Invest ideasNews
18 May 2026, 10:10
Hyperliquid Jumps 5% as Bitwise’s $4.3M HYPE ETF Debut Triggers Short Squeeze
Despite a broader cryptocurrency market sell-off that dragged Bitcoin below $77,000, the HYPE token rebounded by over 5% on Monday, briefly matching and surpassing its previous peak of $47. HYPE Rebounds Amid Crypto Sell-Off Just days after plunging nearly 10% on reports that rivals ICE and CME had urged U.S. regulators to target Hyperliquid, HYPE
18 May 2026, 10:02
Former Ripple CTO: “No Way to Create More XRP…” Here’s why
Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto shared a statement from Ripple CTO David Schwartz, emphasizing that XRP’s supply cannot be increased because the code has no capacity to create additional tokens. According to the post, XRP’s total supply remains permanently capped at 100 billion tokens. The message focused on one of XRP’s defining characteristics. It quickly gained attention from members of the XRP community who debated whether the fixed supply could eventually increase its value. Steph Is Crypto wrote that there is “NO WAY to create more XRP because the code doesn’t exist,” adding that the supply is “100% fixed.” The statement reinforced a long-standing feature of XRP that differentiates it from assets with inflationary issuance models. Unlike cryptocurrencies that continue adding new tokens through mining or staking rewards, XRP’s supply was created at launch. Supporters of XRP have often argued that this structure could become increasingly important if institutional or global adoption accelerates in the coming years. David Schwartz: “NO WAY to create more $XRP because the code doesn’t exist.” SUPPLY IS 100% FIXED. pic.twitter.com/uqUQXott3t — STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) May 16, 2026 Community Members Debate XRP’s Long-Term Potential The tweet generated strong reactions from users who shared differing views on whether XRP’s fixed supply is beneficial to holders. One user, identified as BrutallyHonest, criticized the original creation of the 100 billion XRP supply. The commenter argued that the large supply contributes to XRP’s lower unit price compared to assets with smaller circulating supplies. Another user, Tye, presented a more optimistic outlook. The commenter suggested that increasing adoption and possible government-related use cases could eventually place significant pressure on XRP’s available supply. According to the post, the limited number of tokens could create stronger demand dynamics similar to what supporters have seen with Bitcoin over the years. James Volz also responded by defending the existing supply structure. The user questioned why additional tokens would ever be necessary, given that 100 billion XRP already exists. The varying reactions reflected an ongoing debate within the XRP community regarding supply, valuation, and future utility. Why XRP’s Fixed Supply Matters The discussion surrounding XRP’s supply is important because scarcity often plays a major role in crypto market valuations. Bitcoin supporters have long pointed to its capped supply of 21 million coins as a major reason behind its long-term price growth. XRP supporters believe similar principles could eventually influence XRP if adoption increases substantially. However, XRP differs from Bitcoin in one key area. While Bitcoin’s supply is much smaller, XRP was designed for high transaction volume and payment. Supporters argue that the larger supply allows XRP to support global-scale liquidity without the complexities of fractional ownership for institutions and payment providers. The fixed supply model also means that no future inflation can dilute existing holders. In addition, a small amount of XRP is permanently destroyed during transactions as part of the network’s fee mechanism. Some XRP supporters believe this feature could gradually reduce the circulating supply, especially if transaction activity increases significantly. XRP Holders Continue Watching Adoption Trends The renewed attention on XRP’s supply comes at a time when investors remain focused on institutional adoption, regulatory developments, and utility-driven demand within the digital asset sector. For XRP holders, Schwartz’s statement reinforces certainty around one major aspect of the asset: the total supply cannot be expanded. Many supporters believe that if demand continues growing while supply remains fixed, XRP’s market value could strengthen over the long term. 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 Former Ripple CTO: “No Way to Create More XRP…” Here’s why appeared first on Times Tabloid .
18 May 2026, 10:00
Tom Lee Flags Record Oil Correlation as Ethereum Faces Macro Pressure
Tom Lee in an X post highlights that rising oil prices may keep ETH under short-term pressure. Tokenization and AI demand, on the other hand, support Ethereum’s long-term outlook. BitMine’s ETH accumulation is tightening supply and reshaping market dynamics. Tom Lee, a well-known crypto bull and founder of BitMiner Immersion Technologies, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) earlier today, May 18, 2026, and stated that there is an unusual linkage to explain Ethereum’s recent price weakness. According to the post, there is a record negative correlation between Ethereum’s daily returns and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices. Lee with the help of various charts showed that Ethereum’s daily returns have reached a historic low correlation of about -0.4 with WTI, as oil surged by almost 23% in the prior month amid renewed geopolitical tensions. The founder of BitMine Immersion clearly stated that rising oil prices have been Ethereum’s biggest short-term challenge, but stronger long-term factors are expected to support ETH through 2026. Lee framed the oil-Ether relationship as more of a short-term market distraction than a real shift in Ethereum’s core strength. He pointed out that as oil prices climbed over the past six weeks, ETH declined, suggesting that if oil pulls back, there is a possibility that Ethereum could regain momentum. He also stressed that Ethereum’s bigger long-term growth drivers remained unchanged, especially the expansion of real-world asset tokenization and increasing demand from agentic AI systems that will likely rely on smart-contract platforms. At press time, the price of the ETH -3.27% token stands at $2,117.10 with a drop of 3.3% in the last 24-hours as per CoinGecko. ETH 24-hours chart Why Oil Could Hurt Crypto in the Short-Term? Economists and market strategists point to several mechanisms through which rising oil can spill over into risk assets, including crypto. First, higher oil usually lifts headline inflation expectations, which can pressure real returns and prompt risk-off positioning across equities and speculative assets. Second, an oil shock can dent growth prospects in energy-importing economies, eroding risk appetite and reducing liquidity available for higher-beta assets. Third, increasing energy costs can increase uncertainty and volatility, encouraging a rotation into perceived safer stores of value or cash. Crypto markets are especially sensitive to shifts in macro risk sentiment. Unlike some assets with clearer cashflow profiles, many participants treat ETH and other cryptos as speculative exposures, so a wave of inflation fears or risk aversion can trigger outsized price moves. The recent inverse correlation Lee highlights, a negative 0.4 reading at its trough, indicates that over the measured window, oil upswings have coincided with ETH sell-offs. Correlations are window-dependent and can flip quickly, but the current reading signals a meaningful short-term relationship worth monitoring. Short-Term Tactical Implications For traders and risk managers, the important lesson is that short-term crypto strategies should factor in broader macro files like oil prices and inflation when managing positions or hedging risk. If oil prices continue rising, Ethereum could remain under pressure until market volatility eases or strong positive developments, such as major tokenization partnerships or faster AI-driven adoption, help counter that weakness. Lee’s view is that this pressure is temporary, which aligns with how experienced investors usually see market correlations. During periods of stress, assets tend to move more closely together, but those relationships usually weaken once conditions stabilize. If oil prices level off or decline, pressure onf ETH and other risk assets may fade, allowing Ethereum’s long-term growth drivers to regain control. Institutional ETH Accumulation Reshapes Market Dynamics At the same time, around the start of this month, May 2026, growing institutional interest in Ethereum is adding another important factor to market dynamics. Recent reports show that the Ethereum Foundation sold 10,000 ETH to BitMine through an over-the-counter (OTC) deal as part of its treasury strategy to fund operations, research, and ecosystem development. The sale was completed at an average price of about $2,292 per ETH. Meanwhile, BitMine, led by Tom Lee, has continued building its Ethereum position and now reportedly holds around 5.2 million ETH, or about 4.3% of total supply. However, the firm has slowed its buying pace and now expects to reach its 5% ownership target by December rather than earlier in the year. Large institutional buyers can reduce the amount of ETH available in the open market, which may tighten supply and lead to sharper price volatility. Heavy accumulation can also shape trading behaviour, as some investors may buy in anticipation of continued institutional demand. At the same time, concentrated ownership also raises concerns about market influence and staking centralization, especially if a single entity controls a significant share of Ethereum’s supply. What to Watch Next Oil Prices and inflation matter in the short term: If oil prices keep rising and inflation stays high, Ethereum may face more selling pressure because investors usually avoid riskier assets during uncertain macro conditions. If oil prices fall, ETH could recover more easily. BitMine’s buying activity is important: If BitMine keeps on buying ETH or manages to secure large private deals, fewer coins will be available in the market and this is something that can increase the price of the token. If the company slows purchases or sells holdings, pressure could ease. On-chain data gives real clues: Wallet activity, treasury disclosures, staking dashboards, and large transaction movements can help investors track what major ETH holders are actually doing instead of relying only on headlines. Long-term adoption remains key: Growth in tokenized real-world assets, institutional blockchain use, and AI-driven demand for Ethereum-based smart contracts could strengthen ETH’s long-term value. Final Thoughts Tom Lee’s view that Ethereum’s recent weakness is tied to its unusual negative correlation with oil suggests that macroeconomic shocks can temporarily shape crypto prices. While this may matter for short-term trading, many analysts still believe Ethereum’s long-term growth story, driven by tokenization and expanding AI-related demand, remains strong. At the same time, BitMine adds new concern around liquidity, supply concentration, and market influence. For investors, closely tracking both macro trends and on-chain data will be essential to determine whether current pressure is just temporary volatility or part of a large market shift. Also Read: Ethereum Underperforms Bitcoin as ETH/BTC Hits 10-Month Low
18 May 2026, 10:00
Why Iran’s Bitcoin-based ‘Hormuz Safe’ has global markets watching
Iran’s Hormuz Safe uses Bitcoin for maritime insurance, bypassing Western systems and boosting crypto adoption.
18 May 2026, 10:00
Aptos price prediction for 2026 – 2032: Will APT token hold bullish hopes?
Key takeaways: Our Aptos price prediction anticipates a high of $5.54 by the end of 2026. In 2028, it will range between $19.33 and $25.91, with an average price of $20.18. In 2030, it will range between $79.95 and $99.65, with an average price of $82.60. The Aptos blockchain has aggressively attracted capital into its ecosystem, with its total value locked ( TVL ) rising above $275 million. Aptos is a high-performance layer-1 blockchain with a mature ecosystem of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Aptos network continues to build decentralized applications and tools for developers. But how about APT’s performance? How high will it go? Is APT a good investment? Let’s explore these questions in our Cryptopolitan price predictions from 2026 to 2031. Overview Cryptocurrency Aptos Symbol APT Current price $0.9206 Aptos crypto market cap $754.15M Trading volume $71.96M Circulating supply 819.16M All-time high $19.90 on Jan 30, 2023 All-time low $0.7926 on Feb 23, 2026 24-hour high $0.9679 24-hour low $0.9186 Aptos price prediction: Technical analysis Metric Value Volatility (30-day variation) 5.71% (High) 50-day SMA $0.9513 200-day SMA $0.9513 Current APT sentiment Bearish Green days 5.71% Fear and Greed Index 28 (Fear) Aptos price analysis At press time, May 18, Aptos crossed below $1.00, down 3.44% over the last 24 hours and 4.74% over the last 30 days. Its trading volume rose by 83.14% over the last 24 hours to $72 million. Aptos 1-day chart price APTUSD chart by TradingView The MACD histograms show APT descent was driven by negative momentum since last week. The move came after APT recorded its highest this month at $1.239. Its relative strength index (RSI) is in neutral territory (39.42). It is oversold when the value drops below 30. Aptos 4-hour chart price analysis APTUSD chart by TradingView The chart highlights APT’s run this month. The latest candle formation is suggestive of a bearish continuation. Its momentum slowed over the last 8 hours, limiting further losses below $1.00. The $1 mark is the pivot level above which APT could rise to $1.20. A reversal would send it back to the April lows at $0.80. Aptos technical indicators: Levels and action Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value ($) Action SMA 3 0.9534 SELL SMA 5 0.9915 SELL SMA 10 1.06 SELL SMA 21 1.02 SELL SMA 50 0.9513 SELL SMA 100 0.9554 SELL SMA 200 1.49 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value ($) Action EMA 3 0.9559 SELL EMA 5 0.9826 SELL EMA 10 1.01 SELL EMA 21 1.01 SELL EMA 50 0.9965 SELL EMA 100 1.12 SELL EMA 200 1.67 SELL What to expect from the APT price analysis next? According to the technical indicators, APT is bearish. Over the short term, the charts show APT broke out to the downside, supported by negative market momentum. There is support at $0.09, which, if broken, could send APT to $0.08; otherwise, $1.20 is a likely target if the market reverses. Why is Aptos down? There is widespread altcoin weakness, with technical breakdowns detected across several major tokens, including APT, triggering sell signals and momentum loss. Will Aptos reach $10? Yes, Aptos will rise above $10 in 2027. The move will come as the market corrects to previous highs. Will Aptos reach $100? According to the Cryptopolitan price prediction, Aptos will reach $100 in 2032. Will Aptos reach $1000? Per the Cryptopolitan price prediction, it remains unlikely that Aptos will get to $1000 before 2032. What is the long-term price prediction for Aptos? According to Cryptopolitan price predictions, Aptos will trade higher in the years to come. However, factors such as market crashes or stringent regulations could invalidate this bullish theory. How high can Aptos coin go? Per the Cryptopolitan price prediction, Aptos will reach a high of $146 in 2032. Recent news The Aptos community passed a proposal to introduce deflationary tokenomics in a vote that ended on March 1. The change sets a hard cap on the total supply of APT tokens at 2.1 billion, aligning with a broader shift towards performance-driven tokenomics. Aptos price prediction May 2026 The Aptos price forecast for May ranges from a minimum of $0.82 to a maximum of $1.40. The average price for the month will be $0.94. Month Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) May 0.82 0.94 1.40 Aptos price prediction 2026 For 2026, APT’s price will range between $0.85 and $3.54. The average price for the period will be $2.72. Year Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) 2026 0.85 2.72 3.54 APT price prediction 2027–2032 Year Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) 2027 5.59 11.18 14.84 2028 19.33 20.18 25.91 2029 34.08 35.59 40.67 2030 54.42 56.24 67.14 2031 79.95 82.60 99.65 2032 121.21 125.84 145.97 Aptos price prediction 2027 The Aptos APT price prediction estimates it will range between $5.59 and $14.84, with an average price of $11.18. Aptos price prediction 2028 Aptos coin price prediction climbs even higher into 2028. According to predictions, APT’s trading price will range from $19.33 to $25.91, with an average price of $20.18. Aptos price prediction 2029 Our analysis indicates a further acceleration in APT’s price. It will trade between $34.08 and $40.67, with an average price of $35.59. Aptos price prediction 2030 According to the Aptos forecast for 2030, the APT price will range from $54.42 to $67.14, with an average of $56.24. APT price prediction 2031 According to the Aptos price prediction for 2031, the price will range between $79.95 and $99.65, with an average of $82.60. Aptos price prediction 2032 The Aptos price prediction for 2032 is a high of $145.97. It will reach a minimum price of $121.21 and an average price of $125.84. Aptos price prediction 2026 – 2032 APT market price prediction: Analysts’ APT price forecast Platform 2026 2027 2028 Coincodex $0.7903 $1.76 $1.18 Gate.com $1.01 $1.23 $1.47 Cryptopolitan’s APT price prediction Our predictions indicate that APT will reach a high of $5.54 by the end of 2026. In 2028, it will range between $19.33 and $25.91, with an average of $20.18. In 2031, it will range between $79.95 and $99.65, with an average price of $82.60. Note that the predictions are not investment advice. Seek independent professional consultation or do your research. Aptos historic price sentiment APT price history by CoinGecko Aptos raised seed funding in January 2022, led by a16z. Series A funding included Apollo, Dragonfly, Franklin Templeton, and others. Some members previously worked on the Diem blockchain, a project proposed by Facebook. The Aptos mainnet launched in October 2022 with an initial supply of 1 billion tokens. After the launch hype, Apt fell to its lowest in December 2022, at $3.09. A month later, the tables turned, as it peaked at $19.90 on January 30, 2023. It pumped, partly driven by the NFT market. Collections such as Aptos Monkeys and Aptomingod have attracted more users. On June 6, it fell below its initial listing price, extending losses from the preceding months. In October, it began correcting, rising to $8.47 in November. In 2024, it broke above $10, reaching $18 in March. From April, it reversed, falling below $10. By September, it had fallen to $6. It recovered in October, rising above $7.50. It crossed into November, trading at $8.9, and rose to $13.91. It corrected and traded at $13.24 into December. It was later corrected and crossed into 2025, trading at $8.71. The drop continued into February, and in May, it fell below $5.10. In October, it crossed above $5.30, then assumed a bear run, and by November, it had dropped to $3.21. In December, it reached support levels at $1.70. It maintained the levels into January 2026. Later, it turned bearish, falling below $1 in March and $0.90 in April. In May, it rose back above $1.00.
18 May 2026, 09:59
PI slips below $0.15: can it survive mounting token unlock pressure?
The cryptocurrency market has continued its recent bearish price action, with Bitcoin and Ethereum losing key support levels. Bitcoin has dropped below the $77,000 level, while Ethereum risks losing the $2,100 support zone in the near term. The bearish price action extends to other altcoins, with Pi Network (PI) extending its decline on Monday. PI is now trading below the $0.1500 level, marking its fourth consecutive day of losses as persistent selling pressure and upcoming token unlocks continued to weigh on sentiment. Nearly 130 million PI tokens set to unlock in May According to data from PiScan , approximately 129.83 million PI tokens are scheduled to unlock during the remainder of May, representing nearly $19.73 million worth of additional supply entering the market. The ongoing monthly token unlocks have become a recurring source of downside pressure for Pi Network, particularly during periods of weak market demand and declining investor confidence. As prices continue to decline, the increase in PI’s circulating supply adds further downward risk as holders look to reduce exposure. PiScan data also showed that centralized exchange wallet balances increased by more than 277,000 PI tokens over the past 24 hours. The total PI token reserves held on centralized exchanges now stand near 543 million tokens. This adds concerns about the increasing available supply and potential liquidation pressure. Rising exchange balances are often interpreted as a bearish signal, as investors typically move tokens onto exchanges when preparing to sell. PI price forecast: PI remains firmly bearish The PI/USD 4-hour chart is extremely bearish, with PI down 6% in the last 24 hours. It has broken below the $0.1500 psychological support level and could dip lower if the selloff persists. On the 4-hour chart, PI remains below both the 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $0.1669 and the 200-period EMA at $0.1736, confirming sustained downward momentum. Momentum indicators also continue to favor sellers. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has fallen to 29, signaling deeply oversold conditions. While the RSI suggests an oversold condition, it does not yet confirm a bullish reversal. Furthermore, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator remains firmly in negative territory. PI has dropped below $0.1500, and a daily candle close below this level could expose the next downside target at $0.1440. Failure to defend this level would expose other downside barriers at $0.1319, which sits close to Pi Network’s all-time low around $0.1310. However, if the buyers step in, they would encounter immediate resistance near the descending trendline around $0.1645, followed by stronger resistance at the 50-period EMA near $0.1669. Unless buying momentum improves significantly, the bulls will continue to face heavy selling pressure at major resistance levels. The ongoing situation in the Middle East also adds further pressure to the broader cryptocurrency market. The post PI slips below $0.15: can it survive mounting token unlock pressure? appeared first on Invezz
