Blockonomi

TLDR

Bitcoin reached $76,120 on Tuesday before retracing to approximately $74,400

Negative funding rates have persisted for 46 consecutive days, a pattern not seen since the FTX collapse

Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States recorded $411.41 million in net inflows on Tuesday

Daily transaction volume surged 62% in 2026, reaching 17-month peak levels

Market analyst CW8900 identifies current network activity as exhibiting “bull market behavior”

Bitcoin (BTC) surged to a session high of $76,120 on Tuesday, marking its strongest price level in 70 days, before consolidating around the $74,400 mark. The upward momentum was fueled by strengthening on-chain metrics, robust ETF capital flows, and reduced geopolitical uncertainty.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price

The $76,000 threshold has represented a significant resistance zone for more than two months. While Bitcoin momentarily penetrated this barrier, it subsequently retreated, prompting market participants to monitor whether buyers can sustain positions above this critical level.

From a technical perspective, Bitcoin pierced the upper boundary of an ascending triangle formation at $73,000 on Monday. A confirmed daily settlement above $75,000 would substantiate the breakout pattern. Following confirmation, the subsequent resistance zones are positioned at $80,000, followed by the triangle’s projected target around $89,050.

The daily Relative Strength Index has advanced to 63, recovering substantially from oversold territory at 15 recorded in early February. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram continues expanding, suggesting sustained bullish momentum in the near term.

Crypto analyst CryptoBlockto observed on X that Bitcoin “surged above the $76,000 level, breaking above its March highs and signaling renewed bullish momentum.” The analyst emphasized that maintaining prices above $76,000 would confirm a trend reversal.

JUST IN: $BTC – #Bitcoin surged above the $76,000 level during the New York trading session, breaking above its March highs and signaling renewed bullish momentum.

The move marks a key technical breakout, as the $72,000 – $76,000 zone had acted as a strong resistance area for… pic.twitter.com/KfelXdPfZ2

— Blockto (@CryptoBlockto) April 14, 2026

Transaction Volume Reaches 17-Month Peak

Bitcoin’s daily transaction count has increased 62% year-to-date in 2026, hitting 765,130 on April 5. This figure corresponds to activity levels last observed in November 2024, when Bitcoin initially surpassed the $100,000 threshold.

Market analyst CW8900 stated on X: “$BTC daily transaction count is higher than when $BTC was $120K. The network is showing bull market behavior.”

Aggregate fee volume has also expanded 4% over the preceding week to $153,700. Glassnode characterized this development as “heightened on-chain demand,” interpreting it as evidence that network participants are prepared to pay premium fees for transaction confirmation priority.

Strong ETF Demand and Contrarian Funding Signal

US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $411.41 million in net inflows on Tuesday following a $291.11 million outflow on Monday. Combined net assets across all Bitcoin ETF products currently total $94.09 billion, with aggregate net inflows reaching $57.28 billion.

ETF FLOWS: US SPOT CRYPTO ETFs FLOWS DATA UPDATE (14-04-2026):

Bitcoin ETFs: +5,538 $BTC (+$411.50M)
Ethereum ETFs: +22,904 $ETH (+$53.03M)
XRP ETFs: +8.25M $XRP (+$11.20M)
SOLANA ETFs: +15.14K $SOL (+$1.27M)
ChainLink ETFs: +142.43K $LINK (+$1.28M)
DOGECOIN… https://t.co/tLzHzoxqPb pic.twitter.com/Mv3mu5OeVf

— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) April 15, 2026

Vetle Lunde, K33 Research’s head of research, highlighted that funding rates for Bitcoin perpetual contracts on Binance have remained in negative territory for 46 consecutive days, even as open interest expands. This dynamic indicates traders are opening fresh short positions rather than closing existing ones.

Source: Coinglass

“Comparable risk-off regimes have historically been attractive entry points for BTC,” Lunde noted. The previous instance of sustained negative funding rates occurred following the FTX collapse in late 2022, which ultimately established the bottom of that cycle’s bear market.

Should selling pressure intensify, initial support rests at the 50-day exponential moving average near $71,021, with additional downside targets identified at $68,950 and $67,412.

The post Bitcoin (BTC) Surges Past $76K Amid Historic Negative Funding Rate Streak appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

A strategic partnership between Crypto.com and High Roller Technologies will bring prediction markets to American customers

The platform will operate through CDNA, a CFTC-registered exchange, ensuring regulatory compliance

High Roller Technologies saw its stock price surge more than 100%, climbing from $5.20 to $10.77 after the announcement

Industry analysts forecast prediction markets could generate $1 trillion in annual trading volume by the end of the decade

The announcement follows Binance’s recent entry into prediction markets via Predict.fun integration on BNB Chain

Crypto.com has entered into a strategic alliance with High Roller Technologies, an online casino operator, to deliver prediction market services to customers across the United States. The partnership, revealed on Tuesday, triggered a dramatic surge in High Roller’s share price on the NYSE American exchange, with values more than doubling.

@HighRollerROLR executes definitive agreement with https://t.co/vCNztATkNg to enter over $1 trillion U.S. prediction markets opportunity.

Learn more https://t.co/Rtv2q47CsM pic.twitter.com/Fr0tU4uDcP

— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) April 14, 2026

According to the agreement’s framework, event contracts will be made available via CDNA, an exchange that holds registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. High Roller Technologies will function as a CFTC-registered introducing broker, collaborating with Crypto.com’s registered futures commission merchant infrastructure.

This regulatory framework provides a compliant pathway in an environment where state gaming regulators have increasingly pursued legal action against prediction market operators.

Following the announcement, High Roller’s share price rocketed from $5.20 to $10.77. According to recent trading data, shares have since settled at $7.41.

Crypto.com CEO and co-founder Kris Marszalek emphasized that High Roller delivers both a distinguished brand identity and a proven online infrastructure to the collaboration. High Roller CEO Seth Young described the agreement as a significant achievement following extensive preparation spanning several months.

Expanding Competition in Emerging Sector

Crypto.com isn’t operating in isolation within this emerging market segment. Just last week, Binance incorporated prediction market capabilities into its wallet application by partnering with Predict.fun, a service operating on the BNB Chain network.

These strategic expansions arrive as prediction markets draw increasing interest from financial technology providers and media organizations. Industry projections referenced by High Roller suggest that a fully developed U.S. prediction market ecosystem could surpass $1 trillion in yearly trading activity by 2030.

On Tuesday, analysts from Bernstein, a wealth management company, released research indicating that sports wagering currently serves as the primary gateway for prediction market participants, though they anticipate significant shifts ahead. Their projections indicate sports-related event contracts will decline from approximately 62% of total market share to roughly 31% by the decade’s end.

Bernstein’s research team anticipates increased institutional participation in economics-focused, business-oriented, and political event contracts. They further project that corporate entities and insurance providers will leverage these platforms for risk hedging against specific event scenarios.

Regulatory Obstacles Persist

Prediction market operators, including companies like Kalshi, have maintained in legal proceedings that federal commodities legislation supersedes state-level gaming regulations. Nonetheless, legal disputes continue unfolding across numerous U.S. jurisdictions.

The CFTC-registered framework underpinning the Crypto.com and High Roller collaboration is specifically engineered to address this complex regulatory environment. By channeling contracts through a federally supervised exchange, the partnership seeks to maintain regulatory compliance.

High Roller indicated the offering will target its existing customer base, positioning prediction markets as an additional revenue channel complementing its current gaming operations. The company has yet to disclose a specific launch timeline for the new product.

The post Crypto.com and High Roller Join Forces to Bring Prediction Markets to U.S. Traders appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Overview

Ethereum is rebounding from long-term support alongside a bullish MACD formation, mirroring a technical setup that triggered a 250% surge in 2025.

Crypto analyst Cryptorand highlights that ETH must maintain support above $2,400 to validate a bullish trend reversal.

Apparent demand for Ethereum reached its strongest level in 90 days, climbing to 24,111 ETH on April 14.

Ethereum spot ETFs attracted $160 million in cumulative net inflows across three trading sessions.

The ETH/BTC price ratio surged to 0.0313, marking a three-month peak supported by exceptional on-chain metrics.

Ethereum (ETH) is changing hands around $2,325, registering a 4% gain in the last seven-day period. This price movement has captured the interest of market analysts who are drawing comparisons to a technical formation that unfolded during mid-2025.

Ethereum (ETH) Price

Looking at the weekly timeframe, ETH is currently testing an upward-sloping support line that has been reliable since 2022. Simultaneously, the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator has generated a bullish signal — the identical configuration that came before a 250% price explosion in 2025.

The last three times the MACD printed a golden cross on Ethereum $ETH, the price surged 130%, 74%, and 98%.

What do you think happens now? pic.twitter.com/kn50meaxr4

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) April 15, 2026

Trader Max Crypto shared on X: “Similar structure. Similar dump. Similar consolidation. What if $ETH repeats the Q2/Q3 2025 rally?” Should this pattern replicate itself, Ethereum could potentially climb toward $6,300.

Cryptorand emphasized that Ethereum must “cross the key $2,400 range” and establish stability above that threshold to “trigger the bullish reversal.”

Eyes on $ETH the weekly close will be extremely important. Pushing to cross the key $2,400 range. If manages to consolidate over it will trigger the bullish reversal pic.twitter.com/0fbUULTx5D

— Rand Group (@cryptorand) April 14, 2026

Market observer Ali Charts also drew attention to the MACD configuration, pointing out that the previous three instances when this indicator flashed a golden cross on Ethereum resulted in price increases of 130%, 74%, and 98% respectively.

Institutional Participation and Market Demand Expanding

The apparent demand indicator for Ethereum, monitored by Capriole Investments, shifted into positive territory on April 8 and climbed to a 90-day peak of 24,111 ETH by April 14. This uptick coincided with optimistic speculation surrounding a possible US-Iran trade agreement that boosted overall market confidence.

CryptoQuant’s Arab Chain observed that the ETH Coinbase Premium Index — which tracks the price differential between Coinbase and Binance — increased to 0.055, representing its strongest reading since October 2025. He interpreted this as evidence of “increased demand from institutional investors, particularly in the US market.”

Ethereum spot ETFs posted consecutive daily inflows over three sessions, accumulating $160 million in total. Meanwhile, worldwide Ethereum ETPs registered $196.5 million in capital inflows throughout the previous week.

Source: SoSoValue

Blockchain Activity and Network Health

The ETH/BTC valuation ratio advanced to 0.0313 on Wednesday, reaching its highest point in three months. First-time users joining the Ethereum ecosystem jumped 82% quarter-over-quarter during Q1, totaling 284,000 newcomers, while overall transaction volume achieved an unprecedented 200.4 million — representing a 43% quarterly expansion.

Stablecoin circulation on Ethereum hit an all-time peak of $180 billion. The blockchain currently commands approximately 60% of worldwide stablecoin market share.

Despite these encouraging indicators, ETH continues trading more than 50% beneath its 52-week peak of $4,831. Market watchers suggest the ratio needs to recapture 0.035 on a weekly closing basis to validate a sustainable upward trend.

Santiment data revealed that addresses containing 0.01 ETH or less reduced their holdings by 1,791 ETH ($4.16M) over the last 48 hours, with smaller retail participants seemingly interpreting the recent 17% rally since March 29 as a potential bull trap.

The post Ethereum (ETH) Nears Critical $2,400 Breakout as Bullish Signals Mount appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

Goldman Sachs has submitted an SEC filing for a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF

At least 80% of fund assets will be allocated to bitcoin-exposure instruments, avoiding direct bitcoin holdings

Revenue generation relies on selling call options against bitcoin ETF holdings

BlackRock has submitted a comparable product filing; Morgan Stanley debuted a bitcoin ETF recently

CEO David Solomon has disclosed personal bitcoin ownership in small amounts

Goldman Sachs has submitted a registration document to the SEC for a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, marking a significant step in the banking institution’s entry into cryptocurrency investment vehicles.

The proposed fund will allocate a minimum of 80% of its net assets to instruments offering bitcoin market exposure. This portfolio will include spot bitcoin ETFs, derivatives on spot bitcoin ETFs, and options tied to bitcoin ETF benchmark indices. Direct bitcoin ownership is not part of the strategy.

The income-generation mechanism involves writing covered call options on bitcoin ETF holdings at a premium. Through this approach, participants receive option premium payments while accepting limited profit potential during periods when bitcoin prices experience significant appreciation.

This investment philosophy — consistent cash flow balanced against restricted upward participation — targets investors seeking bitcoin market involvement combined with predictable distributions, comparable to traditional dividend equity investments.

Goldman represents the second prominent financial institution to pursue a bitcoin ETF offering. Morgan Stanley introduced its bitcoin ETF just last week. BlackRock, managing the world’s largest pool of assets, has similarly submitted documentation for an income-oriented product anticipated to list under ticker symbol BITA.

SHOCK: Goldman jumping into the bitcoin ETF game.. with a filing for a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF pic.twitter.com/WszEIrQ2tV

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) April 14, 2026

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas characterized Goldman’s submission as unexpected, expressing surprise at the bank’s decision to enter this market segment. He highlighted that Goldman submitted its application under the Investment Company Act of 1940, contrasting with BlackRock’s approach using the Securities Act of 1933.

Regulatory Framework and Structure

Utilizing the 1940 Act framework requires Goldman to establish a Cayman Islands subsidiary for holding commodity-related positions, a structural necessity imposed by regulatory constraints that prevent funds operating under this legislation from maintaining direct commodity holdings such as bitcoin.

Balchunas indicated that Goldman appears to be addressing institutional client appetite for bitcoin participation with reduced price swings, as investors demonstrate willingness to sacrifice maximum upside potential in exchange for income streams and diminished risk profiles.

Goldman’s Evolving Cryptocurrency Stance

CEO David Solomon has characterized his position as a bitcoin “observer,” revealing modest personal holdings in the digital asset. He has identified tokenization as a blockchain application with substantial implications for future financial infrastructure.

Solomon has recognized that enhanced regulatory scrutiny in recent periods constrained Goldman’s cryptocurrency initiatives. He emphasized the institution’s commitment to “get it right” as regulatory frameworks become more defined.

Bitcoin was valued near $75,000 when the filing was submitted, recovering from an intraday bottom around $74,000, following an earlier session peak near $76,000.

Goldman’s application contributes to an expanding roster of Wall Street institutions creating bitcoin-based income vehicles designed for wider investor accessibility.

The submission remains under SEC evaluation, with no confirmed launch timeline established.

The post Goldman Sachs Files for Bitcoin Income ETF Following Wall Street Trend appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Ethereum approaches $2,480 resistance as an ascending triangle pattern signals a potential breakout setup forming.

TD Sequential sell signal reappears, echoing the previous rejection near $2,400 and raising caution among traders.

ETH reclaims its 100-day SMA, suggesting buyers are regaining control despite resistance pressure.

Ethereum Foundation launches a $1M audit subsidy program to improve smart contract security for developers.

Ethereum is trading near a key resistance zone, with price action tightening within a bullish structure. Traders are watching closely as technical signals present both strength and caution, leaving the market at a decisive point for the next move.

Ethereum Tests Key Resistance Amid Conflicting Technical Signals

A recent post by Ali Charts on X points to Ethereum approaching the upper boundary of an ascending triangle on the daily chart.

This pattern often forms during periods of steady accumulation and can precede strong directional moves.

Ethereum $ETH is ready for a bull rally!

On the daily chart, ETH is testing the upper resistance of an ascending triangle. While the price action looks strong, the TD Sequential is flashing a sell signal—the same signal that triggered a correction back to support the last time… pic.twitter.com/cACQrmckEb

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) April 14, 2026

The price has continued to form higher lows since February. This structure reflects a gradual recovery after previous declines. As a result, buyers appear to be maintaining short-term control while pushing price toward resistance.

However, the same analysis notes the appearance of a TD Sequential sell signal. This signal previously appeared when Ethereum tested the $2,400 level. At that time, the market experienced a pullback toward lower support zones.

This repeated signal introduces caution despite the current upward movement. While price strength remains visible, traders are weighing the risk of another short-term correction.

At the same time, Ethereum has reclaimed its 100-day simple moving average. This level often acts as a trend indicator. Holding above it suggests that momentum is shifting in favor of buyers.

Market attention is now centered on the $2,480 level. A confirmed daily close above this resistance could invalidate the sell signal. It may also confirm a breakout from the triangle pattern.

Until such a move occurs, the resistance remains active. Price reactions at this level are expected to guide short-term direction.

Ethereum Foundation Expands Security Efforts With Audit Subsidy Program

Alongside market developments, the Ethereum Foundation has introduced a new initiative aimed at strengthening network security. In a recent post, the organization announced the Ethereum Audit Subsidy Program.

The program is designed to reduce the cost of security audits for developers building on Ethereum. Audits are considered a best practice, yet they often require substantial financial resources.

Through this initiative, the foundation is working with established audit providers. The goal is to make high-quality security reviews more accessible to builders across the ecosystem.

The announcement also references collaboration with industry participants. These include Nethermind and Chainlink Labs, alongside the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative.

1/ The Ethereum Audit Subsidy

A joint initiative with audit providers to subsidize the cost of audits for Ethereum builders. Security audits are a best practice, yet expensive. The subsidy program makes audits accessible and strengthens the Ethereum ecosystem. https://t.co/89UYDM5lOv

— Ethereum Foundation (@ethereumfndn) April 14, 2026

The joint effort brings a total of $1 million in audit subsidies. This funding is intended to support projects at various stages of development. It also aims to improve overall protocol safety.

By lowering the financial barrier, the program encourages more teams to adopt proper security measures. This approach supports long-term ecosystem growth while addressing known risks in smart contract development.

The initiative arrives at a time when network usage continues to expand. As more applications are deployed, the need for secure infrastructure becomes increasingly important.

Together, these developments place Ethereum at a critical moment. Price action is testing a major technical level, while ecosystem efforts focus on strengthening its foundation.

The post Ethereum Eyes $2,480 Breakout as Bullish Momentum Builds Alongside New $1M Security Audit Initiative appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Tim Draper expects the Bitcoin price to reach $250,000 within the next 18 months.

He links his forecast to growing global adoption and weakening fiat currencies.

Draper first attempted to acquire Bitcoin when it traded at $4 through a mining partnership.

He later lost his Bitcoin holdings during the collapse of Mt. Gox exchange.

In 2014, he purchased Bitcoin at $632 per coin during a US Marshals auction.

Venture capitalist Tim Draper has renewed his projection that Bitcoin will reach $250,000 within 18 months. He shared the forecast in a recent public statement and linked it to rising adoption trends. He also cited the weakening of fiat currencies as a driver of future demand.

Bitcoin Price Outlook and Long-Term Target

Draper stated that he expects the Bitcoin price to climb to $250,000 within 18 months. He said growing usage will fuel the projected rise. He added that weakening fiat currencies will also boost demand.

He said, “I have reason to believe that Bitcoin will reach $250k in 18 months.” He linked his view to broader use cases across global markets. He maintained that expanding adoption will sustain the rally.

Draper acknowledged that some past forecasts did not meet timelines. However, he said he continues to stand by his current target. He stressed that he bases his outlook on adoption data and currency trends.

He previously predicted that Bitcoin would reach $10,000 within three years. He made that call shortly after buying confiscated coins in 2014. The asset later met that target within the projected period.

Early Bitcoin Mining and Mt. Gox Losses

Draper said he first attempted to acquire Bitcoin when it traded at $4. He partnered with Peter Viscenne to mine the cryptocurrency. They ordered mining chips from hardware maker Butterfly Labs.

However, Draper alleged that Butterfly Labs used the chips to mine for itself. He said the company delayed shipping the hardware. By the time they received the equipment, Bitcoin traded above $30.

Draper later lost his holdings during the collapse of Mt. Gox. The exchange served as the leading Bitcoin trading platform at that time. Despite the failure, the Bitcoin price remained resilient.

He said, “It turned out that Bitcoin was being used for remitting money.” He added that people used it to pay unbanked employees and create new economies. He said these use cases supported price stability.

In 2014, Draper purchased Bitcoin through a US Marshals auction. Authorities had seized the coins from the Silk Road marketplace. He paid $632 per coin during that auction process.

Shortly after the purchase, Draper predicted a $10,000 Bitcoin price within three years. A television host reacted with confusion during the interview. The asset later reached that level within the timeframe.

Draper admitted that later price targets were less accurate. However, he reiterated confidence in his current forecast. He again pointed to adoption growth and fiat currency erosion as key factors.

The post Draper Says Bitcoin Price Could Reach $250K by 2027 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Kraken confirmed that it confidentially filed for an initial public offering, according to co-CEO Arjun Sethi.

The company secured a $13.3 billion valuation in April, down from its $20 billion peak in late 2025.

Arjun Sethi said Kraken plans to offer institutional-grade trading tools to retail users.

Kraken obtained a master account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for direct dollar settlement access.

Deutsche Börse agreed to invest $200 million for a 1.5% fully diluted stake in Payward Inc.

Kraken disclosed insider-related security incidents that affected about 2,000 accounts without compromising client funds.

Kraken confirmed it confidentially filed for an initial public offering, according to co-CEO Arjun Sethi. He disclosed the move on Tuesday at the Semafor World Economy summit in Washington, D.C. The filing follows a prior pause in listing plans as its valuation fell to $13.3 billion.

Kraken Advances IPO Plan as Valuation Adjusts

Kraken confirmed it submitted a confidential IPO filing, and Arjun Sethi announced the update during a public event. He spoke at the Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, D.C., and addressed earlier reports. The company had paused earlier listing plans after crypto markets weakened and trading volumes dropped.

The San Francisco-based exchange secured a $13.3 billion valuation in an April funding round. That figure marked a decline from its $20 billion peak recorded in late 2025. The round included backing from Citadel Securities and reflected changing investor sentiment.

Sethi said Kraken wants to expand institutional-grade trading tools to retail clients. He compared the company’s goals to services offered by Jane Street and JPMorgan Chase. He stated, “We aim to bring institutional-grade tools to retail users,” while outlining product ambitions.

Kraken recently obtained a master account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The account grants direct access to U.S. payment systems, including Fedwire. This access allows dollar settlements without intermediary banks, though it excludes interest on reserves and lending facilities.

Deutsche Börse Investment and Insider Security Incidents

Deutsche Börse disclosed a $200 million investment in Kraken through a secondary share purchase. The transaction grants a 1.5% fully diluted stake in Payward Inc, pending regulatory approval. The companies expect the deal to close in Q2 2026.

The investment expands a partnership announced in December 2025 between Kraken and Deutsche Börse. The collaboration targets regulated crypto trading, derivatives, tokenized assets, and institutional liquidity services. Both firms said the agreement seeks to connect traditional financial infrastructure with digital asset markets.

Kraken also reported two insider-related security incidents involving support staff. The employees accessed limited client data through internal systems without authorization. About 2,000 accounts, representing 0.02%, were affected, and no client funds or trading systems were compromised.

A criminal group later attempted extortion, claiming it possessed internal videos linked to the incidents. Kraken refused to pay and revoked access for the responsible individuals. The company notified affected users and cooperated with law enforcement while strengthening internal controls.

Galaxy Digital reported a separate cybersecurity incident during the same week. The firm disclosed unauthorized access to a development environment. It stated that no client data or funds were impacted by that breach.

The post Kraken Moves Toward IPO as Valuation Drops to $13.3B appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

HYPE climbed above $45 for the first time in five months after gaining more than 20% in one week.

Oil perpetual contracts ranked among the most traded assets on Hyperliquid during the price rally.

Crude Oil generated over $840 million in 24-hour volume and became the third most traded market.

Brent Crude Oil recorded more than $360 million in daily volume and ranked fifth on the exchange.

HIP-3 daily trading volume reached about $5.4 billion in late March, led by commodity contracts.

HYPE advanced to nearly $45 early Tuesday, marking its highest level in five months. The token gained over 20% during the past week as trading volumes expanded. Oil-linked perpetual contracts drove much of the activity on Hyperliquid.

The token later eased to about $43.4 at press time. However, it held most of its weekly gains as traders stayed active. The recovery followed renewed focus on commodity markets listed on the exchange.

HYPE Price Rally Aligns with Commodity Trading Surge

HYPE climbed sharply as traders increased activity across builder-deployed markets on Hyperliquid. The token reached nearly $45 before trimming gains later in the session. It still traded firmly above late January levels.

The weekly advance exceeded 20%, reflecting stronger participation on the platform. Oil contracts ranked among the most traded assets during the rally. This trading momentum coincided with higher open interest across new perpetual listings.

Hyperliquid operates a permissionless listing structure under its HIP-3 framework. Outside developers can launch perpetual markets directly on the exchange. The protocol describes HIP-3 as a move toward decentralized perp listings.

This structure expanded the range of available markets beyond digital assets. Commodity and equity-linked contracts gained traction in recent weeks. As a result, overall trading activity shifted toward these instruments.

Market data showed builder-deployed markets topping $1.2 billion in open interest during March. Oil and equity futures contributed heavily to that figure. These contracts became central to daily trading flows on the platform.

Crude Oil emerged as one of the busiest contracts on Hyperliquid. The contract generated over $840 million in 24-hour volume. It ranked as the third most traded market on the exchange.

Brent Crude Oil also attracted strong participation from traders. The contract recorded more than $360 million in 24-hour volume. It ranked fifth among all listed markets.

Oil Frenzy Under HIP-3 Lifts HYPE Visibility

Trading activity accelerated during volatility tied to the US-Iran conflict. Traders used perpetual markets to react before traditional exchanges reopened. This dynamic increased volume across oil-linked contracts.

A March report from The Wall Street Journal detailed rapid volume growth. Cumulative oil futures volume jumped from $339 million to $7.3 billion within days. Traders favored nonstop markets during heightened geopolitical tension.

This surge extended beyond oil alone and covered other commodities. HIP-3 daily volume reached about $5.4 billion in late March. Silver, WTI, Brent, and gold contracts led that activity.

The post HYPE Hits $45 as Oil Contracts Boost Hyperliquid Volume appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

High Roller Technologies announced plans to launch a U.S. prediction market in partnership with Crypto.com.

The company will offer event-based contracts across finance, sports, and entertainment sectors.

Crypto.com Derivatives North America will provide the infrastructure as a CFTC-registered exchange and clearinghouse.

High Roller’s stock surged by as much as 130% following the announcement.

The shares later traded about 65% higher at $8.32 during the same trading session.

High Roller Technologies Inc. announced plans to launch a U.S. event-based prediction market with Crypto.com. The announcement triggered a sharp rise in the company’s stock price. Investors responded immediately as shares surged during early trading.

ROLR Shares Surge After Prediction Market Plan

High Roller Technologies revealed its intention to introduce event contracts for U.S. customers. The Las Vegas-based online casino operator plans to offer contracts across finance, sports, and entertainment sectors.

The company confirmed that Crypto.com Derivatives North America will provide the event contracts. CDNA operates as a CFTC-registered exchange and clearinghouse in the United States.

Following the announcement, High Roller’s stock climbed as much as 130% during trading. Shares later stabilized, trading 65% higher at $8.32.

Company representatives emphasized regulatory compliance and operational readiness. A spokesperson stated, “This collaboration expands our product offering while adhering to U.S. regulatory standards.”

High Roller did not disclose a specific launch date for the prediction market. However, the company indicated that preparations for the rollout are already underway.

Market participants viewed the development as an expansion of High Roller’s digital gaming services. The company aims to integrate prediction markets into its existing customer platform.

Crypto.com Collaboration and Market Outlook

The partnership with Crypto.com strengthens High Roller’s entry into regulated prediction markets. Crypto.com’s affiliate, CDNA, will supply the infrastructure and clearing services.

Crypto.com’s CRO token reacted positively to the announcement. The token gained approximately 3% and traded near $0.07 following the news.

Prediction markets have evolved into platforms that aggregate probabilities of real-world events. Leading participants include Kalshi, a regulated U.S. exchange, and Polymarket, a decentralized marketplace.

High Roller stated that the prediction market sector could exceed $1 trillion in trading volume by 2030. The company highlighted increasing institutional and retail interest in event-based contracts.

Industry data indicates steady revenue growth within prediction markets. A recent Citizens report estimated annualized revenue above $3 billion.

The same report projected that revenues could reach $10 billion by 2030. These figures reflect expanding adoption across finance, sports, and entertainment categories.

High Roller reiterated its commitment to regulatory compliance and customer engagement. The company plans to provide accessible event contracts through its digital gaming ecosystem.

Crypto.com confirmed its role as infrastructure provider for the initiative. CDNA will manage trading and clearing operations once the platform becomes operational.

The post High Roller Stock Soars After Crypto.com Prediction Market Deal appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum warned that stablecoins could become a form of regulatory arbitrage under inconsistent rules.

He stated that some stablecoin models may replicate bank-like products without adhering to traditional banking safeguards.

Barnum emphasized that equal regulation for similar financial products is necessary to prevent an uneven competitive environment.

He noted that yield-bearing stablecoins could resemble bank deposits while avoiding capital and liquidity requirements.

Coinbase has advocated for the ability to pass interest earned on reserve assets to stablecoin holders.

JPMorgan Chase Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Barnum warned that stablecoins could become regulatory arbitrage tools under uneven rules. He spoke during the bank’s first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. He said inconsistent oversight could let firms replicate banking products without meeting banking standards.

Stablecoins and Regulatory Standards

Barnum framed the issue as a matter of oversight rather than technology change. He said some stablecoin structures could mirror deposit products without similar safeguards. He warned that uneven rules could create regulatory arbitrage.

“If the same product isn’t regulated the same way, you open the door to arbitrage,” Barnum said. He added that some models offer rewards that resemble yield to customers. He said firms could “run a bank” without core banking regulations in that case.

Lawmakers continue to review digital asset legislation in Washington, D.C. The proposed Clarity Act seeks to define oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The bill also aims to clarify rules for stablecoins and related services.

The debate also centers on whether issuers can pass reserve interest to holders. Coinbase has urged lawmakers to allow yield distribution on stablecoin reserves. The company argues that interest sharing would improve utility as a savings product.

Banks oppose yield-bearing stablecoins under current frameworks. They argue that such products resemble deposits but avoid capital and liquidity requirements. They also say non-bank firms could attract funds by offering returns that banks cannot provide.

Barnum said JPMorgan supports clear digital asset rules. However, he stressed that consistency matters more than speed in policymaking. He warned that gaps could allow new entrants to operate outside existing boundaries.

JPMorgan Earnings and Digital Infrastructure

Barnum downplayed threats to JPMorgan’s core payments operations. He said the bank already runs a large wholesale payments network. He added that it processes transactions quickly and at low cost.

Instead, JPMorgan continues to build blockchain-based tools within its infrastructure. Through its Kinexys unit, the bank developed JPM Coin and tokenized deposits. These tools allow institutional clients to move funds around the clock.

Barnum described these efforts as part of modernization plans. He said programmable payments now integrate into existing systems. He stated that these features complement rather than replace traditional services.

On consumer products, Barnum addressed compliance requirements. He said stablecoins often appear as digital cash in public discussion. However, he stressed that identity checks and compliance rules still apply.

JPMorgan reported strong first-quarter financial results. Net income rose 13% year over year to $16.49 billion. Revenue increased 10% to $50.54 billion.

The post JPMorgan CFO Flags Regulatory Arbitrage Risks From Stablecoins appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

NHN KCP partners with Ava Labs to develop a payments-focused Layer 1 blockchain on Avalanche infrastructure.

The network targets sub-second payment authorization with onchain encryption for secure merchant transactions.

Ava Cloud will enable NHN KCP to deploy and manage a customizable blockchain for real-world payment use cases.

The project also explores stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and cross-border payments pending regulatory approval.

South Korea’s NHN KCP signs deal with Ava Labs for crypto payment blockchain as the payment firm moves to develop a dedicated Layer 1 network on Avalanche infrastructure.

The initiative focuses on building a blockchain system optimized for merchant payments, settlement efficiency, and cross-border financial activity.

Ava Labs will provide deployment support through Ava Cloud, allowing NHN KCP to configure and operate its own blockchain environment.

The development is tied to broader efforts to integrate blockchain into regulated payment systems in South Korea.

Avalanche Infrastructure Claims and Live System Design

Avalanche Treasury Co. outlined a set of operational capabilities already running on live systems. The statement referenced real chains processing real transactions rather than conceptual frameworks. This positioning targets institutional requirements for verifiable execution.

The tweet described privacy controls that prevent external access to transaction data. It also referenced protocol-level KYC embedded directly into the network. This approach places identity verification within blockchain execution layers.

We keep hearing what Avalanche can't do for institutional finance.

So Ava Labs built a live proof of concept for every objection. Real chains. Real transactions. Verify it yourself.

Privacy that outside parties physically cannot access. KYC at the protocol level. Atomic…

— Avalanche Treasury Co. (@avat_co) April 13, 2026

In addition, atomic settlement across sovereign chains was highlighted. This enables synchronized finality across separate networks. It is designed to reduce settlement mismatches in multi-chain environments.

Encrypted positions were also mentioned alongside non-proprietary technical design. This allows institutions to integrate systems without adopting specialized programming languages. It supports compatibility with existing financial infrastructure.

NHN KCP Payment Blockchain Development on Avalanche

NHN KCP is building a payments-focused Layer 1 using Ava Cloud as part of the agreement. The platform enables companies to deploy customized blockchain networks for specific use cases. The structure is intended for high-volume payment processing environments.

The system targets sub-one-second authorization speeds for transactions. This design supports fast merchant settlement across digital payment channels. It aligns with performance requirements in existing payment networks.

Onchain encryption is included to secure transaction data during processing. This ensures controlled access to sensitive financial information. It also supports configurable permissions for network participants.

NHN KCP CEO Jun-seok Park said the collaboration merges payment infrastructure expertise with blockchain technology. The companies will validate functionality through a proof-of-concept phase.

They also plan to explore tokenized deposits, stablecoin settlement models, and cross-border payments, with rollout timing dependent on regulatory developments in South Korea.

The post South Korea’s NHN KCP Partners with Ava Labs to Build Crypto Payment Layer 1 on Avalanche appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

XRP rose to $1.37 after gaining 3.83% and ending a three-day decline.

XRP Futures net inflows surged 294% to $46.15 million within 24 hours.

Derivatives data showed steady inflows across 4-hour, eight-hour, and 12-hour timeframes.

Short liquidations reached $1.59 million over 24 hours and made up 88% of total liquidations.

Spot exchange data showed a $10.07 million net outflow as holders moved XRP off exchanges.

XRP climbed to $1.37 after posting a 3.83% intraday gain on Monday, reversing three days of declines. At the same time, derivatives data showed futures net inflows surged 294% to $46.15 million within 24 hours. The combined price recovery and leverage increase signaled renewed trader participation.

XRP Futures Record $46M Daily Inflows as Leverage Builds

XRP Futures activity accelerated as traders reopened leveraged positions across major exchanges. Data from Coinglass showed 24-hour net inflows reached $46.15 million, reflecting a 294.78% increase. Meanwhile, four-hour data recorded $71.16 million in inflows and a net increase of $753,280. Over eight hours, inflows totaled $111.03 million, while outflows hit $106.32 million, leaving a $4.71 million net gain.

In the 12-hour window, inflows reached $286.18 million against $277.18 million in outflows. This pattern confirmed steady positioning by derivatives traders. Rising participation often increases short-term volatility, and current figures showed active positioning across multiple timeframes. XRP traded at $1.37 at press time after Monday’s upward move.

Liquidations and Spot Outflows Shape Current XRP Structure

Liquidation data reflected pressure on bearish positions as prices moved higher. In the last 12 hours, total liquidations reached $328,110, including $70,870 from longs and $257,250 from shorts. Over 24 hours, total liquidations climbed to $1.79 million, with $1.59 million from short positions. Shorts accounted for 88% of total liquidations during that period.

At the same time, spot exchange flows showed net withdrawals. In the eight-hour timeframe, inflows stood at $27.34 million, while outflows reached $26.45 million, producing a $893,470 net inflow. However, in 12 hours, inflows totaled $62.99 million, and outflows climbed to $67.40 million, leaving a $4.42 million net outflow.

Across 24 hours, inflows reached $131.03 million, while outflows exceeded that at $141.10 million. This resulted in a $10.07 million net outflow and a -203.62% net change. Exchange withdrawals indicated that holders moved tokens off trading platforms during the rebound.

Market data showed that liquidations occurred alongside tightening exchange balances. The price structure shifted as short positions closed and futures inflows expanded. XRP continued to trade near $1.37 as derivatives and spot metrics reflected active market participation.

The post XRP Futures Jump 294% to $46M as Price Rebounds appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Solana recorded $1.1 trillion in total economic activity during the first quarter of 2026.

Artemis data confirmed that this marks the first time Solana crossed the $1 trillion level in a single quarter.

The network posted a 6,558.6% increase in economic activity compared to the previous quarter.

On-chain usage accelerated sharply in late 2025 and continued rising into early 2026.

The quarterly total reflects the highest value of transactions and economic interactions ever recorded on Solana.

Solana recorded $1.1 trillion in total economic activity during the first quarter of 2026, according to Artemis data released Tuesday, April 14. The figure marks the first time the blockchain has crossed the $1 trillion threshold within a single quarter. The surge follows a sharp rebound in on-chain usage after months of market volatility.

BREAKING: @solana Breaks $1 TRILLION in Quarterly Economic Activity for the First Time pic.twitter.com/caNaoIXQn2

— Artemis (@artemis) April 14, 2026

Solana Posts $1.1 Trillion in Quarterly Economic Activity

Artemis reported that Solana processed $1.1 trillion in total economic activity in Q1 2026. The data shows that this is the highest quarterly figure ever recorded on the network. As a result, Solana achieved a new all-time high in total value of transactions and economic interactions.

The charts from Artemis highlighted a 6,558.6% increase in economic activity compared to the previous quarter. This rapid growth pushed Solana beyond the $1 trillion milestone for the first time. Artemis stated that the spike reflects a sharp rise in on-chain usage across the network.

On-Chain Usage Surges as Network Rebounds

The Artemis charts showed that Solana’s on-chain usage accelerated sharply in late 2025. Activity continued to expand into early 2026 as transaction volumes increased. As a result, the network regained strong momentum after extended volatility through 2024 and mid-2025.

Data indicate that higher transaction throughput supported the growth in total economic activity. Increased participation in decentralized finance protocols also contributed to the surge. In parallel, staking activity on Solana expanded during the same period.

The quarterly total includes all recorded transactions and economic interactions on the blockchain. This covers transfers, decentralized finance operations, and other on-chain activities. Consequently, the combined value reached its highest level in the network’s history.

Artemis confirmed the figures on April 14 through its published dataset. The report identified Q1 2026 as the strongest quarter by economic output for Solana. The milestone comes as broader crypto markets regain upward momentum.

Market data shows that Solana experienced fluctuating activity throughout 2024 and mid-2025. However, usage levels began rising again in late 2025 and continued into 2026. Therefore, the latest quarterly figure reflects a sustained rebound in network engagement.

The reported 6,558.6% increase represents quarter-over-quarter growth in economic activity. This growth rate ranks among the highest recorded by the network to date. As such, the data places Q1 2026 at a new peak for Solana.

The $1.1 trillion total captures the aggregate value of all economic transactions processed during the quarter. Artemis compiled the data using on-chain metrics and transaction tracking tools. The figures became publicly available on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The post Solana Hits $1.1 Trillion in First Quarter Activity appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Goldman’s ’40 Act filing requires a Cayman Subsidiary to hold Bitcoin exposure within regulatory limits.

BlackRock’s similar ’33 Act product gives it more structural flexibility than Goldman’s chosen framework.

Client demand for Bitcoin with reduced volatility and steady income appears to have driven Goldman’s filing.

Goldman shifts from holding third-party Bitcoin ETFs to manufacturing its own yield-focused Bitcoin product.

Goldman Sachs has filed to launch a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, surprising many market observers who expected the bank to avoid crypto entirely.

The product uses a covered-call options strategy layered over Bitcoin exposure to generate regular income distributions.

What makes this filing particularly notable is the regulatory structure Goldman chose and what it reveals about the bank’s broader strategy.

The move suggests Goldman is responding directly to client demand rather than leading the market.

The Regulatory Angle That Sets Goldman Apart From BlackRock

Goldman’s filing is structured under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which creates an immediate structural requirement. Because ’40 Act funds face regulatory limitations on holding commodities directly,

Goldman must route exposure through a Cayman Subsidiary. This workaround allows the fund to access Bitcoin while staying within the boundaries of its chosen regulatory framework. It is a technical but meaningful distinction that shapes how the product operates under the hood.

BlackRock’s comparable product takes a different path entirely, operating under the Securities Act of 1933. The ’33 Act framework carries fewer restrictions around commodity holdings, giving BlackRock more structural flexibility.

Goldman’s choice of the ’40 Act route may reflect its existing fund infrastructure and distribution relationships. However, it also means Goldman needs an additional layer of legal engineering to achieve a similar outcome.

This structural gap between the two products gives Goldman a potential opening. By filing under the ’40 Act, Goldman positions its product inside a familiar wrapper that wealth platforms and broker-dealers already know well.

That familiarity could drive faster adoption among institutional advisers who are more comfortable with ’40 Act products. Goldman may be betting that distribution reach outweighs any structural disadvantage.

ETF analyst Eric Balchunas flagged the regulatory contrast on social media, noting that BlackRock’s ’33 Act structure handles the commodity problem differently.

Interesting side note: this is a '40 Act filing so it has to use a Cayman Subsidiary to get around regulatory limitations re holding commodities. BlackRock meanwhile has a '33 Act product that is similar. Goldman may sense opp to leap frog them and/or is prob hearing from their… pic.twitter.com/KOoCK5sT6U

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) April 14, 2026

He suggested Goldman may be sensing an opportunity to leapfrog BlackRock in the income ETF space despite entering later.

The filing also aligns with what Goldman is reportedly hearing directly from its wealth management clients. Those clients want Bitcoin exposure but with less volatility and a more predictable income profile.

“Boomer Candy” and the Client Demand Driving the Filing

Balchunas described the product as “Boomer Candy” — a term capturing exactly who this ETF targets. These are investors willing to give up significant long-term Bitcoin upside in exchange for lower downside risk and steady income.

The covered-call structure fits that preference precisely, collecting option premiums and distributing them regularly to shareholders. For this investor profile, consistent cash flow matters more than capturing Bitcoin’s full price appreciation.

Goldman’s existing Bitcoin-related holdings already exceed one billion dollars across third-party spot ETFs from BlackRock and Fidelity. Building its own income-focused product would shift Goldman from client to competitor in the Bitcoin ETF space.

That shift allows Goldman to capture fee revenue it currently sends to other issuers. More importantly, it lets Goldman offer something tailored to the specific risk appetite its clients are expressing.

What makes this filing genuinely surprising is that Goldman and JPMorgan were widely expected to avoid crypto-linked products altogether.

The assumption was that both banks would compete aggressively in other ETF categories while leaving Bitcoin to newer entrants.

Goldman’s filing breaks that assumption and raises questions about whether JPMorgan will follow. The competitive pressure between these institutions rarely stays one-sided for long.

The broader takeaway is that Goldman did not file this product to shape the market — it filed because the market shaped Goldman.

Client demand for Bitcoin with a smoother return profile appears to have been the deciding factor. That demand-driven approach explains both the timing and the structure of the filing. Goldman is not leading a trend here; it is catching up to one its own clients created.

The post Goldman Sachs Bets on “Boomer Candy” With Bitcoin Premium Income ETF Filing appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

The Ethereum Foundation has launched a $1 million security subsidy program for blockchain developers.

The program will cover up to 30% of audit costs for selected Ethereum projects.

The foundation partnered with Areta to connect developers with over 20 professional audit firms.

Chainlink and Nethermind will help review and vet project applications.

The initiative will select new project cohorts every month through a structured process.

Ethereum Foundation has introduced a $1 million security subsidy for blockchain developers. The program will reduce audit costs and expand access to over 20 security firms. It will operate in partnership with advisory firm Areta and other ecosystem participants.

Ethereum Foundation rolls out $1M Audit Support Initiative

The Ethereum Foundation confirmed the launch of the Ethereum Security Subsidy Program on Tuesday. The organization partnered with digital asset advisory firm Areta to manage the process. Areta will use its audit marketplace to connect developers with about 20 professional security firms.

1/ The Ethereum Audit Subsidy

A joint initiative with audit providers to subsidize the cost of audits for Ethereum builders. Security audits are a best practice, yet expensive. The subsidy program makes audits accessible and strengthens the Ethereum ecosystem. https://t.co/89UYDM5lOv

— Ethereum Foundation (@ethereumfndn) April 14, 2026

The foundation will allocate $1 million to fund the initiative. Selected projects may receive support covering up to 30% of audit costs. The program will select new cohorts every month through a structured review process.

Areta Market CEO Fin Boothroyd described the structure in a public statement. He said, “The Ethereum Security Subsidy Program is a joint initiative with top-tier audit providers.” He added that an expert committee will guide the review and selection process.

Blockchain data startup Chainlink and Ethereum execution client Nethermind will help vet applicants. They will assess technical merit, feasibility, and commitment to Ethereum development. The foundation will prioritize teams with proven track records and clear innovation goals.

The program will focus on projects aligned with CROPs principles. CROPs stands for censorship resistance, open source, privacy, and security values. Last month, the foundation published a mandate naming CROPs as core ecosystem tenets.

The Ethereum Foundation continues to expand its security efforts. Last year, it introduced a Trillion-Dollar Security initiative to raise standards. The new subsidy program builds on that earlier commitment.

Over 20 Audit Firms Join Ecosystem-backed Subsidy Program

More than 20 security firms have joined the audit marketplace supporting the program. Participating firms include Blocksec, Cetora, Hacken, Quantstamp, and Immunefi. These firms will provide audit services to approved Ethereum projects.

Areta previously supported a similar $1 million subsidy for Solana developers. The firm designed its marketplace to match blockchain teams with vetted auditors. The Ethereum-focused program follows a comparable structure.

The foundation stated that security audits remain expensive for developers. It wrote on X, “Security audits are a best practice, yet expensive.” It added that the subsidy program will strengthen the Ethereum ecosystem.

Industry participants continue to launch related initiatives. Last month, Aave Labs announced a $1.5 million audit program for Aave V4. That program also aims to strengthen protocol security standards.

Immunefi, one of the participating firms, operates a decentralized bounty platform. Anchorage Digital recently supported Immunefi’s efforts. The Ethereum Security Subsidy Program now integrates such firms into its review network.

The initiative targets developers who show genuine dedication to building on Ethereum. It will assess technical readiness and innovation before granting funds. The foundation will begin selecting projects for monthly cohorts under the new program.

The post Ethereum Foundation Unveils $1M Security Audit Subsidy appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Strategy recorded about $1.1 billion in STRC trading volume on April 13, marking a new company record.

STRC trading volume increased by nearly 47% compared with its previous high.

Michael Saylor said STRC delivered $1.156 billion of liquidity while closing at par.

Strategy purchased 13,927 bitcoin for about $1 billion during the latest acquisition.

The company raised funds for the purchase through the sale of more than 10 million STRC shares.

Strategy recorded a record trading session for its STRC preferred stock on April 13. The instrument reached about $1.1 billion in volume and marked a 47% rise from its prior peak. The surge coincided with the company’s continued bitcoin accumulation program led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor.

STRC Trading Activity Surges to Record Levels

STRC posted about $1.156 billion in trading liquidity during the session. Michael Saylor wrote on X that the stock closed at par with limited price movement. He stated that STRC delivered “$1.156B of liquidity” during the trading day.

$1.156B of liquidity. One penny of volatility. Closed at par. $STRC

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) April 13, 2026

The company uses STRC as a perpetual preferred stock under its at-the-market program. Strategy sells shares and then directs proceeds toward bitcoin purchases. As a result, STRC has become a central funding tool for the firm’s treasury operations.

Record day for $STRC.

$1.1 Billion Daily Traded Volume
(+46.5% from previous high) pic.twitter.com/9g51JWOUMy

— Strategy (@Strategy) April 13, 2026

Strategy confirmed that it acquired 13,927 bitcoin for about $1 billion. The company increased its total holdings to 780,897 BTC after the transaction. It funded the purchase through the sale of more than 10 million STRC shares.

The latest figures show STRC trading volume increased by nearly 47% from its previous record. Market participants linked the activity to ongoing bitcoin acquisitions. The stock maintained its price near par despite the elevated volume.

STRC Expands Role in Strategy’s Capital Plan

Strategy includes STRC in its broader “42/42” capital plan. The company aims to raise $84 billion for bitcoin purchases through 2027. It combines preferred stocks and common share issuance within that structure.

STRC operates alongside other preferred instruments such as STRK, STRF, and STRD. Each instrument supports capital formation for bitcoin purchases. However, STRC now represents the largest component of the preferred stock offerings.

Lyn Alden, an American investment strategist, addressed STRC’s growth earlier this week. She said STRC now exceeds the combined size of Strategy’s other preferred stocks. Her comments reflected rising demand for the instrument’s yield and structure.

Analysts also examined trading data to estimate implied bitcoin demand. Data from STRC.live suggested that 10.6 million shares traded above set thresholds. The data linked that activity to roughly 7,130 BTC under certain assumptions.

Other analysts produced different estimates based on pricing and execution timing. Strategy does not convert trading volume directly into bitcoin purchases on a fixed basis. Actual acquisitions depend on issuance schedules and capital allocation decisions.

Strategy continues to report weekly bitcoin purchases funded through capital programs. The company disclosed the 13,927 BTC acquisition on Monday. Total holdings now stand at 780,897 BTC following the latest purchase.

The post Strategy’s STRC Sees $1.1B Trading Day on Bitcoin Push appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Polymarket has launched an audit of copy trading startups over insider trading concerns.

The review targets apps built through Polymarket’s Builders Program.

Some startups reportedly shared suspected insider accounts with their users.

The copy trading apps allow customers to mirror trades from high-performing accounts.

The app flags large or unusual bets that may rely on nonpublic information.

Polymarket has started auditing several app startups over insider trading concerns, according to The Information. The review targets copy-trading apps built through its developers program. The move follows rising scrutiny of insider trading activity on prediction markets.

Polymarket Reviews Builder Apps Over Insider Trading Concerns

Polymarket launched an audit of startups that track high-performing traders, The Information reported Tuesday. The company seeks a valuation near $20 billion. It began reviewing apps that may help users copy trades tied to nonpublic information.

The report said Polymarket faced pressure to curb insider trading before launching its Builders Program last November. The program supports outside developers who send trades to its platform. However, some startups later shared suspected insider accounts with their own customers.

These startups operate copy-trading apps that monitor trader activity on Polymarket. They provide lists of accounts with strong winning streaks. They also flag large or unusually timed bets that may rely on confidential information.

Customers can then use bots to mirror those trades in real time. They can also receive alerts about specific market moves. The apps charge subscription fees for these services.

The Information said these apps boosted Polymarket trading volume by hundreds of millions of dollars. As a result, trading activity increased sharply across several markets. However, concerns over insider trading activity also grew.

Polymarket introduced clearer rules on insider trading last month. The company outlined enforcement measures to address suspicious behavior. It did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Copy-trading Startups Raise Compliance Questions for Polymarket

One startup in the Builders Program, Polycool, promotes insider trading strategies on its website. Polycool offers what it calls a “guide to Polymarket insider trading.” The site states, “This isn’t the stock market, where using nonpublic information will land you in jail.”

Polycool also says, “The rules for decentralized prediction markets are a completely different game.” The statements appear on its public website. The Information cited those comments in its report.

Another startup, Kreo, markets tools to identify potential insider accounts early. Kreo advertises services that help users “find insiders before the rest.” The app tracks trading patterns and highlights specific wallets.

Both Polycool and Kreo participated in Polymarket’s Builders Program. Developers in the program create applications on top of Polymarket’s technology stack. These apps connect directly to Polymarket markets.

The copy-trading apps compile trader rankings based on win rates and profit history. They also analyze trade timing and bet size. Users can then follow selected accounts through automated systems.

Polymarket and its rival Kalshi have both faced insider trading scrutiny. Regulators and observers have questioned market integrity on prediction platforms. Polymarket responded last month by clarifying its insider trading policies and enforcement framework.

The post Polymarket Audits Copy-Trading Apps Over Insider Concerns appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

Michael Burry has significantly expanded his holdings in JD.com, signaling confidence in the Chinese e-commerce platform

A broader recovery in Chinese equities is underway amid indications of reduced U.S.-China trade friction

The company secured CNY 10 billion through a senior notes offering, bolstering financial flexibility

JD.com’s annual dividend per share jumped from $0.76 to $1.00, marking a 31.6% increase

Wall Street analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average target price of $36.36

Shares of JD.com experienced a notable 6% surge on Tuesday, driven by several concurrent positive developments for the Chinese e-commerce giant.

The most significant catalyst: Michael Burry, the renowned hedge fund manager immortalized in “The Big Short,” has substantially expanded his stake in the company. When a prominent contrarian investor makes such a decisive move, markets typically take notice.

Additionally, Chinese equities overall have been experiencing renewed momentum. Emerging indications that trade friction between Washington and Beijing could be moderating have improved investor sentiment throughout the sector. JD.com is benefiting from this positive momentum.

The stock commenced trading at $30.20 on Tuesday. With a 52-week trading range spanning from $24.51 to $38.08, the current price positions the stock near the midpoint following Tuesday’s gains.

Financial Foundation Strengthened

On the capital structure front, JD.com recently completed an issuance of CNY 10 billion in senior notes. This transaction enhances the company’s balance sheet maneuverability and diversifies its capital sources for future initiatives.

The company maintains a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, while its current ratio of 1.22 indicates healthy short-term liquidity and financial stability.

In a shareholder-friendly move, management increased the annual dividend to $1.00 per share from the previous $0.76. This represents a substantial 31.6% enhancement. The ex-dividend date fell on April 9, with the payment scheduled for April 29.

The dividend payout ratio currently registers at 55.68%, translating to approximately a 3.3% yield based on Tuesday’s opening price. This attractive shareholder return is attracting additional investor interest.

Major Investors Continue Accumulating Shares

Burry isn’t the only institutional player building positions. Multiple institutional investors have been steadily accumulating JD shares throughout recent reporting periods.

U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC dramatically increased its holdings by 381.3% during the fourth quarter, concluding the period with 83,093 shares valued at approximately $2.39 million.

Additional firms such as Binnacle Investments, Assetmark, and Golden State Wealth Management have similarly expanded their allocations, albeit on a smaller scale. Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds currently control 15.98% of outstanding JD shares.

From an analyst perspective, the stock currently garners 11 Buy recommendations, four Hold ratings, and one Sell rating. The consensus target price stands at $36.36, implying potential upside of roughly 20% from Tuesday’s opening level.

Barclays maintains an “overweight” stance with a $34.00 price objective. Both Bank of America and HSBC have issued Buy ratings, targeting $33.00 and $37.00 respectively.

JD’s price-to-earnings multiple sits at 16.90, with analysts projecting full-year earnings per share of $3.91. The stock is currently trading above its 50-day moving average of $27.84.

The company’s most recent quarterly results showed $0.04 in earnings per share, accompanied by revenue of $50.35 billion. Return on equity measured 7.56% while net margin registered at 1.48%.

Year-to-date performance now shows gains of approximately 4.36%.

The post JD.com (JD) Stock Climbs 6% as ‘Big Short’ Investor Michael Burry Expands Holdings appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

Shares advanced approximately 12.9% as market participants positioned themselves before CEO Dr. Alan Baratz’s appearance at the Semafor World Economy summit

Broader quantum computing sector strength, triggered by geopolitical developments and Rigetti’s new hardware announcement, provided additional momentum

Wall Street consensus stands at “Moderate Buy” with an average target of $36.50, though several firms recently reduced forecasts

The company’s latest quarterly report disappointed expectations — posting EPS of ($0.09) versus ($0.05) forecast, with revenue at $2.75M against $3.74M projections

Company insiders have reduced holdings, selling 72,898 shares totaling roughly $1.75M in the past quarter

D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) posted significant gains in today’s trading, advancing up to 12.9% on a combination of catalyst-driven enthusiasm and positive sector dynamics.

The principal driver appears to be anticipation surrounding CEO Dr. Alan Baratz’s scheduled presentation at the Semafor World Economy summit, where he’s slated to address commercial quantum-AI implementations and recent technological achievements. Market participants have been building positions in advance of this event.

However, the rally extends beyond company-specific news. The quantum computing sector experienced broad-based strength following geopolitical developments related to a ceasefire announcement. Additionally, a sympathetic reaction to competitor Rigetti’s significant hardware unveiling provided further support for QBTS shares.

The stock reached an intraday peak of $14.79 on Monday before closing near $14.67, representing a gain from the previous session’s $14.25 finish. Trading activity registered approximately 16.3 million shares, falling roughly 41% short of typical volume levels.

Despite Monday’s positive performance, QBTS continues trading beneath both its 50-day moving average at $17.53 and its 200-day moving average of $24.61. On a year-to-date basis, shares remain underwater by nearly 44%.

Wall Street’s View on QBTS

The analyst community maintains a moderately optimistic outlook. Fourteen analysts have assigned Buy ratings to QBTS, while two maintain Sell recommendations, resulting in a consensus “Moderate Buy” classification. The mean price objective stands at $36.50 — representing potential upside of more than 100% from current levels.

However, recent weeks saw multiple firms adjust their expectations downward. Roth MKM reduced its target from $40 to $30, Mizuho lowered projections from $46 to $40, and Needham decreased its forecast from $48 to $40. Benchmark maintained its Buy stance with a $35 price objective. Zacks Research took a more bearish position, issuing a “Strong Sell” rating in March.

Quarterly Performance and Insider Activity

D-Wave’s latest earnings report, delivered on February 26th, fell short of Wall Street expectations across key metrics. The company posted earnings per share of ($0.09), missing analyst projections of ($0.05). Top-line performance also disappointed, with revenue reaching $2.75M compared to the $3.74M consensus, despite representing 21.7% year-over-year growth.

The firm’s financials reflect ongoing challenges, including a negative return on equity of 58.58% and a net margin of -1,444.10%.

Regarding insider transactions, two board members reduced their positions in March. Director Rohit Ghai divested 10,000 shares at $17.62 each, while Director John Dilullo sold 8,000 shares at $18.01 apiece. Cumulatively, corporate insiders have disposed of 72,898 shares valued at approximately $1.75M during the past three-month period.

Conversely, institutional investors have demonstrated increasing interest. AQR Capital Management expanded its QBTS holdings by 201% during Q1. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position by 59.8%. Institutional shareholders collectively control 42.47% of outstanding shares.

Analyst projections call for full-year EPS of ($0.41) for the current fiscal period.

The post D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) Surges Nearly 13% on CEO Summit Anticipation appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

Rigetti Computing debuted its Cepheus-1-108Q system featuring 108 qubits, available on Amazon Braket and Rigetti’s proprietary cloud infrastructure

The platform represents the industry’s most expansive modular multi-chip quantum computing architecture, delivering three times the qubit capacity of Rigetti’s earlier 36-qubit offering

The company intends to commit up to $100M toward UK operations to establish a 1,000+ qubit system over the next three to four years

Benchmark maintained its Buy recommendation on RGTI; Mizuho continues with an Outperform rating projecting more than 100% potential upside

RGTI shares climbed from approximately $12.90 on March 30 to $16.79 by April 14

Rigetti Computing (RGTI) posted gains exceeding 10% Tuesday following the commercial rollout of its 108-qubit Cepheus-1-108Q quantum computing platform. Users can now leverage this advanced system via Amazon Braket as well as Rigetti’s dedicated cloud environment.

The Cepheus-1-108Q stands as the most powerful modular multi-chip quantum processor currently available commercially. This release represents a threefold expansion beyond Rigetti’s prior 36-qubit architecture.

Performance metrics show the platform achieving 99.1% median two-qubit gate fidelity. Rigetti has set a goal of reaching 99.5% fidelity by late 2026, signaling continuous improvements in both scale and precision.

Access is available either directly via Rigetti’s cloud infrastructure or through AWS’s Amazon Braket service. This dual-channel approach positions the technology for adoption by enterprise clients, government agencies, and academic institutions already integrated within Amazon’s cloud ecosystem.

RGTI has advanced from roughly $12.90 on March 30 to $16.79 by April 14. During Tuesday’s session, shares opened at $15.72 before reaching an intraday peak of $16.81.

British Investment Initiative and University Partnership

Rigetti revealed intentions to allocate up to $100M for UK-based operations aimed at deploying a quantum system exceeding 1,000 qubits within a three-to-four-year timeframe. This strategic expansion complements a UK government initiative featuring up to £2 billion earmarked for quantum technology development.

On the educational front, Rigetti secured a contract to supply a nine-qubit Novera processing unit to the University of Saskatchewan. This installation will serve as the foundation for the institution’s inaugural quantum computing capability, facilitating research spanning materials science, quantum algorithms, and hardware architectures.

Wall Street Perspectives

Benchmark revised its RGTI price objective downward from $35 to $25 while retaining its Buy recommendation. Following conversations with company leadership, the firm indicated strengthened conviction in Rigetti’s technological roadmap and strategic positioning.

Mizuho similarly adjusted its target from $43 to $33, acknowledging intensifying competitive pressures and elevated capital expenditure requirements. Nevertheless, the firm preserved its Outperform stance, characterizing RGTI as a quantum computing opportunity approaching a critical inflection point with upside potential exceeding 100%.

From a financial standpoint, Rigetti remains in growth-stage territory. The company generated approximately $7.1M in annual revenue with substantially negative profit margins and quarterly EBITDA hovering around -$15.8M. Cash and short-term investments total roughly $443.5M against minimal debt obligations.

The price-to-sales multiple exceeds 700, underscoring that market valuation hinges on technology milestones, development timelines, and investor sentiment rather than conventional profitability metrics.

Year-to-date, RGTI remains down 31.69% prior to Tuesday’s trading session, highlighting the magnitude of the recent rebound from the low-$13 range.

The commercial launch of the Cepheus-1-108Q platform, now available through Amazon Braket, represents the primary catalyst fueling Tuesday’s upward momentum.

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