Nikita Bier, the product lead for X, announced on the platform that since the launch of Cashtags on Tuesday evening, X has facilitated approximately $1 billion in global transactions. According to Odaily, this data stems from the initial pilot phase, highlighting the significant impact of integrating social platform features with trading functionalities on market liquidity and user engagement. Cashtags allow users to view real-time data and price charts for stocks or crypto assets when searching or posting content that includes a Cashtag or contract address.

Bitcoin has surged to its highest point since early February, driven by recent developments in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg, comments from the United States and Iran have fueled hopes that tensions in the region might be easing, contributing to the cryptocurrency's upward momentum. The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has been closely monitored by investors, as any signs of resolution could have significant implications for global markets. The latest remarks from both nations have sparked optimism, suggesting potential progress in diplomatic efforts. This has led to increased confidence among traders, reflected in Bitcoin's recent price movement. As the situation unfolds, market participants are keeping a close eye on further developments that could impact Bitcoin's trajectory. The cryptocurrency's performance is often influenced by geopolitical factors, and the current optimism surrounding the Middle East conflict resolution is a key driver in its recent rise. Investors are hopeful that continued dialogue between the US and Iran will lead to a more stable environment, potentially benefiting Bitcoin and other assets.

Spektr has successfully completed a $20 million Series A funding round, led by NEA, with participation from Northzone, Seedcamp, and PSV Tech. According to NS3.AI, this latest investment brings Spektr's total funding to $26 million. The company specializes in providing AI Agent-based compliance services for both crypto wallet service providers, such as Phantom, and traditional financial institutions.

Nikita Bier, Product Manager at X, stated in an article on the X platform that, according to aggregated data from the trading pilot, since Cashtags launched on Tuesday evening, the social platform X has facilitated approximately $1 billion in trading volume globally. This data, from the platform's initial pilot phase, demonstrates the significant boost to market liquidity and user engagement resulting from the integration of social platform and trading functionality. Cashtags allows users to directly view real-time data and price charts for corresponding stocks or crypto assets when searching for or posting content containing Cashtags or contract addresses.

In the wake of the $280 million exploit on Drift Protocol on April 1, at least 12 cryptocurrency protocols and businesses have been targeted in a series of attacks. According to NS3.AI, these incidents have resulted in significant financial losses, with Rhea Finance and Grinex alone accounting for approximately $21 million. The recent wave of attacks highlights ongoing security challenges within the crypto industry, prompting concerns over the vulnerability of digital assets and the need for enhanced protective measures.

Key TakeawaysMajor US stock indexes opened in positive territory.Crypto-related equities outperformed the broader market.Strategy surged more than 8% as Bitcoin climbed above $78,000.Other crypto-linked stocks including Coinbase and Circle also moved higher.US Indexes Open in the GreenUS equities opened higher on April 17 as easing geopolitical tensions and falling oil prices improved investor sentiment.Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.07%S&P 500 gained 0.66%Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.87%Crypto Stocks Lead GainsCrypto-related stocks significantly outperformed the broader market during early trading.Strategy jumped 8.21%Coinbase gained 3.00%Circle rose 1.37%SharpLink Gaming climbed 2.84%BitMine Immersion Technologies advanced 4.32%Strategy Extends Rally as Bitcoin ClimbsStrategy continued its strong rally as Bitcoin moved above $78,000, putting the company’s Bitcoin holdings further into profit.

Autonomous AI agents are responsible for over 19% of on-chain activity, according to NS3.AI. Despite this substantial involvement, human traders outperform these agents by more than five times in open-ended trading contests. The report highlights that agent-managed DeFi positions currently hold assets exceeding $39 million. Researchers emphasize the need for improved execution and verification infrastructure to enable further scaling of AI agents in the trading sector.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on April 17 that Iran has agreed to several significant terms, according to BlockBeats. Iran has consented to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, ensuring it will not be used as a tool against the global community. Additionally, Iran has agreed to halt uranium enrichment. Following Trump's remarks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices fell over 12%, and European natural gas prices experienced a temporary 10% drop.

Trump told NewsNation that Iran had agreed to "everything," including stopping uranium enrichment, agreeing not to close the Strait of Hormuz, and that it would no longer be used as a weapon against the world. According to an Axios reporter, the US and Iran have made progress in negotiations on a three-page memorandum of understanding to end the war. (Jinshi)

Key Takeaways Bitcoin surged above $78,000 as geopolitical tensions eased.Iran confirmed the Strait of Hormuz would remain open during the ceasefire period.Oil prices plunged nearly 10%, reducing inflation concerns.Bitcoin has now decisively broken through the key $76,000–$77,000 resistance zone.The next major upside targets are $80,000 and potentially $82,000–$85,000. Bitcoin Pushes Above $78,000 Bitcoin climbed above $78,000 after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully open for commercial shipping during the current ceasefire period. BTC rose to around $78,100, extending its breakout after several failed attempts to reclaim the $76,000–$77,000 area over recent weeks. The move marks Bitcoin’s strongest price level since early February. Oil Prices Crash as Hormuz Reopens The market reaction was driven by comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who said the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully open for all commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire. The announcement triggered a sharp decline in oil prices: West Texas Intermediate fell nearly 10% toward the low-$80 range.Brent Crude dropped toward the high-$80 range. Lower oil prices reduce concerns about inflation, which had become a major macro headwind for both crypto and equities in recent weeks. Risk Assets Rally Across Markets The easing of tensions in the Middle East boosted risk appetite globally. US stock index futures moved higher, bond yields eased, and crypto markets rallied broadly. Investors interpreted the Hormuz reopening as a sign that the risk of a major energy shock may be fading. Bitcoin Breakout Signals Stronger Momentum The $76,000–$77,000 zone had been one of Bitcoin’s most important resistance levels. BTC repeatedly failed near this area in February and March after the sharp correction toward $60,000. Now that Bitcoin has moved decisively above that range, traders are increasingly looking toward: $80,000 as the next psychological resistance$82,000–$85,000 as the next major supply zonePotential short-covering and momentum buying if BTC holds above breakout levels The breakout also puts Bitcoin firmly above its 100-day moving average, strengthening the bullish technical outlook. Broader Iran Talks Continue Separate reports suggest the US and Iran are discussing a broader framework to end hostilities. Negotiations may include: Release of frozen Iranian assetsLimits on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpileLonger-term guarantees around shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz If progress continues, the combination of lower oil prices and easing geopolitical tensions could remain supportive for Bitcoin and other risk assets in the near term.

Jinse Finance launches the "Jinse Web3.0 Daily," providing you with the latest and fastest news on MEME, DeFi, DAO, NFT, and the metaverse industry.

After Binance announced its crackdown on active market makers at the end of March, active market makers began to take action.

Overall, although a few strong altcoins amplified the market effect, most assets are still in a liquidity vacuum.

Bitcoin successfully broke out of the $62.8k–$72.6k range, briefly touching the $74k mark. This breakout strategically signifies that the market has moved from a geopolitically induced "forced deleveraging" phase to an "initial stabilization period."

Discussions surrounding stablecoins have long focused on one question: who will issue the next dominant stablecoin?

A group of Drift Protocol investors are seeking to bring stablecoin issuer Circle to court, blaming the company for its inaction following the Drift Protocol hack.

OpenAI has paused its Stargate UK data centre plan, saying energy costs and regulation were the main reasons. The UK AI minister disputes this, saying conditions have not changed and pointing instead to OpenAI’s financial pressures.

The most valuable thing in the future will be the oldest thing. It's not computing power. It's not data. It's not models. It's when one person says "I believe in you" to another, and that promise is truly fulfilled.

A Brazilian cybersecurity researcher has raised alarm bells, warning others about counterfeit ledger devices that has been planted by scammers in the Chinese market in the attempt to steal users' crypto.

Exchanges are replacing traditional venture capital (VC) firms, gradually gaining control over initial public offerings (IPOs), pricing power, and liquidity. Exchanges are eroding the informational, investment, and lock-up advantages of traditional VCs, and arbitrage opportunities for VCs are being continuously squeezed.