Coinpaprika

The US Department of Justice is changing its approach to cryptocurrency enforcement under the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors will no longer target crypto platforms, wallets, or mixers for the actions of their users, unless there’s clear evidence of intentional wrongdoing. This policy shift comes after President Trump revoked earlier regulations aimed at controlling crypto risks, aiming instead to boost US leadership in digital finance.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche outlined the new strategy in a memo, announcing the end of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and criticizing the previous administration's legal approach as “reckless.” Prosecutors have been told to avoid bringing cases related to crypto regulation unless there's proof the defendant knowingly broke the law.

This change could affect ongoing cases like the one against Tornado Cash’s founders, who were accused of helping launder over $1 billion, including funds linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. Defense lawyers argue the new policy supports dropping those charges.

The DoJ will now focus on crypto cases involving fraud, scams, or direct harm to investors, stepping back from broader efforts to regulate the industry through prosecution.

Donald Trump has launched a full-blown trade war, enforcing major tariffs on China, the EU, and other key trading partners, despite financial market turmoil and warnings from business leaders. The new tariffs, including a massive 104% levy on Chinese goods, came into effect at midnight in Washington and signal a major shift away from decades of global trade liberalization.

Markets plunged in response, with US Treasuries, Japanese bonds, and S&P 500 futures falling sharply. In Asia, the sell-off continued as investors reacted to the move. Oil prices also dropped, with Brent crude falling 4% and West Texas Intermediate hitting a four-year low. Around $6.2 trillion has been wiped off the S&P 500 index since Trump first announced the tariffs last week.

Trump has pushed forward with his aggressive trade agenda since returning to office, claiming the global economic system has taken advantage of the US. Despite behind-the-scenes efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to start talks with countries like Japan and South Korea, Trump publicly dismissed the need for new trade deals, saying, “I know what the hell I’m doing.”

In a post on Truth Social, he positioned himself as a champion for American workers over corporate interests. But his approach has sparked fears of inflation, recession, and a broader global slowdown. Goldman Sachs analysts warned the market reaction signals a major downgrade in US growth expectations.

The tariffs have also created internal rifts. While Bessent speaks of possible negotiations, Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro insisted there would be none. Elon Musk harshly criticized Navarro, calling him a “moron” for attacking his opposition to the tariffs. Even some Republican allies have pushed back, highlighting the deepening divide over Trump's protectionist path.

MegaETH is pioneering the development of a real-time Ethereum-compatible blockchain, aiming to deliver sub-millisecond transaction latency and over 100,000 transactions per second (TPS). This ambitious goal seeks to bridge the performance gap between blockchain technology and traditional cloud computing. ​

To achieve these performance enhancements, MegaETH introduces node specialization within its network architecture. Unlike traditional blockchains where each node performs identical tasks, MegaETH assigns specific roles to different nodes:​

Sequencers: Handle transaction ordering and execution.

Replica Nodes: Maintain copies of the blockchain state to serve read requests.​

Full Nodes: Validate transactions and update the blockchain state.​

Provers: Generate cryptographic proofs for transaction validation.​

This specialized approach allows for more efficient processing and scalability. ​

A key innovation of MegaETH is the implementation of mini blocks, designed to enable block production at intervals as short as 10 milliseconds. These compact blocks facilitate rapid transaction processing and reduce latency, addressing the limitations of traditional block structures. ​

MegaETH also focuses on optimizing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) through techniques like Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation. This approach translates smart contracts into native machine code on the fly, significantly enhancing execution speed and supporting more complex decentralized applications (dApps). ​

The project has garnered substantial support from the crypto community, including a $20 million seed funding round led by Dragonfly Capital, with participation from Ethereum co-founders Vitalik Buterin and Joseph Lubin. This backing underscores the industry's confidence in MegaETH's potential to revolutionize blockchain performance.

In summary, MegaETH's innovative architecture and technological advancements position it as a promising solution to longstanding scalability and performance challenges in the blockchain space.​

On the fourth day of escalating tariff tensions, President Donald Trump made headlines with a bold new threat: an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods if Beijing does not withdraw its retaliatory levies by April 9, 2025. The announcement, made via Truth Social, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.–China trade conflict. Trump said China’s 34% increase in tariffs—added on top of what he described as years of “long-term trading abuses”—would trigger further action from the U.S. unless reversed immediately.

Despite increasing market anxiety, Trump remained firm. “We’re not looking at a pause,” he said, dismissing the idea of halting tariff moves to enable trade talks. Instead, he claimed “many countries” are eager to negotiate, and that any deal must be “fair” or the U.S. would cut off trade completely. His tone signaled a return to the aggressive “America First” trade posture seen during his presidency.

Supporting Trump’s stance, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said the administration had been in touch with officials from over 50 countries interested in forging new trade deals. The message was clear: the U.S. is open to partnerships—but only on its terms.

China’s response came swiftly. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, criticized the move as “unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.” He emphasized that threatening China is not a productive negotiation strategy, warning that Beijing would "firmly safeguard" its interests.

Markets responded with volatility. The S&P 500 index, representing America’s largest companies, saw significant swings throughout the day before closing down 0.2%. Apple, which relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing, dropped 3.7%, reflecting investor concerns about potential supply chain disruptions. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, however, edged slightly upward by 0.1%, showing mixed sentiment across sectors.

Meanwhile, prominent investor Ray Dalio urged the public to look beyond the headlines. In a lengthy post, Dalio argued that the current focus on tariffs misses the broader, more dangerous trends at play. He sees the situation as part of a larger breakdown in the global order—economically, politically, and geopolitically.

Dalio pointed to unsustainable debt levels, both public and private, as a root cause of the growing instability. He warned that economies like the U.S. are heavily reliant on borrowing, while creditor nations like China are overexposed to American debt and overly dependent on U.S. consumers. This creates a fragile system that is starting to unravel as trust erodes and global deglobalization accelerates.

He also highlighted the collapse of domestic political consensus, driven by extreme inequality in income, opportunity, and education. These internal tensions are mirrored on the global stage, where the U.S. is no longer seen as a cooperative leader but rather as a unilateral actor imposing its will. This, Dalio noted, is why the current moment resembles past historical inflection points—periods marked by civil unrest, economic depression, and even war.

Dalio cautioned against viewing tariff announcements in isolation. Instead, he emphasized understanding the five major forces reshaping the world:

Monetary/economic instability from excessive debt and capital imbalances.

Domestic political fragmentation between populist movements and eroding democratic norms.

Geopolitical realignment, with the decline of U.S. dominance and rise of multipolar tensions.

Environmental disruptions, such as climate change and pandemics.

Technological revolutions, like AI, that are transforming economies and societies.

He warned that Trump's trade actions, while headline-grabbing, are symptoms of a much larger systemic change. Ignoring these deeper dynamics could leave policymakers and investors unprepared for the massive shifts ahead.

In conclusion, Trump’s tariff threat may have shaken the markets for a day, but experts like Dalio suggest a much longer, more turbulent road lies ahead. The interplay between trade tensions and deeper structural challenges could reshape the global economy in profound and unpredictable ways.

Global markets took a hit on Monday after Donald Trump confirmed he wouldn’t soften his stance on tariffs, intensifying fears of a recession. Stocks fell sharply, with US futures pointing to a 3–4% drop and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index plunging over 10%. European and Asian markets also slid as investors fled to safe-haven assets, pushing down bond yields globally.

Goldman Sachs increased the chance of a US recession to 45%, citing the financial strain from Trump’s steep new tariffs. The president defended his decision, claiming tariffs are bringing in billions and are needed to fix trade deficits with countries like China and the EU. China has already responded with 34% retaliatory tariffs.

Market turmoil erased over $5 trillion from US stocks in just two days—the worst week since the 2020 pandemic crash. Even Trump supporters like investors Bill Ackman and Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the strategy, warning it could damage the US’s reputation and economy.

Safe-haven bonds soared, while commodities and cryptocurrencies were hit hard. The crypto market also crashed, with Bitcoin falling to $75,000 and other major tokens posting double-digit losses. The sell-off suggests investors are pulling out of risk assets across the board, including crypto, as uncertainty around trade and global growth continues to rise.

Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, may delay its planned initial public offering (IPO) due to growing economic uncertainty linked to new U.S. trade policies. According to The Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the matter say the company is now hesitating to move forward despite having filed registration papers with the SEC on April 1.

Circle is one of several firms, including Klarna and StubHub, that are reconsidering IPO plans as markets react to President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs. Announced on April 2, the tariffs include a 10% base duty on goods from all countries, with additional retaliatory measures targeting nations that tax U.S. imports. This policy shift has sparked fears of a global trade war.

Over $2 trillion in U.S. market value was lost in a single day, as investors pulled out of riskier assets. The S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX) soared past 41, signaling widespread fear in financial markets.

Concern about a potential U.S. recession is mounting, especially after other nations responded with counter-tariffs. ARK Invest's Cathie Wood had already warned of slowing economic momentum weeks earlier, saying, “The velocity of money is slowing dramatically.”

Circle plans to list under the ticker "CRCL" but has not yet disclosed details on share quantity or pricing. The company posted $1.67 billion in revenue for 2024, marking a 16% year-over-year increase.

📉 The U.S. Introduces New Tariffs – Markets React in Panic

The Trump administration has unveiled a new package of tariffs, and to the market’s surprise, it’s far harsher than expected. The new measures target developing economies in particular, and the structure of the tariffs appears chaotic and unpredictable. The result? The largest sell-off on the Nasdaq since the COVID era — dropping over 5.5% — and growing fears of a looming recession.

🧨 Policy Chaos – A Threat to the U.S. Dollar

These tariffs are not part of a well-thought-out economic strategy but rather a form of political theater. They’re based on arbitrarily calculated trade deficits and lack any consistent logic, leaving America’s trading partners confused. The U.S. dollar is weakening — a surprising twist for many funds that had bet on its strengthening.

Falling confidence in the dollar is bad news for institutional investors abroad. Yields on U.S. bonds are dropping as the market starts to price in a slowdown. Goldman Sachs now sees a 35% chance of recession, while Deutsche Bank pegs it at 50/50. This isn’t just a market correction — it's a macro sentiment shift.

⚠ What Does This Mean for Crypto?

In this environment, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could gain new momentum as alternatives to a manipulated fiat system.

🔒 1. Political Instability = Trust in Decentralized Assets

When governments keep changing the rules overnight, investors look for assets that are stable and beyond political interference. Bitcoin — decentralized, global, and limited in supply — fits that need perfectly.

💰 2. A Weaker Dollar Supports Crypto

Historically, a falling USD has been bullish for crypto markets. If pressure on the dollar continues, BTC and altcoins may re-enter a strong uptrend — especially as traditional asset sentiment declines.

🌍 3. Global De-dollarization + Digital Alternatives

As U.S.–China tensions grow, many countries are seeking alternatives to the U.S.-centric financial system. Cryptocurrencies could be one of the tools in this transition — serving as cross-border, digital reserves.

📊 What This Means for Investors

In the short term, volatility may increase. But in the long term, today’s macroeconomic turmoil may strengthen the fundamentals of the crypto market:

Both retail and institutional investors are searching for alternatives — and many are landing on BTC, ETH, and stablecoins.

Tariff chaos and political unpredictability may weaken trust in "safe" assets like the dollar and U.S. bonds — redirecting attention to digital stores of value.

If the Fed is eventually forced to pivot toward easing despite inflation, that could fuel a new wave of capital into risk assets — including crypto.

🧠 CoinPaprika Commentary

“In a world where trade policy looks like political theater, Bitcoin and other top cryptos may be the only asset taking itself seriously.”

Markets hate uncertainty — and there’s no shortage of it now. When capital searches for safe havens, crypto could be one of the last places governments can’t easily control. For long-term investors, this might be a key moment to start watching crypto entry points closely.

GameStop shares rose in after-hours trading after CEO Ryan Cohen bought 500,000 shares at $21.55 each, a move that boosted investor confidence. This $10 million purchase increased his total stake to over 37 million shares, or about 8.4% of the company.

The purchase comes shortly after GameStop’s board approved a new investment policy allowing for Bitcoin investments, signaling a shift in strategy. Although the company holds $4.76 billion in cash, its announcement of a $1.3 billion convertible notes offering led to a 7% drop in the stock earlier, as investors weighed the potential dilution.

GameStop first drew massive attention in early 2021 during the meme stock frenzy, when retail traders on platforms like Reddit's WallStreetBets triggered a historic short squeeze, sending its shares soaring. Since then, the company has been trying to reinvent itself, transitioning from a traditional video game retailer to a more tech-forward business. The hiring of Ryan Cohen, co-founder of Chewy, as chairman and later CEO, marked a turning point in that transformation.

Despite recent volatility, Cohen’s stock buy appears to have reassured retail investors, pushing the stock 2.2% higher in the postmarket session.

What is Open Loot?

Open Loot's mission is simple yet ambitious: become the "Steam of Web3" with real digital ownership. Founded by Ari Meilich (Decentraland) under Big Time Studios, this Web3 gaming distribution platform and marketplace addresses the key challenges that have held crypto gaming back—growth, user experience, scalability, payments, and compliance.

The team built Open Loot after seeing the massive success of Big Time's NFT ecosystem, which generated over $150 million in revenue and $100M+ in NFT sales during Early Access. Now they're bringing that winning formula to a wider ecosystem of games, allowing players to own, trade, sell, and use in-game assets (NFTs) across multiple titles. All designed to make Web3 gaming more accessible and rewarding for everyone involved.

Premier Partner Games

Open Loot isn't just a marketplace—it's home to some of the most exciting Web3 games in development:

Big Time – The flagship free-to-play multiplayer action RPG with time-traveling adventures, unique cosmetics, and massive battles

Boss Fighters – Multiplayer mayhem where Fighters team up to take down a player-controlled Boss

WorldShards – A sandbox MMORPG with base-building, exploration, and an entire world to shape

Shatterpoint – Mobile action RPG with PvE battles, progression, and skill-based combat

The Desolation – A looter-shooter for mobile with deep customization and team-based strategy

KOKODI Games – A mix of extraction shooter, survival, RPG, and battle royale chaos

​Moonfrost – A free-to-play isometric life-simulation RPG featuring next-gen pixel art, farming, crafting, and exploration in a dynamic, ever-evolving world.

These aren't simple blockchain games—they're full-featured experiences designed to compete with traditional gaming while offering the benefits of Web3 ownership.

Player Experience and Developer Tools

Open Loot offers unique features that benefit both players and developers:

For players, Open Loot creates a seamless experience by:

Empower player-owned economies through blockchain integration

Enhance accessibility with Vault technology for seamless asset management

Enabling advanced marketplace features like NFT rentals

Supporting non-crypto game currencies alongside blockchain assets

Providing comprehensive price histories and activity tracking

For developers, Open Loot delivers:

Out-of-the-box tech solutions including game launchers and premium currencies

Advisory support from the team behind Big Time's success

Marketing assistance, token design guidance, and production support

A ready-made audience of Web3 gaming enthusiasts

Why Open Loot Matters

Web3 gaming has struggled with mainstream adoption, but Open Loot is changing that by focusing on what matters most—great games and seamless experiences. Their approach has already proven successful, with impressive numbers:

Over 1.5 million players across their ecosystem

Nearly $500 million in transactions in 2024 alone

327,000+ members in their Discord (bigger than some AAA games)

1.16 million+ combined followers across Open Loot & Big Time social channels

The platform's success shows that blockchain gaming can achieve mass adoption when the technology enhances rather than hinders the gaming experience.

What's Next?

Open Loot is just getting started, with major developments on the horizon:

Expanded roadmaps for Big Time and other ecosystem games

More Web3 studios joining the platform (recently added @Kokodigame and @Moonfrostgame)

Additional partners set to launch their game economies in late 2024

Continued enhancement of their marketplace features and Vault technology

BIG TIME Binance Community Vote

Big Time is now up for a community vote on Binance. This is a major opportunity to bring Web3 gaming to an even wider audience. Every vote counts! Let's show Binance how strong our community really is. Vote on Binance

Fun Fact

The $OL token had no presale and no VC allocations—it's 100% community-driven! This player-first approach perfectly aligns with Open Loot's mission to put gamers at the center of the Web3 gaming revolution.

From its origins as an extension of Big Time's success to becoming a comprehensive gaming platform, Open Loot represents one of the most promising gateways to mainstream Web3 gaming adoption. Keep an eye on this project as it continues to bridge the gap between traditional gaming and blockchain technology.

Stay tuned for more Spicy Projects, where we highlight the hottest ideas in Web3!

Donald Trump has announced major new tariffs on US imports, signaling a tough new phase in global trade. From the White House Rose Garden, Trump introduced a baseline 10% tariff on all imports and additional targeted tariffs on 60 countries the US labels as the biggest trade offenders. These new tariffs, which could reach up to 50%, are set to take effect in early April.

Key countries are hit with steep new tariffs: the EU faces a 20% levy, Japan 24%, and China is now subject to a 54% total tariff when combining the new and existing duties. Some Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam face tariffs nearing 50%. However, Mexico and Canada are spared from the most severe penalties, and UK goods are only hit with the base 10% tariff — a sign of possible warmer trade ties.

The tariffs aim to reduce the US trade deficit, boost domestic manufacturing, and raise revenue. Trump is using emergency powers, citing national economic security. While exemptions exist for critical goods like energy, semiconductors, and medicines, new investigations may lead to future duties. The administration signaled the tariffs could stay in place or even increase, unless trading partners change their practices to align with US demands.

GameStop has completed a $1.5 billion convertible note offering, confirming its plan to buy Bitcoin as part of its corporate treasury strategy. The company raised more than its initial $1.3 billion target by including an optional $200 million in additional notes.

According to GameStop’s SEC filing, the offering brought in around $1.48 billion in net proceeds, which will be used for general purposes, including Bitcoin purchases. These notes will mature in April 2030. This approach mirrors the strategy used by Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), which holds over 528,000 BTC, valued at more than $45 billion.

GameStop’s CEO recently appeared alongside Michael Saylor, Strategy’s executive chairman and a major Bitcoin advocate. Despite the bold move, investor reaction was mixed—while Bitcoin news pushed the stock up initially, shares have dropped more than 21% in the past five days. GameStop now joins a growing list of companies, including Strategy, MARA Holdings, and Metaplanet, using debt and equity offerings to boost their Bitcoin reserves.

Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has strengthened its Bitcoin reserves by purchasing 8,888 BTC worth approximately $735 million. The Bitcoin was withdrawn directly from Bitfinex’s hot wallet, a platform closely associated with Tether. This latest acquisition brings Tether’s total BTC holdings to 92,647 BTC, valued at roughly $7.65 billion, positioning it as the sixth-largest Bitcoin wallet in the world.

This move aligns with Tether’s previously stated strategy of allocating 15% of its net realized profits to Bitcoin as part of a broader effort to diversify its reserves. In addition to Bitcoin, Tether also holds gold and U.S. Treasury bonds to support the stability of its USDT stablecoin.

The transfer of such a significant amount of BTC from a hot wallet to a reserve wallet is generally seen as a bullish signal in the crypto market. It reduces the available Bitcoin supply on exchanges, which can ease short-term selling pressure. Moreover, Tether’s large-scale investment reflects growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin’s role as a long-term store of value. Following the news, Bitcoin’s price edged up by 0.77%, trading around $83,170.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has signaled he is open to meeting President Donald Trump at the White House, fueling talk about deeper ties between the two leaders—especially around Bitcoin. While no official plans have been announced, such a visit would make Bukele the first Western Hemisphere leader to meet Trump at the White House during his current term.

On March 28, Bukele responded to reports that Trump might invite him to Washington, saying he’d be willing to go and even joked on social media about bringing “several cans of Diet Coke”—a playful reference to Trump’s favorite drink. The two have maintained friendly relations since Trump returned to office. Trump publicly thanked Bukele earlier this year for his support on US border matters, noting Bukele’s “understanding of this horrible situation.”

The potential meeting follows El Salvador’s decision to take in deported Venezuelan gang members from the US. These individuals are being held in the country’s high-security Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility recently visited by US Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem.

Bukele’s strong crackdown on gangs has gained both praise and criticism internationally. His approach has helped shift El Salvador from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.

At the same time, speculation is growing that Bitcoin could play a central role in any future talks between the two presidents. Both Bukele and Trump have become known for their support of Bitcoin, though their strategies differ. Bukele has taken a bold and early lead, while Trump has more recently changed his view on the cryptocurrency.

In 2021, Bukele led El Salvador to establish the world’s first national Bitcoin reserve. That reserve now totals 6,130.18 BTC, valued at over $512 million. His government has also attracted attention from major crypto firms like Tether and pulled in global investment thanks to its crypto-friendly environment.

Trump, once skeptical of Bitcoin, has recently embraced it. Earlier this month, he approved the formation of a US National Bitcoin Reserve. The federal government now reportedly holds around 200,000 BTC, signaling a new approach to crypto policy under his leadership.

A meeting between Bukele and Trump would likely reflect not just political friendship but also a shared vision for Bitcoin’s role in national economic strategy. With both leaders actively promoting crypto at the state level, this potential summit could highlight a growing alignment in digital currency policy between the US and El Salvador.

More than 230,000 user records from Binance and Gemini have reportedly surfaced for sale on the dark web, sparking new concerns over cyber threats in the crypto space. The leaked data includes full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and location details of affected users, with most entries linked to individuals in the United States, and a smaller number from the UK and Singapore.

On March 27, a dark web user known as AKM69 allegedly posted a database tied to Gemini, one of the leading crypto exchanges in the US. According to Dark Web Informer, this database contains around 100,000 records. The attacker claims the stolen data could be used for scams, targeted ads, or fraud attempts—particularly those aimed at recovering lost crypto.

In a separate case, another user under the alias kiki88888 is said to have listed data belonging to Binance users. This second batch reportedly includes over 132,000 records and contains login information from one of the world’s largest crypto platforms. Although the scale of these leaks is serious, it appears they may not have come from direct system hacks.

Cybersecurity experts suggest phishing campaigns—where users are tricked into sharing sensitive data—are the more likely cause. Hackers often pretend to be from trusted platforms or run fake ads to lure users into entering their credentials on fraudulent websites. These social engineering tactics continue to be highly effective, especially in the crypto world where many investors may be less cautious.

"Some of you really need to stop clicking random stuff," warned the Dark Web Informer, pointing to poor digital habits that leave users vulnerable.

Neither Binance nor Gemini has made an official statement about the alleged leaks, leaving users uncertain about the full scope and origin of the data exposure. Meanwhile, similar attacks have been affecting Coinbase users as well. In March alone, Coinbase users lost over $46 million through social engineering tactics, according to BeInCrypto.

Security firm Scam Sniffer revealed that over $15 million in losses were recorded from phishing scams in just the first two months of the year. These numbers show how widespread and costly these schemes have become in the crypto community.

As cybercriminals become more advanced, crypto users are being urged to take greater precautions. Basic steps such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), avoiding unfamiliar links, and using hardware wallets can make a major difference in protecting personal funds and information.

The rise in phishing attacks—and now large-scale data leaks—shows that crypto users are top targets for online fraud. Staying alert and securing accounts is more important than ever.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new roadmap to improve the security, speed, and reliability of Layer 2 (L2) solutions. The proposal focuses on enhancing scalability while staying true to Ethereum’s core values like decentralization and trustlessness.

A key feature of the roadmap is a “2-of-3” proof model that uses three types of provers—optimistic, zero-knowledge (ZK), and trusted execution environments (TEE). A transaction is considered final when any two of these agree, lowering the chance of bugs or vulnerabilities from depending on just one system. This approach offers a smart mix of performance, reliability, and decentralization.

Buterin stressed the importance of variety among proof systems, especially as ZK technologies grow. He warned that many ZK rollups share code, which means one bug could affect many systems at once. With the multi-proof model, finality could be reached almost as fast as ZK proofs—currently under an hour—while staying protected from major bugs.

The roadmap also introduces “Stage 2 rollups,” a more advanced form of rollup technology. These rollups promise almost instant confirmation, strong finality, and strong protection—even in environments where trust is only partial. At the same time, they still follow Ethereum’s 30-day upgrade delay, which helps the network stay stable when new features are added.

Outside the technical side, Buterin is calling for a cultural shift in how development is funded in the crypto space. In a separate blog post, he argued that the term “public goods” has become too politically and socially charged, often favoring popularity over real impact. Instead, he proposes a move toward “open-source funding,” which centers on transparency, real-world value, and shared progress.

Buterin pointed out that public goods funding is easily influenced by social bias. This can reward those who are better at managing community optics rather than those who create meaningful tools or improvements. By focusing on open-source funding, the Ethereum community could better support projects that genuinely benefit the broader ecosystem.

He clarified that this doesn’t mean supporting every open-source project without question. The goal should be to fund those that offer the greatest value for people and the technology as a whole. This idea reflects Buterin’s larger vision of a decentralized, sustainable, and community-focused Ethereum.

Together, these proposals aim to guide Ethereum into its next phase—both technically and culturally. The updated roadmap is built to make Layer 2 networks faster, safer, and more reliable, while the funding strategy aims to make sure the ecosystem supports builders who deliver true progress. These efforts underline Ethereum’s long-term goals: strong decentralization, a secure infrastructure, and meaningful innovation for the public good.

A group of US Senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, is raising alarms over President Trump’s reported connection to a new stablecoin project called USD1. This digital currency is backed by World Liberty Financial (WLF), and lawmakers worry that Trump’s involvement could influence how federal agencies like the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regulate it.

On March 28, the Senators sent a letter to both the Fed and OCC asking them to explain how they plan to protect regulatory independence with USD1’s upcoming launch. Their concerns are even more urgent as Congress debates the GENIUS Act, a bill that could give the Fed and OCC broad power over stablecoin oversight. However, the GENIUS Act does not include any rules to prevent conflicts of interest.

The Senators warned that the President could benefit from a product he has the power to regulate. They described this as a serious risk to public trust and financial stability. The situation, they argue, is unprecedented. If a sitting president can influence regulation of a project that directly profits him, it creates the possibility of unfair treatment and weakens the credibility of US regulators.

They presented different ways Trump could impact the USD1 project through his position. For example, he could interfere in the OCC’s approval process for the stablecoin or discourage enforcement actions against WLF. Another concern is that the President might pressure the Federal Reserve to offer emergency financial aid to USD1 if market problems arise—help that might not be given to other similar projects.

The letter also warns that Trump might direct the Fed to give WLF a master account at the central bank, giving the company special access that competitors wouldn’t receive. This kind of political involvement, the Senators said, creates a real danger of economic manipulation.

Without conflict-of-interest protections in place, they argue, Trump could use his position to promote USD1 while blocking support or approval for rival stablecoins. This could distort the entire regulatory process and hurt public confidence in financial fairness.

To prevent this, the Senators are demanding answers on several key issues. They want to know how the Fed and OCC will handle the approval of USD1, whether the Fed would be allowed to offer financial support during a crisis, and how they plan to oversee WLF’s business behavior.

The Senators have asked the agencies to respond by April 11, 2025. The letter was signed by Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, Jack Reed, and Cory Booker.

This situation highlights growing concerns about political power and its influence on new financial technologies. With stablecoins becoming more common, lawmakers want to make sure that personal or political gain does not interfere with public financial safety.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has taken a big step by removing two major directives that had previously placed extra scrutiny on crypto derivatives. This move is seen as an effort to bring digital asset regulations in line with those for traditional financial (TradFi) products. With this change, the CFTC hopes to attract more institutional players into the crypto space, boosting both liquidity and market growth.

The directives in question were Staff Advisory No. 23-07 and No. 18-14, both issued by the Division of Clearing and Risk (DCR). Advisory 23-07, released in May 2023, warned about risks linked to clearing digital assets. Advisory 18-14 addressed the process of listing derivatives tied to virtual currencies. At the time, both seemed to target crypto assets more strictly than other financial products.

Now, the CFTC says those directives are no longer needed. By withdrawing them, the agency aims to send a clear message: digital asset derivatives like those based on Ethereum (ETH) will no longer be treated differently from other derivatives. In a letter explaining the change, the DCR said it wants to avoid giving the impression that crypto will be regulated separately from other commodities.

This shift marks an important change in the US approach to digital assets. It reflects the CFTC’s effort to support innovation while also bringing digital products under the same framework as traditional ones. The goal is to make crypto derivatives more acceptable for mainstream financial institutions, opening the door for more trading and participation in the market.

Still, the CFTC emphasized that this doesn’t mean crypto is risk-free. Derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs) are still expected to carry out thorough risk assessments, especially because digital assets come with unique risks. This balanced approach aligns with broader efforts by other regulators to promote growth in the crypto industry without lowering oversight standards.

This development follows another major update: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently said that US banks can now provide crypto and stablecoin services without needing prior approval. However, the OCC stressed that strong risk management is still a must. Acting Comptroller Rodney E. Hood noted that banks must apply the same high standards of risk control to crypto-related activities as they do to regular ones.

So, while the CFTC is working to erase the line between crypto and traditional derivatives, the OCC and FDIC continue to require strict risk controls for any bank offering crypto services. This shows a split in regulatory focus: one side pushes for equal treatment, the other focuses on ensuring safety.

Despite this, both approaches point to a common goal — encouraging responsible innovation in the financial sector. By lowering barriers while keeping essential safeguards, US regulators are trying to support the crypto market’s development in a secure and stable way.

In short, the CFTC’s latest move signals a big step toward normalizing crypto in the broader financial system. It may be the start of deeper integration of digital assets into traditional finance, offering more opportunities for growth — but still under careful watch.

The U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has removed two major directives that had previously imposed stricter oversight on crypto derivatives, signaling a more open regulatory stance. The withdrawal of Staff Advisory No. 23-07 and No. 18-14 shows a shift toward regulatory equality between digital and traditional finance products, like Ethereum derivatives and other asset classes.

These advisories, issued by the CFTC’s Division of Clearing and Risk (DCR), had been seen as targeting crypto markets for additional scrutiny. One focused on the risks of clearing digital assets, while the other addressed the listing of virtual currency derivatives. Now, both have been officially withdrawn. The regulator explained the decision as part of a larger goal: to ensure digital asset derivatives are not treated differently from other financial products.

This change could have a big impact on how financial institutions approach the crypto space. By reducing regulatory barriers, the CFTC opens the door to broader involvement from traditional players, helping increase liquidity and maturity in digital asset markets. This comes at a time when crypto trading is growing but still lacks the same level of participation from major financial institutions.

Although the CFTC is easing restrictions, it is not removing oversight entirely. The agency still expects strong risk assessments tailored to the unique nature of digital assets. Derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs) are being told to prepare for these evaluations, even as the market becomes more accessible.

The move aligns with the broader pro-crypto attitude of the Trump administration and follows a related decision by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Recently, the OCC allowed U.S. banks to offer crypto and stablecoin services without first needing approval. However, this freedom comes with a catch: banks must continue to apply robust risk management practices, just as they would for traditional banking operations.

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood emphasized that new services should be handled with the same care and oversight as older, established ones. This dual message — encouraging innovation while maintaining financial discipline — reflects the overall direction U.S. regulators are taking.

The FDIC is also pushing for strong oversight when it comes to banks engaging in crypto-related services. This shows a mixed regulatory environment: while the CFTC is promoting parity between crypto and traditional derivatives, other agencies are focused on enforcing strict operational standards.

Still, these efforts point to a growing effort among U.S. regulators to support the development of digital finance while keeping the system safe. Lowering specific barriers for crypto derivatives signals a change in how the market is viewed and may lead to more involvement from traditional institutions.

In the end, the CFTC’s withdrawal of these directives could help speed up the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance. It removes a layer of doubt and gives companies more confidence to enter the market, while still maintaining a clear focus on risk and stability. This balanced approach may shape the future of crypto regulation in the U.S.

Ethereum may be struggling with its image lately, but under the surface, signs of long-term strength are emerging. Despite recent criticism and price drops, its growing Layer-2 ecosystem and strong developer community show there’s still a solid foundation. Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, has made it clear that the project’s future depends not on hype or politics but on real-world utility and long-term value.

Ethereum is still the top platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts, but its dominance is being questioned. With Bitcoin gaining political momentum, especially after former President Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly comments, Ethereum seems to have lost some attention. Critics say it’s facing an “identity crisis,” and recent data backs that up — developer numbers and on-chain activity have both declined, while competing blockchains like Solana are gaining traction with faster transactions and trendy meme coins.

Even some major banks have lowered their expectations for Ethereum, pointing to its uncertain direction. But Buterin isn’t backing down. He refuses to rush out short-term solutions and insists Ethereum must focus on sustainable improvements. “The only thing that can move Ethereum forward is something that clearly provides lasting value,” he said in a recent interview.

Despite the noise, Ethereum’s core supporters remain confident. Many believe the current negativity is actually a turning point — a setup for a comeback. Social media posts show renewed optimism, with users pointing to Ethereum’s strength in Layer-2 adoption and real-world asset growth. Layer-2 chains built on Ethereum, like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon, are attracting more users and developers, easing congestion and making the network more efficient.

One key milestone is the migration of projects like Celo to Ethereum’s Layer-2 system, which took nearly two years of testing. Moves like this reflect Buterin’s roadmap, which promotes open-source development and infrastructure improvements over quick wins. The Ethereum ecosystem is expanding slowly but steadily — and many believe that’s what matters most.

Another sign of potential strength is the upcoming Pectra upgrade. While delays have frustrated some, the update promises to boost network security, speed, and developer tools. Ethereum’s history shows that these kinds of technical upgrades have helped it bounce back before, and the Pectra upgrade could do the same. The commitment to innovation has never stopped, even when market sentiment has turned cold.

Although faster chains like Solana now dominate meme coin trading and high-speed transactions, Ethereum still leads when it comes to more serious applications. Decentralized exchanges, financial instruments, and NFT platforms still run mostly on Ethereum, and many institutions continue to build on its network.

The question is whether Ethereum’s focus on practical use and technical progress can help it regain its position in a market where attention often goes to flashier, politically backed projects like Bitcoin. With Pectra coming soon and a community that thrives in tough times, Ethereum may yet remind everyone why it became the second-biggest blockchain in the first place — not through noise, but through resilience and innovation.

What is Paintswap?

Paintswap started as a DEX back in 2021 but quickly pivoted to become the NFT powerhouse we know today. Originally from Fantom, the team is constantly pushing the Sonic ecosystem forward with innovative tools that creators and gamers love.

Their suite of products all run on the native $BRUSH token, connecting GameFi, NFTs, and DeFi in ways nobody else is doing.

AI Paintswap Game Engine

Paintswap is leading the "vibe coding revolution" with their AI Game Engine. This innovative tool lets you create entire games using just natural language! The system uses multiple AI agents working together so you can:

Build smart contracts, music, and interactive UIs by just describing what you want

Fork existing games from the library and add your own twist

Stake BRUSH to earn revenue from games you believe in (if you get in early enough)

Gone are the days when you needed coding skills to build games - Paintswap is democratizing game creation for everyone.

Essential Infrastructure

Paintswap isn't just building products - they're creating infrastructure that the entire Sonic ecosystem needs:

They've developed a gas-only random number generator (VRF) that any project can use without extra fees

Their GameFi project, Estfor Kingdom, will distribute Sonic Gems to players in multiple clever ways

They're building the official marketplace for Sonic's massive 190M token airdrop

NFT Renaissance

While some might think NFTs are old news, PaintSwap is proving them wrong:

Their NFT volume is climbing steadily on Sonic

Their Launchpad now supports everything from ERC721 to the newer ERC404 tokens

They've optimized their marketplace to handle hundreds of requests per second

Whether you're minting, trading, or creating, PaintSwap has made themselves the go-to NFT platform on Sonic.

Why Should You Care?

Paintswap matters because they're building the connective tissue between gaming, art, and finance on Sonic. Since moving to Sonic, their $BRUSH token has become deflationary with 20% of all-time burns happening in just three months.

The team consistently delivers quality across multiple verticals - something rare in Web3. And with PaintUSD coming in Q1/Q2 2025, they're expanding into DeFi proper.

What's Next?

Looking ahead, Painswap is:

Launching PaintUSD in the first half of 2025

Rolling out their Game Engine to the public

Enhancing their NFT tools even further

Completing their bridge from Fantom to make BRUSH a Sonic-only token

Fun Fact

The name "Paintswap" originally didn't make sense! After trying many options in 2021, they settled on it for their DEX launch, only to discover later it was the perfect name for their NFT pivot.

Paintswap keeps finding new ways to innovate. Keep an eye on this Sonic native as they color outside the lines of what's possible in Web3.

Stay tuned for more Spicy Projects!