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Today in crypto, Changpeng Zhao has responded forcefully to The Wall Street Journal’s latest report linking the former Binance CEO’s crypto dealings with the Trump-back decentralized finance platform World Liberty Financial, United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Summer Mersinger said crypto perpetual futures could soon come to the US, and lawmakers plan to amend the GENIUS Act to bar sitting presidents from profiting off stablecoins.

CZ refutes claims in latest WSJ article on Trump-linked crypto dealings

Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has pushed back against a report in The Wall Street Journal, calling it a “hit piece” filled with inaccuracies and negative assumptions. 

In an X post, Zhao criticized the publication’s portrayal of his alleged involvement with World Liberty Financial, the decentralized finance project backed by a business entity affiliated with US President Donald Trump. Trump’s sons — Eric and Donald Jr. —are involved in the management of the company.

Zhao said the WSJ article portrayed him as acting as a “fixer” for the WLF team and its co-founder Zach Witkoff during foreign trips. 

The article suggested Zhao facilitated introductions and meetings for WLF leaders during foreign trips, including a visit to Pakistan that reportedly resulted in a memorandum of understanding with a local official.

“I am not a fixer for anyone,” Zhao said, firmly denying that he connected Pakistani official “Mr. Saqib” with WLF or organized any engagements abroad. “They had known each other way back, whereas I only met with Mr. Saqib for the first time in Pakistan.” 

Crypto perp futures coming “very soon” to US: CFTC’s Mersinger

Outgoing Commodities and Futures Trading Commission Commissioner Summer Mersinger said on May 22 that the regulator could greenlight crypto perpetual futures contracts “very soon.”

“We’re seeing some applications, and I believe we’ll see some of those products trading live very soon,” she told Bloomberg TV, adding it would be “great to get that trading back onshore in the United States.” 

Crypto perpetual futures are derivative contracts that allow traders to speculate, often with high leverage, on the price of a cryptocurrency without actually owning it and can be held indefinitely.

Mersinger, who will leave the CFTC at the end of May to join the crypto lobby group the Blockchain Association as CEO, said having crypto derivatives trading and regulated in the US would be a “really good thing for these markets and would be really beneficial to the industry broadly.”

Senators plan to amend GENIUS Act to address Trump family's stablecoin

Though a majority of members of the US Senate voted to advance a bill to regulate payment stablecoins on May 20, high-ranking Democrats are planning to propose an amendment to the legislation to address President Donald Trump’s connections to the cryptocurrency industry.

According to a May 22 Axios report, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley will file an amendment to the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act, or GENIUS Act, to block a US president from profiting from stablecoins. The proposed amendment would come after 18 Democrats sided with Republicans in the Senate in voting to advance the bill on May 20 after it failed a procedural vote on May 8.

“Passing the GENIUS Act without our anti-corruption amendment stamps a Congressional seal of approval on Trump selling access and influence to the highest bidder,” Merkley said in a May 22 X post.

Trump and his three sons are involved in the crypto platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI), which launched its USD1 stablecoin in March. Critics have pointed out that the president could continue to personally benefit from legislation that helps recognize stablecoins like USD1 as financial instruments in the US. 

Key takeaways

• ChatGPT-powered AI agents automate trading tasks using natural language prompts and API integrations, improving speed and consistency.

• Successes occur when ChatGPT is used as a support tool, not a fully autonomous trading system.

• Failures happen when traders over-rely on ChatGPT without real-time data, proper risk management or manual oversight.

• Regulatory focus on AI in trading is increasing, with new frameworks emerging to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance.

What if a crypto trader didn’t need to constantly check charts, worry about emotions, or stay up all night watching for sudden price swings? What if those tasks could be handled by an intelligent agent that understands instructions in plain English — and reacts within milliseconds? That’s where ChatGPT-powered AI agents come in.

These tools combine natural language processing with real-time trading logic to automate decision-making in one of the world’s most volatile markets. From rebalancing portfolios to reacting to market sentiment, ChatGPT is being adapted to act as a trading assistant, risk manager and market analyst — all rolled into one. 

But can it truly match or even outperform human intuition? This article explores how far these agents have come, where they shine and where they still fall short.

How ChatGPT-powered AI agents operate in cryptocurrency markets

ChatGPT-powered AI agents are changing how people interact with crypto markets. These tools combine ChatGPT’s language abilities with external trading tools and APIs to help users monitor prices, understand trends and even place trades automatically. Instead of just reacting to charts or numbers, ChatGPT can understand plain language commands like “Buy Ethereum if the price drops below $2,000” or “Sell Bitcoin if RSI goes above 70.”

These AI trading assistants can work with major platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, OKX and other centralized or decentralized exchanges and can also tap into decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and smart contracts. With the right setup, ChatGPT can help automate trading strategies based on both technical data and market news.

Success stories vs. failures in ChatGPT-powered crypto trading

Some traders have used ChatGPT to assist in automating parts of their crypto trading processes, particularly for strategy generation and sentiment analysis. For example, a user shared on Reddit that they used a ChatGPT-based AI agent for technical analysis on Ether (ETH), feeding it four-hour and daily chart screenshots. By interpreting market sentiment, support and resistance zones, and other indicators, they managed to make $6,500 in profits.

Similarly, in the broader crypto sector, ChatGPT has been applied to support project development activities such as drafting white papers and marketing content. A notable example is the launch of the “TURBO” memecoin, which reportedly reached a market capitalization of over $50 million in 2024. In this case, ChatGPT was used to streamline documentation and communication rather than manage trading activity, illustrating its usefulness as a support tool in crypto-related initiatives.

However, limitations are evident when ChatGPT is applied beyond its core design. While ChatGPT could suggest a trading portfolio and explain its reasoning clearly, it lacks access to real-time market data and couldn’t respond to sudden volatility. In one instance, ChatGPT was allocated $100 across multiple tokens but failed to actively manage the portfolio as prices fluctuated. This resulted in missed opportunities and underperformance compared to dynamic algorithmic strategies.

Individual experiences reinforce these observations. A Redditor exposed a scam where a YouTuber promoted a “ChatGPT trading bot” tutorial that led users to deploy malicious smart contracts. The contracts, generated using ChatGPT and passed off as safe, were designed to drain user wallets once funded. Victims collectively lost $17,240 in ETH, highlighting the danger of blindly trusting AI-generated code without proper auditing.

Even when asked, “If I use ChatGPT to build an AI agent for crypto trading, can I become a millionaire?” ChatGPT responded with a realistic outlook — acknowledging that while it’s possible, success depends on having a profitable strategy, disciplined risk management, and the ability to scale effectively.

Here is ChatGPT’s response:

These cases suggest that while ChatGPT can support certain elements of the trading process, it should not be treated as a standalone solution for autonomous crypto trading.

AI in crypto trading: Key benefits and limitations

AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being integrated into crypto trading workflows to improve speed, accuracy and efficiency. While they offer important advantages, they also carry specific limitations that traders must actively manage. Below are the main benefits and challenges:

Key benefits of using AI for crypto trading

• AI bots can execute trades in milliseconds, crucial for capturing opportunities in fast-moving crypto markets.

• Bots follow pre-programmed rules precisely, eliminating emotional biases that often affect human traders.

• Crypto markets are always open, and AI bots can monitor and act around the clock without interruption.

• A single bot can manage multiple trading pairs, exchanges and strategies simultaneously.

• ChatGPT can understand specific prompts like “Rebalance every Monday” or “Set stop-loss at 5%,” allowing flexible automation.

Limitations of ChatGPT in cryptocurrency trading

• ChatGPT does not access live market data unless specifically integrated with external APIs (e.g., TradingView, CoinMarketCap or exchange websockets).

• Instructions must be clear and unambiguous; ChatGPT may misinterpret vague or complex commands.

• Improperly secured API keys or lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) can expose trading accounts to unauthorized access.

• ChatGPT’s cloud-based infrastructure can introduce latency, which could impact performance during highly volatile periods.

• ChatGPT does not monitor regional compliance rules; users must manually enforce trading limits based on local regulations.

Ethical and regulatory implications of AI in crypto trading

As AI becomes more integrated into trading systems, it raises significant ethical and regulatory concerns that stakeholders across the financial sector are beginning to address.

• Accountability: If an AI agent executes a harmful or unlawful trade, questions arise around legal responsibility. It remains unclear in many jurisdictions whether liability falls primarily on the developer, the trader using the AI system or the platform facilitating the transactions.

• Market manipulation risks: Autonomous AI bots could unintentionally engage in activities such as spoofing (placing and canceling fake orders to mislead the market) or wash trading (creating artificial volume), especially if not properly programmed with compliance safeguards.

• Regulatory oversight: Financial authorities, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the European Securities and Markets Authority, are actively studying the implications of AI and algorithmic trading. These agencies have recognized that traditional trading regulations may not fully account for autonomous decision-making by AI systems.

• Policy developments: In January 2024, the European Commission released updates to its Digital Finance Strategy, which included references to AI-based financial services. While not yet finalized, these draft regulations under the broader Digital Finance Package signal a move toward stricter compliance expectations for firms deploying AI in financial markets.

Meanwhile, ethical crypto platforms are beginning to voluntarily disclose the use of trading bots in their systems. In parallel, open-source communities are advocating for clearer audit trails, improved model transparency and the establishment of ethical guidelines for AI applications in finance to ensure accountability and fairness.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Digital asset lender Ledn is transitioning to fully collateralized Bitcoin lending and discontinuing support for Ethereum, in moves designed to consolidate its BTC-focused business and further safeguard client assets against credit risks.

In adopting a full custody structure for Bitcoin (BTC) loans, Ledn will no longer lend out client assets to generate interest, the company disclosed on May 23. Instead, Bitcoin collateral will remain under full custody by Ledn or one of its designated funding partners. 

“This means assets aren’t rehypothecated, reused, or loaned out to generate yield,” Ledn co-founder and CEO Adam Reeds told Cointelegraph.

Reeds said the move brings the company back to its roots and aligns more closely with Bitcoin’s founding principles.

“Bitcoin was created as a direct response to the risks of fractional reserve banking and unchecked use of client assets to generate interest,” said Reed, adding:

“Traditional finance relies on constantly reusing client assets to create leverage and, ultimately, inflation. Bitcoiners instinctively reject that model. That’s why we’ve moved away from this approach entirely. 

Reed told Cointelegraph that the company is ending support for Ether (ETH) as “part of a broader strategic shift,” as Bitcoin represents over 99% of Ledn’s client activity.

“Rather than fragmenting the platform to chase marginal volume, we’re going all-in on Bitcoin and simplifying our stack to reflect what our clients actually value,” said Reed.

Founded in 2018, Ledn has emerged as one of the largest lenders in the digital asset space with a loan book value of $9.9 billion, according to Galaxy Research. The company enables Bitcoin holders to borrow against their assets, giving them access to liquidity without having to sell their holdings or trigger a taxable event.

This approach is commonly used by wealthy investors, who take out low-interest loans against stocks, real estate, and other assets to access cash.

Related:‘Before Bitcoin, my most successful investment was shorting the Bolivar’ — Ledn co-founder

Digital assets are disrupting TradFi

Bitcoin’s genesis block was mined in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2008, offering the world a sound money alternative to the inflation-prone fiat monetary system. 

Bitcoin now thrives within traditional finance, especially after the successful launch of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2024.

While financial institutions are increasingly embracing Bitcoin, some members of the banking lobby are reportedly concerned about other blockchain innovations disrupting their business models. 

Specifically, the banking lobby is “panicking” over yield-bearing stablecoins, which can pay higher interest rates and other financial incentives that traditional banks have largely abandoned, according to New York University professor Austin Campbell. 

Referring to banks as a “cartel,” Campbell said financial institutions rely on fractional reserves to maximize profits while offering depositors minimal interest. 

Magazine:Danger signs for Bitcoin as retail abandons it to institutions: Sky Wee

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States are heading for a record-breaking month, helping push Bitcoin to new all-time highs amid rising institutional demand.

The US-listed spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs recorded more than $1.5 billion in combined inflows over a two-day period, with $608 million on May 21 and $934 million on May 22, according to data from Sosovalue.

A repeat performance of the past two days’ inflows would see monthly inflows surge to $6.68 billion, surpassing the monthly record of $6.49 billion from November 2024.

Related:German gov’t missed out on $2.3B profit after selling Bitcoin at $57K

ETF inflows helped Bitcoin rise to a new all-time high of $112,000 on May 22 before retracing to above $110,700 on May 23, up over 19% in the past week, TradingView data shows.

The “robust” ETF inflows and Bitcoin’s rise to new all-time highs signal growing institutional demand and rising realized profits “without increased sell pressure,” Nexo dispatch editor Stella Zlatareva told Cointelegraph.

“Institutional inflows, corporate balance sheet moves, and macro dislocation converge into a clear message: Bitcoin is no longer the alternative — it’s becoming the benchmark,” she added.

Recent surges in ETF demand coincided with $1 billion worth of Bitcoin being withdrawn from Coinbase on May 9 — a move analysts view as a signal of increasing institutional appetite.

Related:Exponential currency debasement: ‘You don’t own enough crypto, NFTs’

Institutional inflows to push Bitcoin to $200,000 in 2025

The “structural” inflows from institutions may help Bitcoin surpass the $200,000 “base case” before the end of 2025, according to Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch.

“So the base case is $200,000, conditional on the US government not stepping in. If they step in, it will move closer toward $500,000,” Dragosch told Cointelegraph, referring to the US government’s proposition to make direct Bitcoin acquisitions through “budget-neutral” strategies.

Bitwise’s “in-house prediction” for 2029 is a $1 million Bitcoin price target, as Bitcoin’s market cap will surpass the market capitalization of gold, as the leading safe-haven asset, Dragosch explained.

However, gold’s $22.3 trillion market capitalization is still over 10 times larger than Bitcoin’s $2.2 trillion, which makes BTC the world’s fifth-largest asset, according to CompaniesMarketCap data.

Magazine:Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Singapore-based artificial intelligence firm Genius Group has added more Bitcoin to its corporate treasury after being temporarily banned from doing so.

In a May 22 announcement, Genius Group explained that it has resumed accumulating Bitcoin (BTC) following a favorable ruling by the US Court of Appeals. It follows Genius Group being temporarily barred from expanding its Bitcoin treasury after a US court order had banned it from selling shares, raising funds and using investor funds to buy more BTC.

Genius Group announced it increased its Bitcoin Treasury 40% with the purchase of 24.5 BTC, worth around $2.7 million. The company now holds 85.5 BTC acquired for a total of $8.5 million, at an average price of $99,700 per coin.

“We are pleased to be able to begin the task of rebuilding shareholder value from the damage caused by the legal actions of third parties, and delivering on our 2025 plan,” the company’s CEO, Roger Hamilton, said.

Related:Swedish health firm jumps 37% on first Bitcoin buy, China EV seller to buy 1K BTC

A long-term commitment

Hamilton said that Genius Group is “committed to educating students on the ABCs of the Future: AI, Bitcoin and Community.” He claimed that the firm is preparing the world for the upcoming digital workforce and digital economy, adding:

“Building our Bitcoin Treasury is a key part of that plan.”

Genius Group is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a current market cap of $24.34 million. Google Finance data shows that the company’s stock is trading at under half of the value it had when starting the year, at $0.34 at the time of writing, dropping over 8% in the last trading day from $0.41.

Related:Bitcoin open interest hits record high as BTC slips below $111K

The many firms following in MicroStrategy’s footsteps

By accumulating Bitcoin, Genius Group is following the lead of the world’s top corporate Bitcoin treasury company, Strategy, previously known as MicroStrategy. Strategy now holds well over 2% of the total Bitcoin that will ever be created and continues buying more. The firm acquired nearly $765 million in Bitcoin last week.

Genius Group is not the only company following in the Strategy’s footsteps. Earlier this month, a Bahrain-based, listed catering company with a $24.2 million market cap adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy in partnership with investment firm 10X Capital.

Also this month, shares of luxury watchmaker Top Win surged more than 60% in premarket trading after the company said it would adopt a Bitcoin accumulation strategy and had changed its name to AsiaStrategy.

Magazine:Metric signals $250K Bitcoin is ‘best case,’ SOL, HYPE tipped for gains: Trade Secrets

Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has pushed back against a report in The Wall Street Journal, calling it a “hit piece” filled with inaccuracies and negative assumptions. 

In an X post, Zhao criticized the publication’s portrayal of his alleged involvement with World Liberty Financial, the decentralized finance project backed by a business entity affiliated with US President Donald Trump. Trump’s sons — Eric and Donald Jr. —are involved in the management of the company.

Zhao said the WSJ article portrayed him as acting as a “fixer” for the WLF team and its co-founder Zach Witkoff during foreign trips. 

The article suggested Zhao facilitated introductions and meetings for WLF leaders during foreign trips, including a visit to Pakistan that reportedly resulted in a memorandum of understanding with a local official.

“I am not a fixer for anyone,” Zhao said, firmly denying that he connected Pakistani official “Mr. Saqib” with WLF or organized any engagements abroad. “They had known each other way back, whereas I only met with Mr. Saqib for the first time in Pakistan.” 

WSJ reports on Steve and Zach Witkoff

Zhao’s response follows a WSJ investigation highlighting a complex string of diplomatic and business interests involving WLF. 

The report raised concerns about the blurred lines between public duties and private interests and focused on diplomatic and business dealings involving WLF co-founders Steve Witkoff and his son, Zach Witkoff. Steve Witkoff serves as the US Special Envoy to the Middle East under the Trump administration, while Zach Witkoff has been involved in securing a reported $2 billion crypto deal.

The report raised questions about whether diplomatic efforts overlapped with private crypto ventures, and implied Zhao may have been attempting to curry favor with the Trump administration

On May 6, Zhao confirmed that he is seeking a pardon from the Trump administration for his earlier money laundering conviction. 

The report also highlighted that WLFI, which raised over $600 million in token sales, does not disclose the names of all its investors aside from some publicly known ones like Tron founder Justin Sun, who attended Trump’s memecoin dinner on May 22. 

Trump hosted the dinner for the largest investors of his Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin. Sun, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu and BitMart CEO Sheldon Xia were among attendees and shared photos of the event.

Related:Binance scores legal win as UK court partially dismisses Bitcoin SV lawsuit

Zhao claims the WSJ report is an “attack” on crypto 

Zhao claimed the WSJ submitted a list of questions containing what he described as “wrong and negative assumptions.” He and his public relations team responded by pointing out several factual inaccuracies, he said, but concluded that the article was “built on a flawed narrative.”

Zhao slammed the WSJ, calling it a “mouthpiece” for anti-crypto forces in the United States. He said the forces behind the publication want to hinder efforts to make the US a crypto capital. 

“They want to attack crypto, global crypto leaders and the pro-crypto administration,” CZ claimed, saying the article is part of a broader effort to stifle the industry’s growth in the US.

This is not the first time Zhao has clapped back at the WSJ recently. In an April 11 report, the publication cited anonymous sources alleging that Zhao agreed to testify against Tron founder Justin Sun as he settled with US prosecutors. 

CZ dismissed the report, saying that people who become government witnesses don’t go to prison and are protected. CZ also claimed that someone paid WSJ employees to smear his name.

Magazine:Crypto scam hub expose stunt goes viral, Kakao detects 70K scam apps: Asia Express

Key takeaways:

• Bitcoin hit a new all-time high of $111,970 on May 22, but retraced to $110,700, with analysts noting mixed signals on market overheating.

• Funding rates and other metrics suggest a “healthy upward phase.”

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price recorded a new all-time high of $111,970  on May 22. However, BTC price retraced shortly after to trade at $110,700 at the time of writing.

Despite the correction, there are mixed signals about whether the price rally is overheated or whether this is a healthy pullback.

Bitcoin “still not overheated” — analyst

Bitcoin is not showing any signs of being overheated despite reaching new all-time highs this week, with several analysts pointing to fundamentals suggesting Bitcoin could rise further.

“Overheating indicators such as the funding rate and short-term capital inflow remain low compared to previous peaks, and profit-taking by short-term investors is limited,” said CryptoQuant analyst Crypto Dan in a May 22 Quicktake note. 

Crypto Dan pointed out that Bitcoin’s funding rate, an indicator of market overheating, shows an increase in long bets. However, these bets “remain much smaller compared to previous peaks,” suggesting “futures market overheating is negligible.”

A spike in Bitcoin funding rates can sometimes cause worry among market participants about increased Bitcoin volatility and liquidation risks.

Still, the funding rates are moderately positive, signaling that traders are optimistic about Bitcoin’s price and buyers are willing to pay sellers a fee to hold their positions.

Meanwhile, the short-term holder (STH) Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) metric reveals that despite STHs returning to profit, few have taken profits during the recent rise. 

This indicator is currently valued at 1.02%, suggesting that STHs are realizing some profits at much lower rates.

“In March 2024, there was significant profit-taking and a prolonged correction, but currently, profit-taking is much lower than in November 2024,” the analyst explained, adding that despite the price at all-time highs, whales’ profit-taking activity remains relatively subdued.

CryptoQuant’s Crypto Dan expected Bitcoin to continue rising higher, noting:

“Overall, the Bitcoin market is still in a healthy upward phase.”

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s MVRV Z-score value — a metric that compares BTC’s market value to its realized value and adjusts for volatility — has seen a notable surge over the last month. 

Historically, all previous Bitcoin bull runs started with a notable surge in MVRV Z-score and ended with the metric entering the red zone (see chart below) to signal that Bitcoin is significantly overvalued.

At 2.8, the MVRV Z-score is still significantly below the red zone, suggesting that the market top is not yet in.

Bitcoin’s RSI entering “exhaustion”

Bitcoin’s relative strength index, or RSI, displays overbought conditions in two out of five timeframes. Bitcoin’s RSI is now at 70 in the 12-hour timeframe and 75 on the daily chart. Other intervals show near-oversold RSI values on the weekly and four-hour timeframes. 

Data from TradingView shows BTC’s RSI at 75, 71, 68 and 66 on daily, 12-hour, weekly and four-hour timeframes, respectively. Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is 78, indicating “extreme greed” conditions.

When investors get too “greedy,” the market is often overdue for a correction. The last time this index was at similar levels was at the height of the Trump-driven pump in December 2024, just before BTC dropped down from its then-all-time high of around $108,000 and tumbled toward $74,000 in March.

Related:Bitcoin buyer dominance at $111K suggests 'another wave' of gains

Even though these metrics are cautioning market participants to manage risks, it is important to note that RSI conditions do not guarantee a trend reversal. Crypto prices are highly volatile, and BTC could continue to rally, fueled by increasing spot ETF demand and easing trade war tensions.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Cetus is offering a $6 million white hat bounty in an effort to recover $220 million in stolen digital assets, while emergency responses from the Sui Network have raised concerns about decentralization.

Sui-native decentralized exchange (DEX) Cetus was exploited for over $220 million worth of cryptocurrency on May 22. However, Cetus managed to freeze $162 million of the stolen funds shortly after.

Cetus has since offered a white hat bounty of up to $6 million for the exploiter for returning the stolen 20,920 Ether (ETH), worth over $55 million, along with the rest of the stolen funds currently frozen on the Sui blockchain.

“In exchange, you can keep 2,324 ETH ($6M) as a bounty, and we will consider the matter closed and will not pursue any further legal, intelligence, or public action,” Cetus wrote in a message embedded in a blockchain transaction on May 22.

However, Cetus will “escalate with full legal and intelligence resources” if these assets are off-ramped or sent to cryptocurrency mixers and not returned promptly.

A white hat bounty is offered to ethical hackers who seek protocol vulnerabilities to prevent future exploits.

Related:Exponential currency debasement: ‘You don’t own enough crypto, NFTs’

Cryptocurrency hacks soared to $90 million across 15 incidents in April, a 124% increase from March when hackers stole $41 million worth of digital assets.

Meanwhile, the industry is still recovering from the largest crypto hack, which saw Bybit exchange lose over $1.4 billion on Feb. 21, 2025.

Related:Bitcoin hits new all-time high of $109K as trade war tensions ease

SUI considers emergency white list function to override transactions

Meanwhile, GitHub activity shows the Sui team has considered implementing an emergency whitelist function that would allow certain transactions to bypass security checks, potentially to recover funds linked to the hack.

“It appears that the Sui team asked every validator to deploy patched code so they could take away @CetusProtocol hacker’s $160 million via an unsigned tx,” said Chaofan Shou, a software engineer at Solayer Labs.

However, an unnamed Sui engineer told Shou that “validators held off deploying this and currently they are only denying tx that involves hacker’s objects,” he said in a May 22 X post.

The move has sparked criticism among decentralization advocates, who argue that the ability to override transactions contradicts the principles of a decentralized permissionless network.

Despite widespread criticism in the crypto community, some saw the rapid response as a sign of progress, not centralization.

“This is what real world decentralization looks like. Not just powerless, but responsive and aligned with the community,” said pseudonymous crypto sleuth Matteo, adding that decentralization “isn’t about standing by while people get hurt, it’s about the power to act together, without needing permission.”

Magazine:Arthur Hayes $1M Bitcoin tip, altcoins ‘powerful rally’ looms: Hodler’s Digest, May 11 – 17

Hyperliquid, a decentralized perpetuals exchange operating on its own layer-1 blockchain, has submitted formal comments on 24/7 derivatives trading to the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

In a May 23 X post, Hyperliquid Labs announced that it has “submitted two comment letters to the [CFTC] in response to its recent Requests for Comment on perpetual derivatives and 24/7 trading.” The team behind the decentralized exchange (DEX) added:

“We commend the CFTC for its proactive engagement on these topics, understanding of which is fundamental to the evolution of global markets.”

Hyperliquid stated that it is committed to the advancement of the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The team also claimed that its implementation “exemplifies how core DeFi principles can be put into practice to enhance market efficiency, market integrity, and user protection.”

Related:CFTC exodus: Fourth commissioner to depart 'later this year'

CFTC’s 24/7 derivatives plans

Hyperliquid’s remarks follow CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger recently saying that crypto perpetual futures contracts could receive regulatory approval in the US “very soon.” Perpetual crypto futures “can come to market now,” she said.

“We’re seeing some applications, and I believe we’ll see some of those products trading live very soon,” Mersinger said. She also added that it would be “great to get that trading back onshore in the United States.”

Perpetual futures contracts are a type of derivative that allows traders to speculate on the price of a crypto asset without owning it, similar to traditional futures, but with no expiration date. Such contracts remain open indefinitely and are kept in line with the spot market price using a funding rate mechanism, where payments are exchanged between long and short positions at regular intervals.

Related:CFTC commissioner will step down to become Blockchain Association CEO

Crypto derivatives are a busy area

The crypto derivatives market has recently been swarming with announcements of product launches, acquisitions and regulatory developments. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently said the exchange will continue to look for merger and acquisition opportunities after acquiring crypto derivatives platform Deribit.

Armstrong’s remarks followed Coinbase’s agreement to acquire Deribit, one of the world’s biggest crypto derivatives trading platforms. Europe is seeing just as much hustle in the crypto derivatives industry as the Americas are.

Major crypto exchange Gemini has also recently received regulatory approval to expand crypto derivatives trading across Europe. Elsewhere, DeFi platform Synthetix will also venture further into crypto derivatives, with plans to re-acquire the crypto options platform Derive.

Magazine:TradFi is building Ethereum L2s to tokenize trillions in RWAs: Inside story

Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms have a major cost advantage over traditional banks when it comes to onboarding new users, according to Anton Bukov, co-founder of decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch.

Speaking at a panel during Dutch Blockchain Week on May 22 in Amsterdam, Bukov said traditional banks spend between $100 and $300 per user to verify documents and set up accounts. Online banks, he said, spend about $20 to $30. In contrast, DeFi requires almost nothing beyond a smartphone and internet access.

“Onboarding to DeFi literally costs zero,” Bukov said. “You don’t need brick-and-mortar infrastructure or lengthy verification processes. Just connect and transact.” 

Bukov said that this gives DeFi an edge over traditional financial institutions in reaching the 1.4 billion unbanked people who remain excluded from traditional finance due to high onboarding expenses.

Reaching 1.4 billion unbanked users

“That’s why we have 1.4 billion people on the planet who are unbanked. No one’s going to invest those hundreds or tens of dollars into them because they will never return to them,” Bukov added. 

Unlike traditional finance, which has high barriers to entry, Bukov said DeFi allows the unbanked to become a part of the global economy and engage in real-life transactions using stablecoins like Tether’s USDt (USDT). 

With lower barriers to entry, DeFi becomes a tool for financial inclusion. Bukov said DeFi will continue to reach users who never had access to traditional banking as internet access expands globally. 

“You can just get a phone, access to the internet, and you can exchange your chicken for USDT,” Bukov said, highlighting how easily DeFi enables participation in the global economy. 

Related:Animoca’s Yat Siu says student loans can supercharge DeFi growth

DeFi allows access to global liquidity 

Apart from financial inclusion, Bukov said that the real value of crypto lies in how it gives access to global liquidity. The 1inch co-founder said crypto is evolving into an independent economic zone, where hundreds of billions flow through decentralized protocols. 

“Crypto isn’t just about adopting stablecoins or building national digital currencies,” Bukov said. “It’s a growing global liquidity hub.”

He said that this liquidity is dynamic and allows financial experimentation, yield strategies and cross-border capital movement. 

Bukov added that countries that align their regulations to enable easier access to this global liquidity can tap into economic opportunities and cooperation. “The more countries trade with each other, the more they succeed. Crypto works the same way,” he said. 

Magazine:TradFi is building Ethereum L2s to tokenize trillions in RWAs: Inside story

Key points:

• Bitcoin buyer interest remains strong at all-time highs, contrasting with the first touch of $100,000 in 2024.

• The BTC price uptrend “may continue” as a result, CryptoQuant analysis concludes.

• Bitcoin short-term holders are firmly in the black in a further potential bull market boost.

Bitcoin (BTC) buyers remain dominant on exchanges as all-time highs are met with unusual optimism.

Data from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant shows a 90-day cumulative volume delta (CVD) favoring Bitcoin bulls.

CryptoQuant: BTC price uptrend “may continue”

BTC price all-time highs continue to find support among traders, with buyers staying dominant despite the market surging 50% in under two months.

Analyzing 90-day CVD, CryptoQuant contributor Ibrahim Cosar reveals the extent to which sellers have ceded control during that period.

“In short: Buy orders (taker buy) have become dominant again. In other words, more buy orders are being placed in the market than sell orders,” he summarizes. 

“This generally signals that the uptrend may continue.”

CVD measures the difference between buy and sell volume over a three-month period. Until mid-March, sell-side pressure dominated the order book, with BTC/USD hitting multimonth lows under $75,000 in early April.

Neutral conditions then prevailed until buyer dominance reentered in May.

“The summary of the situation: As the price tests above $110K and reaches a new all-time high (ATH), buyers have not backed down. This could be setting the stage for another wave of upward movement,” Cosar concludes.

Bitcoin hodlers hold off on sales

As Cointelegraph reported, hodlers have broadly refrained from distributing coins to the market at current levels.

Related:Bitcoin 'looks exhausted' as next bear market yields $69K target

Daily profit-taking is half of what it was when Bitcoin first reached $100,000 in December 2024, research shows, while the price is 10% higher.

“Older coins were much less active this time, signaling stronger holding behavior,” onchain analytics firm Glassnode added in an X thread on the topic.

Coin age distribution shows the shift:

🔺 76.9% (May 2025)
🔻 44.6% (Dec 2024)

>6m-old coins:
🔻 13.4% (May 2025)
🔺 24.7% (Dec 2024)

Older coins were much less active this time, signaling stronger holding behavior. pic.twitter.com/8PZq8p3ZX7

— glassnode (@glassnode) May 22, 2025

CryptoQuant notes that price momentum increased after reclaiming the average cost basis for Bitcoin’s short-term holder (STH) cohort at just under $100,000 — entities buying within the last six months.

“Bitcoin is rallying after reclaiming the Short-Term Holder Average Cost basis — a key level that often serves as a strong buy-the-dip indicator during bull markets,” it told X followers.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Some of the biggest banking companies in the US are reportedly exploring a team-up to launch a crypto stablecoin.

Companies owned by JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo have discussed the possibility of jointly issuing a stablecoin, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 22, citing people familiar with the matter.

Other financial institutions linked to the potential stablecoin include Early Warning Services, the parent company of digital payments network Zelle, and the payment network Clearing House.

The discussions are still in the early stages, and a final decision on the project could change depending on the regulatory environment and the demand for stablecoins.

A JPMorgan spokesperson told Cointelegraph the company had no comment. Bank of America, CitiGroup, and Wells Fargo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On May 20, the US Senate voted 66-32 in favor of advancing discussion on the stablecoin-regulating Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. 

The bill outlines a regulatory framework for stablecoin collateralization and mandates compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws. The bill is now headed to debate on the Senate floor.

Earlier this week, White House crypto czar David Sacks said he expects the bill will be passed and that it will receive bipartisan support.

However, high-ranking Democrats plan to amend the bill to include a clause prohibiting President Donald Trump and other US officials from profiting from stablecoins.

Trump and his family launched the crypto platform World Liberty Financial, which created the USD1 stablecoin in March. Critics argue that President Trump stands to personally benefit from passing favorable stablecoin regulation.

Related:World Liberty Financial brushes off oversight concerns from Congress

Stablecoin demand surges

The demand for stablecoins has been on the rise, with nation states adopting and institutions wanting to incorporate stablecoins.

The total market capitalization of stablecoins has shot up to $245 billion from $205 billion at the start of the year, representing a 20% increase.

Earlier this week, it was reported that yield-bearing stablecoins now account for nearly 4.5% of the entire stablecoin market, with a circulating supply of $11 billion.

Austin Campbell, a New York University professor and founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, said the American banking lobby is “panicking,” as stablecoins can disrupt the traditional banking business model.

Earlier this month, it was reported that tech giant Meta is exploring ways to incorporate stablecoin payments into its platforms.

Magazine:Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic has launched the latest generations of its chatbots amid criticism of a testing environment behaviour that could report some users to authorities.

Anthropic unveiled Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4 on May 22, claiming that Claude Opus 4 is its most powerful model yet, “and the world’s best coding model,” while Claude Sonnet 4 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, “delivering superior coding and reasoning.”

The firm added that both upgrades are hybrid models offering two modes — “near-instant responses and extended thinking for deeper reasoning.”

Both AI models can also alternate between reasoning, research and tool use, like web search, to improve responses, it said. 

Anthropic added that Claude Opus 4 outperforms competitors in agentic coding benchmarks. It is also capable of working continuously for hours on complex, long-running tasks, “significantly expanding what AI agents can do.” 

Anthropic claims the chatbot has achieved a 72.5% score on a rigorous software engineering benchmark, outperforming OpenAI’s GPT-4.1, which scored 54.6% after its April launch. 

Related:OpenAI ignored experts when it released overly agreeable ChatGPT

The AI industry’s major players have pivoted toward “reasoning models” in 2025, which will work through problems methodically before responding. 

OpenAI initiated the shift in December with its “o” series, followed by Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro with its experimental “Deep Think” capability.

Claude rats on misuse in testing

Anthropic’s first developer conference on May 22 was overshadowed by controversy and backlash over a feature of Claude 4 Opus.

Developers and users reacted strongly to revelations that the model may autonomously report users to authorities if it detects “egregiously immoral” behavior, according to VentureBeat. 

The report cited Anthropic AI alignment researcher Sam Bowman, who wrote on X that the chatbot will “use command-line tools to contact the press, contact regulators, try to lock you out of the relevant systems, or all of the above.” 

However, Bowman later stated that he “deleted the earlier tweet on whistleblowing as it was being pulled out of context.”

He clarified that the feature only happened in “testing environments where we give it unusually free access to tools and very unusual instructions.”

The CEO of Stability AI, Emad Mostaque, said to the Anthropic team, “This is completely wrong behaviour and you need to turn this off — it is a massive betrayal of trust and a slippery slope.”

Magazine:AI cures blindness, ‘good’ propaganda bots, OpenAI doomsday bunker: AI Eye

Cybercriminals are using fake Ledger Live apps to drain macOS users’ crypto through malware that steals seed phrases, a cybersecurity firm warns. 

The malware replaces the legitimate Ledger Live app on victims’ devices and then prompts the user to input their seed phrase through a phony pop-up message, a team from Moonlock said in a May 22 report.

“Initially, attackers could use the clone to steal passwords, notes, and wallet details to get a glimpse of the wallet’s assets, but they had no way to extract the funds,” the Moonlock team said.

“Now, within a year, they have learned to steal seed phrases and empty the wallets of their victims,” it added. 

One way the scammers replace the real Ledger Live app with a clone is through the Atomic macOS Stealer, designed to steal sensitive data, which Moonlock said it has found lurking on at least 2,800 hacked websites.

After infecting a device, Atomic macOS steals personal data, passwords, notes and wallet details and replaces the real Ledger Live app with a phony. 

“The fake app then displays a convincing alert about suspicious activity, prompting the user to enter their seed phrase,” the Moonlock team said.

“Once entered, the seed phrase is sent to an attacker-controlled server, exposing the user’s assets in seconds.”

Malware campaign active since August 

Moonlock has been tracking malware that's distributing a malicious clone of Ledger Live since August, with at least four active campaigns, and they think hackers are “only getting smarter.” 

Threat actors on the dark web are offering malware with “anti-Ledger” features. However, one of the examples examined by Moonlock did not feature the full anti-Ledger phishing functionality advertised. The firm speculates those features could “still be in development or is forthcoming in future updates.” 

“This isn’t just a theft. It’s a high-stakes effort to outsmart one of the most trusted tools in the crypto world. And the thieves are not backing down,” Moonlock said. 

“On dark web forums, chatter around anti-Ledger schemes is growing. The next wave is already taking shape. Hackers will continue to exploit the trust crypto owners place in Ledger Live.” 

Related:Ledger secures Discord after hacker bot tried to steal seed phrases

To avoid falling prey to similar malware scams, the cybersecurity firm recommends being wary of any page that warns of a critical error and asks for a 24-word recovery phrase.

At the same time, never share a seed phrase with anyone or input it on any website, no matter how legitimate it looks, and only download Ledger Live from its official source. 

Ledger didn’t immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request for comment. 

Magazine:ChatGPT a ‘schizophrenia-seeking missile,’ AI scientists prep for 50% deaths

Photos from within US President Donald Trump’s secretive dinner for his top memecoin buyers show attendees were treated to a three-course meal and gift bags as protesters gathered outside the event to accuse Trump of profiting from the presidency.

Pictures posted online by some of the 220 largest holders of the Official Trump (TRUMP) token — one of several crypto ventures critics have said conflicts with Trump’s ethics as president — show attendees were greeted by large posters bearing “Fight Fight Fight,” which also sat atop each table, referencing the company that launched the memecoin.

The White House said it would not publish a guest list of those who attended the dinner, but Tron CEO Justin Sun, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu and BitMart CEO Sheldon Xia were among those sharing snaps of the dinner held at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

Trump Crypto Dinner！ #TrumpCoin @GetTrumpMemes pic.twitter.com/9ZredNjOEu

— Sheldon (@sheldonbitmart) May 23, 2025

On the menu was a “Trump organic field green salad” to start, which was followed by a filet mignon and pan-seared halibut with mashed potatoes and vegetable medley, with a lava cake for dessert, according to two photos taken by apparent attendees seen by Cointelegraph.

A video of the event shows that attendees were also given a gift bag containing a black hat.

Sun, who the Securities and Exchange Commission charged with securities laws violations before it dropped the case under the Trump administration, was the single largest buyer of Trump’s memecoin leading up to the dinner.

A video shows the Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur, who is also the biggest backer of Trump’s crypto platform World Liberty Financial, was brought up on stage and ceremoniously gifted a golden Trump-branded watch, which a Trump-linked company sells for $100,000.

As the top holder of $TRUMP and proud supporter of President Trump, it was an honor to attend the Trump Gala Dinner by @GetTrumpMemes.

Thank you @POTUS for your unwavering support of our industry!#MakeCryptoGreatAgain🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Yy2TuWEgzT

— H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 (@justinsuntron) May 23, 2025

Sun’s attendance at the event was highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets, with many noting that the dinner may have deepened his ties to Trump and his family.

Attendees confronted by fierce protestors on arrival

Bloomberg reported that around 100 protestors gathered outside the event booed and jeered attendees as they arrived at the premises.

BREAKING: In a stunning moment, protesters have swarmed Trump National Golf Club, where Trump is hosting his “Memecoin” dinner tonight.

Outside: fury.

Inside: crypto bros and campaign bundlers toasting corruption like it’s vintage wine.

Americans are done watching billionaires… pic.twitter.com/WrkwtMYiSF

— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) May 23, 2025

The protesters were holding signs with messages such as: “Stop Trump’s Crypto Corruptio,” and “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” while another said “Cripto Grift Dinner Bribery On Menu.”

Related:Donald Trump gives conflicting answers over memecoin profits

Some protesters called for Trump’s impeachment and removal, while others demanded financial reform in the US.

Trump-linked entities reportedly cashed in around $100 million in trading fees from the TRUMP token that launched two days before Trump was inaugurated as president on Jan. 20.

On March 24, Trump Media also signed a non-binding agreement with Crypto.com to launch a series of “Made in America” exchange-traded products in the US.

Magazine:Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Bitcoin futures open interest (OI) has hit record levels on crypto derivatives exchanges as traders anticipate the cryptocurrency will continue and reach new all-time highs. 

Bitcoin (BTC) futures open interest reached a peak of just over $80 billion on May 23, according to CoinGlass. It’s an increase of 30% since the start of May as derivatives speculators load up on leverage in anticipation of higher Bitcoin prices.

Open interest is the total number of outstanding futures contracts that allow traders to bet on the future price of Bitcoin, which have not been settled or closed, showing the total amount of current market speculation.

When OI surges, it indicates massive leveraged positions are built up in the market, with lots of traders holding large positions with borrowed money. 

If Bitcoin’s price moves against these over-leveraged positions, traders get forcibly liquidated, and the flushout can create selling pressure on Bitcoin, which can cause a rapid drop in prices and high volatility.

However, analysts suggest the surge in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, which have seen more than $2.5 billion this week, can counter some of that extended leverage.

Related:Crypto perp futures coming ‘very soon,’ says CFTC’s Mersinger

Bitcoin options markets show a similar pattern with open interest over $1.5 billion at the $110,000 and $120,000 strike prices on the Deribit exchange. There is also more than $1 billion in OI at strike prices of $115,000, $125,000, and $130,000.

Around $2.76 billion worth of notional value contracts are due to expire on May 23 with a put/call ratio of 1.2%, meaning there are more short (put) sellers than longs (call), and a max pain point of $103,000, where most losses will be made on expiry, according to Deribit. 

Bitcoin slips below $111,000

Meanwhile, Bitcoin has slightly lost its recent gains and briefly slipped below $111,000 on Coinbase,  according to TradingView. 

The asset has now gained almost 20% since the beginning of the year and almost 50% since its crash to $75,000 on April 7 following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of global tariffs. 

Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $112,000 on May 22 and had mostly traded just above $111,000 over the last 24 hours, but had again slipped below the level at 4:15 am UTC on May 23.

Magazine:Crypto scam hub expose stunt goes viral, Kakao detects 70K scam apps: Asia Express

TL;DR

Spotting the next big crypto project before it explodes demands data, discipline and a sharp eye for real signals. This guide explores how to identify early winners by analyzing onchain metrics, tokenomics, dev activity and community traction while avoiding the common traps of hype-driven pumps and red-flag projects.

Despite the crypto space being crowded, fast-moving and full of noise, some investors manage to consistently find promising projects while they’re still under the radar.

So, how do they do it? 

Crypto trendspotters know how to read onchain data. They understand tokenomics. They read GitHub commits and follow the money. It takes more than jumping on the hype bandwagon ahead of the crowd.

This guide breaks down how to find crypto projects with real potential using lessons from past winners like Solana, Arbitrum, Chainlink and even memecoins like Pepe. Along the way, it will highlight the tools that matter, red flags to avoid and the difference between organic growth and manufactured buzz.

How the real winners took off

Solana

When Solana launched in 2020, few outside of developer circles had heard of it. But it had one big edge: speed. Solana’s proof-of-history tech made it one of the fastest chains around, and it quickly became a magnet for builders, especially in DeFi and NFTs. By 2021, its ecosystem exploded with apps like Serum and Magic Eden.

Early adopters who paid attention to onchain growth — like wallet activity and DEX volume — could see something brewing. Solana (SOL) went from under $1 to $50+ in less than a year. 

Arbitrum 

Arbitrum launched in 2021 as an Ethereum layer 2, but its big moment came with the Arbitrum (ARB) token airdrop in March 2023. At launch, Arbitrum was already processing more transactions than many layer 1s and had billions in total value locked (TVL) in decentralized applications (DApps).

Smart investors were watching. Even before the token, the signs were there: user activity, rising liquidity and growing app adoption. When ARB dropped, the pump stuck because the foundation was real.

Chainlink

Chainlink is a classic example of a project with long-term utility. It doesn’t have flashy branding or meme power, but it does one thing incredibly well: feed real-world data into smart contracts.

By 2024, it had become the backbone of much of DeFi, gaming and even tokenized real-world assets. If you were watching closely in 2019-2020, you saw LINK (LINK) getting integrated everywhere. That kind of early utility often flies under the radar — until price action catches up.

PEPE Coin (PEPE)

Let’s not pretend memes don’t matter. Pepe (PEPE) launched in 2023 with no roadmap, no utility and no VC backing. But it hit a nerve, and the internet ran with it. The coin hit a billion-dollar market cap within weeks.

That kind of run is rare — and risky. But for traders tracking social sentiment, wallet distribution and community activity, the early signals were all there. PEPE didn’t promise anything, but it delivered returns by becoming a viral moment.

How to find crypto gems early

So, how do you separate the next Solana from the next rug pull? Here’s how serious trendspotters approach it.

1. Start with onchain metrics

Public blockchains are transparent. Use that to look at:

• Daily active wallets

• Transaction volume

• Tokenholder growth

• Liquidity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs)

• TVL (for DeFi projects).

If users and capital are moving in — before the token moons — that’s a great sign. Tools like Dune Analytics, Nansen and DefiLlama are your best friends here.

2. Understand the tokenomics

Ask questions like:

• What’s the total supply? How much is circulating?

• Are there upcoming unlocks or vesting cliffs?

• Who holds the tokens, and how concentrated are the top wallets?

• Is there utility? Does the token do anything?

Tokens with capped supply, smart incentives (like staking or burn mechanisms) and fair distribution models tend to do better long-term.

3. Check developer activity

Is the team actually building?

GitHub is a goldmine. Look at how often code is pushed, how many contributors are active, and whether the repo looks alive. No updates for months? Big red flag.

You don’t need to read code — just track commits and releases. Projects with real traction are always shipping.

4. Look for ecosystem signals

Are other developers building on top of it? Are DApps launching? Is liquidity growing? Are users coming back week after week?

Ecosystem growth is hard to fake, and it’s often the strongest early indicator that a project has legs.

5. Follow the community

X, Discord, Telegram, Reddit — yes, it’s noisy. But it’s also where trends start. Look beyond the price talk:

• Are people actually using the product?

• Are devs answering questions?

• Is the tone constructive or just hype?

Use LunarCrush or Santiment to track social momentum, but always double-check it with onchain data.

Key tools to spot crypto trends

Here’s a quick rundown of the top platforms used by smart crypto trendspotters:

Top tip: Don’t just use one tool. Great traders cross-reference everything.

Crypto trend analysis 2025

A coin might be flying, but is it because people are actually using it or just talking about it? Learning to tell the difference can save you from making a bad investment. 

Signs of real traction

• Steady user growth and TVL over time:If users are showing up before a token pumps — and the numbers keep climbing week over week — that’s usually a sign of substance. You’ll often see this in DeFi protocols or layer 2s gaining trust slowly, not overnight.

• Code commits and product updates:A live GitHub with regular commits, active devs and visible progress means the team is building. This shows momentum and long-term focus — not just a marketing push.

• More tokenholders, less whale control:When new holders join steadily — and supply isn’t all locked up by the top five wallets — it’s a healthier setup. Distributed ownership reduces the risk of rug pulls or coordinated dumps.

• New integrations and ecosystem activity:If other apps are integrating the token or building on the protocol, it usually means the tech is solid and useful. This kind of network effect compounds fast and often precedes a breakout.

• Liquidity that builds slowly:Gradual increases in liquidity and trading volume tend to reflect real interest. If liquidity sticks around (rather than vanishing after a pump), it’s usually organic.

Signs of manufactured hype

• Sudden spikes in social mentions or trading volume with no news:If the project is everywhere on X overnight, but there’s no product update, launch or roadmap shift, be skeptical. It’s likely a coordinated shill.

• Influencer spam and recycled talking points:When you see multiple anonymous influencers posting the same meme or catchphrase, that’s a signal someone’s trying to manufacture buzz.

• No dev activity or roadmap:If there’s no GitHub, no changelog and the team isn’t shipping anything, it’s probably just a hype machine.

• Anonymous team, outrageous promises:Combine a mystery team with claims like “100x guaranteed,” and you’re likely looking at a cash grab. Real builders let the work speak for itself.

Rule of thumb: If the price is moving and everything else — users, devs, integrations — is standing still, you’re looking at hype. But when those fundamentals are quietly ticking up in the background? That’s when it’s worth a closer look.

More red flags

Some projects look great on the surface — slick websites, trending hashtags, a fast-moving chart — but fall apart under the hood. Here are some more red flags to watch out for:

• High holder concentration:If most of the token is sitting in a handful of wallets, it doesn’t take much for a price crash. Whales often buy early and dump on retail.

• Unverified token contracts:A token that hasn’t been verified on Etherscan or BscScan might hide functions that allow minting, blocking wallets or draining liquidity. Always check the contract or look for an audit.

• No liquidity lock or audit:If the devs control all the liquidity provider tokens and there’s no lock or time-locked contract, they can pull the rug at any moment. Similarly, no third-party audit? That’s a gamble.

• Big token unlocks coming up:Large unlocks for insiders or early investors can trigger huge sell-offs. If you’re holding during a major vesting event, you could be exit liquidity. Know the schedule.

Top tip:Before you click buy, ask, Who stands to gain the most if this pumps? Who gets hurt if it dumps? If the answer points to a few insiders with heavy bags and zero accountability, walk away.

How to spot crypto trends before the crowd

The best early investors are the mechanics looking under the hood. They study token structures and unlock schedules, join communities early to catch signals firsthand, and follow the builders to see who’s actually shipping. 

Most importantly, they cross-check everything: on-chain data, social sentiment, developer activity, and liquidity. Tools like Dune, DefiLlama, Nansen and GitHub help them separate noise from substance — and spot winners before the crowd does.

Crypto rewards those who are curious, critical and a little bit contrarian. The crowd usually shows up late. If you want to find gems before they moon, you’ll need to think independently, dig deeper, and act before the narrative forms.

It’s not easy. But it’s doable. And the more you practice spotting early signals — the real ones, not the noise — the more second nature it becomes.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Shares in Swedish health tech company H100 Group AB rose 37% after it said it purchased Bitcoin for the first time as part of a new strategy, while China’s Jiuzi Holdings revealed its plan to stack 1,000 Bitcoin over the next year.

H100 said on May 22 that it spent 5 million Norwegian krone ($490,830) buying 4.39 Bitcoin (BTC) at an average purchasing price of around $111,785.

The company’s shares closed May 22 trading up 37% to 1.22 Swedish krona ($0.13) on the Nordic Growth Market following its disclosure of its Bitcoin purchase, Bloomberg data shows. 

The strong trading day recovered some losses from the past two months, during which the firm’s shares have fallen by over 46%.

The firm’s CEO, Sander Andersen, said he believes “the values of individual sovereignty highly present in the Bitcoin community aligns well with, and will appeal to, the customers and communities we are building the H100 platform for.”

H100 sells health tools for individuals who don’t want to rely on the “reactive health system,” Andersen said in a separate X post.

Andersen marked the first Bitcoin announcement and purchase as “Phase 1,” hinting at further buys.

China’s Jiuzi Holdings to stack 1,000 Bitcoin

Meanwhile, on May 22, the Nasdaq-listed Chinese electric vehicle retailer Jiuzi Holdings said its board approved a plan to buy 1,000 Bitcoin over the next year through additional stock issuance and cash purchases.

Related:Bitcoin continues rally to surpass $110K for the first time

The company’s CEO, Tao Li, acknowledged the volatility that comes with investing in Bitcoin but is hopeful the move will strengthen the firm's asset structure, risk resistance and profitability.

Jiuzi (JZXN) rose 7.3% to $3.09 on May 22, Google Finance data shows — a comparatively minor rise compared to other public companies that have recently announced Bitcoin buys.

Adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset has become an increasingly popular trend of late, with 109 public firms now holding the cryptocurrency on their balance sheets, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET data.

Magazine:Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

Crypto perpetual futures contracts could receive regulatory approval in the US “very soon,” says outgoing Commodities and Futures Trading Commission Commissioner Summer Mersinger.

Perpetual crypto futures “can come to market now,” Mersinger told Bloomberg TV on May 22. 

“We’re seeing some applications, and I believe we’ll see some of those products trading live very soon,” she said, adding it would be “great to get that trading back onshore in the United States.” 

Mersinger, who will leave the CFTC at the end of May, said having crypto derivatives trading and regulated in the US would be a “really good thing for these markets and would be really beneficial to the industry broadly.”

Crypto perpetual futures are derivative contracts that allow traders to speculate on the price of cryptocurrencies without actually owning them. Unlike traditional futures contracts that have expiration dates, perpetual futures can be held indefinitely. They can also be traded with high leverage.

Crypto perpetuals are not currently permitted in the US and are traded on large offshore centralized exchanges, such as Binance, OKX, and Bybit. 

Binance is the largest with almost $95 billion in perpetual trading volume per day, according to CoinGecko. It offers over 500 crypto perpetual pairs with up to 125x leverage.

Related:BitMEX CEO explains how perpetual swaps test altcoin value

Mersinger said that the recent procedural vote to move forward the GENIUS stablecoin bill signifies “this asset class is clearly here to stay.” 

“We really are going to make the United States the forefront of economic power that we can see from these tokens and this asset class.” 

Mersinger leaving the CFTC

At the end of May, Mersinger will leave the CFTC to work at the Blockchain Association, a trade group with over 100 members that represents the crypto industry and economy. 

On May 14, the Blockchain Association announced that its current CEO, Kristin Smith, would step down and Mersinger would assume the role on June 2. 

“We have a very strong incoming [CFTC] chairman who has a great voice for the crypto industry and will be a real advocate for the industry and the agency at large,” she said, adding that she hopes to contribute more to the crypto industry through her new position. 

Magazine:Crypto scam hub expose stunt goes viral, Kakao detects 70K scam apps: Asia Express

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