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Bitcoin
GameFi Guides

Bitcoin Transaction Fees At Extremely Low Levels Amid Price Rally, A Bullish Signal?

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Even though Bitcoin’s price has pulled back slightly from its recent all-time high, the flagship crypto asset continues to demonstrate bullish traction. During this significant upward performance in the past few weeks, there has been a persistent decline in the network’s transaction fees.

Low Bitcoin Transaction Fees During Price Spikes

Bitcoin appears to have its footing above the $109,000 mark, showing strength for more gains. As BTC continues to demonstrate strength above this level, an unexpected dynamic has unfolded in the network. Alphractal, an advanced investment and data analytics platform, reported that Bitcoin network transaction fees (Fees Total and Fees Mean in USD) have reduced sharply to extremely low levels. 

According to the on-chain platform, public interest in the main blockchain has never been lower, despite Bitcoin holding strong above key support levels. Currently, the cost for every on-chain transaction on the network, regardless of the amount being transferred, is not more than $1.5.

In the past, increased network congestion and higher fees have frequently accompanied growing Bitcoin values, especially with the asset reaching new highs until the 2021 market cycle. However, this time around, the pattern seems to have completely separated, making the development a crucial one to watch in the current market trend.

BTC transaction fees drop to new lows | Source: Alphractal on X

While it might seem worrying, this substantial decline in transaction fees may indicate higher network efficiency. Nonetheless, it gives BTC’s present market behavior an interesting new layer as the flagship asset’s price grows.

Furthermore, Alphractal highlighted that there has been a steady decline in the number of transactions on the Lightning Network, which suggests that the network’s use for P2P payments and transfers has sharply decreased. 

A Growing User Sentiment In Alternative Chains

Another critical trend spotted by the platform is a shift in network adoption from BTC to other chains. During the period, there has been a large use of Centralized Exchanges (CEX) and alternative networks like TRON (USDT), which provide practically instantaneous and nearly free transactions. 

A recent report from Kyle Doops, a technical expert and the host of the Crypto Banter Show, reveals that TRON Total Value Locked (TVL) has risen sharply. Kyle Doops stated that the surge in TRON’s TVL reflects what its users are feeling while urging them to keep an eye out for a turn.

Such a development implies that transactional usage has moved to alternative networks and second-layer solutions, while Bitcoin is consolidating more as a store of value. This marks a pronounced change in market dynamics.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s price was facing growing bearish pressure and trading at $109,175, demonstrating a nearly 1% decline in the last 24 hours. Data from CoinMarketCap shows a brief uptick in trading volume, which has increased by over 7% in the past day.

BTC trading at $109,430 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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Cookie price pulls back into major support zone but bullish structure remains intact
GameFi Guides

Cookie price pulls back into major support zone but bullish structure remains intact

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After an explosive rally from the lows, Cookie has finally cooled off, retracing into a critical support region. With major confluences aligning, this correction could set the stage for the next bullish continuation.

The current zone where Cookie (COOKIE) has stalled, around the $0.26 mark, is not arbitrary. It aligns with several overlapping technical indicators that reinforce its importance as a structural support area. These include the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement from the most recent bullish leg, the 200-day moving average (a key institutional trend gauge), and a VWAP-based support zone that has historically attracted volume and buyer interest.

Key technical points

  • $0.26 Key Support Level: This level is acting as a magnet due to historical structure and buyer interest.
  • 200-Day Moving Average Support: Widely watched by market participants, the 200 MA adds strength to this level.
  • 0.618 Fibonacci Confluence: Classic golden ratio retracement that often marks the end of corrective moves.

CookieUSDT (1H) Chart, Source: TradingView

Cookie recently printed a swing high at $0.36 following a strong impulsive rally. This expansion phase followed a prolonged accumulation period, during which price steadily gained momentum with minimal pullbacks. A correction was expected, and it is now unfolding. Price has reversed sharply and is currently trading at a major technical support level that could serve as a launchpad for the next move.

What makes the $0.26 zone more significant is that it now functions as a potential bullish retest. In technical terms, a rounded retest involves price breaking above resistance, pulling back to it, and validating it as new support. If Cookie holds above this zone with solid volume, it would confirm continued bullish intent and invalidate the potential for a deeper breakdown.

The next major area of interest lies just above the recent swing high at $0.39. A clean break and close above this level would not only confirm a new higher high but also suggest Cookie is ready for another leg up, potentially entering price discovery or targeting psychological round levels beyond $0.40.

What to expect in the coming price action

As long as Cookie holds the $0.26 support, the bullish market structure remains intact. A failure to hold this area may open the door to lower levels, but for now, the trend remains upward, especially if volume returns and momentum picks up. Traders should watch for a breakout above $0.36 to confirm the next bullish leg.



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The AKG N5 on a stone wall
Product Reviews

AKG N5 review: impressive noise-cancelling earbuds, but make sure you get them at the right price

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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

AKG N5: One minute review

When I’m testing new earbuds, and considering if they deserve a shoutout for our list of the best earbuds, the first thing I do is look at the price to set expectations – but for this AKG N5 review, I found two.

There’s the official list price, which sets you up for these buds to be powerful premium players, but I was also tripping over discounted prices, with the N5 seeing some hefty discounts since launch. So while I’ll test these as top-end earbuds, I’d be remiss not to point out that you can buy them for less – and you should, as they present fantastic value for money with a reduction.

The AKG N5 are the latest pair of wireless earbuds from originally-Austrian audio company AKG (which is owned by Harman, which itself is owned by Samsung). AKG puts out wireless headphones only sparingly, with its website populated almost entirely with professional wired headsets and microphones.


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And it’s clear that some of that ‘professional’ DNA is present in the AKG N5 because there are loads of features which are helpful in such a setting: a USB-C dongle included in the case lets you easily (and temporarily) connect to any laptop, tablet or similar device, while call tone settings basically act like an EQ but for incoming voice calls. There are also loads of ANC settings for people who work in busy offices.

Suffice it to say I was impressed by the feature suite of the AKG N5, but not just as someone who himself tries to drown out the infuriatingly-loud team seated next to him – they’re all features that will be handy to regular buyers, not just office-locked ones.

Another strength of the AKG N5 is their audio chops, because the buds offer expressive and clear audio with plenty of detail and texture. A few more in-app modes (sorry to mention features again) let you carry out a sound test or tweak the sonic offering to your pleasure.

Some people may be put off by the AKG N5’s design. It’s true the case is pretty huge, the build quality feels iffy, and the earbud controls are hard to activate when you want to and easy to activate when you don’t. The battery life that won’t last a full day of work might also put some people off.

But it’s easy to overlook these issues if, like I said, you’re able to find a good deal on these buds. And that shouldn’t be hard given I found it more of a chore to find their actual original price rather than the current one. The N5 are fine value at their official price – but discounted, they’re a steal.

AKG N5 review: Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component

Value

Water resistant

IP54

Battery life (quoted)

6 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

6g / Charging case: 48.4g

Driver

10mm

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Price and availability

  • Announced in September 2024
  • Priced at $299 / £249 / AU$309
  • Readily available for under $250 / £199 / AU$250

The AKG N5 were announced in September 2024, at IFA 2024, as the latest entry into the brand’s line-up of earbuds. At the time of writing they’re the company’s only competitor for the best wireless earbuds.

At launch, the AKG N5 cost $299.95 / £249 / AU$309, which makes them a premium audio offering. However it’s worth pointing out that I could easily find it sold online for a discount of $60 / £50 / AU$65, so you’ll easily save money if you shop around.

Lowered price or not, these are still premium earbuds and we’ll treat them as such. Included in the box you get the buds, case and dongle as well as a USB-C to USB connector and some bud tips of varying sizes.

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Features

  • Poor real-world battery life
  • Range of ANC options
  • Useful dongle connector

The AKG N5 connects to your phone via Bluetooth 5.3; initial pairing for me was quick and easy, and during testing there were barely any drop-outs or stutters.

You can also easily connect to new devices via a dongle included in the charging case; plug this into any device, and the N5 will stream audio from that.

The dongle is a USB-C one, though an adapter included in the box lets you plug it into standard USB ports. This is a really handy extra for people who own multiple devices and can’t pair to all of them, or who use unfamiliar devices on occasion. As someone who owns (and tests) too many gadgets, I found it incredibly handy.

9 times out of ten, this dongle worked well, however now and then I’d find the headphones would re-pair with my phone even if the dongle was connected to another device. One thing to note is that it did sap the battery of the device it was connected to: fine for gadgets plugged into an outlet, frustrating for my iPad.

Battery life is a weak spot for the buds. AKG predicts a 10-hour battery life… if you listen to music with ANC turned off, and that drops down to six hours with ANC on, or even lower if you’re talking or using the dongle.

However, in my testing I was lucky to get anywhere near six hours of listening time, and I’d usually have to charge after four and a half or five hours. That’s not just below what’s promised, it’s way below average.

(Image credit: Future)

The case itself contains four full charges for the buds, however long you make that.

So should you turn off ANC to preserve battery life? Well you can, but it’d be a shame, because the AKG N5 have fantastic noise cancellation – my usual ANC test is how well it drowns out the trains that commonly pass my house, and when testing the N5, I have no idea if it passed because I could never tell if trains had passed.

ANC is complicated here, though. There are three modes: standard, Ambient Aware and TalkThru (as well as off, obviously). TalkThru boosts nearby voices so you can hear people and Ambient Aware does a similar thing for background voices, with a slider letting you fiddle with the intensity of the effect.

In standard ANC mode you can toggle Adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings, and turning it off presents you with a slider to change the intensity yourself. There’s also Auto Compensation mode which tweaks with ANC depending on your ‘wearing and ear canal status’, whatever that means.

(Image credit: Future)

Suffice it to say that every time I was presented with the ANC part of the AKG Headphones app I was scratching my head at all the options presented to me – and that’s really the theme of this companion app which bombards you with options. This’ll be pleasing news to tech-heads, but horrifying for technophobes.

Let’s fire through some of the features and settings: SilentNow turns off music and ramps up ANC to help you focus or study; Smart Audio & Video adjusts sound stage based on whether you’re listening to music or watching a video; the equalizer has a load of presets or lets you customize your sound on a 10-band EQ; various call settings let you change how you or a caller sound on the phone; and Right/Left Sound Balance does what it says on the tin.

These are as well as all the standard app modes: gesture control customization, a find-my-buds feature, and a fit test.

The app also gives you the option to toggle Hi-Res Audio, but turning this on precludes you from several other features, including Spatial Sound and Personi-Fi. This latter is a lengthy audio test that presents you with a bespoke equalization fit for your music, and I don’t know any audiophiles who don’t appreciate this kind of feature.

If you’ve skimmed that list you may have noticed something I want to explicitly commend: there are loads of options with small or large accessibility use cases here, which is always great to see.

AKG N5 review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

  • 10mm drivers
  • Balanced sound profile
  • Textured audio in high-res mode

Whether you’re listening via Bluetooth or dongle, with Hi-Res Audio on or instead Personi-Fi enabled, there’s one thing that’s hard to deny: the AKG N5 sounds great.

The sound profile is lovely and balanced, with well-defined bass sitting comfortably alongside clear treble and distinct mids. I didn’t feel the need to touch the equalizer as I liked the default mix, and wasn’t losing any instruments to overbearing bass or treble.

It’s easy to hear the texture in each instrument with the N5: I could make out the ripples of reverb on vocal lines to the flick of a bass guitar string being strum, and the audio lines were all spread out enough to make them distinct and clear (although I have tested buds with a better soundstage).

If I have to say one bad thing about the buds, it’s that audio sounds precision-tuned but not very energetic – they helped me really appreciate great songs sonically, but didn’t always make me feel like rocking out to them.

  • Sound performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)

AKG N5 review: Design

  • Chunky and cheap charging case
  • Lightweight and comfortable buds
  • Annoying touch controls

Perhaps because it contains a dongle, the case of the AKG N5 is a little on the larger size, and I’ve seen some people online criticize its bulk. Honestly, it’s not that big, and doesn’t allay the space-saving advantages of earbuds like this over full-on headphones or open earbuds with a a wraparound design – plus they’re light at 48.4g.

But I did notice the thing in my pocket when I was walking – it’s on the larger end of the scale.

What’s arguably worse about the case is its build: the plastic feels cheap, groans under slight pressure and picks up fingerprints readily. However AKG has it certified at IP52, which protects it from limited fine particles and sprays of water at certain angles. I can’t remember the last time I saw a charging case with an IP rating, so it’s a welcome spec.

Now onto the earbuds: these are buds with stems, but with a bigger bud and shorter, flatter stem than on your generic AirPod doppelgänger. They have an IP54 rating so they’re a little better protected against water than the case.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is (Image credit: Future)

Due to the tips material being quite smooth, when I first started testing the N5, it constantly felt like they were on the verge of falling out of my ear. Two weeks on and that hasn’t happened yet, but I’ve still been too apprehensive to take them on a run, cycle or any kind of activity which might actually cause them to fall to the floor.

At least the buds are lightweight, so when I was sitting still, they were comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They weigh 6g each which is comparable to rivals.

Each bud has a touch-sensitive area over the ‘A’ of the AKG logo, which lets you control music playback; by default the left side toggles ANC and Ambient Aware, while the right one is for play and pause.

It took some time getting used to tapping the right spot when I was wearing the buds, and there’s a noticeable delay in the gesture being picked up – more than once I got caught in a loop playing or pausing a tune, thinking that my touch hadn’t been picked up, and constantly flicking between the two.

An even more annoying issue was that it’s very easy to accidentally press the button when you’re trying to readjust loose buds.

You can pick the AKG N5 up in white or black, and your choice affects both the buds and the case. As you can see from images, I tested the black pair.

AKG N5 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

While it’s not easy to make reasonable argument for $299 / £249 / AU$309 earbuds being good value propositions, it does bear repeating that these things have been seeing increasing discounts over their first year of existence.

The AKG N5 aren’t bad value for money by any means, with their top-notch audio and range of useful features justifying the price, but they’re far from bargains either (except in Australia, where they’re much cheaper than elsewhere).

That certainly isn’t the case if you can find them for below about $200 / £180 / AU$300, which would make them a really tempting alternative to earbuds that are usually priced in that area.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the AKG N5?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

Comment

Score

Features

There are so many features that it’s hard to get your head around them all. Battery life isn’t amazing though.

4/5

Sound

The N5 offered a lovely balanced sound that lets you hear the texture and sound stage of your music.

4/5

Value

By default they’re not especially competitively-priced, but discounts help.

3.5/5

Design

A few small design problems affect the user experience, but they’re still great to wear.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component

AKG N5

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Water resistant

IP54

IP57

IP54

Battery life

6 hours (earbuds), 32 hours (total)

7 hours (earbuds), 30 hours (total)

6 hours (buds); 30 hours (case)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

6g (buds)

5.4g (buds)

5.3g (buds)

Driver

10mm

10mm dynamic driver + planar tweeter

11mm

How I tested the AKG N5

(Image credit: Future)

My testing process before writing this AKG N5 review took two weeks. I tested them alongside their contemporary siblings, the AKG N9 Hybrid over-ear headphones, and I’ve tested a huge number of earbuds recently to compare them against.

I connected the AKG N5 to a range of devices including my smartphone (via Bluetooth), my desktop PC (via dongle) and my work laptop (again via dongle) with a roughly 50/50 split between Bluetooth and dongle listening.

I also split my Bluetooth listening time roughly equally between Hi-res Audio and Personi-Fi (and other feature) modes, bearing in mind that you can’t have both enabled at the same time.

My listening was done in a range of environments including at home, on public transport, in my office and on walks around my borough – and following TechRadar’s testing guidelines for earbuds.



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Decrypt logo
GameFi Guides

Jupiter Price Surges Amid Expansion and Bitcoin Tailwinds

by admin



In brief

  • Jupiter’s JUP token spiked 18% during the U.S.’s Memorial day before cooling to a 4% daily gain as Solana DeFi activity surged.
  • Analysts say the rally was driven by a mix of product launches, meme market revival, and Bitcoin’s breakout.
  • Jupiter remains the second-largest DEX aggregator by volume, handling over $1B in daily trades.

Jupiter’s native token JUP jumped as much as 18% on Monday before retracing, marking one of the day’s top moves among major altcoins, as broader crypto markets rallied on Bitcoin’s break above $109,000.

The sudden spike came after the largest DEX aggregator on Solana recently announced it would launch a new lending product later this summer. 

Called Jupiter Lend, the platform promises loan-to-value ratios of up to 90%, well above the 75% average for crypto lending, and fees as low as 0.1%.

But a few analysts say the token’s sharp rise can’t be attributed to a single event.

Min Jung, an analyst at Presto Research, told Decrypt that the spike was less about any “single catalyst” and more about converging developments that are “driving bullish sentiment.” 

The analyst pointed to the Huma Finance token sale, where Jupiter staking is rewarded, as well as signs of life returning to the meme coin space.

“On the macro front, meme markets are showing signs of a rebound, and Jupiter is well-positioned to benefit from that renewed momentum,” Jung said.

The macro picture includes Bitcoin’s rally to a $111,814 all-time high last week; it currently trades at $109,003, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours, per CoinGecko.

Jupiter was among several mid-cap tokens to benefit from renewed risk appetite, rising over 22% this past week to $0.61, CoinGecko data shows.

Kadan Stadelmann, CTO of Komodo Platform, told Decrypt how Jupiter is “riding on the back of Bitcoin at the present juncture,” noting its gains have coincided with a wider market uplift sparked by BTC’s breakout and the U.S. debt downgrade.

“The higher Bitcoin goes, the more innovation we will see in the industry from incumbent and upstart projects alike,” Stadelmann said.

While the price action caught traders’ attention, some see this as a longer-term validation of Jupiter’s positioning in Solana’s DeFi stack. 

Speaking to Decrypt, Arjun Vijay, founder of Indian crypto exchange Giottus, pointed to Solana’s TVL nearly doubling since April, from $11 billion to $20 billion, and a corresponding surge in Jupiter’s trade volume. 

“As the market stabilizes, Jupiter’s rally is driven by strong fundamentals rather than fleeting hype,” Vijay said, contrasting it with the user fatigue that followed January’s meme coin frenzy, which peaked with tokens from figures such as President Donald Trump.

At the moment, Jupiter processes more than $1 billion in daily DEX volume and holds over a third of the aggregator market, second only to DEX aggregator 1inch, as per DeFiLlama data.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Ethereum selling pressure may rise near $2.8K level: Analysis
GameFi Guides

Ethereum price nears breakout as whale activity, chart pattern align

by admin



Ethereum could be on the verge of a strong bullish breakout as on-chain data shows increasing whale accumulation and a rare chart pattern signals further upside.

Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $2,545 on Monday, hovering around this level for the past few days. This price is about 7% below its monthly high.

There are signs that large investors expect Ethereum to rebound in the coming months. On-chain data shows that the supply of ETH held by whales has been rising steadily. These addresses now hold 103.5 million ETH, up from 102 million on March 1, an increase of nearly 1.5%, a bullish leading indicator.

Ethereum whales | Source: Santiment

Further data shows that Ethereum’s ecosystem is doing well as the total value locked jumped by 26% in the last 30 days to over $132 billion. The bridged TVL, which looks at the value of assets locked in cross-bridge contracts, rose to over $408 billion. 

These numbers are much higher than those of other chains combined. Solana (SOL) has a TVL of $22.48 billion, while BSC has $9.3 billion. 

Ethereum ETFs are also seeing inflows. SoSoValue data show that they have had inflows in the last six days, bringing the cumulative inflows to $2.76 billion. 

Ethereum price technical analysis 

ETH price chart | Source: crypto.news

The daily chart shows that Ethereum has rallied from April’s low of $1,382 to its current price of $2,547. It has formed a bullish flag pattern, consisting of a strong vertical rally followed by a period of consolidation.

ETH is currently trading between the 38.2% and 50% Fibonacci retracement levels. A golden cross, a bullish signal, appears imminent as the 50-day and 200-day Weighted Moving Averages approach a crossover.

Additionally, ETH is holding just above the key support/resistance pivot level of the Murrey Math Lines tool, reinforcing the bullish structure. If Ethereum breaks above the 50% Fibonacci retracement level at $2,730, it would confirm the bullish breakout. In that scenario, the next major target would be the psychological resistance at $3,000, an 18% gain from current levels.



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Ideapad3i
Product Reviews

Lenovo’s Top Chromebook Just Crashed to Its Best Price of 2025, Memorial Day Exclusive on Amazon

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If you’re looking to buy a new laptop, here’s some important advice: you don’t need the best and the brightest. You don’t need the newest model. You don’t need the most expensive one, either. You can get along just fine with lower specs at a lower price point. Because you probably don’t need all the best specs or anything like that, especially if you aren’t using your computer for intensive tasks. In fact, you can use a computer you can get at an affordable price and you should have all that you need.

See at Amazon

You can head to Amazon right now to get a computer that should tick all the boxes you’re looking for. Plus, it’s under $200, which is a steal. You can get the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook for just $179 right now at Amazon, down from its usual price of $290. That’s $111 off and a discount of 38%.

A capable computer at a cheap price

If you tend to spend most of your time on the computer streaming video, taking classes or meetings, and working in Google Docs or Sheets, a Chromebook like this is easy and simple to set up. The IdeaPad 3i runs on Chrome OS, which is lightweight, easy to use, and designed to get you from power-on to productivity in seconds.

Under the hood, it’s powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. That’s not a power machine by any means, but for a Chromebook, that’s enough to get you through the workday or keep you doing whatever it is you normally work on or play during your normal routine.

You should get decent battery life out of your new Chromebook, too. Chrome OS is very power-efficient, and the IdeaPad 3i holds a charge long enough to get you from work to leisure time. It’s also lightweight and slim, so it’s easy to slide into a backpack or tote bag on the go. You really could just slide it into a purse or something if you need

There’s no shortage of ports, either. You’ll find multiple USB connections and even a microSD slot for expandable storage, which is handy for offloading photos, assignments, or extra files.

For less than $200, this laptop really can’t be beaten. It’s perfect for students, anyone who wants a low-maintenance, everyday computer, or even writers and other folks who don’t have media-intensive tasks to do at work. . It’s not trying to be a gaming rig or a video editing powerhouse, but it is focused on being fast, simple, and affordable. And for a lot of people that’ll be exactly what they need.

See at Amazon



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Bitcoin short-term holder cost basis (Bitcoin Magazine Pro/Bitfinex)
Crypto Trends

BTC Price Rally Stalls as Short-Term Holders Take $11B Profits

by admin



After softly rising over the weekend, bitcoin

slipped back to $109,000 on Monday in sluggish trading as traditional U.S. markets remained closed in observance of Memorial Day.

The top cryptocurrency is still up 1.7% in the last 24 hours and only a breath away from the all-time high it notched last week.

Looking at the CoinDesk 20 — an index of the top 20 digital coins by market capitalization, except for stablecoins, memecoins and exchange coins — the day’s big winner is decentralized exchange Uniswap

, which saw its token rise 6.6%. Tokens for Chainlink and Avalanche also gained 3.3% and 3.4% respectively.

The gains happened overnight, spurred by the Trump administration’s temporary walkback on EU tariffs. Trump said on Sunday that the implementation of 50% tariffs on EU goods — which on Friday he’d called to go into effect on June 1 and caused a sell-off in risk assets including cryptocurrencies — would be delayed until July 9. European stocks, initially shaken by the threat, rebounded on the news.

Short-term holder profit-taking intensifies

While the crypto market retraced some of the losses in the weekend tumble, BTC has likely entered a choppy phase as traders digest the rapid, almost 50% run from the April lows, Bitfinex analysts said in a Monday report.

Increased profit-taking by short-term holders could also cap bitcoin’s near-term upside: this investor cohort realized $11.4 billion in cumulative profits over the past 30 days, compared to $1.2 billion in the previous 30-day period, the report noted.

“At these levels, the risk emerges that profit-taking outpaces new demand inflows,” Bitfinex analysts wrote. “Unless thereʼs a corresponding rise in new capital entering the market to absorb this supply, prices may begin to stall or even retrace.

“The next few days will be key to gauge whether the dip to $106,000 has set the range lows or a bigger reset is in the cards, the report said. If a deeper pullback materializes, the key level to watch is the short-term holder cost basis around $95,000, the average price this group bought the asset, the authors noted.

Bitcoin short-term holder cost basis (Bitcoin Magazine Pro/Bitfinex)

Strong inflows to U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs — totaling $5.3 billion in May so far —, low volatility and lack of froth suggest that bitcoin will likely resume its uptrend into the third quarter of the year after a pause, the analysts argued.

Read more: Bitcoin Regains $110K After Weekend Sell-Off; ADA, DOGE Lead Uptick in Crypto Majors



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Dow pauses for Memorial Day, Bitcoin price mostly flat
GameFi Guides

Dow pauses for Memorial Day, Bitcoin price mostly flat

by admin



Bitcoin’s trading session on May 26 was quiet as the Dow and all other U.S. indices closed to observe Memorial Day.

Bitcoin (BTC) ended the U.S. trading session virtually where it began despite some intra-day swings. The leading cryptocurrency by market cap pushed above the $110,000 mark around midday, but the gains were erased by the afternoon. Trading volume was lower than usual, as one would expect during a U.S. holiday session. Still, the intraday range of around 1.6% from Bitcoin’s daily low of $108,706 to a high of $110,474 might indicate traders are stuck in a wait-and-see approach.

The bullish case for Bitcoin technically remains unchanged. As noted by crypto.news analyst Aziz Zamani, technical analysis still points to a move towards the $120,000 level. He writes:

The bullish market structure remains intact. From the key swing low at $91,500, Bitcoin has consistently carved out higher lows and higher highs which represents signs of a strong trend. As long as $106,500 continues to hold, momentum remains with the bulls. The current pause in the market appears to be a consolidation within an uptrend rather than a reversal or topping pattern.

Several macroeconomic and news factors that may have played a role had Monday not been a holiday could set the tone for the rest of the week. Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a delay in imposing a planned 50% tariff on European Union imports, pushing the deadline from June 1 to July 9. The his last-minute postponement eased immediate fears of a U.S. – Europe trade war and appeared to improve risk sentiment

Eyes are now on key U.S. data releases due later in the week. Notably, consumer confidence data will be released on Tuesday, followed by a GDP report on Thursday, and inflation figures on Friday.



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Thrustmaster T128 on desk with pink background
Product Reviews

Thrustmaster T128 review: a very capable wheel for the price, but don’t expect a premium design

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Thrustmaster T128: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T128 is a budget racing wheel designed for those after a beginner-friendly experience. Its looks are fairly underwhelming, with its outdated gamer stylings failing to make a great impression. The wheel itself is quite small and has a thin rim, which will suit some hands more than others.

In terms of premium design, the T128 falls short of what some rivals have to offer. While it’s certainly not flimsy, it’s hardly a premium feeling unit, with cost-saving materials employed all over.

It is at least quite light and small, which helps make installation and setup easier compared to some of the best racing wheels. I also found the clamping mechanism much better than those used on other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried.


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However, installation is hampered somewhat by the awkward placement of the ports, which are inaccessible when the wheel base is clamped down. This means any time you want to remove or reconnect the various cables, you’ll have to uninstall the wheel altogether, which is inconvenient.

What’s more, the T128 won’t install on certain dedicated stands, such as the GT Omega Apex I have, since there are no screw holes for fixing the wheel base directly to it.

Once installed, though, the T128 is quick to get going. For Xbox users, it’s a simple case of plug-and-play, although firmware updates do require a PC tool. There’s also a tool for making force feedback and other tweaks, with a generous selection of parameters considering the budget nature of the T128.

The T128 is even better in action. I was pleasantly surprised by just how responsive and connected it feels, making it joy to race with. The force feedback settings, as with other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried, are too strong on their highest settings for my liking, although here it’s perhaps a little weaker than usual.

The T2PM pedals are nice and light, which makes them easy to use, although the brake pedal lacks resistance, which can make it difficult to gauge how hard you’re pressing it. It’s still usable enough, though, and I didn’t have an issue with the relatively cramped layout of the pedals either.

All things considered, the T128 offers plenty of fun for the money, undercutting many other wheels and even outperforming some of Thrustmaster’s more expensive offerings. It might not have a standout design, but there aren’t too many wheels at this price that offer such a good time.

(Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster T128 review: Price and availability

  • $‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)
  • Available now
  • Cheaper than many rivals

The T128 costs $‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312) and is available now. A PlayStation compatible edition is also available. This makes the T128 one of the cheapest in Thrustmaster’s line-up, and one of the best Xbox racing wheels for those on a budget. I was more impressed with it than the T300RS, for instance, which is considerably more expensive yet underperforms by comparison, although its design is more premium.

If you’re looking for another great value racing wheel, the Logitech G920 is another very capable option. It’s still considerably more expensive than the T128, but the build quality is far superior, and the performance is excellent in all aspects.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

Peak torque

2Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Connection type

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Software

Thrustmaster Control Panel

Thrustmaster T128 review: Design and features

  • Cheap but functional
  • Light and easy to install
  • Software tool more advanced than it looks

The T128 doesn’t make a great first impression. Its material feels cheap, and the styling is quite outdated, with a few touches that pander to the gaming crowd, harking back to a bygone era.

The wheel itself is small and the rim quite thin, which would make it ideal for younger players and those with smaller hands. As a whole, the unit is also very light, which makes it easy to install and move around, and yet it feels surprisingly sturdy at the same time.

It’s a similar story with the T2PM pedal set, which is also very light and small, meaning the layout might be a little too cramped for some. However, it managed to stay planted on the carpeted surface I used it on, and appears more durable than you might expect.

One gripe I have with the pedal set, though, is its length. It’s too short, which meant I couldn’t trail it behind my desk; instead, I had to let it dangle right beside me, which isn’t ideal.

Another drawback of the T128’s design is the poor port placement. When the wheel base is clamped to a desk, the ports are inaccessible, which means you have to attach the various cables prior to installation, making the process a little more awkward. It also means you have to unclamp the wheel any time you want to unplug or reconnect them.

(Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, the clamping system is easy to use, and much better than those of other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried. The screw has a plastic handle, which is easy to turn and lock into place, as well as being readily accessible.

There’s a pleasing selection of buttons on the T128 and they’re almost as tactile as what you’d find on the best Xbox controllers. You get a close to full Xbox layout with a few extra inputs thrown in, such as two handbrake buttons and an RSB and LSB buttons, which are compatible with certain games only.

The T128 also features paddle shifters, which are better than I was expecting. They curve slightly to help secure your fingers, and their positioning is ideal, if placed a little too far inwards, which can make them a stretch to reach at times.

Setting up the T128 is a simple process, especially for Xbox users, who only have to plug it into their console. However, as with other Thrustmaster wheels, be sure to keep well out of the way as soon as you power the T128 on, as it immediately fires up its self-calibration feature. Thankfully, this isn’t as violent as with other Thrustmaster wheels, but still worth noting all the same.

To update the firmware, you’ll need to download the PC tool for this purpose. There’s also a tweaking tool, known as the Thrustmaster Control Panel, which looks rather rudimentary and lacks refinement, but is deceptively capable.

It functions well and provides a pleasing amount of tweaks, including multiple parameters for the force feedback. Again, this is all very welcome on a budget racing wheel such as the T128.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Performance

  • Fun and accurate steering
  • Plenty of force feedback settings
  • Brake pedal’s a little too light

The T128 acquits itself very well when racing. Steering is accurate and responsive, with plenty of feel and capable of offering smooth and rapid movements in equal measure.

As with other Thrustmaster wheels, the force feedback is very strong – too much so on its maximum setting, although perhaps still less than on other models. But once adjusted appropriately, the T128 provides surprisingly nuanced immersion, although there’s a buzzing sensation that’s a little overbearing at times.

The paddle shifters are solid and snappy, with just enough dampening to make them satisfying to flick. They also provide sufficient feedback, and I was surprised at just how capable they were on this budget wheel.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the T2PM pedal set. I found them quite fun and easy to use, owing to their light actuation. The cramped layout didn’t cause an issue for me either, despite having grievances with similarly tight designs on other pedal sets.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the brake pedal is lacking in feedback somewhat, which can make it hard to judge how much pressure to exert. But overall, both the throttle and the brake provide enough control for modulated inputs.

The T128 also features a gear change indicator in the form of multicolored LEDs, known as the 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs, although I found this quite imprecise in practice. For instance, when playing Forza Motorsport, their progress wasn’t all that smooth, and seemed to reach their peak before the in-game indicator did. Still, it’s a welcome feature to have for a basic visual cue, especially if you like to play with a camera angle that omits the steering wheel from view.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T128?

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Thrustmaster T128 review: also consider

If you’re on the hunt for other budget racing wheels, here are some alternatives to the Thrustmaster T128:

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Thrustmaster T128

Logitech G920

Thrustmaster T248

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)

$299.99 / £349.99 / AU$549.95

$399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

12lbs / 5.4kg

6lbs / 2.7kg

Peak torque

2Nm

2.3Nm

3.5Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Stainless steel paddle shifters, three-pedal base

Hybrid FF system, 2 dual-position encoders, three-pedal base

Connection type

USB-A

USB-A

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

How I tested the Thrustmaster T128

  • Tested for a day
  • Played racing sims
  • Experience reviewing racing wheels

I tested the T128 for a day, clamping it to a desk. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with certain racing stands, such as the GT Omega Apex that I have, as there’s no way to affix the wheel with screws or bolts.

It should also be noted that the wheel isn’t compatible with cloud gaming or other streamed games; it only works with games downloaded onto your console or drive.

I played Forza Motorsport on an Xbox Series S, which is a competent racing sim on the console that provides a sterling test for racing wheels. I set the in-game steering setting to simulation mode and turned all driving assists off.

I’ve been gaming for decades and racing sims are one of my favorite games to play. I have experienced a number of different racing wheels and reviewed various models as well, including others made by Thrustmaster.



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Zcash price rallies as shielded value and privacy token demand soars
Crypto Trends

Zcash price rallies as shielded value and privacy token demand soars

by admin



Zcash price continued its recent rally on Monday as the total shielded value in its network and social dominance score rose. 

Zcash (ZEC) jumped to a high of $56.75, its highest level since January, and 125% from its lowest point this year. This rally has brought its market capitalization to almost $900 million.

ZEC’s rally happened as data showed that the total shielded value rose to 3,062,081 ZEC, up from last month’s low of 2,650,000 ZEC. 

ZEC shielded value chart | Source: Zcash Dashbord

The shielded value represents the amount of ZEC held in the sprout and sapling pools, which are linked to shielded addresses. These addresses use zero-knowledge proofs to encrypt transaction data, including the sender, recipient, and amount.

These funds differ from those in transparent pools, where transaction details are publicly visible. The transparent pools currently hold 12,977,815 ZEC.

The separation between shielded and transparent pools underscores Zcash’s reputation as a privacy coin.

ZEC price has also jumped as demand for privacy coins has increased following the end of Tornado Cash’s legal issues. Monero (XMR), the biggest privacy coin in crypto, has jumped for eight consecutive weeks and is nearing its all-time high. 

Zcash price technical analysis

ZEC price chart | Source: crypto.news

The daily chart shows that ZEC bottomed near $28, a level it failed to break below on at least three occasions since February. From there, the token broke above the key resistance at $42.45, the high from March 2 and April 1.

ZEC is now approaching the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level. A crossover between the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages has formed, which is typically a bullish signal.

The Relative Strength Index has climbed to 74, indicating overbought conditions. ZEC has also entered the third phase of the Elliott Wave cycle, which is often the longest and most impulsive.

Given this setup, ZEC is likely to continue climbing, with bulls eyeing last year’s high of $79.80, an upside of 47% from current levels.



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