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25 May 2026, 21:10

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Pair Tests 159.00 Resistance, Pulls Back to 50-Day SMA

BitcoinWorld USD/JPY Price Forecast: Pair Tests 159.00 Resistance, Pulls Back to 50-Day SMA The USD/JPY currency pair experienced a significant technical rejection this week, climbing to test the key 159.00 resistance level before retreating sharply toward the 50-day simple moving average (SMA). The price action signals a critical juncture for the pair, with traders closely watching whether the pullback finds support or deepens into a broader trend reversal. Technical Breakdown: Resistance Holds Firm The 159.00 level has historically acted as a formidable ceiling for USD/JPY, representing both a psychological round number and a prior swing high from late 2023. The pair’s inability to sustain a breakout above this zone suggests sellers remain active at these elevated levels. The subsequent decline brought the exchange rate back to the 50-day SMA, a widely watched dynamic support line that often dictates short-term trend direction. Momentum indicators, including the Relative Strength Index (RSI), have rolled over from overbought territory, supporting the case for continued consolidation or a deeper correction. A clean break below the 50-day SMA would open the door toward the 100-day SMA near 155.50, while a bounce from current levels would reaffirm the broader uptrend. Fundamental Drivers: Diverging Policy Paths The technical tension reflects a broader fundamental tug-of-war. The Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance, reinforced by resilient U.S. economic data, continues to underpin the dollar. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) has maintained its ultra-loose monetary policy, though speculation about a potential shift later this year has increased volatility. Recent comments from BoJ officials hinting at a possible rate hike have added a layer of uncertainty, making USD/JPY particularly sensitive to Japanese economic data releases. Interest rate differentials remain the primary driver, with U.S. Treasury yields offering a significant premium over Japanese government bonds. However, any surprise hawkish move from the BoJ could rapidly compress that differential, triggering a sharp yen rally. What This Means for Traders For short-term traders, the current zone between the 50-day SMA and 159.00 represents a high-probability range. A sustained move above 159.00 would target the 160.00 handle and beyond, while a failure to hold the 50-day SMA could accelerate selling toward 155.00. Position traders should watch for a clear catalyst—such as a U.S. inflation print or a BoJ policy signal—to confirm the next directional move. Conclusion The USD/JPY pair stands at a technical crossroads after failing to breach the 159.00 resistance. The retreat to the 50-day SMA introduces a test of trend strength. The outcome of this pullback will likely set the tone for the pair in the coming weeks, hinging on both technical levels and central bank policy signals. Traders should remain alert for volatility around upcoming economic releases from both the U.S. and Japan. FAQs Q1: Why is the 159.00 level important for USD/JPY? The 159.00 level is a key psychological resistance and a prior swing high from late 2023. It has repeatedly acted as a ceiling, attracting sellers and limiting upside momentum. A confirmed break above it would signal strong bullish momentum toward the 160.00 handle. Q2: What does the 50-day SMA indicate in this context? The 50-day SMA is a widely followed short-to-medium-term trend indicator. When the price pulls back to this line, it often acts as dynamic support in an uptrend. A bounce from the 50-day SMA suggests the uptrend remains intact, while a decisive break below it signals potential trend reversal. Q3: How do BoJ policy expectations affect USD/JPY? The Bank of Japan’s ultra-loose monetary policy has kept Japanese yields low, widening the interest rate differential with the U.S. and weakening the yen. Any hints of a BoJ policy normalization, such as a rate hike, could narrow that differential, strengthening the yen and pushing USD/JPY lower. This post USD/JPY Price Forecast: Pair Tests 159.00 Resistance, Pulls Back to 50-Day SMA first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 May 2026, 20:50

NEAR rallies 75% in one week as short squeeze and AI rotation converge

The NEAR Protocol and its token are riding on a wave powered by a mix of short liquidations, renewed interest in AI-linked tokens, and growing fee revenue from its cross-chain settlement system, which has helped it to gain roughly 50% over the past seven days, trading near $2.73. The rally started when the token finally broke out of a month-long lull where NEAR’s price traded within a tight range between $1.20 and $1.75 for most of May. The rally, when it finally arrived, caused liquidations of over $9.85 million in short positions and forced buybacks that drove upward pressure. Derivatives activity rose alongside the spot move, and open interest went up above $473 million. As of May 24, NEAR futures open interest had crossed $720 million. NEAR is currently trading around $2.75 with a market capitalization of $3.57 billion and 24-hour volume above $1 billion as seen on CoinMarketCap . NEAR token is up more than 75% over the last week. Source: CoinMarketCap Arthur Hayes names NEAR in ‘holy trinity’ trade BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes recently called NEAR, Hyperliquid (HYPE), and Zcash (ZEC) “the holy trinity of altcoins.” All three tokens listed by Hayes have performed better than Bitcoin (BTC) lately, with HYPE reaching an all-time high and ZEC logging multi-month peaks , as Cryptopolitan reported . NEAR’s co-founder Illia Polosukhin joined Hayes to discuss “how the privacy revolution runs on NEAR.” They touched on ZEC, HYPE, and NEAR itself while linking the latest rally to the thesis around confidential computation and AI agent infrastructure. Around 78% of listed tokens reportedly lost value on the day NEAR posted one of its largest single-session gains. Why is NEAR rallying? Apart from the technical setup, two protocol-level developments gave traders a fundamental basis for the NEAR trade. First, NEAR’s Intents cross-chain settlement system has generated more than $33 million in fees in under a year, according to on-chain analyst @0xNairolf and Defillama on X. NEAR Intents have generated over $33M in fees since launch. Track detailed usage on our comprehensive NEAR dashboard. https://t.co/KIwqZlXoaj pic.twitter.com/CmUeymJ7BT — DefiLlama.com (@DefiLlama) May 25, 2026 The system processes swaps and bridge transactions across more than 35 blockchains, with settlement fees moving through programmatic NEAR purchases since February 2026. Analysts say it has created “a continuous demand floor.” NEAR Intents has handled over $10 billion in cumulative volume across more than 15.7 million swaps. The second development that has turned the tide for NEAR is its leaning into AI branding with tangible product releases. A May 20 rollout by NEAR strips passwords and personally identifiable information from prompts before they reach large language models like Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini. Developer Kent with the X username, @cuongdc_real, stated on X that NEAR AI updated its model picker to include Google’s Gemma 4 31B, running on NEAR’s trusted execution environment infrastructure with end-to-end encryption. CoinMarketCap describes NEAR as “a high-performance, AI-native platform built to power the next generation of decentralized applications and intelligent agents.” Its co-founder, Polosukhin, previously co-authored a 2017 paper that introduced the transformer architecture, which is being used in today’s large language models. Risks remain for late buyers The daily active users on the NEAR network went down from nearly 3 million earlier in 2026 to roughly 266,000, according to Token Terminal data. Analysts see this as a potential warning sign, having observed the gap between price action and on-chain usage. Dynamic resharding is an upcoming protocol upgrade coming soon, and it is designed to enable automatic scaling whenever there is a spike in demand. The execution may help the protocol to sustain its momentum and make its case to enterprise and AI developers beyond this week’s move. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

25 May 2026, 20:30

Could Bitcoin whale MicroStrategy be just a sophisticated Ponzi scheme?

The Strategy trade is starting to look less like a clean Bitcoin bet and more like a financial Jenga tower with orange laser eyes. Investors bought MSTR for the BTC upside. Now they have to read the debt schedule, the STRC yield, the 8-K, and the fine print that turns “0% debt” into a 2027 cash problem. The author of this article owns a tiny bit of Strategy. And when I received the email that the board had decided to pause its heavy Bitcoin buying and repurchased about $1.5 billion of 0% convertible notes for around $1.38 billion, I couldn’t help but sit up. I mean, sure, the company bought back debt below face value and saved about $120 million compared with full repayment, but the funding came from STRC issuance, which has an 11.5% yield. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize something’s off here. Strategy uses costly STRC cash to deal with debt that was not really free So the first question that popped into my mind was this: why would Michael Saylor replace debt that showed 0% interest with capital that costs 11.5% every year? I found my answer in the fine print of the Strategy’s old notes. You see, the 2029 convertible notes were called five-year paper, but holders had a right to demand repayment at face value in late 2027. The MSTR stock had a value of $187, while the conversion price is about $672. This wide discrepancy shows that the notes were extremely out of the money, and there is no possibility of any reasonable shareholder taking the stocks at such a rate. What is expected in the year 2027 would make Strategy face a debt wall of about $3 billion within 24 months. By paying off about 92 cents per dollar now, Strategy has been able to alleviate this debt wall and leverage the retail appetite for STRC during this period. From a public perspective, Strategy will convert the $6 billion worth of convertible debts to equity over a period of three to six years. While this may partly hold water, it would seem that what Saylor is doing is solving an immediate repayment problem. A convertible zero-coupon may cease to exist due to an increase in the price of the stock. The debt will convert into equity, assuming that the Bitcoin increases sufficiently to drive the share price above the conversion price; otherwise, the issuer has the obligation to pay back or extend the loan. The STRC is a perpetual issue that will not vanish. The issue gives rise to a constant claim on the $10.7 billion preferred equity with increasing dividends, currently yielding 11.5%. Us common stockholders have been diluted, and it becomes feasible only when there is a dramatic increase in Bitcoin value above the cost of capital after dilution. Strategy opens the door to Bitcoin sales while still carrying heavy leverage More specific details emerged in the 8-K. In the strategy, selling Bitcoin is suggested as a potential capital source. This is a critical aspect since the firm has cultivated its reputation as a “net accumulator” of Bitcoin. Previously, the clear message from STRC was “we’ll never sell our BTC.” Currently, spot Bitcoin is considered a source for retiring 0% debt, while new retail preferred stock is being issued at an interest rate of 11.5%. This is why some of the critics describe the structure as a Ponzi-like flywheel. Again, it is not Bitcoin that is at the center of the problem. The point is that STRC token owners may finance liquidity requirements of today, while costs will appear on the balance sheet. At the same time, it explains the approach taken by some Bitcoin enthusiasts to distinguish the asset from other securities in question. Bitcoin is bearer money. While MicroStrategy stocks (MSTR, STRC) are corporate securities. They shouldn’t be confused with one another despite their frequent joint discussion as leveraged Bitcoin holdings. After repurchasing, the debt balance stands at around $8.2 bln. Around 95% of its assets will remain invested in Bitcoin. Undeniably, there are some positive elements in the financial report. For example, retiring debt below face value should result in less future liabilities. Moreover, it could decrease risks associated with diluting shares of stock due to conversion. The addition of U.S. treasuries is going to provide a safe yield for further funding costs coverage. Yet, it is hard to deny that risks have risen too. After all, the narrative I bought into way back when was: buy, hold, never sell Bitcoin. Can’t say I don’t feel a little betrayed.

25 May 2026, 20:30

How To Play The Bitcoin 4-Year Cycle For The Most Gains In The Bull Market

A crypto analyst is raising questions over whether the famous four-year cycle theory that has governed Bitcoin’s (BTC) market trajectory in the past is now dead. The expert has shared BTC’s price movements and investor trends to prove that the cycle theory is still very much alive and playing out in the current market cycle. Analyst Says Bitcoin’s 4-Year Cycle Is Still Active In an X post on May 23, Mags, a crypto analyst, has raised concerns about whether “the 4-year cycle is over” for Bitcoin. This debate has been spreading across the market for months now, with some experts, such as Strategy CEO Michael Saylor, stating that the four-year cycle has ended, while others believe it is still active. Many crypto community members, in response to Mags’ post, also compared this cycle to past ones. They noted that the current BTC market is markedly different from previous cycles, due to the emergence of Spot ETFs , increased institutional flows, and broader adoption. However, after examining and comparing these cycles himself, Mags noted that each one corresponds almost perfectly to the next. The analyst pointed to the 2011-2014 four-year cycle on his accompanying chart, highlighting how the market moved through distinct stages of investor activity and price movement during that period. In 2011, Bitcoin prices were declining, presenting a buying opportunity for investors. In the second year, Bitcoin began to rise, and investors simply held onto their tokens to allow them to grow. By 2013, prices had climbed to near peak levels, which the analyst noted was when most investors began selling their BTC. The fourth and final year of that cycle saw the market crash, and prices fall sharply. Mags described this as the bear market stage, marking the final stage before a fresh bull cycle began. Notably, the same four-stage yearly trend was observed during the 2015-2018 and 2019-2022 cycles. Mags also stated that the cyclical theory is actively running in the current cycle, noting that Bitcoin has already moved through its Buy stage in 2023, Hold in 2024, and Sell phase in 2025. Based on this, Mags said that BTC is now in its bear market phase , coinciding with the cryptocurrency’s recent sideways movements and ongoing price declines . What The Theory Says About The 2027-2030 Cycle In his analysis, Mags went further to predict what the next cycle could look like after the current one ends. He suggested that the 2027-2030 cycle could follow a similar pattern, with Bitcoin potentially experiencing the same Buy, Hold, Sell, Bear market phases across each year. He noted that if this structure holds, the next major accumulation window for investors and traders would arrive in 2027, a year ahead of the next anticipated bull run. Mags has pushed back against the speculation that the four-year cycle is dead , declaring that the structure “is still on track and everything is playing out perfectly.”

25 May 2026, 20:02

Analyst to XRP Holders: Just Watch! It’s Going to Happen. Here’s why

Crypto analyst Cryptobilbuwoo0 believes XRP has entered a critical stage after several long-term technical levels aligned at the same price zone. In a recent post, the analyst pointed to a convergence around $26.6 and said, “Just watch! It’s going to happen.” The chart attached to the post shows XRP trading within a massive ascending channel that stretches back more than a decade. It also highlights a mid-term channel, Fibonacci extensions, and several historical support tests that now connect around the same target. The setup places strong focus on the $26.6 region as XRP continues to build momentum above its previous consolidation range. The alignment of the long-term and mid-term channels is completed 1/2 point of the long-term channel: $26.6 Top of the mid-term channel :$26.6 Fibonacci ratio level 1.618 : $26.6 Just watch! It's going to happen. https://t.co/gUoCIMTNVq pic.twitter.com/y7OyFgKRQB — (X)=chi (R)esurrected (P)=rho (@Cryptobilbuwoo0) May 24, 2026 Long-Term XRP Channel Remains Intact The chart tracks XRP price action from 2014 and projects it into 2028. It shows the asset within a wide upward-sloping channel. XRP respected the lower trendline several times during major corrections. Several colored markers on the chart highlight historical support reactions across different years. Those reactions helped maintain the long-term upward trajectory. According to the analysis, the midpoint of the long-term channel now sits at $26.6. The upper boundary of the mid-term channel also reaches that same level in the projected move. The chart places XRP near the lower half of the upper channel region following a recovery from a descending resistance structure that pushed it down after its July 2025 peak . Fibonacci Levels Reinforce the Target The chart also uses Fibonacci extension levels to strengthen the projection. The 1.618 Fibonacci extension appears at $26.63038, making a third major technical alignment at the same price. Other Fibonacci levels appear lower on the chart, including the 1.236 extension near $7.34 and the 1.5 level around $17.89. The analyst’s projection suggests XRP could move through those zones before eventually reaching the $26.6 target. The steep blue path on the right side of the chart illustrates the projected breakout scenario. That move has not happened yet, but the analyst presented it as the expected trajectory if momentum accelerates. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 XRP Breakout Structure Remains in Focus Intriguingly, the chart suggests a move toward much higher levels. The analyst highlights Fib. extension levels at 2.618 ($774.78531), 2.882 ($349.72258), and 2.311 ($275.29200). XRP forms a falling wedge before moving back above rising support. A green check mark appears near that reclaim zone, signaling confirmation of the structure. The chart suggests XRP remains inside both the long-term and mid-term channels despite recent consolidation. Price action also continues to hold above key Fibonacci support levels shown on the right axis. 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 advised to conduct thorough 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 Analyst to XRP Holders: Just Watch! It’s Going to Happen. Here’s why appeared first on Times Tabloid .

25 May 2026, 19:40

Gold Prices Rally as Hormuz Deal Talks Weigh on the US Dollar

BitcoinWorld Gold Prices Rally as Hormuz Deal Talks Weigh on the US Dollar Gold prices extended their upward trajectory on Wednesday, buoyed by a weakening US Dollar as reports emerged of potential progress in negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The precious metal, traditionally a safe-haven asset, has benefited from a shift in currency markets and renewed geopolitical uncertainty, with spot gold rising by over 1.2% in intraday trading. Dollar Weakness and the Hormuz Factor The decline in the US Dollar Index (DXY) has been a primary catalyst for the rally. The dollar slipped against a basket of major currencies following unconfirmed reports that key stakeholders are nearing a preliminary agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions in the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes, has been a flashpoint for geopolitical risk, and any diplomatic breakthrough is seen as a potential negative for the dollar’s safe-haven premium. Market participants are interpreting the potential deal as a signal of reduced near-term conflict risk, which has historically led to a rotation out of the dollar and into commodities like gold. The inverse correlation between the greenback and gold prices remains robust, with the yellow metal gaining as the dollar loses ground. Analysts note that the move is not solely about the Hormuz story; it also reflects broader expectations that the Federal Reserve may adopt a more dovish stance in the coming months. Geopolitical Context and Market Reaction The Strait of Hormuz has been a central concern for global energy markets and geopolitical stability for decades. Previous escalations, including tanker seizures and drone attacks, have triggered sharp but short-lived spikes in oil prices and a flight to safety. However, the current market reaction appears more measured, suggesting that traders are cautiously optimistic about the potential for a diplomatic resolution. While no official confirmation has been provided by the involved governments, the mere prospect of a deal has been enough to shift sentiment. Currency traders are pricing in a reduced risk premium for the dollar, while gold investors are capitalizing on the resulting weakness. The move also underscores the market’s sensitivity to any news that could alter the global risk landscape. Implications for Investors For investors, the rally in gold presents both opportunities and risks. On one hand, the metal is benefiting from a confluence of factors: a weaker dollar, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and expectations of looser monetary policy. On the other hand, if a Hormuz deal is formally announced and implemented, the initial dollar weakness could reverse, potentially capping gold’s gains. Furthermore, the rally highlights the importance of diversification in a portfolio. Gold has once again demonstrated its role as a hedge against currency depreciation and geopolitical shocks. However, investors should remain cautious, as the market’s reaction to unconfirmed reports can be volatile. A failure to reach a deal could see the dollar rebound and gold prices pull back. Conclusion The current rally in gold prices is a textbook example of how geopolitical news can influence currency and commodity markets. The weakening of the US Dollar on the back of Hormuz deal speculation has provided a fresh tailwind for the precious metal. While the situation remains fluid and unconfirmed, the market is clearly pricing in a lower geopolitical risk premium for the dollar, at least for now. Investors should monitor official statements from the involved parties and prepare for potential volatility as the story develops. FAQs Q1: Why does a potential Hormuz deal affect the US Dollar? The US Dollar often strengthens during periods of geopolitical tension as investors seek safety. A deal that reduces tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could lower the demand for the dollar as a safe haven, leading to its depreciation. Q2: How does the US Dollar’s movement impact gold prices? Gold is priced in US Dollars, so a weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies, increasing demand. There is a strong inverse correlation between the dollar index and gold prices. Q3: Is this gold rally sustainable? Sustainability depends on the confirmation and implementation of a Hormuz deal, as well as broader economic factors like Federal Reserve policy. If the dollar weakness persists, gold could continue to rally, but a reversal of the geopolitical narrative could cap gains. This post Gold Prices Rally as Hormuz Deal Talks Weigh on the US Dollar first appeared on BitcoinWorld .