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Glassnode: Bitcoin NUPL Falls to 0.18, Slips Into 'Hope/Fear' Zone
Glassnode: Bitcoin’s NUPL Collapses Toward “Hope/Fear” Zone — What That Means for BTC On-chain analytics firm Glassnode reveals that Bitcoin’s Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) has plunged to roughly 0.18, signaling a meaningful drop in aggregate investor profitability on the network. What NUPL measures NUPL compares unrealized profits and losses across all BTC holders. For each coin, the metric looks at the price of the last on-chain transfer as that coin’s cost basis; if that prior price is below today’s spot price the coin is considered to be in profit, and above it means the coin is underwater. The difference between those prices gives the unrealized profit or loss per coin, and NUPL aggregates those values across the supply and normalizes the result by market capitalization to show net profit or loss relative to total market value. Recent trend and context Glassnode’s multi-year chart shows NUPL surged above 0.5 during the 2024–2025 rallies — a sign that unrealized profits were substantial, amounting to more than half of BTC’s market cap. Those euphoric phases were followed by pullbacks that pushed NUPL into the 0.25–0.5 band. While BTC recovered from earlier dips, the most recent decline has persisted, driving NUPL down to the current ~0.18 level. Why 0.18 matters A NUPL around 0.18 still indicates the majority of coins are in profit, but the margin is thin compared with the highs. Glassnode places this reading inside its “hope/fear” regime, a zone characterized by reactive market behavior: rallies often encounter selling pressure, and downside can extend as investor conviction fades. In short, the market is less euphoric and more easily unsettled. Historical precedent The last time NUPL fell decisively into this kind of low-conviction territory was during the 2022 bear market, when the metric slid through the hope/fear band and into “extreme fear” below zero — a condition where most holders were sitting on net losses. Whether BTC will remain in the 0.18 range, recover, or slide further remains to be seen. Price action Bitcoin dipped to about $65,000 on Thursday before bouncing back to roughly $69,000 on Friday, reflecting the same short-term volatility that the NUPL reading implies. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Bitcoin Nears $70K As Binance Funding Rate Hits Lowest Since Sept 2024 — Short Squeeze Risk
Bitcoin rallied into the weekend on Friday, February 13, as the flagship crypto pushed back toward the psychologically important $70,000 mark — and on-chain signals suggest the move could be more than a one-off uptick. Why traders are watching funding rates CryptoQuant’s Quicktake post from market analyst CryptoOnchain flagged a striking development on Binance, the world’s largest exchange by volume: the 14-day simple moving average (SMA-14) of Bitcoin’s funding rate has dropped to -0.002, its lowest reading since September 2024. That deeply negative number — and the fact it’s persisted across the two-week average — is drawing attention. What the funding rate means The funding rate is the periodic fee exchanged between perpetual futures traders. A positive funding rate means longs (buyers) pay shorts (sellers); a negative rate means shorts are paying longs. Extended negative funding suggests a crowded short side — more traders betting against Bitcoin than for it. Why this could set up a short squeeze CryptoOnchain calls such deeply negative funding “a strong contrarian signal.” Historically, prolonged negativity has coincided with market bottoms and can prime conditions for a short squeeze: a modest price bounce forces leveraged shorts to cover, causing liquidations that accelerate the rally and push prices higher. Where the price stands At the time of the report, Bitcoin traded around $69,000 after climbing more than 5% in 24 hours. If shorts begin to unwind en masse, the squeeze dynamics could help lift BTC toward or past the $70,000 level — but as always, funding-rate signals point to probabilities, not certainties. Bottom line A materially negative SMA-14 funding rate on Binance suggests the market is heavily skewed toward bearish, leveraged positions. That imbalance increases the odds of a short squeeze if upward momentum continues, potentially amplifying Bitcoin’s recent gains — though traders should factor in volatility and risk management before drawing firm conclusions. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Saylor's MicroStrategy Holds 714,644 BTC, Adds More Despite ~$6B Unrealized Loss
Michael Saylor’s message was short and unmistakable: “Go Bitcoin today — the money won’t fix itself.” The MicroStrategy CEO has long framed Bitcoin as an intentional hedge against fiat’s gradual decline, and his company’s recent activity shows that the rhetoric is being matched by continued accumulation. Big position, big conviction MicroStrategy now holds 714,644 BTC, at an average purchase price of $76,056 per coin. Recent SEC filings show the company added another 1,142 BTC this month at roughly $78,815 each — a buy of about $90 million. Those purchases continued even as Bitcoin traded near $68,000, leaving MicroStrategy with an estimated unrealized loss approaching $6 billion at current prices. The reported book value of its holdings stands above $54 billion after nearly six years of steady accumulation. Market concentration and corporate ownership Public companies collectively hold around 1.13 million BTC, and MicroStrategy accounts for almost two-thirds of that total. Roughly 200 public firms report some Bitcoin exposure, but most of the January buying was concentrated in a very small group — with MicroStrategy dominating corporate additions and reportedly representing more than 90% of net new corporate Bitcoin purchases that month. A long-range plan, and a simple playbook MicroStrategy has formalized the strategy. Its Q4 2025 filings outline a seven-year roadmap targeting higher Bitcoin-per-share metrics by 2032 under various yield scenarios. The firm’s playbook is straightforward: buy the dips and don’t sell. That repeated mantra — “buy Bitcoin and do not sell” — has become central to how the company presents its corporate strategy. Praise, criticism, and systemic risk Supporters say the approach demonstrates conviction and could encourage other institutional buyers, arguing that patient ownership can protect against long-term currency erosion and that paper losses are temporary if the thesis holds. Critics counter that the heavy concentration of corporate Bitcoin in one company creates liquidity and governance risks. If MicroStrategy were to change course suddenly, market prices could move sharply; that fragility is often overlooked when the emphasis is only on conviction. Questions have also been raised about balance-sheet risk and whether a corporate profile dominated by a volatile asset aligns with traditional shareholder expectations for stable returns. What this means for the market MicroStrategy’s behavior underscores two competing narratives in crypto markets: one that views corporate accumulation as a stabilizing commitment to Bitcoin’s long-term value, and another that warns the concentration of corporate holdings could amplify volatility and risk. Either way, Saylor’s public call to “Go Bitcoin” is more than a slogan — it’s the same strategy the company continues to execute on the balance sheet. — End — Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Ethereum bounced back above the $2,000 mark on Feb. 13 as spot ETF inflows returned, temporarily reversing two days of heavy redemptions. Key takeaways - Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $10.26 million in net inflows on Feb. 13, halting a two-day outflow streak that totaled $242.28 million. - Grayscale’s mini ETH trust led flows with $14.51 million, followed by VanEck’s ETHV ($3.00 million) and Fidelity’s FETH ($2.04 million). - ETH jumped 5.8% over 24 hours, trading between $1,926.66 and $2,067.44 on the day. Wider flow picture - Despite the positive day, Ethereum ETFs still posted $161.15 million in net outflows for the week ending Feb. 13. - The week’s largest single-day redemption came Feb. 11 ($129.18 million), followed by Feb. 12 ($113.10 million). - There was a brief pause in selling on Feb. 9–10, which together brought $70.87 million in inflows ($57.05 million on Feb. 9 and $13.82 million on Feb. 10). - Prior weekly outflows: $165.82 million for the week ending Feb. 6, $326.93 million for the week ending Jan. 30, and a peak $611.17 million the week ending Jan. 23 — a period that saw ETH tumble from above $3,000 to below $2,000. Market activity and Bitcoin ETFs - Total value traded in ETH reached $1.10 billion on Feb. 13, compared with $880.33 million the previous day. - Bitcoin spot ETFs also posted $15.20 million in net inflows on Feb. 13, led by Fidelity’s FBTC with $11.99 million. Grayscale’s mini BTC trust added $6.99 million; VanEck’s HODL contributed $1.95 million; WisdomTree’s BTCW added $3.64 million. - BlackRock’s IBIT saw $9.36 million in outflows on Feb. 13 — its third withdrawal in four trading days. Bitcoin ETFs had recorded $686.67 million in combined outflows on Feb. 11–12 before the Feb. 13 reversal. Outlook The inflows and ETH’s 5.8% gain on Feb. 13 offered a short-term reprieve and helped reclaim the $2,000 psychological level, but the string of weekly outflows and sharp multi-week declines (ETH is down 1.2% over seven days, 23.7% over 14 days, 37.5% over 30 days, and 24.4% over one year) underline persistent selling pressure and market uncertainty. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Brazil Moves to Create RESBit: Sovereign Bitcoin Reserve Could Back CBDC
Brazil’s lower house is rekindling an ambitious idea: a sovereign Bitcoin reserve that could one day be among the world’s largest national crypto treasuries. Bill No. 4,501/2024 proposes creating the Sovereign Strategic Reserve of Bitcoins (RESBit), a state-managed fund to hold BTC as part of Brazil’s official reserves. The initiative—linked to Federal Deputy Luiz Gastão and authored by Federal Deputy Eros Biondini—frames Bitcoin as a strategic asset to diversify and fortify the country’s international reserves against currency swings and geopolitical risk. Key features of the proposal - RESBit would be integrated into Brazil’s broader financial and monetary strategy and positioned to complement the central bank’s planned digital currency, the Digital Real (Drex). Lawmakers say a Bitcoin reserve could add credibility and an extra backing layer for the CBDC. - The bill sets strict guardrails: purchases would be gradual under a structured acquisition plan and must comply with Brazil’s Fiscal Responsibility Law so as not to endanger public accounts or fiscal stability. - A legal cap is proposed: RESBit would be limited to at most 5% of Brazil’s international reserves. At the same time, proponents articulate a long‑term vision in which Brazil could ultimately accumulate up to 1 million BTC—an ambition framed as a multi‑decade strategy rather than an immediate target. - Governance and oversight are built into the text: a specialist advisory committee (digital economy, blockchain, cybersecurity experts) would be created, along with inter‑institutional working groups to coordinate implementation and supervision. Beyond reserve management, the bill takes a wider view of Brazil’s digital-asset ecosystem. It calls for educational programs and workforce training in blockchain and cyber‑security (including public servants), support for crypto and Web3 startups, and investments in robust technological infrastructure to secure operations and catalyze innovation. Supporters point to international precedents—El Salvador, the U.S., China, Dubai and the EU are cited for having folded cryptocurrencies or blockchain policy into broader public initiatives—and argue the proposal could boost financial inclusion, attract investment, strengthen national tech capacity, and help hedge against exchange‑rate shocks. They also note Brazil’s strong domestic crypto adoption as a foundation for regional leadership in digital finance. Where this goes next The bill is now back on the legislative agenda; if it advances, expect detailed debate about risk management, custody standards, auditability, and how any BTC purchases would be executed and disclosed. The creation of the advisory committee will be especially important for determining custody, cybersecurity and legal compliance frameworks. Market note Coincidentally, Bitcoin has been rallying recently, trading near the top of its consolidation zone—around $69,000 at the time of this report—with roughly 5% gains in the past 24 hours. If passed, RESBit would mark a major shift in how a large emerging-market economy treats crypto—from speculative asset to structured element of macroeconomic policy—putting Brazil at the center of a high-stakes global experiment in sovereign digital-asset management. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Glassnode: BTC & ETH Spot ETF Netflows Turn Negative — No Sign of Renewed Demand
Headline: Glassnode: Bitcoin and Ethereum Spot ETF Netflows Turn Negative — No Renewed Demand Yet On-chain analytics firm Glassnode says the monthly average netflows for U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have been in the red for much of the past 90 days. In a recent post on X, the firm highlighted that the 30-day simple moving average (SMA) of netflows for both asset classes has remained negative, signaling more redemptions than new inflows over the period. What the data shows - Glassnode’s 30-day SMA chart for U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs — which tracks net capital flows into and out of the funds — shows the metric sitting in negative territory for most of the last three months. The only notable exception was a positive blip during Bitcoin’s price rebound in January. - Ethereum spot ETFs display a similar pattern, with their netflow SMA also in the red. - The largest outflows for both Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs occurred in Q4 2025, and withdrawals have continued into February at a visible pace. Why it matters Spot ETFs let investors gain exposure to crypto without handling wallets, private keys, or exchange custody directly: when investors buy ETF shares, the fund buys and custodies the underlying coin on their behalf. Approval of U.S. spot ETFs came for Bitcoin in January 2024 and for Ethereum in July 2024, bringing in traditional investors who had been hesitant about blockchain infrastructure. While both sets of funds enjoyed inflows for much of their existence, the recent shift to sustained negative netflows suggests that institutional and retail demand has cooled since late 2025. Glassnode’s takeaway Given the persistent negative 30-day SMA for both BTC and ETH spot ETFs, Glassnode concludes there’s no clear sign of renewed demand from ETF investors yet. Market snapshot At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading around $69,200, up a bit over 5% in the past seven days — showing that price action and ETF flows aren’t always aligned in the short term. Bottom line The spot ETF era brought new, more traditional capital into crypto markets, but current netflow trends indicate that appetite from those channels has waned recently. Traders and observers will be watching whether price recoveries or macro catalysts can reverse the outflow trend and draw fresh ETF demand. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Aave Labs' $50M Bid and 100% Revenue Pledge Tests Fragile DAO Truce
Aave’s fragile truce with its community is being tested again after Aave Labs put forward a sweeping revenue plan and a $50 million funding request that the DAO’s delegates have slammed as “extraction.” What was proposed - Aave Labs unveiled an “Aave will win” framework that would route 100% of product revenue from Aave-branded offerings — including Aave.com, the Aave mobile app, the Aave Card and Aave Horizon (its tokenization platform) — to the Aave DAO. - CEO and founder Stani Kulechov framed the plan as formalizing Aave Labs’ long-term contribution to the ecosystem under “a token-centric model,” saying the move will position Aave to capture growth as DeFi and TradFi converge. - In return, Aave Labs asked the DAO for $50 million in funding, including 75,000 AAVE tokens, to build and scale those products. The proposal also recommends creating a Foundation to manage Aave brands, arguing the DAO lacks the legal status to take on that role. Why this reignited tensions The request reopened old wounds from a governance dispute that boiled over in late 2025, when the DAO accused Aave Labs of diverting DAO revenues for its own use and demanded control of Aave-branded assets. At the height of that crisis AAVE fell from roughly $200 to near $140. A temporary ceasefire in January promised a coordinated, tokenholder-aligned proposal — but many delegates feel the latest plan falls short. DAO pushback Vocal delegate Marc Zeller welcomed some elements of the proposal but criticized the $50 million ask. “Aave Labs is back with a $50M ‘solution’, presented as ‘for the good of the DAO’, after zero prior coordination with delegates or service providers,” he said, adding the arrangement risks “maximiz[ing] extraction.” Zeller has called for clearer accounting and an audit of Aave Labs’ existing income streams to verify the pledge that 100% of product revenue will be sent to the DAO. Market reaction and stakes Following the announcement, AAVE rallied about 7% intraday. But delegates’ skepticism and the risk of renewed governance conflict remain live threats: some market watchers warn that if the dispute escalates, AAVE could test significantly lower levels — the article’s referenced charts pointed to a potential fall toward $79 or below. What’s next The debate now centers on transparency, legal structure and control of brand revenue. Key outstanding questions include how the Foundation would operate, what legal protections tokenholders would have, and whether Aave Labs’ revenue commitment will be independently verified. The DAO’s response and any further negotiations will determine whether the ceasefire holds — and whether the community can move from dispute to a working governance model that supports product growth. Disclaimer: This summary is informational and not investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries high risk; do your own research before making decisions. Source: AMBCrypto; market data: AAVE/USDT (TradingView). Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Short Squeeze or Breakout? Bitcoin Rallies Toward $70K–$75K Liquidity Wall
Bitcoin is at a crossroads: a tentative, data-driven rally is colliding with entrenched short positioning, leaving the market to decide whether this is the start of a breakout or just another short squeeze. Macro shocks have been driving the action. A stronger-than-expected jobs report earlier in the week renewed fears that the Fed’s rate-cut path could be delayed. Then on Feb. 13 the Bureau of Labor Statistics printed CPI at 2.4% (vs. an expected 2.5%), cooling inflation worries and quickly swinging sentiment back toward the bulls (source: TradingEconomics). The market response was immediate: Bitcoin closed the day up 3.93% — its biggest intraday gain in two weeks — while roughly 85% of the $267 million in liquidations that day hit short positions. Still, the underlying technical picture keeps bulls from getting complacent. Price has been chopping above the early‑February low near $59k, suggesting buyers are absorbing volatility, but a dense liquidity band sits between $70k and $75k — roughly $150 million of sell-side pressure — that could cap any sustained advance unless cleared decisively (on-chain data: CryptoQuant). Funding rates remain negative, indicating persistent short bias despite recent price resilience. A few on-chain and flow highlights to watch: - Short-side liquidity cluster: $70k–$75k with about $150M in sell orders (resistance zone). - Funding rates: in the red, pointing to a short-dominated market structure. - ETF flows: a modest $15M inflow after two days of outflows — a potential flip, but too small yet to signal broad demand. What it means: the near‑4% pop may have been driven more by short covering than broad-based buying. On-chain accumulation around the current spot has ticked up, but U.S. investors appear cautious even after the CPI miss — likely discounting the possibility of a correction before deploying larger capital. For bulls to convert this resilience into a fresh leg higher, they’ll need clearer conviction and a decisive break above the $70k–$75k liquidity wall. If buying pressure fails to materialize and short-pressure dynamics persist, momentum could swing back to the downside, exposing leveraged longs to renewed risk. Sources: TradingEconomics, CryptoQuant. Not financial advice — trading crypto carries significant risk; do your own research. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Berachain Rally Collapses: BERA Drops 18%, Breaks $0.706 — 45% Downside to $0.35
Berachain’s recent rally is cooling off — quickly. After a parabolic run of more than 315%, BERA has slid for two straight days, erasing gains and denting market confidence. Quick snapshot - Price: trading near $0.655, down 18% in 24 hours - Volume: trading volume plunged ~75% to $331 million - Trend strength: ADX 33.65 (above the 25 threshold, signaling a strong trend) - Recent support broken: $0.706 now lost - Key levels: resistance at $0.777 (daily close above this would be needed for a bullish reversal); downside risk to $0.35 (≈45% drop) if $0.706 is not reclaimed Technical picture Daily charts show BERA in a clear downtrend after the fall, with the break below the $0.706 local support opening the door to a much deeper correction. The Average Directional Index (ADX) reading of 33.65 suggests the current move has conviction, increasing the odds that the downward momentum could persist unless buyers stage a strong push. On-chain and volume signals DeFiLlama data over the past three days show declines in Berachain’s Total Value Locked (TVL), chain revenue and DEX volume — signs that user activity and ecosystem demand have cooled alongside the price drop. Derivatives and flows Coinglass derivatives data reveal mixed positioning: - Exchange outflows of roughly $644k over 24 hours (commonly interpreted as moving tokens off exchanges, which some traders view as accumulation) - Significant short interest clustered around $0.708, where roughly $3.71 million of short-leveraged positions are stacked — a clear bearish bet on a rejection at that level - On the long side, about $641k in long-leveraged positions has been placed around $0.64, creating a notable support band Market takeaway Positioning and on-chain metrics point to dominant bearish sentiment for now. Traders are leaning into shorts at the $0.708 resistance, while smaller long interest remains near $0.64. Unless BERA can reclaim and hold above $0.706 — or ideally produce a daily close above $0.777 — the path of least resistance appears downward, with a possible target near $0.35 if momentum continues. This report is informational and not financial advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research before making investment decisions. Sources: TradingView, DeFiLlama, Coinglass. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Bitcoin Drops to $68K — MVRV Nears Undervaluation As ETF Outflows Surge
Bitcoin sits at a pivotal crossroads as heavy selling pressure tests investor conviction and on-chain indicators flirt with “undervalued” territory. The picture: BTC has dropped sharply from roughly $126,000 to about $68,000 at press time. While the pullback has been severe, some metrics suggest this capitulation may be a reset rather than a simple one-way slide. MVRV signals near undervaluation - CryptoQuant data shows Bitcoin’s Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio around 1.1 — close to the commonly watched undervaluation threshold of 1. The MVRV compares market cap to realized cap (the value of coins at the price they last moved) to hint at whether holders are in aggregate profit or loss. - Historically, the last four times BTC approached this zone it later rebounded into broader rallies. That said, entering undervalued territory doesn’t guarantee an immediate bounce; prices can drift lower while MVRV remains depressed as accumulation builds. What could happen next - If buyers — particularly long-term holders — step in and macro or geopolitical conditions stabilize, BTC could regain momentum and push back toward the $100,000 region. Conversely, sustained selling and a rise in supply hitting the market, paired with weak demand, would push prices deeper into undervaluation. Who’s selling - Institutional selling has been prominent. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded consecutive outflows for four weeks — the third such streak since their launch — and this month marked the fourth bearish month for ETF flows, per SosoValue. - Over the last two trading sessions, cumulative ETF outflows reached $686.67 million, approaching the $1 billion mark, suggesting investors are realizing profits or cutting losses. - Spot-market demand also weakened: CoinGlass reported demand falling from $1.02 billion to $89.73 million on 12 February, with net selling dominant in that window. Long-term holders — a potential stabilizer - Binary Coin Days Destroyed (CDD), which tracks movement by long-term holders, read 0 at press time, indicating relative calm among that cohort and little large-scale distribution (CryptoQuant). - However, the ratio of long-term holders (LTH) to short-term holders (STH) has fallen, signaling short-term holders have been selling more aggressively. If LTHs maintain conviction while short-term selling exhausts, the current approach to undervaluation could form the base for a broader recovery. Bottom line: Bitcoin’s decline has pushed key on-chain gauges toward historically constructive levels, but the immediate path depends on whether demand stabilizes. Continued ETF and spot outflows would prolong downward pressure; patient accumulation by long-term holders would increase the odds of a sustained rebound. Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research before making any decisions. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reignited debate across the crypto community after a viral comment that many say could be a major development for XRP holders. The executive’s remarks — and the market reaction that followed — have sparked fresh speculation about the token’s roadmap and long-term upside. What Garlinghouse said - Garlinghouse told followers that Ripple’s mission is to “propel XRP and its ecosystem to success,” expressing confidence that a crypto company could become a trillion-dollar firm and that Ripple is well positioned to reach that scale. He alluded to upcoming ecosystem initiatives but did not provide specifics. - The comments circulated rapidly on social media and trading desks, fueling renewed interest in Ripple’s strategy and long-term prospects. Market reaction and industry comment - Market analyst and investor Stern Drew called the CEO’s update “a massive bombshell” for XRP holders, saying it adds fresh speculation about institutional adoption, regulatory progress, and strategic growth for the token. - Observers note that Garlinghouse’s remarks reinforce Ripple’s ambition to champion nascent technologies that could expand XRP’s use cases. Technology angle: zk-privacy and DNA Protocol - As blockchains race to integrate zero-knowledge (zk) privacy features, the article highlights that, as of 2026, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is reportedly among the closest projects to launching zk-privacy via the DNA Protocol — a platform described as advocating blockchain bio-identity. This development is being framed as a potential differentiator for XRPL’s technical roadmap. Technical outlook: bullish signals and lofty targets - Crypto analyst “Bird” shared a chart pointing to a long descending trend line on XRP since early 2025. Bird suggests that if momentum shifts, XRP could enter a sharp rally — forecasting a potential move toward $27 and claiming the altcoin could “flip” BTC and ETH in relative performance. - Against Ethereum specifically, Bird says XRP may be on the cusp of a breakout after 7–8 years, with indicators pointing toward a final “fifth wave” that could push prices dramatically higher. These are technical-readings and forecasts, not guarantees. Current market snapshot - At the time of writing, XRP was trading around $1.35, down roughly 2% in the past 24 hours. - Trading volume has dropped by over 19% in the same period, and sentiment among some investors remains cautious. Bottom line Garlinghouse’s comments have rekindled optimism and speculation about Ripple’s future direction, while technical analysts and industry commentators are laying out bullish scenarios — from zk-privacy rollouts on XRPL to multi-year breakouts targeting much higher prices. As always, these developments combine strategic vision, speculative forecasts, and evolving technology milestones; traders and investors will be watching for concrete announcements and on-chain evidence that can validate the hype. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Chainalysis: Crypto Transfers Linked to Human Trafficking Surge 85% in 2025
Chainalysis reports that crypto transfers linked to suspected human trafficking networks jumped 85% year‑over‑year in 2025, amounting to “hundreds of millions” of dollars across services tied to forced labor, prostitution rings and the sale of child sexual abuse material. Key findings - Geographic concentration: Much of the activity was centered in Southeast Asia, where investigators have linked trafficking to scam compounds and cross‑border fraud hubs. - Payment rails: International escort services and prostitution networks operated overwhelmingly in stablecoins, favoring price stability over volatile tokens. Labor placement agents — accused in some cases of kidnapping and forcing workers into scam operations — also used crypto to collect and move funds. - Distribution and recruitment: Messaging apps such as Telegram were used to advertise escort listings and recruitment; wallets connected to those listings showed repeat payment patterns and links to larger illicit clusters. - Network overlap: Wallet clustering and transaction tracing revealed that many wallets involved in trafficking were closely tied to online casinos and Chinese‑language money‑laundering groups. Funds often moved between services before being routed to exchanges or converted into other digital assets, indicating a shared financial infrastructure rather than isolated operators. How Chainalysis tracked it The firm used wallet clustering, transaction tracing and service analysis to map payment flows and identify recurring patterns. Those on‑chain traces exposed overlapping wallet clusters active across multiple illicit service types, highlighting how different criminal operations tap the same crypto plumbing. Implications for enforcement and compliance Chainalysis argues that the transparency of blockchains — where transactions are permanently recorded and publicly visible — gives investigators advantages over cash-based schemes. The firm recommends monitoring for: - large, recurring transfers to labor brokers; - wallet clusters that show activity across several illicit service categories; - repeated stablecoin conversion patterns. Exchanges matter: the report notes that centralized exchanges remain strategic choke points where funds trying to re‑enter the traditional financial system can be intercepted. Bottom line The Chainalysis report underscores two concurrent trends: a rise in crypto use by traffickers and an improving ability to map and trace those flows on‑chain. That visibility, the firm says, can be leveraged by compliance teams and law enforcement to disrupt networks that currently rely on digital assets to move illicit funds. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news