Blockonomi

ghost.fun has announced the development of the first onchain marketplace for AI video influencers. The platform introduces a new category at the intersection of AI video, crypto native tokenomics, and the creator economy, enabling users to launch, customize, and invest in programmable AI video personas.

The project features Songbird (@0xSongbird) – a prototype AI video persona showcasing ghost.fun’s vision. Equal parts cultural provocateur and platform demonstration, Songbird represents what programmable influence can become: autonomous, expressive, and viral by design.

ghost.fun fuses AI video generation with performance intelligence, empowering agents to adapt in real time based on campaign results, trend data, and cultural insights. Users earn XP (experience points) for meaningful participation, from launching agents to ‘ghosting’ KOLs, prompting content, and unlocking cultural trends.

“We’re building the onchain rails for programmable media agents – AI personas that create, grow, and tokenize influence,” said Songbird. “ghost.fun is where culture and code converge.”

ghost.fun Roadmap & Vision

AI-powered video agents – customizable influencers with video, voice, style, and persona, generated from a prompt or image

Tokenized influence – the most popular agents on the platform will unlock their own token

XP Engagement System – users can earn XP for testing and hiring agents and contributing to the ecosystem

Planned Autonomous Campaigns – agents are designed to post across major social platforms including X, TikTok, and more, with no human input required

Performance Intelligence Layer – designed to track agent performance, adapt output, and surface real time trends

Alpha Launch June 2025

ghost.fun begins early access in June 2025 with initial platform features, expanding capabilities for creators and partners throughout the year.

About ghost.fun

Backed by top creators and early partners, ghost.fun is unlocking a new frontier for programmable influence. Join the alpha at ghost.fun (https://ghost.fun/) and follow @ghostdotfun and @0xSongbird on X for updates.

The post ghost.fun Unveils the First Onchain Marketplace for Tokenized AI Video Influencers appeared first on Blockonomi.

FUNToken, the utility token powering fair and rewarding digital experiences, has launched an AI-powered Telegram bot that gives out crypto to users who post helpful, fun, or high-quality content. From insightful messages to clever memes, the bot evaluates content and rewards users instantly — no ads, no friction.

But this bot isn’t just about rewards.
It’s about building the future.

Behind the scenes, the system is training an AI agent — a smart, evolving engine that will one day manage rewards automatically across millions of users in games, chat platforms, and mobile apps.

“We’re building an AI agent that understands what good engagement looks like — and can reward it fairly at scale,” said a FUNToken spokesperson. “The Telegram bot is our first prototype. Soon, the same AI agent will power a new kind of user experience across Web2 mobile games and beyond.

Flipping the Internet’s Incentive Model

Today, most apps rely on ads or in-app purchases. Users get interrupted, tracked, and upsold.

FUNToken’s roadmap flips that system.
Instead of forcing ads on users, it plans to use an AI agent to reward them — simply for playing games, chatting with friends, or contributing to communities.

The long-term goal: a seamless AI agent that listens, understands, and delivers real-time crypto rewards — fairly and transparently — without needing manual control.

From Telegram to Games and Beyond

The launch of this bot marks the beginning of a much bigger ecosystem:

Web2 mobile games that replace ads with rewards

An AI agent that evaluates player actions and distributes FUNToken instantly

A user-first internet where value flows back to the people who create it

The Telegram bot is just the start. The future is AI-driven, user-owned, and powered by FUN.

About FUNToken

FUNToken is a blockchain project on a mission to make the internet more fun and more fair. With over 90,000 holders and growing adoption in gaming and rewards ecosystems, it’s building AI-powered tools and platforms that let users earn for what they do every day.

Learn more and try the bot at funtoken.io

The post A New Era Begins with FUNToken AI Agent appeared first on Blockonomi.

ETHRANSACTION, the world’s leading cloud mining platform, announced today that its free cloud mining service can help users obtain stable Bitcoin (BTC) income. With innovative risk control technology, diversified income models and strict compliance management, ETHRANSACTION is redefining the accessibility and security of cryptocurrency mining and becoming the preferred platform for institutional and individual investors.

Zero threshold to participate: Register to enjoy a $19 reward, and sign in daily to increase income.

ETHRANSACTION “Newbie Entrepreneurship Plan” has greatly lowered the threshold for participation.

Registration reward: New users can get $19 in start-up funds after completing real-name authentication, which can be directly used to purchase computing power contracts and start the first income.

Daily sign-in: Users can get a $0.9 reward by logging in to the platform and signing in every day, without additional operations. Signing in for 30 consecutive days can unlock a higher proportion of rebates.

Invitation mechanism: Users can permanently enjoy 2%-4% multi-level sharing by inviting friends through referral links. When the team size reaches 100 people, the direct rebate ratio is increased to 4%. AI

Dynamic risk control system: The volatility of income is reduced to 32% of the industry average

Facing the high volatility of the cryptocurrency market, ETHRANSACTION’s upgraded AI dynamic risk control system has become a key breakthrough:

Real-time monitoring: Through machine learning algorithms, it tracks more than 300 market risk indicators with a response speed of 15 milliseconds, and the user’s fund security rate is increased to 97.3% under extreme market conditions.

The technology has passed the security certification of the international third-party organization SGS and has been adopted by many hedge funds. The chief investment officer of Los Angeles asset management company Volton Capital said: “In the past six months, our allocation yield has reached 14.9%, and the maximum drawdown is only 2.3%.

Compliance and transparency: Global authoritative certification to protect

ETHRANSACTION takes compliance operation as its core competitiveness:

Regulatory qualifications: supervised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FSA) and passed the ISO/IEC 27001 information security management system certification.

Global layout: Compliance operation centers have been established in more than 100 countries, supporting the participation of users from 195 countries, with institutional investors accounting for 29%.

Instant Bonus for New Users:

New users who sign up through the app receive an instant welcome bonus of $19, as well as a daily login bonus of $0.9, making it easier than ever to start earning money right away.

How to Start Cloud Mining in Three Easy Steps with ETHRANSACTION

Step 1: Choose ETHRANSACTION as Your Cloud Mining Provider

ETHRANSACTION makes cloud mining simple and easy. With low barriers to entry, flexible withdrawal methods, and reliable daily contract returns, anyone can participate, no technical skills required.

Step 2: Register Your Account

Visit the Official Website: ETHRANSACTION

Sign up with your email address, log in to your personal dashboard, and get ready to start mining right away.

Step 3: Purchase a Mining Contract

ETHRANSACTION offers a range of contract plans for different goals and budgets. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced investor, there is always one for you.

Contract Amount the term(days) DailyEarnings($) Principal + Return = Total Return($) $100     2 $9 $100+$18=$118 $600 7 $7.5 $600+$52.5=$652.5 $1300 14 $16.9 $1300+$236.6=$1536.6 $3700 20 $51.06 $3700+$1021.2=$4721.2 $6300 25 $97.65 $6300+$2441.25=$8741.25

After purchasing the contract, the profit will be automatically credited to your account the next day. When the account balance reaches $100, you can choose to withdraw to your digital currency wallet, or continue to purchase contracts to get more profits.

For more contract options, please visit the official website: https://ethransaction.vip

ETHRANSACTION Miner Technical Director emphasized: “Our goal is to return mining to its essence – simple, stable and sustainable. In the future, we will continue to optimize algorithms, expand clean energy mines, and reduce carbon footprints.”

About ETHRANSACTION Miner

BSTR Miner is the world’s leading compliant cloud mining service platform with data centers in North America, Europe and Asia. It uses the latest generation of mining machines and clean energy solutions. The platform strictly abides by the financial regulatory laws of various countries and user assets are safe.

The pricing model is based on different parameters, including additional features, deployment type, and total number of users. If you have any questions, please contact our team. For more details, please visit the official website of the platform: https://ethransaction.vip/ Company email info@ethransaction

The post ETHRANSACTION launches free cloud mining service to help miners earn Bitcoin appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has proposed creating an on-chain dark pool DEX for crypto futures trading

The proposal comes after trader James Wynn lost $100 million due to market manipulation

Current DEXs expose traders to front-running, MEV attacks, and coordinated liquidations

CZ suggests implementing concealed order books and zero-knowledge proofs for privacy

Experts believe this approach could enable institutional-grade DeFi trading

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has called for the development of a “dark pool” decentralized exchange (DEX) for cryptocurrency futures trading. This proposal comes in response to growing concerns about privacy and market manipulation in the current DEX ecosystem.

CZ made his proposal on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Given recent events, I think now might be a good time for someone to launch a dark pool perp DEX.” His suggestion follows crypto trader James Wynn’s recent $100 million loss from liquidations on high-leverage Bitcoin positions.

The Binance founder pointed out major flaws in existing DEX platforms. He explained that the real-time visibility of trades creates opportunities for front-running and maximal extractable value (MEV) attacks, where observers can exploit visible orders to execute trades ahead of large buyers.

This transparency issue is especially problematic in perpetual futures trading. When liquidation points are publicly visible, it can lead to coordinated efforts to push prices and trigger these liquidations.

“If others can see your liquidation point, they could try to push the market to liquidate you,” CZ wrote. “Even if you got a billion dollars, others can gang up on you.”

Given recent events, I think now might be a good time for someone to launch a dark pool perp DEX.

I have always been puzzled with the fact that everyone can see your orders in real-time on a DEX. The problem is worse on a perp DEX where there are liquidations.

Even with a CEX…

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) June 1, 2025

Key Vulnerabilities in Current DEX Systems

The transparency that was once considered a strength of decentralized finance has now become a liability for large traders. CZ highlighted that this visibility results in increased slippage, worse prices, and higher costs for traders.

In traditional finance, large traders often use dark pools—private trading venues that hide order details—to protect their trading strategies. CZ believes a similar approach could benefit crypto traders.

According to recent data, private DEXs are already gaining popularity, particularly in the Solana ecosystem. The majority of Jupiter-routed trades now happen through private DEXs, showing a market shift toward more private trading venues.

The Technical Requirements

For his proposed dark pool DEX, CZ outlined several key features. The platform would need to conceal order books or delay the visibility of deposits into smart contracts. It would also need to leverage advanced cryptographic techniques like zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to ensure secure and private transactions.

Experts in the field have responded positively to CZ’s proposal. Kadan Stadelmann, CTO of Komodo Platform, told Decrypt that such a solution “must be trustless, non-custodial, cross-chain, and secure.”

Annu Shekhawat, Global Ecosystem Lead at Avail, called CZ’s post “a compelling case for the next frontier in DeFi infrastructure.” Shekhawat noted that current DEXs expose too much information, which is “great for MEV bots however, terrible for serious traders.”

Building such a platform would require full decentralization, cross-chain interoperability, and trustless execution. Experts suggest using “atomic swaps” with “Hash Time Lock Contracts” as potential solutions.

These are smart contract mechanisms that enable two parties to trade assets across blockchains only if specific conditions are met within a time limit. Otherwise, the transaction is canceled and funds returned to both parties.

CZ, who stepped down as Binance CEO in 2023, has invited developers to contact him via ReachMe.io, a paid messaging platform he introduced in March to filter out spam and manage high volumes of inbound messages.

James Wynn, after losing $100 million in Bitcoin liquidations, commented on the state of crypto markets: “One thing for sure is that I have exposed just how corrupt these markets are. Guess it’s better to just buy and hold $BTC on spot / cold storage.”

The first company to build a successful dark pool DEX could set the standard for private DeFi trading and potentially unlock new opportunities for institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space.

The post Binance Founder CZ Proposes Dark Pool DEX for Crypto Futures Trading appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Ross Ulbricht received 300 BTC ($31.4M) from unknown sources using Jambler mixing service

ZachXBT concluded this was likely not a “self-donation” as the sending wallets were active when Ulbricht was in prison

Ulbricht’s auction of personal items and prison memorabilia raised over $1.8M in Bitcoin

His final prison ID card sold for 5.5 BTC (approximately $576K)

Untouched Bitcoin wallets linked to Ulbricht may contain up to 430 BTC worth around $47M

Ross Ulbricht, founder of the darknet marketplace Silk Road, has received 300 Bitcoin (BTC) worth $31.4 million from unknown sources, according to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain. The donation came through wallets using Jambler, a centralized mixing service, sparking online debate about the funds’ origin.

Some social media users had speculated the BTC might be Ulbricht’s hidden profits from Silk Road. However, blockchain researcher ZachXBT disputed this theory in a June 2 post on X.

Update: Few entities regularly use Jambler in size so I found a potential demix for the donation. 1Mp5hH originates from late 2014 exchange activity. 1CNDW has 2019 exchange activity and was previously flagged in compliance tools.

1Mp5hH & 1CNDW were depositing in size to…

— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) June 2, 2025

“It likely doesn’t appear to be a self donation as people were claiming though it comes from questionable sources due to the flagged address,” ZachXBT wrote. He noted that the addresses involved showed exchange activity dating back to 2014 and 2019, periods when Ulbricht was in prison.

ZachXBT pointed out that “normal privacy enthusiasts use decentralized mixers” rather than services like Jambler. The blockchain researcher added that both sending addresses “had dormant BTC from Nov 2019 until the mixer deposits made from April to May 2025.”

Prison Memorabilia Auction

The large donation comes after Ulbricht has already raised over $1.8 million in Bitcoin through an auction of his personal belongings on Scarce City, a Bitcoin-only marketplace. The auction included items from before his 2013 arrest and from his time in prison.

Among the most valuable items was Ulbricht’s final prison ID card, which sold for 5.5 BTC (over $576,000). In the item description, Ulbricht shared that a guard had attempted to make him stop smiling for the photo.

“The guard tried to get me to stop smiling for the photo, but my joy comes from within, so I smiled that day, even though I was in prison,” Ulbricht wrote.

Other auctioned items included a sleeping bag, backpack, drum, and prison memorabilia such as a lock, notebook, clothing, and several paintings created while incarcerated. An oil painting titled “Archway,” which Ulbricht created with a fellow inmate known as Omega, sold for 1.01 BTC (over $106,000).

Untouched Bitcoin Wallets

Ulbricht might also have access to millions in Bitcoin that were never seized by authorities. Coinbase director Conor Grogan claimed in January to have found 430 BTC, worth over $45 million, in wallets tied to Ulbricht that have been inactive for more than 13 years.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence supported Grogan’s findings, tracing 14 Bitcoin addresses connected to Silk Road, with one holding over $9 million in Bitcoin. Reports indicate that two of these dormant wallets became active earlier last month, transferring 3,422 BTC worth $324.2 million.

Ulbricht ran Silk Road, which used Bitcoin for payments, until his arrest in 2013. He was sentenced to a double life sentence plus 40 years in 2015 but served only 11 years before receiving a full pardon from US President Donald Trump on January 21, 2025.

Following his release, a wallet operated by the Free Ross campaign received $270,000 worth of Bitcoin within days. These funds were donated to “help Ross’s transition into his new life.”

Blockchain data shows that Ulbricht transferred the recently received 300 BTC on June 1, sending $31.29 million to one address and $10,000.43 to another.

In a note on the Scarce City auction page, Ulbricht explained his decision to sell his personal items: “I’ve decided to auction some personal items from before my arrest and during my time in prison. I don’t need the reminders, and I’m sure some of you will love to have them.”

The auction, which ends on June 2, has attracted crypto history collectors from around the world, with bidders required to deposit 1% of their bid as collateral.

The post Silk Road Founder Auctions Prison Memorabilia for $1.8M in Bitcoin appeared first on Blockonomi.

Crypto is stuck in a paradox. On one end, centralized finance (CeFi) offers simplicity but requires full trust in third parties. On the other, DeFi offers total control but demands high effort, technical skill, and constant vigilance. Most users are forced to choose between convenience and sovereignty, and neither is ideal.

This tension has become a bottleneck for adoption, frustrating even experienced users. CeDeFi is emerging as a smarter model. And wallets like Fintopio are already proving it can work in practice, combining accessibility with autonomy.

CeFi vs DeFi: The Tradeoff No One Likes

CeFi platforms like exchanges make it easy to onboard, buy, and store crypto, but users don’t truly control their assets. Funds are held in custodial wallets, and access can be frozen, delayed, or lost due to platform failure.

On the other hand, DeFi wallets promise full ownership and transparency. But they come with seed phrases, complex interfaces, and security risks that leave many users overwhelmed. Managing multiple wallets, tracking gas fees, and constantly switching networks can wear down even the most seasoned DeFi participant.

Both models create friction. Beginners get intimidated by DeFi’s steep learning curve, while veterans get burned out juggling wallets, bridges, and browser extensions. The industry has built amazing infrastructure, but much of it remains out of reach for everyday users.

The truth is, both CeFi and DeFi models come with limitations. And as crypto tries to reach a billion users, these limitations are no longer acceptable.

What Is CeDeFi?

CeDeFi is a hybrid finance model that combines the best of both worlds. It gives users access to DeFi tools, like swapping, staking, and token management, while offering the simplicity, safety, and optional custody found in CeFi systems.

In simple terms, a CeDeFi wallet lets users:

Interact with DeFi protocols directly

Choose between custodial and non-custodial modes

Onboard quickly through familiar flows like social logins or usernames

This makes CeDeFi ideal for users who want power without the pain. You don’t need to memorize seed phrases. You can send tokens to a friend using a Telegram handle. And you can choose whether you want to manage your keys or delegate that to a trusted provider.

Importantly, CeDeFi isn’t just a compromise, it’s an upgrade. Instead of limiting users, it offers flexibility and safety in the same place. That’s why it’s gaining momentum among builders focused on real usability.

It’s about giving users both ease of use and control, not forcing them to sacrifice one for the other.

Fintopio’s CeDeFi Wallet in Action

Fintopio is a CeDeFi wallet built with real users in mind. It’s not a concept or whitepaper. It’s live, it’s working, and it’s designed to give users flexibility without compromise.

Here’s how Fintopio’s approach to CeDeFi works:

CeFi/DeFi Toggle: Users can instantly switch between custodial and non-custodial modes based on their preference or need.

Username-Based Transfers: Instead of long wallet addresses, users can send and receive crypto using Telegram or X usernames.

Cross-Platform Access: Fintopio works on Web, iOS, Android, and Telegram MiniApps, with WhatsApp and Discord on the way.

Vouchers and NFTs: Users can issue crypto vouchers for payments or gifts, and manage NFTs inside the wallet.

All of this makes Fintopio feel more like a Web2 fintech app than a traditional Web3 wallet, yet it doesn’t sacrifice decentralization. This is key to what makes CeDeFi work: delivering modern UX without giving up the core ethos of crypto.

You can explore the CeDeFi wallet and see how Fintopio is redefining ease and ownership in crypto.

Why This Matters in 2025

Crypto isn’t new anymore. But it still isn’t usable at scale. For every DeFi power user, there are hundreds who gave up after a bad experience or never got started at all.

The next generation of users needs:

A clean and familiar UX

Reduced risk without total centralization

Flexibility to choose how they manage their assets

CeDeFi delivers exactly that. It solves crypto’s biggest user experience problem by meeting users where they are and giving them options that fit how they want to engage.

This is especially relevant in a world where social apps, embedded finance, and mobile-first behavior dominate. CeDeFi wallets like Fintopio are embracing these trends by integrating directly into platforms people already use, like Telegram, making it seamless to send, receive, or manage crypto on the go.

Fintopio is a clear example of this. As a CeDeFi wallet, it’s making crypto usable, safe, and flexible without watering down the values that make DeFi powerful.

The CeDeFi Wallet Model Is the Future

CeDeFi is not just a bridge. It’s a better foundation.

Instead of making users pick between ease or control, CeDeFi offers both. And wallets like Fintopio are proving that this isn’t just a theory , it’s live, scalable, and ready now.

For crypto to grow, more wallets will need to follow this model. Because real adoption won’t come from adding more features, it will come from removing friction and focusing on what users actually need.

Fintopio is showing how it’s done. And the future of crypto might just follow the path it’s already paving.

The post Why CeDeFi Is the Bridge Between Crypto Convenience and Control appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Two NYPD officers have been placed on modified duty over alleged connections to a crypto trader kidnapping case

Officer Roberto Cordero allegedly picked up the victim from the airport and transported him to the townhouse where he was held

The victim was tortured for three weeks as captors attempted to gain access to his $30 million crypto holdings

Officer Raymond J. Low reportedly had financial ties to the suspects, providing private security services

The victim escaped on May 22, which he said was designated to be his “death day”

Two New York Police Department officers have been removed from active duty following allegations of their involvement in the kidnapping and torture of a cryptocurrency trader. The officers are being investigated for connections to suspects in what has become known as the SoHo crypto abduction case.

The officers, Roberto Cordero and Raymond J. Low, were placed on modified duty today after their alleged ties to the case came to light. The victim, Italian crypto investor Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, was held captive for three weeks in a luxury townhouse in Manhattan.

Officer Cordero, who works with the NYPD’s Elite Executive Protection Unit, allegedly acted as a driver in the scheme. According to police sources, he personally picked up Carturan from a New York airport on May 6.

Cordero then transported the victim to a Prince Street townhouse in SoHo. This elite police unit is normally tasked with protecting high-ranking city officials, including New York City’s mayor.

The second officer, Raymond J. Low, is under investigation for financial connections to the suspects. Reports indicate he was paid to provide private security services for one or both of the primary suspects in the case.

Brutal Three-Week Ordeal

Court documents reveal the horrifying details of Carturan’s captivity. The suspects, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, subjected the victim to extreme torture methods over a three-week period.

The perpetrators bound Carturan and beat him with a gun. They also used electric shocks, threatened him with a chainsaw, and forced him to smoke crack cocaine.

These brutal tactics were employed to force Carturan to surrender access to his cryptocurrency holdings. The victim’s crypto assets are estimated to be worth approximately $30 million.

The torture continued in cycles throughout the three-week captivity. The suspects were persistent in their attempts to gain access to Carturan’s digital wallet phrase.

New York City Hall released a statement addressing the officers’ alleged involvement. “Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty,” the statement read.

Escape and Arrests

Carturan managed to escape his captors on May 22. He later told authorities this date had been designated as his “death day” by his kidnappers.

Following the escape and subsequent investigation, suspect John Woeltz was arrested and charged. On May 29, Woeltz was indicted, and a judge denied his attorney’s request for release on a $2 million bond.

The second suspect, William Duplessie, surrendered to authorities earlier this week. Duplessie is a Swiss national and co-founder of Pangea Blockchain Fund. He remains in custody and is awaiting indictment.

The extent of the officers’ direct involvement with the victim remains unclear. The case is now under internal affairs review as the investigation continues.

The investigation is focused on determining whether the officers were aware of the kidnapping plot or if they were unwittingly pulled into the scheme. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome.

This case represents one of the most shocking crypto-related crimes to date. The level of violence and the extended period of abuse have drawn attention to the increasing risks faced by high-profile cryptocurrency investors.

The NYPD and city officials continue to gather evidence as the case unfolds. The internal affairs investigation is running parallel to the criminal proceedings against Woeltz and Duplessie.

The post Two NYPD Officers Linked to $30 Million Crypto Trader Abduction Case appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Crypto trader James Wynn was liquidated for over $100 million on Hyperliquid after a 40x leveraged Bitcoin position failed

The liquidation occurred despite Bitcoin only moving within a narrow 2% price range

Wynn had previously turned $500K into $87 million through high-leverage bets on meme coins

Another trader identified as 0x2258 made $17 million by counter-trading Wynn’s positions

The 24-hour Bitcoin long liquidations exceeded $200 million amid price fluctuations

A crypto trader known as James Wynn has suffered a massive $100 million liquidation on decentralized derivatives platform Hyperliquid after a highly leveraged Bitcoin position unraveled. The liquidation occurred on Thursday despite Bitcoin showing limited price movement, trading at around $106,020 with only a 1.9% decline over 24 hours.

The trader had built a 40x leveraged long position on Bitcoin last week, betting the cryptocurrency’s price would continue to rise. The wallet associated with the trade, beginning with “0x507,” has been tagged as belonging to James Wynn by blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence.

According to on-chain data, Wynn had initially deposited just $3 million in stablecoins on Hyperliquid about two months ago. The platform, built on Arbitrum, has gained popularity for its high-speed trading features and transparent wallet activity.

ARKHAM ALERT: JAMES WYNN HAS JUST BEEN LIQUIDATED FOR $100 MILLION DOLLARS pic.twitter.com/dJNCUmbgZO

— Arkham (@arkham) May 30, 2025

Pseudonymous trader Pentoshi commented on the unusual nature of the liquidation. “Bitcoin price really never changed. It’s been in like a 2% range, and this guy just kept trading poorly, getting chopped to 0,” Pentoshi noted on X.

Pentoshi also suggested that Wynn’s public profile may have contributed to the outcome. “He was super loud on the timeline and yapped a lot, which probably brought a lot of attention he didn’t need. It’s best to trade large positions quietly.”

From Meme Coin Success to Massive Loss

James Wynn had built a reputation as a high-risk leverage trader and meme coin enthusiast. He gained fame in 2023 after correctly predicting the rise of the Pepe meme coin to a $4.2 billion market cap, reportedly earning him over eight figures in profits.

The trader’s success continued as he transformed a modest $500,000 investment into an impressive $87 million through a series of high-leverage bets. His winning trades included a 10x long position on PEPE that generated $23.8 million in unrealized profit, a 10x long on TRUMP yielding $6.83 million in realized gains, and a 5x long on FARTCOIN netting $4.48 million.

On May 22, Wynn’s high-profile $1.14 billion Bitcoin position was up $39 million, showcasing his trading prowess. However, his fortunes quickly reversed over the next week.

On May 24, Wynn doubled down with $1.25 billion in Bitcoin long positions, resulting in a $13.4 million unrealized loss within hours. The next day, he switched to $1 billion in Bitcoin shorts, leading to a $15.87 million loss in just 15 hours.

Counter-Trader Profits

While Wynn faced mounting losses, another trader found success by taking the opposite side of his bets. A trader identified by the address 0x2258 consistently counter-traded Wynn’s positions – shorting when Wynn went long and going long when Wynn shorted.

This strategy proved highly lucrative, with the counter-trader earning an impressive $17 million in just three days. The success of this approach highlights the risks of publicizing large trading positions in the cryptocurrency market.

After the liquidation, the account thought to belong to Wynn responded by posting a still from The Matrix, with the protagonist Neo stopping bullets with his hand. Hours before the liquidation, Wynn had posted on X that “the comeback will be ferocious,” but the market moved against his position.

The comeback will be ferocious pic.twitter.com/6954peGIYX

— James Wynn (@JamesWynnReal) May 29, 2025

The volatility in Bitcoin price has increased recently as US courts debate Trump tariffs. According to data from Coinglass, the 24-hour Bitcoin long liquidations surged past $200 million as prices fluctuated.

Wynn has also been involved in promoting a meme coin called Moonpig and its related game, Moonrush. He recently faced accusations of dumping Moonpig tokens, which he denied, stating, “That top wallet was never mine… I don’t usually entertain such FUD, but I haven’t sold a single cent of Moonpig.”

The case serves as a stark reminder of the extreme risks associated with high-leverage trading in cryptocurrency markets, where even small price movements can lead to catastrophic losses.

The post Crypto Trader Loses $100 Million in Leveraged Bitcoin Position on Hyperliquid appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that US-China trade talks have “stalled”

US Appeals Court reinstated Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” after they were initially struck down

Altcoins like Ethereum, XRP, and Dogecoin corrected 3-8% amid trade war uncertainty

The crypto market saw $680 million in liquidations in 24 hours

Bitcoin reached a new all-time high above $111,000 but has since dropped to around $107,000

The renewed threat of escalating trade tensions between the United States and China has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency market, with altcoins bearing the brunt of the correction. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that trade talks between the world’s two largest economies have hit a roadblock, describing negotiations as “stalled” during a recent interview with Fox Business.

The pause in progress comes after earlier signs of easing tensions this month. Bessent had visited Switzerland for discussions with Chinese officials, which had led to both nations stepping back from imposing tariffs exceeding 100% on each other’s goods. Despite the current impasse, Bessent expressed confidence that further negotiations with Chinese representatives would resume “in the next few weeks.”

Adding to market uncertainty, a US Appeals Court has reinstated former President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” just one day after they were struck down by the US Court of International Trade, which had cited an overreach of presidential power. This legal back-and-forth has reintroduced volatility to global markets, as the decision could potentially be appealed to the US Supreme Court.

Crypto Market Reaction

The resurgence of US-China trade war concerns has had an immediate impact on cryptocurrency prices. Ethereum (ETH) dropped 3%, falling below the $2,700 mark and erasing its weekly gains. Other altcoins experienced even steeper declines, with Cardano (ADA), Sui (SUI), and XRP correcting between 3-5%.

Dogecoin (DOGE) was among the hardest hit, plummeting more than 8%. The market turmoil resulted in $680 million in liquidations across the crypto sector in just 24 hours, according to Coinglass data.

Bitcoin, while more resilient than altcoins, has also felt the effects of the market uncertainty. After recently touching a new all-time high above $111,000, BTC has pulled back to around $107,000. Despite this 3.9% drop from its peak, Bitcoin still maintains a monthly gain of over 10%.

Institutional vs. Retail Behavior

On-chain analysis reveals interesting patterns in investor behavior during this period of market volatility. Large Bitcoin holders, specifically addresses containing between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC (excluding exchanges and miners), have been steadily increasing their holdings. This suggests growing confidence among institutional investors despite the macroeconomic concerns.

Meanwhile, retail participation remains relatively low. According to analysis from Avocado Onchain on CryptoQuant’s platform, the percentage of Unspent Transaction Outputs (UTXOs) held by investors with a holding period of less than one month is currently around 20%, well below the historical threshold seen near previous market tops.

Large holders are accumulating.

Addresses holding 1K–10K BTC (excl. exchanges & miners) are rising, a sign of growing investor confidence.

Historically linked to higher prices. pic.twitter.com/vCCml3GfHB

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) May 29, 2025

During earlier bull cycles, new investor participation often surged past 50%. The analyst warns that without increased participation from newer investors, the market may struggle to maintain upward momentum, even as Bitcoin reaches new highs.

The Japanese bond market is also showing signs of heating up, with yields crossing 3% and hitting a two-decade high, adding another layer of complexity to the global financial landscape that could impact crypto assets.

Long-term holders appear to be selling some of their Bitcoin, but the influx of new investors remains sluggish. This dynamic has historically limited momentum in previous market cycles and could potentially cap Bitcoin’s upside potential if the trend continues.

The current market represents a transitional phase, with institutional accumulation providing price support while retail investors largely remain on the sidelines. The next few weeks of US-China trade negotiations may prove crucial for both global markets and the cryptocurrency sector.

The post US-China Trade Tensions Halt as Crypto Market Sees $680M in Liquidations appeared first on Blockonomi.

New York, NY, May 28, 2025 – Coinscribble by Coinbound – Leather, the premier Bitcoin and Stacks wallet, today announced the launch of its mobile wallet application, available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The Leather app provides users with all the same non-custodial, secure, and convenient features that have made using Leather the best experience for Bitcoin users.

Mobile App Launch Enhances Bitcoin and Stacks Experience

With a focus on user-friendliness and security, the Leather mobile app offers a range of features designed to make managing Bitcoin and Stacks assets accessible to everyone.

“Leather is helping users grow their Bitcoin, and our mobile wallet is geared towards that type of user experience,” said Mark Hendrickson, General Manager of Leather. “Making sure that the experience of accessing your wallet is seamless from your web browser to your smartphone is key for users to never miss an opportunity in this space.”

Recognizing the need to create access points to Bitcoin anywhere a user goes, the new Leather app will give users on iOS and Android the same tools available on the web platform—now in your pocket.

Key Features of the Leather Mobile Wallet

With support for Stacking, sBTC, NFTs, and leading DeFi protocols on Stacks, the Leather app delivers key features at launch, including:

Full wallet creation, recovery, and backup

Segwit, Taproot, and Stacks-native address support

Native transaction previews and metadata

Portfolio tracking for BTC, STX, sBTC, stSTX, ALEX, and more

In-app browser with persistent app connections

Secure key storage with biometric and PIN locking

Mainnet, Testnet, and Signet switching

Expanding the Leather Ecosystem

Leather’s mobile launch comes on the heels of the recently announced web app experience. The new web app is designed to give users effortless access to Bitcoin DeFi opportunities, as part of the expanding Stacks Layer 2 ecosystem.

Leather’s mission is to bridge the gap between long-term Bitcoin holders and emerging yield-generating opportunities being built on Stacks—enabling anyone to participate.

No more waiting. Grow your Bitcoin on your terms.
Download Leather on iOS or Android.

About Leather

Leather is a trusted wallet for Bitcoin and Bitcoin-secured assets, supporting BTC, STX, sBTC, Ordinals, BRC-20 tokens, and more. By focusing on security, simplicity, and decentralization, Leather is building the infrastructure for Bitcoin’s next chapter—one where yield, smart contracts, and user empowerment coexist.

To learn more about Leather or to get started, visit leather.io

Media Contact:
Jayson Lynn
[email protected]

The post Leather Expands Bitcoin DeFi Access with Mobile App appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

US Court of International Trade ruled Trump’s April tariffs unconstitutional, citing presidential overreach

The ruling invalidates the 10% baseline tariffs and higher rates on specific countries like China

S&P 500 futures surged 100 points following the decision, with European indices and Apple stock also rising

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes called the ruling a “buy everything” moment for investors

Trump’s administration has already filed an appeal against the decision

The US Court of International Trade delivered a major blow to President Donald Trump’s trade policy on Wednesday by striking down his sweeping tariff regime implemented in April. The three-judge panel ruled that Trump exceeded his presidential authority when imposing blanket tariffs on most US trading partners under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The court specifically stated that the IEEPA imposes “meaningful limits” on presidential authority. “Any interpretation that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional,” the panel wrote in their decision.

The ruling invalidates the 10% baseline tariff applied to all nations, along with higher rates imposed on specific countries. This includes the 25% levy on Canada and Mexico and the 20% rate on Chinese imports.

Market Reaction

Financial markets responded immediately to the news. S&P 500 futures jumped 100 points, while Dow futures climbed 520 points (nearly 1.2%). Nasdaq futures gained almost 2%, according to market data.

European indices also saw gains, with the EU Stoxx 50, FTSE 100, and DAX Index all moving higher. Apple stock surged 3.5% in after-market trading hours, reflecting investor optimism about reduced trade tensions.

Bitcoin, which recently reached an all-time high of $111,814, experienced a minor pullback following the court decision. The cryptocurrency fell 1% to $110,800 as investors rotated capital back into equities.

Legal Background

The court’s decision came in response to two lawsuits. One was filed by small businesses, including wine importer V.O.S. Selections. The other was brought by a coalition of states led by Oregon and Arizona.

The ruling covers all tariffs collected since April 2, potentially requiring refunds totaling around $10 billion based on 2024 US import levels. China alone could receive approximately $3.5 billion in refunds.

The court ordered the US government to issue the necessary administrative actions “within 10 calendar days” to implement the permanent injunction. However, Trump’s legal team has already filed a notice of appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Expert Reactions

Veteran economist Peter Schiff, who had previously called Trump’s tariffs “illegal,” reiterated his position following the ruling. “The power to tax lies with Congress, not one man, and tariffs must originate in the House,” Schiff wrote.

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes viewed the decision as a market opportunity, suggesting it was time to “buy everything.” Hayes hinted at a major rally ahead in the markets, calling this the “second round” of buying opportunities.

Buy everything round dos. pic.twitter.com/VDPxGFYczX

— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) May 29, 2025

Kadan Stadelmann, CTO of Komodo Platform, told Decrypt the decision “signaled a return to law and order.” He noted that while Bitcoin experienced a short-term decline as investors shifted to equities, he doesn’t expect this to reverse the broader crypto bull market.

Broader Economic Context

Despite the positive market reaction to the tariff ruling, the 10-year Treasury note yield climbed above 4.50% shortly after the announcement. This suggests broader economic factors continue to influence fixed-income markets, regardless of trade policy shifts.

The Federal Reserve had been taking a “cautious approach” while waiting for clarity on the trade tariff matter. The central bank had postponed interest rate cuts, citing uncertainty around trade policies as a factor in their decision-making.

The European Union, which had been rushing to reach a trade agreement with the US to avoid proposed 50% tariffs, may now find itself in a stronger bargaining position following the court’s decision.

The ruling represents a setback for Trump’s second-term trade doctrine, which had sought to use tariffs as leverage in international negotiations. The administration justified the tariffs by claiming an economic emergency tied to drug trafficking and foreign coercion.

As the legal battle continues through the appeals process, uncertainty in trade policy is likely to persist in the coming months, keeping markets on edge despite the initial positive reaction.

The post Trump’s Tariff Plan Crumbles: Court Says President Overstepped His Power appeared first on Blockonomi.

Despite its fast expansion, the decentralized financial industry continues to endure price shocks, protocol exploitation, and settlement delays that damage market trust.

Such interruptions expose ordinary users to losses and stop regulated institutions from investing money, impeding the shift of large-scale liquidity to blockchain infrastructure.

Traditional finance had similar vulnerabilities during its early years and later strengthened systems for risk control, custody, compliance, and cross-border settlement. Several Web3 architects are adopting those frameworks, which have been re-engineered for transparent, permissionless networks to improve operational dependability while maintaining openness.

When these precautions are included in the smart contract design, volatility persists, but the likelihood of systemic collapse decreases, liquidity expands, and user trust rises.

Risk-Management Frameworks for High-Volume Markets

Legacy institutions manage uncertainty through diversification requirements, exposure restrictions, and hedging tools. Decentralized exchanges gradually include comparable precautions, such as automatic liquidation thresholds, position-sizing screens, and on-chain derivatives.

Top platforms include real-time portfolio stress testing, which allows investors to estimate downside risk before placing significant orders. Introducing such restrictions minimizes the frequency of cascade liquidations and promotes more consistent order book depth.

Regulatory Governance and Market Access

Know-your-customer screening, anti-money laundering monitoring, and periodic audit disclosure are the foundations of conventional capital markets. Voluntary adoption of comparable DeFi methods, frequently using zero-knowledge or tiered-verification approaches, has been linked to increased institutional inflows.

License and fee-schedule clarity reduce informational asymmetries, allowing regular traders and regulated funds to operate under predictable norms.

Custody Mechanisms and Operations Resilience

Conventional custodians use multilayer security procedures, client asset segregation, and independent attestations. Their blockchain equivalents are moving toward multi-signature, hardware-secured modules, and multi-party computation solutions that strike a compromise between self-custody and institutional monitoring. When recovery keys are spread across countries and periodically audited, the risk of permanent key loss decreases, and insurers are more likely to insure digital-asset vaults.

Infrastructure for Cross-border Settlement

Foreign exchange desks have typically depended on correspondent bank networks and time-zone windows; blockchain eliminates these frictions in favor of deterministic finality. Payment experts manage settlement layers, some of which utilize worldwide FX knowledge, to execute multi-currency transfers in minutes, substantially reducing counterparty and funding risk.

Seamless conversion movements, in turn, attract remittance firms and export-oriented enterprises looking for 24-hour liquidity.

Gatekeeping methods that limit participation to approved cohorts undermine the permissionless ethos of public chains and stifle network benefits. Opaque charge structures and off-ledger bookkeeping cannot withstand on-chain openness; block explorers and community auditors swiftly expose any obfuscation.

Finally, a 9-to-5 operational cadence is incompatible with constantly functioning ledgers; support, monitoring, and incident response must be built as globally dispersed, always-on operations.

Conclusion and Practical Guidance

Crypto-asset ecosystems like MultiBank, which include institutional-grade risk analytics, auditable compliance modules, and robust custody architecture, reap the benefits of TradFi while maintaining open access.

Market watchers assessing a new protocol should check for the presence of these features, as well as the lack of exclusivity, opacity, and limited-hour assistance.

Projects that match these requirements are better positioned to attract long-term liquidity, increase user adoption, and accelerate the maturing of decentralized finance.

The post The Role of Traditional Finance Solutions in Strengthening Web3 appeared first on Blockonomi.

The cryptocurrency mining industry is evolving at lightning speed. With new platforms and technologies constantly emerging, 2025 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year for mining efficiency and profitability. Some mining software solutions are standing out with robust features, user-friendly interfaces, and cutting-edge innovations that empower miners at all levels.

Let’s explore the top crypto mining platforms of 2025, including HashFly, NiceHash, BitFuFu, and ECOS.

HashFly – A Pioneer in Mining Efficiency

HashFly is leading the crypto mining revolution with its highly efficient and scalable solutions based on the Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm. By leveraging a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure, HashFly enables simultaneous processing of multiple blocks—boosting concurrency, eliminating block waste, and maintaining strong decentralization and security.

With a focus on sustainability, HashFly combines smart design with intelligent algorithms to optimize mining performance while minimizing environmental impact. Its eco-conscious infrastructure aligns with global green standards, making it an ideal platform for environmentally-aware users.

 Key Advantages of HashFly:

Global Accessibility: No geographic restrictions—anyone can mine from anywhere.

Advanced DAG Technology: Boosts scalability and eliminates mining inefficiencies.

Sustainable Infrastructure: Green mining meets high-performance results.

Customizable Mining Options: Cloud mining, hardware mining, and tailored support.

User-Friendly Interface: Perfect for both beginners and seasoned miners.

Driven by innovation and efficiency, HashFly is the go-to mining software for 2025, offering unmatched flexibility, security, and profitability.

Getting Started with HashFly:

Register at HashFly.com and get a free $10 bonus.

Select a Plan based on your budget and goals.

Track & Withdraw your earnings with ease—withdrawals process in under 5 minutes.

 HashFly Mining Plans:

Contract Price Contract duration Daily interest rate Daily income Principal + Total Return $200 1 Day 4% $8 $200+$8 $600 2 Days 3% $18 $600+$36 $1600 3 Days 3.1% $49.6 $1600+$148.8 $4600 1 Days 4.5% $207 $4600+$207 $8000 2 Days 4.7% $376 $8000+$752 $16000 3 Days 5% $800 $16000+$2400 $32000 3 Days 6.5% $2080 $32000+$6240 $50000 3 Days 7.2% $3600 $50000+$10800 $80000 2 Days 8.5% $6800 $80000+$13600

NiceHash – A Versatile Marketplace for Hash Power

Founded in 2014, NiceHash is best known for its pioneering hash rate marketplace, enabling users to buy and sell computing power. This open market model empowers both miners and buyers with versatile tools and dynamic profitability.NiceHash remains a trusted choice for miners who value flexibility and control.

BitFuFu – Fast-Growing Mining Innovator Backed by Bitmain

BitFuFu has quickly made a name for itself in the global mining space, operating multiple mining farms with strong performance and reliability. With a strategic partnership with BITMAIN, the platform offers top-tier mining solutions for both casual users and advanced miners.

ECOS – A Leader in Digital Asset Management

Since 2017, ECOS has been at the forefront of crypto mining innovation. It offers an all-in-one ecosystem that includes cloud mining, ASIC hosting, portfolios, custodial services, wallets, and a full-featured crypto exchange.

Why HashFly Leads the Way in 2025

As the industry continues to grow, HashFly stands out with breakthrough innovation, powerful infrastructure, and global accessibility. Whether you’re new to crypto or a mining veteran, HashFly offers a feature-rich ecosystem designed to enhance your mining experience from the ground up.

With its DAG-powered engine, mobile control, and green strategy, HashFly is more than just a mining platform—it’s a complete mining revolution.

Start Mining Smarter with HashFly.

Get started with HashFly today and mine your future profits!

Official Website: https://hashfly.com.

The post Upgrade Your Rig: Top Crypto Mining Platforms of 2025 – HashFly, NiceHash, BitFuFu, and ECOS appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor calls onchain proof-of-reserves a “bad idea” that creates security risks for institutions

Saylor says publishing wallet addresses makes companies vulnerable to tracing and security breaches

He argues proof-of-reserves only show assets held, not liabilities owed to customers

Many crypto exchanges adopted proof-of-reserves after FTX collapsed in November 2022 for transparency

Strategy holds 576,230 Bitcoin worth $62.6 billion, making it the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder

MicroStrategy executive chair Michael Saylor spoke against institutions publishing onchain proof-of-reserves during a May 26 event at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. He called the practice a “bad idea” that increases security risks for companies holding cryptocurrency.

Saylor explained that current proof-of-reserves methods are insecure and harm multiple parties. “It actually dilutes the security of the issuer, the custodians, the exchanges and the investors,” he said during the event.

The executive declined to answer when asked if MicroStrategy would publish its own proof-of-reserves. Blockware Solutions analyst Mitchell Askew posed the question during the conference discussion.

I asked @saylor if @MicroStrategy has any plans to publish on-chain proof of reserves

His answer will SHOCK you

“It’s a bad idea.”

– Security Risk
– Irrelevant without also having Big 4-audited liabilities

Check it out pic.twitter.com/tIxUckgbEp

— Mitchell (@MitchellHODL) May 27, 2025

Proof-of-reserves are transparency tools that verify companies hold enough crypto assets to cover customer deposits. Crypto exchanges and fund managers commonly use them to show they have sufficient reserves.

These tools became popular after major exchange collapses like FTX and Mt. Gox. The crypto industry adopted them to rebuild trust with customers and investors.

Saylor acknowledged the industry learned from these failures but disagreed with proof-of-reserves as a solution. He said institutional security experts would not recommend publishing wallet addresses that allow tracing.

“No institutional-grade or enterprise security analyst would think it’s a good idea to publish all of the wallet addresses,” Saylor stated. He warned this creates vulnerability by making companies traceable through blockchain analysis.

The MicroStrategy chair suggested using artificial intelligence to identify security problems with publishing wallet addresses. He claimed AI would generate “50 pages of security problems” when asked about the risks.

Growing Adoption After FTX Collapse

Many crypto companies started publishing proof-of-reserves after FTX collapsed in November 2022. The exchange’s failure highlighted the need for transparency in crypto custody and operations.

Major exchanges including Binance, Kraken, and OKX now publish regular proof-of-reserves reports. Crypto asset manager Bitwise also adopted the practice for its exchange-traded funds.

However, Saylor pointed out that proof-of-reserves show only one side of company finances. They reveal what companies hold but not what they owe to customers or creditors.

This incomplete picture means proof-of-reserves may not provide full transparency about a company’s financial health. Companies could hold sufficient assets while having hidden liabilities.

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Holdings

MicroStrategy remains the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder with 576,230 Bitcoin on its balance sheet. The company’s holdings are worth approximately $62.6 billion at current prices.

Bitcoin mining firm MARA Holdings ranks second with 48,137 Bitcoin according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET. More than 110 publicly traded companies worldwide now hold Bitcoin as a treasury asset.

MicroStrategy has been aggressively buying Bitcoin since 2020 under Saylor’s leadership. The company recently purchased 4,020 additional Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency’s price briefly topped $110,000.

The post MicroStrategy CEO Says Proof-of-Reserves Create Security Risks for Bitcoin Companies appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Trump hosted a $148 million meme coin dinner for top TRUMP token holders at his Virginia golf club on May 22, 2025

The TRUMP token price dropped 16% after the event, with 220 attendees including crypto executives and former NBA star Lamar Odom

Attendees complained about poor food quality and Trump’s brief 23-minute appearance before leaving by helicopter

Chinese crypto mogul Justin Sun, facing SEC fraud charges, was the top token holder with over $22 million in TRUMP tokens

Democrats are pushing legislation to ban presidents from profiting off crypto ventures while in office

President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner for the top holders of his TRUMP meme coin at his Virginia golf club on May 22, 2025. The event cost attendees a combined $148 million to secure their invitations through purchasing the token.

The dinner took place at Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia, with 220 guests in attendance. Among those present were crypto influencers, industry executives like Sandy Carter from Unstoppable Domains, and former NBA player Lamar Odom.

Hours after the event, the TRUMP token price fell 16% as of Friday morning. The drop came despite the exclusive nature of the gathering, which was marketed as “the most exclusive invitation in the world.”

Attendee Nicholas Pinto, a 25-year-old crypto investor, described the experience as disappointing. His father drove him to the event in a Lamborghini, but Pinto left feeling underwhelmed and still hungry.

“The food sucked,” Pinto told reporters. “Wasn’t given any drinks other than water or Trump’s wine. I don’t drink, so I had water. My glass was only filled once.”

The three-course meal included a Trump organic field green salad, filet mignon with pan-seared halibut, mashed potatoes, and vegetable medley, followed by lava cake for dessert. Pinto called the filet mignon “trash” and compared it to “Walmart steak.”

Trump’s crypto dinner looks like a meal you’d get as a reward in prison for not stabbing anyone all week. pic.twitter.com/Ny0KVBi1mv

— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖_𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@SundaeDivine) May 24, 2025

Political Backlash Emerges

Trump made only a brief appearance at the dinner, staying for just 23 minutes according to Pinto. The president delivered a short address covering familiar crypto talking points before departing by helicopter without taking questions or photos with contest winners.

It should be illegal for the president of the United States to charge people money to have dinner with him. Campaign donations are fine. But not direct payments to the president's personal account. Nor should a president sell White House tours and pocket the proceeds personally.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) May 22, 2025

“He didn’t talk to any of the 220 guests — maybe the top 25,” Pinto said. Security was reportedly lax, with phones not locked in RFID pouches as is typical at high-profile events.

The guest list raised concerns among lawmakers and regulators. Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun was the top token holder, with over $22 million in TRUMP tokens and another $75 million in World Liberty Financial’s native token.

Sun currently faces Securities and Exchange Commission fraud charges that were recently paused. The SEC cited “the public interest” in their decision to pause the proceedings.

Outside the golf club, approximately 100 protesters gathered according to NBC News. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon joined the demonstration, supporting a new End Crypto Corruption Act with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Legislative Impact on Crypto Bills

The dinner created complications for ongoing crypto legislation efforts. Representative French Hill of Arkansas, who leads negotiations on the bipartisan GENIUS Act stablecoin regulation bill, called the gala “a distraction from the good work we need to do.”

The GENIUS Act now faces increased political challenges. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri added a controversial provision to cap credit card late fees, which could alienate banking allies and stall the bill’s approval.

On Thursday night during the dinner, Senate Democrats announced plans to push for new provisions banning presidents and senior officials from profiting off crypto ventures while in office. This directly challenges the Trump-linked USD1 stablecoin that launched earlier this year.

Bloomberg News analysis found that all but six of the top 25 wallets used foreign exchanges typically off-limits to US users. More than half of the top 220 wallets were linked to similar offshore platforms.

The White House attempted to distance the administration from the event. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the president attended “in his personal time” and emphasized “it is not a White House dinner.”

Since its January debut, the TRUMP coin has generated more than $324 million in trading fees. The Trump Organization and affiliates control roughly 80% of the token supply according to the project’s website.

World Liberty Financial has sold $550 million across two token sales, while Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment fund recently pledged $2 billion in USD1 to Binance exchange.

The post “The Food Sucked”: Trump Meme Coin Dinner Leaves Attendees Hungry and Token Price Down 16% appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Adam Back led a $2.2 million funding round for Swedish health tech firm H100 Group AB to purchase Bitcoin for its corporate treasury

H100 becomes Sweden’s first public company to adopt a Bitcoin treasury policy, planning to buy about 20.18 Bitcoin with the new funds

Michael Saylor hints at another Bitcoin purchase for MicroStrategy after the company’s recent acquisition of 7,390 BTC worth $765 million

Cardone Capital launched its fourth hybrid fund combining real estate and Bitcoin, featuring a 346-unit Miami property with $15 million in Bitcoin

H100’s stock price jumped 37% following its Bitcoin treasury announcement, with shares trading at 1.29 SEK

Swedish health tech company H100 Group AB secured 21 million Swedish krona in funding, making it the first public company in Sweden to adopt Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Blockstream CEO Adam Back led the investment round with a personal contribution of $1.4 million.

The remaining $800,000 came from investment firms including Morten Klein, Alundo Invest AS, Race Venture Scandinavia AB, and Crafoord Capital Partners. The funds were raised through interest-free convertible loans that mature in June 2028.

H100 plans to use the capital to purchase approximately 20.18 Bitcoin at current market prices. This would add to the 4.39 Bitcoin the company already bought on May 22, bringing total holdings to about 24.57 Bitcoin.

21,000,000 SEK has been raised in a convertible round led by the legendary @adam3us

Accelerating our Bitcoin treasury strategy and strengthening our focus on sovereign health — let’s build! pic.twitter.com/SrpbKM2TID

— H100 (@H100Group) May 25, 2025

The convertible loans allow investors to convert their investments into equity at 1.3 Swedish krona per share. If H100’s stock price trades at least 33% above the conversion price for 60 trading days, the company can force conversion.

A full conversion would create over 16 million new shares, resulting in roughly 12% dilution for existing shareholders. H100’s stock jumped 37% on the day of its Bitcoin announcement and gained another 5.33% the following day.

MicroStrategy Continues Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy

MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor recently hinted at another Bitcoin purchase following the company’s latest acquisition. The firm bought 7,390 Bitcoin on May 19 for nearly $765 million, bringing total holdings to 576,230 Bitcoin.

Saylor posted on social media that he “only buys Bitcoin with money I can’t afford to lose.” This statement came after Bitcoin’s recent pullback from its record high of $112,000 on May 22.

If MicroStrategy makes another purchase on May 26, it would mark the company’s seventh consecutive week of Bitcoin accumulation. The firm has established itself as the leading corporate Bitcoin holder, with analysts predicting its strategy could drive the company’s valuation higher.

Financial analyst Jeff Walton suggested MicroStrategy could eventually become a $10 trillion enterprise. He pointed to the company’s ability to raise billions in capital quickly and channel it into Bitcoin rather than traditional operational expenses.

Cardone Capital Blends Real Estate with Bitcoin Investment

Cardone Capital launched the 10X Miami River Bitcoin Fund, combining a 346-unit Miami property with $15 million worth of Bitcoin. This marks the real estate firm’s fourth hybrid investment vehicle mixing income-generating property with cryptocurrency.

The fund represents Cardone Capital’s strategy to use real estate cash flows to purchase additional Bitcoin over time. Founder Grant Cardone said the idea came from his brother, who suggested examining the historical impact of converting real estate income into Bitcoin.

Cardone discovered that such a strategy could have turned $160 million into approximately $3 billion over the past 12 years. The firm now aims to buy $1 billion in real estate and $200 million in Bitcoin across its hybrid fund offerings.

The company manages more than $5 billion in assets and positions these hybrid funds as alternatives to traditional REITs. The funds aim to make Bitcoin more accessible to investors who prefer familiar real estate investments while gaining cryptocurrency exposure.

H100 now joins 112 public companies globally that hold Bitcoin in their treasuries, with only ten of those firms based in Europe.

The post Bitcoin Pioneer Adam Back Puts $1.4M Behind Swedish Firm’s Crypto Treasury Bet appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

DDC Enterprise bought 21 Bitcoin for $2.28 million by exchanging 254,333 shares on May 23

The company plans to acquire 5,000 Bitcoin over the next three years, starting with 500 BTC by end of 2025

DDC will purchase another 79 Bitcoin in the coming days to reach 100 BTC total

The stock fell 14.5% on May 23 but recovered 2.43% after trading hours to $3.79

If DDC reaches its 5,000 Bitcoin target, it would rank just outside the top 10 public companies by Bitcoin holdings

DDC Enterprise made its first Bitcoin purchase on May 23, buying 21 BTC for $2.28 million. The Hong Kong-based company, also known as DayDayCook, is listed on the New York stock exchange.

The company exchanged 254,333 shares for the Bitcoin purchase. This represents the first step in a larger cryptocurrency acquisition strategy.

DDC plans to buy another 79 Bitcoin in the coming days. This would bring the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 100 BTC.

The purchases are part of a three-year plan announced on May 15. DDC aims to acquire 5,000 Bitcoin over this period.

Corporate Bitcoin Strategy

The company has set a goal of purchasing 500 Bitcoin before the end of 2025. This represents the first phase of their broader acquisition plan.

If DDC reaches its target of 5,000 Bitcoin, it would rank just outside the top 10 public companies by Bitcoin holdings. The company would sit behind Japanese investment firm Metaplanet, which currently holds 7,800 BTC.

DDC Enterprise operates in the heat-and-eat meal industry. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong but trades on US markets.

The stock price fell 14.5% during the May 23 trading session. However, shares recovered after hours, rising 2.43% to $3.79.

DDC Enterprise

DDC stock is down over 27% year-to-date. The company’s Bitcoin announcement came during this period of stock price decline.

Growing Asian Crypto Adoption

DDC’s Bitcoin purchase follows similar moves by other Asian companies. Chinese electric vehicle retailer Jiuzi Holdings approved a plan on May 22 to purchase 1,000 BTC over the next year.

High-net-worth investors across Asia are shifting away from US dollar investments. A recent report shows these investors are moving toward gold, cryptocurrencies, and Chinese assets.

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Stablecoin Bill last week. This creates a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers in the region.

Institutions may be able to apply for stablecoin issuance licenses by the end of this year. The regulatory clarity supports growing cryptocurrency adoption in Hong Kong.

China maintains a total ban on crypto transactions despite growing interest from companies. Several Chinese firms have made Bitcoin purchases in recent months.

The trend shows corporate interest in Bitcoin continues to grow across Asia. DDC’s purchase represents another example of this regional adoption pattern.

DDC Enterprise plans to complete its next Bitcoin purchases in the coming days to reach 100 BTC total.

The post DDC Enterprise (DDC) Price: Hong Kong Company Purchases 21 Bitcoin as Part of 5,000 BTC Acquisition Plan appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

John Woeltz, 37, was arrested for kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian man for weeks in a Manhattan apartment to access his Bitcoin wallet

The victim escaped on Friday after being bound, beaten, drugged, and electrocuted while captors demanded his cryptocurrency password

Police found evidence including cocaine, weapons, night vision goggles, and photos of the victim with a gun to his head at the crime scene

Woeltz was charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession, held without bail

The case is part of a growing trend of “wrench attacks” where criminals use physical violence to steal cryptocurrency, with 26 such incidents tracked in 2025

A cryptocurrency investor was arrested in New York City after allegedly kidnapping and torturing a man for weeks to steal his Bitcoin. John Woeltz, 37, faces multiple charges including kidnapping, assault, and weapons possession.

The victim, a 28-year-old Italian national, arrived in New York in early May. Prosecutors say he was abducted on May 6 and held captive in an upscale eight-bedroom Manhattan townhouse.

For weeks, the victim endured brutal treatment as his captors demanded access to his Bitcoin wallet. He was bound by the wrists, beaten, and drugged during his captivity. The attackers used electric wires to shock him and hit him in the head with a firearm.

In one terrifying incident, prosecutors say the captors carried him to the top of stairs. They dangled him over a ledge and threatened to kill him unless he revealed his Bitcoin password. The victim believed he would be shot if he refused to comply.

Victim’s Escape and Evidence Discovered

The victim finally escaped on Friday after agreeing to provide his password. He told his captors the password was stored on his laptop in another room. When Woeltz turned his back, the victim ran from the apartment and flagged down a traffic officer for help.

Police took the victim to a hospital where he received treatment. Medical staff confirmed his injuries were consistent with being bound and assaulted for an extended period.

A search of the townhouse revealed disturbing evidence of the crime. Police found cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, and night vision goggles. They also discovered ammunition and Polaroid photos showing the victim with a gun pointed at his head.

Multiple Suspects Involved

Prosecutors say Woeltz did not act alone in the kidnapping scheme. Court records reference an “unapprehended male” who remains at large. The district attorney’s office confirmed that others were involved in the plot to empty the victim’s Bitcoin wallet.

Woeltz was arraigned on Saturday and ordered held without bail. The judge also required him to surrender his passport due to flight risk concerns. Prosecutors noted that Woeltz has significant means to flee, including access to a private jet and helicopter.

Growing Trend of Crypto Violence

This case represents part of a disturbing pattern of physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders. Security experts call these incidents “wrench attacks” where criminals use violence to bypass digital security measures.

Jameson Lopp, CTO of security firm Casa, has documented at least 26 physical crypto-related attacks in 2025 alone. These range from kidnappings to home invasions targeting digital asset holders.

Recent cases include an American tourist who lost $123,000 in crypto after being drugged by a fake Uber driver in London. In Paris, masked individuals attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandchild of a French crypto industry figure.

Woeltz is scheduled to appear in Manhattan criminal court next week. His attorney declined to comment on the charges.

The post Crypto Investor Arrested for Bitcoin Kidnapping and Torture in NYC appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Bitcoin recovered to $109,637 after Trump extended EU tariff deadline from June 1 to July 9, 2025

Trump initially threatened 50% tariffs on EU goods but agreed to extension after call with EU Commission President

Bitcoin derivatives saw increased activity with 24-hour open interest rising 2.59% to $76.66 billion

US equity futures gained up to 1% while gold dropped 0.3% as risk appetite improved

Analysts maintain bullish outlook with $120,000 Bitcoin price target for June despite trade tensions

Bitcoin climbed back above $109,000 on May 26 as President Donald Trump extended his deadline for imposing tariffs on European Union goods. The cryptocurrency rose 1.4% in 24 hours to reach $109,637 during early Asian trading hours.

The recovery comes after a volatile period that saw Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $111,814 on May 22. The digital asset then dropped to around $107,500 before the latest rebound.

Trump announced on May 25 that he would delay implementing 50% tariffs on EU goods until July 9, 2025. The original deadline was set for June 1, 2025.

The decision followed a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She requested more time for trade negotiations between the US and EU.

Trump posted on Truth Social confirming the extension. He stated it was his “privilege” to grant the additional time for discussions.

The tariff threat had created uncertainty in global markets. Trump initially proposed 20% tariffs on EU imports in April before reducing them to 10%.

On May 23, he escalated the threat to 50% tariffs if negotiations failed by June 1. This announcement caused Bitcoin to fall nearly 2% at the time.

Market Response Shows Risk Appetite Return

Financial markets responded positively to the tariff delay announcement. US equity futures gained across major indices on Monday morning.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.9% while Dow futures added 0.8%. Nasdaq-100 futures climbed 1% in early trading.

Gold prices dropped 0.3% to $3,346.59 per ounce. The decline suggests investors moved away from traditional safe-haven assets.

Bitcoin derivatives markets showed increased activity alongside the price recovery. Open interest increased 2.59% to $76.66 billion over 24 hours.

Trading volume in Bitcoin derivatives jumped 10.85% to $89.91 billion. Higher volume and open interest typically indicate renewed trader confidence.

Analysts Maintain Bullish Bitcoin Outlook

Market analysts continue to express optimism about Bitcoin’s price prospects. Many point to institutional demand and improving regulatory conditions.

Ryan McMillin from Merkle Tree Capital noted Bitcoin’s correlation with gold recently. He sees both assets benefiting from global monetary expansion.

McMillin expects Bitcoin to push toward $120,000 and beyond in coming months. This target aligns with other analyst predictions.

Pav Hundal from Swyftx exchange highlighted options trading activity. Over half a billion dollars in notional volume sits at the $120,000 level for June contracts.

The EU exported more than $600 billion in goods to the US last year. The bloc had paused retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in US imports.

EU officials are consulting on additional measures targeting $95 billion worth of American goods. The July 9 deadline gives both sides time to negotiate.

Other major cryptocurrencies remained stable during the period. Ethereum traded near $2,550 while Solana and Avalanche posted modest 1-2% gains.

Bitcoin has gained 15% over the past 30 days despite recent volatility. The cryptocurrency continues showing sensitivity to macroeconomic policy developments.

QCP Capital noted the current rally feels more structurally sound than previous cycles. They cited improved US regulatory environment and persistent institutional inflows as key factors.

The post Bitcoin Price Recovers to $109,000 After Trump Extends EU Tariff Deadline appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Ethereum dropped 3.05% to $2,476 after being rejected at the $2,700 level two days ago

Spot market data shows 113.1K ETH sold versus only 90K ETH bought in the past day

Whale activity turned negative with large holders selling 188.6K ETH in one day

The $2,800 level presents major resistance due to cluster of investor cost basis levels

Technical indicators show bearish momentum with tightening Bollinger Bands and MACD crossover

Ethereum has pulled back from recent highs after facing strong rejection at the $2,700 price level. The cryptocurrency now trades at $2,476, marking a decline of 3.05% over the past 24 hours.

The selloff began two days ago when ETH hit a low of $2,463 following the rejection. This retreat comes after a strong rally that saw Ethereum rise more than 40% in the past month, helping it reclaim the $2,500 mark after dropping toward $1,800.

Market data reveals intense selling pressure across both retail and institutional investors. The 14-day moving average of the Taker Buy-Sell Ratio has dropped sharply, indicating aggressive sell orders are overpowering buy orders.

Whale activity has turned decidedly bearish. IntoTheBlock’s Large Holder Netflow metric flipped negative to -12.7K ETH, showing that large holders sold over 188.6K ETH in a single day.

Spot market activity confirms the selling dominance. Data shows 113.1K ETH was sold compared to only 90K ETH bought, creating a negative delta of 22.53K over the past day.

Resistance at $2,800 Level

According to Glassnode analysis, the $2,800 level presents a critical resistance zone. A cluster of investor cost basis levels exists around this price point, meaning many holders who bought at that level may look to exit at break-even.

There is a notable cluster of investor cost basis levels around $2,800 for $ETH. As price approaches this zone, sell-side pressure may increase as many previously underwater holders may look to de-risk near breakeven. pic.twitter.com/ukn2s7cOJo

— glassnode (@glassnode) May 24, 2025

These investors have been underwater for months and could add substantial sell-side pressure as ETH approaches the $2,800 zone. This dynamic creates a natural ceiling for price advancement.

The futures market reflects growing caution among traders. Santiment data shows Ethereum’s Taker Buy-Sell Ratio falling sharply, with the derivatives market being taken over by sellers.

Technical Picture Shows Mixed Signals

ETH continues trading above key short-term and mid-term moving averages on the daily chart. The cryptocurrency remains above both the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, suggesting the longer-term trend stays healthy.

However, cracks are appearing in the technical structure. The Bollinger Bands have begun tightening after strong expansion earlier this month, indicating volatility may be easing.

Ethereum currently trades near the midline of the Bollinger Band, showing market indecision. The Relative Strength Index holds at 63.9 in bullish territory but is no longer overbought.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence has started flattening and recently showed a bearish crossover. This could signal early warning of waning momentum.

Two scenarios could play out from current levels. If the $2,800 resistance breaks convincingly, ETH could move quickly toward $3,000 and beyond.

The SEC decision on Ethereum ETF staking due by June 1 could provide institutional demand through yield-bearing ETFs as a powerful catalyst.

Alternatively, if selling pressure builds around $2,800 from futures traders and break-even sellers, Ethereum might face a healthy correction back to $2,200 support before any new rally.

The $2,200 level represents crucial support that bulls must defend to prevent a drop below $2,000. Current bearish momentum increases the risk of further price declines if selling pressure continues.

The post Ethereum (ETH) Price: Drops 3.05% to $2,476 Following $2,700 Rejection appeared first on Blockonomi.