4.19 AI Daily Trump Personnel Reform Sparks Controversy Crypto Assets Market Sees "Dominance Battle"

1. Headlines

1. The Trump administration is considering restructuring the federal civil service system, causing a personnel upheaval.

The Trump administration is brewing a major personnel reform plan aimed at simplifying the dismissal procedures for federal employees. It is reported that the plan will reclassify about 50,000 federal employees engaged in policy-related work as "at-will" employees, weakening their job protections. Once implemented, this will fundamentally change the long-standing operational model of the U.S. civil service system.

The plan was originally proposed by Trump in 2020 but was shelved due to strong opposition. Its resurfacing now indicates that Trump intends to accelerate the advancement of his policies during a second term. Supporters believe this will enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the government. However, opponents worry that once political considerations take precedence over professional competence, it will seriously undermine the neutrality and authority of federal agencies.

Personnel reform has always been a favorite of Trump. He has repeatedly criticized the "deep state" for obstructing the implementation of his policies. This move is seen as an attempt by Trump to further consolidate his political influence. However, it has also intensified the opposition and conflict between the two parties on issues such as personnel appointments. The direction of this personnel battle will directly affect the decision-making efficiency of the Trump administration and may trigger broader political turmoil.

2. Ripple's subsidiary obtains brokerage license, expanding influence in traditional finance.

Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, a subsidiary of Ripple Labs, recently obtained a broker-dealer license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), marking an expansion of Ripple's influence in the traditional financial sector.

Hidden Road Partners is a subsidiary of Ripple, established in 2022, primarily engaged in digital asset brokerage services. The acquisition of a brokerage license means that Hidden Road Partners can legally engage in securities brokerage activities within the United States.

Industry insiders believe that this is an important step for Ripple in the path toward regulatory compliance. By obtaining legal operating qualifications through its subsidiary, it will help Ripple penetrate the traditional financial market and inject new vitality into its ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is still ongoing. There are disagreements between the two parties regarding the classification of Ripple as a security. If it is ultimately determined to be a security, the development of Ripple will be subject to stricter regulatory constraints.

However, even in the case of an undecided lawsuit, Ripple is actively expanding its business territory. The recent acquisition of a brokerage license by its subsidiary is seen as an important step in penetrating the traditional financial sector. In the future, whether Ripple can leverage the favorable regulatory compliance to build a stronger bridge between cryptocurrency and traditional finance is worth ongoing attention.

3. The cryptocurrency market is currently facing a "dominant coin competition", with Bitcoin's dominance being challenged again.

Recently, a new trend of "dominant cryptocurrency competition" has emerged in the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin, as the "big brother" of cryptocurrencies, is once again facing challenges and doubts about its dominant position.

Data shows that Bitcoin's dominance in the entire cryptocurrency market recently peaked at a historical high of 64%. This means that a large portion of the funds in the cryptocurrency market is concentrated in Bitcoin. However, at the same time, other cryptocurrencies are also striving to get a share.

Among them, Swiss banking giant Sygnum predicts that altcoins will achieve a significant rebound in the second quarter of this year, challenging Bitcoin's dominance. Meanwhile, the futures trading volume of Ripple is also soaring, suggesting an increase in market liquidity, which may shake Bitcoin's ruling position in the future.

The dominance of Bitcoin is being questioned mainly due to the continuous development and improvement of other cryptocurrency ecosystems. Technological advancements in public blockchain projects like Ethereum and Cardano have provided more space for the development of other cryptocurrencies.

However, some analysts believe that Bitcoin's dominance is unlikely to be shaken in the short term. After all, Bitcoin remains the "big boss" of the cryptocurrency market, with its security and degree of decentralization at a leading position. The outcome of this "dominant currency battle" will determine the future landscape of the cryptocurrency market.

4. AI company Anthropic is accused by a former employee of stealing OpenAI's code.

The artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has recently been accused by a former employee of allegedly stealing code and models from its former employer OpenAI. If this accusation is true, it would pose serious legal and reputational risks for Anthropic.

According to reports, a former OpenAI employee joined Anthropic after leaving the company and is accused of taking some of OpenAI's code and model data. OpenAI has launched an internal investigation into the matter and may take legal action against Anthropic.

As a subsidiary of OpenAI, Anthropic has long been seen as a potential competitor in the field of artificial intelligence. The recent allegation of code theft will undoubtedly intensify the competitive confrontation between the two companies.

Industry insiders point out that code theft not only violates intellectual property laws but also goes against the professional ethics of the artificial intelligence industry. As an emerging frontier technology field, competition among artificial intelligence companies is already fierce; if such unfair competitive practices occur, it will further exacerbate the atmosphere of distrust within the industry.

For Anthropic, this matter will undoubtedly pose obstacles to its development. If the allegations are true, Anthropic will face a series of risks including damage to its reputation and compensation disputes. In the future, how the company resolves this crisis will be a significant test on its path to development.

5. Cryptocurrency exchange assists KiloEx in recovering stolen funds, raising concerns about transparency of information.

A famous cryptocurrency exchange recently assisted KiloEx in recovering a sum of stolen funds, but subsequently sparked internal disputes within the community over issues of information transparency.

It is reported that KiloEx previously suffered a hacker attack, resulting in a large amount of funds being stolen. After learning of the situation, a certain exchange team quickly intervened and assisted KiloEx in recovering some of the stolen funds.

This initiative has received widespread acclaim and is considered an important contribution to the security of the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. However, at the same time, some community members are calling for the disclosure of specific support details to enhance the community's trust in ecological security.

In response, the CEO of a certain exchange stated that if some details are fully disclosed, it may allow hackers to learn how to circumvent security measures. Therefore, it is necessary to respect all parties' opinions and keep some information confidential. He emphasized that aside from these necessary confidential contents, other information should be transparent.

This response has sparked discussions and differences within the community. Supporters believe that moderate secrecy is beneficial for enhancing security and preventing hackers from taking counterproductive actions. However, some are concerned that excessive secrecy could undermine the credibility of a certain exchange and question its performance in terms of information transparency.

This controversy once again highlights the dilemma within the cryptocurrency ecosystem regarding the trade-off between security and transparency. In the future, finding a balance between the two will be a challenge that the entire industry needs to face together.

2. Industry Data

1. BTC

Recent transaction price is 84662.9000 USD, intraday price change -0.0163%.

2. ETH

Recent transaction price is 1584.3900 USD, intraday decline of -1.1000%.

3. PI

Recent transaction price 0.6106 USD, intraday increase +0.9000%.

4. TRUMP

Recent transaction price is $7.5630, with a daily decrease of -3.5000%.

5. GT

Recent transaction price 22.4130 USD, intraday decline -0.1000%.

3. Industry News

1. Bitcoin prices are oscillating around $85,000, with analysts predicting a possible breakthrough of $90,000.

The price of Bitcoin has continued to fluctuate between $83,000 and $85,200 over the past week, failing to break through the key resistance level of $86,000. This price movement is closely related to subtle changes in macroeconomic data.

The US dollar index has fallen for four consecutive weeks, reaching a three-year low of 99.4, with a decline of over 8% this year. The weakness of the dollar, combined with inflation and uncertainties in trade policy, has spurred market demand for safe-haven assets, accelerating the flow of funds into gold and non-US currencies. Gold surged 2.76% this week, hitting a historical high of 3357.68 USD/ounce.

Under the dual pressure of the US dollar and the stock market, the potential of crypto assets as an alternative safe-haven tool has once again drawn attention. Analysts suggest that if gold continues to strengthen and the US dollar index remains weak, mainstream cryptocurrencies are likely to see opportunities for capital inflow.

Despite whales and institutions continuing to accumulate, the market is showing potential bearish signals. Analysts predict that if Bitcoin can break through the $86,000 mark, the price may advance towards the $90,000 target. However, declining on-chain activity may hinder Bitcoin's recovery.

Overall, the price of Bitcoin is significantly influenced by macroeconomic factors in the short term. Investors should closely monitor changes in trade policies, inflation, and other factors, as well as on-chain activities and technical indicators, to assess the future trend of Bitcoin.

2. Ethereum faces a reduction in positions, with declining on-chain activity raising market concerns.

Ethereum is facing a wave of liquidation from established institutions, with many well-known crypto VCs adjusting their holdings. Some long-dormant whales are also choosing to reduce or even completely liquidate their positions, leading to a sharp decline in on-chain activity. Spot ETFs are continuing to flow out, and the market is showing sell signals, causing investor confidence to waver.

Ethereum faces challenges, and there are still doubts about how to cope with the cold winds of the market. On one hand, the Ethereum ecosystem is rapidly developing, with an endless emergence of upper-layer applications and huge potential demand; on the other hand, the rise of competitors, uncertainty in regulatory policies, and the decline in on-chain activity are all putting pressure on Ethereum.

Analysts point out that the price fluctuations of Ethereum diverge from its fundamentals. Despite the positive fundamentals, changes in market sentiment may exacerbate selling pressure. Investors need to closely monitor on-chain data, institutional movements, and other signals to assess Ethereum's medium to long-term prospects.

At the same time, the Ethereum ecosystem is also actively responding to challenges. The Ethereum Foundation is advancing the development of Ethereum 2.0 to improve scalability and efficiency; The developer community is also constantly innovating and exploring new use cases. Only by continuing to innovate can Ethereum remain invincible in the future competition.

3. XRP futures trading volume surges, SEC case closure expectations boost investor confidence

Despite recent price fluctuations, the XRP network is becoming stronger, with a surge in the number of addresses and increased user participation, indicating that there may be upward volatility in the future. The futures trading volume of XRP is also soaring, suggesting an increase in market liquidity.

Analysts are optimistic about XRP, including the possibility of the SEC approving the ETF. The settlement negotiations between Ripple and the SEC have increased overall optimism.

MakroVision analyzed the current chart of Ripple(XRP), highlighting potential trend reversals. Key support and resistance levels are specified, indicating possible bullish and bearish scenarios. The price level of $2.03 is emphasized as critical for XRP's price movement. If XRP stays above this level, the analysis suggests a sustainable upward trend may be on the horizon.

However, the price of XRP still faces uncertainty. Changes in the regulatory environment, the rise of competitors, and the pace of technological innovation could all impact the long-term prospects of XRP. Investors need to closely monitor relevant developments and assess risks and opportunities.

Overall, the surge in XRP's futures trading volume reflects the market's optimistic expectations for its future. However, investors also need to remain cautious and closely monitor various factors that influence XRP's price, while ensuring proper risk management.

The price of Dogecoin may see a rise in the short term, but there are still doubts about its long-term prospects.

Analysts say that a price rise lasting three months may be beginning, with traders like Water Bear predicting a 93-day upward trend for Dogecoin. Other analysts support this, pointing to significant accumulation by whales and positive technical indicators. Despite recent consolidation, the indicators suggest a bullish trend ahead for DOGE.

However, there are still some doubts about the long-term prospects of Dogecoin. As a "meme coin", Dogecoin lacks practical application scenarios, and its value mainly comes from community support and speculation. Once the enthusiasm of the community wanes, the price of Dogecoin may experience significant fluctuations.

In addition, the uncertainty of regulatory policies also brings risks to Dogecoin. Some countries have begun to implement stricter regulations on cryptocurrencies, and if Dogecoin is regarded as a security or financial instrument, its development potential may be restricted.

Investors need to be clearly aware that the price volatility of Dogecoin is significant and carries a high level of investment risk. Before making investment decisions, it is necessary to comprehensively assess the risks and returns, and to develop a reasonable investment strategy.

Overall, Dogecoin may experience an increase in the short term, but there is still uncertainty regarding its long-term prospects. Investors need to remain cautious, closely monitor market dynamics and changes in regulatory policies, and manage risks effectively.

4. Project News

1. Chromia launches the first on-chain vector database, making a key step towards the integration of AI and blockchain.

Chromia is a blockchain infrastructure company dedicated to combining artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. Recently, the company launched the first on-chain vector database built on PostgreSQL, marking an important step towards the practical integration of AI and blockchain.

The vector database is designed to provide efficient on-chain storage and computing capabilities for AI models, enabling AI applications to run directly on the blockchain. Compared to traditional industry vector solutions, Chromia offers higher cost efficiency, providing developers with a blockchain integration development environment that is 57% cheaper than traditional solutions, thus lowering the barrier to AI application development.

Chromia's innovation opens up new possibilities for the integration of AI and blockchain technology. In the future, the platform plans to expand to EVM indexing, AI inference capabilities, and broader developer ecosystem support, with the potential to become a leading force in AI innovation within the blockchain space.

Industry insiders welcome this. Analysts believe that Chromia provides the infrastructure support for the integration of AI and blockchain technology, which will help promote the application of AI in the blockchain field. However, they also point out that the project still needs to address challenges such as centralization risks and technological stability.

2. Ethena and Securitize join forces to create a high-performance EVM chain Converge.

Ethena Labs and Securitize recently announced a collaboration to create the high-performance blockchain network Converge, aiming to integrate traditional finance with DeFi. Converge is a high-performance EVM chain, planning to integrate with Arrum and Celestia, and will use stablecoins as gas fees.

The main innovations of the project include high performance, interoperability with traditional finance, and compliant design. Converge plans to launch its testnet and mainnet in 2025.

The launch of Converge is expected to facilitate traditional financial institutions' entry into the DeFi space, promoting the integration of the two sectors. Analysts believe that the project will help attract more institutional funds into the cryptocurrency market, driving industry growth.

However, there are also views pointing out that Converge faces risks of centralization and challenges in technical stability. Its compliance design may also limit the development space for decentralized finance. In addition, the development situation of Converge in terms of regulatory environment, competitive landscape, and ecosystem construction also requires further observation.

3. The succinct SP1 is born, becoming the fastest zkVM currently.

Succinct is a top-tier zero-knowledge proof (ZK) project, with its core product SP1 being the fastest zkVM currently available, featuring leading performance, supporting ZKP written in Rust, and has passed top-level audits.

SP1 lowers the threshold for developing zero-knowledge proofs and can be applied in multiple scenarios such as blockchain scaling, interoperability, and privacy. It features speed, power, open-source, and security, and has been recognized by several well-known companies, already being applied in blockchain infrastructure such as Rollups, cross-chain bridges, and oracles.

The emergence of SP1 is expected to promote the development and practical application of zero-knowledge proof technology. Analysts believe that SP1 provides a new technological pathway to address pain points such as blockchain scalability and privacy, and will become a standard configuration for blockchain infrastructure.

However, there are also views that point out that zero-knowledge proof technology is still in a relatively early stage, and SP1 still needs further improvement and verification in terms of performance, security, and other aspects. In addition, the large-scale application of zero-knowledge proof technology also faces regulatory challenges.

4. The MANTRA token burn plan will be announced soon, and the token buyback plan is on the way.

JP Mullin, co-founder of MANTRA, recently stated that the details of the MANTRA token burn plan are in the final stages, and relevant details will be announced soon. At the same time, the token buyback plan is also actively being promoted.

MANTRA is a decentralized social crypto platform designed to promote social interaction through a token incentive mechanism. Previously, the price of the MANTRA token experienced a significant drop, with a market value shrinking by over $5 billion.

The launch of the token burn and buyback plan is expected to provide support for the MANTRA token price to stabilize after a decline. Analysts believe that this move demonstrates the project team's determination to maintain the token's value, which will help rebuild investor confidence.

However, there are also views questioning that solely relying on token burn and buyback cannot fundamentally solve the challenges faced by the MANTRA ecosystem's development. The project team needs to take stronger measures in attracting real users and building a sustainable business model.

Overall, the introduction of the MANTRA token burn and buyback plan is worth noting, but its ultimate effectiveness remains to be tested by the market.

5. Economic Dynamics

1. The Trump administration is considering the establishment of a new task force to address trade disputes.

The Trump administration is considering the establishment of a new task force to address the escalating trade disputes. According to sources, the task force may be composed of senior officials such as Vice President Pence, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, and Commerce Secretary Ross.

Economic Background: The US economy maintained moderate growth in the first quarter of 2025, with a GDP year-on-year increase of 2.3%, slightly lower than the previous quarter's 2.6%. The inflation rate hovered around 3.5%, slightly above the Federal Reserve's target level of 2%. The job market remains strong, with the unemployment rate holding steady at a low of 3.6%. However, ongoing trade disputes and the risks of a global economic slowdown cast a shadow over the economic outlook.

Important event: The Trump administration recently implemented tariff measures against several major trading partners, including a 25% tariff on Chinese goods, and threatened to impose high tariffs on European Union and Japanese cars. These measures are aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit, but have also triggered retaliatory actions from trading partners, escalating global trade tensions.

Market response: Investors have expressed concerns over the escalation of trade disputes. U.S. stocks experienced significant fluctuations in April, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one point dropping nearly 3%. The business community also expressed worries about the uncertainty surrounding trade policies, fearing it could impact supply chains and production costs. The consumer confidence index saw a slight decline in April.

Expert Opinion: Harvard University economics professor Gregory Mankiw believes that Trump's tariff policy could harm the U.S. economy, leading to reduced employment and investment. He warned, "There are no winners in a trade war, only losers." On the other hand, former White House economic advisor Navarro supports Trump's position, arguing that the U.S. needs to take a tough stance to rebalance trade relations.

6. Regulation & Policy

1. The Bank for International Settlements warns that cryptocurrencies and DeFi have reached a "critical scale".

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) recently released a report that for the first time considers cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi) as potential risks to financial stability. The report pointed out that the cryptocurrency market has "reached a critical scale" and that its impact on the traditional financial system needs to be monitored.

As the "central bank of central banks," the BIS plays an important role in maintaining financial stability. This report reflects regulators' growing concern over the rapid development of cryptocurrencies and DeFi.

The report specifically analyzes trends such as Bitcoin ETFs, the expansion of stablecoins, and asset tokenization, believing that these factors are deepening the connection between the crypto market and traditional finance. The BIS recommends further research on the role of DAOs in governance, how they affect financial stability, and how regulatory agencies can engage in this.

The report also points out that DeFi protocols have "centralization vectors," meaning that applications (dApps) that typically have user interfaces could become regulatory touchpoints. It emphasizes the need to implement regulatory requirements for DeFi similar to those in traditional finance, such as "Know Your Customer," information disclosure, and so on.

Industry insiders have different interpretations of this report. Supporters believe that regulation helps cryptocurrency mature, while critics worry that excessive regulation will stifle innovation. Overall, the market's attitude towards regulation is shifting, hoping to find a balance between risk and innovation.

2. The Trump administration plans to simplify the federal employee dismissal process.

The Trump administration is promoting the "F Program" aimed at streamlining the process for federal employee layoffs. The plan will reclassify about 50,000 federal employees in policy-related positions as "at-will" employees, making it easier for the government to fire those deemed "disloyal."

The background of this initiative is that Trump believes that career federal employees undermined the implementation of the policy agenda during his first term. Therefore, he hopes to ensure the enforcement of policies by weakening the civil service protection system.

The "F-class plan" will break the 140-year tradition of civil service neutrality established by the Pendleton Act. Opponents accuse the plan of leading to a "political purge" of the government, undermining the professional civil service system.

Analysts believe that this move aims to strengthen the president's control over federal agencies. However, it may also exacerbate partisan divisions and compromise policy continuity.

The business community expressed concern about this. Some companies believe that political factors interfering with policy-making will increase uncertainty, which is detrimental to the business environment. However, there are also voices supporting the plan, arguing that it helps the government operate efficiently.

Overall, this move by the Trump administration has sparked widespread controversy. It reflects the political power's attempt to reshape the way the government operates, but it may also bring about new divisions and turmoil.

3. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is urged to establish a "Dai Hong Kong" framework.

The Decentralized Finance Education Fund (DEF) submitted a letter of recommendation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 18, calling for the establishment of a "代全港" framework to support DeFi innovation.

DEF has proposed five core principles, including clarifying the compliance pathways for token issuance, providing regulatory certainty for token trading, and allowing tokens to be traded in regulated venues. These principles aim to provide a legitimate space for DeFi innovation while protecting the rights of investors.

The SEC has been working hard to establish cryptocurrency regulation rules, but progress has been slow, leading to obstacles in the industry's development. DEF believes that establishing a "代全港" framework can alleviate this issue and provide a legitimate pathway for DeFi innovation.

The responses from industry insiders to this suggestion are mixed. Supporters believe that a clear regulatory framework will bring certainty to DeFi, which is beneficial for attracting institutional investors. However, critics worry that excessive regulation could stifle innovation.

Analysts point out that the SEC faces the challenge of seeking a balance between protecting investors and supporting innovation. Establishing a "Digital Hong Kong" framework may be a compromise, but specific implementation details still need further discussion.

Overall, the recommendations from DEF reflect the industry's call for clear regulation. How the SEC responds in the future will have a significant impact on DeFi innovation.