Summary
gm, Argentina has recently implemented new regulations for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to bolster transparency and enhance user protection within its crypto ecosystem. Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to repeal an IRS rule that imposed reporting requirements on DeFi protocols, potentially relieving some regulatory pressures on the sector. On the trading front, Bitcoin continues to exhibit strength, maintaining a price above $84,000, and Toncoin (TON) saw a significant 17% rise following Pavel Durov's departure from France, emphasizing the influence of regulatory and leadership changes on market dynamics. Additionally, Bolivia plans to use cryptocurrencies for energy import payments to combat foreign currency shortages and declining gas production, a strategic move following its 2024 crypto ban lift. VanEck has also moved to capitalize on emerging blockchain technologies by filing for an Avalanche (AVAX) ETF, seeking to give investors direct access to AVAX. Moreover, the new MassJacker malware, targeting online piracy users, has compromised nearly 780,000 wallets by altering stored cryptocurrency addresses to hijack transactions. These events illustrate the dynamic interplay of regulation, market activity, and security concerns in the evolving crypto landscape.

News Headlines
🏅 Gold ETFs Winning the Asset Race With Bitcoin Funds–for Now

  • Gold ETFs have reclaimed their lead in assets under management, with nearly $150 billion compared to Bitcoin ETFs' $93 billion.
  • The resurgence of gold is attributed to its status as a safe-haven asset amid economic uncertainties.

📉 Bitcoin Bull Market in Peril as US Recession and Tariff Worries Loom

  • Trade tensions and economic sanctions have led to volatility in US and global markets, including crypto.
  • Bitcoin has faced significant price corrections from a peak of $108,786 post-election to below $80,000 in March.

🎮 SEGA's 'Code of Joker' Launching as NFT Card Game on Sui

  • SEGA's Code of Joker franchise is expanding into blockchain gaming with a new title called Code of Joker: Evolutions.
  • The game will allow players to open card packs and collect cards on-chain as Sui NFTs.

🔄 Ethereum Core Developers Choose Stability Over Speed

  • Ethereum core developers have decided to delay the Pectra hard fork until mid-May 2025.
  • The delay is due to an overwhelming validator exit queue of over a million, prompting the need for a reliable test environment.

🔬 Decentralized Science Meets AI — Legacy Institutions Aren't Ready

  • Decentralized Science (DeSci) has evolved into a billion-dollar movement, aiming to revolutionize scientific research and funding.
  • The merger of DeSci with AI could create DeScAI, a system where scientific discoveries flow freely without traditional barriers.

Market Metrics

Fundraising & VC
No fundraising data today.

On-chain Data
1. Arbitrum (ARB) token unlocked today ($33.77M, 2.1%)
2. Vana (vana) token unlocked today ($6.97M, 4.03%)
3. ApeCoin (APE) token unlock in 1 day ($8.29M, 1.95%)
4. Neon (neon) token unlock in 1 day ($8.42M, 22.51%)
5. Melania Meme (MELANIA) token unlock in 2 days ($18.10M, 4.89%)

Regulatory
🏦 Court Approves 3AC's $1.53B Claim Against FTX

  • A court has approved Three Arrows Capital's $1.53 billion claim against FTX in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
  • This decision sets the stage for a significant creditor battle and could impact future crypto bankruptcy resolutions.

👨‍⚖️ UK Charges NCA Officer for Bitcoin Theft

  • A UK National Crime Agency officer has been charged with stealing 50 Bitcoin during a 2017 investigation.
  • The case highlights the need for stringent oversight in handling seized digital assets during law enforcement operations.

🏛️ New House Bill for Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

  • Rep. Byron Donalds introduced a bill to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve without mandating specific purchase amounts.
  • This legislation differs from a Senate version and aims to create a reserve funded through assets seized in legal proceedings.

💼 David Sacks Divests $200M Before White House Role

  • David Sacks and his VC firm sold over $200 million in crypto and related stocks before his appointment as White House AI and crypto czar.
  • This divestment aims to avoid potential conflicts of interest as Sacks prepares to help develop crypto industry regulations.

🌐 TON Society Celebrates Durov's Departure as Free Speech Win

  • The TON Society praised Pavel Durov's release from France as a victory for free speech and online privacy.
  • This situation highlights ongoing tensions between state control and individual liberties in the evolving internet landscape.

Technical Analysis
Bitcoin - Bitcoin is in a falling trend channel in the short term. This shows that investors over time have sold at lower prices to get out of the currency, and indicates negative development for the currency. The currency has support at points 80000 and resistance at points 92600. The currency is assessed as technically negative for the short term.

Ethereum - Investors have accepted lower prices over time to get out of Ethereum and the currency is in a falling trend channel in the short term. Falling trends indicate that the currency experiences negative development and falling buy interest among investors. There is no support in the price chart and further decline is indicated. In case of a positive reaction, the currency has resistance at 2750 points. Negative volume balance weakens the currency in the short term. RSI diverges positively against the price, which indicates a possibility for a reaction up. The currency is overall assessed as technically negative for the short term.

Governance & Code
👻 Aave DAO | Rename GHO to USDA (Preliminary Discussion)
- This proposal aims to rename GHO to USDA in an effort to align its naming with traditional stablecoin naming conventions and improve its brand recognition.

⚖️ Balancer DAO | Balancer Foundation allocation for Marketing (Preliminary Discussion)
- This proposal requests $99,000 to fund Balancer's marketing efforts under the direction of the Foundation, citing a need for a more "strategic, Foundation-led model" and a shift away from direct DAO-funded initiatives.