Legacy Aztec Network contracts were drained of over $4M in three days.Attacks exploited flaws in zero-knowledge proof verification logic.The core Aztec network and AZTEC token were not affected by the exploits.Aztec’s legacy infrastructure has come under a coordinated wave of attacks, leading to losses that crossed $4 million within just three days.The exploits targeted deprecated smart contracts that had already been shut down years earlier but still held on-chain liquidity.Despite being labelled as inactive and immutable, the contracts remained accessible to attackers who exploited weaknesses in zero-knowledge proof verification logic.While the attacks did not affect the current Aztec network or its AZTEC token, they exposed long-standing risks tied to retired DeFi systems that continue to exist on Ethereum without active maintenance or upgrade paths.First breach: Aztec Connect drained of $2.1 millionThe first incident occurred on June 14, when attackers exploited the Aztec Connect protocol, a deprecated privacy-focused bridge that had been officially shut down after its retirement phase.The contract was already considered inactive, yet it still contained residual funds.The attacker managed to drain approximately $2.1 million in digital assets, including around 909 ETH, 270,000 DAI, and 167 wstETH, alongside other smaller holdings.The exploit was linked to flaws in the way rollup proof verification was handled, allowing invalid or manipulated proofs to be accepted as legitimate.What made the situation more critical was the nature of the contract itself.Aztec Connect was described as immutable, meaning it could not be paused or patched once deployed.Even though users had previously been encouraged to withdraw funds before shutdown, the remaining balance became an easy target for exploitation years later.Security teams reviewing the incident pointed to a breakdown in the relationship between zero-knowledge proof validation and on-chain settlement logic.In simple terms, the system accepted proofs that did not correctly match the underlying transaction state, allowing the attacker to trigger unauthorised withdrawals.Second attack: Private Rollup Bridge exploited for $2.15 millionJust three days later, a second exploit hit another legacy system known as the Private Rollup Bridge.This contract was also part of Aztec’s older infrastructure and had been deprecated following the transition away from earlier rollup designs.In this case, attackers drained roughly 1,158 ETH, valued at close to $2.15 million at the time of the incident.The method used was different in execution but similar in technical root cause.Instead of directly manipulating withdrawals through basic proof mismatch, the attacker leveraged a vulnerable “escape hatch” mechanism embedded in the bridge design.By submitting a specially crafted zero-knowledge proof, the attacker was able to trigger the contract’s exit logic.The system incorrectly validated the proof and released funds without proper verification of the underlying state transitions.This allowed the attacker to extract liquidity in a single coordinated sequence.Like the earlier exploit, this breach did not involve private key compromise or reentrancy vulnerabilities.Instead, it highlighted deeper issues in how proof validation was structured in legacy rollup systems, particularly when contracts remain permanently active on-chain after being officially sunset.Response from Aztec and security firmsFollowing both incidents, Aztec Labs and the Aztec Foundation confirmed that the affected systems were deprecated products with no connection to the current Aztec network or AZTEC token ecosystem.The Aztec Foundation was made aware of a potential exploit targeting a deprecated product which occurred on June 17, 2026. There are no links between this product and any smart contracts related to the current network or the AZTEC ERC20 token.The product was deprecated 4 years… https://t.co/kANaIuw8HF— Aztec Foundation (@aztecFND) June 18, 2026They emphasised that neither…

Key takeawaysBitcoin remains vulnerable as hawkish Federal Reserve guidance, rising Treasury yields, and inconsistent ETF demand continue to dampen investor sentiment.With BTC trading below key moving averages and lacking strong buying momentum, the near-term bias remains bearish. Bitcoin (BTC) remained under pressure on Thursday, trading below the $64,000 level as investors reacted to a hawkish message from the U.S. Federal Reserve and mixed institutional demand signals.The leading cryptocurrency continues to struggle for momentum, with risk appetite fading across financial markets after the Fed signaled a tougher policy outlook despite leaving interest rates unchanged.Federal Reserve maintains rates but adopts hawkish toneThe U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75% during its latest policy meeting, the first chaired by Kevin Warsh.While the decision itself was widely expected, markets were focused on the Fed’s forward guidance and updated economic projections.The central bank removed language suggesting a bias toward further monetary easing and instead signaled support for maintaining higher rates for longer. Policymakers now project the federal funds rate to end the year at 3.8%, up from the 3.4% forecast issued in March.The revised outlook prompted traders to increase expectations for tighter monetary policy, with markets now pricing in nearly an 85% probability of a rate hike in December.As a result, U.S. Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar moved higher, reducing demand for risk-sensitive assets such as cryptocurrencies.Institutional demand for Bitcoin remains mixed, offering little support for a sustained recovery.According to CoinGlass data, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a net outflow of $82.20 million on Wednesday, following:The inconsistent flow pattern, coupled with a slight bearish bias, suggests institutional investors remain cautious amid macroeconomic uncertainty.Should ETF outflows continue or accelerate in the coming sessions, Bitcoin could face additional downside pressure.Bitcoin price outlook: Relief bounce shows signs of weaknessRecent price action indicates that Bitcoin’s rebound from oversold conditions may have been driven more by seller exhaustion than by renewed buying demand.Bitcoin continues to trade within a bearish short-term structure and remains below several key moving averages.BTC is currently trading below the 50-day EMA at $70,042, the 100-day EMA at $72,839, and the 200-day EMA at $78,174.The failure to reclaim these levels reinforces the broader downtrend and highlights persistent overhead selling pressure.Additionally, the previously broken uptrend support near $73,833 has now turned into a major resistance zone.Technical indicators continue to favor caution. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart remains below 50, indicating ongoing bearish momentum without yet reaching deeply oversold conditions.The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains slightly positive, suggesting that recent rebounds may be corrective moves within a broader bearish trend rather than the beginning of a sustained recovery.BTC/USD 4H ChartIf Bitcoin attempts a rebound, traders will likely focus on several major resistance zones. The first major resistance at $64,004 could pave the way for higher hurdles at $70,042 – 50-day EMAA move above these levels would be required to significantly improve the technical outlook.The post Bitcoin price stays below $64k as hawkish Fed and ETF outflows weigh on sentiment appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysWhile momentum indicators suggest downside pressure is easing, ETH remains trapped below multiple key moving averages. Until buyers reclaim resistance levels above $1,800, the broader technical outlook remains cautious, with support around $1,741 likely to play a crucial role in determining the next major move.ETH Open Interest falls to a multi-week lowEthereum (ETH) derivatives markets remain subdued following weeks of price weakness, reflecting a cautious stance among leveraged traders.After ETH fell below the $1,800 level, futures open interest dropped sharply, reaching 13.64 million ETH on Sunday, its lowest level since early May. Open interest saw a modest recovery on Monday after Ethereum rebounded above $1,700, but overall participation remains significantly lower than recent highs.Open interest represents the total value of outstanding futures contracts. Since May 28, Ethereum futures markets have witnessed a decline of roughly 2 million ETH in open interest, highlighting a strong reduction in leveraged exposure and growing risk-off sentiment.Funding rate data paints a similar picture of caution. Over the past two weeks, Ethereum funding rates have fluctuated between positive and negative territory, signaling a lack of clear conviction from either bulls or bears.Funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between long and short traders in perpetual futures markets. Positive rates indicate bullish positioning, while negative rates suggest stronger bearish sentiment.The market’s tone shifted notably after the June 5 correction, which pushed funding rates into negative territory following nearly a month of positive readings.Although ETH has recovered modestly since then, bullish traders have struggled to regain control.Spot-market indicators offer little evidence of aggressive accumulation. Ethereum exchange reserves have declined modestly over the past two days, reversing part of the increase recorded last week. While falling exchange balances can sometimes indicate accumulation, the move remains too small to signal strong demand.Ethereum price analysis: ETH trapped below key resistanceEthereum continues to trade within a bearish short-term structure despite recent stabilization.On the 4-hour chart, ETH remains below its 20-day EMA near $1,794, the 50-day EMA around $1,955, and the 100-day EMA near $2,108The clustering of these moving averages above current price levels indicates that upside attempts continue to face significant resistance.Although the broader trend remains bearish, some technical indicators suggest downside momentum may be easing.The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has climbed toward the mid-50s, indicating selling pressure is weakening but not yet signaling a bullish reversal.For Ethereum to build a stronger recovery, bulls must reclaim several important resistance zones.Immediate resistance at $1,794 could pave the way for an extended rally towards the $1,806 and $1,909 psychological levels.A sustained move above these levels would significantly improve Ethereum’s outlook.ETH/USD 4H ChartOn the downside, Ethereum faces several important support areas. If the bearish trend persists, immediate support is seen at the $1,524 level, with another demand zone at $1,405. If selling pressure intensifies and these levels fail to hold, ETH could decline toward the next significant support area near $1,156.The post Ethereum derivatives activity weakens as traders await a fresh catalyst appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Solana price sits at around $71 with strong resistance at $75.95.Indicators and EMAs show a bearish market trend.Weekly gains contrast with weak momentum and extreme fear sentiment.Solana price continues to trade in a tight range around the low $70s, with the asset struggling to reclaim the $72 level.At the time of writing, SOL was trading near $71.26, after a mild 24-hour decline of about 0.7%.Despite a stronger weekly rebound of roughly 10%, the broader market pattern still shows clear resistance overhead and weakening momentum across multiple technical indicators.Over the past 24 hours, the Solana price has remained trapped between $70.69 and $74.24, without a decisive trend forming.Technical structure still favours sellersLooking at the charts, Solana (SOL) remains under pressure from a layered resistance structure formed by major moving averages.Recent price movements show that SOL has only managed to reclaim the 10-day exponential moving average (EMA), while the 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs are all positioned above the current price level.Solana price analysisThis configuration confirms that the broader trend remains bearish, as rallies continue to encounter resistance before reaching higher momentum zones.The most immediate technical barrier is located at $75.95, a level that must be cleared to signal a potential shift in trend direction.If this level is broken, projections place the next resistance at $83.32.On the downside, structural support is clearly defined at $62.40.A breakdown below $62.40 would expose the Solana price to deeper losses, extending the current corrective phase and potentially triggering accelerated selling pressure.Notably, the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) is positioned at 44.38, reflecting a neutral condition and suggesting indecision in short-term price direction.However, the weekly RSI has dropped to around 33.07, placing it near the oversold territory and signalling that while selling pressure has been persistent over a longer timeframe, we could see some bullish recovery soon.The overall market sentiment remains weakSentiment conditions continue to reflect caution across the broader market.The Fear and Greed Index is positioned near 15, a level typically associated with extreme fear.Such an environment often coincides with defensive positioning, reduced risk appetite, and lower conviction in upward price movements.Derivative market data also supports this cautious outlook, with the funding rates remaining negative in recent sessions, while short positioning has increased relative to long exposure.Solana funding rateIn addition, the long-to-short ratio has remained below equilibrium levels, indicating that traders are still leaning toward downside protection rather than sustained bullish positioning.At the same time, Solana has recorded modest institutional inflows, including small allocations into Solana ETFs totalling just over $1 million.Solana ETF flowsHowever, these inflows remain limited in size and have not been sufficient to offset broader bearish positioning in derivatives markets.The post Solana price forecast: SOL stuck below $72 as bears take control appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysXMR is down 2% and could record further losses in the near termThe Fed’s hawkishness weighs on the broader crypto market.Privacy coins remain under pressure amid weak risk appetiteMonero (XMR) continued its downward trajectory on Friday as bearish sentiment persisted across the cryptocurrency market. XMR slipped for a third consecutive session, remaining below the $330 level. The broader crypto market came under renewed pressure following remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh during his first post-meeting press conference on Wednesday.While the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left interest rates unchanged, in line with market expectations, investors reacted negatively to the central bank’s hawkish tone. Policymakers emphasized their commitment to restoring inflation to the long-term 2% target, prioritizing price stability over near-term monetary easing.Warsh’s comments suggested the Fed remains comfortable maintaining its current policy stance and is not yet considering interest-rate cuts. Market participants have even begun pricing in the possibility of another rate increase, with current expectations implying a 30% probability of a hike at an upcoming policy meeting.Risk appetite weakened further as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 15 on Thursday from 22 a day earlier, keeping the market firmly in the “Extreme Fear” zone. The decline highlights growing investor caution and reduced exposure to risk assets.Monero price outlook: Correction continues below key resistance levelsMonero remains trapped below the Bollinger Bands middle line near $340 and all major Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs). The 50-day EMA sits around $359, while the 100-day and 200-day EMAs cluster near $366, creating a significant resistance zone overhead.Despite the ongoing correction, technical indicators show signs of improving momentum. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains positive, while the Money Flow Index (MFI) near 65 suggests steady capital inflows. However, these signals currently point to corrective rebounds rather than a broader trend reversal as long as XMR remains beneath key resistance levels.Immediate resistance is located around the Bollinger Bands’ middle line at $340, followed by the 50-day EMA near $359. A stronger resistance zone emerges around $367, where the 100-day and 200-day EMAs converge. Beyond that, the upper Bollinger Band near $389 represents the next major hurdle for buyers.On the downside, support is found near the lower Bollinger Band at approximately $291. A breakdown below this level could accelerate losses and trigger a deeper retracement despite the recent improvement in momentum indicators.XMR/USD 4H ChartMonero remains vulnerable to further downside as macroeconomic uncertainty and restrictive monetary policy continue to weigh on investor sentiment. While technical indicators suggest some underlying buying interest, the privacy coins must reclaim key resistance levels before a more sustained recovery can take shape.The post Monero extends losses as Fed hawkishness weighs on the crypto market appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysZEC is still struggling under the $477-$500 zone. Although momentum indicators show signs of stabilization, Zcash remains vulnerable to further downside as investors react to persistent macroeconomic uncertainty and rising rate-hike expectations. Zcash (ZEC) remains under pressure on Thursday as bearish sentiment continued to dominate the cryptocurrency market. ZEC is facing mounting resistance beneath the $500 mark as investors reduce exposure to risk assets.Fed’s policy stance causes a negative market reactionThe broader crypto market weakened following remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh during his first post-meeting press conference on Wednesday.Although the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept interest rates unchanged, in line with expectations, investors reacted negatively to the central bank’s firm commitment to bringing inflation back to its long-term 2% target. The Fed’s emphasis on price stability signaled that policymakers are not yet prepared to pivot toward monetary easing.Warsh’s comments reinforced expectations that higher interest rates could remain in place for longer. Market participants are even assigning a roughly 30% probability to a future rate hike, reviving concerns about tighter financial conditions and reduced liquidity for risk assets.Investor confidence weakened further as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 15 on Thursday from 22 a day earlier, remaining firmly within the “Extreme Fear” zone. The reading highlights growing caution among traders and suggests subdued market participation in the near term.ZEC price forecast: Zcash faces growing downside risksZcash has also remained on the defensive, recording three straight days of losses while trading below its 50-day EMA near $477. The continued inability to reclaim this level has reinforced bearish sentiment and increased the likelihood of further downside.A sustained move lower could encourage additional de-risking among traders, placing the spotlight on key support zones near $434 and $376.While the MACD histogram remains marginally positive, suggesting some recovery attempts may be forming, the Money Flow Index remains in the mid-40s, indicating relatively weak buying momentum compared with Monero.The immediate resistance level remains the 50-day EMA at approximately $477. If buyers manage to regain control, attention could shift toward the upper boundary of the descending channel near $549.ZEC/USD 4H ChartOn the downside, support is located near the 100-day EMA around $434, followed by the 200-day EMA near $376. Should bearish pressure intensify, the lower boundary of the descending channel near $279 could emerge as a critical medium-term support zone.The post Zcash dips 4% as broader crypto market remains bearish appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Cardano (ADA) trades near $0.160 with weak momentum and fading buying pressure.The key support at $0.157 is critical, with $0.13 risk if it breaks.Oversold signals and the Leios testnet could trigger a short rebound soon.Cardano (ADA) continues to trade under pressure, holding near the lower end of its recent range as both spot and derivatives markets reflect cautious sentiment.The token is priced at $0.1607, down 3.2% in the past 24 hours.Over longer timeframes, the token is down 6.1% over the past 7 days, down 35.6% over the past month, and down 73.2% in the past year, reflecting sustained downside pressure across the broader trend structure.Daily trading activity, however, remains active, with $368.8 million in 24-hour volume.Weak derivatives positioning and fading participationIn the derivatives market, the long-to-short ratio stands at 0.96, indicating slightly more short positions than long positions among traders.Futures open interest is around $348 million, continuing a broader decline from mid-May levels.This reduction in open interest signals lower speculative engagement and suggests that traders are reducing exposure rather than building conviction positions in either direction.On-chain indicators also reflect strain in market behaviour.The Network Realised Profit/Loss (NPL) metric has dropped sharply, showing that a large portion of recent holders have been realising losses rather than gains.This type of activity is commonly associated with capitulation phases, where weaker holders exit positions under sustained price pressure.Cardano technical analysisCardano remains below its major long-term moving averages, confirming that the broader trend is still bearish.The altcoin’s price is trading under the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day exponential moving averages (EMAs), which typically reinforces resistance during attempted recoveries.Cardano price chartThe RSI (14) on the daily chart is around 31, suggesting bearish control is still present, though no longer in extreme oversold territory.Cardano price outlook heading into the Leios testnet catalystA key event in the near-term outlook is the expected Leios scaling upgrade testnet around June 23.This upgrade testnet is being closely watched as a potential catalyst for renewed activity within the Cardano ecosystem.The current market structure at this stage remains weak, but conditions are showing early signs of compression.Oversold readings on higher timeframes, combined with reduced selling momentum, suggest that price is approaching a decision point rather than continuing in a steady decline without interruption.If bulls step in around the $0.157 support zone, a short-term rebound toward $0.172 remains the primary recovery scenario.However, failure to hold this level would keep downside projections toward $0.148 and potentially $0.13 in focus, depending on how market liquidity and sentiment evolve.Notably, a bearish flag breakdown has also been noted in recent technical assessments, a formation that typically signals continuation of an existing downtrend after a brief consolidation phase.This adds weight to the downside risk scenario unless buyers regain control above key resistance levels.The post Cardano price analysis: can ADA avoid a drop to $0.13? appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Shiba Inu (SHIB) trades near $0.00000476 with weak short-term momentum.Shiba Inu burn activity has dropped to about $5 worth of SHIB daily.SHIB’s price remains below all major EMAs, maintaining a bearish trend.Shiba Inu is trading at $0.00000476, holding a tight range between $0.000004638 and $0.000004789 over the past 24 hours.The memecoin has remained under pressure in recent sessions, with a -0.4% daily change, extending a broader weakness that has seen it fall 17% over the past 30 days and nearly 59% over the past year.Market activity, however, remains elevated, with 24-hour trading volume at roughly $54.7 million.SHIB price structure tightens as support zone comes under pressureShiba Inu is testing a support region around $0.0000046, while a deeper support level sits at $0.00000430.On the upside, resistance is forming near $0.0000048, with a further barrier at $0.00000491.Notably, SHIB is trading below all major daily exponential moving averages (EMAs), including the 10-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs.This alignment places the broader trend firmly in bearish territory, with no short-term average currently supporting price from below.In addition, out of 23 tracked technical indicators, 13 are bearish, 9 neutral, and only 1 bullish, giving bears roughly 57% control of the signal distribution.The RSI (14) sits around 35.47 on the daily chart, while the weekly reading is near 35.68, both pointing to nearly oversold conditions.While this does not confirm a reversal, it does suggest the market is approaching levels where short-term reactions have historically occurred.A close below $0.00000455 would expose SHIB to lower support levels, while a recovery above $0.0000048 would be required to shift short-term momentum toward $0.00000507.Shiba Inu price chartBurn activity and Shibarium engagement declineShiba Inu token burn activity has weakened significantly.Data from the Shibburn website shows that daily burns have fallen to extremely low levels, with estimates indicating only around 1 million SHIB burned per day, valued at roughly $5.Weekly burn totals remain similarly small, around 15 million SHIB, worth approximately $75.At current levels, the burn activity has minimal effect on SHIB’s total supply dynamics.The scale of the supply reduction is too small to influence price behaviour in the short or medium term, especially during periods of weak demand.Shibarium activity has also shown limited market impact recently.While the Layer-2 network continues to process transactions, there has been no measurable effect on SHIB price stability or upside momentum in recent trading sessions.The lack of strong network-driven demand has left price action largely dependent on broader market sentiment and technical levels.Exchange flows show accumulation, but price response remains weakExchange flow data presents a mixed picture.CryptoQuant has stated that total SHIB exchange reserves have dropped below 80 trillion tokens.Net outflows of approximately 266 billion SHIB in 24 hours have been recorded, suggesting that holders are moving tokens off exchanges, a behaviour often associated with accumulation or longer-term holding.Despite this, the Shiba Inu price has not reacted strongly to the shift in flows.SHIB continues to trade near the lower end of its recent range, indicating that buying pressure has not yet outweighed broader selling activity.This divergence between on-chain accumulation and price response highlights a market that is still waiting for stronger confirmation from demand-side activity.The post Shiba Inu (SHIB) struggles near key support as burn rate and Shibarium activity weaken appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysEthereum (ETH) has rebounded about 4% over the past week, but overall market sentiment remains weak.Hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve have reduced expectations for interest rate cuts and increased pressure on risk assets.Ethereum recovery faces macro headwindsEthereum has posted a modest 4% recovery over the past seven days as the broader cryptocurrency market staged a technical rebound. However, the bounce has done little to improve overall sentiment, which remains under pressure from worsening macroeconomic conditions.Investor confidence took another hit after recent comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh signaled a tougher stance on inflation. His remarks suggested that monetary policy could remain restrictive for longer, fueling concerns that interest rate hikes may still be on the table.The shift has challenged earlier expectations that the Federal Reserve would begin cutting rates this year, creating a less favorable environment for risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.Earlier in the year, many analysts expected one or two rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Those expectations have weakened significantly as inflation continues to run above the central bank’s target.Warsh’s comments reinforced concerns that policymakers remain focused on controlling inflation, even if tighter monetary conditions weigh on financial markets.Historically, higher interest rates reduce liquidity and investor appetite for speculative assets, making cryptocurrencies particularly vulnerable during periods of monetary tightening.Ethereum struggles at key resistance levelEthereum’s recent recovery stalled near the $1,800 level, an area that previously served as support but has now become a significant resistance zone.If selling pressure continues and ETH fails to reclaim $1,800, the next major support level sits near the April 2025 low of $1,400.A move to that level would represent roughly an 18% decline from current prices and further deepen Ethereum’s yearly losses.Among the largest cryptocurrencies, Ethereum has been one of the weakest performers, even lagging behind competitors such as Solana during the current market cycle.The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has improved from oversold conditions but remains weak.Currently hovering around 40, the indicator is approaching levels that could reinforce bearish momentum if selling pressure increases.ETH/USD 4H ChartFrom a broader technical perspective, Ethereum’s weekly chart continues to reflect a fragile market structure.Unless buyers successfully push the price above $1,800, analysts expect the downtrend to remain intact, increasing the likelihood of a retest of lower support zones.The post Ethereum faces renewed downside risk as Fed concerns weigh on market sentiment appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysBitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP are starting the week on a more stable footing after last week’s declines.BTC is trading above $64,000 but remains below major moving averages, keeping the broader trend bearish.Crypto market opens new weekly candle with signs of stabilityBitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are showing resilience at the start of the week after experiencing notable declines during the previous trading period.Bitcoin fell nearly 4% last week, while Ethereum and XRP dropped approximately 2% and 6%, respectively. Despite the weakness, all three assets have stabilized, with Bitcoin trading above $64,000, Ethereum holding the critical $1,700 support level, and XRP consolidating near $1.13.For Bitcoin, traders are closely watching technical indicators for clues about whether the recent recovery can develop into a broader rebound.Bitcoin remains below major resistance levelsBitcoin is currently trading around $64,000, but the broader technical outlook remains cautious. BTC continues to trade below its key moving averages, 50-day EMA: approximately $69,106, 100-day EMA: approximately $72,123, and 200-day EMA: approximately $77,748.The fact that Bitcoin remains below all three indicators suggests that sellers still maintain control of the broader trend.Adding to the bearish outlook, BTC recently broke below a rising trendline that had previously supported the market. That trendline, now acting as resistance near $74,238, reinforces the view that Bitcoin remains in a corrective phase.Although the overall trend remains weak, some technical indicators suggest that downside momentum may be slowing.The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has rebounded from deeply oversold levels and is currently hovering in the high-40 range.This improvement indicates that selling pressure has eased, but the indicator remains around the neutral 50 mark, meaning a clear bullish reversal has not yet been confirmed.The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator remains in positive territory, which is generally supportive for prices.For Bitcoin to regain bullish momentum, buyers must overcome several resistance zones, including $69,106 (50-day EMA), $72,123 (100-day EMA), and $77,748 (200-day EMA).BTC/USD 4HChartA move above these levels would significantly improve the technical outlook and potentially signal the end of the current correction.On the downside, the first major support level remains at $64,005.A decisive break below this area could expose Bitcoin to further losses and extend the existing downtrend.The post Bitcoin holds above key support as momentum indicators hint at stabilization appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Solana (SOL) is stuck between $72 support and $76 resistance.Solana’s price action shows a tight range with possible short-term rejection risk.$90 remains the key breakout level for a stronger bullish move.Solana has moved back above the $74 level after a period of sideways trading, putting the asset close to a key technical zone that traders have been watching for several days.The latest gains come after a gradual recovery from the lower $70 range, where price repeatedly found support before pushing higher.Is this a correction within a larger bearish trend?Recent price action shows Solana compressing inside a well-defined range between $62.08 and $76.00.This range has become the main battleground for buyers and sellers, with repeated reactions near both ends.On the lower side, support has been consistently observed around $69.50 and $62.08, where buying interest has prevented deeper declines.On the upper side, resistance is clustered between $76.00 and $83.00, a zone that has rejected multiple upward attempts in recent sessions.Solana price chartSome short-term technical analysis, however, suggests that the current upward move may still be part of a broader corrective phase within a larger bearish structure.Market analysis highlights the possibility of a short squeeze toward the $76 region, followed by a rejection if bulls fail to maintain momentum above resistance.If price is rejected from this zone, downside pressure could return quickly, with initial support at $69.50, followed by the lower boundary near $62.08.The $76–$90 range is now the key decision areaWhile short-term resistance sits near $76, higher timeframe analysis places a more important threshold at the $90 level.This zone has been highlighted as a structural breakout point that could determine whether Solana transitions into a stronger upward trend or remains in consolidation.A move above $90 could open room toward the $100 to $114 range, which has been identified as the next liquidity zone on higher timeframes.However, failure to break this level would likely keep price action trapped in a broader corrective environment.At the same time, one technical interpretation suggests that the current movement is still part of a countertrend rally within a wider bearish cycle in the crypto market.Under this scenario, upward moves into resistance zones are viewed as temporary expansions designed to capture liquidity before potential reversals.This conflict between breakout potential and bearish continuation has created a split in analyst expectations.The $90 level now acts as the line between the continuation of the recovery and renewed consolidation.Morgan Stanley’s Solana ETF adds a layer of optimismBeyond technical levels, institutional developments are also shaping sentiment around Solana.Morgan Stanley has reportedly advanced filings for proposed spot Solana and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs, with a proposed management fee of 0.14%, which would place them among the lowest-cost crypto ETF proposals currently under consideration.The structure of these proposed products includes staking mechanisms, in which a large portion of staking rewards would be returned to investors after operational costs are covered.Although these ETFs are not yet approved, the filings signal increasing institutional interest in structured Solana exposure through regulated financial instruments.The post Solana price reclaims $74, nearing a major breakout zone appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Hedera (HBAR) price is currently consolidating in a tight range.A falling wedge pattern is forming on the 15-minute chart.A confirmed move above the wedge resistance zone near $0.0815 would signal a rebound.Hedera (HBAR) has been trading in a narrow range, with price action showing repeated compression around key short-term levels.At the time of writing, HBAR was trading at $0.0801, moving within a 24-hour range of $0.07801 to $0.0803.The market has shown minimal directional strength today, with a 24-hour change of +0.1%, reflecting near-flat momentum.While the token has seen a mild gain today, it continues to show weakness across longer timeframes.HBAR is down 2.4% over the past 7 days, 6.7% over the past 30 days, and approximately 39.9% over the past year.This extended decline places current price action in a longer consolidation phase rather than a sustained recovery trend.Tight consolidation dominates short-term structureLooking at the charts, the lower boundary around $0.0780 has acted as consistent support, while upside movement has been capped near $0.0803–$0.0810.This compressed structure has resulted in a tightly controlled trading environment where volatility is declining.Each minor rebound has been followed by rejection at nearby resistance, while dips continue to attract buyers at similar levels.The result is a market that is neither trending upward nor breaking down decisively, but instead moving sideways in a constrained channel.Falling wedge formationOn lower timeframes, particularly the 15-minute chart, HBAR is forming a clearly defined falling wedge pattern.Hedera price chartThe pattern is characterised by two downward-sloping trendlines that converge as price action tightens.The lower boundary of this wedge sits near $0.0780, a level that has been tested multiple times without a breakdown.Each retest has produced short rebounds, indicating that selling pressure is gradually weakening at this zone.The upper boundary of the wedge is positioned around $0.0805 to $0.0815, where repeated rejection has occurred.The price is gradually compressing toward the apex of this structure, a phase often associated with directional expansion once a breakout occurs.Hedera price forecastThe current technical framework places clear importance on two primary levels.On the upside, a confirmed move above the wedge resistance zone near $0.0815 would represent the first sign of a bullish rebound.If followed by sustained momentum, short-term projections indicate a move toward $0.0830, with extended targets around $0.0840 to $0.0850.On the downside, a breakdown below $0.0780 would invalidate the current wedge structure.Such a move would expose lower liquidity zones and extend the existing bearish consolidation phase.However, at present, price remains positioned almost exactly between these two thresholds, reinforcing the compression narrative.The post Hedera (HBAR) price compresses in tight range as breakout nears appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysBitcoin remained under pressure after Iran announced that it would not permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to access its damaged nuclear facilities, The leading cryptocurrency has dropped to the $62,300 level, down 3.5% in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) continued to trade below the $63,000 level on Tuesday as mixed signals from the United States and Iran regarding nuclear negotiations kept geopolitical tensions elevated. At the same time, ongoing institutional selling and continued outflows from spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) limited the cryptocurrency’s upside potential despite diplomatic efforts.Conflicting US-Iran signals weigh on market sentimentBitcoin remained under pressure after Iran announced that it would not permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to access its damaged nuclear facilities, raising fresh concerns about the progress of ongoing negotiations.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that no meeting had taken place between Iranian officials and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Switzerland. The comments contradicted earlier remarks from US Vice President JD Vance, who suggested the talks included agreements related to IAEA inspections.“There was no protocol for such inspections,” Baghaei said.While US President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance have expressed optimism about the progress of nuclear discussions, Iranian officials maintain that no new commitments have been made. The conflicting narratives have renewed uncertainty surrounding negotiations between Washington and Tehran, encouraging investors to remain cautious and reducing appetite for risk assets such as cryptocurrencies.Markets may also experience heightened volatility due to a major quarter-end portfolio rebalancing event.Analysts at JPMorgan estimate that institutional investors could sell approximately $165 billion worth of equities while purchasing a similar amount of bonds before the end of the second quarter. Such a large-scale asset reallocation would represent the biggest shift in at least four years and could create significant volatility across multiple asset classes.Institutional demand for Bitcoin continues to weaken as spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded additional outflows at the start of the week.Data from CoinGlass shows that spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced net outflows of $68.30 million on Monday, following $226.84 million in withdrawals during the previous week. The latest figures mark the sixth consecutive week of net outflows.Although Monday’s withdrawals were smaller than those recorded in recent weeks, the persistent trend continues to weigh on Bitcoin’s price outlook. Analysts warn that a further acceleration in outflows could trigger a deeper correction in the market.Bitcoin price outlook: $64K remains key resistanceBitcoin was trading near $62,350 at the time of writing, maintaining a bearish short-term outlook as the asset remains below several key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs).The cryptocurrency faced rejection at the important horizontal resistance level of $64,004 on Monday, highlighting the market’s inability to sustain upward momentum.Technical indicators present a mixed picture. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains subdued near 34, signaling weak momentum. However, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains in positive territory, suggesting that selling pressure may be easing rather than accelerating.On the upside, Bitcoin’s first major hurdle remains the $64,004 resistance level. A successful breakout could open the door for a move toward the 50-day EMA at $68,821 and the 100-day EMA at $71,922.BTC/USD 4H ChartBeyond these levels, the 200-day EMA at $77,528 and the horizontal resistance zone near $84,410 represent significant medium-term barriers.On the downside, traders are closely monitoring the psychological $60,000 level. A decisive daily close below this support could trigger a deeper corrective phase and increase…

Key takeawaysLuxembourg’s financial regulator has granted Ripple preliminary approval for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).XRP is down by nearly 4% in the last 24 hours and now trades at $1.10 per coin. Luxembourg regulator grants Ripple CASP green lightLuxembourg’s financial regulator has granted Ripple preliminary approval for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), the company confirmed on Tuesday.Once fully approved, the license will enable Ripple to provide regulated crypto services to banks, fintech firms, and other businesses across all 30 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) through a single regulatory passport system.The CASP approval expands Ripple’s existing regulatory footprint in Europe. The company already holds an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg, which allows it to offer cross-border payment and electronic money services throughout the EEA.Together, the EMI and upcoming CASP authorization are expected to support a unified infrastructure for crypto asset and stablecoin-based payments across Europe.The timing of the development is notable, coming just ahead of the July 1 transition deadline, when EU member states begin fully enforcing MiCA regulations.According to Ripple, the combined regulatory approvals will enable the company to deliver a “full crypto asset and stablecoin payments infrastructure” through a single integration.The firm also said the approval positions it to expand its broader crypto services across Europe, which it described as one of its most important growth regions.Cassie Craddock, Managing Director for the UK and Europe at Ripple, said MiCA is already accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets across the region.Ripple now holds more than 75 regulatory licenses worldwide, reinforcing its push toward regulated global expansion.In addition to its EU progress, the company also secured a UK license from the Financial Conduct Authority in January 2026, further strengthening its position in key financial markets.XRP could dip below $1.0 as the market sentiment remains bearishThe XRP/USD 4-hour chart remains bearish and efficient as Ripple has lost 4% of its value in the last 24 hours.At press time, XRP is trading at $1.10 and could drop lower in the near term. The momentum indicators show that the bulls are in control of the market.The MACD lines are below the neutral zone, while the RSI of 32 shows that XRP is heading into the oversold territory.XRP/USD 4H ChartIf the bearish trend persists, XRP could retest the June low of $1.05, with lower demand zones at the $0.98 level. However, if the bulls regain control, XRP could rally towards the Monday high of $1.16. A daily candle close above this level could see XRP target the $1.23 resistance zone. The post XRP dips to $1.10 as Ripple secures preliminary MiCA approval appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysDOGE is down by nearly 6% and is now trading below $0.08.The bearish performance comes as retail traders reduce their exposure to the market. DOGE extends losses after failed breakoutDogecoin (DOGE) continued to face downward pressure on Tuesday, trading below $0.08 after failing to break above a key resistance zone. The meme coin has now dropped more than 10% over the past week, reflecting weakening momentum across both spot and derivatives markets.Market data suggests that institutional participation in Dogecoin remains weak. According to SoSoValue data, spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) linked to DOGE have shown little activity since early June, signaling a decline in demand from larger investors.A continuation of negative or absent ETF flows could further weigh on price action, increasing the risk of additional downside volatility.Sentiment around Dogecoin has also weakened on social platforms. Santiment’s Social Dominance metric, which tracks the share of cryptocurrency discussions focused on DOGE, fell to 0.095% on Tuesday. This level is close to early June lows and reflects a sharp decline in market attention.The drop suggests fading enthusiasm among retail traders, often a key driver of momentum for meme-based cryptocurrencies.Futures and options data further reinforce the cautious outlook. CoinGlass reports that Dogecoin’s long-to-short ratio fell to 0.80 on Tuesday, near its lowest level in over a month.A ratio below 1 indicates that more traders are positioning for price declines than gains, highlighting growing bearish sentiment in the derivatives market.DOGE price outlook: Key levels in focusDogecoin was trading around $0.07948 at the time of writing, maintaining a bearish short-term structure. The price remains below the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), which are clustered between $0.093 and $0.114, reinforcing downside pressure.Momentum indicators present a mixed picture. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at the oversold territory near 29, suggesting selling pressure is stretched. However, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows only mild stabilization, not a confirmed reversal.On the upside, immediate resistance is seen near $0.0885, followed by the 50-day EMA at $0.0926 and the 100-day EMA at $0.0982.DOGE/USD 4H ChartA stronger recovery would require a break above the descending trendline near $0.1000, with further resistance at $0.1027 and the 200-day EMA around $0.1138.On the downside, the critical support level remains the recent yearly low at $0.0776. A decisive break below this level could open the door for a move toward $0.0700, where buyers may attempt to re-enter the market.The post Dogecoin slides below $0.08 as bearish signals intensify across markets appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysCryptoQuant’s taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) shows a persistent negative trend over the past 90 days for PI.The coin is down 4.5% in the last 24 hours and now trades below $0.1300. PI extends losses amid weak market conditionsPi Network (PI) traded in the red on Tuesday, falling below the $0.1300 level as selling pressure intensified across the broader crypto market. The token is now testing a breakdown of a rising support trendline, signaling growing bearish momentum.Market data suggests that sellers remain firmly in control in the spot market. CryptoQuant’s taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) shows a persistent negative trend over the past 90 days, indicating that sell orders have consistently outweighed buy orders. This pattern points to sustained distribution and weakening demand for PI.At the same time, broader market sentiment is also deteriorating. The CoinMarketCap Fear and Greed Index currently sits at 20, reflecting “Extreme Fear” conditions. Such risk-averse environments often weigh heavily on speculative and community-driven assets like Pi Network.PI technical breakdown signals bearish shiftPi Network has extended its bearish structure after dropping below the 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $0.1335 on the 4-hour chart, as well as the $0.1300 psychological level.The breakdown below a rising support trendline near $0.1300 is a key technical development, with a confirmed close beneath this level potentially validating a bearish reversal.Following the breakdown, price action now risks deeper declines toward key Fibonacci levels. Immediate downside focus lies at the 78.6% retracement level near $0.1251, based on the move from $0.1532 to $0.1184.If selling pressure continues, the next support levels include the swing low at $0.1184, followed by the 127.2% Fibonacci extension around $0.1103.Technical momentum indicators continue to favor sellers. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart has dropped to 38, approaching oversold territory.Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has crossed below the signal line, reinforcing bearish momentum despite the possibility of a short-term technical rebound.On the upside, immediate resistance is clustered around the $0.1300 region, which now aligns with the broken trendline. PI/USD 4H ChartThis is followed by the 50-period EMA at $0.1335 and the 50% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.1346.Further resistance levels include the 200-period EMA near $0.1390 and the 78.6% retracement at $0.1441, which would need to be cleared for any meaningful bullish recovery to take shape.The post Pi Network slips below $0.1300 as sellers tighten control appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysThe Ethereum Foundation has reduced its workforce by 20% following the completion of a major reorganization.ETH is up by 1% and is now trading above $1,650.The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has completed a broad organizational restructuring that includes reducing its workforce by approximately 20%, affecting 54 employees across multiple teams.In a blog post published Tuesday, the Foundation said the changes conclude a months-long reorganization process tied to the implementation of its updated mandate and treasury management strategy.Ethereum Foundation introduces new organizational structureAs part of the overhaul, the EF has reorganized its operations into five core clusters: Protocol Layer, Access Layer, User Layer, Community Layer, and Institutional Layer. Two additional clusters will oversee management and operational functions.According to the Foundation, each cluster has been designed with specific responsibilities, accountability frameworks, and internal structures tailored to its objectives.“Each domain of work requires a different approach, is held accountable for different kinds of results, and has a different internal structure tailored to the work that needs to be done,” the EF stated.Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin revealed in a post on X that the workforce reduction comes as the Foundation pursues a significant spending reduction strategy.The EF plans to lower annual spending from approximately 15% of its remaining treasury before 2026 to a long-term target of 5% after 2030. As part of this effort, the Foundation is reducing its budget by roughly 40% this year.Buterin acknowledged the human cost of the restructuring, rejecting the notion that the layoffs were simply an efficiency exercise.“Often, when an organization goes through something like this, people try to pretend that nothing of great value was lost,” Buterin wrote. “I will not try to pretend this. I respect my EF colleagues far too much to pretend that there was not much that is lost.”The Foundation said affected employees will receive severance packages and transition assistance, similar to support provided to previous departing team members.Ethereum price forecast: ETH risks further decline below key supportEthereum continues to face downside pressure, with liquidation data highlighting persistent weakness in market sentiment.On the 4-hour timeframe, ETH continues to trade below its 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), located near $1,753, $1,901, and $2,064, respectively.The cryptocurrency also remains below a previously broken descending trendline around $1,729 and a key horizontal resistance zone near $1,741. These technical barriers suggest the broader bearish structure remains intact.Ethereum is now approaching the important support level at $1,611 after being rejected near the convergence of the descending trendline and the 20-day EMA.ETH/USD 4H ChartA decisive break below $1,611 could expose the next major support zone at $1,524. If selling pressure intensifies, additional downside targets emerge at $1,404 and potentially $1,155.Unless buyers reclaim key resistance levels, Ethereum’s price action remains vulnerable to further losses in the near term.The post Ethereum reclaims $1,650 as Ethereum Foundation cuts 20% of workforce appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysRisk sentiment across financial markets remained fragile following conflicting statements from US and Iranian officials.XRP risks dropping below $1.0 if the bearish trend persists. Ripple’s XRP remained under pressure on Wednesday, trading below $1.10 and maintaining a broader bearish outlook. The remittance-focused cryptocurrency failed to extend an early-week recovery attempt as investors reacted to renewed geopolitical uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the United States and Iran.Mixed US-Iran signals fuel market uncertaintyRisk sentiment across financial markets remained fragile following conflicting statements from US and Iranian officials after the first round of peace negotiations held in Switzerland.US Vice President JD Vance said late Monday that Iran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into the country. However, Iranian authorities disputed the claim, insisting that Tehran had made no additional commitments during the discussions.Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that the United States had agreed to release approximately $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.Meanwhile, Donald Trump warned reporters that Washington would take further action if Iran failed to comply with the terms of any agreement.The conflicting messages have contributed to risk-off sentiment across cryptocurrency markets, limiting demand for digital assets and reinforcing bearish pressure on XRP.Investor sentiment across the cryptocurrency market remains weak despite a slight improvement in confidence levels.The Crypto Fear & Greed Index registered a reading of 23 on Monday, remaining firmly in “Extreme Fear” territory. While the index improved marginally from 20 recorded a day earlier, market participants continue to adopt a cautious stance amid macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.The subdued sentiment suggests that traders remain reluctant to aggressively accumulate risk assets, increasing the likelihood that short-term rallies could face selling pressure.XRP price forecast: Bears continue to control the trendFrom a technical perspective, XRP continues to exhibit a bearish structure on the daily timeframe.The token is trading well below its key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), including the 50-day EMA at $1.25, the 100-day EMA at $1.35, and the 200-day EMA at $1.56.XRP also remains below the middle Bollinger Band near $1.15, reinforcing the current downward bias.Momentum indicators further support the cautious outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits around 38, signaling weak bearish momentum without yet reaching oversold conditions. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram remains slightly positive around the zero line, indicating tentative stabilization rather than a decisive trend reversal.For XRP to regain bullish momentum, buyers must overcome several important resistance zones.The first hurdle lies at the Bollinger Band midpoint near $1.15, followed by resistance at the upper Bollinger Band around $1.22.Beyond that, the 50-day EMA at $1.25 and a descending trendline near $1.28 create a significant supply zone. Additional resistance levels are located at the 100-day EMA around $1.35 and the 200-day EMA near $1.56.A successful break above these barriers would be required to shift the broader market structure back toward a bullish outlook.On the downside, XRP’s immediate support is located near the lower Bollinger Band at $1.07.A decisive breakdown below this level could accelerate selling pressure and expose the token to a retest of the recent support zone around $1.05.XRP/USD 4H ChartShould bearish momentum intensify further, traders may look toward the psychologically important $1.00 level as the next major area of demand.Until buyers reclaim key resistance levels, XRP remains susceptible to additional downside risk in the near term.The post XRP struggles below key resistance amid geopolitical tensions appeared first on CoinJournal.

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KuCoin Pay expands crypto payments to Bangladesh, Mexico, and Zambia.Platform links stablecoins with local banks and mobile money rails.KuCoin targets real-world crypto use in high-growth emerging markets.KuCoin Pay, the cryptocurrency payment platform developed by KuCoin, has expanded its transfer-based payment capabilities across Bangladesh, Mexico, and Zambia.The move aims to connect digital assets with widely used local payment systems in high-growth markets.The rollout integrates cryptocurrencies and stablecoins with established banking and payment networks across the three markets.These include the bKash and Nagad mobile payment platforms in Bangladesh, SPEI-compatible bank transfer routes in Mexico, and mobile money services offered by MTN Group and Airtel Africa in Zambia.The expansion reflects the growing role of local bank transfers and mobile money services in emerging economies, where consumers increasingly rely on these systems for salary payments, remittances, merchant transactions, and peer-to-peer transfers.Integration with local financial infrastructureKuCoin Pay said its platform is designed to integrate digital assets with familiar financial systems, reducing the complexity often associated with moving cryptocurrencies into everyday financial activity.The company noted that its technology supports localized payment routing through deep integration with local banking and payment rails.Rather than requiring users to navigate complex backend processes, the platform identifies appropriate payment routes through a unified technical interface.According to the company, this approach allows digital asset transactions to function more like traditional e-wallets, mobile money services, or local bank transfer tools.By connecting cryptocurrencies and stablecoins with existing financial infrastructure, KuCoin Pay aims to make digital assets more practical for real-world use cases while reducing friction and simplifying the transfer process.Focus on practical crypto applicationsKuCoin executives said payments represent one of the most important pathways for digital assets to gain broader utility within the real economy.“Crypto is emerging as a new asset class with growing relevance in the real economy, and payments are one of the most important ways for this value to reach users,” said Alicia Kao, Managing Director of KuCoin.“Through KuCoin Pay, we are building trusted and localized connections between digital assets and existing banking, mobile money and transfer rails. By integrating crypto with the financial systems people already use, we are helping digital assets move beyond holding and trading into practical financial activity, while supporting more inclusive and future-ready financial ecosystems in high-growth markets.”The company said the expansion is intended to improve accessibility to digital assets by enabling users to interact with cryptocurrencies through payment systems they already use in their daily lives.Further expansion plannedLooking ahead, KuCoin Pay said it plans to continue expanding compatibility with local banking and payment systems in additional markets.The company also intends to improve technical response speeds and broaden practical cryptocurrency payment applications across supported regions worldwide.The latest expansion underscores a broader industry trend toward integrating digital assets with existing financial infrastructure, particularly in emerging markets where mobile money and local transfer networks play an increasingly central role in everyday commerce and financial inclusion.The post KuCoin Pay expands crypto payments across Bangladesh, Mexico, Zambia appeared first on CoinJournal.

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World expands AgentKit for verified AI agents using World ID.AI agents can act online on behalf of verified human users.System aims to prevent bots while enabling trusted automation.World is expanding access to AgentKit, its framework designed to create human-verified AI agents and allow individuals to connect those agents to a verified World ID.The system enables AI agents to act on behalf of users across the internet while maintaining identity verification through World’s network.The development comes as AI agents become increasingly capable of performing online tasks such as shopping, making reservations, navigating websites, and interacting with digital services.This growing capability has created a challenge for businesses in distinguishing between agents representing real users and automated bot networks.AgentKit is positioned as a response to that issue by linking AI agents directly to World ID, allowing websites and applications to verify when an agent is acting on behalf of a unique human.The framework is designed to support task delegation while maintaining safeguards tied to identity verification and user control.How AgentKit links AI agents to verified identityTo begin using AgentKit, individuals require a verified World ID, access to World App, and a supported AI agent, including tools such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Hermes, or OpenClaw.Users connect their proof of human through World’s ToolRouter interface, generate an API key, and link their AI agent within minutes.Once connected, the agent can interact with services that support AgentKit and perform tasks on behalf of the user.The system is designed to allow individuals to delegate digital tasks to AI agents while preserving controls tied to verified identity.According to the framework description, this structure is intended to ensure that AI activity remains attributable to a real human user rather than anonymous or automated systems.Demo shows real-world use caseThe technology was recently demonstrated through a limited-edition release of 500 “Human in the Loop” hats available exclusively to verified World ID holders.During the demonstration, AI agents discovered the drop, verified eligibility, navigated the storefront, and completed purchases on behalf of users while maintaining one-item-per-person limits tied to verified identities.All 500 hats were claimed by verified individuals across multiple countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.The demonstration was used to show how AI agents can execute real-world transactions while preserving identity-based constraints designed to limit abuse.The example highlighted how businesses could allow AI agents to complete tasks on behalf of users while still preventing exploitation by bot networks.Building a trust layer for the agent economyAs more services integrate AgentKit, World aims to create what it describes as a trust layer for an emerging agent economy.The goal is to enable AI agents to transact and interact online while remaining accountable to the humans they represent.The system is intended to support a growing range of use cases where AI agents operate autonomously but within a framework of verified identity and user authorization.This includes both commercial applications and broader digital service interactions.The World project was originally conceived by Sam Altman, Max Novendstern, and Alex Blania, and aims to provide proof of human, finance and connection for every human in the age of AI.The company says AgentKit is part of its broader effort to support identity verification in an environment where AI agents are becoming increasingly capable of acting independently across online platforms.The post World expands AgentKit to connect human verified AI agents to World ID appeared first on CoinJournal.

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CertiK joins XDC Network as institutional masternode validator.Partnership strengthens security, resilience and decentralization.SkyNode infrastructure delivers 24/7 protection and monitoring.CertiK has joined the XDC Network as an Institutional Masternode Validator, marking a new step in the network’s push to build trusted blockchain infrastructure for enterprise finance, trade finance, and real-world asset tokenization.The New York-headquartered Web3 security services provider has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with XDC Network under which it will deploy and operate validator nodes on the blockchain.The partnership will use CertiK’s enterprise node solution, CertiK SkyNode, to strengthen XDC Network’s security, resilience, and decentralization.The move comes as digital assets and traditional finance continue to converge, with institutions increasingly looking for blockchain networks that can support secure settlement, asset tokenization, and operational resilience at scale.CertiK to operate validator nodes on XDC NetworkUnder the agreement, CertiK will participate as an Institutional Masternode Validator on the XDC Network, an open-source, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain built for payments, trade finance, and real-world assets.XDC Network’s hybrid architecture combines public transparency with private subnetwork capabilities.The network is designed to support institutional settlement and RWA tokenization, while offering high throughput, low fees, and enterprise-grade security.By joining as a validator, CertiK will embed security controls into the infrastructure layer of the network.The companies said this is aimed at reducing operational and network-related risks as enterprise blockchain adoption gathers pace.“CertiK is one of the most recognized names in blockchain security, and having them validate our network is a meaningful signal to institutions,” said Atul Khekade, Co-founder, XDC Network.This is not just a technical partnership. It is a statement about the standard of infrastructure we are building for enterprise finance. The institutions moving into trade finance and asset settlement are making long-term infrastructure decisions, and we want XDC Network to be the answer they keep coming back to.Security focus targets institutional adoptionCertiK will use its SkyNode infrastructure to provide 24/7 proactive defences for XDC Network.These include continuous vulnerability scanning, automated threat mitigation, and node-level penetration testing.The infrastructure will also use a multi-region sentry node architecture with redundant failover protection.According to the companies, this setup is designed to maintain consensus continuity and support high availability during periods of peak network congestion.For institutions evaluating blockchain rails for trade finance and asset settlement, operational resilience remains a central requirement.The collaboration is positioned around that need, with CertiK bringing its security and infrastructure expertise to XDC Network’s validator ecosystem.“CertiK is honored to join the XDC Network as an Institutional Masternode Validator,” said Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder and CEO of CertiK.Traditional trade finance and RWA tokenization require rigorous risk management, strong security foundations, and operational resilience. Through this collaboration, we are bringing our security and infrastructure expertise to help strengthen the network and support the trusted infrastructure needed for institutional adoption.XDC expands validator ecosystem for enterprise financeThe partnership adds CertiK to a wider group of institutional validators already supporting XDC Network.These include regulated financial institutions, global telecoms companies, and Web3 digital asset firms.XDC Network’s existing institutional validators include Animoca Brands, BCW Group, Blueprint, Clearpool, Credora, Deutsche Telekom, HashKeyCloud, Hivemind Digital Group, InvestaX, IXS, RedStone, Republic Crypto, SBI Holdings, StakeFi, and UOB Venture Management.The collaboration…