid by traders who hold short positions in perpetual futures contracts. It is an annualized percentage that reflects the premium for betting against an asset. Q2: Why did the short funding rate reach 19%? A: The rate surged due to a concentration of bearish bets, driven by factors like hawkish Fed policy, regulatory uncertainty, and low market activity. The imbalance between shorts and longs pushed funding costs higher. Q3: Is a high short funding rate bullish or bearish? A: It is often seen as a contrarian bullish signal. High funding rates indicate excessive bearishness, which can lead to short squeezes. However, it does not guarantee an immediate price increase. Q4: How does the funding rate affect retail traders? A: Retail traders using high leverage face significant costs from elevated funding rates. These costs can erode profits or amplify losses, making it harder to hold short positions for long periods. Q5: Can the funding rate predict market tops or bottoms? A: While not a perfect predictor, extreme funding rates often coincide with market turning points. Historically, very high rates have preceded rallies, while very low or negative rates have preceded declines. This post Short Funding Rate Hit 19% – A Shocking Surge Signals Extreme Bearish Sentiment in Crypto Markets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .