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Dogecoin Leads Meme Coin Dive as Geopolitical Tensions Slam Crypto Market

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In brief

  • Dogecoin is leading meme coins lower as tensions between Iran and Israel flare.
  • The leading dog-themed token is down nearly 6% in the last 24 hours.
  • Other popular memes, like Fartcoin and SPX6900 were not spared, falling even more than DOGE in the same timeframe.

The top meme coin by market cap, Dogecoin, is diving lower amid a broader market sell-off, dropping nearly 6% in the last 24 hours as tensions between Israel and Iran flare following Israel’s airstrikes late Thursday.

The dog-themed meme coin leader is now trading below $0.178, down 23% over the last month and more than 75% from its all-time high of $0.73 in 2021. 

The meme category as a whole is underperforming major assets, dropping 9.5% in the last 24 hours compared to 2.6% and 8% for Bitcoin and Ethereum, respectively, according to data from CoinGecko.

Those meme coin losses are highlighted by most of the majors, like Ethereum-based Pepe, which has dropped 10.8% during the same time frame. Solana’s top meme coin performers, like Fartcoin (FARTCOIN), Bonk (BONK), and Dogwifhat (WIF) have each dropped more than 9%. 

The Fartcoin drop has led to a notable odds shift for Myriad Market’s Fartcoin flash market, which asks predictors whether or not the flatulence-themed meme coin will trade above a $1.3 billion market cap come Saturday evening. 



Now, odds of that taking place trade around 14% compared to around 51% on Thursday afternoon, signaling predictors may not be that confident in a quick turnaround for the meme coin market. 

Even SPX6900, an Ethereum-based token that its creators say is designed to try and flip the S&P 500 by market cap, is down more than 13% in the last 24 hours after climbing to a new all-time high just two days ago. (It’s still nowhere near the S&P 500’s market cap, to be clear.)

Plus, other notable memes like Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT), Popcat (POPCAT), and Mog Coin (MOG) have dropped at least 10% apiece.

The market’s sell-off hasn’t been isolated to meme coins and majors, as altcoins have faced a similar fate over the last 24 hours, helping rack up more than $1.13 billion in crypto liquidations during that timeframe, per CoinGlass data.

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Crypto Trends

Interpol Infostealer Malware Crackdown Leads to 32 Arrests

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In brief

  • Global police organization Interpol has led a crackdown on infostealers codenamed Operation Secure.
  • Police forces around the world arrested 32 as part of the operation, which took down over suspicious 20,000 IPs and domains.
  • Infostealer malware is used to steal data such as browser credentials, passwords and cryptocurrency wallet contents.

Police forces around the world have made 32 arrests as part of a major operation cracking down on infostealer malware led by Interpol.

Operation Secure saw law enforcement agencies from 26 countries work to locate the servers, map physical networks and ultimately execute the targeted takedowns, according to a statement released by Interpol.

20,000 malicious IPs and domains taken down in #INTERPOL infostealer crackdown

During Operation Secure law police from 26 countries worked to locate servers, map physical networks and execute targeted takedowns arresting 32 suspects linked to illegal cyber activities.

— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) June 11, 2025

More than 20,000 IPs and domains were taken down as part of the operation, and over 100GB of data seized across 41 servers. The takedown reportedly neutralized 79% of the suspicious IP addresses identified by Interpol, with assistance from private sector partners including Kaspersky, Trend Micro and Group-IB.

The sweep saw 18 suspects arrested in Vietnam, 12 in Sri Lanka and a further two in Nauru. In the Vietnam arrests the group leader was found with over VND 300 million ($11,500) in cash.

In a statement, Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Director of Cybercrime, said that the operation “has once again shown the power of intelligence sharing in disrupting malicious infrastructure and preventing large-scale harm to both individuals and businesses.”

What are infostealers?

Infostealer malware is typically used to infiltrate organizational networks in order to steal browser credentials, cookies, passwords, credit card details and cryptocurrency wallet data.

Logs harvested by infostealers are increasingly being traded on the cybercriminal underground to enable further attacks. These include ransomware, data breaches, fraud schemes and more.

Following Operation Secure, the authorities notified over 216,000 victims and potential victims to take immediate action to secure themselves. This includes changing passwords, freezing accounts and removing unauthorized access.

Speaking to Decrypt, Dmytro Yasmanovych, Compliance Services Lead at blockchain security auditor Hacken praised the operation but warned that infostealer networks are “highly resilient—reconstituting infrastructure via bullet-proof hosting and fast-rotating domains.”

Yasmanovych noted that for Web3 organizations, compliance alone isn’t enough. “Effective defense requires a fusion of robust endpoint hardening, continuous on-chain and off-chain monitoring, and real-time threat‐intelligence sharing,” he said. “Only through this multilayered, proactive posture can the industry stay ahead of rapidly evolving infostealer campaigns targeting crypto wallets and private keys.”

Hacken’s Senior Blockchain Protocol Security Auditor Ali Ashar added that, “To convert this win into lasting disruption, momentum needs to continue,” pointing to the importance of “timely victim alerts, ongoing public-private intel sharing, and follow‑up enforcement.”

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NFT Gaming

Ether Zooms 7%, Dogecoin Leads Majors Gains Amid Bitcoin Euphoria

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Shaurya is the Co-Leader of the CoinDesk tokens and data team in Asia with a focus on crypto derivatives, DeFi, market microstructure, and protocol analysis.

Shaurya holds over $1,000 in BTC, ETH, SOL, AVAX, SUSHI, CRV, NEAR, YFI, YFII, SHIB, DOGE, USDT, USDC, BNB, MANA, MLN, LINK, XMR, ALGO, VET, CAKE, AAVE, COMP, ROOK, TRX, SNX, RUNE, FTM, ZIL, KSM, ENJ, CKB, JOE, GHST, PERP, BTRFLY, OHM, BANANA, ROME, BURGER, SPIRIT, and ORCA.

He provides over $1,000 to liquidity pools on Compound, Curve, SushiSwap, PancakeSwap, BurgerSwap, Orca, AnySwap, SpiritSwap, Rook Protocol, Yearn Finance, Synthetix, Harvest, Redacted Cartel, OlympusDAO, Rome, Trader Joe, and SUN.



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XRP clings to key support as investors eye key SEC meeting
GameFi Guides

XRP forecast indicates $3.50 next, Unilabs leads Q2 gains

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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

XRP’s forecast hints at $3.5 amid Ripple’s legal wins, but Unilabs’ AI-powered DeFi is also surging.

The recent XRP price forecast is raising eyebrows with experts saying it will reach a record high of $3.5 soon. And now, with more institutions jumping in as the legal saga for Ripple eases, there are new hopes about the XRP token hitting new heights.

However, a new AI-powered DeFi project, Unilabs, is catching on with its game-changing investment tools and sky-high presale stats. Seeing such trends, many analysts are saying UNIL is likely to lead the Q2 gainers.

XRP price forecast strengthens with latest developments

Ripple XRP is one of the resilient cryptos that is again back in the headlines. Ranked as the 4th largest crypto on CoinMarketCap, the XRP token is showing steady momentum at around $2.33, showing monthly gains of over 6% at the time of writing.

Recently, there have been some key advancements that could boost the XRP price forecast. Most prominently, the Dubai Land Department picked the XRP Ledger (XRPL) for its Real Estate Tokenization Project. That makes it the first blockchain used by a government land registry in the Middle East.

Further, Ripple has also gained institutional validation with the launch of two XRP futures ETFs on the CME platform. These products could boost the XRP price prospects by allowing investors to invest in XRP without having to deal with crypto wallets.

Technical signals reveal a bullish outlook for XRP

If we look at technical signs, Ripple’s chart reveals a bullish trend, with analysts observing that XRP is entering the fifth wave of a classic Elliott Wave pattern. This form is typically associated with strong parabolic movements.

Moreover, indicators like RSI and MACD also show an upward tendency as XRP continues to hold support around $2.30. For Ripple to surpass this barrier, a break above the $2.90 resistance level is required in order to exceed its previous high of $3.4.

Unilabs on track to lead Q2 with smart investment tools

While the XRP price forecast predicts a bright future for Ripple, savvy DeFi investors are shifting focus to Unilabs. This is an emerging asset management protocol aimed to augment investment strategies through artificial intelligence.

Its ecosystem is structured around four specialized funds namely AI Fund, BTC Fund, RWA Fund and Mining Fund. With such an extensive selection, users can tap into the market of their choice based on their risk appetite and market expectations

Another real differentiator that makes Unilabs a superior choice, is the Memecoin Identification Tool. This option can offer users sophisticated analysis of high-risk, high-reward memecoins before they go viral. Some key features include:

  • Tracking of initial liquidity patterns to spot new entrants.
  • Monitoring virality across social platforms.
  • Evaluation of token risk metrics in real-time, including volatility and number of holders.
  • Identifies early momentum before the wider market picks up.

And even better, as memecoins are on the rise again, this tool can give investors a competitive advantage in discovering gems early.

Apart from smart investing, Unilabs also offers passive income products. Users can take advantage of its tiered rewards system, which redistributes 30% of platform fees based on token tier. Further, the staking option offers recurring rewards. 

On top of that, the referral program gives users another income stream by rewarding them for inviting others, thereby converting network effects into profits.

$30m in AUM and booming presale shows momentum 

Unilabs’ presale is gaining traction rapidly, with over a million raised, along with rumors of big investors stepping in as it has raised $30.5 million in Asset Under Management (AUM). At just $0.005 per UNIL token, this could be a rare ground-floor opportunity. Considering the project’s AI-powered features, early participation could bring returns that even Ripple holders won’t want to miss in Q2.

Ripple Vs Unilabs: Which one is best for Q2 2025?

The XRP price forecast points to Ripple potentially reaching the $3.5 mark, backed by bullish technical indicators, rising institutional interest and increasing adoption. These developments are pointing to a strong quarter for the XRP token. 

At the same time, Unilabs is also emerging as a lucrative option, with its presale gaining rapid momentum, a significant AUM and AI-based tools designed for finding hidden gems. With both assets exhibiting compelling growth potential, savvy investors could take advantage and invest in both Ripple and Unilabs now for maximum returns this quarter.

Get to know more about Unilabs by visiting the official site and Telegram.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. crypto.news does not endorse any product mentioned on this page. Users must do their own research before taking any actions related to the company.



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BTC dips from ATH, US banks Consider Stablecoin, HYPE leads L1s again!

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BTC dips from ATH, US banks Consider Stablecoin, HYPE leads L1s again!

BTC dips from ATH, US banks Consider Stablecoin, HYPE leads L1s again! – FOMO HOUR EP364

BTC OI hits ATH, as it slips below $110k. BTC ETFs see biggest inflows in months. BTC long/short ratio at lowest level in 3 years. Major US banks consider jointly issuing stablecoin. Kraken to offer 50 tokenised stocks and ETFs. US domination in crypto will continue: Trump. Odds of BTC $150k+ in 2025 at 43%. Strategy to raise $2.1bn through stock issuance. Active DeFi loans at ATH, TVL nears pre-tariff levels. ‘Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act’ introduced by Waters. Wormhole brings DOGE natively to Solana. Cetus on SUI hacked for $234m. Crypto perps in US coming soon: CFTC. HYPE hits ATH on news, up 3x over last month.

FOMO HOUR brings you the biggest daily news, updates and events from inside and outside of the crypto and macro spheres! Join hosts Farokh, Mando and Tyler as they cover some of the biggest topics at present with some of the biggest names in the ecosystem. Streaming live 5 days per week, Monday to Friday 10:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST on YouTube and X.

JOIN YEET = https://yeet.com/register?aff=fomohour
PLAYLIST = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGSgoImPFTiVpkHhLXF78cE_Z3uG7VNGL
PODCAST = https://x.com/i/spaces/1kvKpydgqMQGE
LIVE SPACE = https://x.com/i/spaces/1YqxooaNBZlxv

Links:
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https://www.rug.fm/
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Myriad:
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https://x.com/MyriadMarkets

#bitcoin #crypto #podcast





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Hyperinflation leads more people to Bitcoin
Crypto Trends

Hyperinflation leads more people to Bitcoin

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When Venezuela was experiencing hyperinflation, Ledn co-founder Mauricio di Bartolomeo hedged against the collapsing local currency by shorting it in favor of the more stable US dollar. Today, he’s using a similar strategy — this time borrowing against his Bitcoin (BTC) to hedge against the crumbling US dollar.

Di Bartolomeo connected with me during Canada Crypto Week in Toronto, where he talked about the advantages of Bitcoin-backed loans and the rapid growth of collateralized BTC lending. In our interview, he made a compelling case for continuing to stack sats, even as Bitcoin’s price keeps rising.

This week’s Crypto Biz dives into our conversation with the Ledn co-founder and covers the latest business news from the blockchain world.

A lesson from hyperinflation

Before Bitcoin, di Bartolomeo’s most successful investment was shorting the Bolivar with US dollars, referring to his experience in Venezuela during the hyperinflationary 2010s. 

“I was borrowing Bolivars and buying dollars with them, holding the hard dollars and having a borrow [position] on the weaker currency,” he said.

He then founded Ledn, a company that lets Bitcoin investors access dollar liquidity without parting ways with their BTC. 

By borrowing against Bitcoin, “you’re basically doing the same thing, but you are in effect holding the hard money, which is Bitcoin, and taking a borrow [position] on dollars, which is a weaker currency,” he said.

Many Bitcoiners have found this to be a winning strategy. By the end of Q4, Ledn’s loan book value was valued at $9.9 billion, according to Galaxy Research.

Cointelegraph’s Sam Bourgi and Ledn’s Mauricio di Bartolomeo.

Guatemala’s largest bank integrates “invisible” crypto infrastructure

Banco Industrial, Guatemala’s largest bank, has integrated crypto infrastructure SukuPay into its mobile banking app, enabling users to receive US dollars more easily.

SukuPay said this integration is the first time a major Latin American retail bank has used a crypto-native protocol for its payment services.

Banco Industrial has more than 1,600 service locations across Guatemala and has also expanded into neighboring countries. 

The “key to mainstream adoption of blockchain technology is making it invisible to the end-user,” SukuPay CEO Yonathan Lapchik told Cointelegraph. 

With SukuPay’s technology, Banco Industrial app users can receive dollars from the US for a flat fee of $0.99, significantly lower than the typical 6% to 10% they currently pay, said Lapchik.

Bankers are panicking about stablecoins, NYU professor claims

America’s banking lobby sees yield-bearing stablecoins as a threat to its business model, which relies on taking deposits, paying depositors minimal interest and using those funds for higher-risk investments, according to NYU professor Austin Campbell.

In a May 21 social media post, Campbell claimed that he’s heard rumblings of “panic” over new stablecoins offering holders interest payments and other monetary rewards. 

He told Democratic lawmakers that “banks want you to protect their cartel so they can keep screwing your voters.”

Although Campbell didn’t mention any stablecoin assets by name, Cointelegraph reported in February that the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the country’s first yield-bearing stablecoin security by Figure Markets. At the time of its launch, the YLDS stablecoin offered a yield of 3.85%.

Pi Protocol and Spark Protocol have also developed interest-bearing tokens. 

Source: Austin Campbell

Strategy continues to stack sats

With Bitcoin back above $100,000, Michael Saylor’s business intelligence firm, Strategy, has resumed its buying spree by acquiring 7,390 BTC last week for approximately $765 million.

The latest purchase brings Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 576,230 BTC, with an unrealized gain of around $20 billion.

The announcement came just two days before Bitcoin surged past its previous all-time high, climbing above $109,000 for the first time since January. Like other risk assets, Bitcoin has benefited from improved investor sentiment following the suspension of tariff hostilities between the United States and China.

Source: Michael Saylor

Crypto Biz is your weekly pulse on the business behind blockchain and crypto, delivered directly to your inbox every Thursday.



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Global Darknet Bust Leads to $200M in Digital Asset and Cash Seizures

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In brief

  • Operation RapTor resulted in 270 arrests across 10 countries and the seizure of $200 million in cash and crypto, making it the largest enforcement action under the DOJ’s JCODE initiative.
  • Authorities confiscated over two metric tons of drugs, including 144 kilograms of fentanyl-laced substances, much of it trafficked through crypto-linked darknet markets.
  • U.S. prosecutors charged several major traffickers, including the operators of Nemesis and Incognito Markets, who used crypto to sell opioids and conceal proceeds.

A global law enforcement operation has resulted in the seizure of $200 million in cash and digital assets and the arrest of 270 individuals across 10 countries, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Dubbed Operation RapTor, authorities say the coordinated strike dismantled darknet drug networks fueling the fentanyl epidemic, marking the largest seizure to date under an initiative known as J-CODE.

Authorities confiscated over two metric tons of drugs, 144 kilograms of fentanyl-laced substances, 180 firearms, and hundreds of millions in crypto assets, as per the DOJ statement released Thursday.

The operation, led by the DOJ’s Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team in coordination with Europol and dozens of international agencies, targeted drug vendors and marketplaces in Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.

Established in 2018, J-CODE seeks to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the most prolific criminal enterprises that rely on the internet or advanced technology to facilitate the trafficking of opioids.

“This historic international seizure of firearms, deadly drugs, and illegal funds will save lives,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “Criminals cannot hide behind computer screens or seek refuge on the dark web.”

The mission points to the growing concern over how crypto is being leveraged to traffic opioids and launder profits. 

Cartel-linked money couriers have funneled at least $5.5 million in stablecoins like USDT to Chinese fentanyl precursor suppliers, according to a March report from Chainalysis, which revealed what the firm dubbed an “on-chain fentanyl economy.” 

TRM Labs previously reported that 97% of Chinese chemical vendors surveyed accepted crypto, revealing how stablecoins have become critical infrastructure for global trafficking networks.

Those on-chain patterns mirror the behavior of individuals already prosecuted by the DOJ under Operation RapTor.

Among them was Iranian national Behrouz Parsarad, indicted in Ohio and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC in its first action as a J-CODE member for operating Nemesis Market, a darknet platform that sold opioids and concealed profits through crypto wallets.

Federal prosecutors brought similar charges against Rui-Siang Lin, who ran Incognito Market, “one of the largest narcotics marketplaces on the internet,” with him pleading guilty in December to narcotics conspiracy, money laundering, and selling misbranded medication.

Just this week, Telegram shut down Haowang Guarantee, a sprawling black market linked to over $27 billion in illicit transactions across Asia’s cyber scam economy. 

Described by blockchain firm Elliptic as “the most prolific crypto-fueled black market ever seen online,” Haowang Guarantee trafficked in laundered USDT, fake IDs, and tools for industrialized fraud, often exploiting victims trapped in scam compounds.

Most recently, Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, were indicted in California for fentanyl trafficking amid reports linking their Sinaloa Cartel faction to crypto-based laundering through Chinese brokers.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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ETH leads Majors, SOL ETFs Delayed, Bybit allows Stock Trading

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ETH leads Majors, SOL ETFs Delayed, Bybit allows Stock Trading

ETH leads Majors, SOL ETFs Delayed, Bybit allows Stock Trading
FOMO HOUR EP361

BTC pulls back from 106k, ETH leads majors. BTC becomes 6th most valuable asset in the world. BTC ETF inflows surge as basis trade nears 9%. SEC delays SOL ETFs, cites various issues. AAVE leads altcoins as TVL breaks $30bn. Bybit allows users to trade top stocks with USDT. GENIUS Act moves to full vote in senate. Strategy buys $765m more BTC. Lawsuit alleging deception filed against Strategy. DigiAsia to raise $100m to buy BTC. JPM will not hold BTC in custody: Dimon. Cramer recommends BTC as a hedge for US debt. DoJ investigating Coinbase on data theft. Circle shopping itself to Coinbase and Ripple pre-IPO. SOL made up 50%+ of all L1 revenue in past week. Alpenglow to bring 100x latency improvement to SOL. Dorsey wants BTC to be valued in Satoshis. Revolut to invest EUR 1b in France. Binance seeks to dismiss $1.7bn FTX lawsuit.

FOMO HOUR brings you the biggest daily news, updates and events from inside and outside of the crypto and macro spheres! Join hosts Farokh, Mando and Tyler as they cover some of the biggest topics at present with some of the biggest names in the ecosystem. Streaming live 5 days per week, Monday to Friday 10:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST on YouTube and X.

JOIN YEET = https://yeet.com/register?aff=fomohour
PLAYLIST = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGSgoImPFTiVpkHhLXF78cE_Z3uG7VNGL
PODCAST = https://x.com/i/spaces/1kvKpydgqMQGE
LIVE SPACE = https://x.com/i/spaces/1BRJjmyEqQQGw

Links:
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#bitcoin #crypto #podcast





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Bitcoin surpassed gold per kilo, but gold still leads as a safe haven: MEXC COO
GameFi Guides

Bitcoin surpassed gold per kilo, but gold still leads as a safe haven: MEXC COO

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Bitcoin is now worth more than one kilogram of gold, but gold is outperforming in this volatile economy, says MEXC COO Tracy Jin.

Bitcoin (BTC) is worth more than one kilogram of gold, but many investors still favor the latter. On Monday, May 19, MEXC COO Tracy Jin shared her insights about Bitcoin’s relative performance with crypto.news.

Jin pointed out that Bitcoin traded above $106,000, which is worth more than one kg of gold. The biggest crypto asset reached a daily high of $107,089 on May 19. However, she added that the volatile macroeconomic environment still favors gold.

“Since the beginning of 2025, gold has risen by 23%, outpacing Bitcoin’s 12% gain. This divergence highlights that, in times of heightened uncertainty, institutional capital continues to favor traditional safe-haven assets. Gold remains the preferred hedge — at least for now,” Tracy Jin, MEXC.

Still, gold’s strong performance could be good for Bitcoin. This is because the current macroeconomic imbalances favor assets that are seen as safe havens. What is more, Bitcoin has more space to grow, Jin points out.

Bitcoin could be at $150,000 by year’s end: Tracy Jin

Despite gold’s relatively strong performance, Jin believes that Bitcoin is in a good position to grow further. Compared to traditional markets, Bitcoin has shown resilience, and investors are increasingly starting to view it as a safe haven.

“Bitcoin, however, is showing resilience. The asset has posted six consecutive weeks of growth, closing near $106,500. The $105,800 level is a key resistance zone: a confirmed breakout could open the way toward $109,000, with optimistic projections reaching $130,000 in Q3 and potentially $150,000 by year-end,” Tracy Jin, MEXC.

Long term, there’s still significant potential for growth, especially if investors start using Bitcoin as a safe haven and a hedge against inflation. For instance, Jin pointed out that Bitcoin’s market cap is still well below gold’s, at $2 trillion compared to $21 trillion.



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NBA playoffs 2025 - Which star leads our postseason MVP update?
Esports

NBA playoffs 2025 – Which star leads our postseason MVP update?

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With Sunday’s Game 7 in the books, and the Oklahoma City Thunder having dominated the Denver Nuggets to join the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA’s final four, we now have a much clearer look at the true difference-makers along the path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Here, in our playoff MVP post-conference semifinals update, we’re ranking the eight players whose performances have stood out most through two wild and unpredictable rounds.

play

1:39

Brunson proud of Knicks’ composure to close out Celtics in 6

Jalen Brunson reflects on the Knicks’ big win over the Celtics to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.

2025 playoffs (12 games): 28.8 PTS | 7.7 AST | 3.9 REB

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

After closing out the Detroit Pistons in the first round with a nasty step-back 3-pointer, Brunson’s encore was leading New York to the conference finals by knocking off the defending champion Boston Celtics. He had a slow start to the series, but, as is often the case, was clutch in the late stages.

That was particularly true in Games 1, 2 and 4, when the Knicks came back to win from deficits of 20, 20 and 14 points, respectively.

Next, the All-NBA guard will face the Pacers, against whom he averaged nearly 30 points and six assists during the regular season. Brunson and his teammates will seek to avenge last year’s loss to Indiana in the conference semis.

If things go down to the wire, the league’s Clutch Player of the Year will feel ready. Brunson has already made 14 clutch baskets in these playoffs. That’s nearly twice as Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks No. 2.

Previous ranking: 4

play

1:00

Jokic thankful for personal and team success this season

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic reflects on his individual performance and his team’s showing this season after getting eliminated from the playoffs.

2025 playoffs (14 games): 26.2 PTS | 12.7 REB | 8.0 AST | 2.0 STL

With teammate Aaron Gordon severely limited, and Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. combining for only 19 points on 24 shots, Jokic had very little scoring support from his fellow veteran starters in Sunday’s elimination loss.

Still, that reality — and his team’s series loss as a whole — doesn’t necessarily hurt Jokic’s argument for a high placement on this list. Sure, he was a painful 0-for-10 from deep in Denver’s Game 3 overtime loss and wasn’t much more efficient in Game 4, when he shot 2-for-8 from 3. But he also had one of the most impressive games of the playoffs when he dropped 44 points with 22 rebounds and 5 assists on only 25 shots from the field in the Nuggets’ Game 5 defeat.

Jokic gave a historically good Thunder group all it could handle while having 24-year-old Christian Braun as his most effective sidekick in Game 7.

Previous ranking: 1

play

0:29

Anthony Edwards ‘scrapes the sky’ for filthy poster slam

Anthony Edwards drives and punishes the rim as he puts Kevon Looney on a poster.

2025 playoffs (10 games): 26.5 PTS | 8.0 REB | 5.9 AST | 38.5 3P%

The Wolves’ star bounced back from a less efficient opening round against the Los Angeles Lakers to shoot 44% from deep on almost nine attempts per game in the conference semifinals against the mostly Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors.

Noteworthy in each of Edwards’ closeout Game 5s thus far: He used the surplus of defensive attention on him to make plays for others, logging eight assists in the clincher against the Lakers, and a whopping 12 in the series clincher against the Warriors.

Edwards will have to be prepared for OKC’s swarming defense, which was the NBA’s best at shutting down 1-on-1 opportunities during the regular season, allowing just 0.81 points per possession.

Previous ranking: 5

play

1:31

SGA cooks Nuggets for 35 in Game 7

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries the Thunder to a victory in Game 7 over the Nuggets with 35 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.

2025 playoffs (10 games): 28.4 PTS | 6.6 AST | 6.2 REB | 1.3 STL

The Thunder guard, likely to be named the league’s regular-season MVP in the coming days, had a fantastic beginning and ending to his series against Denver. He struggled with his shot during Games 3 and 4, but then followed that up with showings of 31, 32 and 35 points, respectively, in the series’ final three games. He shot no worse than 52% in Games 5, 6 and 7 to lift his club when OKC needed it most.

If there’s a reason for SGA to be this far down on the list, it’s that he struggled mightily with his efficiency in the opening round. But he can continue to make up for that against the Wolves and in the Finals, should the top-seeded Thunder break through.

Previous ranking: NR

play

1:31

Tyrese Haliburton breaks Cavs’ hearts with dagger game-winning 3

Tyrese Haliburton gets the ball after a missed free throw, then nails a step-back 3 to allow the Pacers to rally for a win in Game 2.

2025 playoffs (10 games): 17.5 PTS | 9.3 AST | 5.5 REB

After shooting just 42% overall, and under 27% from 3 in the first round, Haliburton leveled up to 54% and almost 46% from deep against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers to pull off an upset in only five games.

One of the biggest keys for the Indiana star this postseason: Much like Brunson, he has come up with big-time shots to put away games. He has gone 4-for-5 from the field with the Pacers in the final minute of clutch scenarios. No one has made more in these playoffs.

Previous ranking: 10

6. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

play

2:17

Randle stars as Wolves complete series win

Julius Randle drops a game-high 29 points to fuel the Timberwolves in knocking out the Warriors in five games.

2025 playoffs (10 games): 23.9 PTS | 5.9 REB | 5.9 AST | 50.9 FG%

Yes, this is the same player who struggled mightily during his first two postseason appearances. Randle shot 29.8% from the field in 2021 and 37.4% in 2022, both with the Knicks.

But Randle has been fantastic for Minnesota thus far, shooting almost 51%, averaging 23.9 points in the postseason (right behind Edwards) and a team-high 5.9 assists (the same as Edwards). Long one of the NBA’s best setup men for corner-3 opportunities, Randle simply looks at ease right now, something that could pay massive dividends if OKC blitzes Edwards.

Previous ranking: NR

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1:28

Mitchell despondent after Cavs’ loss to Pacers: ‘Don’t believe it’

Donovan Mitchell tries to explain what went wrong for the Cavaliers in their semifinal series defeat to the Pacers.

2025 playoffs (9 games): 29.6 PTS | 4.7 REB | 3.9 AST

Much like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mitchell gave it all he had and at times single-handedly carried his team’s offense. The Cavs’ star led all second-round scorers with more than 34 points per game.

But with an ankle injury that he played through in hopes of resurrecting a Cleveland club that found itself at risk of being bounced early after a 64-win season, Mitchell’s efficiency from deep fell sharply from the opening round, sliding from 46% to 24% on massive — but necessary — volume in the conference semifinals.

Previous ranking: 8

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1:26

JWill: There’s a world in which Giannis says he wants to be a Warrior

Jay Williams and Brian Windhorst discuss the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo teaming up with Steph Curry in Golden State.

2025 playoffs (5 games): 33.0 PTS | 15.4 REB | 6.6 AST | 60.6 FG%

The Bucks’ forward is the one player who was so outstanding in the opening round that he deserved to make this list again, albeit nowhere near the top given the added weight of the conference semifinals.

In case you forgot just how dominant Antetokounmpo was without an injured Damian Lillard (and with an immensely quiet Kyle Kuzma): Antetokounmpo averaged 33 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists in his five games against Indianapolis. And he did it on almost 60.6% shooting from the field.

Previous ranking: 2



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