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Peter Brandt Signals “Altcoin Endgame”: Why Many Tokens Could Become Permanently Worthless

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Veteran trader and chartist Peter Brandt has reignited debate across crypto markets with a blunt message: many altcoins may not just crash—they could become permanently worthless . In his latest commentary, Brandt framed altcoins as potential “collateral damage” in the early stages of a broader monetary reset , where trust in traditional money erodes but not every digital asset benefits . Brandt’s argument is especially striking because it goes beyond the usual “bear market” warning. Instead, he suggests a future where large parts of the altcoin universe effectively die off for good , unable to recover even if the broader crypto market rebounds. In his view, the harsh reality of speculation is that most tokens lack durable value, and only a small number—if any—will remain relevant after repeated boom-and-bust cycles. This isn’t the first time Brandt has taken a hard stance. In a widely shared remark, he said “99% of crypto coins will end up at ZERO,” describing Bitcoin as the “lega...

CoinGecko’s 2025 Snapshot: The Memecoin Shakeout That “Killed” 11.6 Million Tokens

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CoinGecko’s 2025 statistics paint a harsh picture of the crypto market’s latest boom-and-bust cycle: it wasn’t just prices that crashed—projects disappeared by the millions. In its recent research, CoinGecko reports that a huge share of tokens listed across major on-chain tracking venues ended up inactive, with many effectively “dead” due to vanishing liquidity, halted trading, or abandoned communities. The most striking number is the scale of failures recorded in 2025 alone. CoinGecko counts 11,564,909 tokens as failed in that single year, dwarfing the total number of failures seen across the prior years in the same research window. Put simply, token mortality wasn’t evenly distributed across the cycle—2025 was the year the market’s excess finally hit a wall. A big driver was the sheer ease of token creation. Launchpads, automated token tooling, and copy-paste contract templates lowered the barrier to entry so much that the market became flooded with ultra-short-lived assets—especia...

Trump Pressures Defense Contractors: No Buybacks, No Dividends, No Big Executive Bonuses Until Output Improves

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President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on America’s biggest defense contractors, arguing that shareholder rewards and oversized executive payouts should take a back seat to delivering equipment on time and at scale. Recent reporting indicates the administration is moving to restrict stock buybacks and dividend payments at major contractors until they demonstrate meaningful improvements in production, delivery schedules, and maintenance performance. The policy message is straightforward: companies that rely heavily on taxpayer-funded defense budgets should prioritize readiness and output over financial engineering. By targeting buybacks and dividends, the White House is effectively pushing firms to keep more cash inside the business—potentially for factory expansion, workforce development, supply-chain resilience, and faster throughput on critical programs. The administration’s stance also reflects frustration with delays that can ripple through the armed forces, affecting eve...

After Venezuela, Is Greenland Really “Easy” for Trump? Why Annexation Isn’t a Shortcut

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The idea that “after seizing Venezuela, taking Greenland won’t be hard” is designed to provoke, not to explain. It mashes together two fundamentally different situations—one framed as a rapid, high-pressure crisis response, and the other a slow, deeply political question of sovereignty in the Arctic. Even if a dramatic event in one region dominates headlines, it does not create a legal or moral shortcut for absorbing territory elsewhere. Donald Trump has revived a familiar argument: Greenland matters to U.S. security. Strategically, that claim is easy to understand. Greenland sits across vital North Atlantic and Arctic routes, and it has long been tied to defense infrastructure that supports early warning and space-related missions. In an era of growing great-power competition, the Arctic is no longer treated as a remote frontier. It is viewed as a strategic theater where basing, surveillance, shipping access, and resilience of critical infrastructure all matter. But “important” does...

10 Standout Companies Positioning for the U.S. “Genesis Mission” National AI Initiative

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The United States’ Genesis Mission is designed to do something few governments have successfully coordinated at scale: fuse world-class scientific data, cutting-edge computing, and frontier AI into a single discovery engine that can meaningfully accelerate research outcomes. In practical terms, the effort is being organized through the Department of Energy and its national laboratory ecosystem, aiming to connect high-performance computing, AI systems, and scientific instruments into an integrated platform for “AI for science.” With DOE announcing collaboration agreements with two dozen organizations, the early shape of the ecosystem is becoming clearer: it will be built by a handful of “stack” leaders spanning chips, cloud, and foundation models. Below are 10 standout companies that appear especially well-positioned to benefit—and to contribute—because they control critical parts of the modern AI pipeline. 1) NVIDIA If Genesis Mission runs on accelerated computing, NVIDIA is a c...

A New Era of Travel: Trip.com Now Accepts USDT & USDC Stablecoin Payments—With Savings Up to 18%

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Travel is getting a serious fintech upgrade. Trip.com has officially rolled out stablecoin payments—letting travelers pay for select bookings using USDT and USDC , two of the world’s most widely used USD-pegged stablecoins. The update, reported as launching on December 25, 2025 , marks a meaningful step toward making digital-asset payments feel less like a niche experiment and more like a practical everyday option for global consumers. Why this matters: real savings, not just “cool tech” The headline grabber is cost. Early user reports highlight that paying with stablecoins can be significantly cheaper , with savings up to around 18% on flights in some cases. Hotel bookings have also shown smaller but still notable reductions (around a few percent). While the exact discount will vary by route, property, time, and market conditions, the message is clear: stablecoins can reduce friction—and sometimes reduce cost—compared with traditional card rails and cross-border payment markups. ...

Elon Musk Claims Money May Lose Its Power And Work Could Become Optional Within 20 Years

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Elon Musk is once again challenging how we think about the future of the economy, work, and even money itself. In a series of recent talks and interviews, he has argued that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics could, within the next 10–20 years, make most traditional jobs optional and dramatically reduce the importance of money in everyday life. What exactly is Musk predicting? Musk’s core claim is straightforward but radical: if AI systems and humanoid robots continue to improve at their current pace, machines will eventually perform almost all forms of labor better, faster, and cheaper than humans. In that world, people would no longer need to work to survive. Instead, work would become something people choose to do for meaning, creativity, or status — more like a hobby than an obligation. At recent technology and investment forums, he has repeated the view that AI and robots will drive such powerful productivity gains that “working will be optional” in less than...

Investors Rush to Close JPMorgan Accounts Over Alleged Attack on Bitcoin and MSTR Shareholders

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A new battle line has been drawn between traditional banking and the Bitcoin community, and this time JPMorgan is at the center of the storm. After the bank’s analysts warned that MicroStrategy (MSTR) could be removed from major stock indices because of its huge Bitcoin holdings, thousands of crypto-leaning customers now claim they are closing their accounts in protest. On social media, the move is being framed as a response to a “planned attack on Bitcoin and MSTR shareholders.” MicroStrategy has spent the past several years transforming itself from a conventional software company into one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin in the world. Its stock has become a favorite among Bitcoin believers, who see it as a leveraged way to gain exposure to BTC. That is exactly why JPMorgan’s recent research note hit such a nerve. The bank highlighted that index provider MSCI is reviewing whether to exclude companies whose balance sheets are dominated by digital assets, which could push Mi...

AppLovin: The Adtech Engine Powering App Monetization — and a 9-Bagger in Four Years

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AppLovin has grown from a mobile marketing toolkit into a full-stack adtech platform that helps developers turn audiences into sustainable revenue. Its value proposition is straightforward: match advertiser demand with the right users at the right moment, then measure what works and scale it automatically. For app businesses balancing user acquisition, monetization, and compliance, that combination is powerful. At the heart of AppLovin’s platform is a performance engine that ingests real-time signals from countless impressions, clicks, installs, and in-app events. Using machine-learning models, it predicts the likelihood that a specific user will take a profitable action—whether that is an in-app purchase, a subscription renewal, or simply high-quality engagement that produces meaningful ad revenue. Marketers set a return-on-ad-spend target, and the system continuously allocates budget to the channels, geos, and creatives most likely to hit it. As more data flows through the system, t...

Meta’s 10% Problem: Internal Docs Tie Billions in Revenue to Scam and Banned-Product Ads

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The story behind the numbers A trove of internal documents has put Meta’s ad business under its harshest spotlight in years: the company’s own projections indicated that around one-tenth of its 2024 revenue flowed from advertisements linked to scams and banned products . In dollar terms, that’s about $16 billion ; in Thai baht, roughly 520–580 billion depending on exchange rates. While Meta has long touted investments in brand safety, the documents suggest that suspect advertisers remained a meaningful revenue stream. Just as striking is the scale of exposure . A December 2024 snapshot cited in the reporting says users were shown around 15 billion “higher-risk” scam ads every day —ads with clear red flags, from fake investment pitches and counterfeit goods to illegal gambling. That level of daily reach helps explain why scams seeded on social platforms so often spill into broader financial harm for consumers and businesses. The leaks also hint at perverse incentives inside large ...

Trump Vows to Keep the U.S. No. 1 in Crypto as China Ramps Up Its Push

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For months, President Donald Trump has positioned digital assets as a pillar of American economic strategy. That theme sharpened again in early November, when he declared that the United States “must stay number one” in crypto as China steps up its involvement. Framed as a competition for technological leadership, the message is clear: blockchain and digital finance are now part of a broader race for economic influence and standards-setting power. The administration’s stance blends rhetorical urgency with concrete moves. In January, a sweeping order directed agencies to promote responsible growth of digital assets, protect self-custody, encourage lawful access to banking, and coordinate clearer, technology-neutral rules. Crucially, it barred a retail central bank digital currency, arguing that the dollar’s global role is better advanced through private-sector innovation—especially stablecoins—than through a government-issued token for the public. In March, the White House moved to tr...

BlackRock Rumor Roils Bitcoin: $2.5B Whisper vs. $183M Reality as Price Slips Under $100K

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A sensational rumor claiming BlackRock had purchased $2.5 billion worth of Bitcoin rocketed through the crypto ecosystem, sparking a flurry of bullish bets—until the numbers didn’t add up. As the dust settled, data indicated the real figure was closer to $183 million, a sizable but far cry from the multi-billion surge many traders had started to price in. The comedown was swift. Momentum stalled, leveraged longs unwound, and Bitcoin slipped below the closely watched $100,000 mark. This episode is a masterclass in how narratives can overpower nuance in fast-moving markets. The headline—“BlackRock buys $2.5B BTC”—carried more emotional weight than the crucial details: the timing of flows, the composition of purchases, and the reality that even large inflows can be offset by broader market positioning. When traders rushed to front-run what they believed would be a tidal wave of institutional demand, liquidity thinned at the top, creating the conditions for a sharp reversion once the rumo...

China Bars Nvidia, AMD and Intel AI Chips in State-Funded Data Centers, Mandating Domestic Alternatives

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China has moved to prohibit the use of foreign-made artificial intelligence accelerators from Nvidia, AMD and Intel in state-funded data centers, ordering operators to adopt homegrown processors instead. The move underscores Beijing’s long-term push for technological self-reliance and tighter control over the computing stack that powers AI training, cloud services, and government-grade analytics. At the heart of the decision is sovereignty over critical infrastructure. State-funded data centers run workloads that range from natural-language processing and computer vision to large-scale data mining for public services. Officials view the chips that power these systems as strategic assets—no different from telecommunications gear or satellite components. By mandating domestic silicon, authorities aim to reduce exposure to supply disruptions, export restrictions, and opaque firmware or driver dependencies that often accompany foreign hardware. The ruling immediately reshapes China’s proc...

FTX “143% Payout” vs. Reality: Why Many Creditors May See Only 9–46% Back

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The headline number sounds dazzling: a 143% cash payout for FTX creditors. Yet for many victims, the effective recovery—the share of what their assets are truly worth to them today—could be far lower, plausibly in the 9–46% range. The gap isn’t a contradiction; it’s the product of how bankruptcy math, timing, and asset pricing work. Here’s the concise breakdown. 1) Claims are valued at the petition date, not today. In crypto bankruptcies, customer claims are typically locked to the dollar value at the moment the company filed for bankruptcy. Many FTX customers held crypto, not cash. When the case began, crypto prices were depressed. A claim for “1 BTC,” for instance, is converted into its petition-date dollar value, not the current price of BTC. So even if creditors receive “143% of their allowed claim,” that 143% is applied to a low base set when markets were much weaker. Relative to the current market value of the same coins, the effective recovery can look small. 2) Cash, not c...

From Student to Cybercrime Kingpin: The Rise and Fall of Malone Lam

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From Ordinary Student to Digital Outlaw Malone Lam was once just another bright student growing up in Singapore, known for his sharp intellect and curiosity about technology. By all appearances, he was the type of young man destined for a future in innovation or cybersecurity. Yet, his fascination with the digital world led him down a darker path—one that transformed him from an ordinary teenager into the leader of a notorious cybercrime syndicate. Early Passion for Technology From an early age, Malone was captivated by computers and the internet. While his peers played games and chatted online, he was teaching himself programming, encryption, and hacking techniques from online forums. His talent grew quickly, and so did his reputation in underground tech circles. At just 15, he was already experimenting with network vulnerabilities, testing systems not out of malice but sheer curiosity. However, this curiosity soon evolved into something more dangerous. When Malone discovered how ...

Warning! BTC Faces a Potential Downtrend After the Violent Sell-Off on October 10

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The cryptocurrency market was shaken on October 10 when Bitcoin (BTC) experienced an unexpected and aggressive sell-off, erasing billions in market value within hours. The abrupt drop caught many traders off guard, marking one of the most volatile movements of the quarter. As BTC attempts to recover, analysts warn that the market could be entering a critical phase — one that might determine whether Bitcoin’s medium-term trend turns decisively bearish. The October 10 Shock On October 10, Bitcoin’s price plunged sharply after weeks of relative stability. The decline was triggered by a combination of factors, including sudden whale movements, profit-taking by large holders, and macroeconomic fears surrounding global liquidity. Within a few hours, BTC broke below several key support levels, triggering a wave of liquidations in leveraged positions. This event not only rattled short-term traders but also weakened investor confidence in the ongoing uptrend that had been forming since early...

Whales Dump 70 Million XRP in 48 Hours! Price Loses Footing, Brace for $2 Fall

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Major holders of XRP have unloaded around 70 million tokens within the past 48 hours, sparking alarm across the crypto market. Data from on-chain tracker Santiment show wallets holding between 100,000 and 10 million XRP beginning a sustained sell-off, despite the token’s recent rally. Earlier this week, XRP climbed toward the $2.50 mark, but the sudden wave of large-scale distribution has undermined that surge. With whales offloading, market sentiment has shifted quickly toward caution. The coordinated dump signals that major holders may be taking profits or reducing exposure ahead of potential headwinds. Technically, the move raises red flags. The token is now trading with less support and heavier supply pressure. As large holders exit, fewer buy orders remain to cushion a downturn. Some analysts warn that this places XRP at risk of revisiting the $2.00 level unless fresh demand emerges to absorb the excess supply. What’s driving the action? A mix of factors appears to be in play: ...

“Floki the Shiba Inu of Elon Musk Returns as CEO of X! $FLOKI Price Rockets Over 19% Immediately!”

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Elon Musk once again proved his unmatched influence in the crypto world after announcing that his Shiba Inu, Floki, has returned as the “CEO of X.” The playful declaration quickly went viral, sparking a wave of excitement across the meme-coin community. Within hours, the price of the FLOKI token surged more than 19%, fueled by renewed investor interest and Musk’s characteristic humor. The announcement featured an image of Floki dressed in a tie and glasses, seated at an executive desk as if running the social media platform X. This lighthearted gesture was enough to send the market into a frenzy, with trading volumes soaring as speculators rushed to join the rally. FLOKI’s market cap briefly spiked as traders embraced the energy of Musk’s post, reminiscent of his previous influence on coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. The “Floki effect” highlights how meme culture continues to shape the digital-asset landscape. Despite lacking the fundamentals of traditional investments, meme-coins ...

Vietnam Stock Market Slumps 5.5% in Biggest Drop in Six Months

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Vietnam’s benchmark equity index plunged by approximately 5.5% on Monday, marking its steepest one-day fall in about six months. The sharp decline was triggered after regulatory authorities unveiled alarming irregularities in the country’s corporate bond market, undermining investor confidence. According to reports, the national regulator found widespread misuse of bond proceeds, disclosure lapses and delayed interest payments among dozens of issuers. The resulting risk awareness spurred heavy selling across sectors — from real estate to banking. Shares of prominent groups led the sell-off as market participants reassessed the credit outlook. Trading volumes surged to their highest level in a month as the benchmark index closed near its lowest level in recent weeks. While Vietnam’s economic fundamentals remain intact, analysts say the valuation stretch from a sustained rally made the market vulnerable to any trigger. The sharp correction may pave the way for a healthier base, yet the...

OKX Review 2025: Fees, Features, Security, and How to Sign Up (Step-by-Step)

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OKX is a feature-packed crypto exchange offering spot, margin, futures, options, copy trading, and a powerful Web3 wallet. Fees for regular users typically start around 0.08% maker / 0.10% taker on spot and 0.02% / 0.05% on futures, with tiered discounts for higher volumes. OKX publishes Proof-of-Reserves (Merkle tree + zk verification) so users can verify holdings. However, 2025 brought regulatory headlines (a U.S. AML case and a compliance monitor), so users should weigh the pros against jurisdictional constraints. Fast signup: Create your OKX account Pros and Cons Pros Broad product lineup: spot, margin, perpetuals, options, Convert/RFQ, copy trading, Earn, and Web3 wallet. Competitive fees with tiering for VIP/high-volume traders. Public Proof-of-Reserves with Merkle tree and zk-STARK verification. Web3 wallet: multi-chain access, DEX, NFTs, DeFi aggregation. OKX Pay expansions in select regions. Cons Regulatory overhang in 2025 (AML case; external monitor through...