Echo Protocol experiences a $76 million eBTC minting exploit on Monad.
A Bitcoin‑oriented DeFi protocol was compromised, resulting in the minting of roughly 1,000 unauthorized eBTC tokens valued at approximately $77 million on the Monad blockchain.
A Bitcoin‑oriented DeFi protocol was compromised, resulting in the minting of roughly 1,000 unauthorized eBTC tokens valued at approximately $77 million on the Monad blockchain.
XRP trades near $1.38, hugging the upper Bollinger Band and the 20‑EMA at $1.41. Despite a recent sell‑off by Goldman Sachs, the token holds the range without breaking. Whales remain 75% long while open interest has fallen to $430 million, indicating mixed sentiment. The CLARITY Act’s Senate Banking Committee deadline is a binary event that could push XRP above $1.50 if approved. The act contrasts centralized CBDCs with open‑blockchain settlements like XRP. Institutional demand may rise once regulatory certainty is confirmed, especially through ETF structures. RSI sits at 50, MACD histogram is flat, and the buy/sell ratio of 0.87 shows indecision. Immediate resistance lies at $1.40, with $1.51 acting as a stronger ceiling; a break could open a path to $1.65. Support levels are $1.35 and $1.32, below which bears could take control. LiquidChain, a Layer‑3 protocol linking Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, is raising capital at $0.01461 per token with a 1,400 % APY incentive. The project aims to eliminate bridging friction and attract liquidity across chains. Traders eyeing XRP’s consolidation may consider LiquidChain for asymmetric upside in the current cycle.
The Ethereum Foundation has confirmed two additional high-profile resignations. Researchers Julian Ma and Carl Beek have concluded their respective multi-year tenures with the organization. Ma's departure concludes a significant period of work at the institution.
According to reports, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission intends to introduce an “innovation exemption” as early as this week. The new rule would allow tokenized versions of publicly listed company stocks to be traded on decentralized platforms.
The overall cryptocurrency market shows improved sentiment following a recent weekend selloff. Major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum are stabilizing, while XRP continues to trade at $1.388. Despite broader market pressure, the appearance of strong buy signals suggests a potential shift in momentum. Key technical indicators are beginning to indicate that the bearish trend may be fading. Despite recent underperformance, institutional interest in XRP remains noticeable. Spot XRP ETFs recorded significant net inflows last week, suggesting strong absorption of selling pressure. These growing ETF inflows indicate that major investors are building positions. This institutional buying could support a future price rally for the asset. While the chart remains bearish, the current price is approaching critical support levels. Bulls are holding the crucial $1.34 support area, which is vital for a recovery. If this support holds, XRP could target resistance near $1.415. A decisive break above resistance levels could prompt a significant short-term rebound.
Two Republican lawmakers are drafting an amendment that would permanently block the development of a United States central bank digital currency. The restriction is designed to be embedded within the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. A vote on the amendment is expected on the House floor soon. If the measure passes, the ban on a U.S. CBDC will become part of the broader housing legislation. The proposal seeks to prevent any future effort by the Federal Reserve to launch a digital dollar, establishing a long‑term policy barrier against a U.S. central bank digital currency.
Capital B, a French bitcoin treasury firm, purchased an additional 192 BTC after completing multiple capital‑raising rounds that totaled approximately $20 million (€17 million). With this acquisition, the company’s bitcoin balance exceeds 3,100 BTC as it reinforces its treasury‑centric approach. Adam Back has joined Capital B’s latest funding round, supporting the firm’s accelerated push to expand its Bitcoin strategy. His involvement underscores the company’s commitment to deepening its position in the crypto treasury space.
Zcash (ZEC) is currently outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market, demonstrating strong rally momentum. The coin surged significantly, reclaiming key resistance levels near $560. This positive action aligns with increasing retail interest in ZEC. Open Interest has grown notably, confirming elevated and optimistic trading participation. The technical outlook remains highly bullish, with momentum indicators suggesting continued upward movement. Short-term targets include retesting the $598 resistance level, which could facilitate a move toward $641. Should bulls maintain control, ZEC could aim for the major liquidity zone of $745. Conversely, a failure above $641 could trigger a drop toward $518 or lower. ZEC's rally is supported by increasing futures Open Interest, which confirms strong retail activity. While ZEC continues to rise, social dominance remains below peak levels, indicating room for improvement. If social sentiment improves, ZEC could extend its upward trend and approach higher liquidity zones. The overall bullish momentum suggests continued near-term growth potential.
Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, is promoting his Anti‑CBDC Surveillance State Act. The measure has passed the House and is awaiting Senate approval.
Dogecoin slipped below the $0.1080 level and is now trading under $0.1075 and the 100‑hour simple moving average. A bearish trend line with resistance at $0.1075 is forming on the hourly chart. Continued trading below $0.1075 and $0.110 could extend the decline. The price fell near $0.1025, breaching the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement from the $0.1127 high. Immediate resistance sits around $0.1065, with stronger barriers at $0.110 and $0.1120. A close above $0.110 may open a path toward $0.119‑$0.120. Failure to rise above $0.1075 could push DOGE down to $0.1020, then $0.1000, and further to the $0.0965 support zone. A break below $0.0965 might accelerate the fall toward $0.0920‑$0.090 in the near term. The hourly MACD indicates bearish momentum, while the RSI remains below the 50 threshold. Major support levels are $0.1020 and $0.1000; major resistance levels are $0.1065 and $0.1075.
Iran has launched “Hormuz Safe,” a Bitcoin‑backed insurance service for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, offering cryptographically verifiable policies and BTC payments. The Ministry of Economy forecasts up to $10 billion in revenue, though details remain vague. The concept was promoted by sanctioned businessman Babak Zanjani on social media. A three‑month conflict has effectively closed the Strait, a route for about 20 % of global oil, pushing Brent above $100 and halting fertilizer, helium and petrochemical shipments. Both the United States and Iran block passage, leaving shipping firms in limbo and intensifying sanctions pressure. The closure underscores the strategic importance of the chokepoint. Crypto use in Iran has surged, with roughly 14 million users and Bitcoin accounting for about 2.2 % of GDP, providing a means to bypass banks and dollar‑based sanctions. However, Bitcoin’s price volatility and the near‑standstill traffic raise serious doubts about the scheme’s practicality. Engaging with the service could also expose insurers to US sanction violations. Few ships are available to insure, and potential legal risks may deter international participation, limiting the scheme’s success. Nonetheless, the initiative highlights how sanctioned states turn to digital assets for economic survival. It adds another layer of uncertainty to oil markets and the already volatile Hormuz choke‑point.
Bitcoin has steadied above the $75,377 support level after a recent sell‑off, yet it remains underperforming. The price sits near $76,786, consolidating below $77,000, reflecting limited trader conviction. Momentum indicators show sellers still in control, hinting at potential near‑term declines. Both retail and institutional interest stay weak, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs losing $648 million on Monday after a $1 billion weekly outflow. Michael Saylor’s Strategy added roughly 24,869 BTC for about $2 billion, raising its holdings to 843,738 BTC (~$65.3 billion). Futures open interest fell to $56.9 billion, signaling reduced retail exposure. The 4‑hour chart remains bearish; RSI at 37 stays in oversold territory while MACD stays negative. A break below $75,377 could push Bitcoin to the $74,864 swing low, inviting buyers. Conversely, a rebound above $77,874 may open a path toward $78,560 and eventually the $82,111 swing high.
XRP's price has extended losses, trading below critical levels like $1.420. The asset is consolidating in a bearish zone, forming a bearish trend line. Resistance points are noted at $1.3950, suggesting continued downward pressure. Initial major resistance is found near the $1.40 level, with a potential break leading towards $1.4350. Significant hurdles exist at $1.4550 and $1.50. Conversely, major support levels are marked at $1.3650 and $1.350. The MACD for XRP/USD is currently progressing within the bearish zone. The RSI remains below the 50 level, confirming bearish momentum. Further declines might target $1.3350 or $1.3120 if key supports fail.
Bitcoin remains below $77,000 and Ethereum struggles under the $2,200 resistance. Meanwhile, HYPE, Hyperliquid’s native token, has outperformed the top‑10 crypto list, gaining over 4% in the past 24 hours and approaching the $50 psychological mark. The token’s rise contrasts sharply with the broader altcoin weakness, positioning HYPE as a market leader alongside Zcash. Bitwise Asset Management announced it will hold HYPE on its balance sheet, allocating 10% of the BHYP ETF management fee for purchases. The Hyperliquid ETF (BHYP) debuted on the NYSE, offering indirect exposure to HYPE and its staking rewards. Bitwise’s model reinvests roughly 99% of blockchain revenue to buy back and burn HYPE, reinforcing the token’s bullish fundamentals. HYPE’s 4‑hour chart shows bullish momentum, with the price only 19% shy of its all‑time high of $59.39. RSI at 66 and a positive MACD suggest buyers remain in control, potentially retesting the $49 swing high and breaking $50. If support at $44.18 fails, the next downside target could be $40.27, but current indicators favor continued upside.
Analysts maintain a strongly bullish view regarding the cross-border token's next major move. Despite several recent attempts to break out being halted, experts anticipate a significant price expansion is imminent. This optimism is fueled by increasing upward momentum and decreasing selling pressure in the market. Furthermore, major holders, or whales, have recently increased their holdings, controlling nearly 70% of the total supply. Technical indicators are pointing toward a powerful directional shift for the asset. Notably, the Bollinger Bands are showing an extreme compression, which traditionally signals an impending violent price expansion. Additionally, the SuperTrend indicator has recently flashed a buy signal for the first time since January. This convergence of signals suggests that the token is poised for a major breakout attempt. Traders are advised to wait for clear confirmation before making moves. A decisive close above the $1.50 level would signal a major uptrend, potentially targeting $1.80. Conversely, a drop below the $1.29 boundary would invalidate the bullish structure. This lower breakout would suggest a deeper correction back toward the $1.00 support level.
The $HTX Frenzy event ended on May 15 with a 100,000 USDT prize pool. Nearly 30,000 users registered, and 93.6% kept active asset holdings. Daily average holdings rose 318.1% and spot‑trading volume jumped 393.5% versus pre‑campaign levels. The surge occurred despite broader market caution, signaling confidence in $HTX’s long‑term value. $HTX has posted eleven straight weeks of price gains, breaking above its 60‑week moving average. This sustained rally reflects strong user confidence and heightened participation. The upward trend suggests robust upward momentum in the secondary market. Market data as of May 18 confirms the token’s solid performance. HTX DAO accelerated development by completing a Q1 token burn, removing over 10.83 trillion $HTX from circulation. $HTX was designated the exclusive fee‑deduction utility token, linking massive trading volume to real demand. Initiatives like the HTX Genesis Hackathon attract developers and projects, reinforcing the ecosystem’s growth flywheel. These catalysts position $HTX for continued long‑term vitality.
The bank, Brazil's third‑largest financial institution, confirmed it has secured a partner to launch cryptocurrency custody services, including stablecoins. This initiative marks its entry into the digital‑asset storage market. Bradesco’s head of innovation disclosed an internal unit dedicated to digital assets. The bank plans to roll out the custody offering soon, aligning with traditional financial institutions expanding into crypto.
Fundstrat's Tom Lee remains bullish on Ethereum despite recent price dips. He attributes the weakness primarily to macroeconomic factors, such as rising oil prices, rather than any structural decline in the network. Lee views the current pullback as a strong accumulation opportunity for investors. Furthermore, major players like Bitmine Immersion Technologies are actively accumulating ETH, suggesting continued confidence in the asset. Large-scale crypto investors are maintaining activity despite the volatility. Analytics platforms confirm that established "whales" are returning to buy substantial amounts of ETH. These movements, including the transfer of tens of thousands of coins from dormant accounts, are closely monitored by traders. Such accumulation indicates potential underlying support and suggests belief in the asset's long-term value. The current technical chart shows Ethereum struggling beneath multiple key moving averages. Indicators like the Relative Strength Index suggest weak momentum and approaches oversold territory. Key support is observed in the $2,100 to $2,120 zone, while initial resistance lies between $2,210 and $2,260. Any recovery requires reclaiming this resistance cluster, though institutional buying may cushion further downside.
Jerome Powell’s term as Fed Chair ended on May 15 2026 and Kevin Warsh was confirmed two days later. The crypto community viewed Powell as a barrier because his tight‑policy stance drained market liquidity. Warsh’s arrival is seen as a chance for a more accommodative stance. Analysts anticipate a shift that could benefit digital assets. Powell’s high‑interest‑rate policy suppressed risk‑on assets, including cryptocurrencies. With Trump urging rate cuts, Warsh may reverse that stance, easing pressure on crypto markets. A looser monetary environment is expected to boost liquidity for tokens such as XRP. This political‑economic mix fuels optimism among holders. XRP formed a falling‑wedge pattern after a 2024 rally that peaked above $3. Steph Is Crypto predicts a breakout could drive the price toward $15. The chart pattern, combined with the Fed transition, forms the catalyst for a potential rally. The view is informational and not financial advice.
The DeFi protocol Echo Protocol suffered a significant exploit, resulting in the theft of roughly $76.7 million worth of eBTC. The attack reportedly used a previously tested exploit route involving Curvance. Initially, the attacker deposited 45 eBTC into Curvance before borrowing WBTC. This borrowed WBTC was then bridged to Ethereum, yielding 385 ETH. Following the breach, Echo Protocol suspended all cross-chain transactions while investigating the incident. Curvance confirmed its smart contracts showed no signs of compromise, though the affected market was paused. Furthermore, network co-founder Keone Hon clarified that the Monad network remains operational. The hacker still retains approximately $73 million worth of eBTC. The exploit heavily impacted the market, causing the ECHO token to drop by over 12%. This incident contributes to a worrying trend, marking the 14th security breach recorded in May. The breach followed other major hacks, including attacks on THORChain and the Verus-Ethereum Bridge.
The attacker has already laundered close to 5 % of the stolen assets through Tornado Cash. The remaining 955 eBTC is still in the hacker’s possession.
U.S. spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds recorded a significant net outflow of $86.4 million on May 18. This withdrawal extends the funds' consecutive losing streak to six sessions. Such sustained outflows indicate notable selling pressure across the market for Ethereum. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) was the largest contributor to the daily withdrawals, accounting for over half the total outflow. Fidelity and Grayscale also saw substantial amounts of net money leave their respective funds. These consistent withdrawals across major issuers suggest a widespread trend, rather than limited fund-specific movement. Consecutive ETF outflows may signal shifting institutional sentiment or reduced immediate appetite for the asset. However, investors must view this data point cautiously. ETF flows are only one metric and fail to capture crucial information like over-the-counter trading or general macroeconomic factors.
Investors view Ethereum as the principal beneficiary of the CLARITY Act’s approval, refocusing attention on institutional adoption.
The Swiss Franc has weakened against the US Dollar because currency markets anticipate a persistently hawkish Federal Reserve. Strong U.S. economic data and persistent inflation readings suggest the Fed will maintain elevated interest rates for an extended period. This expectation increases demand for the US Dollar, applying significant pressure on traditional safe-haven currencies like the Franc. Historically, the Swiss Franc benefited greatly from geopolitical uncertainty and risk aversion. However, the current decline is driven primarily by the divergence in monetary policies between central banks. The Fed’s more aggressive monetary posture has made dollar-denominated assets increasingly attractive to global capital. Therefore, the relative strength of the dollar overshadows the Franc's usual appeal. A weaker Franc means Swiss exporters are likely to benefit, as their goods become more competitively priced abroad. Conversely, importers and consumers may face higher costs for essential goods priced in US dollars, such as commodities. Traders must closely monitor future Fed speeches and US inflation data for policy clues. The pair remains highly sensitive to incoming data and central bank communication.