In a candid interview on The Journeyman podcast with financial strategist Raoul Pal, Barry Silbert—the founder of Digital Currency Group—delivered a jarring assessment of the crypto industry. According to Silbert, 99.9% of cryptocurrency tokens are worthless, offering no real value to the ecosystem. His statement sent shockwaves through the crypto world, igniting fresh debate on which digital assets truly have staying power.

These Barry Silbert crypto views carry weight. As one of the earliest institutional investors in Bitcoin, his voice resonates across the blockchain industry. Silbert, who began investing in Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) when it was trading at just $7 back in 2011, has witnessed every stage of the crypto market’s evolution—from fringe tech experiment to trillion-dollar asset class.

Most Crypto Tokens Are Doomed, Says Barry Silbert

Silbert explained that, despite his fascination with the innovation in the space, he has become increasingly skeptical of new tokens. “I’ve always been intellectually curious about everything else that’s coming out of our space. But for the most part, 99.9% of crypto tokens that are out there have no reason to exist and are worthless,” he said.

His crypto investment philosophy has shifted over time. Initially, he was drawn to Bitcoin for its disruptive potential. But after experiencing several boom-and-bust cycles, Silbert began focusing on investing in the infrastructure surrounding Bitcoin and blockchain tech rather than individual coins.

“Had I just held on to the Bitcoin, I actually would have done better than making those investments,” Silbert admitted. Still, his perspective offers a warning: the majority of tokens being hyped today may fade into obscurity.

Privacy Coins Still Catch Barry Silbert’s Eye

While Barry Silbert remains pessimistic about most of the crypto market, he’s still bullish on privacy-focused digital currencies like Zcash (CRYPTO:ZEC). These coins have lost significant ground over the past few years, but Silbert believes they fill a vital niche. “People are going to realize financial privacy is important to them. There’s a version of Bitcoin that’s private,” he noted, referring to Zcash and other similar projects.

This view aligns with the broader concerns about digital surveillance and the potential for overreach by governments and corporations. In Silbert’s eyes, privacy coins may still have a role in the decentralized future, even if the broader market continues to shrink.

Lessons from Silbert’s Crypto Journey

Barry Silbert’s early journey with Bitcoin is a textbook lesson in market psychology. At one point, he believed he had made a brilliant investment, only to later worry it was a mistake after the price plunged. Yet, as the asset recovered and soared to new highs, he doubled down—not just on Bitcoin, but on companies building around it.

His takeaway? Sometimes, the simplest investment is the most profitable one. While Silbert backed companies like Ripple and others building crypto infrastructure, he confessed that simply holding Bitcoin would’ve yielded higher returns.

It’s a rare moment of transparency from one of the crypto space’s most influential figures and reinforces his broader message: focus on the few strong players, and ignore the noise.

The Future of Crypto Through Silbert’s Lens

Barry Silbert’s crypto views offer a stark reality check in a market flooded with new tokens and speculative hype. He believes that most of today’s cryptocurrencies will not stand the test of time—and history may prove him right. However, his optimism about Bitcoin and select privacy coins shows that there’s still meaningful innovation and value in the space—just not where many expect to find it.

For investors navigating the volatile crypto market, Silbert’s insights are a reminder to look beyond hype and evaluate digital assets with a critical eye. While 99.9% of tokens may be worthless, the remaining 0.1% could define the future of finance.

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SINGAPORE, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has successfully integrated and launched Fireblocks Off-Exchange, a next-generation solution for institutional trading.

“This integration represents a strategic expansion of HTX’s institutional offerings,” said Justin Sun, Advisor to HTX. “Fireblocks’ state-of-the-art technology enhances our platform’s security infrastructure while streamlining institutional operations within a compliant framework. Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that make HTX the preferred gateway for institutions entering the digital asset market.”

This milestone reinforces HTX’s commitment to delivering a secure, compliant, and seamless trading environment for its global institutional clientele.

Fireblocks Off-Exchange: Revolutionizing Institutional Asset Security

Fireblocks Off-Exchange enables institutions to securely trade digital assets by maintaining funds in self-custodied, off-exchange collateral accounts, while simultaneously receiving 1:1 credit on the exchange. This dramatically reduces counterparty risk while maintaining the speed and capital efficiency of centralized trading.

The solution facilitates rapid, low-cost settlement across platforms, ensuring assets remain under institutional-grade security throughout the trade lifecycle. A robust disaster recovery mechanism guarantees recoverability of funds even under extreme conditions, enabling institutional clients to retain control over private keys while accessing deep exchange liquidity.

HTX: Reinforcing Institutional Confidence in the Crypto Market

By deploying Fireblocks Off-Exchange, HTX strengthens its platform’s regulatory posture and operational resilience—critical factors in today’s evolving digital asset landscape. The integration aligns with HTX’s broader mission to advance institutional participation through enhanced asset protection and compliance infrastructure.

Since the launch, HTX has onboarded numerous institutional clients and recorded a 200% increase in trading volume, validating market demand for secure off-exchange settlement models.

A Step Toward the Future of Compliant Institutional Trading

As the crypto industry continues to mature, HTX remains committed to innovation in asset protection, regulatory alignment, and institutional services. The Fireblocks Off-Exchange integration marks another key milestone in HTX’s journey to provide a best-in-class, compliant trading experience tailored to institutional needs—positioning the exchange as a global leader in secure digital asset trading.

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

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VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, announced the listing of GOMBLE (GM) for spot trading and the launch of an exclusive Launchpool rewards campaign.

Spot trading for Gomble will go live on 16 April 2025, 10:30 (UTC) under the GM/USDT pair, with deposits already available and withdrawals available on 17 April 2025, 11:30 (UTC). Eligible users can lock BGB to grab a share of 15,454,000 GM during the Launchpool campaign, starting from 16 April 2025, 10:30 to 21 April 2025, 10:30 (UTC).

Gomble is the blockchain gaming arm of 111%, a South Korean mobile game developer known for hits like Random Dice and BBTAN, with over 110 million users across 230+ games. Launched to bring casual gaming to Web3, Gomble focuses on hyper-casual titles that blend fun with blockchain rewards, aiming to onboard billions without complex barriers like wallets or NFTs upfront. GOMBLE SQUAD is a social gaming portal where players can form teams, or SQUADs, that carry over across Gomble Games’ various games and ecosystem. This platform novelly allows players to work together, strategize, and earn rewards based on their team’s collective performance.

As the bridge between traditional mobile gaming and blockchain technology, GOMBLE transforms the gaming experience through its innovative Squad system, on-chain achievement recording, and community-driven development approach.

Bitget continues to solidify its role as a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, offering over 800 listed tokens across spot and derivatives markets. The addition of GOMBLE to Launchpool aligns with Bitget’s ongoing effort to support innovative projects whose value continues to evolve the ecosystem while keeping in line with culture.

Find more details on GOMBLE here.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavu?o?lu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümü? (Boxing gold medalist) and ?lkin Ayd?n (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, users can visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

For media inquiries, users can contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

Contact

Simran Alphonso
media@bitget.com

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SOURCE Bitget

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The idea of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve is gaining traction inside Donald Trump’s digital assets advisory council, with a controversial funding method on the table—tariffs. Bo Hines, executive director of the newly formed council, floated the proposal during a recent interview with crypto podcaster Anthony Pompliano. His remarks suggest that the White House may be seeking creative ways to amass Bitcoin without tapping into taxpayer dollars.

Tariffs as a Crypto-Funding Tool

“We’re looking at many creative ways—whether it be from tariffs, whether it be from something else,” Hines said. His comments came in response to questions about how the United States could afford to buy Bitcoin at scale.

Hines also emphasized the goal is to “acquire as much as we can get” of the world’s leading digital asset. However, he was clear that the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve must not become a financial burden on the American public. The idea, according to Hines, is to fund Bitcoin purchases through indirect means, such as tariff revenue, rather than direct public spending.

The Birth of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Donald Trump first unveiled the concept of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve at the Bitcoin Conference in 2024. The initiative became more formal in early March 2025, when he signed an executive order establishing both the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve and a broader U.S. digital asset stockpile.

At this stage, neither entity has started buying crypto outright. Instead, the focus has been on consolidating digital assets already seized by U.S. law enforcement and laying the groundwork for potential future acquisitions.

While the initial rollout appeared mostly symbolic, Hines’ comments suggest a more proactive phase could soon begin. The former president’s team is now exploring ways to grow these reserves through state-led purchases—financed creatively.

Political and Economic Ramifications

The mention of tariffs as a funding mechanism comes amid a volatile period for global trade and markets. Trump’s fluctuating tariff regime has caused market uncertainty, especially in industries reliant on imported goods. Tariffs on basic items, such as clothing, could drive prices up by as much as 45%, according to NPR.

This strategy could serve a dual purpose: penalizing foreign exporters while funneling the proceeds into Bitcoin acquisitions. However, it raises questions about how such policies would affect U.S. consumers and trade relations globally.

John Nahas, vice president of business development at Ava Labs, highlighted the ongoing tension: “The irony is you went from complete regulatory uncertainty to regulatory certainty. But now there’s general market and geopolitical uncertainty.”

A Broader Digital Asset Strategy

The idea of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve also signals a wider pivot in U.S. policy toward digital assets. While the Biden administration was known for its cautious regulatory stance, the Trump team is embracing a more assertive and strategic approach.

Under this model, the U.S. government could become an active player in the crypto space, not just a regulator. By investing in Bitcoin, the Trump administration would signal that it sees digital assets not merely as financial instruments, but as strategic economic assets—similar to gold or foreign currency reserves.

Such a move could have ripple effects across markets. Companies like Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN), MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), and even global financial players like Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), which previously held Bitcoin on their balance sheets, may find new relevance if a national Bitcoin reserve becomes reality.

Final Thoughts

The notion of funding a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve through tariffs may sound unconventional, but it aligns with Trump’s broader political style—bold, nationalistic, and disruptive. Whether the plan moves forward depends on political will and economic feasibility. But one thing is clear: the United States is seriously exploring how digital assets can play a role in its financial and geopolitical strategy.

With Trump’s team openly seeking ways to build crypto reserves without dipping into taxpayer funds, the era of state-backed Bitcoin accumulation may be just beginning.

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Tether, the issuer of the world’s most popular stablecoin USDT, has made another big move—this time in the crypto payments app space. The company recently announced an investment in Hong Kong-based startup Fizen, a self-described “super app” that enables users to perform everyday transactions using cryptocurrencies. This marks Tether’s third major investment in 2025, reflecting its growing appetite for strategic bets in digital finance.

Fizen: A Super App for Crypto Utility

Fizen aims to simplify how consumers interact with cryptocurrencies. Rather than focusing on speculative trading, the crypto payments app allows users to pay for daily needs like mobile phone top-ups and movie tickets using crypto. The platform is designed to run seamlessly in the background, making it so intuitive that users may not even realize they are interacting with blockchain technology.

Leo Vu, CEO and founder of Fizen, said in a statement, “The technology infrastructure is already in place. We lack consumer-friendly applications.” Fizen’s goal is to bridge that gap—bringing crypto into the real world, without the technical friction.

Tether’s Strategic Shift Toward Practical Crypto Solutions

Tether’s investment strategy has taken a clear turn toward practical, utility-driven ventures. While the firm made headlines earlier this year for unconventional moves—like its acquisition of a stake in Italian football club Juventus (BIT:JUVE) and a $385 million bid for a South American farming company—its latest decision re-aligns with its crypto roots.

In March, Tether also took a 30% stake in media firm Be Water, further diversifying its holdings. But with Fizen, the focus is squarely back on crypto payments apps, signaling a renewed interest in supporting technologies that drive real-world blockchain adoption.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, stated, “Our investment in Fizen underscores our commitment to expanding global access to efficient and reliable digital financial solutions.”

Stablecoin Powerhouse

As the issuer of USDT, Tether dominates the stablecoin market, with $145 billion in circulation. That’s roughly 62% of the total market share. With reserves that generated $13 billion in profits in 2024 alone, the company has significant firepower for further expansion.

These profits are now being redirected into strategic ventures that align with Tether’s long-term vision: mass adoption of crypto in everyday life. The crypto payments app space, with its focus on functionality and ease of use, is a natural fit.

Fizen’s Backers and Business Model

Other investors in Fizen include blockchain development firm Sotatek, software company VNext, and layer-1 blockchain platform Viction (formerly TomoChain). Fizen’s previous funding came from token sales, although it is unclear whether Tether’s stake was in the form of equity, tokens, or a hybrid deal.

The entry of Tether into this investor pool adds credibility and financial muscle to Fizen’s expansion plans. The startup now has a powerful partner capable of accelerating its product development and market reach.

The Rise of Crypto Payment Infrastructure

Tether’s move comes amid a broader trend in financial technology. Earlier this year, U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken launched Kraken Pay, a service offering payments in both crypto and fiat. UK fintech giant Revolut introduced a crypto payments card in 2024, and companies like Galaxy Ventures have predicted that payment infrastructure will become one of crypto’s most important battlegrounds.

As digital assets mature, the emphasis is shifting from trading and speculation to practical, everyday utility. The crypto payments app model embodies this transformation.

Final Thoughts

Tether’s investment in Fizen illustrates a growing focus on bringing crypto into mainstream use through seamless and practical applications. With strategic capital behind it and a rapidly evolving sector ahead, Fizen could become a leading name in how consumers interact with digital money—without even knowing they’re using crypto.

As more fintech and blockchain firms follow suit, expect the line between traditional and digital finance to blur even further.

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