Trader Edge, Author at CoinCentral https://coincentral.com/author/trader/ Your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other Cryptocurrency HQ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:39:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://coincentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/cropped-CCIcon-32x32.png Trader Edge, Author at CoinCentral https://coincentral.com/author/trader/ 32 32 Bitcoin (BTC) Price: Standard Chartered Predicts 25% Rally to $135K This Quarter https://coincentral.com/bitcoin-btc-price-standard-chartered-predicts-25-rally-to-135k-this-quarter/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:37:45 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53578 TLDR Standard Chartered forecasts Bitcoin will surge 25% to reach $135,000 by end of Q3 2025 Bank believes Bitcoin has broken free from traditional post-halving price decline patterns ETF inflows and corporate treasury buying totaled 245,000 BTC in Q2 alone Technical analysis shows Bitcoin approaching breakout zone near $116,000 resistance Long-term projections target $200,000 by [...]

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TLDR
  • Standard Chartered forecasts Bitcoin will surge 25% to reach $135,000 by end of Q3 2025
  • Bank believes Bitcoin has broken free from traditional post-halving price decline patterns
  • ETF inflows and corporate treasury buying totaled 245,000 BTC in Q2 alone
  • Technical analysis shows Bitcoin approaching breakout zone near $116,000 resistance
  • Long-term projections target $200,000 by year-end and $500,000 by 2028

Bitcoin trades around $108,000 as analysts debate whether the cryptocurrency can break through key resistance levels. Standard Chartered released a bullish forecast predicting Bitcoin will jump 25% to reach $135,000 by the end of the third quarter.

Source: CoinGecko

The British bank’s digital asset research head Geoff Kendrick argues Bitcoin has moved beyond historical post-halving price patterns. Traditional cycles would suggest price declines 18 months after halving events, but Kendrick believes this time is different.

“Thanks to increased investor flows, we believe BTC has moved beyond the previous dynamic whereby prices fell 18 months after a ‘halving’ cycle,” Kendrick stated in the bank’s research report.

The most recent Bitcoin halving occurred in April 2024. Previous halvings in 2016 and 2020 led to price corrections roughly 18 months later. However, Standard Chartered points to two factors that weren’t present during earlier cycles.

Institutional demand through exchange-traded funds represents the first major change. Bitcoin ETF flows and corporate treasury buying totaled 245,000 BTC in the second quarter alone. The bank expects this level to be exceeded in both Q3 and Q4.

Corporate bitcoin purchases for treasury purposes mark the second shift in market dynamics. Companies now view Bitcoin as a treasury asset rather than just a speculative investment.

Technical Breakout Zone Approaches

Bitcoin currently faces resistance near $110,000 after consolidating around the $108,000 level. Technical analysts have identified $116,000 as the key breakout zone that could trigger the next major rally.

Crypto strategist Javon Marks projects that breaking above $116,000 could send Bitcoin toward $165,745. This would represent a 52.5% gain from current price levels.

The cryptocurrency shows technical strength with positive MACD readings and RSI at 55, indicating room for upward movement. Bitcoin’s 7-day moving average sits at $107,870, while the 30-day average is $106,177.

A bull flag pattern on hourly charts supports the bullish outlook. Breaking above $111,980 could invalidate current consolidation and push Bitcoin into the $120,000-$145,000 range.

Mixed Signals from ETF Activity

Recent ETF flows present a mixed picture for Bitcoin’s near-term outlook. US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $342.3 million in outflows last Tuesday, marking their first outflows since June 6.

This reversal ended a 15-day streak that brought $4.8 billion in inflows. The outflows represented 7% of the total inflows seen during the previous two-week period.

Despite recent outflows, Standard Chartered maintains that institutional demand remains the key driver. The bank acknowledges prices could be “somewhat choppy” in late Q3 and early Q4 due to historical correction concerns.

Total Bitcoin ETF assets under management have surpassed $49 billion since launch. The SEC has approved rule amendments for greater ETF exposure, potentially boosting institutional adoption.

On-chain data shows over $8 billion worth of inactive Bitcoin moved recently. Analysis revealed this represented long-term holder redistribution rather than selling pressure, helping settle market sentiment.

Eight dormant Bitcoin wallets moved 80,009 BTC, representing 0.6% of circulating supply. These wallets were part of a group holding 1% of all Bitcoin mined in 2010-2011.

Whale activity suggests large holders are positioning for potential price moves. While volatility remains contained, behind-the-scenes activity hints at preparation for bigger movements.

Not all analysts share Standard Chartered’s aggressive timeline. Kirill Kretov from CoinPanel expressed caution about near-term projections above $135,000.

“While Bitcoin reaching $135K or even $200K by year-end is possible, especially in a thin, sentiment-driven market, I would remain cautious about taking such projections at face value,” Kretov stated.

His on-chain research shows larger players actively accumulating Bitcoin in the $100,000-$110,000 range. Liquidity continues being withdrawn from actively transacting wallets, suggesting a structured accumulation phase.

Paul Howard from Wincent offered measured optimism about Standard Chartered’s forecast. “To date, Geoff has consistently delivered more accurate price predictions than not,” Howard noted.

However, Howard expressed skepticism about the $200,000 year-end target. “I will be surprised if prices touch $200k given this would arguably need around $1Tn additional market cap.”

Other major institutions have released their own Bitcoin forecasts. VanEck expects a “dual-peak cycle” with Bitcoin potentially hitting $180,000 in the first half of 2025.

The Finder.com expert panel, surveying over 50 cryptocurrency analysts, produced an average forecast of $161,000 for Bitcoin by end of 2025. ARK Invest maintains a base case of $1.2 million by 2030.

Standard Chartered’s forecast extends beyond 2025, targeting $500,000 by 2028. The bank views Bitcoin’s institutional adoption trajectory as fundamentally altering market dynamics and rendering historical patterns obsolete.

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TRON (TRX) Price Surges as Network Hits 13 Billion Transactions https://coincentral.com/tron-trx-price-surges-as-network-hits-13-billion-transactions/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:29:00 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53569 TLDR TRON (TRX) is trading at $0.2841-$0.2886, up 3.05% weekly with daily gains of 0.27-2% The network has processed over 13 billion transactions with daily volume averaging 8 million transactions Technical indicators show bullish momentum with TRX trading above major moving averages and RSI at 63 Short-term resistance sits at $0.29-$0.30 with potential targets of [...]

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TLDR
  • TRON (TRX) is trading at $0.2841-$0.2886, up 3.05% weekly with daily gains of 0.27-2%
  • The network has processed over 13 billion transactions with daily volume averaging 8 million transactions
  • Technical indicators show bullish momentum with TRX trading above major moving averages and RSI at 63
  • Short-term resistance sits at $0.29-$0.30 with potential targets of $0.31 and $0.45 by year-end
  • 2025 price predictions range widely from $0.226 to $0.62 across different analysis platforms

TRON is trading at $0.2841 to $0.2886 across exchanges, marking daily gains between 0.27% and 2%. The cryptocurrency has posted a 3.05% increase over the past week.

Source: CoinGecko

Trading volume shows mixed signals. Daily trading volume reached $343.98 million, down 22.99% from the previous day. However, derivative activity increased with open interest rising 2% and trading volume surging 29%.

The network has achieved a major milestone by processing over 13 billion total transactions. Daily transaction counts now average more than 8 million, according to CryptoQuant contributor Darkost.

Much of this transaction volume comes from Tether (USDT) transfers. TRON has become a practical payment system for users in countries with volatile currencies or limited banking access.

In Argentina, people use stablecoins on TRON to purchase household goods. The network serves as a payment rail between Asia and Latin America for stablecoin transfers.

Technical Analysis Shows Bullish Momentum

TRX is trading above all major moving averages, including the 10-, 20-, 50-, and 200-day periods. The price is moving along the upper Bollinger Band, which indicates rising momentum when supported by volume.

The relative strength index (RSI) sits at 63, showing bullish conditions without reaching overbought territory. The MACD indicator displays an upward-pointing signal line with continued positive momentum.

Technical analysts identify strong support levels at $0.25 and $0.22. The 200-day Simple Moving Average provides reinforcement near the $0.25 level.

Short-term resistance appears at $0.29 to $0.30. If TRX breaks through this level, the next target sits around $0.31, which was last tested in mid-June.

Price Predictions Vary Widely for 2025

CoinCodeCap Trading sees potential for TRX to reach $0.45 by year-end 2025. They recommend buying near $0.25 support levels and setting stop-losses below $0.25 to manage risk.

DigitalCoinPrice presents a bullish outlook, predicting TRX could surpass $0.62 by the end of 2025. This forecast assumes continued positive market sentiment and investor inflows.

Changelly offers a more conservative view. Their technical analysis suggests a 2025 maximum of $0.266, which would represent a -6.4% return from current levels.

For July 2025 specifically, Changelly anticipates an average price of $0.294. This would provide a short-term return of 7.7% from current trading levels.

The wide range of predictions reflects different approaches to technical analysis and market sentiment assessment. Forecasts span from $0.226 to $0.62 for 2025.

If TRX fails to hold above the 20-day moving average, traders expect a retest of support near $0.2770. Volume continues to support the current upward trend, reducing the likelihood of a false breakout.

The cryptocurrency maintains its position above key technical levels while transaction activity on the network continues to grow at a steady pace.

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Cardano (ADA) Price: Sellers Run Out of Steam as Bulls Take Control https://coincentral.com/cardano-ada-price-sellers-run-out-of-steam-as-bulls-take-control/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:22:10 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53563 TLDR Cardano has recovered from $0.5650 support zone and broken above key bearish trend line ADA is trading above $0.5750 and 100-hourly moving average after months of decline Technical analysis shows bullish divergence suggesting seller exhaustion above $0.57 Price targets of $0.67-$0.70 if current support levels hold Critical support at $0.53-$0.5650 must hold to avoid [...]

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TLDR
  • Cardano has recovered from $0.5650 support zone and broken above key bearish trend line
  • ADA is trading above $0.5750 and 100-hourly moving average after months of decline
  • Technical analysis shows bullish divergence suggesting seller exhaustion above $0.57
  • Price targets of $0.67-$0.70 if current support levels hold
  • Critical support at $0.53-$0.5650 must hold to avoid further downside

Cardano has started a fresh increase from the $0.5650 support zone after months of bearish pressure. The altcoin crashed over 50% from its March highs above $1.00 as sellers maintained control of the price action.

Source: CoinGecko

The cryptocurrency had been trapped inside a descending triangle pattern for several months. This technical formation kept the price suppressed as bulls struggled to break free from the bearish structure.

Source: TradingView

ADA is now trading above $0.5750 and the 100-hourly simple moving average. The price has also cleared the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent downward move from $0.6107 to $0.5630.

Bulls managed to push the price above key resistance levels at $0.5750 and $0.5800. This move came after ADA found support at the $0.5650 zone and began showing signs of recovery.

The hourly chart shows a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $0.5760. This technical development suggests the descending triangle pattern may be weakening.

Technical Indicators Turn Positive

The MACD indicator is gaining momentum in the bullish zone on the hourly timeframe. The RSI has also moved above the 50 level, indicating positive momentum.

Source: TradingView

Technical analysis reveals bullish divergence on the chart. This pattern typically indicates seller exhaustion and suggests buyers are starting to gain strength.

The mounting support above $0.57 has held firm despite previous selling pressure. Bulls have defended this level as a critical support zone for the cryptocurrency.

Price Targets and Resistance Levels

The immediate resistance level sits near $0.5925, close to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level. A break above this zone could open the door for further upside movement.

The next key resistance level is located at $0.60, followed by $0.620. A close above $0.620 could trigger a stronger rally toward higher price targets.

Conservative price targets for ADA range from $0.67 to $0.70 if the current support levels continue to hold. These levels would represent the bulls taking back control of the price action.

If the rally continues beyond initial targets, the price could potentially reach $0.650 and $0.6650 in the near term. These levels would mark a substantial recovery from recent lows.

Downside Risks Remain

The bullish scenario has an invalidation level at $0.53 support. This level has already proven to be a strong support point for Cardano in previous testing.

If ADA fails to climb above the $0.5920 resistance level, another decline could begin. Immediate support on the downside sits near $0.5850 and the 100-hourly moving average.

A break below $0.5650 could open the doors for a test of $0.5450. The next major support level is located near $0.5320 where bulls might emerge to defend the price.

Loss of the $0.53 support would invalidate the current bullish setup. It would signal a continuation of trading inside the descending triangle with lower price targets.

The current technical setup shows ADA trading above key moving averages with positive momentum indicators. The cryptocurrency is attempting to break free from months of bearish pressure with support holding above $0.5650.

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Real-World Asset Tokens Surge 65% as Smart Money Floods In https://coincentral.com/real-world-asset-tokens-surge-65-as-smart-money-floods-in/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:12:58 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53559 TLDR RWA (Real-World Asset) total value locked reached $12.83 billion in 2025, up 65% from $7.75 billion at the start of the year BlackRock BUIDL leads with $2.83 billion, followed by Ethena USDt at $1.46 billion and Ondo Finance at $1.39 billion Mercado Bitcoin announced tokenization of $200 million in RWAs on XRP Ledger, including [...]

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TLDR
  • RWA (Real-World Asset) total value locked reached $12.83 billion in 2025, up 65% from $7.75 billion at the start of the year
  • BlackRock BUIDL leads with $2.83 billion, followed by Ethena USDt at $1.46 billion and Ondo Finance at $1.39 billion
  • Mercado Bitcoin announced tokenization of $200 million in RWAs on XRP Ledger, including fixed-income and equity instruments
  • Despite high transaction volumes, only around 300 active wallets participate, indicating institutional rather than retail adoption
  • Boston Consulting Group forecasts the tokenized RWA market could reach $19 trillion by 2033

The tokenization of real-world assets has emerged as a major force in crypto markets. According to DeFiLlama data from July 3, RWA total value locked across major protocols reached $12.83 billion.

This represents a 65% increase from $7.75 billion at the start of 2025. The growth has occurred over just six months, marking rapid expansion in the sector.

Source: DefiLlama

BlackRock BUIDL currently leads the market with $2.83 billion spread across six blockchain networks. Ethena’s synthetic cash protocol follows at $1.46 billion in total value locked.

Ondo Finance holds third place with $1.39 billion, driven by its tokenized U.S. Treasury product OUSG. The protocol also offers short-duration bond products to institutional clients.

Franklin Templeton ranks among the top six protocols with $753.8 million in assets. The traditional finance giant tokenized its money market fund on-chain through the Benji platform.

The platform allows qualified buyers to hold shares of FOBXX (Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund) as blockchain tokens. This makes Franklin Templeton one of the largest traditional finance players in tokenized assets.

Other leading protocols include Paxos Gold and Tether Gold, which dominate tokenized gold markets. OpenEden, Centrifuge, and Maple Finance target private credit and DeFi-native fixed income products.

Institutional Players Drive Market Activity

Despite the high transaction volumes, user activity remains concentrated among a small group. Dune Analytics data shows weekly transaction volumes stay high while active wallets barely exceed 300.

This pattern suggests institutional participation rather than retail investor activity. The combination of high volume and low user count typically indicates larger players entering the market.

Franklin Templeton confirmed that family offices and private banks are examining their tokenized fund products. These institutions seek on-chain settlement options without regulatory complications.

The bulk of RWA inflows continues to flow into tokenized Treasury products. Ondo Finance accounts for over 35% of total RWA TVL through its OUSG tokenized bond product.

Real estate tokenization is gaining momentum through fractional ownership models. Several platforms focus on tokenizing property stakes in emerging markets.

Source: Dune

Climate-linked assets including carbon credits are being onboarded through protocols like Toucan and Flowcarbon. This creates new opportunities for regulatory-compliant yield products on blockchain networks.

Latin American Exchange Expands RWA Offerings

Mercado Bitcoin announced plans to tokenize $200 million in real-world assets on XRP Ledger. The Latin American crypto exchange will tokenize fixed-income and equity financial instruments.

The announcement came from Ripple, the blockchain company that launched XRP Ledger. Boston Consulting Group and Ripple forecasted the tokenized RWA market could reach $19 trillion by 2033.

Ondo Finance acquired tokenized asset firm Oasis Pro to expand its RWA presence. Oasis Pro was among the first US-regulated alternative trading systems authorized to support digital securities settlement.

Centrifuge announced plans to tokenize the S&P 500 stock market index. The blockchain firm focuses on integrating RWAs into DeFi protocols.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink urged the SEC in January to approve stock and bond tokenization. BlackRock manages approximately $11.4 trillion in assets under management.

However, regulatory clarity remains limited for tokenized equity instruments. B2BROKER’s chief business officer John Murillo noted that tokenized equities lack many traditional shareholder rights.

“There is no direct claim on company assets, no voting rights, and no access to internal financial information,” Murillo stated. Investors must review the terms of each tokenized RWA instrument carefully.

The Genius Act, currently under Congressional consideration, could provide clearer guidelines for tokenized securities. If passed, platforms like Ondo and Franklin Templeton could issue directly to retail investors without state-level regulatory hurdles.

Ethereum continues to serve as the primary blockchain for RWA protocols despite experiments on Avalanche and Polygon. Most protocols choose Ethereum for legal clarity and mature tooling infrastructure.

Smart money continues flowing into tokenized RWAs, with legal framework clarity potentially determining whether this momentum continues through 2025.

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Ethereum (ETH) Price: Fresh Breakout Above $2,500 Sets Stage for Potential Rally https://coincentral.com/ethereum-eth-price-fresh-breakout-above-2500-sets-stage-for-potential-rally/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:03:35 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53553 TLDR Ethereum price successfully broke above $2,500 resistance and is now testing this level as support Daily transactions on Ethereum network are approaching all-time highs without corresponding gas fee spikes Bitcoin dominance has reversed from 58% peak, historically indicating potential altcoin rotation ETH is trading above $2,550 with next resistance targets at $2,600 and $2,650 [...]

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TLDR
  • Ethereum price successfully broke above $2,500 resistance and is now testing this level as support
  • Daily transactions on Ethereum network are approaching all-time highs without corresponding gas fee spikes
  • Bitcoin dominance has reversed from 58% peak, historically indicating potential altcoin rotation
  • ETH is trading above $2,550 with next resistance targets at $2,600 and $2,650 levels
  • Institutional accumulation continues with recent large withdrawals and acquisitions totaling hundreds of millions

Ethereum price has entered a fresh upward trend after breaking above the critical $2,500 resistance level. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is now attempting to establish this price point as a new support base.

Source: CoinGecko

The $2,500 level has acted as a major resistance barrier for most of the recent quarter. Multiple bullish attempts were previously rejected at this price point. The recent breakout represents a shift in market structure for ETH.

Current price action shows Ethereum trading above $2,565 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. The bulls managed to push the price above the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent decline from $2,636 to $2,475.

Technical analysis indicates a break above a key bearish trend line with resistance at $2,520 on the hourly chart. This breakout has opened the door for further upward movement in the near term.

Network Activity Reaches New Heights

Ethereum’s on-chain activity is approaching historical peaks with daily transactions nearing 1.5 million per day. This figure is close to the all-time high achieved in 2021. The increase in network usage has not been accompanied by a surge in gas fees.

Source: Beaconcha.in

The sustained transaction volume indicates genuine user demand rather than speculative trading activity. The growth appears driven by consistent decentralized application usage and expanding developer adoption.

DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and layer-2 solutions continue to drive network utilization. This organic growth pattern differs from previous periods of speculative mania that typically coincided with elevated gas costs.

Market Structure Shifts Favor Altcoins

Bitcoin dominance has reversed from its recent peak at approximately 58%. This level has historically marked cycle tops, with 2019 serving as a previous example. Reversals from such levels often precede capital rotation into altcoins.

Source: CryptoELITES, X

The decline in Bitcoin dominance mirrors patterns that preceded previous altcoin rallies. Ethereum, as the leading altcoin by market capitalization and network usage, typically benefits from such rotations.

If Bitcoin dominance continues to decline, Ethereum’s relative strength may increase as investor focus shifts away from Bitcoin-led momentum. This scenario could support higher prices for ETH and other altcoins.

Chart analysis by Ted Pillows identifies the next structured resistance zone between $2,800 and $2,880. This area has previously stopped gains and marked final tops before wider reversals.

On the immediate upside, Ethereum faces resistance near $2,600, which aligns with the 76.4% Fibonacci retracement level. A break above this level could target the $2,620 and $2,650 resistance zones.

A clear move above $2,650 might send the price toward $2,720 resistance. Further upside breaks could lead to tests of $2,750 or even $2,800 in the near term.

Downside support levels include $2,550 as initial support, followed by the key $2,520 zone. A break below $2,520 could push the price back toward $2,500 support.

Institutional interest remains strong with recent large-scale movements. Data shows an $80 million withdrawal on Matrixport and a $517 million acquisition by SharpLink Gaming. On-chain data from CryptoQuant indicates record-breaking accumulation and staking activity in June.

The combination of network growth, declining Bitcoin dominance, and institutional accumulation creates conditions that have historically preceded altcoin rallies. Technical indicators including the hourly MACD and RSI support the current bullish momentum with both showing positive readings.

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How the Secret Service Built a $400 Million Crypto Fortune Fighting Scammers https://coincentral.com/how-the-secret-service-built-a-400-million-crypto-fortune-fighting-scammers/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:54:07 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53551 TLDR US Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, creating one of the world’s largest crypto cold wallets The agency’s Global Investigative Operations Center uses blockchain analysis, domain records, and VPN tracking to identify fraudsters Americans lost $9.3 billion to crypto scams in 2024, representing more than half of [...]

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TLDR
  • US Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, creating one of the world’s largest crypto cold wallets
  • The agency’s Global Investigative Operations Center uses blockchain analysis, domain records, and VPN tracking to identify fraudsters
  • Americans lost $9.3 billion to crypto scams in 2024, representing more than half of all internet crime losses that year
  • Romance investment schemes are among the most common tactics, with scammers creating fake dating profiles to lure victims
  • The Secret Service has trained officials in over 60 countries to identify and combat crypto-related financial crimes

The US Secret Service has quietly built one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency cold wallets. The agency has seized nearly $400 million in digital assets over the past decade through investigations into various crypto scams and fraud schemes.

The Secret Service’s Global Investigative Operations Center leads these efforts. The team uses blockchain analysis, domain records, and VPN tracking to identify criminals operating crypto fraud schemes worldwide.

Jamie Lam, an investigative analyst with the Secret Service, explained their methods to law enforcement officials in Bermuda last month. The agency tracks funds through open-source tools and blockchain analysis, often requiring patience to build cases against sophisticated scammers.

Most of the seized crypto sits in a single cold-storage wallet. The funds come from investigations into romance scams, fake investment platforms, and sextortion cases targeting victims across the United States and internationally.

Romance investment schemes represent one of the most common tactics. Scammers create fake dating profiles using attractive photos to build relationships with potential victims. They then convince targets to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that promise high returns.

“They’ll send you a photo of a really good-looking guy or girl. But it’s probably some old guy in Russia,” Lam said during the briefing.

The scammers often allow victims to see initial profits before the platforms disappear with their deposits. This creates false confidence and encourages larger investments from unsuspecting targets.

Blockchain Analysis Reveals Criminal Networks

The Secret Service team uses various investigative techniques to trace cryptocurrency transactions. Blockchain analysis helps investigators follow the digital trail left by criminals moving funds between wallets and exchanges.

Domain records provide another avenue for tracking scammers. The team examines website registration information and hosting details to identify connections between different fraudulent platforms.

VPN failures have also helped investigators identify criminals. In one case, a brief VPN disconnection exposed an IP address that helped agents piece together a scam’s digital trail.

The agency has focused investigations on jurisdictions with weak oversight or programs selling residency to foreign nationals. These areas often serve as safe havens for criminals operating crypto fraud schemes.

Training International Partners

Kali Smith directs the Secret Service’s cryptocurrency strategy and leads a team that has trained officials in over 60 countries. The training helps international partners identify and combat crypto-related financial crimes in their jurisdictions.

“Sometimes after just a week-long training, they can be like, ‘Wow, we didn’t even realize that this is occurring in our country,'” Smith said.

The agency’s work has uncovered various types of crypto crimes. These include romance-investment schemes, sextortion cases, and fake investment platforms targeting victims worldwide.

One investigation involved an Idaho teenager who sent a nude photo to an online stranger. The scammer extorted $300 twice before the teen contacted police about the situation.

Analysts traced the payments through another teenager acting as a money mule. This led to an account tied to nearly $4.1 million in transactions under a Nigerian passport.

British police arrested the suspected extortionist when he arrived in Guildford, England. He remains in custody pending extradition to the United States.

The Secret Service has also seized $225 million in USDt linked to romance scams in one of their largest single recoveries. This operation involved coordination with the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office.

Americans reported $9.3 billion stolen in crypto fraud in 2024, representing more than half of the $16.6 billion in total internet crime losses that year according to FBI data.

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Solana (SOL) Price: Primed for Breakout as Bullish Patterns Converge https://coincentral.com/solana-sol-price-primed-for-breakout-as-bullish-patterns-converge/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:48:47 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53547 TLDR Solana price formed a double bottom at $141.84 and bounced from $125.99 low, showing bullish reversal signals Large cup-and-handle pattern on high timeframe charts targets $260-$300 range upon breakout above $175 Inverse head and shoulders pattern developing with neckline resistance near $168.49 SOL mirrors Bitcoin’s 2024 price structure with similar liquidity grab and recovery [...]

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TLDR
  • Solana price formed a double bottom at $141.84 and bounced from $125.99 low, showing bullish reversal signals
  • Large cup-and-handle pattern on high timeframe charts targets $260-$300 range upon breakout above $175
  • Inverse head and shoulders pattern developing with neckline resistance near $168.49
  • SOL mirrors Bitcoin’s 2024 price structure with similar liquidity grab and recovery patterns
  • Strong on-chain metrics show Solana leading tokenized asset volume and DApp revenues at $562 million in Q2 2025

Solana price is showing multiple bullish technical patterns that could signal a breakout above key resistance levels. The cryptocurrency has been building momentum after forming several reversal patterns on different timeframes.

Source: CoinGecko

The most recent price action saw SOL rebound sharply from a major low of $125.99. This bounce created a double bottom formation around $141.84, which provided strong support for the cryptocurrency. The double bottom pattern suggests that bears failed to push prices lower after two attempts.

On July 4, Solana was trading around $151 after posting short-term gains. The price has added 6% over the past seven days and reached a high of $153. Trading volume has increased to $3.96 billion over 24 hours as buyers show renewed interest.

Analyst Ali Martinez identified a large cup-and-handle pattern spanning multiple months on high timeframe charts. This pattern began with a rounded bottom formed between late 2022 and mid-2023. The right side of the cup developed as buyers regained control of the market.

The handle segment of the pattern is nearing completion within a tight descending channel. Martinez noted that the neckline of this pattern lies in the $160 to $175 range. Solana is currently consolidating just below this resistance area.

Cup and Handle Pattern Targets Higher Levels

If SOL closes above the neckline with volume confirmation, the setup could trigger the next upward move. Martinez estimated that a confirmed breakout could send SOL toward the $260 to $300 region. This target is based on the depth of the cup formation.

Historical patterns show that similar cup-and-handle breakouts have preceded strong rallies in the past. The current formation is symmetric and aligns with typical bullish continuation phases. Volume confirmation will be key to validating any breakout attempt.

BitGuru highlighted additional reversal patterns on lower timeframes. An inverse head and shoulders pattern is forming above the double bottom, with a neckline just under $155. The presence of these two reversal signals supports further upside potential.

The inverse head and shoulders pattern reinforces the idea of a local trend reversal. The pattern shows that market structure has shifted since the $125.99 low was formed. SOL has printed higher lows and attempted to stay above $150.

Price Mirrors Bitcoin’s 2024 Setup

Analyst Mister Crypto noted that Solana’s price fractal mirrors Bitcoin’s 2024 pattern. The comparison shows a nearly identical structure with a liquidity grab, double top rejection, and sharp recovery. The recent sweep below $120 appears to be a classic shakeout move rather than a genuine breakdown.

This type of liquidity trap often marks the end of accumulation phases, especially when followed by strong reclaims. If this fractal continues to hold, Solana could target the $200 to $280 zone in the coming weeks.

Solana is now retesting the top of its recently broken descending channel. The previous resistance line is flipping into potential support around $145. This area coincides with the mid-range of its previous consolidation band.

The pullback doesn’t appear impulsive, suggesting it could be a healthy retest rather than the start of a deeper correction. If SOL maintains strength above the $142 to $145 zone, the next upside target is $190.

Solana’s recovery has been supported by strong on-chain metrics. The cryptocurrency’s drawdown from all-time highs has narrowed to around -44% from a peak of nearly 95%. This shows steady progress out of the previous bear market phase.

On-chain data reveals that Solana has surpassed other chains in tokenized asset spot volume. Solana DApps generated $562 million in revenue during Q2 2025, more than Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base combined. This marks five consecutive quarters of outperformance.

The $160 to $175 area remains the most critical resistance range for Solana. Both the cup-and-handle and inverse head-and-shoulders patterns converge around this zone. A break above $175 with strong momentum could open the path for a rally to $260 or $300.

Failure to close above $175 may lead to renewed selling pressure. A breakdown from the $148 support area could send SOL back toward $141.84 or the $125.99 low. The short-term direction will be defined by price action in this consolidation zone.

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Bitcoin Jesus Returns? $8.6 Billion Whale Transfer Sparks Identity Mystery https://coincentral.com/bitcoin-jesus-returns-8-6-billion-whale-transfer-sparks-identity-mystery/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:35:25 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53542 TLDR A dormant Bitcoin whale moved 80,000 BTC worth $8.6 billion after 14 years of inactivity on July 5, 2025 Arkham Intelligence says this appears to be a wallet upgrade from legacy addresses to newer SegWit format, not a sell-off The coins were originally mined in 2011 and obtained through Coinbase mining rewards Speculation points [...]

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TLDR
  • A dormant Bitcoin whale moved 80,000 BTC worth $8.6 billion after 14 years of inactivity on July 5, 2025
  • Arkham Intelligence says this appears to be a wallet upgrade from legacy addresses to newer SegWit format, not a sell-off
  • The coins were originally mined in 2011 and obtained through Coinbase mining rewards
  • Speculation points to Roger Ver (“Bitcoin Jesus”) or early miner ArtForz as potential owners
  • Bitcoin price dipped to around $107,000 but remains above $100,000 showing market resilience

A long-dormant Bitcoin whale has made headlines after transferring 80,000 BTC worth approximately $8.6 billion on July 5, 2025. The massive movement marks the first activity from these wallets in over 14 years.

Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham Intelligence tracked the transfers, which occurred in eight separate batches of 10,000 BTC each. The transactions were completed within hours and involved coins that had remained untouched since they were first deposited in April and May 2011.

The timing of the transfer initially raised concerns about a potential market sell-off. However, Arkham quickly clarified that there are no indications the whale intends to sell the Bitcoin.

The firm believes the transfers were likely related to a wallet upgrade. The Bitcoin was moved from legacy “1-” addresses to newer “bc1q-” Native SegWit addresses, which offer improved security and lower transaction fees.

All 80,000 coins were originally obtained through Coinbase mining rewards in 2011. This means they were earned by mining new blocks during Bitcoin’s early years when the cryptocurrency was worth less than $1.

Market Impact and Price Movement

Bitcoin’s price showed some volatility following the whale activity. The cryptocurrency had been trading in bullish territory above $108,000 before the transfers were detected.

After news of the movement spread, Bitcoin dipped to around $107,000. However, the price has remained above the psychologically important $100,000 level.

Source: CoinGecko

Technical indicators like the RSI and MACD remain above neutral levels. This suggests that bullish momentum still outweighs bearish pressure despite the temporary pullback.

On-chain data reveals increased activity from long-term holders who have held Bitcoin for over a year. Many of these early adopters appear to be taking profits after Bitcoin crossed $100,000 in 2025.

The resilience of Bitcoin’s price above $100,000 despite the whale activity indicates strong institutional demand. This suggests the market is in a healthy phase of wealth redistribution from early adopters to new institutional players.

Identity Speculation

The crypto community has been actively speculating about the whale’s identity. Two main theories have emerged about who might control these massive Bitcoin holdings.

The first theory centers on Roger Ver, known as “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early advocacy of the cryptocurrency. Ver became one of Bitcoin’s most prominent evangelists after entering the space in early 2011.

The timing aligns with Ver’s involvement in Bitcoin, as the coins remained untouched since May 2011. Ver was recently released on bail from a Spanish prison in early June, just weeks before the wallet activity was detected.

Another theory points to ArtForz, an early Bitcoin miner who commanded up to 25% of Bitcoin’s total hashrate in 2010. ArtForz reportedly mined over 400,000 BTC using GPU technology during Bitcoin’s early days.

The fact that these 80,000 coins originated from GPU mining rewards supports the ArtForz theory. Early miners like ArtForz accumulated large amounts of Bitcoin when it was still possible to mine profitably with graphics cards.

Blockchain research firm 10x Research noted that while there’s no direct evidence the funds are being prepared for sale, early Bitcoin holders have been gradually distributing their holdings. This distribution often coincides with growing demand from Bitcoin ETFs and corporate treasuries.

Coinbase’s head of product, Conor Grogan, raised a more concerning possibility. He suggested there’s a slight chance the transfers could be the result of a hack, which would make it the largest robbery in human history if true.

The transfers have attracted attention from other crypto industry figures. Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao joked about getting into crypto “too late” after seeing the 2011 whales casually moving Bitcoin they obtained for $0.1.

The whale’s Bitcoin is now stored in eight new wallets and hasn’t been moved since the initial transfers on July 5.

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Metaplanet’s Bitcoin Buying Spree Continues with $238M Purchase https://coincentral.com/metaplanets-bitcoin-buying-spree-continues-with-238m-purchase/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:28:25 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53539 TLDR Metaplanet acquired 2,205 additional Bitcoin, bringing total holdings to 15,555 BTC worth approximately $1.54 billion The purchase was made at an average price of $108,237 per Bitcoin, totaling $238.7 million Company reported a BTC Yield of 95.6% for Q2 2025, following 309.8% in the previous quarter Metaplanet now ranks as the 5th largest corporate [...]

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TLDR
  • Metaplanet acquired 2,205 additional Bitcoin, bringing total holdings to 15,555 BTC worth approximately $1.54 billion
  • The purchase was made at an average price of $108,237 per Bitcoin, totaling $238.7 million
  • Company reported a BTC Yield of 95.6% for Q2 2025, following 309.8% in the previous quarter
  • Metaplanet now ranks as the 5th largest corporate Bitcoin holder, surpassing Galaxy Digital and CleanSpark
  • Stock price rebounded 0.45% to 1,552 yen on Monday, with shares up 346% year-to-date

Japan-based Metaplanet has acquired an additional 2,205 Bitcoin as part of its ongoing Bitcoin Treasury strategy. The purchase brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 15,555 BTC, valued at approximately $1.54 billion at current prices.

The latest acquisition was completed at an average price of $108,237 per Bitcoin. This represents a total investment of $238.7 million for the quarter’s purchase. The company’s aggregate Bitcoin investment now stands at $1.54 billion, with a blended average purchase price of $99,307 per BTC.

Metaplanet uses a custom metric called BTC Yield to measure shareholder value relative to share dilution. For the quarter ending June 30, the company reported a BTC Yield of 95.6%. This follows a 309.8% yield in the previous quarter.

The BTC Yield metric reflects the percentage change in Bitcoin holdings per fully diluted share. It isolates the effect of treasury actions on shareholder value. The company also tracks BTC Gain and BTC Yen Gain to provide investors with clearer performance metrics.

CEO Simon Gerovich confirmed the company’s commitment to continued Bitcoin accumulation. He stated that Metaplanet would never stop stacking Bitcoin as part of its high-yield acquisition strategy. The CEO celebrated the recent purchase as part of efforts to generate value for shareholders.

The latest purchase pushes Metaplanet’s ranking among corporate Bitcoin holders. The company now holds the 5th position, surpassing Galaxy Digital and CleanSpark. Metaplanet is approaching Riot Platform’s Bitcoin holdings and aims to reach the 4th position.

Corporate Bitcoin Strategy Expansion

Metaplanet recently revised its Bitcoin acquisition targets under the Accelerated 2025-2027 Bitcoin Plan. The company aims to hold 30,000 BTC by the end of 2025. By 2026, the target increases to 100,000 BTC, with a final goal of 210,000 BTC by 2027.

The company approved the 19th Series of ordinary bonds to EVO FUND to support these acquisitions. Metaplanet decided to proceed with the buyback and cancellation of the 3rd series of bond offerings. The remaining funds from these financial operations will be used to purchase more Bitcoin.

Stock Performance and Shareholder Growth

Metaplanet’s stock price has shown strong performance despite recent volatility. The stock closed 0.45% higher at 1,552 yen on Monday. Trading ranged between 1,480 and 1,604 yen during the session.

Source: Google Finance

The company’s shareholder base has expanded rapidly. CEO Gerovich reported that shareholders doubled to 128,073 in just three months. This growth reflects increased investor confidence in the company’s Bitcoin strategy.

Monthly performance shows the stock has rallied nearly 16% over the past month. Year-to-date performance stands at 346%, making it one of the top-performing stocks in the Japanese market.

The stock initially faltered after the company announced plans to raise $5.4 billion for Bitcoin purchases. However, recent shareholder inflows have supported a price rebound. The company’s Bitcoin-focused strategy continues to attract investor interest.

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Dogecoin (DOGE) Price: Surges 5% Following Elon Musk’s America Party Launch https://coincentral.com/dogecoin-doge-price-surges-5-following-elon-musks-america-party-launch/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:21:41 +0000 https://coincentral.com/?p=53532 TLDR Dogecoin surged 5% to $0.171 following Elon Musk’s America Party announcement Trading volume exceeded 1.1 billion with whale wallets accumulating DOGE Price broke multi-month downtrend and established support at $0.166 Analysts target $0.20333, $0.22899, and $0.25383 for potential upside DOGE retesting key descending trendline with historical patterns suggesting major breakout potential Dogecoin price jumped [...]

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TLDR
  • Dogecoin surged 5% to $0.171 following Elon Musk’s America Party announcement
  • Trading volume exceeded 1.1 billion with whale wallets accumulating DOGE
  • Price broke multi-month downtrend and established support at $0.166
  • Analysts target $0.20333, $0.22899, and $0.25383 for potential upside
  • DOGE retesting key descending trendline with historical patterns suggesting major breakout potential

Dogecoin price jumped more than 5% in the last 24 hours, climbing from $0.163 to $0.171. The rally came after Elon Musk announced the launch of his America Party over the weekend.

Source: CoinGecko

The breakout was supported by over 1.1 billion in trading volume. Strong support formed at $0.166 during the move higher.

Whale wallets accumulated DOGE aggressively during the price surge. Smaller holders exited their positions, creating a shift in ownership patterns.

Musk’s America Party announcement included pro-Bitcoin language and criticism of Donald Trump’s financial policies. While no formal mention of Dogecoin was made, speculation grew about DOGE’s potential role in the new political movement.

The Tesla CEO has previously integrated Dogecoin into Tesla and X products. This history has fueled expectations that the token may serve a purpose in his political vision.

Technical Breakout Confirms Bullish Structure

DOGE broke through a multi-month bear trend and held above the $0.16 level. This price point had acted as resistance throughout the second quarter.

Market analyst Ledger Bull identified three upside targets at $0.20333, $0.22899, and $0.25383. These levels represent potential reaction zones if bullish momentum continues.

Source: Ledger Bull, X

The move above $0.16 followed weeks of constrained progress due to a prolonged downtrend. Initial volume supported the breakout, followed by a consolidation phase.

A firm close above $0.20333 would validate the shift in market structure. This would open the door for DOGE to test higher targets mapped by analysts.

Retest of Key Trendline Shows Strength

Trader Tardigrade noted that Dogecoin was retesting a long-term descending trendline on the 4-hour chart. This line formed from lower highs between late May and mid-June.

Source: Tardigrade, X

The trendline had previously acted as a ceiling for every rally attempt. DOGE pulled back to this line after breaking through it this week.

The retest occurred around $0.158 to $0.162. A firm bounce from this level would show bulls defending the new support area.

A higher low combined with increased volume on the resulting upward move would confirm the trend reversal. This setup could lead DOGE back toward $0.20.

Analyst GalaxyBTC identified a longer-term repeating pattern similar to 2015-2017. During that period, DOGE followed a three-wave accumulation pattern before a major uptrend.

The current weekly timeframe shows a similar sequence supported by a rising trendline. The third wave appears to be completing, matching the historical setup.

Recent analysis showed DOGE reinforcing its base with strong trendline and horizontal support at $0.159. The second weekly touch of the long-term ascending trendline aligns with historical bullish reversals.

Analysts expect a push toward $0.25 and potentially $1 if momentum continues. Rising trading volume supports this outlook.

The price action comes as President Trump’s July 9 tariff deadline approaches. This has contributed to volatility across crypto and equity markets.

On-chain data from IntoTheBlock shows whale wallets holding 1M-100M DOGE increased their positions. Retail positions declined during the same period.

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