Ripple has highlighted $XRP’s institutional growth since the spot ETFs launch in November last year. The crypto firm noted how the crypto asset has grown through regulatory clarity, which it achieved through the long-running legal battle against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Category: Business
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Bitcoin mining difficulty falls, but projected to rise in next adjustment
The Bitcoin ($BTC) mining difficulty, the relative challenge of adding new blocks to the $BTC blockchain, fell on Saturday, amid public mining companies selling record amounts of $BTC to cover operating expenses.
The Bitcoin mining difficulty fell to about 135.5 T, a modest decrease of about 1.1% over the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinWarz. Mining difficulty is also projected to increase in the next adjustment period. CoinWarz said:
“The next Bitcoin difficulty adjustment is estimated to take place on May 01, 2026, 01:24:54 PM UTC, increasing the Bitcoin mining difficulty from 135.59 T to 137.43 T, which will take place in 1,865 blocks, about 12 days, 18 hours, and 41 minutes from now.”
Bitcoin mining difficulty between 2014 and 2026. Source: CoinWarz Bitcoin miners have faced mounting challenges over the past year, as reduced block rewards, rising energy prices, a crypto bear market and geopolitical shocks create economic headwinds for miners.
Related: Solo Bitcoin miner bags $210K Bitcoin block reward
Public mining companies sell record amounts of $BTC
Publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies sold more $BTC in Q1 2026 than all four quarters of 2025 combined, according to TheEnergyMag.
Mining companies MARA, CleanSpark, Riot, Cango, Core Scientific and Bitdeer, sold more than 32,000 $BTC in total during Q1 2026, TheEnergyMag said.
The combined sales surpassed the 20,000 $BTC sold in Q2 2022, the same quarter as the collapse of the Terra-Luna ecosystem, which plunged crypto into an extended bear market.
Miners periodically sell their $BTC to cover operating expenses, which are denominated in fiat currency.
However, as the cost of mining a single $BTC increases past spot market prices, many $BTC mining companies are now treading water.
Mining companies’ cost of mining a single $BTC. Source: TheEnergyMag Up to 20% of Bitcoin miners are unprofitable under current economic conditions, according to asset manager CoinShares’ Q1 2026 mining report.
“Q4 2025 marked the most challenging quarter for Bitcoin miners since the April 2024 halving,” the CoinShares report said.
The authors cited the “sharp” $BTC correction in October 2025, which slashed $BTC’s price from a high of about $125,000 to about $86,000 by December 2025, and the rising computational difficulty of adding blocks as headwinds for the mining industry.
Magazine: 7 reasons why Bitcoin mining is a terrible business idea
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Crypto Trader Turns $2,500 Into $500K on Skyrocketing Ethereum Meme Coin
In brief
THIS GUY TURNED 1 ETH INTO HALF A MILLION IN 3 HOURS
The first person to buy ASTEROID today only made $1,300, after selling for about 2x.
But trader 0x680 swapped 1 ETH to ASTEROID after seeing Elon’s tweet about it, and held – now he’s up $474,320 on the coin. pic.twitter.com/8Ubj0VS2vo
— Arkham (@arkham) April 17, 2026
Daily Debrief Newsletter
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BREAKING: Rumors Swirl That Today’s Hacking Incident Could Be Much Larger – Aave Takes Action
The security crisis in the cryptocurrency market is deepening. While earlier allegations of a potential attack exceeding $100 million on KelpDAO’s liquid staking token surfaced, recent developments suggest the attack may be on a much larger scale.
According to on-chain data, one user had over $280 million in assets stolen from various DeFi protocols operating on Ethereum and Arbitrum. The addresses used in the attack were found to have been funded through Tornado Cash, a privacy-focused transaction tool.
Related News RAVE Tokeninde Manipülasyon İddialarına Geliştiricilerden Yanıt Geldi
Following these developments, Aave, one of the leading lending protocols in the DeFi ecosystem, intervened quickly. According to on-chain sources, Aave’s multisig guardian mechanism froze the rsETH holdings in lending markets to limit the risks. This move is considered an urgent measure to prevent the spread of potential losses.
As you may recall, approximately half an hour ago, following allegations of a security breach on the KelpDAO side, signals emerged indicating a “bad debt” (uncollectible debt) on Aave V3.
*This is not investment advice.
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AI is increasingly eating into VC fundings and here is how crypto firms are adapting
Forty cents of every venture capital dollar invested in crypto companies in 2025 went to firms building products that combine artificial intelligence and crypto, more than double the 18 cents a year earlier.
“AI is increasingly entering crypto not as a parallel narrative, but as part of crypto’s own product and infrastructure stack,” Binance Research said, citing data from Silicon Valley Bank, noting that this shows “how quickly AI is becoming embedded within crypto roadmaps.”
That pressure is visible in crypto’s shift from AI “co-pilots” to “agents.” Co-pilots help users analyze information, while agents can monitor conditions and execute actions. In trading environments, where timing affects outcomes, reducing the gap between insight and execution can change behavior.
The trend is part of a wider surge in AI spending. Crunchbase data shows AI companies raised about $242 billion in the first quarter of 2026, or roughly 80% of global venture funding. Gartner estimates total AI spending will reach $2.52 trillion this year.
Crypto leading the AI push
This trend, however, isn’t surprising.
As capital concentrates in one area, it often pulls adjacent sectors along with it, pushing firms to adapt their strategies and shorten product cycles, Binance Research wrote.
While almost all sectors are trying to incorporate AI into their business models, the report says that crypto platforms have moved faster than traditional finance in deploying such systems. This is due to support from always-on markets in the digital assets sector and programmable infrastructure, whereas TradFi faces market-hour constraints and intermediary systems that agents must pass through.
For example, the research noted that on Binance’s AI Pro beta, nearly half of the activity on a recent day, 45.7%, was triggered by the system rather than users.
These interactions came from scheduled tasks and monitoring systems, pointing to growing use of AI tools that run in the background without prompts.
Adoption of AI solutions is uneven across the 17 exchanges and brokers Binance Research surveyed. Risk management, market signals, and fraud detection are standard, while user-facing tools such as copy trading, chatbots, and portfolio advisors are present in only 47% to 71% of them.
Several major platforms have shipped agentic products this year, moving AI closer to monitoring and execution within set guardrails. That compresses the value chain between identifying an opportunity and acting on it, Binance Research added.
That means the competitive landscape will shift from who’s integrating AI features to who’s owning users’ decision-making loops, the report noted.
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And Finally, They Dumped It: RAVE Plunged Today, Binance CEO Issues Statement
As allegations of manipulation surrounding the controversial RaveDAO ($RAVE) token in the cryptocurrency market intensify, a noteworthy statement has come from Binance, one of the sector’s largest exchanges.
Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng announced that allegations of insider trading on the $RAVE token are being taken seriously. Teng stated that the exchange has launched an investigation into the matter, adding, “We will always do our part to investigate all market abuses.”
Related News Unexpected Statements from Iran in the U.S.-Iran War – “Under the Current Circumstances, the Strait of Hormuz Cannot Remain Open”
The statement comes after recent sharp price movements in the $RAVE token and allegations of a “pump and dump” scheme. Market participants point out that high supply controls and sudden price fluctuations pose risks for individual investors.
$RAVE, an altcoin that has been the subject of much discussion lately due to its sharp fluctuations, lost 60% of its value today. However, it is still trading at a level 255% higher than it was 255% earlier in the last week.
A graph showing the rise and fall in $RAVE’s price. *This is not investment advice.
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SEC charges Bitcoin Latinum founder over alleged $16M investor fraud
The US SEC brought enforcement action against Donald G. Basile and his companies, GIBF GP, Inc. and Monsoon Blockchain Corporation, over a $16 million crypto securities offering tied to Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM), which Basile launched in 2020.
According to the SEC, Basile, through GIBF and Monsoon, sold Simple Agreements for Future Tokens (SAFTs), promising future delivery of a token called Bitcoin Latinum, which ultimately failed.
Regulators claim Basile misrepresented key aspects of the project, including nonexistent insurance coverage, false claims of asset backing, and misleading statements about how investor funds would be used to support the token ecosystem.
The SEC also alleges that rather than using investor funds as promised, the entrepreneur misappropriated millions for personal uses, including real estate purchases, credit card payments, and a high-value horse.
The project ultimately failed. LTNM was never properly launched or listed on major exchanges, activity ceased, and the token became worthless, leaving investors with major losses.
The SEC charges GIBF and Monsoon with violating the anti-fraud provisions of federal securities laws and that Basile is directly liable as well as responsible for aiding the violations.
The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, repayment of ill-gotten gains with interest, civil penalties, and a ban preventing Basile from serving as an officer or director of a public company, along with other equitable remedies.
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Attention: Serious Allegations of Manipulation Surrounding the RAVE Token, Which Is on Everyone’s Radar
The RaveDAO ($RAVE) token, which has recently attracted attention in the cryptocurrency market, is in the spotlight due to increased volatility and allegations of manipulation. In a statement released through the project’s official channels, investors were warned about noticeable volatility in the $RAVE price.
The statement noted that users, especially those engaging in leveraged trading, should be more cautious about the risks.
On the other hand, ZachXBT, a cryptocurrency detective known for his on-chain analysis, has made serious allegations of manipulation regarding the $RAVE token. According to ZachXBT, these “pump and dump” activities were organized primarily through major exchanges, including Bitget, Binance, and Gate.io. The analyst called on the administrators of these platforms to investigate the incident and remove those responsible from the system.
Related News Renowned Analyst Benjamin Cowen Issued a Warning Despite Bitcoin’s Rise
ZachXBT also announced it will offer up to $10,000 from its personal funds as a reward to anyone providing information about parties involved in the manipulation. In its statement, the analyst claimed that over 90% of the $RAVE supply was controlled by insiders, posing a significant risk to individual investors.
Following these developments, Bitget, led by Gracy Chen, also released a statement. The company confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched into the allegations regarding $RAVE.
*This is not investment advice.
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Unexpected Statements from Iran in the U.S.-Iran War – “Under the Current Circumstances, the Strait of Hormuz Cannot Remain Open”
As diplomatic talks continue regarding a possible agreement in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US, noteworthy new statements have emerged from Tehran.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf strongly criticized the US administration’s rhetoric and sent clear messages regarding the ongoing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ghalibaf intensified his criticism of Washington, arguing that all seven claims made by US President Trump in a short period of time were “false.” The Iranian official explicitly stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not remain open if the current naval blockade continued.
Ghalibaf also stated that passage through the strait would not be entirely free, arguing that ship traffic would only take place via “designated routes” and “with Iran’s permission.”
Related News Renowned Analyst Benjamin Cowen Issued a Warning Despite Bitcoin’s Rise
On the other hand, developments throughout the day increased uncertainty on the ground. Although Iranian Foreign Ministry officials stated that the strait was open, it was reported that 10 to 20 ships attempted to pass through, but the vast majority turned back. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly maintained that the strait was still closed.
According to diplomatic sources, the Tehran administration informed mediators that it would restrict ship passage and impose certain fees during the ceasefire process. Iran also categorically denied allegations that it would transfer enriched uranium to the United States.
Another development regarding the negotiations has emerged from Tehran. According to information based on sources close to Iran, the Iranian government has not yet reached an agreement with the US on the next planned round of talks.
*This is not investment advice.
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Binance and Biget to probe RAVE’s 4,500% token surge as claims of insider-orchestrated rally grow
Binance and Bitget, two major cryptocurrency exchanges, have opened investigations into trading activity surrounding RaveDAO’s $RAVE token, after onchain sleuth ZachXBT alleged insiders engineered a large short squeeze that drove the token’s rapid rise.
Crypto exchange Bitget’s CEO Gracy Chen said the exchange had “started investigating” the matter, while Binance CEO Richard Teng later said publicly that the platform was also looking into the claims and would “always” do its part to examine signs of market misconduct. Another exchange, Gate, was also mentioned in ZachXBT’s investigation.
ZachXBT has also personally offered a $10,000 bounty to whistleblowers who come forward privately to share evidence about the parties involved.
The little-known project rallied earlier in the week, leading to over $44 million in $RAVE positions, most of which were bearish, getting liquidated in a single day. Those liquidations followed a 4,500% rally over the course of a week.
Still, the short squeeze highlighted the concentration of $RAVE tokens within a small set of wallets. In fact, nearly 90% of its supply was in just three Gnosis Safe wallets at the time.
Investigators also flagged token transfers to exchanges shortly before the rally began. Millions of tokens were moved to exchanges before prices started surging.
RaveDAO presents itself as a Web3 project focused on electronic music events, offering blockchain-based ticketing and community governance. It traces its origins to a 2023 afterparty in Istanbul and has since hosted events across several regions. The project reported about $3 million in revenue in 2025.
That footprint contrasts with the token’s market behavior. $RAVE traded below $0.50 for most of its history before surging in April. It jumped from about $0.30 to over $6 in a single day, then climbed past $27 before starting to recede.
At its peak, the token’s market value briefly exceeded $6 billion, placing it among the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap before dropping. The token is now down more than 50% from its peak and 30% over the last 24 hours.
‘Bait and liquidate’
A separate claim centers on what some describe as a “bait and liquidate” pattern. The idea is that visible transfers suggest selling pressure, drawing traders into short positions.
If those tokens are later withdrawn while prices rise, short sellers may be forced to buy back at higher prices, driving further gains for those on the other side of the trade. These claims remain unproven, but the concentration of supply suggests it’s a real possibility.
Community reports have also linked the project to figures associated with earlier crypto ventures, including ARPA and Bella Protocol, though those connections have not been independently verified. None of the individuals named in these reports has responded publicly.
RaveDAO addressed the situation in a social media thread, stating that the team is “not engaged in, nor responsible for, recent price action.”
In the thread, RaveDAO did not address specific onchain allegations, including supply concentration or the millions transferred to exchanges ahead of the pump, but confirmed it does plan to liquidate portions of unlocked tokens “when appropriate.”
RaveDAO said it was “exploring appropriate models, including price-triggered or performance-triggered locks, that tie team incentives to ecosystem growth.” It stopped short of committing to any specific mechanism or timeline.
CoinDesk has reached out to RaveDAO for comments.