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There are growing signs the U.S. economy has entered a slow patch in the first half of the year. From a negative growth reading in the first quarter to a sharp increase in Americans collecting unemployment checks, uncertainty about what lies ahead is showing up in the data. In the midst of it all, gold is the top-performing asset of the year with a 22% year-to-date gain. The case for gold ownership remains strong, and in a late May report, Goldman Sachs urged investors to buy gold and oil to reduce portfolio risk. “Following the recent failure of U.S. bonds to protect against equity downside and the rapid rise in U.S. borrowing costs, investors seek protection for equity-bond portfolios. During any 12 months when real returns were negative for both stocks and bonds, either oil or gold have delivered positive real returns,” Goldman said. Let’s dive into the economic picture. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth In the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. economy went into reverse. After growing in 2024, economic growth turned negative in the first three months of 2025, shrinking by 0.2%, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said in its revision to the government data. Slowing consumer spending, a downturn in government spending, and an 11.3% decline in corporate profits were to blame. With profits slowing, there is probably little incentive for businesses to boost hiring. Americans Collecting Unemployment Checks Hit 3 1/2 Year High The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits increased more than expected in late May. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 14,000 to 240,000 for the week ended May 24, the Labor Department said. The number of Americans collecting unemployment checks in mid-May hit the largest number in 3 1/2 years. This raises the risk that the overall unemployment rate could tick up to 4.3% in the May employment report, from 4.2% in April. Spring Home Sales on Ice Just as the spring home-selling season is supposed to be kicking into high gear, pending home sales dropped by 6.3% in April, the National Association of Realtors reported. Pending home sales fell in all four U.S. regions, NAR said. “At this critical stage of the housing market, it is all about mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Despite an increase in housing inventory, we are not seeing higher home sales. Lower mortgage rates are essential to bring home buyers back into the housing market.” As of May 29, interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 6.89%, the third weekly increase, according to Freddie Mac. Next Stop: Gold at $4,000 Amid the signs of economic weakness, investors are turning to the safety of gold. For those investors wondering if it’s too late to buy gold given the big jump already this year, the short answer is no. Gold is in a strong bull market, and precious metals continue to climb. Goldman Sachs targets additional gains in gold prices to the $4,000 area by 2026, but the firm said that even a small move away from the U.S. bond market could drive gold far beyond the $4,000 level. Don’t wait to increase your allocation to gold; make your move today. Photo by Aidan Tottori on Unsplash The post Economic Data Shows Cracks in Growth Picture. Gold Up 22% YTD appeared first on Blanchard and Company.

On 2 June 2025, Robinhood announced acquiring the 2011-founded global cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp. The acquisition is mainly part of Robinhood’s efforts to expand its crypto services worldwide. Importantly, the $200 million deal will give Robinhood the edge it sought as it introduces its first institutional crypto business. “The acquisition of Bitstamp is a major step in growing our crypto business,” said Johann Kerbrat, General Manager of Robinhood Crypto. “Through this strategic combination, we are better positioned to expand our footprint outside of the US and welcome institutional customers to Robinhood.” JB Graftieaux, CEO of Bitstamp, commented on the deal as well. He said, “Bringing Bitstamp’s platform and expertise into Robinhood’s ecosystem will give users an enhanced trading experience with a continuing commitment to compliance, security, and customer-centricity.” DISCOVER: The 12+ Hottest Crypto Presales to Buy Right Now Bitstamp Has Customer Base Across EU, UK, US, Asia Bitstamp – the world’s oldest crypto exchange – offers its robust product offering that can significantly enhance Robinhood’s crypto product for customers across the globe. Furthermore, Robinhood assured that customers can expect the same level of service, security and reliability “they’ve come to expect from both companies.” “Bitstamp’s highly trusted and long standing global exchange has shown resilience through market cycles,” added Kerbrat. “By seamlessly coupling customer experience with safety across geographies, the Bitstamp team has established one of the strongest reputations across retail and institutional crypto investors.” “As the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchange, Bitstamp is known as one of the most-trusted and transparent crypto platforms worldwide,” added Graftieaux. DISCOVER: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Explore Best Crypto To Buy! After a multi-month presale that secured an impressive $12.5m in funding, MIND of Pepe is finally launching in less than six hours. Investors have until 2 pm UTC today (June 3) to gain exposure to one of the most exciting AI Agent projects. The official MIND X account said that although the presale is over, investors can still secure the MIND token at the initial listing price. This means its the last chance to jump in before the open market decides just how high MIND will go. Claiming MIND tokens purchased during presale will take place today at 2pm UTC. It is the same time that MIND goes live on the Uniswap DEX. There are also rumors of a possible CEX listing for MIND. This has created murmurings within the community that it will be the next Binance listing. To secure MIND tokens at the initial listing price before the token lists on exchanges later today, head to the MIND of Pepe website, connect your wallet (Best Wallet is recommended), and purchase using ETH. You can download Best Wallet on Google Play or the Apple App Store. Join the MIND of Pepe community on Telegram and X for launch updates, token claim walkthroughs, and any surprise announcements from the team. Visit MIND of Pepe DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies To Invest In 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Robinhood has acquired Bitstamp – the world’s oldest crypto exchange – to expand to the EU, UK, and Asia. Will the deal bring Robinhood at par with Binance, Coinbase and more? The post Robinhood Acquires Bitstamp For $200M To Expand To EU, UK, US, Asia: Explore Best Crypto To Buy! appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Crypto is not just an asset in South Korea; it is a way of life. With over 18 million people trading digital assets, volumes surpass those of the nation’s two major stock markets, the Kospi and Kosdaq. Crypto has become a political force. And with South Korea standing in front of election week, there’s one guaranteed winner – crypto. 24h7d30d1yAll time Election Outcome? Doesn’t Matter, Crypto Wins Either Way Both presidential candidates, liberal Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo, have gone full pro-crypto with their election policies. We are talking about less regulation and more access, and even proposing to legalize spot crypto ETFs. Currently, South Koreans are holding over $74.5 billion in crypto. Which, by any measure it is not a small market. Overall, South Korea is becoming a crypto powerhouse. Approaching with caution but also calculated, Korea will definitely win more crypto enthusiasts. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways South Korea’s $884 billion pension fund is about to enter crypto. Korea’s presidential candidates are pro-crypto. How Asia responds to Trump? The post South Korea Crypto Scene Is About To Pop Regardless Who Wins the Election appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Crypto analyst Doctor Profit has risen in fame for making multiple near-perfect calls for the Bitcoin price. He had predicted the Bitcoin decline from $109,000 back down and then called a bottom at $77,000, predicting the BTC price would bounce to new all-time highs, which it did. Now, with the Bitcoin price recoiling from hitting a new all-time high above $111,000, the crypto analyst is back with next steps and where the cryptocurrency could be headed from here. Why The Bitcoin Price Golden Cross Matters In his X post, Doctor Profit starts out by explaining the psychology of the current market, calling out those who continue to call out for a bear market. He refers to these people as ‘exit liquidity’ for the real players, hinting that they’re wrong for their stance. Rather, he points out an important formation in the Bitcoin price chart and that is the Golden Cross, which appeared last week. The analyst calls the appearance of this Golden Cross “a macro-level signal with historic accuracy.” He explains that since this signal is so rare, but has been right every time, there is no reason to deviate from it. Also, he further explains that the Golden Cross has always been a long-game signal. Hence, results are not expected to start showing so early. The Golden Cross pattern had appeared on the weekly chart, and the crypto analyst highlights its historical accuracy. Each time that the Bitcoin price has formed this Golden Cross, it has usually led to a multi-month rally. If this is the case this cycle, then it suggests that the Bitcoin bull run is far from over. Don’t Worry About The Bears After the Golden Cross pattern appeared, another concerning development had taken place on the Bitcoin price chart and that is a bearish divergence on the weekly timeframe. Normally, this means an end to the rally and that the price could start to plummet. However, the crypto analyst seems unfazed by this. He refers to a similar bearish divergence appearing when the Bitcoin price was trading at $80,000 and nothing happened. Since the cryptocurrency had continued its bullish run at that point, the analyst takes this as a hint that the bearish divergence is lagging and only appeared due to Donald Trump’s tariff announcement last week. “No actionable value here,” Doctor Profit said. Things To Watch Out For So far, Doctor Profit attributes the drawdown in the Bitcoin price to “standard cycle behavior.” This includes profit-taking from short-term holders who bought in the last six months, while long-term holders remain unmoved. Another bullish factor includes the fact that BlackRock’s outflows remain low despite Trump’s renewed tariff war. Formations on the Bitcoin price chart that show bullish tendencies include a Cup and Handle pattern on the daily chart that puts the breakout zone between $113,000 and $115,000. Also, the Bitcoin price has been recording higher highs and higher lows after recording its bottom at $74,000, which shows trend support remains strong. The Bitcoin price is also trading above all major moving averages (MAs), including the 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day moving averages. Last but not least, Doctor Profit also pointed out that the MACD line has crossed above the signal line on the weekly chart. This means that momentum remains in favor of the bulls. Given this, the analyst believes “there is no reason to be scared at all.”

Strategy (previously MicroStrategy), the Bitcoin (BTC) proxy firm led by Michael Saylor, has made headlines again with its latest acquisition of the market’s leading cryptocurrency. In a Monday filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company revealed that it purchased an additional 705 BTC between May 26 and June 1, bringing its total holdings to 580,955 coins. Strategy Continues Bitcoin Buying Spree This recent acquisition was made at an aggregate cost of $75.1 million, translating to approximately $106,495 per Bitcoin. Overall, Strategy’s Bitcoin investments now amount to around $40.68 billion, averaging about $70,023 for each token. Following the announcement, Strategy’s stock, MSTR, rose 0.9% to $372.72, while the broader market showed mixed results, with the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gaining 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Though the latest purchase is significant, it is not among the largest on record for the company, which has typically acquired thousands of Bitcoin in a single transaction. The smallest acquisition to date occurred in March, when MicroStrategy purchased just 130 tokens as the price of BTC remained below $85,000. Strategy’s recent buying spree comes amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties that have affected cryptocurrency prices. Despite Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high of $111,8000 last week, the cryptocurrency has retraced nearly 6% from its record. Nevertheless, the company has consistently taken advantage of the cryptocurrency’s price dips, marking its eighth consecutive week of Bitcoin purchases, ignoring any price fluctuation. Arkham Tracks 97% Of Saylor’s Holdings In a social media update on Sunday, Saylor hinted at the impending announcement, and on Monday, he shared details about the latest acquisition, stating that Strategy has achieved a Bitcoin yield of 16.9% year-to-date as of June 1, 2025. However, according to blockchain analysis platform Arkham Intelligence, Strategy’s holdings may be even larger than reported, estimating them at nearly 625,000 BTC, valued at approximately $59.92 billion. This estimate includes 70,816 BTC identified by Arkham, which highlights the significant assets held by the company. Arkham noted that it has tracked 97% of Saylor’s Bitcoin holdings, emphasizing that this is the first public acknowledgment of such substantial assets. They clarified that 87.5% of Strategy’s reported holdings consist of Bitcoin, with a portion held in Fidelity Digital’s omnibus custody. Previously, the firm identified about 107,000 BTC that were sent to Fidelity deposits, which are not listed under the Strategy entity due to Fidelity’s custody practices. In total, more than 327,000 BTC are held by Saylor’s Bitcoin proxy firm in segregated custody within the Strategy entity, further solidifying the company’s position as a significant player in the cryptocurrency market. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

An analyst has explained how Bitcoin has been tracking Gold for a while now, which could provide hints about what may be next for BTC. Bitcoin Has Been Following In Gold’s Footsteps on 2-Day Timeframe Last year, Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards shared in an X post how Bitcoin was following the same structure as the Gold all-time high (ATH). Below is the chart that the analyst posted back then. From the graph, it’s visible that BTC was consolidating at its 2021 ATH in a manner similar to Gold’s movement around the 1980 ATH. The latter’s consolidation ended with it breaking out and rallying to a point two times higher. In a new post, Edwards has shared a late update on how things ended up playing out for Bitcoin. As the consolidation around the respective ATHs already hinted, there indeed ended up being some similarity between the breakouts for the prices of the two assets as well. But this is all in the past, where does the latest Bitcoin price action stack up against Gold? Here is another chart posted by the analyst, highlighting the point BTC is currently at: As Edwards has highlighted in the graph, BTC’s breakout since the consolidation phase around the ATH has continued to resemble Gold’s, except for the fact that BTC’s volatility has been roughly twice as high, in terms of both upward and downward moves. That said, the cryptocurrency’s latest close has looked less promising than what the precious metal displayed at a similar stage in its structure. It’s possible that the two could diverge from here, but in the case that they don’t, Gold’s path may provide a glimpse into what could lie ahead for the coin. As is apparent from the chart, the traditional safe-haven asset saw a significant surge from this point. Based on this, the analyst has noted, “close back above $110K and this will probably go bananas.” It now remains to be seen how things would play out for Bitcoin in the near future. In some other news, the institutional DeFi solutions provider Sentora has shared data related to how the cryptocurrency’s supply is currently distributed among the various segments of the sector. It would appear the individual investors control around 69.4% of the total potential Bitcoin supply. The ETFs and other funds own around 6.1%, while businesses about 4.4%. About 7.5% of all BTC that there ever will be has already been lost due to missing keys and/or being forgotten. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $104,200, down more than 4% in the last week.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is once again putting the brakes on new crypto ETF proposals. This time, it’s calling out two funds tied to Ethereum and Solana ETFs that were set to offer investors access to staking rewards. The products come from REX Shares and Osprey Funds, and while the ideas sound innovative on paper, the SEC isn’t convinced they’re playing by the rules. The Core Problem: Are These Funds Even Investment Companies? At the heart of the issue is whether these funds meet the legal definition of an investment company under U.S. law. The SEC has a strict view on what qualifies. It wants to know if these funds actually invest in securities as their main activity. If not, they can’t use the usual registration process that most mutual funds or ETFs follow. The regulator is also worried that the language used in the filings might give investors the wrong idea. If the funds don’t technically meet the criteria to be considered investment companies, the SEC doesn’t want them acting like they do. Cayman Islands and Creative Structuring Another thing raising eyebrows is how these funds are structured. Instead of following a straightforward model, they use layers of corporate entities, including C-corporations and offshore subsidiaries in places like the Cayman Islands. That’s not unheard of in the finance world, but it does complicate things. - Price Market Cap - - - 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time Log The SEC says these setups might not comply with Rule 6c-11, which governs how ETFs can be listed and traded in the U.S. If they don’t check all the right boxes, the agency can delay or block their launch. DISCOVER: The 12+ Hottest Crypto Presales to Buy Right Now The Staking Factor A big selling point of these funds is that they promise exposure to staking rewards. That’s when crypto holders lock up their assets to help run blockchain networks and, in return, earn extra tokens. Staking has become a key part of how networks like Ethereum and Solana function since both now use proof-of-stake models. - Price Market Cap - - - 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time Log The SEC hasn’t banned staking, but it’s been slow to approve products that rely on it. The agency has warned about the risks, like the lack of clear protections for investors and the possibility of returns being misunderstood. It’s also unclear how staking fits into the legal definitions used in traditional finance. What Happens Next? The ETFs technically became effective on May 30, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to launch. So far, they haven’t been listed on any exchanges, and both REX and Osprey have said they won’t move forward until everything is cleared up. The SEC has hinted that it may take further steps if the concerns aren’t resolved. For now, both companies are trying to work with regulators to sort it out. Whether they succeed could shape the future for other staking-based crypto funds. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 A Bigger Test for Crypto ETFs This is more than just a one-off dispute. The SEC’s reaction here shows how tricky it still is to bring crypto into the ETF world, especially when you start adding newer features like staking. While spot Bitcoin ETFs made it through the regulatory gauntlet earlier this year, anything more complex still faces an uphill climb. How the SEC handles this case will likely set the tone for Ethereum, Solana, and any other staking-linked ETFs that come next. The crypto industry is watching closely. If approved, Ethereum and Solana staking ETFs could offer a new gateway for institutions to tap into proof-of-stake networks legally. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways The SEC is delaying Ethereum and Solana staking ETF plans from REX and Osprey due to legal and structural concerns. At issue is whether these funds meet the definition of a U.S. investment company under existing financial laws. The SEC flagged concerns over complex fund structures involving offshore entities like Cayman-based subsidiaries. Staking rewards are a core feature of these ETFs, but the SEC remains cautious about approving such mechanisms for public products. These delays highlight how crypto ETFs with newer features still face steep regulatory hurdles in the U.S. The post SEC Puts Ethereum and Solana ETF Plans on Hold Over Compliance Worries appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Russia’s biggest bank, Sberbank, just did something most people probably didn’t see coming. They launched a structured bond that links investor payouts directly to how well Bitcoin performs, along with the strength of the US dollar against the Russian ruble. It’s the kind of move that would have raised eyebrows a few years ago, but now it’s being rolled out under full regulatory approval. This is one of the first serious Bitcoin-linked financial products ever offered by a major Russian institution. And while it’s not open to everyday retail investors just yet, it shows that crypto is starting to creep into the heart of traditional finance, even in places where crypto used to be treated more like a problem than a possibility. How the Bond Actually Works The new bond isn’t your typical crypto investment. You won’t need a wallet, and you’re not buying Bitcoin directly. Instead, the bond is structured to reward investors based on two things: whether Bitcoin’s price goes up and whether the dollar strengthens against the ruble. This is being sold over-the-counter and only to qualified investors for now. That means it’s mostly for folks with a solid financial track record, not everyday traders. But it’s still a big deal. It allows people in Russia to get exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without touching the asset directly. That’s important in a country where financial regulations around crypto have been strict and sometimes confusing. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in May 2025 Everything Stays Inside the System One of the most interesting parts? It’s all done in rubles. Investors don’t have to use international platforms or move money out of the country to get into the product. Everything happens within Russia’s own financial system, which keeps it legal under current rules. - Price Market Cap - - - 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time Log That’s a big shift in tone. For years, Russian regulators were wary of crypto, often calling it risky and speculative. Now, we’re seeing state-linked banks offering exposure to Bitcoin through financial tools people already understand. DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in May 2025 Futures Are Coming Too This isn’t just a one-off experiment. Sberbank states that it will introduce additional products like this on the Moscow Exchange soon. On June 4, the bank plans to launch a Bitcoin futures product on its SberInvestments platform. That’s another way for investors to bet on Bitcoin’s future price, and again, it stays within Russia’s financial system. These new moves are only possible because of a recent shift in policy from the Bank of Russia. The central bank now allows licensed financial institutions to offer Bitcoin-related investment products to qualified investors. That opens the door to more experimentation without throwing the gates wide open to the general public just yet. What This Could Mean Sberbank’s entry into the crypto space is a sign that the conversation around Bitcoin in Russia is shifting. This isn’t about wild speculation or meme coins. It’s about using traditional financial tools to get controlled, legal exposure to Bitcoin. It’s still early days, and for now, only a narrow group of investors can take part. But the writing’s on the wall. The lines between crypto and traditional finance are getting blurrier by the day, and not just in the West. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, launched a structured bond linked to Bitcoin’s performance and USD/RUB exchange rates. This Bitcoin-linked bond is only available to qualified investors and is fully regulated under Russian financial law. The product offers indirect crypto exposure in rubles, without requiring investors to hold Bitcoin or use foreign platforms. Sberbank plans to follow up with Bitcoin futures on the Moscow Exchange, expanding crypto offerings within the Russian system. The launch signals a broader shift in Russia’s approach to crypto, blending digital assets with traditional finance tools. The post Sberbank Russia’s Largest Bank Launches Bitcoin-Linked Bonds appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Privacy and security-focused token Monero (XMR) has seen an 11.5% surge in the daily timeframe, reclaiming the $360 support for the first time in a week. Some analysts suggest that holding its current range could send the cryptocurrency to a another retest of its historical $420 resistance. Monero Bounces From Range Lows Amid the crypto market pullback, Monero led the top 100 tokens by market capitalization list with a double-digit jump in the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency surged 11.5% on Monday morning, breaking out of its seven-day downtrend. Notably, XMR has seen a 66% price increase over the past month and a half, jumping from the $220 support zone to its current levels. The token registered a significant 55% daily increase at the end of April, touching the $340 mark before retracing. The surge was reportedly fueled by a “suspicious transfer” of 3,520 BTC, worth around $330.7 million, from a potential victim of social engineering. According to crypto sleuth ZachXBT, the stolen funds were swapped for XMR, leading cryptocurrency to retest a key horizontal level. Despite this, the privacy token continued its rally during the May market recovery, which propelled XMR to a four-year high a week ago, nearing the crucial $420 resistance for the first time since 2021. Now, the market’s recent performance has sent Monero alongside the rest of the leading cryptocurrencies to retest key levels. The token retraced 21% in the past week, briefly losing its three-week price range on Saturday. However, XMR has bounced from this level over the past two days after reclaiming the $325 mark and nearing the $370 resistance. XMR Rally Hangs On This Level Analyst Sjuul from AltCryptoGems affirmed that “Monero has an impressive chart and is likely one of the few ‘dino’ coins not far from breaking its all-time high.” He highlighted that XMR is retesting the recently flipped support and resistance zone, which is key for a rally continuation. Losing the $310-$345 area could send the cryptocurrency toward the gap between this level and the next major support around the $220 mark. Similarly, analyst Rekt Capital previously noted Monero repeated its early 2021 playbook after breaking out of its multi-year accumulation range in Q4 2024, surging above the $286 resistance and hitting last cycle’s high levels. He recently pointed out that XMR has historically ended its bull market around the key $422 resistance, with “this sort of price action for XMR occurs once every four years,” and price rallies into the major resistance “often briefly upside wicking beyond there.” Amid its recent rejection from the $419 cycle high, the analyst considers that Monero must hold its current range, “if price wants to go against the grain of history and break the $422 resistance over time.” If it fails to hold above the $300 mark, Rekt Capital affirmed that the $286 support is the next crucial level, but added that historically, XMR’s retest post-rejection usually fails. As of this writing, Monero trades at $366, a 32.2% increase in the monthly timeframe.

Bitcoin continues to showcase resilience in the current cryptocurrency market cycle, consistently setting new records while many altcoins remain below their previous peaks. Currently trading just above $104,000, Bitcoin has recently retraced from its all-time high above $111,000, set last month. Contrasting Bitcoin’s consistent growth, Ethereum and other prominent altcoins have yet to surpass historical highs that they reached several years ago, highlighting a notable divergence in market performance. This divergence has been a focal point among analysts, prompting a deeper examination of investor behavior and capital flows between Bitcoin and altcoins. Recent insights from CryptoQuant analyst Dan suggest that while Bitcoin remains dominant, the situation for altcoins might shift in the upcoming phase of the crypto market cycle. Bitcoin Investor Behavior Suggests Potential Shift Ahead CryptoQuant analyst Crypto Dan recently explored the broader implications of this Bitcoin-dominated cycle in his market commentary. According to Dan’s analysis, previous market cycles typically saw a gradual reduction in mid-to-long-term Bitcoin holdings as investor capital redistributed into altcoins. This shift traditionally drove altcoins significantly higher, usually marking the late stages of a bullish cycle. However, this cycle exhibits a different pattern. Frequent minor corrections in Bitcoin’s price are followed by more significant and sharp downturns for altcoins, demonstrating persistent weakness. Crypto Dan notes that currently, very few altcoin investors have realized meaningful profits, an unusual circumstance compared to prior cycles. Despite this ongoing difficulty for altcoin holders, the analyst maintains optimism, emphasizing that historical patterns suggest Bitcoin’s dominance typically declines towards the end of each cycle. If history repeats, altcoins might experience substantial upward movements as the cycle approaches its maturity. Thus, while altcoins currently underperform, investors are advised to maintain patience until Bitcoin’s momentum reaches its final bullish push, potentially signaling a turning point. Whale Activities Hint at Upcoming Altcoin Attention Complementing this perspective, another analyst from CryptoQuant, Maartunn, provided insights into stablecoin inflows to major exchanges. Specifically, Maartunn highlighted that over 75% of Tether (USDT) deposits to Binance, tracked via the TRC-20 network, originated from large wallets, commonly known as whales, since November 2023. This substantial concentration of whale activity suggests that major market participants prefer Binance for significant capital movements involving stablecoins. The notable whale-driven inflows to Binance could indicate preparation for substantial market activity, including potential purchasing of Bitcoin or an eventual shift towards altcoins. Historically, stablecoin deposits from large holders precede increased volatility and trading activity, as whales position themselves strategically in anticipation of market shifts. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

An analyst has pointed out how Solana has recently formed a signal on the Tom Demark (TD) Sequential that could imply a potential reversal for the asset’s price. Solana Has Seen A TD Sequential Buy Signal On The 12-Hour Timeframe In a new post on X, analyst Ali Martinez has talked about a signal that has appeared on the 12-hour price chart of Solana. The signal in question is based on the Tom Demark (TD) Sequential, a technical analysis (TA) indicator commonly used to identify potential reversal points in an asset’s value. The indicator involves two phases: setup and countdown. During the first of these, the setup, candles of the same color are counted up to nine. These nine candles don’t necessarily have to be consecutive. Once they are in, the TD Sequential flashes a reversal signal for the asset. Naturally, if the candles were green (that is, an uptrend led into the signal), then the indicator suggests a bearish turnaround in the price. Similarly, red candles result in a bullish signal. As soon as the setup is complete, the second phase, the countdown, begins. This phase works in much the same way, except for the fact that candles here go on until thirteen. Following these thirteen candles, the asset could be considered to have arrived at another location of likely reversal. Now, here is the chart shared by the analyst that shows the TD Sequential signal that the 12-hour price of Solana has recently formed: As is visible in the above graph, the 12-hour Solana price has recently completed a TD Sequential phase of the first type. Clearly, the nine candles involved in the pattern have been red ones, meaning that the indicator has just given a buy signal for the cryptocurrency. This signal has arrived after the asset has gone through a drawdown of more than 13% over the past week. It now remains to be seen whether it would be enough to help the coin find a bullish reversal or not. While this bullish pattern has formed in TA, on-chain data may hint at a different outcome for Solana. According to cryptocurrency transaction tracker service Whale Alert, a SOL whale has just made a massive inflow to the Binance platform. In total, the investor moved about 2.86 million tokens of the asset ($441 million) to the exchange with this transaction. Generally, holders transfer their coins to these central entities whenever they want to make use of one of the services that they provide, which can include selling. Thus, if the motive behind this Binance deposit was distribution, then Solana can naturally see a bearish effect from the move, given its humongous scale. SOL Price Following its recent bearish trend, Solana has seen its price go down to $153.90.

As Bitcoin (BTC) retreats from its recent all-time high (ATH) of $111,814 – currently trading in the mid-$100,000 range – emerging on-chain data signals that the cryptocurrency’s strong momentum over the past month may be waning. Deeper Correction Ahead For Bitcoin? According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor Amr Taha, the Bitcoin market is undergoing several notable on-chain shifts. These include significant stablecoin outflows from Binance, a decline in long-term holder (LTH) participation, and diverging accumulation patterns among wallet cohorts. One of the most striking indicators is the net outflow of over $1 billion in stablecoins from Binance. This suggests traders are moving funds off the exchange and into private wallets, typically a sign of reduced risk appetite or diminished intent to buy crypto in the near term. Such large-scale stablecoin withdrawals often indicate declining buying power and can precede a loss of market momentum or a shift toward profit-taking and caution. If the trend continues, BTC may slip further, potentially losing the psychologically important $100,000 level. In parallel, long-term holders (LTH) have also pulled back. The Net Position Realized Cap for LTHs plummeted from $28 billion to just $2 billion by the end of May 2025 – signaling that these investors are no longer increasing their exposure despite the recent price surge. Further, 60-day wallet behavior trends point to a divergence in market sentiment. Large holders with 1,000 to 10,000 BTC have been gradually offloading their positions, while smaller retail cohorts holding 100 to 1,000 BTC have been aggressively accumulating, buying into the rally. Taha remarked: The combination of heavy stablecoin withdrawals, reduced LTH accumulation, and shifting cohort behaviors signals a market in transition. Whether this sets the stage for a cooling-off period, a healthy consolidation, or renewed momentum will depend on how new capital re-enters the system and whether retail buyers can sustain the current rally without institutional reinforcement. All Hope Is Not Lost While the aforementioned data points hint toward a potential looming price correction for the apex digital asset, other on-chain data shows that BTC is likely to continue its upward trajectory, potentially to new ATHs. CryptoQuant contributor Crypto Dan recently highlighted that the Bitcoin Net Realized Profit/Loss (NRPL) metric supports a continued upward trajectory, noting that current profit-taking levels are modest compared to previous cycle peaks. Additionally, BTC outflows from centralized exchanges are increasing, with a recent 7,883 BTC withdrawal from Coinbase. This could point to renewed institutional interest and accumulation in anticipation of another upward move. At press time, BTC trades at $103,854, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours.

The XRP price may be on the verge of a significant breakout, according to a new wave count analysis combining the Elliott Wave Theory and the Wyckoff reaccumulation principles. After months of sideways trading and corrective movement, analysts have pinpointed a critical price level that could serve as a trigger point for XRP’s next leg higher. XRP Price Primed For Major Lift-Off From This Level A new analysis published by crypto analyst the ‘Charting Prodigy’ on X (formerly Twitter) suggests that the XRP price is following a clear Elliott Wave structure that began forming after the April lows this year. The price has completed Wave 1 of a new impulse cycle, followed by a WXY corrective Wave 2. Recent price action also indicates that XRP is now entering sub-wave 3 of Macro Wave 5, which is typically the most powerful and extended wave in the cycle. The standout detail of Charting Prodigy’s analysis is the identified trigger level at $2.56. According to the expert’s analysis, a confirmed breakout above this critical trigger point could signal the start of a rapid markup phase, potentially propelling XRP toward the $2.9 to $3.4 range. The significance of this bullish target is supported by not only the Elliott Wave analysis but also the Wyckoff reaccumulation, Fibonacci extension targets, and the emergence of a bullish divergence forming on the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). Notably, the analyst points to a classic Wyckoff accumulation structure taking shape on the XRP price chart. He identified key phases such as Preliminary Support (PSY), Automatic Rally (AR), and Secondary Test (ST). The structure also included a “spring” phase and, most recently, a Last Point of Support (LPS). The emergence of these Wyckoff elements suggests that XRP has completed its reaccumulation and has entered the aforementioned markup phase, where price tends to go parabolic. The combination of these technical indicators and chart patterns also indicates that $2.65 is the level to watch as XRP makes its way up to price levels close to its former ATH. XRP Set For Double-Digit Target In 2 Weeks According to a new chart analysis by crypto analyst Egrag Crypto, XRP may be on the verge of a historic breakout. Presenting a 2-week price chart, the analyst highlights a macro bullish formation that could push XRP into double-digit territory—targeting $10, $18, $27, and even a whopping $55 in the months ahead. Egrag Crypto’s chart draws attention to a long-standing macro ascending channel that XRP has respected since 2016. Past breakouts from similar setups have historically delivered exponential gains for the cryptocurrency. The key trigger, according to the analysis, is a decisive move above the 21-week timeframe. This same signal preceded XRP’s explosive rally in 2017 when it surged from under 1 cent to an all-time high of $3.84. Notably, the analysis emphasizes the importance of remaining within this macro ascending channel, indicating that as long as the lower trendline holds and the 21 EMA is breached, XRP’s bullish case remains intact.

Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced a noticeable retracement after recently achieving a record high above $111,000 last month. Currently priced at $104,115, the cryptocurrency has declined approximately 5.2% in the past 7 days, marking roughly a 7% drop from its peak price. This sudden decrease has sparked considerable attention among market participants, who closely observe potential signals that might clarify Bitcoin’s next move. A recent analysis from CryptoQuant contributor Crazzyblockk has shed some light on the internal dynamics influencing this price action. Binance’s Dominance and Its Market Implications In his report, titled “Divergence of Binance Taker Buy/Sell Behavior From Other CEXs — Sellers Outnumber Buyers on the Market’s Main Venue,” the analyst provides detailed insights into recent trading behaviors observed across major cryptocurrency exchanges, with a particular emphasis on Binance. The analysis highlighted a divergence between Binance and other major centralized exchanges (CEXs). While a brief spike in overall buying activity was recorded across various exchanges, Binance, which accounts for around 60% of global Bitcoin spot trading volume, exhibited a contrasting scenario. Data revealed a significant tilt towards selling, with Binance’s Taker Buy/Sell ratio falling below 1.0. This indicates a clear preference among Binance traders to sell rather than purchase Bitcoin, in contrast to the net-buy behavior observed elsewhere. Given Binance’s considerable market share, this divergence is notable. Binance’s trading volume and futures open interest typically guide broader market sentiment and price discovery. Historical data support this correlation, as past events where Binance’s market behavior diverged from other exchanges, such as in February 2024 and August 2023, resulted in notable Bitcoin price corrections of between 5% and 10% shortly thereafter. Bitcoin Current Market Dynamics and Near-Term Expectations Notably, the latest metrics illustrate Binance’s Taker Buy/Sell ratio hovering around 0.98, representing approximately a 12% decline over the past week and a 25% decline over the past month. Despite a brief surge in overall market buying activity across exchanges, with the aggregate Taker Buy/Sell ratio peaking at about 1.35, Binance’s bearish stance has dampened this bullish signal, causing the broader indicator to revert downward rapidly. This scenario suggests the possibility of heightened market volatility in the short term. The dominance of Binance’s trading behaviors potentially amplifies the effects of this selling pressure through futures market funding rates, which can intensify market moves. In conclusion, the CryptoQuant analyst wrote: Because the largest liquidity pool is net-selling, today’s aggregate uptick risks turning into a bull trap. Unless Binance’s Taker Buy/Sell flips decisively above 1.05—and stays there—expect heightened volatility and a greater probability of a near-term price decline as broader sentiment realigns with the market leader’s flows. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Log in to today's North American session recap - June 2, 2025 Today’s story was about the US dollar's weakness. Between a risk-off morning with gold racing to 4-week highs and almost everything rallying against the USD, it’s a bad day for the greenback. US Equities began the session mixed but still finished up all-around, with the Nasdaq leading the charge again—up 0.80%. Other indices around the globe also closed in the green as the sentiment got more positive. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a three-month extension to some Chinese goods until August 31, 2025 - leaving more time for different parties to reach an agreement. In Forex, all majors rallied against the USD with the NZD on top of majors at +1.30% followed by the AUD and the JPY - respectively up 1.02% and 0.85%. Oil also rallied from the bottom of its range as battles between Russia and Ukraine dominated the announcement of more supply from OPEC+. The market was also expecting a bigger hike than what was announced. Anyhow, Oil is approaching the upper bound of its range around $64 - closing up 3.88% on the session. Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © {CURRENT_YEAR} OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Ethereum has been one of the top-performing crypto assets since early April, rallying more than 100% from its cycle lows near $1,600 to a recent high above $2,700. This sharp recovery positioned ETH as a leader in the broader market’s bullish trend, even sparking renewed discussions around a potential altseason. However, momentum now appears to be fading. Over the past week, ETH has struggled to break above key resistance levels, and selling pressure is beginning to mount as global macroeconomic conditions grow increasingly uncertain. Despite these headwinds, one key on-chain signal suggests long-term confidence remains strong: data from Glassnode reveals that Ethereum’s supply on centralized exchanges has dropped to its lowest level in seven years. This trend, typically interpreted as a sign of reduced selling pressure, indicates that investors may be increasingly moving ETH to self-custody wallets, possibly in anticipation of further upside. As ETH flirts with critical support levels, this deep reduction in exchange supply could act as a stabilizing force, reinforcing the asset’s long-term bullish case amid short-term uncertainty. Ethereum Faces Key Breakout Test As Supply On Exchanges Plunges Ethereum is currently trading at a critical juncture, consolidating around the $2,500 mark after a strong rally that began in early April. Many investors believe this consolidation phase could be the calm before a breakout, potentially pushing ETH into new highs and setting the stage for a broader altseason. The recent pullback has been orderly so far, with price action respecting major support zones, and market participants remain cautiously optimistic. Despite persistent global tensions—including rising US Treasury yields and continued trade uncertainty between the US and China—Ethereum’s fundamentals appear to be strengthening. One of the most bullish signals comes from top analyst Quinten Francois, who highlighted on-chain data showing that Ethereum’s supply on centralized exchanges has now fallen to its lowest level in seven years. This development is critical because it signals a deep reduction in potential sell-side pressure. When fewer coins are available on exchanges, it typically indicates that investors are moving their holdings to long-term cold storage rather than preparing to sell. In the past, such shifts have often preceded major price surges. If demand increases while supply remains limited, the market could face a supply shock, fueling a rapid move to the upside. This setup has led analysts and traders to watch Ethereum closely, as it continues to form a base just below key resistance around $2,700. A confirmed breakout above this level, paired with the shrinking supply on exchanges, could trigger aggressive buying and potentially kick off a new phase of bullish momentum. With confidence building and long-term fundamentals improving, Ethereum’s current consolidation might just be the final pause before a major leg higher. ETH Holds Crucial Support Amid Market Pullback Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading around $2,484, showing signs of consolidation after several attempts to break through the $2,700 resistance zone. On the 4-hour chart, price action reveals a gradual decline from recent highs, with lower highs forming and ETH slipping below the 34 EMA ($2,557). This breakdown below the short-term moving averages suggests weakening momentum, while the price now hovers just above the 100 SMA ($2,559), a level that has acted as dynamic support in previous retracements. Volume has also decreased slightly during this pullback, indicating that the recent selling may lack strong conviction. However, if ETH fails to reclaim $2,550 in the next few sessions, bearish momentum could accelerate toward the 200 SMA at approximately $2,358. On the bullish side, this consolidation above $2,450 continues to show resilience, especially given the macroeconomic backdrop and market-wide volatility. If Ethereum can hold this range and reclaim the 34 EMA with strong volume, it could stage a rebound and retest the $2,650–$2,700 zone, a critical level for a breakout. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Gold has been rallying consequently since the Sunday open after the Trump Administration decided to appeal the US Federal Court decision to block the Tariffs on Imports. The precious metal is at the highs of the day following an ISM Manufacturing report that wahttps://www.oanda.com/kingfisher/pages/21768/unpublish/s not the best. You can read more on the Data Release here. XAU/USD is breaking out to the upside and the buying candles are strong, we are now up 2.52% on the session. Take a peek at a Gold Technical Analysis from the Daily to the Hourly timeframe. close Gold 1H Chart, June 2, 2025. Source: TradingView /media/images/Screenshot_2025-06-02_at_12.08.56PM.width-1400.png Gold 1H Chart, June 2, 2025. Source: TradingView Gold is facing the current Resistance Zone R1 mentioned on the 4H Timeframe analysis. A Inverse Head & Shoulders pattern materialized in the breakout and is pointing to a continuation of today's price action. If it the Inverse H&S completes, the Measured Move points at 3,415 to 3,420. Gold prices gapped up on the Sunday open and have mostly been in a Tight bull channel since: Almost only green candles with the few red candles not subjecting a pullback. Prices are broadly unchanged in the past two hours, momentum tends to calm after a volatile session. A rejection of the Resistance 1 Zone points at the MA 20, currently at $3,336. A continuation of the move from this morning aims at $3,415. Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © {CURRENT_YEAR} OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Crypto pundit Crypto GEM has provided an ultra-bullish outlook for the Ethereum price, predicting that it could reach a new all-time high (ATH) this market cycle. Based on his prediction, ETH could record a 3x gain as it makes this parabolic run. Ethereum Price To Rally To $8,000 In an X post, Crypto GEM declared that the Ethereum price will go parabolic this cycle, predicting that it can reach as high as $8,000. His accompanying chart showed that ETH can reach this target by July 2026. Crypto analyst Mikybull Crypto has also stated that his targets for ETH in this cycle are between $8,000 and $10,000. In a recent analysis, Mikybull Crypto revealed that the current Ethereum price was showing a similar price action to the 2017 market cycle. Based on this similarity, he remarked that ETH might pull a higher price target to at least $8,000. Despite the altcoin’s underperformance in this cycle, the analyst has been one of those who have been confident that it will still record a parabolic rally in this bull run. In the short term, Mikybull Crypto predicts that the Ethereum price can rally above $3,000. In an X post, he stated that ETH is still coiling up within the ascending triangle. He added that the target is $3,200 on this potential breakout. He again reaffirmed this prediction in another X analysis. The analyst claimed that the same formation is playing out in a different scenario and remarked that market participants should prepare for a “melt-up.” His accompanying chart showed that the Ethereum price could even rally above $3,600 on this run-up. This would put ETH close to the psychological $4,000 price, which could pave the way for the run to a new all-time high (ATH). ETH Eyes $3,800 As Bull Flag Forms In an X post, crypto analyst Titan of Crypto predicted that the Ethereum price could rally to $3,800 as a bull flag forms. He stated that ETH just broke out and that this bullish pattern is playing out. If confirmed, the analyst remarked that the next target sits around $3,800. This is just an intermediate target as Titan of Crypto expects Ethereum to rally higher in the long run. Like Crypto GEM and Mikybull Crypto, the analyst also believes that the Ethereum price can reach $8,000 at some point. In an X post, Titan of Crypto highlighted Ethereum’s market structure and potential targets. The first target for ETH is just above $5,000, the second is just above $7,000, and the third target is $8,500. At the time of writing, the Ethereum price is trading at around $2,500, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Bill Barhydt, the founder and chief executive of crypto-banking platform Abra, set Crypto-X alight over the weekend by reposting a collage of global M2-versus-Bitcoin charts first popularised by macro investor Raoul Pal and researcher Julien Bittel. “I’ve seen over a dozen posts with different versions of the global liquidity M2 vs Bitcoin price chart – I’ve attached several here. Credit @RaoulGMI and his colleague @BittelJulien for discovering the trend,” he wrote. “Most of these charts predict a dip over the coming days to around $100 k and then a move to new ATH of $130 k in August/September … Or this could all be horseshit. Whatever.” Will Bitcoin Follow M2? Expanding on the macro backdrop, Barhydt argued that “global liquidity needs to rise significantly in the coming months. Bitcoin remains the mother of all liquidity (re: debasement) sponges.” He framed the asset’s reflexivity in stark terms: as fiat supply grows, Bitcoin absorbs the monetary excess, and the resulting gains “will most likely spill over into other L1 platforms and then ultimately speculative alts – the proverbial alt season.” Even so, he cautioned traders against complacency. “Watch your leverage, touch grass and please please be civil,” Barhydt advised, noting that the anticipated pull-back could be a gentle pause or a swift capitulation toward $95,000 before any summer rally materialises. When a follower fretted that the model might already be overcrowded, Barhydt dismissed the idea that positioning had reached critical mass: “I’ve thought about that but we’re talking about trillions of dollars and billions of people. There might be thousands of people focused on this but not more. Even then retail writ large isn’t focused on crypto right now.” A second critic complained that the liquidity data “is not collected on a timeframe that would predict daily moves.” Barhydt concurred, replying: “I completely agree. Hence the ‘whatever’ reference. It’s macro directional on a weekly scale at best. But in that regard it’s been a very good tool.” The liquidity-first thesis still has heavyweight backers. Pal recently told Real Vision subscribers that “liquidity is the single most important driver of all asset prices,” estimating that rising world-money supply accounts for up to 90% of Bitcoin price action, while Bittel’s latest update pegs global M2 near a record $111 trillion – a level he says leaves Bitcoin “still going higher.” Whether those macro tailwinds propel Bitcoin to the $130,000 target or prove, in Barhydt’s own words, to be “horseshit” will depend on how briskly central banks resume balance-sheet expansion and how aggressively traders deploy leverage in the weeks ahead. For now, Barhydt’s call serves as both roadmap and reality check: the next swing could be explosive, but the model is only as good as the liquidity it tracks. At press time, BTC traded at $104,625.

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) has laid out plans to dewater the Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that could result in a return to operations as early as this month. Its shares rebounded on the update. The underground mine, part of the larger Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the DRC, was temporarily suspended on May 18 following seismic activity that resulted in severe flooding. The complex is Africa’s largest copper-producing operation, with majority ownership split between Ivanhoe and China’s Zijin Mining (39.6%) at 39.6% each, while the DRC government holds a 20% stake. Despite conflicted reports over the potential damage by the joint venture partners, mining analysts have said the mine should be able to resume once the necessary dewatering and remediation efforts are completed. In a press release issued Monday, Ivanhoe said its engineering team is working on a dewatering plan that would see the western side of the mine, which remains dry, to return to operations later this month. The eastern side, where the initial seismic activity occurred, will restart once the entire dewatering process is complete, the Canadian miner added. The dewatering plan comprises two stages: 1) installation of temporary underground pumping infrastructure to stabilize and maintain current water levels; and 2) installation of high-capacity, surface-mounted pumps and new permanent infrastructure to fully dewater the underground mine. Ivanhoe said its team has already completed Stage 1, resulting in a pumping capacity of 4,400 litres per second, enough to manage water inflows. Stage 2 is currently underway, with four surface pumps ordered to add 650 litres per second of capacity each. Delivery and installation of these pumps are expected within 90 days, the company said. Ivanhoe Mines’ shares rose as much as 7.5% to C$11.56 on the update, the highest since the week it announced the mine suspension. The rally sent the miner’s market capitalization back above C$15 billion. Meanwhile, the near- and long-term plans to resume operations at Kakula are currently being updated, according to Ivanhoe. The management team and joint venture partners are conducting a geotechnical assessment, the results of which are anticipated next week. Operation status Also in its press release, Ivanhoe said its Phase 1 and 2 concentrators are still processing surface stockpiles at half of their combined capacity, and ore from the western side of the Kakula mine will be fed into these concentrators once underground operations restart. Since mining operations began at Kakula in 2021, crews have completed over 18 months’ worth of underground development ahead of the mine plan. This extensive advance development provides significant operational flexibility, allowing access to multiple production areas as they are deemed safe for re-entry, Ivanhoe noted. Operations at the Kamoa underground mine and the adjacent Phase 3 concentrator remain unaffected and continue as normal, it added.

A Malian court has, for the third time, postponed a hearing on whether to place Barrick Gold’s (TSX: ABX; NYSE: GOLD) Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex under provisional administration, Reuters reported on Monday. The decision has been delayed until June 5, according to Issa Aguibou Diallo, a judge at Bamako’s Tribunal de Commerce, who made the announcement during proceedings without providing a reason. Shares of Barrick rose 5.8% to C$27.84 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately C$47.85 billion ($34.89 billion). The Canadian mining giant has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the West African nation over taxes and ownership following the suspension of operations at the complex in January. Operations were halted after the government seized approximately three tonnes of gold, accusing Barrick of failing to meet its tax obligations. Since early November, authorities have blocked the company’s gold exports. Barrick has stated it will only resume operations once the Malian government lifts restrictions on exports. In May, the government—which holds a stake in the complex—requested that the Bamako Commercial Court appoint a provisional administrator to take control of the mines amid ongoing negotiations. A major point of contention remains Mali’s demand that Barrick transition to the country’s 2023 mining code. The government has already renegotiated agreements with other multinational miners under the new legislation, according to two sources cited by Reuters. Tensions escalated further after four Barrick employees were detained in November 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued for CEO Mark Bristow in December. While Barrick has publicly rejected the charges, it has not detailed them. A court document reviewed by Reuters lists alleged offenses including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Barrick is currently spending about $15 million per month on maintenance and salaries while losing an estimated $1.24 billion annually in revenue due to the suspension. The company, which described the shutdown as “reluctant,” has removed the Loulo-Gounkoto complex from its production forecasts until at least 2028. (With files from Bloomberg and Reuters)

Listen, I don’t care if you’re 22 or 62—if you’re not thinking about diversifying into gold right now, you’re not playing the retirement game to win. And guess what? Smart doesn’t matter if you’ve lost all your money. Let’s break a gold ira down. Macro Reality Check: The Dollar Is a Liar We’ve printed so much money it’s a joke. Literally. Go on eBay right now—you can buy a $100 trillion Zimbabwe bill for five bucks. Why? Because paper is only worth what people believe it’s worth. Belief changes. Reality doesn’t. Now let’s talk about Gold. It’s been valuable since people were fighting with spears. Pharaohs wanted it. Spanish explorers died for it. Central banks hoard it. It doesn’t rust. It doesn’t vanish in a stock market crash. It doesn’t care about inflation. It’s the tortoise that always wins the race. Inflation is the Silent Killer—and Gold Punches It in the Mouth Everyone’s freaking out about gas prices, rent, food costs—and yet they’re still hoarding cash in savings accounts earning 0.0000002% APY. STOP. DOING. THAT. Inflation is compounding against you. Gold is one of the few things that actually moves in the opposite direction. It’s like financial jiu-jitsu: when the dollar gets choked out, gold flips it and stands over it, arms crossed. The System is Rigged—Gold Isn’t You think your retirement fund is safe? Think again. You’re investing in corporations that could be tanked by one bad earnings call or some TMZ scandal. But gold? No boardroom scandals. No CEO meltdowns. No quarterly BS. Just a rock-solid asset that says, “Hold me and I’ll protect you.” Let me say this as clear as I can: gold doesn’t need hype because gold is the asset. Gold is Not Old-School—It’s Smart-School You think you’re “too modern” for gold? Like crypto is the only play? Cool. But ask yourself this: when Bitcoin tanked 60%, what held steady? Gold. Don’t get me wrong—I love innovation. But I also love not losing 80% of my net worth overnight. It’s about balance. Be bullish on the future—but hedge with what’s always worked. So Why Aren’t You Buying Gold? You’ve got Apple Pay on your phone but can’t name one inflation hedge in your portfolio. You hustle 80 hours a week but have zero protection if the market tanks. That’s insanity. You know what’s smart? Getting serious about your financial security. You know what’s secure? Gold. You know when you should start? Yesterday. But today will do. Final Advise: Be Offense AND Defense I’m all about offense. Build brands. Launch projects. Scale. But gold? Gold is defense. Gold is the backup generator when the lights go out. You need both. This isn’t about paranoia—it’s about practicality. Stop listening to broke friends. Start listening to history. You don’t have to go all in—just get in the game with gold bars, gold coins or a Gold IRA by calling American Bullion. The post Stop Sleeping on Gold first appeared on American Bullion.

Ethereum is trading just below the $2,500 mark, struggling to reclaim higher ground as bearish momentum picks up across the broader crypto market. After repeated failed attempts to break past resistance, ETH now sits under heavy selling pressure, raising concerns about a deeper correction. Bulls appear to be losing control as overall market sentiment weakens amid global economic uncertainty and the persistent weight of rising US Treasury yields. Some market participants are now bracing for a significant downturn if Ethereum fails to hold above key demand zones. However, not everyone is turning bearish. Some prominent analysts maintain a highly bullish long-term view, arguing that Ethereum still has significant upside this cycle. According to Ted Pillows, Ethereum could reach $10,000 before the cycle ends. From his perspective, current price action represents a temporary dip rather than a trend reversal, and accumulating during weakness is the smarter move for long-term investors. While short-term uncertainty dominates headlines, long-term conviction remains strong among Ethereum supporters who point to rising institutional interest, declining exchange supply, and the overall maturing of the Ethereum ecosystem as reasons to stay optimistic. For now, ETH’s position just under $2,500 sets the stage for a critical test in the days ahead. Ethereum Analysts Eye Breakout Potential Ethereum is currently testing a crucial support level at $2,500 after repeatedly reaching the $2,700 resistance over the past few weeks. This zone has proven difficult to break, but bulls are still holding the line. If ETH manages to reclaim the upper range and close above it, analysts believe it could ignite the altseason the market has been waiting for. Despite Ethereum’s underperformance over the past year, marked by a lack of sustained momentum and significant selling pressure, the recent price action suggests a shift. Over the past few weeks, ETH has entered a more bullish phase, supported by increasing on-chain activity and stronger demand. Some analysts remain firmly bullish. Ted Pillows, for example, has projected that Ethereum is headed above $10,000 this cycle. While short-term volatility may cause concern, long-term conviction remains strong. For many investors, the message is clear: embrace the dips, accumulate strategically, and avoid panic selling. Technical sentiment across the board is turning cautiously optimistic. Market watchers point to Ethereum’s resilience at the $2,500 level as a sign of building strength. If this support holds and bulls step in with volume, the breakout above $2,700 could be swift and aggressive. ETH Tests Key Support As Bulls Defend $2,500 Ethereum is currently trading around $2,488 after a 2% daily drop, showing continued weakness below the crucial $2,700 resistance zone. The chart highlights a clear consolidation range forming since early May, with ETH repeatedly failing to close above the 200-day SMA, currently around $2,680. This long-term moving average is acting as a significant barrier, preventing any breakout momentum from gaining traction. Support remains at the lower boundary of the range near $2,470–$2,500, where buyers have consistently stepped in to absorb selling pressure. This area coincides with the 34-day EMA at $2,386 and the 100-day SMA just below current levels, forming a dense cluster of technical support. However, volume has been declining, suggesting that neither bulls nor bears have clear control. If Ethereum loses the $2,470 level decisively, the next key area to watch lies near $2,300, where the 50-day SMA could act as a cushion. Conversely, reclaiming $2,700 with strength could signal the beginning of a larger move to the upside. Until then, ETH remains stuck in a range, and traders will be watching closely for a decisive break—up or down to define Ethereum’s next major trend. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Gold prices rallied to a near one-month high on Monday, as a combination of geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty fuelled investor demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold surged 2.6% to about $3,377 an ounce by 11:00 a.m. ET, its highest since the first week of May. US gold futures also gained 2.6%, trading at just above $3,400 an ounce in New York. Meanwhile, the US dollar fell about 0.6% against other currencies, making bullion less expensive to buyers. Stocks also fell as renewed Sino-American trade conflicts bubbled and investors braced for a packed week of economic and political cross-currents, including a critical US jobs report. “The latest tariff threats on Friday, including plans to double steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% along with Ukraine’s weekend attacks deep into Russia, have heightened geopolitical risks and are fuelling risk-off sentiment,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zanier Metals. Tensions between Washington and Beijing returned to the fore after US President Donald Trump accused China of violating their trade truce. China, however, denied those claims and hit back with accusations of its own. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday signalled a possible call soon between Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping to sort out the trade issues. Investors are also closely watching for comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers this week for clues on the US rate path. Between fresh trade war fears, fiscal uncertainty and US debt ceiling concerns, the backdrop is ripe for volatility, Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com, said in a note. “For the gold forecast, this backdrop of risk aversion and fiscal uncertainty couldn’t be more favourable,” he said. Elsewhere, silver — gold’s sister metal — rallied by more than 4% on rising investor demand for safe havens.

Trading in the region of ~0.81694, a decisive move in this morning’s trading sees USD/CHF surpass monthly lows and break previously held consolidation to the downside. Amidst an increase in general safe-haven demand, trade tariff uncertainty, mixed US economic data, and a dovish stance from the SNB weighs on dollar-franc price action. USD/CHF: Key Takeaways Breaking down in this morning’s trading, USD/CHF trades 0.71% lower, facing further selling pressure amid an increase in demand for safe-haven assetsUS trade policy, especially regarding uncertainty on future inflation and economic growth, is adding to USD/CHF selling pressureWhile the Federal Reserve remains committed to a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to monetary policy, the SNB has openly discussed negative rates to combat deflationary pressures, potentially limiting franc upside close A chart showing the recent price action of USDCHF. OANDA,TradingView, 02/06/2025 /media/images/USD-CHF-1-02.06.2025.width-1400.png A chart showing the recent price action of USDCHF. OANDA,TradingView, 02/06/2025 USD/CHF: Technical analysis In today’s session, USD/CHF has broken previously held consolidation to the downside and trades at 40-day lows. If bearish momentum continues, bears will likely target ~0.81326, then ~0.81000 before an attempt on yearly lowsShould today’s daily candle maintain or close lower in price than current levels, the 12-26 period MACD will become decisively bearish, suggesting short-term price movement is returning to the long-term downtrend Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © {CURRENT_YEAR} OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.