The crypto market capitalization added nearly $64 billion on Wednesday, April 22, amid renewed institutional demand. The total cryptocurrency market cap surged by over 2% in the past 24 hours, reaching $2.7 trillion at press time, according to metrics from CoinGecko . The 24-hour average crypto trading volume jumped by roughly $9.74 billion to hover around $112.2 billion at the time of publication. Crypto market cap change on April 22. Source: CoinGecko Bitcoin ( BTC ) price had gained 2.3% over the past 24 hours, thereby trading at approximately $78,077 at the time of reporting. The top ten altcoins that performed best today were Ethereum ( ETH ), Solana ( SOL ), and Dogecoin ( DOGE ). Meanwhile, XRP price has increased by nearly 1% to trade at $1.45, hence outshining the rest of the top ten altcoins over the past seven days. Top ten crypto assets performance. Source: CoinGecko Top reasons why the crypto market gained today One of the main factors behind the cryptocurrency industry’s upward trend today was easing geopolitical tensions, which boosted macro sentiment. Specifically, on April 21, President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire agreement with Iran had been extended indefinitely. In response, crypto traders turned increasingly optimistic, with CoinMarketCap’s Fear and Greed Index rising from 57/100 on Tuesday to 61/100 at press time. The growing bullish sentiment was further supported by a short squeeze – a rally that occurs when rising prices force sellers to turn bullish. Moreover, short traders accounted for $286 million of the $418 million liquidated in the past 24 hours, as per data from CoinGlass . The cryptocurrency market also experienced bullish sentiment catalyzed by renewed demand, especially from institutional investors. For instance, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ( IBIT ) has recorded 10 consecutive days of inflows, thereby accumulating more than $1.6 billion, as Finbold reported . Additionally, at the beginning of this week, Strategy Inc. ( MSTR ) purchased more than $2.5 billion in Bitcoin, thereby becoming the largest institutional holder, as Finbold noted . The spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have also recorded a new wave of inflows in the recent past, as Finbold reported . The post Why is the crypto market up today? appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-22 13:44

Cryptocurrency prediction markets are suggesting that there is only a minimal chance that XRP will reach a new record in 2026. XRP, which is currently mirroring broader market sentiment, has recently recorded subdued price action and is struggling to breach the $1.50 resistance level. Now, prediction market data from Polymarket for 2026 shows a cautious but slightly optimistic outlook for the token’s price trajectory. The market sees XRP most likely ending 2026 near the lower end of its range, with $1 carrying the highest probability at 44%, pointing to expectations of consolidation rather than a breakout. Lower levels at $0.80 and $0.60 follow with probabilities of 35% and 29%, showing sentiment remains cautious and largely anchored below $1. XRP price prediction. Source: Polymarket On the upside, moderate gains are still in play, with $2.60 and $2.80 each holding about a 28% chance. However, probabilities drop sharply beyond $3, with $3 at 16% and higher levels falling into low double or single digits. A move toward $5 is seen as unlikely, with just a 7% probability. Overall, the distribution suggests a market leaning toward stability with limited upside, where a move into the $2 and $3 range is possible but not the base case, and prices are more likely to finish the year near current or slightly lower levels. XRP price analysis Meanwhile, XRP has been in a consolidation phase in April 2026, following more volatile swings in late 2025 and early 2026. It recently hit a local high near $1.50 but pulled back about 6%, aligning with broader cryptocurrency market sentiment. This comes after a difficult period in which XRP fell more than 60% from its $3.65 peak in July 2025, weighed down by broader market pressure and weak momentum. At press time, XRP was trading at $1.45, up 0.7% in the past 24 hours, while on the weekly timeframe, the asset has rallied more than 7%. XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold As it stands, XRP is holding slightly above its 50-day SMA at $1.38, suggesting short-term support remains intact, and the near-term trend is mildly bullish. However, the price is still well below the 200-day SMA at $1.88, indicating the broader trend remains under pressure and longer-term resistance is still overhead. The 14-day RSI sits at 55.28, placing XRP in neutral territory. This reflects balanced momentum, neither overbought nor oversold, leaving room for movement in either direction. The post Crypto markets update XRP price prediction for end of 2026 appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-22 12:32

Bitcoin ( BTC ) price could explode in a full-blown bull market amid a buildup of short traders as of April 21, 2026. Bitcoin price is likely to experience a short squeeze – a bull rally that occurs when rising prices force short sellers to buy back their positions – in the near term, according to Chris Beamish, an analyst at on-chain analytics platform Glassnode . Furthermore, Beamish noted that Bitcoin has sustained several weeks of negative funding rate – an instance where short positions dominate the market due to longs getting paid to hold their positions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ BTC Futures Perpetual Funding Rate on all exchanges. Source: Glassnode The rising number of short sellers may be due to the asset’s price action over the past three months, which resembles its November 2025 to January 2027 consolidation that led to the February selloff. As such, if more traders continue to bet on Bitcoin’s price falling amid a gradual rebound, more short liquidations could catalyze a strong short squeeze. “Haven’t seen funding like this in quite some time. BTC has seen sustained negative funding for weeks, all while the price slowly climbs out of a range. I think a squeeze is likely,” Beamish stated . Bitcoin short squeeze bolstered by rising spot demand A BTC price rally fueled by a short squeeze is bolstered by rising spot demand, especially from institutional investors. For instance, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ( IBIT ) has recorded 9 consecutive days of inflows, thereby accumulating over $1.6 billion, as Finbold reported. Earlier this week, Strategy Inc ( MSTR ) purchased BTC valued at more than $2.5 billion, thereby becoming the largest institutional holder, as Finbold noted . Meanwhile, Bitcoin whales – addresses with a balance of between 100 and 10,000 BTC – added roughly 45,000 coins in the past week. As such, BTC’s price is well positioned for a short squeeze in the near future, unless sentiment suddenly changes. Moreover, the flagship coin has in the past been influenced by geopolitical factors – such as the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran – despite robust fundamentals. The post Bitcoin short squeeze incoming amid renewed institutional demand appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 22:04

The BlackRock-backed spot Bitcoin ( BTC ) exchange-traded fund (ETF), iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), has recorded 9 consecutive days of cash inflows. Between April 8 and April 20, BlackRock’s IBIT registered net cash inflow of approximately $1.609 billion. The largest single-day inflow for IBIT in the past 9 days was $291.86 million on April 15, representing an acquisition of 3,891 BTCs. The smallest daily cash inflow for this fund was $34.70 million on April 13, corresponding to the purchase of approximately 473 Bitcoin. IBIT daily cash flow. Source: SoSoValue Consequently, IBIT accumulated about 21,536 Bitcoin over these nine days. At the time of publication, the fund held about 806,178.4 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $61.52 billion on April 21, according to metrics from SoSoValue . The recent renewed institutional demand for Bitcoin through IBIT helped the fund record its highest weekly cash inflow since mid-January last week, totaling approximately $906.09 million, as Finbold highlighted . Bitcoin price rises on renewed demand from BlackRock’s IBIT The renewed demand for Bitcoin through BlackRock’s IBIT has fueled the asset’s bullish rebound. Furthermore, other institutional investors, led by Strategy Inc ( MSTR ), accelerated their BTC purchases in the past week, as Finbold reported . BTC/USD 30-day performance. Source: Finbold Amid the notable cash inflows to IBIT, BTC price managed to convert its prior resistance around $70,840 into a support zone. Consequently, the flagship coin climbed over 7% to trade at about $75,780 at press time. If BlackRock’s IBIT continues to record net cash inflows in the coming days, BTC price could easily surge above $80,000. Moreover, the supply of Bitcoin on all cryptocurrency exchanges has dropped to a fresh yearly low over the past few days, as Finbold pointed out . The post BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF records 9 consecutive days of inflow – Here’s how much BTC it bought appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 19:56

Bitcoin-native lending protocol Mezo has listed its MEZO governance token and MUSD stablecoin on Bullish Exchange, an institutional digital asset platform operated by Bullish (NYSE: BLSH), according to an announcement shared with Finbold on April 21. The listing provides both institutional and retail traders with direct access to MEZO and MUSD through a regulated exchange operating across the United States, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, and the EU. Bullish operates a hybrid trading model combining a central limit order book with automated market making. The exchange recorded more than $2 billion in average daily trading volume in 2025 and has processed over $1.8 trillion in cumulative volume since launch. Custody services are provided by BitGo, with customer assets held on a 1:1 basis and segregated from company funds. Why a listing on Bullish Mezo said the Bullish listing removes access barriers for market participants unable to trade on decentralized exchanges, particularly institutional allocators that require regulated venues and qualified custody. As a publicly traded exchange, Bullish offers compliance and infrastructure standards aligned with institutional requirements. MEZO and MUSD overview MEZO functions as Mezo’s coordination and governance token, enabling veBTC holders to lock MEZO into veMEZO to increase voting power on protocol gauges. These gauges direct emissions toward liquidity pools, the MUSD Savings Rate, and other protocol incentives. In return, veBTC holders earn a share of protocol revenue, including swap fees, interest generated from MUSD loans, and bridging fees. MUSD is Mezo’s Bitcoin-backed stablecoin, issued against BTC collateral at a fixed 1% APR. The protocol has processed more than $550 million in lifetime MUSD volume and issued over 2,000 loans, with collateralization exceeding 168%. MUSD is designed to provide dollar-denominated liquidity for Bitcoin (BTC) holders without requiring asset liquidation. Both MEZO and MUSD are available on Bullish via Ethereum Layer 1 at launch. Protocol metrics and infrastructure Mezo’s total value locked (TVL) currently stands at approximately $171.3 million, with more than 43,500 mainnet users. Yield on the platform is generated through borrower interest on MUSD loans, origination fees, and swap fees from Mezo’s native decentralized exchange. Bitcoin lockers currently earn around 4% APR through early incentives, with MEZO emissions gradually transitioning toward a revenue-backed model. Mezo’s validator set includes P2P, Chorus One, and Validation Cloud. The protocol has undergone audits by Quantstamp and Thesis Defense, while Anchorage Digital provides custody and compliance infrastructure for institutional participants. The Bullish listing follows Mezo’s recent partnership with Aerodrome Finance and the conclusion of its “Bring Bitcoin Home” campaign, which migrated approximately $23 million in Bitcoin-denominated assets from Ethereum to Mezo’s mainnet. Commenting on the listing, Mezo founder and CEO Matt Luongo said, “Bullish gives MEZO and MUSD a regulated trading venue built for the participants we want to reach. BTC holders and institutions can now access Mezo’s tokens through a publicly traded exchange with segregated custody and compliance infrastructure. That matters more than volume numbers.” Featured image via Shutterstock. The post Mezo’s MEZO and MUSD go live on Bullish Exchange appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 17:34

Ripple Labs is working on a structured plan to transition the XRP Ledger (XRPL), which uses XRP as its native token, to post-quantum cryptography by 2028. In the first phase, Ripple Labs has outlined an emergency response plan in the event that classical cryptography breaks unexpectedly. Under this contingency, XRPL could implement a hard fork that no longer accepts classical public-key standards. As for the second phase, Ripple intends to conduct a full assessment of quantum risk across the XRP Ledger. The evaluation could examine how changes to post-quantum cryptography may impact the network’s transaction performance, storage, and bandwidth.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ For the third phase, the blockchain payment company plans to integrate candidate post-quantum signature schemes alongside existing elliptic-curve ones. They intend to begin on Devnet for developer testing. In the final phase, the firm plans to propose a new amendment to the XRPL ecosystem to introduce native post-quantum cryptography, transitioning the entire network to post-quantum signatures at scale. Ripple Labs leverages existing XRP Ledger features to accelerate post-quantum transition Ripple Labs intends to involve team members from its development division, RippleX, to roll out the four-phase roadmap targeting full quantum-resistant signatures across the XRPL. Through this roadmap, the company aims to preserve the XRP Ledger’s existing strengths while integrating quantum-resistant cryptography. The roadmap is designed to minimize disruption if a sudden quantum breakthrough occurs before the migration is complete. The XRPL network already has several foundational features to protect users against quantum threats, including native key rotation, as Finbold reported . However, Ripple Labs has acknowledged that its current XRPL cryptographic protections are insufficient to withstand a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, thereby necessitating a planned migration over the next two years. Moreover, Google has cautioned the blockchain industry that a powerful quantum computer could break cryptography as early as 2029, as Finbold previously noted . The post Ripple unveils four-phase plan to make the XRP Ledger quantum-resistant by 2028 appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 17:01

Bybit has disclosed details of a multi-stage macOS malware campaign targeting users searching for “Claude Code,” an AI-powered development tool by Anthropic, according to findings published by its Security Operations Center (SOC) and shared with Finbold on April 21. The company said the campaign represents one of the first publicly documented cases in which a centralized crypto exchange (CEX) has identified and analyzed an active threat exploiting AI tool discovery channels to target developers. According to Bybit, the campaign was first identified in March 2026 and relied on search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning to elevate a malicious domain to the top of Google search results. Users searching for “Claude Code” were redirected to a spoofed installation page designed to closely resemble legitimate documentation. Multi-stage malware chain targets credentials and crypto wallets Bybit’s analysis found that the attack deployed a two-stage malware chain. The initial payload, delivered via a Mach-O dropper, installed an osascript-based infostealer exhibiting characteristics similar to known AMOS and Banshee variants. The infostealer executed a multi-phase obfuscation process to extract sensitive data, including browser credentials, macOS Keychain entries, Telegram sessions, VPN profiles, and cryptocurrency wallet information. Bybit researchers identified targeted access attempts against more than 250 browser-based wallet extensions, as well as multiple desktop wallet applications. A second-stage payload introduced a C++-based backdoor featuring advanced evasion techniques such as sandbox detection and encrypted runtime configuration. The malware established persistence through system-level agents and enabled remote command execution via HTTP-based polling, allowing attackers to maintain ongoing control over compromised devices. The investigation also uncovered social engineering tactics, including fake macOS password prompts used to validate and cache user credentials. In some cases, attackers attempted to replace legitimate wallet applications such as Ledger Live and Trezor Suite with trojanized versions hosted on malicious infrastructure. AI-assisted analysis accelerates detection and response Bybit said its SOC leveraged AI-assisted workflows across the full malware analysis lifecycle, significantly reducing response times while maintaining analytical depth. Initial triage and classification of the Mach-O sample were completed within minutes, with AI models flagging behavioral similarities to known malware families. According to the company, AI-assisted reverse engineering and control-flow analysis reduced deep inspection of the second-stage backdoor from an estimated six to eight hours to under 40 minutes. Automated extraction pipelines identified indicators of compromise, including command-and-control infrastructure, file signatures, and behavioral patterns, which were mapped to established threat frameworks. These capabilities enabled same-day deployment of detection measures. AI-assisted rule generation supported the creation of threat signatures and endpoint detection rules, which were validated by analysts before being pushed to production environments. Bybit said AI-generated reporting drafts reduced turnaround time, allowing threat intelligence outputs to be finalized approximately 70% faster than traditional workflows. “As one of the first crypto exchanges to publicly document this type of malware campaign, we believe sharing these findings is critical to strengthening collective defense across the industry,” said David Zong, Head of Group Risk Control and Security at Bybit. “Our AI-assisted SOC allows us to move from detection to full kill chain visibility within a single operational window. What used to require a team of analysts working across multiple shifts — decompilation, IOC extraction, report drafting, rule writing — was completed in a single session with AI handling the heavy lifting and our analysts providing judgment and validation. Looking to the future, we will face an AI war. Using AI to defend against AI is an inevitable trend. Bybit will further increase its investment in AI for security, achieving minute-level threat detection and automated, intelligent emergency response.” The malware targeted a wide range of environments, including Chromium-based browsers, Firefox variants, Safari data, Apple Notes, and local file directories commonly used to store sensitive financial or authentication information. Bybit said it identified multiple domains and command-and-control endpoints associated with the campaign, all of which have since been defanged for public disclosure. Analysis indicated that attackers relied on intermittent HTTP polling rather than persistent connections, making detection more challenging. According to Bybit, malicious infrastructure associated with the campaign was identified on March 12. Full analysis, mitigation, and internal detection measures were completed within the same day. Public disclosure followed on March 20, accompanied by detailed detection and remediation guidance to help users identify and mitigate similar threats. Featured image via Shutterstock. The post Bybit Security exposes macOS malware campaign targeting users searching for Claude Code appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 17:00

Crypto scam messages offering safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for digital currencies started circulating on Tuesday, April 21. Specifically, shipowners started receiving messages from unknown senders posing as Iranian authorities, who demanded cryptocurrency payments, partciuarly Bitcoin ( BTC ) or Tether ( USDT ), in exchange for passage clearance. The swindling attempt, first reported by Reuters following a warning issued by a Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS, allegedly culminated with an attack on a tanker 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. A new dimension to the Hormuz blockade As per MARISKS reports, the messages in question asked companies to submit documents for review by Iranian security services. Only then would the “vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time,” one attempt read. While certainly unique, the Hormuz crypto scam is part of a broader wave of digital crime. Indeed, crypto losses from hacking incidents alone have crossed $600 million over the past 30 days, according to DefiLlama data . As Tehran has floated the idea of charging tolls for safe transit through the vital chokepoint at Hormuz, the scam was likely an attempt to capitalize on the desperation. For now, hundreds of vessels and thousands of seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf. As for Bitcoin, the assets remain virtually unaffected by the situation, having experienced a modest daily uptick of 0.5% and trading at $75,800 at press time. The latest data suggests that bulls will remain in control as long as Bitcoin holds above the $74,000 support zone. A decisive move above $77,500 and $78,000, however, could put $80,000 back on the menu. Conversely, a drop below $73,000 might see the asset retest the $70,000 and $72,000 range. Featured image via Shutterstock The post Crypto scam messages promise safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 16:48

Cryptocurrency analyst Michaël Poppe has outlined a projected timeline for Bitcoin ( BTC ) to reach its next all-time high, following a period of volatility in the leading digital asset. According to Poppe, historical patterns, along with recent corrections and current chart signals, point to a continuation of the uptrend, with the next record high potentially surpassing the previous $126,000 mark. In an X post on April 20, Poppe noted that Bitcoin typically establishes a new all-time high within 12 months after a significant correction. Notably, in recent months, Bitcoin lost the $100,000 support level at one point and faced the risk of falling below $60,000, with some analysts maintaining that the asset could decline further. Poppe added that in the shorter term, similar past market structures show that within three to six months of such downturns, Bitcoin tends to trade between 30% and 60% above its local bottom. Based on this framework, he placed the potential for Bitcoin to approach the $100,000 level in the third quarter of 2026. Statistically, after such a correction of #Bitcoin , a new ATH is made within 12 months. Within 3-6 months, on every occassion of such an outlier, Bitcoin was trading 30-60% higher than the low. That would put $100K on the map in Q3 of 2026. — Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) April 20, 2026 Bitcoin price in transition before next leg up This outlook is supported by recent price action, which shows Bitcoin transitioning into a consolidation phase after a sharp decline. Despite the pullback, the structure has shifted into a series of higher lows, indicating a gradual recovery and an emerging uptrend. The price is holding above a key support zone, described as crucial for maintaining bullish momentum, while short-term moving averages are beginning to slope upward, reinforcing the recovery narrative. Bitcoin price analysis chart. Source: TradingView His analysis also highlighted a nearby resistance zone around the mid-$80,000 range. Bitcoin is currently edging toward this level, with tightening price action suggesting building pressure for a breakout. At the same time, volume patterns indicate reduced selling pressure compared to the earlier decline, while the steady climb reflects renewed buying interest. In the near term, Poppe expects Bitcoin to continue grinding higher toward the $85,000 region, although the move may not be immediate. The price action is seen as slightly lagging broader equity markets, particularly the Nasdaq, which has historically led Bitcoin’s directional moves. Bitcoin price analysis By press time, Bitcoin was trading at $75,964, up about 1% over the past 24 hours, while on the weekly timeframe, BTC has gained 2%. Bitcoin seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold Despite the relatively modest price movement, bulls remain in control as long as Bitcoin holds above the $73,000 and $74,000 support zone. A decisive move above $77,500 and $78,000 could open the path toward $80,000, while a drop below $73,000 might see the asset retest the $70,000 and $72,000 range. The post Expert sets timeline for Bitcoin’s next all-time high price appeared first on Finbold .

2026-04-21 16:27