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18 May 2026, 10:30

Flagged Live: Attacker Flips $11.5M in Stolen Verus Assets to ETH Following Tornado Cash Setup

A coordinated exploit drained approximately $11.5 million from the Verus-Ethereum bridge on May 18, with security firm Blockaid linking the attacker’s wallet to Tornado Cash. Attacker Converts Loot to ETH and Tornado Cash Trail Emerges The Verus-Ethereum bridge was drained of approximately $11.5 million in a coordinated exploit, with analytics confirming that the attacker extracted

18 May 2026, 10:30

Trillion-Dollar Italian Bank Moves To XRP, But How Much Have They Bought?

XRP is back in focus following reports of exposure from Italy’s largest banking group. The disclosure, highlighted by crypto analyst @Xfinancebull on X, reveals a position tied to the Grayscale XRP Trust, which has drawn renewed attention across the market as investors assess the scale and implications of the holding. The $18 Million Position Making Waves According to recent reports, Italian banking heavyweight Intesa Sanpaolo, a financial institution managing roughly $1.1 trillion in assets, expanded its cryptocurrency exposure substantially between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Verified figures show that the institution’s crypto-related holdings climbed from approximately $100 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 to nearly $235 million by the end of March 2026. Within that expansion was a newly established position tied to the cryptocurrency through the Grayscale XRP Trust. Related Reading: What’s Going On With Ethereum And Why Is Price Moving This Way? As of March 31, the bank held 712,319 shares of the Grayscale XRP Trust, a position valued at around $18 million. This makes it one of the most notable institutional allocations disclosed by a major European bank this year. The exposure was not obtained through direct purchases of tokens on exchanges. Instead, the bank gained access through Grayscale’s investment trust product, which allows institutions to participate in XRP-related investments through regulated financial vehicles. That distinction matters because many traditional financial institutions still prefer regulated exposure routes instead of directly holding crypto assets on-chain. The move immediately drew attention across the community, especially because it arrived during a period when parts of the market remained uncertain about short-term price direction. @Xfinancebull referenced the development as evidence that large institutions continue positioning themselves despite ongoing volatility in the broader crypto market. XRP Is Part Of A Bigger Crypto Strategy The XRP allocation was only one part of a much larger crypto expansion strategy unveiled during the quarter. Alongside the new XRP position, Intesa Sanpaolo also increased its Bitcoin exposure and added Ethereum-related investments for the first time. The bank reportedly gained Ethereum exposure through purchases linked to the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust. At the same time, its Bitcoin holdings also grew significantly through several ETF-related products, including ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. Related Reading: Is It Time To Sell? Bitcoin Price Enters Redistribution Phase That Previously Led To A 78% Crash Interestingly, while exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP increased, the institution sharply reduced its position connected to Solana. Holdings tied to the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF reportedly fell from more than 266,000 shares at the end of 2025 to just 2,817 shares by March 2026. Rather than taking small experimental positions, the bank appears to be actively restructuring its crypto exposure across multiple major digital assets. For XRP supporters, the $18 million position stands out because it represents participation from one of Europe’s largest financial institutions. Although the investment remains relatively small compared to the bank’s overall asset base, the move still adds to growing evidence that traditional financial players are increasingly willing to gain exposure to XRP-related products as the digital asset sector continues evolving. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

18 May 2026, 10:30

Gold Price Stalls as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Bolster US Dollar

BitcoinWorld Gold Price Stalls as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Bolster US Dollar The gold market is facing renewed headwinds this week, struggling to extend a recovery from its late-March lows. The primary pressure point comes from a strengthening US dollar, which has been buoyed by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain its aggressive monetary tightening stance. For traders and investors, this dynamic presents a classic tug-of-war between the metal’s safe-haven appeal and the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset in a high-rate environment. Fed Hawkish Bets Weigh on Bullion Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials have reinforced the narrative that interest rates may need to stay higher for longer to combat persistent inflation. Markets are now pricing in a higher probability of a rate hike at the next FOMC meeting, a shift that has pushed the US Dollar Index (DXY) higher. Since gold is priced in dollars, a stronger greenback makes the metal more expensive for holders of other currencies, dampening demand. This inverse correlation has been a dominant theme for gold throughout 2024, and it shows no signs of weakening. Technical Resistance and Support Levels From a technical perspective, gold’s attempt to bounce from the $2,150 support zone has stalled near the $2,180 resistance level. Analysts note that the metal is trading below its key 50-day moving average, a bearish signal that suggests sellers remain in control. If the dollar continues to strengthen, gold could retest its late-March low around $2,130. Conversely, a break above $2,200 would require a significant shift in Fed expectations or a fresh geopolitical catalyst that drives safe-haven flows. Why This Matters for Investors The current stalemate in gold prices reflects a broader uncertainty in global financial markets. For portfolio managers, gold remains a crucial hedge against inflation and currency debasement, but its near-term performance is heavily dependent on the path of US interest rates. If the Fed signals a pause or pivot, gold could quickly regain its upward momentum. However, if the data continues to show a resilient US economy, the dollar’s strength could push gold into a deeper correction. Investors should watch the upcoming US jobs report and CPI data closely, as these will be the key inputs for the Fed’s next decision. Conclusion Gold’s inability to sustain a recovery from its March lows underscores the dominant influence of Federal Reserve policy on precious metals markets. While long-term bullish factors remain intact, the near-term outlook is clouded by a hawkish Fed and a resurgent US dollar. Traders should prepare for continued volatility as the market digests the next wave of economic data and central bank commentary. FAQs Q1: Why is gold price falling despite inflation being high? High inflation typically supports gold, but the current sell-off is driven by the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes. Higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding gold (which pays no interest) and strengthen the US dollar, both of which are negative for gold prices. Q2: What is the key support level for gold right now? The most immediate support level is around $2,130-$2,150, which was the low reached in late March. A decisive break below that zone could open the door for a move toward the $2,080 area. Q3: Could gold still rally this year? Yes, a rally is possible if the Fed signals a pause or pivot in its rate hiking cycle, or if a major geopolitical event triggers safe-haven buying. Central bank purchases also provide a strong floor for gold prices. However, for a sustained rally, the US dollar needs to weaken and real yields need to fall. This post Gold Price Stalls as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Bolster US Dollar first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 May 2026, 10:27

Litecoin under pressure as bears tighten grip on LTC below key support

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) are trading in the red as the broader cryptocurrency market extends its losses. Bitcoin is trading below $77,000, while Ethereum and XRP are trading at $2,119 and $1.38, respectively. The bearish performance is now affecting other leading altcoins, with Litecoin one of the worst performers among the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Litecoin remains bearish below the key invalidation level Litecoin is down by 4% in the last 24 hours, making it one of the worst performers among the leading 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap. At press time, LTC continues to trade below the key invalidation level near $72, keeping the bearish structure intact. The current setup suggests LTC may still be developing its bearish wave, following a massive selloff from its recent $72 resistance level. If the bearish impulse continues to unfold as expected, Litecoin could eventually revisit the major support region near the $40 area. That zone may attract stronger buyer interest, as it aligns with the lower boundary of a larger long-term triangle formation that has contained price action over an extended period. Retail interest in Litecoin has dropped drastically over the past few weeks. Data obtained from CoinGlass reveals that Litecoin’s futures Open Interest (OI) now reads $339 million, down from $454 million recorded a week ago when Litecoin hit the $60 level. Litecoin’s OI-Weighted Funding Rate has flipped negative and now reads -0.003%. The metric entering the negative zone indicates that the bears are currently in control. Retailers are reducing their exposure to Litecoin as the broader cryptocurrency market lacks momentum at the moment. Litecoin price outlook The LTC/USD 4-hour chart is extremely bearish as Litecoin appears to have completed an ABC corrective recovery from the projected $60 resistance area before sellers regained control. The recent decline below both the ascending channel support line and the key $54 level reinforces the view that the corrective rally has likely ended. The decline below the $54 level increases the probability of another sell-off phase developing, as sellers are firmly in control of the market at the moment. The momentum indicators are also bearish. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) reads 36, indicating a bearish stance as Litecoin approaches the oversold region. Furthermore, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) lines are also within the negative territory, adding further confluence to the bearish narrative. If the selloff persists, LTC could drop below the April 2nd low of $51.41 in the near term. A daily candle close below this level would expose lower support levels, with the February 6 low of $45 a strong demand zone. While the broader outlook remains bearish, traders should still expect intermittent short-term corrective rebounds during the decline. Hence, the pullbacks could see LTC retest the recent 4-hour swing high of $59.75 in the near term. These temporary pullbacks may emerge as oversold conditions develop, but unless Litecoin reclaims major resistance zones, the overall structure continues to favor further downside in the near term. The post Litecoin under pressure as bears tighten grip on LTC below key support appeared first on Invezz

18 May 2026, 10:24

Ethereum Price Prediction: Ethereum Faces Trendline Test

Ethereum is under short-term pressure after losing a key rising trendline, while another chart shows a possible bullish reversal pattern forming. The latest ETH setups show a split market: bears are trying to push price into a deeper C-wave, but bulls still need one strong breakout to confirm recovery. Ethereum Faces Downside Pressure as ETH Loses Short-Term Trendline Ethereum is trading under short-term pressure after losing the rising support line on the 4-day chart, while analysts still leave room for a broader B-wave bounce. The ETH/USD chart shared by More Crypto Online shows Ethereum near $2,108 after price failed to hold the small rising structure that formed from the April low. The breakdown puts sellers back in control in the short term. Ethereum C-Wave Downside Setup. Source: More Crypto Online on X The chart also shows ETH trading below a larger descending trendline that started from the previous high near the $4,700–$5,000 area. Ethereum tried to recover into that trendline but failed to break above it. The analyst said bears are trying to start the C-wave to the downside. However, the decline from the April high still appears to have only three waves, which means Ethereum could still form a more complex B-wave bounce before a deeper move develops. The main upside zone sits between $2,655 and $3,236. This area includes the 100%, 123.6%, 138%, and 161.8% Fibonacci extension levels. Above that, the broader retracement levels mark $3,332 and $3,970 as higher resistance areas. However, ETH must first recover above the broken short-term structure and the descending yellow trendline. Without that move, the chart keeps short-term pressure pointed lower. On the downside, the chart shows a major support zone near $1,650–$1,800. A deeper bearish continuation could bring that area back into focus if ETH fails to reclaim the $2,200–$2,300 region. For now, Ethereum remains below key trend resistance. The chart does not fully confirm a larger downside C-wave yet, but short-term momentum has turned weaker. Ethereum Bullish Reversal Pattern Starts Forming Meanwhile, another ETH chart points to a possible bullish reversal pattern forming after the recent downside pressure. Ray said Ethereum may be building a new bullish reversal setup. The post suggests ETH could be shifting from a weak short-term structure into a recovery pattern, although confirmation would still depend on a clean breakout above the pattern’s resistance area. Ethereum Bullish Reversal Pattern. Source: Ray on X This adds a second angle to the ETH setup. The earlier chart showed sellers trying to start a C-wave lower, while this view points to a possible reversal forming before deeper downside gets confirmed. For now, the bullish case needs stronger follow-through. If ETH breaks above the reversal structure, buyers could regain control and push price back toward the next resistance zones. If the pattern fails, the short-term downside setup remains active.

18 May 2026, 10:23

BTC price ‘bull trap’ at $76.5K? Five things to know in Bitcoin this week

Bitcoin started the week with a dip toward new May lows as ongoing BTC price pressures included "collapsing" US bond markets.