Invest ideasNews
18 May 2026, 13:45
Bitcoin (BTC) Recovery Unlikely Until Toxic Supply Is Absorbed: Data
Bitcoin (BTC) plunged below $77,000 on Monday following a fresh round of threats directed at Iran by US President Donald Trump. Panic selling is accelerating across the market as major profitability metrics drop below critical levels. New data now suggests that a rapid V-shaped recovery remains unlikely. Deepening Bitcoin Panic Selling Bitcoin’s latest decline is developing into a broader market crisis rather than a routine short-term correction, as on-chain data points to a cascading sell-off driven by leverage liquidations and growing fear across the spot market. According to CryptoQuant data, long-term holders who accumulated Bitcoin between six and 12 months ago are now under heavy pressure, as their average realized entry price sits near $110,851. Following the recent market drop, many of these investors moved into deep unrealized losses, triggering a wave of exchange inflows since May 14. The crypto analytics platform’s stats reveal that the Spent Output Age Bands (SOAB) ratio for 6-12 month coins surged to 10.54%, which is far above its normal level below 1%, and indicated large-scale capitulation from long-term holders. Such spikes have historically reflected investors realizing large losses and exiting positions, which ends up increasing spot-market selling pressure. The weakness then spread to short-term traders. While most exchange inflows typically come from coins held for less than one day, profitability metrics showed increasing panic-driven selling activity. On May 16, the Short-Term Holder SOPR fell to 0.994 while adjusted SOPR dropped to 0.996, both below the 1.0 level that usually separates profit-taking from loss realization. Even on May 17, STH-SOPR remained weak at 0.999. CryptoQuant said this confirms that many short-term investors are now selling at losses rather than taking profits. The firm warned that a quick V-shaped recovery remains unlikely until “toxic” supply is absorbed and market sentiment stabilizes. Deeper Correction Ahead The growing market stress has also strengthened bearish views among several crypto analysts. Doctor Profit, for one, warned yet again that a major correction may be approaching soon. Mr. Wall Street also said Bitcoin could see a much deeper decline after its recent 10% pullback. The commentator claimed that bullish sentiment has already faded and repeated his view that the crypto asset may eventually drop to the $45,000 level. The post Bitcoin (BTC) Recovery Unlikely Until Toxic Supply Is Absorbed: Data appeared first on CryptoPotato .
18 May 2026, 13:45
British Pound Under Pressure as Political Uncertainty Weighs on Sterling and Gilts: MUFG
BitcoinWorld British Pound Under Pressure as Political Uncertainty Weighs on Sterling and Gilts: MUFG Analysts at MUFG Bank have issued a note highlighting that ongoing political uncertainty in the United Kingdom is exerting downward pressure on the British pound and UK government bonds, known as gilts. The assessment comes as markets continue to digest shifting policy signals and domestic political developments, adding to the cautious tone surrounding Sterling. Political Headwinds Weigh on Sterling According to MUFG, the primary driver of recent Sterling weakness is a lack of clarity over the UK’s fiscal and political direction. The bank’s currency strategists note that uncertainty surrounding upcoming policy decisions and potential changes in government leadership are creating an environment where investors are reluctant to hold the pound. This has been reflected in a modest but persistent decline in GBP/USD and GBP/EUR exchange rates over recent sessions. The analysts point out that the political landscape, including debates over fiscal responsibility and public spending, is directly impacting investor confidence. When political direction is unclear, foreign capital inflows tend to slow, which in turn pressures the currency and raises borrowing costs for the government. Gilts Feel the Strain The impact is not limited to the currency. UK government bonds, or gilts, have also come under selling pressure. Yields on benchmark 10-year gilts have edged higher as investors demand a greater risk premium to hold UK debt. MUFG attributes this to the same underlying uncertainty: without a clear political and economic roadmap, bond markets reassess the risk of holding UK sovereign debt. Higher gilt yields can have a ripple effect on the broader economy, as they influence mortgage rates, corporate borrowing costs, and the government’s own debt servicing expenses. The MUFG note suggests that until political clarity emerges, gilt yields may remain elevated, adding to the challenges facing the UK Treasury. Market Implications for Investors For investors and market participants, the key takeaway from MUFG’s analysis is that Sterling and gilts are likely to remain sensitive to political headlines in the near term. The bank advises that any resolution of political uncertainty—such as a clear policy framework or a stable government outlook—could provide a catalyst for a rebound in both the pound and bond prices. Conversely, prolonged uncertainty could see further depreciation in Sterling and additional upward pressure on gilt yields. The situation underscores the importance of monitoring UK political developments closely, as they now play a central role in driving market movements. Conclusion MUFG’s assessment reinforces the view that political uncertainty is a material risk factor for UK financial markets. The British pound and gilts are both feeling the strain, and the path forward depends heavily on how political events unfold. Investors should brace for continued volatility until a clearer direction emerges from Westminster. FAQs Q1: Why is political uncertainty affecting the British pound? Political uncertainty makes investors cautious, reducing demand for the currency. When the direction of fiscal or leadership policy is unclear, foreign capital inflows slow, putting downward pressure on Sterling. Q2: What are gilts and why do they matter? Gilts are UK government bonds. They are a key benchmark for borrowing costs in the economy. When gilt yields rise, it becomes more expensive for the government and businesses to borrow, which can slow economic activity. Q3: What could reverse the pressure on Sterling and gilts? A clear and credible policy framework from the UK government, or a resolution of political uncertainty such as a stable leadership outlook, could restore investor confidence and support both the pound and gilt prices. This post British Pound Under Pressure as Political Uncertainty Weighs on Sterling and Gilts: MUFG first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
18 May 2026, 13:44
Saylor’s Strategy scoops $2B Bitcoin, holdings reach 843,738 BTC
Michael Saylor’s Strategy bought 24,869 Bitcoin for $2.01 billion last week, lifting holdings to 843,738 BTC as STRC sales funded around 97% of the acquisition.
18 May 2026, 13:43
Bitcoin slumps 7 percent to $76,500 amid US Iran tension
🚨 Bitcoin dropped 7 percent to $76,500 as US Iran tensions flared. Increased volatility caused $607 million in long position liquidations in $BTC. Continue Reading: Bitcoin slumps 7 percent to $76,500 amid US Iran tension The post Bitcoin slumps 7 percent to $76,500 amid US Iran tension appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
18 May 2026, 13:41
Iran Pushes $10B Bitcoin Insurance Plan for Strait of Hormuz: Report
The platform settles cargo cover in Bitcoin under a plan for marine policies and certificates that could generate $10 billion for Iran.
18 May 2026, 13:40
Citi Warns Bitcoin Faces Unique Quantum Computing Vulnerability Due to Slow Upgrades
BitcoinWorld Citi Warns Bitcoin Faces Unique Quantum Computing Vulnerability Due to Slow Upgrades Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, faces a unique and potentially severe threat from the rise of quantum computing, according to a new analysis from Citigroup. The report, covered by CoinDesk, highlights that Bitcoin’s conservative governance structure and slow protocol upgrade speed make it particularly susceptible to attacks that could compromise a significant portion of its circulating supply. The Core Vulnerability: Exposed Public Keys Citi analyst Alex Saunders identified that the primary weakness lies in public keys that have already been exposed on the blockchain. Unlike modern best practices where public keys are only revealed when a transaction is spent, older Bitcoin addresses and transaction types have their public keys permanently visible. This includes early pay-to-public-key (P2PK) addresses and the wallet widely believed to belong to Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. According to recent estimates, between 6.5 million and 6.9 million Bitcoin have already had their public keys exposed. This represents roughly one-third of the total circulating supply, currently valued at approximately $450 billion. In a future where sufficiently powerful quantum computers exist, an attacker could theoretically use Shor’s algorithm to derive the private key from a public key, allowing them to forge transactions or steal funds from those addresses. The ‘Harvest Now, Decrypt Later’ Threat Saunders also warned of a more immediate and insidious tactic: ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attacks. In this scenario, malicious actors collect encrypted data or on-chain transaction information today, storing it until quantum technology matures enough to decrypt it. This means that even transactions that are secure by today’s standards could become vulnerable in the future, posing a long-term risk to privacy and asset security. The report underscores that while quantum computing is not yet a practical threat to Bitcoin, the window for proactive defense is narrowing. The timeline for when a quantum computer capable of breaking Bitcoin’s Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) will exist remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from a decade to several decades. However, the sheer value at stake and the slow pace of Bitcoin’s governance make preparation critical. Why Bitcoin’s Governance Matters Bitcoin’s decentralized and conservative upgrade process, while a strength for security and stability, is a weakness in this context. Implementing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, such as Lamport signatures or lattice-based cryptography, would require a soft fork or hard fork, demanding broad consensus among miners, node operators, and the community. This process can take years, as seen with past upgrades like SegWit or Taproot. The report suggests that Bitcoin’s governance structure may not be able to react quickly enough once a quantum threat becomes imminent. Conclusion The Citi analysis serves as a sobering reminder that even the most established blockchain networks are not immune to future technological disruptions. While quantum computing remains a nascent field, the potential for catastrophic financial loss is real. The report calls for the cryptocurrency industry, and Bitcoin in particular, to begin planning and testing quantum-resistant upgrades now, rather than waiting for a crisis. For Bitcoin holders, the key takeaway is to be aware of the risks associated with old, exposed addresses and to consider moving funds to more secure, modern wallets that minimize public key exposure. FAQs Q1: What makes Bitcoin vulnerable to quantum computers? Bitcoin uses the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) for security. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could run Shor’s algorithm to derive a private key from a public key, allowing an attacker to forge signatures and steal funds. Bitcoin’s slow upgrade process makes it difficult to implement quantum-resistant cryptography quickly. Q2: How much Bitcoin is at risk? Approximately 6.5 to 6.9 million BTC have already exposed their public keys, representing about one-third of the total supply, valued at roughly $450 billion. This includes coins in early P2PK addresses and the wallet of Satoshi Nakamoto. Q3: What is a ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ attack? This is a strategy where attackers collect encrypted data or on-chain transaction information today, storing it until quantum computers become powerful enough to decrypt it in the future. This means that even current, secure transactions could become vulnerable later. Q4: When will quantum computers actually threaten Bitcoin? Estimates vary widely, but most experts believe a quantum computer capable of breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography is at least 10 to 20 years away. However, the threat is considered credible enough that the industry should begin preparing now due to the long lead time required for protocol upgrades. Q5: What can Bitcoin holders do to protect themselves? Users should avoid using old addresses that have already spent from them (which exposes the public key). Best practices include using modern wallets that generate new addresses for each transaction and not reusing addresses. Moving funds from legacy P2PK addresses to newer SegWit or Taproot addresses is also recommended. This post Citi Warns Bitcoin Faces Unique Quantum Computing Vulnerability Due to Slow Upgrades first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
