Edward Snowden has slammed the U.S. Department of Justice&#8217;s recent actions against app developers, advocating for financial privacy in a recent social media post.



What Happened: On Tuesday, Snowden took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his disapproval of the Department of Justice&#8217;s recent actions. He tweeted, &#8220;The Department of &#8216;Justice&#8217; has once again criminalized the developers of an app that restores financial privacy. The way to fix this it to make money private by default. Privacy must never be &#8216;exceptional,&#8217; or they will make it criminal.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Department of &quot;Justice&quot; has once again criminalized the developers of an app that restores financial privacy. The way to fix this it to make money private by default. Privacy must never be &quot;exceptional,&quot; or they will make it criminal.&mdash; Edward Snowden (@Snowden) <a href="https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1783222542464884911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This post came in response to the recent arrest and charges against the founders and CEO of a cryptocurrency mixing service. 



The founders and CEO of cryptocurrency mixing service, Samourai Wallet, have been arrested and charged with money laundering and unlicensed money transmitting offenses. The charges stem from the company&#8217;s alleged involvement in over $2 billion in unlawful transactions and more than $100 million in money laundering transactions.



According to the United States Department of Justice, Keonne Rodriguez, CEO and co-founder of Samourai Wallet, and William Lonergan Hill, CTO and co-founder, were arrested on Wednesday. The charges arise from the defendants&#8217; development, marketing, and operation of a cryptocurrency mixer that facilitated illegal transactions from dark web markets, such as Silk Road and Hydra Market.



U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that Rodriguez and Hill knowingly facilitated the laundering of over $100 million of criminal proceeds from various illegal activities. The U.S. will seek Hill&#8217;s extradition from Portugal to stand trial in the United States, he was arrested in the European Union country on Wednesday morning.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38349807/bitcoin-signals-potential-67-gain-as-this-key-metric-dips-below-90-day-average-analyst-say?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Signals Potential 67% Gain As This Key Metric Dips Below 90-Day Average: Analyst Says &#8216;Perfect Ti</a>



Why It Matters: Snowden&#8217;s tweet reflects his ongoing support for financial privacy, particularly in the context of cryptocurrency. He has previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36751582/edward-snowden-supports-legal-fund-for-tornado-cash-co-founder-roman-storm-privacy-is-not-">endorsed a legal defense fund</a> for Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixing service embroiled in legal issues. Snowden has been vocal in his belief that &#8220;Privacy is not a crime.&#8221;



This recent post from Snowden also aligns with the views of former U.S. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has argued that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36190138/vivek-ramaswamy-thinks-penalizing-tornado-cash-mixer-was-illegal-and-unconstitutional">penalizing an entire protocol</a> or way of doing business is illegal and unconstitutional. Ramaswamy has specifically criticized the Treasury Department&#8217;s decision to sanction Tornado Cash.



These events highlight the ongoing debate around financial privacy, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and the legal challenges faced by companies operating in this space.



Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38395178/dogecoin-could-outperform-bitcoin-thanks-to-consolidation-in-the-golden-pocket-says-trader?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Could Outperform Bitcoin Thanks To Consolidation In The Golden Pocket, Says Trader: &#8216;This Is A Very Good Sign&#8217;</a>




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Edward Snowden Slams Justice Department For Action Against Samourai Wallet Co-Founders: 'The Way To Fix This Is To Make Money Private By Default'

<ul>
	<li>Near Protocol price has completed a 55% mean reversal from the bottom of the market range at $4.27.</li>
	<li>Amid growing bearish activity, NEAR could drop 10% to the $6.00 psychological level before a potential recovery.</li>
	<li>A break and close above $7.95 would invalidate the downleg thesis.</li>
</ul>

Near Protocol (NEAR) price is trading with a bullish bias, and has completed a full swing recovery following a 42% drop. However, the recovery may be cut short as bears align to sell NEAR token.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/near-protocol-price-poised-for-a-strong-rally-if-history-rhymes-202404040200" target="_blank">Near Protocol price poised for a strong rally if history rhymes</a>

<h2 class="fxs_headline_medium">Near Protocol price risks 10% correction</h2>

After a 55% recovery rally from the April 13 low of $4.27, the Near Protocol price looks primed for a correction. With a huge supply zone hovering above the price between $6.98 and $8.90, the <a href="https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies" data-fxs-autoanchor="">altcoin</a> could make a 10% correction to find initial support around the $6.00 psychological level.

Based on the volume profile indicator, there is a lot of bearish activity near the $7.00 price level, just above the current NEAR token price. Large spikes of the volume profile (grey) have indicated this.&nbsp; These spikes point to many sellers entering the NEAR market at current price levels and could potentially lead to a decrease in price if the selling pressure continues.

A series of bearish spikes on the volume profile could signal a potential trend reversal from bullish to bearish, indicating a shift in <a href="https://www.fxstreet.com/technical-analysis/sentiment" data-fxs-autoanchor="">market sentiment</a> and direction. For confirmation, traders should watch to see whether the Relative Strength Index (RSI) produces a lower high below the ‘50’ mean level on the daily timeframe.

In a dire case where the $6.00 level fails to hold as support, the Near Protocol price could extend the fall to the 50-day Smooth Moving Average (SMMA) at $5.31, or worse, test the $5.13 support level before a recovery.

<a href="https://editorial.fxstreet.com/miscelaneous/NEARUSDT_2024-04-25_02-27-24-638495999385205484.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://editorial.fxstreet.com/miscelaneous/NEARUSDT_2024-04-25_02-27-24-638495999385205484.png" style="width: 950px; height: 424px;"></a>

NEAR/USDT 1-day chart

On the other hand, if the bulls are able to break above the bearish cloud, confirmed by a daily candlestick close above the midline of the supply zone at $7.95, it would negate the bearish thesis. Such a directional bias could see NEAR price extend the gains to reclaim the $9.01 range high.&nbsp;

Near Protocol Price Prediction: NEAR fulfills targets but a 10% correction may be on the horizon

Ethereum sees a brief pullback as spot ETH ETF looks to gather momentum

Pseudonymous crypto influencer &#8220;ethereanvibin&#8221; recently shared a controversial personal story on X (formerly Twitter), revealing how his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ethereum-eth-price-predictions">obsession with </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ethereum-eth-price-predictions">Ethereum</a> (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) led to the end of his engagement.



What Happened: Ethereanvibin admitted that &#8220;My ex-girlfriend, who I was in love with very much and was going to marry, didn&#8217;t like my obsession with Ethereum&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">My ex-girlfriend, who I was in love with very much and was going to marry Didn't like my obsession with Ethereum <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> There was no balance for me. Ethereum consumed my life (and still does) because I deeply understood its impact I called off the wedding because she thought she…&mdash; EthereanVibin &#x7C; 0xVibin.eth &#x1f987;&#x1f50a; (@EthereanVibin) <a href="https://twitter.com/EthereanVibin/status/1782511859058298983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



He states that Ethereum consumed his life, and it still does because he deeply "understood its impact."



The situation reached a breaking point when his fiancée refused to sign a pre-nuptial agreement, believing she should be more important than the trader's Ethereum holdings.



In a bold move, ethereanvibin called off the wedding, prioritizing crypto investments over their relationship. He concludes, &#8220;To all married men. Your ETH bag is way more important than your wife. Women come and go. Ethereum is forever and much more fulfilling.&#8221;



Price Action: At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $3,125, down 3.1% over the past 24 hours. However, it still manages to make a profit for 81% of Ethereum holders.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27091545/Benzinga-conference.gif" alt="Benzinga future of digital assets conference" class="wp-image-267246"/></a></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38279616/bitcoin-and-ethereum-take-center-stage-according-to-coinbase-q2-crypto-market-guide">Bitcoin And Ethereum Take Center Stage According To Coinbase Q2 Crypto Market Guide</a>



Why It Matters: While the crypto community had all optimistic reactions to the tweet, one trader <a href="https://twitter.com/brianhc/status/1782512573398556983">said</a> "Gives a whole new meaning to marrying your bags."



Another one <a href="https://twitter.com/0xp0ssum/status/1782572442080153606">said</a>, "Someone is making wife-changing money, quite literally. Lol." Meanwhile, one trader <a href="https://twitter.com/vandynathan/status/1782680403020583311">said</a> "It's hard to ask for her hand in marriage when you're too busy having diamond hands, many such cases."



For the unfamiliar, diamond hands mean an investor&#8217;s unwavering resolve to hold onto their cryptocurrency assets despite extreme volatility or significant potential losses.



Heavily followed crypto analyst, Duo Nine <a href="https://twitter.com/DU09BTC/status/1782647933399351375">tweeted</a> on a lighter note, "Bad call. Signing a prenup for crypto? You could have said you lost it in a boat accident."



In a separate development, Prediction market Polymarket assigns only a 16% chance to a spot Ethereum approval by May 31. The path to approval for Ethereum ETFs faces continued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38404202/why-sec-delays-put-the-may-ethereum-etf-deadline-in-doubt">regulatory scrutiny</a>, with the U.S. SEC engaging in a detailed review process with prospective issuers.



What's Next: The influence of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-ethereum-a-good-investment">Ethereum</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as institutional assets</a> are topics expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga's upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38400241/spot-ethereum-etf-approval-unlikely-but-bad-news-already-priced-in-standard-chartered">Spot Ethereum ETF Approval Unlikely But &#8216;Bad News Already Priced In&#8217;: Standard Chartered</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Ethereum Maxi Calls Off Wedding, Finds 'ETH Bag Way More Important Than Your Wife'

Internet Computer's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">ICP</a>) price has decreased 5.18% over the past 24 hours to $13.89. This is contrary to the coins performance over the past week where it has experienced an up-trend of 14.0%, moving from $12.24 to its current price.
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Internet Computer over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985424_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has increased 14.0% over the past week, while the overall circulating supply of the coin has decreased 0.04%. The current market cap ranking for ICP is #21 at $6.42 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985424_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Cryptocurrency Internet Computer Decreases More Than 5% Within 24 hours

Wrapped Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WBTC</a>) price has decreased 3.91% over the past 24 hours to $64,203.00. This is contrary to the coins performance over the past week where it has experienced an up-trend of 6.0%, moving from $61,248.76 to its current price.
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Wrapped Bitcoin over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985354_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has fallen 36.0% over the past week which is opposite, directionally, with the overall circulating supply of the coin, which has increased 0.08%. This brings the circulating supply to 155 thousand, which makes up an estimated 100.0% of its max supply of 155 thousand. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for WBTC is #14 at $9.94 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985354_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Wrapped Bitcoin Down More Than 3% Within 24 hours

Over the past 24 hours, Polkadot's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/dot/usd">DOT</a>) price has fallen 4.72% to $7.03. This is opposite to its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 6.0% gain, moving from $6.68 to its current price. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Polkadot over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985345_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has risen 18.0% over the past week diverging from the circulating supply of the coin, which has decreased 0.08%. This brings the circulating supply to 1.36 billion. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for DOT is #17 at $9.47 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985345_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Polkadot Falls More Than 4% In 24 hours

Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin Cash's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bch/usd">BCH</a>) price has fallen 5.02% to $481.98. This is opposite to its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 3.0% gain, moving from $471.24 to its current price. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Bitcoin Cash over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985275_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has decreased 34.0% over the past week, while the overall circulating supply of the coin has decreased 0.04% to over 19.70 million. This puts its current circulating supply at an estimated 93.79% of its max supply, which is 21.00 million. The current market cap ranking for BCH is #16 at $9.49 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985275_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Bitcoin Cash Falls More Than 5% In 24 hours

Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) price has decreased 3.85% over the past 24 hours to $64,222.00. This is contrary to the coins performance over the past week where it has experienced an up-trend of 5.0%, moving from $61,469.74 to its current price.
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Bitcoin over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985205_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has fallen 48.0% over the past week, moving in tandem, directionally, with the overall circulating supply of the coin, which has decreased 0.18%. This brings the circulating supply to 19.69 million, which makes up an estimated 93.76% of its max supply of 21.00 million. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for BTC is #1 at $1.27 trillion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713985205_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Bitcoin Decreases More Than 3% Within 24 hours

Bitcoin price could be primed for correction as bearish activity grows near $66K area

Payments giant Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>) announced the company is no longer just designing cutting-edge mining chips, but also venturing into developing a complete Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38339548/exclusive-industry-leaders-predict-how-the-bitcoin-halving-impacts-prices-and-mining">mining system</a>.



What Happened: In a <a href="https://www.mining.build/latest-updates-3nm-system/">post</a> on Tuesday, the firm revealed the completion of a new three-nanometer Bitcoin mining chip, marking a significant step from merely designing chips to developing a comprehensive bitcoin mining system.



During a recent announcement, Block stated it had collaborated with a &#8220;leading global semiconductor foundry&#8221; to finalize the chip, now moving towards more expansive system design.



According to Block, this initiative aims to democratize Bitcoin mining by making it more accessible and straightforward. 



&#8220;Bitcoin mining should be as easy as plugging a rig into a power source,&#8221; Jack Dorsey, the company&#8217;s co-founder had said in 2021, emphasizing the challenges individuals face in mining due to the complexity and lack of incentives.



The expansion in mining technology could not only help decentralize the creation of Bitcoin but also distribute the hashrate more evenly across the globe, which is crucial for the stability and fairness of the mining process. 



The company acknowledges the vulnerabilities posed by the concentration of mining hardware production, particularly in regions like China, which has exhibited resistance to the cryptocurrency industry.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27091545/Benzinga-conference.gif" alt="Benzinga future of digital assets conference" class="wp-image-267246"/></a></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38408395/why-is-mog-crypto-coin-going-up-trader-sees-billions-as-price-target">Why Is MOG Crypto Coin Going Up? Trader Sees &#8216;Billions&#8217; As Price Target</a>



Why It Matters: At the heart of Block&#8217;s strategy is making mining rigs more affordable and readily available, tackling significant barriers such as high costs and unpredictable delivery times. 



The company's commitment extends beyond hardware to enhancing the mining experience, addressing common operational issues such as heat and noise, which were noted by Block&#8217;s general manager for hardware, Thomas Templeton.



The timing of Block&#8217;s announcement closely follows the latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bitcoin-halving">Bitcoin Halving</a> event, which reduces the number of new bitcoins entering circulation and is anticipated to impact mining dynamics significantly.



What&#8217;s Next: This push for easier access to Bitcoin mining technology and the push for a decentralized future aligns closely with themes that will be explored at Benzinga&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19. 



The event is expected to delve into how innovations like those from Block can influence the broader <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38385726/brics-eye-stablecoins-cbdc-bridge-to-advance-financial-integration">landscape of digital assets.</a>



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38404202/why-sec-delays-put-the-may-ethereum-etf-deadline-in-doubt">Why SEC Delays Put The May Ethereum ETF Deadline In Doubt</a>



This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Jack Dorsey Wants To Make Bitcoin Mining As Easy As Plugging In A Lamp: Here's How

Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) has generated significant gains over the past seven days, prompting analysts to foresee further <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/pepe-price-prediction">bullish price action</a>.



What Happened: Meme coin analyst and trader Murad highlights how Pepe, a &#8220;cult community with more than 10 million unique memes,&#8221; could flip Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>):



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I think it is possible that <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PEPE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PEPE</a> flips <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SHIB&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SHIB</a> and possibly even <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DOGE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DOGE</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PEPE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PEPE</a> is a cult community with 10,000,000+ unique memes that is perpetually relevant to modern culture, while <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DOGE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DOGE</a> is literally just a single pic and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SHIB&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SHIB</a> has zero memes to speak of.&mdash; Murad (@MustStopMurad) <a href="https://twitter.com/MustStopMurad/status/1782776856548085850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



He calls the meme coin &#8220;perpetually relevant to modern culture, while DOGE is just a single pic and SHIB has zero memes to speak of.&#8221; 



While the crypto community had different reactions to the tweet, some suggested other meme coins like Floki (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">FLOKI</a>) that could flip the meme coin leaders instead of Pepe.



One crypto trader <a href="https://twitter.com/blockchaingod69/status/1782874083807682693">stated</a> that &#8220;Doge is an OG classic and the first-ever meme coin,&#8221; and that PEPE could flip every other meme coin except for Dogecoin. 



Price Action: At the time of writing, PEPE was trading at $ 0.000007491, down 3.3% over the past 24 hours but up 50% over the past seven days.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29155259/905735A6-57D3-4874-9AA1-75D037842DB3-2.gif" alt="Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference" class="wp-image-270548"/></a></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/04/38396592/dogecoin-millionaire-reacts-to-strategy-involving-heavy-allocation-to-pepe-dogewifhat-basically-my-e">Dogecoin &#8216;Millionaire&#8217; Reacts To Strategy Involving Heavy Allocation To Pepe, Dogewifhat: &#8216;Basically My Entire Plan&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Hedge fund manager Thomas Kralow, in his latest tweet, highlighted how a whale has accumulated 211.6 billion PEPE tokens, worth $1.72 million, over the past day. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f575;&#xfe0f;&#x200d;&#x2642;&#xfe0f; Whale has amassed 211.6 billion <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PEPE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PEPE</a> (~$1.72M) over the past day, driving the price up by 17%. His most recent withdrawal from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/exchange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#exchange</a> was just 2 hours ago. <a href="https://t.co/hY0tSOpywU">pic.twitter.com/hY0tSOpywU</a>&mdash; Thomas Kralow (@TKralow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TKralow/status/1783136831107727828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



IntoTheBlock data shows an increase in transactions greater than 100,000, with 78% of Pepe holders currently making a profit and a concentration of 73% by large holders. The meme coin&#8217;s price correlation with Bitcoin stands at 0.83, and amongst all meme coins, Pepe reported the largest increase in holders&#8217; balance at 1.34%, reaching $225.8 million.



What's Next: The influence of meme coins and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;are topics expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga's upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38365707/pepe-coin-skyrockets-17-traders-note-very-bullish-technical-setup">Pepe Coin Skyrockets 17%, Traders Note &#8216;Very Bullish&#8217; Technical Setup</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Pepe Up 50% On The Week: 'Cult Community' May 'Flip SHIB And Possibly Even DOGE,' Predicts Influential Trader

Donald Trump's investment portfolio has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/37854211/donald-trumps-crypto-portfolio-is-up-8-but-which-asset-is-the-top-performer">witnessed a substantial uptick</a>, recording a gain of over $1 million over the past week.



What Happened: As of April 24, Trump&#8217;s total holdings are valued at approximately $6.45 million, reflecting a notable rise from the $5.36 million reported just a week earlier on April 17, according to <a href="https://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/explorer/entity/donald-trump">data</a> from Arkham Intelligence.



The top five cryptocurrencies in Trump's portfolio and their respective values are as follows: 



<ul>
<li>TRUMP: Trump holds 579,290 MAGA Memecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) tokens, valued at $3.42 million, with each token worth around $5.90 at the time of writing. </li>



<li>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>): Trump's wallet contains 418.655 ether, valued at $1.33 million. </li>



<li>WETH (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WETH</a>): Trump possesses 374.5 WETH tokens, worth $1.19 million. </li>



<li>BABYTRUMP (BABYTRUMP): Trump's holdings include 950,000 tokens, worth $29.84K.</li>



<li>Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/matic/usd">MATIC</a>): The portfolio also holds 5.250 MATIC tokens, worth $3.770.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27091545/Benzinga-conference.gif" alt="Benzinga future of digital assets conference" class="wp-image-267246"/></a></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38404202/why-sec-delays-put-the-may-ethereum-etf-deadline-in-doubt">Why SEC Delays Put The May Ethereum ETF Deadline In Doubt</a>



Why It Matters: Trump began accumulating cryptocurrency in late 2022 through the sale of Trump-themed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/02/37227959/if-you-invested-1-000-in-donald-trump-nfts-heres-how-much-youd-have-today">non-fungible tokens</a>, earning him substantial amounts of ETH.



A market downturn caused Trump&#8217;s portfolio to go down over $2.5 million from its peak, prompting speculation about whether he would sell his position. 



However, the former President has notably softened his previously crypto-skeptic stance, saying he is making money from these &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38048368/donald-trump-says-hes-making-money-from-crazy-new-currencies-which-cryptos-does-he-hold">crazy new currencies</a>.&#8221;



What&#8217;s Next: The case of Trump&#8217;s crypto holdings underscores the broader implications of celebrity endorsements in cryptocurrency markets.



This development comes at a time when the digital assets landscape is gaining more institutional acceptance, as evidenced by discussions at upcoming events like Benzinga&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/">Future of Digital Assets</a> on Nov. 19. 



Such forums are critical for understanding the trajectory of cryptocurrencies as they increasingly intersect with mainstream <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/02/37380106/6-26m-and-rising-inside-donald-trumps-surging-crypto-portfolio">financial systems and cultural phenomena.</a>



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38401088/bitcoin-spot-etfs-net-31-6m-inflows-as-hong-kong-readies-for-etf-launches">Bitcoin Spot ETFs Net $31.6M Inflows As Hong Kong Readies For ETF Launches</a>



This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image created using artificial intelligence with Midjourney.

Trump's Crypto Portfolio Rebounds With $1M Weekly Profit: Which 'Crazy New Currencies' Does He Hold?

Cat-themed meme coin MOG (CRYPTO: MOG) has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38361361/bitcoin-fomo-to-push-prices-to-a-different-level-mark-yusko">standout performer in the cryptocurrency market</a> on Wednesday, experiencing a notable price increase and a surge in trading volume. 



What Happened: Currently priced at $0.0000006939 with a market capitalization of $250 million, MOG is attracting significant investor attention.



This recent momentum can be attributed to a confluence of factors.



MOG has witnessed a substantial rise in trading activity, a key indicator of growing interest from investors. 



This increased activity suggests the potential for further price movements. 



Additionally, MOG has <a href="https://twitter.com/tradewithPhoton/status/1781835240605921702">secured</a> a strategic partnership with meme coins trading platform Photon.



Through this collaboration, Photon will collect all trading fees generated by the MOG/Aerodrome pair on Base and redistribute them back to the MOG community after May 1. 



This incentive program could significantly boost community engagement and attract new investors to the project.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/27091545/Benzinga-conference.gif" alt="Benzinga future of digital assets conference" class="wp-image-267246"/></a></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38404202/why-sec-delays-put-the-may-ethereum-etf-deadline-in-doubt">Why SEC Delays Put The May Ethereum ETF Deadline In Doubt</a>



Why It Matters: MOG&#8217;s rise hasn&#8217;t gone unnoticed on social media platforms. 



Prominent Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/0xArch/status/1782472628139122987">influencers</a> have used artists like Beeple to mention MOG, propelling the token further into the public eye. 



The optimistic sentiment around MOG is further bolstered by prominent traders and investors. 



Trading Benjamins, a respected figure in the cryptocurrency trading community, has <a href="https://twitter.com/tradinbenjamins/status/1783007059631358221">expressed</a> a very bullish outlook on MOG, suggesting its potential to reach &#8220;billions&#8221; in market value. 



His advice to investors is to be patient and confident in MOG&#8217;s growth trajectory.



Additionally, MOG is <a href="https://twitter.com/blknoiz06/status/1783013229481857111">featured</a> in the investment portfolio of Ansem, another influential trader, alongside other potential high-growth digital assets. 



Ansem&#8217;s portfolio, which includes a mix of core holdings and speculative bets, reflects a strategic approach to cryptocurrency investing, lending further credibility to MOG&#8217;s potential.



What&#8217;s Next: While these developments paint a promising picture for MOG&#8217;s future, the cryptocurrency market is inherently volatile. 



It&#8217;s crucial for potential investors to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.



For those seeking to learn more about MOG and the ever-evolving digital asset landscape, Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19 presents a valuable opportunity. 



This premier event will convene industry leaders, investors, and enthusiasts to discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of cryptocurrencies. 



Attendees can gain insights into promising projects like MOG and explore the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38361443/macro-guru-raoul-pal-sees-perfect-chart-for-4b-people-to-adopt-crypto-by-2030">vast potential of the digital asset revolution</a>.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38401035/binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-apologizes-doj-pushes-for-3-year-sentence">Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Apologizes, DOJ Pushes For 3-Year Sentence</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Why Is MOG Crypto Coin Going Up? Trader Sees 'Billions' As Price Target

Dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>) surged 7% in the past 24-hour trading session alongside a more than 100% surge in trading volume, with analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/dogwifhat-wif-price-prediction">remaining bullish on WIF</a>.



What Happened: Coinbase International Exchange <a href="https://twitter.com/CoinbaseIntExch/status/1780989670891131187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">announced</a> last week that Dogwifhat perpetual futures trading will commence on the Coinbase International Exchange and Coinbase Advanced from April 25. 



Renowned cryptocurrency analyst Crypto Curb <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoCurb/status/1782999906409496797">foresees</a> a significant surge in WIF&#8217;s price, hinting at a potential rise to more than $10 in the next leg, saying, &#8220;Steady Lads, Deploying More Hat.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29155259/905735A6-57D3-4874-9AA1-75D037842DB3-2.gif" alt="Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference" class="wp-image-270548"/></a></figure>



Meanwhile, crypto trader Bluntz Capital forecasted a potential breakout for Dogwifhat, citing the formation of an ascending triangle over two weeks, a bullish pattern suggesting potential upward price movement. 



The analyst has been <a href="https://twitter.com/Bluntz_Capital/status/1782964005797302421">tracking</a> the meme coin&#8217;s movement since early April, initially suggesting buying WIF at a lower price but recently changing his outlook to &#8220;hat&#8217;s back on.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">thats a breakout.<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24wif&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$wif</a> <a href="https://t.co/gLWpKlBROK">https://t.co/gLWpKlBROK</a> <a href="https://t.co/bgKaSU6ZHQ">pic.twitter.com/bgKaSU6ZHQ</a>&mdash; Bluntz (@Bluntz_Capital) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bluntz_Capital/status/1782993383927267756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



For the unfamiliar, the ascending triangle is a bullish chart pattern formed by a flat resistance line and an ascending trendline acting as support.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38331874/crypto-vc-reveals-his-bitcoin-solana-dogwifhat-ton-price-targets-for-buying-opportunities-">Crypto VC Reveals His Bitcoin, Solana, Dogwifhat, TON Price Targets For &#8220;Buying Opportunities As Huge Gifts&#8221;</a>



Why It Matters: These positive sentiments from analysts come amid significant volatility in the cryptocurrency market. While chart patterns can provide insight, they do not guarantee future market movements, and cryptocurrency investments carry inherent risks.



It&#8217;s important to note that cryptocurrency investments carry inherent risks, and market predictions should not be the sole basis for investment decisions.



Price Action: At the time of writing, WIF was trading at $3.30, up 7% over the past 24 hours alongside a 108.9% surge in trading volume, pushing weekly gains to 38%, outperforming Dogecoin&#8217;s 7% and Shiba Inu&#8217;s 25% gains.



What's Next: The influence of meme coins and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;are topics expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga's upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38227580/shiba-inu-killer-dogwifhat-plunges-23-trader-thinks-the-dog-needs-to-see-a-vet">&#8216;Shiba Inu Killer&#8217; Dogwifhat Plunges 23%, Trader Thinks The Dog Needs To &#8216;See A Vet&#8217;</a>



Image created using artificial intelligence with Midjourney.

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