📈 Bitcoin's Surge: A Macro Perspective

📊 On Tuesday afternoon, bitcoin rose by 2.6% against the U.S. dollar, nearing the $105,000 mark. In contrast, several altcoins outperformed bitcoin: ETH increased by 8.5%, SOL by 5.9%, and DOGE by 4.8%. The overall crypto market also saw gains, rising 3.12% to reach $3.39 trillion.

🚀 Bitcoin's price climbed from $102.5K to a peak of $104,997 before facing resistance near $105,000. This increase was supported by Twenty One Capital's announcement of acquiring 4,812 BTC. Although ETH surged past $2,700 earlier in the day, it retraced slightly but maintained an 8.5% gain.

📉 Total trading volume in the digital asset sector was $144.79 billion, down 18.56% from Monday. While ETH, SOL, and DOGE showed solid gains, some altcoins stood out: Ethena’s ENA rose by 14.4%, KAS by 12.44%, and SPX by 11.79%. As of May 13, the altcoin market is valued at $1.311 trillion.

💬 This week, Bitfinex analysts noted that optimism about the Federal Reserve and reduced concerns over U.S. tariffs have boosted investor sentiment towards bitcoin. They stated,

Recent developments such as the Federal Reserveʼs positive comments on the rate trajectory and evolving clarity around the U.S. tariff situation has allowed confidence to return to the markets and in particular, reignite bullish momentum in bitcoin.

📈 The analysts added,

Bitcoinʼs decisive move underscores its growing role as a macro-sensitive asset with asymmetric upside potential. The move past $100,000 not only confirms the strength of the recovery but may also set the stage for a renewed push toward fresh all-time highs.

📈 Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Experience Significant Inflows

🚀 Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) made a strong comeback on May 14, with a remarkable $320 million in net inflows, signaling renewed investor confidence. Blackrock’s IBIT led the charge, attracting $232.89 million, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC with $36.13 million and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust adding $35.23 million.

📊 Smaller contributions came from Vaneck’s HODL ($7.32 million), ARKB ($5.16 million), and Bitwise’s BITB ($2.82 million). Notably, there were no outflows recorded across any of the 12 funds, a rare occurrence in recent weeks. The total value traded reached $2.74 billion, with net assets climbing to $121.84 billion.

📈 Ether ETFs also mirrored this resurgence, logging a $63.47 million net inflow for the second consecutive day. Blackrock’s ETHA led the way with $57.61 million, while Fidelity’s FETH contributed $5.86 million. With a total value traded of $447.95 million, ether ETF net assets rose to $9.04 billion.

💪 Both bitcoin and ether ETFs appear to have found solid footing, supported by institutional appetite and a resilient market tone.

🪙 Sean Neville Secures $18 Million for AI-Native Banking Initiative

💰 Sean Neville, co-founder of Circle and CEO of Catena Labs, has successfully raised $18 million for Catena's ambitious project: the establishment of the first AI-native financial institution. The funding round was spearheaded by a16z crypto and saw participation from prominent investors including Breyer Capital, Circle Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, CoinFund, Pillar VC, and Stanford Engineering VF. Notable angel investors included Balaji Srinivasan, Bradley Horowitz, Hamel Husain, Kevin Lin, Peter Mattoon, Sam Palmisano, and Tom Brady.

🏦 Catena plans to utilize these funds to advance the development of a fully regulated AI-native financial institution. This institution aims to cater to the unique needs of the evolving AI economy and will be designed specifically for AI agents, with increasing operations managed by AI digital workers. Human oversight will be provided to ensure compliance and risk management tailored for AI.

➡️ Neville envisions a future where AI agents will handle the majority of economic transactions. However, he notes that current financial systems are ill-equipped and resistant to AI interactions. He stated,

That’s why we’re building an AI-native financial institution that will give AI agents, and the businesses and consumers they serve, the ability to transact safely and efficiently.

⚙️ Matt Venables, CTO of Catena Labs, highlighted the challenges AI agents face with traditional financial infrastructure. He pointed out that legacy payment systems are slow, fragile, and expensive, which limits the potential for AI-driven commerce. Venables emphasized the importance of regulated stablecoins for this new financial institution, stating,

While we are integrating existing payment networks as we bridge into the future, we’re focused on transforming how money moves in the AI economy by using regulated stablecoins that offer near-instant settlement, minimal transaction costs, and easy integration with AI workflows.

📉 Bitcoin's Current Market Position: A Mixed Outlook

➡️ Bitcoin's price is currently ranging between $107,793 and $108,316, reflecting a 1% decrease from the previous session. With a market cap of $2.19 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $38.79 billion, the cryptocurrency experienced significant intraday price fluctuations, hitting a low of $107,367 and a high of $112,000.

📊 Despite today's decline, Bitcoin's daily chart suggests a cautiously optimistic macro perspective. The price recently peaked at $112,000, indicating a strong bullish trend. However, the appearance of a bearish engulfing candlestick pattern raises concerns about potential short-term exhaustion. Volume surged during the rise to $112,000 but has since decreased, signaling a divergence between price and volume that often precedes pullbacks.

📉 The 4-hour chart indicates a shift in sentiment, showing a mid-term downtrend after reaching a peak. This timeframe reveals a clear pattern of lower highs and lower lows, supported by strong red volume bars that confirm active selling pressure. An ideal short-term re-entry level is identified around $106,500, provided that price action consolidates and signals a reversal through patterns like a hammer candle or bullish engulfing.

🔴 From a short-term perspective, the 1-hour chart highlights a sharper bearish momentum. A significant red candlestick dropped Bitcoin from about $111,000 to below $108,000, indicating a high-volume capitulation event often seen as the end of a panic sell-off. Traders should watch for a potential double bottom or RSI divergence near the $105,500 to $106,000 zone as early signs of a reversal.

⚖️ Technical indicators present a mixed forecast. Oscillators like the RSI at 67 and ADX at 35 remain neutral, while others such as the Stochastic at 87 and momentum at 4,628 suggest a selling bias. Conversely, the MACD level at 4,167 indicates some underlying bullish momentum. All moving averages, including the EMA and SMA across 10 to 200 periods, are showing bullish signals, indicating strong upward momentum in the medium to long term.

🔄 In summary, Bitcoin's broader trend remains bullish, supported by strong moving average support. However, bearish patterns on shorter timeframes and cautionary signals from several oscillators suggest that traders should wait for confirmation of a reversal before making new entries. The current consolidation phase may offer strategic entry points near and above the $108,000 level, contingent on technical confirmation of buyer re-emergence.

⚡️ Solana's Alpenglow: A New Consensus Protocol to Compete with Web2

🚀 Solana, a leading cryptocurrency project, has announced a significant upgrade to its consensus protocol aimed at enhancing network performance. The new implementation, Alpenglow, promises to reduce latency to near Web2 levels, positioning Solana to compete more effectively with traditional Web2 providers.

🟥 The developer group Anza introduced Alpenglow as a means to boost the network's bandwidth while minimizing latency. In a recent blog post, they outlined that legacy components like TowerBFT and Proof-of-History will be replaced with Votor and Rotor. These new components are designed to ensure faster voting and finalization times.

Votor optimizes the finalization of blocks based on the percentage of stake participating,

Anza explained.

Rotor enhances data dissemination compared to the previous implementation.

🛡 Additionally, Alpenglow introduces measures for increased resilience, allowing the network to function under challenging conditions where up to 20% of the stake may act as adversaries.

⏱️ Anza anticipates that these improvements will enable Solana to achieve transaction finalization in just 100-150 milliseconds, a remarkable reduction of 100 times. This opens up new possibilities for the network's use cases.

A median latency of 150 ms means Solana can compete with Web2 infrastructure in terms of responsiveness,

the group stated.

This potentially makes blockchain technology viable for new categories of applications that require real-time performance.

🎮 Potential applications include on-chain gaming systems, faster Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), and other operations that demand quick finalization, which are currently only available through traditional providers.

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👉 El Salvador's Strong Performance in IMF Review

💪 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized El Salvador's strong performance in meeting the conditions for continued disbursements from a credit facility agreement established in February. The IMF noted that the country successfully implemented its economic reform plan, with most program targets being comfortably met.

💰 This positive assessment paves the way for El Salvador to receive an additional $120 million to support its economic stabilization efforts, pending approval from the fund's executive board. The IMF highlighted that despite a challenging external environment, El Salvador's economy continues to grow due to improved confidence and robust remittances.

📉 Interestingly, while El Salvador has continued its bitcoin purchases, which could have been seen as a violation of the IMF's requirements, the review found no infringements. One of the IMF's stipulations was to halt these purchases, but the fund acknowledged that efforts would be made to ensure that the total amount of bitcoin held by the government remains unchanged.

🔄 The IMF also emphasized the need for the state to reduce its involvement in the Chivo wallet, El Salvador's official bitcoin wallet. Despite the ongoing bitcoin acquisitions, which have added dozens of BTC to the country's reserves, President Nayib Bukele's strategy for balancing these actions with IMF compliance remains unclear.

💰 Ross Ulbricht Receives $31 Million Donation Post-Prison Release

🎁 Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, has recently been donated 300 BTC, worth over $31 million, to his designated donation wallet. This significant contribution comes as Ulbricht seeks support following his release from prison, where he served a lengthy sentence for his involvement in operating the dark web marketplace.

💬 The donation underscores the ongoing interest and strong support for Ulbricht within the cryptocurrency community. Discussions surrounding his case and the implications of his actions continue to resonate in the broader context of digital currency and online privacy.

👉 In a separate act of generosity from the crypto community, TRON’s Justin Sun gifted Ulbricht the iconic banana artwork ‘Comedian,’ which he had purchased for $6.2 million, on May 30.

🟥 Solarbank Integrates Bitcoin into Treasury Strategy

💼 Solarbank (NASDAQ: SUUN), a Toronto-based company, has announced a new treasury strategy that includes bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. The company has applied to Coinbase Prime for the custody and management of its bitcoin holdings. This move is designed to strengthen financial resilience against currency debasement and inflation.

📌 In addition to financial benefits, Solarbank plans to use renewable energy from its solar and battery storage projects to mitigate the emissions associated with bitcoin mining. By incorporating bitcoin into its financial strategy, the company aims to attract tech-savvy investors and stand out in the renewable energy market.

↪️ Despite this new focus on bitcoin, Solarbank remains committed to its core business of renewable energy development. The company is also involved in a $100 million community solar financing partnership.

👉 Brazil's Bold Trade Strategy: A Stand Against U.S. Pressure

➡️ Brazil is taking a bold stance in its national trade strategy, prioritizing local currency use and reinforcing BRICS' push for financial independence, despite pressure from the U.S. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized in a June 3 interview that Brazil and its partners will continue to pursue their own economic paths.

🚫 Lula stated that

Trump’s threats don’t scare anyone. We will act in the interests of our countries and fight for fairer international trade.

He asserted that seeking Washington's approval for currency choices is not an option. While acknowledging the challenges, he affirmed Brazil's sovereign right to determine its trade policy.

🟥 Commenting on Trump's foreign policy approach, Lula noted that

Trump was chosen by Americans to govern the United States, not the entire world.

He recognized the importance of bilateral relations but indicated a willingness to retaliate if necessary, instructing his ministers to prioritize negotiations before considering reciprocal tariffs.

🌍 Looking ahead to the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lula highlighted the bloc's constructive goals, dismissing the notion that BRICS aims to oppose Washington's influence.

📈 In early 2025, tensions escalated when Trump threatened 100% tariffs on any BRICS member undermining the U.S. dollar's dominance. However, Brazil, holding the BRICS presidency, remained steadfast. Lula reiterated the bloc's commitment to diversifying financial tools and reducing dollar reliance, clarifying that the aim is not to replace the dollar but to enhance local currency use for lower transaction costs and greater economic independence.

🌐 Lula emphasized BRICS' growing economic power, stating:

For too long, countries of the Global South have been seen as merely developing nations that don’t cause trouble. That era is over.

He pointed out that BRICS now represents 39% of global GDP and over half of the world's population, positioning itself as a significant economic and political force.

💰 KULR Technology Group Expands Bitcoin Holdings

📈 KULR Technology Group Inc. has recently acquired 118.6 bitcoins for approximately $13 million, raising its corporate treasury holdings. The average purchase price was about $107,861 per bitcoin, as stated by the company. This acquisition brings KULR's total bitcoin holdings to 920 BTC, representing a total investment of around $91 million at an average price of $98,760 each.

💵 The company funds its bitcoin purchases through cash reserves and proceeds from its At-The-Market equity program. KULR reported a year-to-date bitcoin yield of 260%. Trading on the NYSE American under the ticker KULR, the company specializes in sustainable energy management for aerospace and defense sectors.

📌 Recently, KULR joined the "Bitcoin for Corporations" initiative, which offers institutional-grade tools for managing bitcoin strategies. KULR views bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset and identifies itself as a "Bitcoin First Company" within its energy tech business.

📉 Bitcoin Drops Amid Geopolitical Tensions

📉 Bitcoin fell below $104,000 on Wednesday, hitting an intraday low of $103,362 due to reports of airstrikes in Tehran that rattled global markets. The cryptocurrency dropped about 4.1% in the latest session, reflecting investor caution amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

💰 In contrast, gold prices rose to $3,410 an ounce, up about 0.6% over the past hour, as investors turned to traditional safe-haven assets. The increase in gold prices was further supported by a weakening dollar and concerns over geopolitical conflicts.

👉 Bitcoin's decline also led to significant derivatives liquidations, totaling $920 million for the day, with $875 million coming from long bets.

Vietnam Recognizes Bitcoin And Other Assets With New Legislation

👉 Read more

💬 XRP Positioned to Capture SWIFT's Market, Says Ripple CEO

🚀 Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed optimism about XRP's potential in the global payments landscape during the recent XRP APEX 2025 event in Singapore. He emphasized that liquidity is becoming more crucial than traditional messaging systems in cross-border transactions. This shift could allow XRP to displace established networks like SWIFT, which has dominated interbank communication for years.

There are two parts to SWIFT today: messaging and liquidity. Liquidity is owned by the banks. I think less about the messaging and more about liquidity. If you’re driving all the liquidity, it is good for XRP.

Garlinghouse stated. He projected that XRP could capture 14% of SWIFT's market within five years.

⚠️ He pointed out the limitations of SWIFT's model, which relies on multiple intermediaries and manual processes. This can lead to errors, high fees, and slow settlement times.

Most cross border payments still rely on manual processes. A typo in an account number, an incorrect SWIFT code or incomplete payment instructions can all cause a transaction to fail,

Ripple noted in a May blog post.

💡 In contrast, Ripple promotes its blockchain-based Ripple Payments system as a more efficient solution. By utilizing XRP and the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, it offers real-time, transparent, and cost-effective settlements. The platform claims to have access to over 90% of the world's FX markets and aims to minimize operational risks.

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💱 24/7 Atomic Swaps: BUIDL and USDtb Integration

👉 Securitize and Ethena Labs have joined forces to facilitate round-the-clock atomic swaps between Blackrock’s tokenized treasury fund, BUIDL, and the stablecoin USDtb. This partnership aims to enhance onchain liquidity and flexibility for institutional investors.

💵 USDtb is a blockchain-based stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, primarily backed by shares in Blackrock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL). This fund holds short-term U.S. Treasuries, cash, and repurchase agreements, providing institutional-grade stability. Reserves are secured with custodians like Copper and Coinbase Institutional.

🔄 The new integration allows qualified participants to instantly swap BUIDL tokens for USDtb at any time. This atomic swap functionality offers “real-time settlement,” unlocking significant liquidity for BUIDL holders. Previously limited by traditional market hours, BUIDL can now be quickly converted into a widely used stablecoin.

🌐 With 1.456 billion units in circulation, USDtb is integrated across decentralized finance (DeFi) and centralized finance (CeFi) platforms. Converting BUIDL to USDtb allows holders to immediately access this broader ecosystem for trading, lending, or collateral use.

🔗 This partnership builds on the existing collaboration between Securitize and Ethena Labs to enhance the utility of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) like U.S. Treasuries within the digital asset ecosystem. It particularly benefits institutional users and DeFi applications requiring constant liquidity.

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Arab Wealth: A Promising New Player in the Crypto Market

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💰 Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Bitcoin Will Reach $1 Million Amid Economic Uncertainty

🟥 Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has reiterated his belief in bitcoin as a key to future wealth amidst warnings of an impending economic collapse. He stated on social media,

Poor people focus on price. Rich people on quantity.

emphasizing the importance of accumulating assets over worrying about their current market value.

📈 Kiyosaki expressed his view that by 2030, bitcoin could reach $1 million per coin. He urged his followers to consider

How many ounces of gold and silver and bitcoin do you own?

rather than fixating on price fluctuations. He believes that wealth is determined by the quantity of assets one controls, advocating for the accumulation of hard assets like bitcoin, gold, and silver for long-term financial stability.

📉 Reflecting on his past predictions, Kiyosaki recalled his 2013 book Rich Dad’s Prophecy where he warned about the current economic crisis. He stated,

The biggest crash in history is upon the world now… 2025.

He cautioned about the impact of AI on jobs and inflation eroding retirements for many. Despite these challenges, Kiyosaki remains bullish on bitcoin as a hedge against what he describes as "fake money." His message is clear: prepare for turbulent times by accumulating real assets and choosing financial mentors wisely.