Ethereum just achieved another on-chain boost as the total number of users transacting per week hits a new high.
The privacy coins narrative is not abandoned, as more attention has shifted to legacy coins. XMR and DASH extended their rallies with a growing mindshare. Privacy coins are back, with attention this time shifting to Monero (XMR) as the leading coin. Legacy asset DASH also increased its influence in the past few days. The privacy coins narrative demonstrated its strength despite the slowdown of ZCash (ZEC), which was the original runner. Currently, XMR has taken the role of the leading privacy coin, extending its rally to new all-time highs. As Cryptopolitan reported earlier, XMR had a series of new records, which are now turning into an even more dramatic trend. XMR becomes the privacy coin leader While ZEC consolidated above $400, XMR extended its rally. The coin expanded to $679.14, marking a series of records within minutes on Tuesday. The recent XMR rally meant some of the early Monero supporters from the 2018 bull cycle are finally in profit with a new all-time peak. XMR lagged behind other assets and was barely touched by the series of bull markets, as the coin was delisted from most exchanges. XMR expanded to new all-time highs on a mix of a short squeeze and an accelerating privacy narrative. On Asian markets, XMR orders peaked at over $1,000. | Source: CoinGecko . XMR failed to live up to the expectation for a four-digit price, but the recent rally is reviving those predictions. The coin saw anomalous orders all the way up to $1,000 on the Asian markets, driving the rest of the exchanges to follow. Monero re-emerged despite the exchange delistings and is now serving as an alternative to ZEC as the go-to privacy coin. With stricter wallet reporting regulations, XMR is rediscovering its niche as a hard-to-trace store of value, which cannot be linked to an identity or a wallet cluster. XMR is now in price discovery territory, though with 44% of volumes concentrated on KuCoin. Kraken is the most open platform for trading XMR, though the coins must be deposited as non-anonymous assets. Open interest for derivative traders also jumped to a new all-time high, from a baseline of $30M to over $184M. Over 61% of the open positions are shorting XMR, meaning the rally is partially a short squeeze to liquidate positions. DASH returns along with other legacy privacy coins DASH was also among the day’s top gainers, expanding to over $51. However, DASH is still far from its all-time peak of over $1,100. The privacy coin still benefits from a Binance pair, as the asset was not delisted during the removal of privacy coins. Decred (DCR) also expanded to $18.89 with a strong intra-day rally, though the token has not grown its influence and is only reacting to the privacy narrative. XVG moved back to a one-month high of $0.007. At this stage, XMR is still the main engine of growth, but smaller tokens may be picked for short-term gains. Despite the lack of an overall altcoin market, the privacy narrative is seen as a strong source of growth for the year ahead. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.
The cryptocurrency market’s performance has improved over the past few hours as Bitcoin, Ether, and other leading cryptos are in the green. Monero’s XRM is leading the way in terms of performance as it hit a new all-time high of $688 an hour ago, adding 17% to its value in the last 24 hours. Ether has reclaimed the $3,100 level and could rally higher in the near term as the bullish momentum in the market increases. BitMine purchases 24k Ether to bring total holdings to 4.17 million BitMine Immersion Technologies announced today that it added 24,266 Ether to its balance sheet last week, lifting its holdings to 4,167,768 tokens as of Sunday. The purchase pushes BitMine’s share of ether’s circulating supply to 3.45%, with a goal to ultimately corner 5% of all tokens. However, according to BitMine’s chairman, Thomas Lee, the company’s ability to continue accumulating ETH depends on shareholder approval to authorise new equity issuance. If the shareholders don’t approve, BitMine could be forced to slow its buying over the next few weeks. “We need to pursue this increase now as Bitmine is soon to exhaust its current 500 million authorisation. And when that happens, our ETH accumulation will slow,” Lee added. A shareholder vote will take place on Thursday. 50.1% of the votes will be needed to approve the proposal to proceed. Following this recent acquisition, BitMine’s total assets, including crypto, cash, and strategic investments, surged to $14 billion last week, boosted by ETH’s price surpassing $3,100. BitMine also increased its cash reserves by $73 million to $988 million. The company holds 193 bitcoin and a $23 million stake in Eightco Holdings. Furthermore, BitMine also staked over 1.2 million of its ETH, which allows it to earn revenue on its holdings. ETH eyes $3,500 as crucial support level holds The ETH/USD 4-hour chart remains bearish as Ether has lost 3% of its value in the last seven days. At press time, ETH is trading at $3,133, up by less than 1% since Monday. The technical indicators remain bullish, suggesting that buyers are still in control. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 54 is above the neutral 50, indicating a bullish bias. The MACD lines are also within the positive territory as buyers remain in charge. If the bullish trend strengthens, ETH could surge towards the next major resistance level and Transactional Liquidity (TLQ) at $3,300. An extended bullish scenario could see ETH reclaim $3,500 for the first time since November 13. However, if the market undergoes a correction, ETH could retest the Thursday low of $3,038. The next major support level stands around the $2,900 region. The post BitMine adds 24,000 Ethereum tokens as ETH reclaims $3,100 appeared first on Invezz
Micropayment growth pushed Polygon’s activity higher as traders watched resistance closely.
BitcoinWorld USD/JPY Forecast: Critical Yen Weakness Looms as Political Uncertainty Threatens Japan’s Economic Stability TOKYO, March 2025 – The Japanese yen faces mounting pressure against the US dollar as Bank of America analysts project continued weakness ahead of potential political upheaval. Market participants now closely monitor the USD/JPY pair amid speculation about a snap election that could reshape Japan’s economic trajectory. This currency movement reflects deeper structural issues within global monetary policy divergence. USD/JPY Forecast Reveals Structural Vulnerabilities Bank of America’s latest analysis indicates sustained yen depreciation against the dollar through 2025. The financial institution cites multiple converging factors driving this trend. Firstly, the Federal Reserve maintains a relatively hawkish stance compared to the Bank of Japan. Secondly, Japan’s political landscape introduces additional uncertainty. Consequently, currency traders adjust their positions accordingly. The USD/JPY pair recently tested significant technical levels. Market analysts observe increased volatility around key psychological barriers. Meanwhile, institutional investors reassess their Japanese asset allocations. This reassessment occurs against a backdrop of shifting global capital flows. The following table illustrates recent USD/JPY movements: Period USD/JPY Range Primary Driver Q4 2024 148.50-152.80 BOJ policy uncertainty January 2025 151.20-154.60 US inflation data February 2025 153.80-156.40 Political speculation Historical context provides crucial perspective. The yen has experienced similar periods of weakness previously. However, current conditions present unique challenges. Global interest rate differentials continue to widen. Additionally, Japan’s trade balance shows persistent deficits. These factors collectively pressure the currency. Political Uncertainty Amplifies Currency Pressures Speculation about a potential snap election introduces new variables. Political analysts note several possible scenarios. Each scenario carries distinct implications for economic policy. The ruling coalition faces declining approval ratings. Meanwhile, opposition parties propose alternative economic approaches. Consequently, investors seek clarity about future direction. Bank of America researchers emphasize the political-economic connection. Their report details how election timing affects monetary policy decisions. The Bank of Japan typically avoids major policy shifts during election periods. This hesitation can prolong accommodative policies. Therefore, yen weakness may persist regardless of election outcomes. Expert Analysis of Policy Divergence Currency strategists highlight the fundamental driver of USD/JPY movements. The interest rate differential between the US and Japan remains substantial. Federal Reserve officials signal continued caution about inflation. Conversely, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda maintains ultra-accommodative stance. This policy divergence creates natural currency pressure. Market participants recall previous intervention episodes. Japanese authorities intervened in 2022 when USD/JPY approached 152. Current levels approach similar thresholds. However, intervention effectiveness remains debated. Analysts note changing global conditions since previous actions. International coordination appears less certain now. Several key factors influence yen valuation: Interest rate differentials: US-Japan yield gap exceeds 400 basis points Energy imports: Japan’s fossil fuel purchases require substantial dollar conversion Tourism flows: Weak yen boosts inbound tourism but increases import costs Manufacturing competitiveness: Japanese exporters benefit from favorable exchange rates Economic Impacts and Market Implications Yen weakness produces complex economic effects across sectors. Japanese exporters experience revenue benefits from favorable exchange rates. Automobile and electronics manufacturers particularly gain competitive advantages. However, import-dependent industries face rising costs. Energy companies and food importers confront margin pressures. Japanese households feel the impact through inflation. Imported goods become more expensive daily. Consumer purchasing power gradually erodes. The Bank of Japan monitors these developments carefully. Price stability remains their primary mandate. Yet, policy normalization risks triggering debt sustainability concerns. Global investment flows reflect these dynamics. International investors adjust Japanese equity allocations. Currency-hedged positions become more expensive to maintain. Some investors reduce Japanese bond exposure. Others seek opportunities in export-oriented Japanese stocks. This rebalancing affects capital markets significantly. Historical Parallels and Future Scenarios Financial historians compare current conditions to previous episodes. The 2012-2015 period saw deliberate yen weakening under Abenomics. Current movements differ in origin and character. Market forces now drive depreciation rather than explicit policy. This distinction matters for sustainability and volatility. Bank of America outlines several potential scenarios. Their baseline forecast assumes gradual yen depreciation. Alternative scenarios include sharper moves or policy reversals. Each scenario carries distinct implications. Risk management becomes crucial for multinational corporations. Currency hedging strategies require constant reassessment. Regional Asian currencies experience spillover effects. Competitive devaluation concerns occasionally surface. However, most regional central banks maintain stability-focused approaches. Coordinated intervention remains possible but unlikely. Market participants generally accept current exchange rate movements. Conclusion The USD/JPY forecast points toward continued yen weakness amid political and economic uncertainty. Bank of America’s analysis highlights structural factors supporting dollar strength against the yen. Political developments may accelerate or moderate these trends. Market participants should monitor several key indicators. These include Japanese political announcements, Bank of Japan communications, and Federal Reserve guidance. The USD/JPY pair remains a critical barometer of global monetary policy divergence. Careful analysis and risk management prove essential in this environment. FAQs Q1: What specific USD/JPY levels does Bank of America target? Bank of America’s analysis suggests testing higher levels around 158-160 in coming months, though they emphasize scenario-dependent outcomes rather than fixed targets. Q2: How might a snap election immediately affect USD/JPY? Election announcements typically increase short-term volatility as markets assess potential policy changes, but sustained movements require actual policy shifts. Q3: What conditions could reverse yen weakness? Significant Bank of Japan policy normalization, substantial Federal Reserve rate cuts, or improved Japanese trade balances could support yen appreciation. Q4: How does yen weakness affect other Asian currencies? Regional currencies often experience moderate pressure when yen weakens significantly, though most central banks prioritize domestic stability over competitive positioning. Q5: What historical USD/JPY levels prompted Japanese intervention? Japanese authorities intervened around 152 in 2022, though intervention thresholds depend on multiple factors including volatility and economic conditions. This post USD/JPY Forecast: Critical Yen Weakness Looms as Political Uncertainty Threatens Japan’s Economic Stability first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
BNB traded at $900.40 at the time of writing , down 1.32% in the last 24 hours, as its market cap climbed to about $124.02 billion. This move pushed BNB ahead of XRP, which traded at $2.04 with a market cap of $123.93 billion. Source: CoinCodex The flip occurred during a period of steady trading volume for both assets, with BNB posting roughly $2.1 billion in daily volume and XRP recording about $2.69 billion, a 8% drop in the last 24 hours. What drove the change in rankings this time? Ecosystem Funding Supports Demand Recent announcements from the BNB Chain Foundation reshaped market attention. The foundation launched a $100 million liquidity program focused on direct token purchases across the ecosystem. This initiative targets projects in DeFi, gaming, artificial intelligence, and meme sectors with minimum market cap and volume thresholds. By committing capital directly to ecosystem tokens, the program aimed to deepen liquidity and improve market integration. Market participants tracked these purchases closely, since each allocation came with public disclosure on official channels. Memecoin Strategy Signals Broader Shift Alongside the liquidity program, the foundation invested $200,000 across four Chinese memecoins ahead of a major network upgrade. Each project received $50,000, and price reactions followed quickly. One of the funded tokens posted double-digit gains within 24 hours, while volumes rose across related pairs. This approach highlighted how cultural narratives and community-driven assets now influence activity on large networks. The timing also mattered, since the investment preceded a core protocol upgrade designed to handle higher transaction loads. Fermi Hard Fork Approaches The Fermi hard fork, scheduled for January 14, stands as another factor behind BNB’s momentum. The upgrade will reduce block times from about 0.75 seconds to roughly 0.45 seconds. Faster confirmations should improve throughput and lower congestion during high-traffic periods. Developers expect smoother performance for applications that rely on rapid execution, including memecoin trading and gaming platforms. As the activation date nears, traders have adjusted positioning around potential changes in network usage. On-Chain Fees Reflect Rising Activity Data from the past 24 hours showed BNB Chain ranking among the top networks by transaction fees, a position often associated with Solana or Hyperliquid. Fees often reflect real usage rather than speculation alone. When users transact more frequently, fee totals rise alongside demand for block space. Source: X This trend suggested growing activity across decentralized applications and exchanges on BNB Chain. In contrast, XRP’s network metrics remained steadier, with fewer short-term shifts tied to ecosystem funding or upgrades. Technical Levels Draw Attention Market technicians have also focused on BNB’s price structure. Charts showed the token approaching a key resistance zone near $930, where a descending trendline converges with prior price levels. Traders often watch such areas for confirmation of momentum. Source: TradingView A sustained move above that range could influence sentiment across the broader BNB Chain ecosystem, since many tokens correlate with the network’s native asset. XRP, meanwhile, continued to trade within a narrower range during the same period. Market Context Frames the Flip The market cap flip between BNB and XRP reflected more than a single price move. It combined ecosystem investment, upcoming network changes, and measurable on-chain activity. As capital flowed toward networks showing higher usage and development incentives, rankings adjusted accordingly. Whether this ordering holds will depend on how activity evolves after the Fermi upgrade and ongoing funding efforts. For now, the data shows BNB reclaiming the fourth spot, reshaping the competitive landscape among large-cap crypto assets.
A 46-year-old woman in the western Russian city of Kursk has lost 28 million rubles to a crypto investment scam executed in a year’s time frame, per a report published by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday. The woman, whose name was not disclosed, first made contact with the scammer through a messaging application, claiming to be living in an Arab country. The fraudulent actor managed to convince the Russian resident that he was well-informed about making crypto investments. He told the victim she could earn profits by following his instructions, which started with downloading a specific mobile application. Scammer took a year to execute pig butchering scam Speaking to local news outlets, Russian security officials said the man promised high returns and guided the woman step by step, encouraging her to transfer money in crypto. The investigators also mentioned that the fraudster took a year to build trust and increase the amounts he received from the victim. As the scheme progressed, the victim reportedly exhausted her personal savings as she dug deeper into her savings with the promise of higher returns, a scamming method known as pig butchering. “She sold three apartments, a car, a gold bar, and took out bank loans and borrowed money from acquaintances to raise more funds, convinced that future returns would cover the losses,” the authorities explained. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the scammer deleted all of the victim’s conversation data and cut off all contact with her once she ran out of money. The disappearance prompted the woman to approach law enforcement. Pig butchering crypto scams in Russia continue The IA ministry has been investigating several other incidents reported in other regions. A woman in Kirov Oblast lost more than 2 million rubles after believing investment promises from falsified cryptocurrency exchanges. Much like the Kursk victim, she was persuaded that her funds would generate steady profits, but later on discovered the platforms and contacts were fraudulent. Another victim, a 63-year-old man from the city of Kirov, lost about 3 million rubles after interacting with scammers via a messenger service in late July. The perpetrator, who introduced himself as a financial consultant with an “easy and profitable way to earn money through crypto trading,” in exchange for a 20% share of the profits. The man agreed, registered on a fraudulent trading platform, and transferred funds to accounts specified by the unknown contact. Russian Police said he invested his own savings and later added borrowed money, taking the total amount transferred to 2,981,000 rubles. Similar cases have been featured in neighboring countries like Belarus, where a 23-year-old Minsk resident contacted the Sovetsky District Police Department after realizing she could not withdraw funds she had “earned.” According to her statement, the woman encountered an advertisement on a social media platform, and upon following the link, she left her phone number and was contacted by someone who introduced himself as an analyst from an investment platform. The woman registered on a specialized website and, over two months, transferred about 50k rubles to an electronic wallet. When she attempted to withdraw her earnings, the fake analyst demanded more deposits, which led her to suspect fraud and contact the police. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
BitcoinWorld China’s Central Bank Poised to Reverse FX Measures as Yuan Strengthens Dramatically BEIJING, March 2025 – The People’s Bank of China faces mounting pressure to reverse foreign exchange measures as the yuan demonstrates unexpected strength against major global currencies, potentially signaling a significant shift in the nation’s monetary policy approach for the coming year. China’s Central Bank Confronts Yuan Strength Dilemma The People’s Bank of China implemented several foreign exchange measures throughout 2024 to stabilize currency markets. These interventions included adjusting the daily fixing mechanism and utilizing the counter-cyclical factor. Furthermore, the central bank employed foreign exchange reserves strategically to manage volatility. The yuan has appreciated approximately 4.2% against the US dollar since November 2024. This appreciation reflects changing global capital flows and shifting trade dynamics. Consequently, monetary authorities now face complex policy decisions. Historical context reveals China’s careful currency management approach over decades. The central bank traditionally balanced export competitiveness with financial stability concerns. Recent global economic shifts have altered this calculus significantly. International monetary fund data shows emerging market currencies gaining strength collectively. This broader trend provides important context for understanding yuan movements. Understanding the FX Measures Reversal Mechanism China’s monetary authorities utilize several tools for foreign exchange management. The potential reversal process would likely involve multiple coordinated steps. First, the daily reference rate mechanism might undergo adjustment. Second, reserve requirement ratios for foreign currency could change. Third, capital flow management policies might see modification. Potential FX Measure Reversal Components Policy Tool Current Status Potential Adjustment Daily Fixing Mechanism Active management with counter-cyclical factor Reduced intervention bandwidth Foreign Reserve Requirements 21% for financial institutions Possible reduction to 18-19% Capital Flow Controls Strict monitoring of cross-border transactions Gradual easing for certain transactions Swap Market Interventions Regular liquidity injections Reduced frequency and volume Market analysts closely monitor several key indicators for policy signals. Interbank foreign exchange market volumes provide important clues. Additionally, forward point movements offer insights into market expectations. Central bank balance sheet changes reveal intervention scale. These indicators collectively help predict policy shifts. Expert Analysis on Monetary Policy Implications Dr. Li Wei, former PBOC advisor and current economics professor at Peking University, explains the technical considerations. “Monetary policy normalization requires careful sequencing,” he notes. “The central bank must balance domestic liquidity conditions with external stability objectives.” Historical precedents from 2017-2018 offer valuable lessons. During that period, similar policy adjustments occurred amid changing global conditions. International financial institutions provide additional perspective. The Bank for International Settlements recently published research on emerging market currency management. Their findings suggest that proactive policy adjustments often yield better outcomes than reactive measures. This research informs current policy discussions within China’s financial regulatory framework. Global Economic Context and Currency Impacts The yuan’s strength emerges against a complex global backdrop. Major developed economies continue grappling with inflation management challenges. Meanwhile, emerging markets demonstrate varied economic performance. This divergence creates unique opportunities for currency realignment. Several factors contribute specifically to yuan appreciation: Trade balance improvements: China’s current account surplus expanded to $85 billion in Q4 2024 Capital inflow acceleration: Foreign portfolio investment increased 22% year-over-year Interest rate differentials: China maintains positive real interest rates compared to major economies Reserve currency status: Growing international usage in trade settlements Regional economic integration plays a crucial role in currency dynamics. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership facilitates increased currency cooperation. Asian financial infrastructure development supports local currency usage. These structural changes create lasting impacts beyond short-term fluctuations. Domestic Economic Considerations and Policy Balance Chinese monetary authorities face competing domestic priorities. Manufacturing sector competitiveness remains a key concern for policymakers. Export-oriented industries particularly monitor currency movements carefully. Simultaneously, financial stability requires attention to capital flow volatility. The property market adjustment adds complexity to policy calculations. Inflation management presents another important consideration. Consumer price index movements remain within target ranges. However, imported inflation risks require monitoring. Commodity price fluctuations affect production costs across multiple sectors. These interconnected factors necessitate comprehensive policy analysis. Implementation Timeline and Market Expectations Financial market participants anticipate gradual policy adjustments rather than abrupt changes. The typical implementation process involves several phases. First, official communications signal potential policy shifts. Second, technical adjustments occur in market operations. Third, formal policy announcements follow initial market testing. This measured approach minimizes disruption risks. Forward markets already price in certain policy expectations. One-year non-deliverable forward points reflect anticipated appreciation limits. Options market volatility surfaces suggest manageable transition expectations. These market indicators provide real-time policy feedback to authorities. International Coordination and Spillover Effects China’s currency policy decisions inevitably create international ripple effects. Regional trading partners monitor developments closely. ASEAN economies maintain substantial trade relationships with China. Their export competitiveness relates directly to yuan valuation. Meanwhile, global financial markets adjust portfolio allocations based on currency expectations. Multilateral institutions facilitate policy coordination discussions. The G20 framework provides regular consultation opportunities. International Monetary Fund surveillance offers technical assessment. These mechanisms help manage potential spillover effects. Global financial stability benefits from transparent communication. Conclusion The People’s Bank of China approaches a significant monetary policy juncture as yuan strength persists. Potential reversal of foreign exchange measures reflects changing economic fundamentals and global conditions. This policy evolution demonstrates China’s adaptive approach to currency management. Careful implementation will balance domestic stability with international responsibilities. Market participants should monitor official communications and technical indicators for timing signals. The yuan’s trajectory will influence broader emerging market currency trends throughout 2025. FAQs Q1: What specific FX measures might China’s central bank reverse? The People’s Bank of China could adjust several tools including the daily reference rate mechanism, foreign exchange reserve requirements for financial institutions, capital flow management policies, and swap market intervention frequency. These adjustments would likely occur gradually rather than simultaneously. Q2: How does yuan strength affect Chinese exporters? A stronger yuan makes Chinese goods more expensive in foreign markets, potentially reducing export competitiveness. However, it also lowers import costs for raw materials and components. The net effect varies across industries depending on their import/export balance and pricing power. Q3: What indicators signal imminent policy changes? Key indicators include changes in daily fixing patterns, adjustments in forward point guidance, shifts in foreign exchange reserve accumulation rates, and modifications to capital flow reporting requirements. Official statements from monetary authorities provide the clearest signals. Q4: How do global interest rates influence China’s FX policy? Interest rate differentials between China and major economies affect capital flows and currency valuations. When China maintains higher real interest rates, it typically attracts capital inflows that strengthen the yuan, potentially necessitating policy adjustments to manage appreciation pace. Q5: What historical precedents exist for such policy shifts? Similar adjustments occurred in 2017-2018 when the yuan strengthened amid changing global conditions. The central bank gradually reduced intervention and adjusted reserve requirements during that period. Historical analysis suggests measured, transparent transitions yield the best outcomes. This post China’s Central Bank Poised to Reverse FX Measures as Yuan Strengthens Dramatically first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called a full-scale meeting with his global peers on Monday to get ahead of the worsening mineral supply crunch. With China refining up to 87% of the world’s rare earths and silver prices breaking records, Scott gathered the finance ministers of 11 countries, the EU commissioner, and U.S. trade officials in the same room. The goal, Scott said, was to start fixing the supply chains before China tightens its grip further. The attendees included Jim Chalmers from Australia, François-Philippe Champagne from Canada, Valdis Dombrovskis from the EU, Roland Lescure from France, Lars Klingbeil from Germany, Ashwini Vaishnaw from India, Giancarlo Giorgetti from Italy, Satsuki Katayama from Japan, Edgar Amador Zamora from Mexico, Yun-Cheol Koo from South Korea, and Rachel Reeves from the UK. Jamieson Greer, John Jovanovic, and Jay Horine also joined in. These countries and blocs together represent 60% of global demand for the minerals in question. But China still dominates the supply chain. Ministers discuss plans to escape China’s control Scott opened the talks by making the issue clear. “Supply chains are too concentrated. They’re weak. They’re easy to disrupt. We need to fix that now.” The U.S. presented its current investments and upcoming plans to build stronger supply lines, focusing on rare earths, cobalt, lithium, graphite, and silver. Scott told his peers that the goal wasn’t decoupling from China completely, but derisking where it matters. Lars Klingbeil warned Europe can’t afford to sit on its hands. “What is very important to me is that we in Europe do not sit back. Neither complaining nor self-pity helps us, we have to become active.” He called for faster action and new funding at the EU level, pointing to a German raw materials fund as a possible model. He also confirmed that France will make rare earths a top issue during its G7 presidency. The urgency was real. Just last week, China banned exports of dual-use minerals meant for Japan’s military. That hit home for countries that depend on these materials for energy, weapons, and chipmaking. Scott said, “We can’t be caught off guard again. Not with minerals this critical.” The ministers also listened to updates from Jamieson Greer, John Jovanovic, and Jay Horine, who covered financial tools that could help fund alternative sources and speed up private sector involvement. Silver trading sees record highs as CME shifts margin rules Outside the meeting, the markets were already reacting. CME Group changed how it calculates margin requirements for silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. The new rule ties margins to a percentage of notional value, not a fixed dollar amount. It goes live Tuesday night. The change comes after a 20% surge in silver this year and record highs in both silver and gold. As Cryptopolitan kept reporting, the CME has adjusted margin levels multiple times in the past year as volatility surged. This time, the exchange said the latest change came after “a normal review of market volatility to ensure adequate collateral coverage.” Spot silver rallied by another 1%, while gold held steady at $4,596.03 an ounce. Platinum dropped 0.6%, and palladium fell 0.9%. The Dollar Spot Index ticked up 0.1%. The CME reminded traders that the daily margin system exists to cover potential losses. “Margins help to ensure that clearing members can meet their obligations to their customers and to CME Clearing,” it said. This signals more cash will be needed to hold positions as prices swing. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
A trader with a wallet that has been linked to a user that goes by “Remusofmars” on X has been gaining popularity in memecoin circles for making a trade that helped him turn an initial buy of about $370 worth of $WHITEWHALE tokens into massive unrealized gains, which peaked at over $1.2 million in value while holding most of the position. The $WHITEWHALE token is a memecoin project linked to a high roller trader who had gotten into a beef with MEXC because of what he alleged were predatory practices. Remus was able to spot the potential of the token linked to the trader and bet on it, holding the amount he invested even as the token went parabolic. How did the trader turn $370 into $1.2 million? According to Arkham , since the token hit a $150 million market cap, he has cashed out a total of $220,000, and is still holding $987,000 of it. However, he is not the only one who has made life-changing money from the token, according to data from BubbleMaps . The token has maintained its high market cap and is currently trading at a market cap of $149 million, as at the time of this writing. Despite the Whitewhale character the token was modeled after has revealed the trader is not a member of the team, people still suspect he could be an insider. The wallet in question reportedly invested a total of $60,000, making him the second-largest holder before the token was taken over by the Whitewhale KOL/trader. The investment has now snowballed into $2,500,000, and the wallet has become active after weeks of inactivity, selling $1,000,000 of $WhiteWhale within 15 minutes while sitting on the remaining 2.5%. The Whitewhale has responded publicly to speculation about the wallet, acknowledging that he and his team have been tracking it and have tried to reach out, expressing interest in an OTC deal to facilitate responsible selling to prevent dumps. “It would have been impossible for it to have been an insider as on the 4th December I didn’t even know I was going to do a CTO,” the Whitewhale wrote on X. He also claimed that team members of the token did not come onboard until after he took over and that the current team is made up of mostly volunteers who are not holding the token. All efforts to engage the whale behind the wallet have not been fruitful, and now, everybody wants to know what they plan to do next and who they might be. But the Whitewhale has expressed confidence in having enough liquidity to absorb any sell pressure the wallet may trigger in the event they plan to sell more. How did the $WHITEWHALE meme token start? The $WHITEWHALE token was created in October 2025 by a random dev who allegedly kept putting out racist content that irked the KOL it was inspired by. The lore around the token was tied to the beef between MEXC and the KOL, which started after the exchange froze around $3 to $5 million in funds from his account in July 2025. The exchange cited vague reasons like “risk control” violations, claiming he had used bots/APIs after noting he had placed two orders in the same second, an allegation he denied, saying he did it manually. He tried to reach out to the CEX’s support but received no response. Instead, he alleged he was being pressured to admit wrongdoing to get his funds released, and this ultimately escalated into a public tussle that lasted months. The story went viral on X as he provided receipts and launched a massive campaign with help from his community, including over a $2 million bounty/NFT POAP support drive that drew lots of eyes. Famous crypto sleuth, ZachXBT amplified the campaign, sparking FUD against MEXC, and in October/November 2025, MEXC’s CSO Cecil’s Hsueh publicly apologized , releasing the funds and promising reform. The Whitewhale distributed a lot of the released funds to those who supported the campaign as well as charities, which cemented his hero vs shady CEX reputation in the meme trenches and led to the creation of the $WHITEWHALE token as a symbol of resilience against crypto predators and a tribute to his rare victory over a CEX. The token remained low for weeks, but on December 7, 2025, after it attracted hype, the KOL conducted a community takeover, mostly to stop what the dev was doing and to ensure it would not run and ruin his reputation. The move made the token surge 90x to a $90 million market cap, and it has continued to do great numbers ever since. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .