Blockchain Archives

Ethereum Holds Steady at $1,801 Amid Renewed Institutional Interest

Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $1,801, reflecting a modest decline of 0.93% over the past 24 hours. Despite this slight dip, the cryptocurrency maintains a strong position, bolstered by significant institutional investments and ETF inflows.

Institutional Investments and ETF Inflows Support Ethereum’s Stability

Recent reports indicate that major financial institutions, including BlackRock and Fidelity, have made substantial investments in ETH. BlackRock’s purchase of $54 million and Fidelity’s acquisition of $35.9 million worth of ETH underscore a growing institutional confidence in the asset.

Additionally, ETH ETFs have experienced significant inflows, with nearly 57,900 ETH valued at approximately $104.1 million being purchased without any outflows. These developments suggest a positive outlook for ETH’s long-term value.

Technical analysis reveals that Ethereum is currently testing key resistance levels around $1,800. The cryptocurrency’s ability to maintain its position above this threshold, despite recent market fluctuations, indicates a resilient support base.

As the broader cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, Ethereum’s stability and the renewed interest from institutional investors may play a crucial role in its future performance.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: New York Man Jailed for $12M Crypto Scam, Faces 18 Years Behind Bars

New York Man Jailed for $12M Crypto Scam, Faces 18 Years Behind Bars

Crypto Scam: Eugene William Austin Jr., better known as “Hugh Austin,” has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for orchestrating a multi-million dollar crypto fraud scheme that scammed more than two dozen victims out of $12 million.

New York Man Misled Investors with Fake Deals leading a Crypto Scam

The Justice Department also confirmed that his son, Brandon Austin, received a four-year prison sentence earlier in connection to the same crypto scam.

According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, Austin deceived entrepreneurs and investors with fake promises of profitable cryptocurrency investments, short-term trading deals, and bogus brokerage services. He also falsely claimed access to funding from wealthy investors that never existed.

Instead of investing the victims’ money, Austin used the funds for personal indulgences, including luxury hotels, flights, restaurants, and other high-end expenses.

A federal jury convicted Austin in September 2024 on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and transporting stolen property across state lines. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.

Austin, 62, of Port Jefferson, New York, will also serve three years of supervised release, forfeit over $6 million in assets, and pay $12.6 million in restitution to the victims.

“This Office will continue to pursue those who exploit trust and use cryptocurrency as a cover for fraud,” said Clayton, praising the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olga Zverovich, Matthew Weinberg, and Andrew Chan.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Bitcoin Rally Continues With Price Surging Past $95K

Bitcoin Rally Continues With Price Surging Past $95K

Bitcoin (BTC) has surged to $95,045, marking a 1.88% increase in the past 24 hours. The world’s top cryptocurrency continues its rally after bouncing back from an early April low of around $76,000, showing renewed strength across the digital asset market.

Bitcoin Nears $95K as Bullish Momentum Pushes Crypto Market Higher

This upward trend is being driven by a mix of macroeconomic factors and strong investor confidence. Growing speculation around potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, combined with institutional adoption and a general bullish sentiment in crypto, has brought fresh energy to the market.

Investment firm ARK Invest recently reaffirmed its bullish stance on Bitcoin, predicting the asset could reach anywhere between $300,000 to $1.5 million by the end of the decade. This long-term optimism is encouraging many retail and institutional players to hold onto their positions or add more BTC to their portfolios.

On the technical side, Bitcoin has broken out of a four-month-long falling wedge pattern and has closed above its 200-day moving average. Analysts also point out that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is holding above 50, indicating sustained bullish momentum.

But not everything is clear skies. Analysts are eyeing the key psychological resistance of $100,000. A clean breakout above that level could open the path to $107,000, while any pullback might find support around $85,000 or even $76,000.

For now, Bitcoin’s strong performance is bringing positive energy to the broader crypto market, with other digital assets like Ethereum and Solana also posting notable gains. As BTC edges closer to $100K, the crypto world is watching closely to see if it can break through and set new all-time highs in 2025.

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Pump and Dump Scam :UK Drug Gang Launches Memecoin to Launder Cash in

A UK-based drug gang has reportedly taken a bold new approach to laundering their illegal earnings—by creating a memecoin and using it for a classic pump and dump scheme.

British Drug Gang Launches Memecoin to Launder Money in Pump and Dump Scheme

According to an investigation reported by the Daily Mail, private investigator Gary Carroll, a drug crime specialist with a law enforcement background, uncovered the operation. The gang allegedly used proceeds from their drug business to hire developers and launch a fake cryptocurrency inspired by the notorious OneCoin scam.

Carroll stated that the coin’s value or technology wasn’t the point. The real plan was to drive hype online, lure unsuspecting buyers, and cash out fast. The gang paid to develop the token and then used the remaining funds to buy into it, planning to sell their holdings once the price rose due to social media buzz.

“They’re not interested in the tech. It’s about creating hype, getting people to buy in, and then dumping their supply for clean-looking money,” Carroll explained.

The operation was designed to make the drug money appear legitimate. If the coin price spiked—even briefly—the gang could dump their tokens and walk away with “clean” profits, leaving regular investors holding worthless coins.

This method, known as a pump and dump, is not new in financial scams, but Carroll emphasized that creating a brand-new memecoin for laundering purposes is a bold evolution in criminal tactics.

Historically, criminals have used major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for money laundering. However, due to stricter regulations and increased scrutiny, this route has become more difficult. In fact, in 2024, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) cracked down on several international crypto laundering networks, including Moscow-based operations Smart and TGR.

This case highlights a growing trend where organized crime intersects with emerging technologies, pushing law enforcement to keep pace with increasingly creative financial crimes. This method of pump and dump has been done several times by influencers as well as celebrities and now criminals have also started using such method which is a sign for potential danger.

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Amazing :Spain to Launch Its First Bitcoin Master’s Program from April 28, 2025

Spain is making history in the crypto education space. Starting April 28, 2025, the University of the Hespérides will offer the country’s first master’s degree focused exclusively on Bitcoin.

Spain Launches First Bitcoin Master’s Degree This April

The 10-month program is tailored for a wide audience — from investors and engineers to lawyers and entrepreneurs — and will be conducted entirely in Spanish. It carries 60 ECTS credits and aims to deliver a complete, in-depth understanding of Bitcoin from fundamentals to advanced concepts.

What sets this program apart is its strong practical component. Students will go beyond theory with hands-on workshops in self-custody, node operations, proof-of-work (PoW) mining, privacy techniques, and tax strategy planning. To support this, participants will receive a Blockstream Jade hardware wallet and a book authored by the program’s director, Álvaro D. María.

The teaching team features some of the most respected names in the space. Economist Juan Ramón Rallo and Álvaro D. María, author of The Philosophy of Bitcoin, will lead the academic portion. Industry professionals from Bitcoin-native firms like Jan3 and BTC Inc. are also involved, bringing real-world insights directly into the virtual classroom.

Beyond education, the program offers networking and career-building opportunities. It’s partnered with Bitcoin-focused companies to help graduates transition smoothly into industry roles.

While the standard program spans 10 months, a condensed 6-month postgraduate version will also be available. Admissions are selective and include application reviews and interviews. Though tuition fees are yet to be revealed, the university plans to offer flexible financing options.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Breaking ! Peaky Blinders Enters Web3 With Blockchain-Powered Game

Breaking ! Peaky Blinders Enters Web3 With Blockchain-Powered Game

Peaky Blinders Gets Blockchain Game Makeover

The gritty world of Peaky Blinders is heading to the blockchain. With over 80 million global fans, the iconic British crime drama is being transformed into a AAA Web3 video game — giving players a chance to step into 1920s Birmingham like never before.

The game is being developed by Anonymous Labs, the creators of Web3 projects like the Simon’s Cat token, in collaboration with Banijay Rights, the show’s global distributor.

What to Expect: Players will get to create their own Shelby family, take part in immersive missions, and navigate a virtual open world based on the hit series. It’s being built as a premium title — boasting high-quality visuals, dynamic gameplay, and blockchain-based collectibles.

Web3 Meets TV Fandom: This isn’t just another tie-in. Blockchain tech will power in-game ownership, allowing players to collect, trade, and potentially earn from digital items tied to their in-game journey. It aims to draw in both crypto-native users and traditional TV fans.

Wojciech Gruszka, who is leading development, called it “one of the biggest TV brands to enter the Web3 world,” adding that it’s not just about entertainment — it’s also about building loyalty and new income opportunities for fans.

What’s Next? No launch date or tokenomics details have been revealed yet, but the announcement hints at a major push toward merging storytelling, gaming, and blockchain innovation.

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XRP & Pi Network Surge as Bitcoin Approaches Awesome $95K

As BTC edges closer to the $95,000 mark, altcoins like XRP and Pi Network (PI) are experiencing significant price surges. XRP has seen a notable increase, with its price jumping by 12% on New Year’s Day, leading the altcoin rally . Similarly, Pi Network’s PI token has surged by 66%, reaching $83.28, ahead of its anticipated mainnet launch on February 20, 2025 .

XRP & Pi Network Prices Rally as Bitcoin Nears $95K

The bullish momentum in these altcoins is largely attributed to Bitcoin’s strong performance and the overall positive sentiment in the crypto market. Analysts suggest that if Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, reaching milestones like $200K, XRP could potentially hit $12, marking a new all-time high .

Pi Network’s upcoming transition to its Open Network phase is also fueling investor enthusiasm. The move will allow Pi tokens to become publicly accessible and tradable on crypto exchanges, a significant step for the project .

Overall, the crypto market is witnessing a wave of optimism, with major tokens showing strong performances and investors keeping a close eye on Bitcoin’s next moves.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Breaking ! Binance & Brazilian Cops Team Up to Recover $88M from Crypto-Phone Gang

Breaking ! Binance & Brazilian Cops Team Up to Recover $88M from Crypto-Phone Gang

Binance just helped local police in São Paulo pull off a major win. In a slick takedown called Operation Sleipnir, cops went after a gang stealing smartphones and draining people’s bank and crypto accounts.

Binance Helps Bust Phone Thieves in Brazil Using Blockchain Sleuthing

How’d they crack it? Binance stepped in with next-level blockchain tools to trace the stolen funds, helping police track down the gang and recover assets worth 260,000 Brazilian reals — including crypto, cash, stolen phones, and even jewelry.

Brazilian prosecutor Lister Caldas Braga Filho gave it a big shoutout, calling their help “key” in this new wave of tech-driven crime fighting. And it’s Renato Bastos said it’s a big win for both crypto security and public-private teamwork.

This isn’t a one-off. In 2024 alone, Binance has responded to 65,000+ law enforcement requests, trained 1,300+ investigators, and helped recover $88 million in stolen assets across 80 countries.

In Brazil specifically, It is training police and prosecutors in cybercrime defense, proving it’s not just about trading coins — it’s about cleaning up the space.

Guilherme Nazar, Binance VP for Latin America, said the company is all in on making crypto safe and trustworthy for the long haul.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Scam ! Bro Ramil Palafox Busted for $198M Scam & Lavish Flexing

Scam ! Bro Ramil Palafox Busted for $198M Scam & Lavish Flexing

SEC Drops Hammer on Palafox in $198M Crypto Scam

New SEC boss, Paul Atkins, wasted no time. First day in office, and boom — Ramil Palafox, founder of PGI Global, got hit with major fraud charges. He’s accused of running a massive $198M crypto scam and blowing $57M of investor cash on flashy cars, watches, and pure luxury.

From 2020 to 2021, Palafox promised huge crypto and forex returns using fake trading tech. But according to the SEC, there was no trading — just lies and referral bonuses to pull in new victims. Basically, a Ponzi scheme with Lambos on top.

PGI Global crumbled by the end of 2021. Now, the SEC’s asking for bans, paybacks, and fines. Also involved? BBMR Threshold LLC execs and even family members like Marissa Palafox and Linda Ventura — all pulled into the legal mess.

Scott Thompson from the SEC said Palafox used “guaranteed profits” to lure victims, then just spent the money. Laura D’Allaird, head of the SEC’s Cyber Unit, called out his fake AI trading platform and “crypto expertise” as total fraud.

This case is another warning: watch out for crypto scam bros selling dreams. Sometimes it’s just smoke, mirrors, and maxed-out black cards.

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Breaking ! MANTRA CEO Set to Burn $82M in OM Tokens After Mega Crash

Real ones stand up when stuff hits the fan.
John Patrick Mullin, founder of MANTRA, is doing just that — burning 150 million OM tokens (worth ~$82M) after the token crashed over 90% in a few hours, nuking $5B in market cap on April 13.

MANTRA Boss to Burn $82M in OM After $5B Meltdown

The burn on Mantra, happening April 29 after unstaking, is his way of saying: “We’re still building. We still care.” Mullin posted the announcement on X and said this move shows his “unwavering focus” on restoring faith in the ecosystem.

Token burns = supply goes down = maybe price goes up? That’s the hope.
And it doesn’t stop there — MANTRA’s talking with partners about doubling the burn to 300M OM, which would be 16.5% of the total supply.

He also made it very clear:

“There were no OM sales by the team during the crash.”
So yeah, they’re trying to clear the air.

A poll he posted on X got 81% YES from 8K+ votes to go full burn mode 🔥

Despite the big gesture, OM’s price only popped for a sec and is still down 4% today. But hey, sometimes it’s the comeback story that hits hardest.

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