Author: Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf

The Trump crypto scandal is sparking outrage across Capitol Hill, with lawmakers accusing former President Donald Trump and his family of pushing a self-serving digital currency agenda. At the center of the controversy is a billion-dollar deal involving an Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund, a Trump-affiliated stablecoin, and crypto exchange giant Binance.

World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture co-owned by Trump’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric, holds direct ties to the former president. According to the company’s website, 60% of it is controlled by a Trump business entity. Critics say this setup dangerously blurs the line between public office and private profit.

A $2 Billion Deal Draws Fire

On May 1, the Emirati fund revealed plans to use Trump’s stablecoin to finance a $2 billion investment in Binance. The massive crypto transaction raised alarm among lawmakers, many of whom believe it undermines the GENIUS Act — a bipartisan effort aimed at regulating stablecoins with oversight, transparency, and consumer protection.

The scandal has already led to fallout. Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters stormed out of a House crypto hearing, calling Trump’s actions “a blatant abuse of power” and accusing him of using regulatory influence to benefit his personal interests.

Meme Coin Profits and Exclusive Perks

The Trump crypto scandal doesn’t stop at stablecoins. In late April, Fight Fight Fight, a company aligned with Trump’s brand, promoted its $TRUMP meme coin by offering exclusive rewards to top investors. Perks included an “intimate dinner” with Trump at his Virginia golf club and a now-deleted promise of a “VIP White House Tour” — despite him no longer being in office.

These promotions sent the coin’s value soaring by up to 80%. Since January, Trump-linked tokens and meme coins have generated over $300 million in trading fees. Many lawmakers view these profits as the result of a carefully orchestrated campaign to exploit Trump’s political brand.

Support for GENIUS Act Weakens

Once seen as a landmark in crypto oversight, the GENIUS Act is now on shaky ground. Senators across party lines are distancing themselves from the legislation. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren called the Trump crypto scandal “a textbook example of corruption,” arguing that the bill, in its current form, could end up legitimizing Trump’s crypto ventures.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has reportedly urged fellow Democrats to demand stronger anti-corruption measures before supporting the bill. At least nine Democratic senators have pulled their backing since news of the Trump deal broke.

Republican Lawmakers Also Voice Doubts

Though less direct in their criticism, some Republican senators are also signaling resistance. Sen. Rand Paul warned that the proposed regulations could stifle crypto innovation, while Sen. Josh Hawley expressed discomfort with the idea of private entities, including Big Tech, issuing stablecoins.

Sen. John Kennedy, too, remains undecided. He noted that “deals are being made all over the place” and refused to support the bill until its details are clarified.

Calls for New Safeguards and Reform

In response to the Trump crypto scandal, Sens. Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren are drafting legislation to prohibit the president, vice president, and lawmakers — along with their families — from launching or profiting from crypto ventures while in office.

Sen. Merkley described Trump’s activities as “selling access to his office in broad daylight,” adding, “This isn’t just unethical — it’s corrosive to democracy.”

If passed, the End Crypto Corruption Act would aim to restore public trust by separating digital asset entrepreneurship from political power.

Public and political pressure continues to mount as the Trump crypto scandal unfolds. Whether it derails the GENIUS Act or reshapes how U.S. officials engage with digital assets, one thing is clear — the intersection of politics and crypto has never been more volatile.

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After a rocky start to the year, the Bitcoin ETFs market is gaining significant momentum. With growing institutional interest, weakening U.S. dollar forecasts, and an accommodative macroeconomic environment, Bitcoin and related exchange-traded funds are re-entering bullish territory.

Bitcoin ETFs Ride the Institutional Wave

The latest inflows into Bitcoin ETFs are a clear signal: big money is getting behind crypto. According to The Economic Times, spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded over $4.2 billion in net inflows in just the past few weeks, fueled primarily by institutional investors increasing their exposure to the digital asset.

Geoff Kendrick, a senior analyst at Standard Chartered, expects that the mid-May 13F filings with the SEC will show even more institutional support for Bitcoin ETFs. This data could confirm a broader shift in asset allocation strategies, including a move away from traditional safe-haven assets like gold.

Indeed, Kendrick has noted that investors may be rotating from gold ETFs into Bitcoin ETFs, viewing the latter as a more attractive inflation hedge and long-term store of value.

Weak Dollar Makes Bitcoin Shine

The U.S. dollar has been on a downward trajectory in 2025, due in part to tariff tensions and shifting investor sentiment. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is down 2.25% in the last month and more than 8% since the start of the year, according to TradingView.

This dollar weakness has bolstered the case for Bitcoin. A depreciating greenback typically benefits hard assets, and Bitcoin, with its capped supply of 21 million coins, is increasingly being seen as “digital gold.”

Forbes reports that several financial institutions now predict a further 15-20% decline in the dollar over the next few years, a development that would likely boost Bitcoin’s long-term value—and by extension, the value of Bitcoin ETFs.

Fed Policy Could Fuel the Crypto Fire

Another catalyst for the current crypto surge is monetary policy. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady in the near term, but economists project rate cuts beginning in July 2025. According to Barclays, as quoted by Reuters, the Fed is unlikely to move until mid-summer, waiting for more clarity on trade policy and inflation data.

Lower interest rates generally increase risk appetite, pushing investors toward higher-yielding and more volatile assets—like Bitcoin and Bitcoin ETFs. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, there’s a 77.6% chance of a rate cut in July and a 99.5% chance of further easing by September.

Bitcoin Price Predictions Remain Bullish

As confidence grows, so do price targets. Standard Chartered’s Kendrick believes Bitcoin could soon surpass its all-time high of $109,000 and potentially hit $120,000 by the end of Q2. His year-end target is a bold $200,000, assuming institutional inflows continue and macro conditions remain favorable.

Joe Burnett, head of research at Unchained, echoes this sentiment, suggesting Bitcoin could even surge to $250,000 if current tailwinds persist.

Top Bitcoin ETFs for 2025

For investors looking to gain exposure to this bullish trend, several Bitcoin ETFs offer a practical entry point. Among the top picks:

• iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT) 
• Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (OTCQX:GBTC) 
• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (CBOE:FBTC) 
• ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (CBOE:ARKB) 
• Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:BITB) 

For those prioritizing cost efficiency, BITB stands out with an annual expense ratio of just 0.20%, making it ideal for long-term holders. Investors may also consider the newer Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (OTCQX:BTC), which charges a competitive 0.15% fee.

Final Thoughts

While the cryptocurrency market remains inherently volatile, the long-term thesis for Bitcoin ETFs continues to strengthen. Institutional confidence, weakening dollar trends, and dovish monetary policy are aligning to push Bitcoin—and its associated funds—to new highs.

As always, investors should weigh the risks carefully. But for those with a long-term outlook and an appetite for innovation, 2025 may be the breakout year for Bitcoin ETFs.

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The return of stock market greed is dominating headlines and driving price action in both equities and digital assets. As risk appetite surges among investors, the cryptocurrency market is riding a parallel wave of momentum that could define trading strategies in Q2 2025.

Stock Market Greed Reawakens in 2025

On May 6, 2025, the widely watched Fear & Greed Index finally tilted back into “Greed” territory for the first time this year, according to a post by market analyst AltcoinGordon. The index, a barometer of investor sentiment, indicates that optimism is rapidly returning to Wall Street. Major benchmarks like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reflected that mood, climbing 1.2% and 1.5% respectively by mid-morning trading.

This bullish energy is not confined to traditional finance. The rise in stock market greed typically spills over into speculative corners of the market—including cryptocurrencies—creating short-term trading opportunities for those watching the cross-market correlation.

Crypto Traders Respond to Equity Market Euphoria

Crypto markets responded swiftly to this sentiment shift. Bitcoin (BTC) jumped 3.5% between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM EST, pushing toward $68,000 on exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. Leading altcoins followed suit, with Ethereum (ETH) gaining 4.1% and Solana (SOL) surging 5.8% during the same window.

Trading volume surged across the board. Binance reported a 22% increase in ETH/USDT pair volume, while Bitcoin’s BTC/USDT saw an 18% uptick in 24-hour activity. These moves suggest that institutional investors are treating crypto as a high-beta asset class in a broader risk-on environment.

Meanwhile, crypto-related equities saw a bounce as well. Shares of Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) rose 2.8% by midday, mirroring strength in the underlying digital asset markets. These correlated gains hint at capital rotation into crypto-adjacent sectors, likely driven by portfolio managers betting on a sustained uptrend in speculative assets.

Technical Signals: Is a Pullback Coming?

From a technical standpoint, traders are eyeing potential resistance. On May 6, 2025, Bitcoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) climbed to 68 on the 4-hour chart, nearing overbought levels. Ethereum’s RSI also rose to 65. While not extreme, these metrics suggest caution is warranted.

On-chain data supports the bullish case, with Glassnode reporting a 7% week-over-week rise in active Bitcoin addresses. This implies growing network activity and user engagement—often a precursor to sustained upward momentum.

However, the market’s emotional tilt toward stock market greed also increases the risk of sharp reversals if macroeconomic data underwhelms or profit-taking begins.

Institutional Impact and ETF Watch

Crypto ETFs are increasingly seen as sentiment indicators. While spot Bitcoin ETFs saw modest inflows on May 6, any acceleration in those flows could serve as confirmation of institutional confidence. Traders are watching ETF activity as a proxy for broader market acceptance of digital assets.

Additionally, fintech and blockchain stocks have benefited from this momentum. If the Nasdaq continues to rally, stocks like Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) and Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:MARA) could attract fresh capital alongside DeFi tokens and layer-1 assets like Avalanche (AVAX).

What Comes Next?

Stock market greed creates a fertile environment for short-term rallies across risk assets, but crypto traders must stay alert. If sentiment reverses, the impact on volatile digital assets could be amplified.

The best strategy? Use momentum to your advantage but set tight stop-losses. Watch correlation trends between equities and crypto. Monitor ETF flows. And most importantly, prepare for both euphoria and sudden corrections.

Staying informed is essential in these fast-moving environments. Traders should keep an eye on macroeconomic indicators, central bank commentary, and earnings season data—all of which can quickly shift sentiment. In a market driven by emotion, knowledge and discipline remain your greatest trading assets.

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Debates over crypto regulation reached a boiling point this week as House Democrats and Republicans held rival roundtables, each offering sharply different views on how—and whether—to regulate digital assets. The split was catalyzed by growing concerns around former President Donald Trump’s deepening involvement in the crypto industry, just months into his latest presidential term.

While Republicans focused on legislative progress and bipartisan proposals, Democrats, led by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), condemned Trump’s personal crypto ventures and alleged conflicts of interest.

Democrats Slam “Crypto Corruption” Linked to Trump

During the Democratic roundtable, Waters labeled Trump’s digital asset dealings as blatant crypto corruption, accusing Republicans of enabling what she described as a coordinated effort by the Trump family to profit from an unregulated market. Trump’s affiliated company, World Liberty Financial, has already launched a stablecoin, and his family introduced a series of memecoins earlier this year.

“I am deeply concerned that Republicans aren’t just ignoring Trump’s corruption—they are legitimizing it,” said Waters. Her remarks come amid rising alarm over the former president’s sway over federal agencies that oversee cryptocurrency enforcement.

Other Democrats, including Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), echoed these sentiments, arguing that while they are subject to strict ethics rules, Trump appears to bypass such accountability. “They can parade around, and we can’t even be in a local parade,” Garcia noted in frustration.

Republican Focus: Frameworks and Bipartisan Progress

On the other side of the aisle, House Republicans continued with their own crypto regulation roundtable, emphasizing legislative initiatives such as FIT 21—a market structure bill previously backed by 71 Democrats. Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) framed the roundtable as part of a constructive process to build a modern regulatory regime for digital assets.

“We’re approaching it in a fresh way,” Hill said. “To my friends on the other side of the aisle, our doors are always open.”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), one of the few Democrats who remained in the Republican-led meeting, said, “Crypto isn’t going away. We have a responsibility to be part of the solution.”

The Republican side also discussed a new draft bill released Monday, which proposes clearer roles for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alongside enhanced disclosure requirements.

Bridging the Divide on Crypto Oversight

One notable point of agreement emerged from former CFTC Chair Timothy Massad, who joined the Democrats’ roundtable. Massad proposed a collaborative approach, urging Congress to create a self-regulatory organization jointly overseen by the SEC and CFTC. He described it as a pragmatic way to impose order on the crypto space without overhauling securities laws.

“It brings those two agencies together, which I think is very important,” said Massad. Waters tentatively agreed that finding a regulatory middle ground was possible—but made clear that Trump’s conduct remained her main concern.

Crypto Spats Move to Social Media

As if the divide on Capitol Hill weren’t deep enough, the official X (formerly Twitter) accounts for the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees began trading insults. When Republicans posted, “While @RepMaxineWaters rushed out the door, adults remain in the room,” Democrats snapped back, calling the GOP “too scared to stand up to a President breaking the law.”

The exchanges got more personal when Republicans posted footage of Waters blowing a kiss to now-convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Democrats retaliated with a reminder: “Meanwhile, the leader of your party is a twice-impeached, convicted felon. Try again.”

Why Crypto Regulation Is More Urgent Than Ever

The ongoing drama underscores a critical reality: crypto regulation is no longer a partisan curiosity—it’s a national priority. With figures like Donald Trump actively shaping the digital asset market, the stakes have never been higher. Whether through stablecoin oversight, conflict-of-interest safeguards, or bipartisan rulemaking, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to deliver meaningful reform. The only question is whether the politics of personality will derail that mission.

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Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is on the verge of hitting a major psychological milestone, as it trades just below US$100,000. The original cryptocurrency has seen a strong rebound after a 10-week slump, driven by renewed investor interest, especially in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The focus keyword, Bitcoin nears $100K, reflects both the market’s excitement and its broader implications.

Bitcoin Breaks Out After Market Slump

After facing weeks of pressure triggered by macroeconomic uncertainty—including Donald Trump’s recently reintroduced tariffs—Bitcoin nears $100K once again, climbing to US$97,483. That’s its highest level since February 21. The rally comes after a sharp 30% correction following Bitcoin’s previous all-time high of roughly US$109,000, set on Trump’s January 20 inauguration day.

While the broader stock and digital asset markets suffered due to tariff-induced fears, Bitcoin is showing renewed strength. Analysts say the latest surge is more about momentum and less about macroeconomic triggers like inflation or interest rates.

ETFs Fuel the Bitcoin Surge

Much of the upward momentum comes from rising inflows into Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. Over US$3.2 billion flowed into crypto ETFs last week alone. Notably, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) drew in nearly US$1.5 billion, its largest weekly inflow of 2025.

This massive capital injection highlights the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment vehicle among institutional and retail investors. As Bitcoin nears $100K, these ETFs serve as both a reflection of investor confidence and a key catalyst for price movement.

Smaller tokens like Dogecoin (DOGE-USD) and Ether (ETH-USD) have also rallied—up 4.8% and 3.3%, respectively—mirroring Bitcoin’s rise and confirming the bullish sentiment across the crypto market.

Spot Market Demand Over Derivatives

One of the most interesting developments in this rally is the shift from leveraged derivatives trading to spot market demand. In previous runs, Bitcoin’s price was often driven by futures and options activity. This time, however, investors are buying the asset outright—indicating more sustainable interest.

According to data from Coinglass and Deribit, bullish bets on Bitcoin have increased moderately. Call options with a $100,000 strike price are now seeing the highest open interest, suggesting traders expect Bitcoin to surpass that level soon.

Chris Newhouse, director of research at Ergonia, a decentralized finance trading firm, noted:

“Market sentiment has broadly shifted in favour of momentum-based trades fuelled by spot demand, as BTC breaches levels not seen since early February.”

This suggests a healthier market foundation compared to previous speculative bubbles.

Bitcoin’s Changing Role in Financial Markets

As Bitcoin nears $100K, its relationship with traditional financial assets like gold and equities continues to evolve. At times, Bitcoin moves in sync with inflation hedges like gold; at other times, it aligns more closely with high-risk tech stocks.

This shifting correlation indicates that Bitcoin is carving out a new identity: no longer just a hedge or a speculative play, but a multi-dimensional asset. Its growing role in ETF portfolios, rising institutional adoption, and shift toward spot demand all suggest that crypto is becoming more integrated into mainstream finance.

What’s Next for Bitcoin?

With $100,000 within reach, many investors are watching closely for a breakout—or a rejection—at this critical resistance level. Should Bitcoin close above that threshold, analysts expect a new wave of retail interest and further institutional inflows.

If macro factors like inflation or interest rates stay in check, the momentum behind Bitcoin nears $100K could carry it even higher. But caution remains. Any major regulatory news or economic shock could still derail the rally.

Final Thoughts

The phrase Bitcoin nears $100K captures more than just a number—it marks a turning point for the asset class. With ETFs drawing billions and investor sentiment shifting toward long-term holding strategies, Bitcoin’s next move could shape the entire future of crypto markets.

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