Abstract

• Bitcoin declined 1.39% to $84,514, while Ethereum dipped 1.16% to $1,619.
• Ethereum processed a record-breaking $1.18 trillion in stablecoin transfers over the past 30 days.
• NFT trading volume dropped 4.7% over the past week to $94.7 million, with both buyer and seller counts plunging over 70%.
• To celebrate its 12th anniversary, Gate.io announced a full-scale brand revamp, officially adopting the new Chinese name “Damen”, which translates to “The Gate.”
• Pump.fun’s daily trading volume has plummeted 99%, and its token “graduation rate” continues to slow.
• The SEC’s second crypto roundtable is set to introduce a “crypto regulatory sandbox.”

Market Analysis

• BTC – Bitcoin declined 1.39% over the past 24 hours, currently trading at $84,514. The price action remains range-bound, with notable support around $83,000, where buyers have repeatedly stepped in to hold the line. On the upside, resistance near $86,000 is proving difficult to break, highlighting a tug-of-war between bulls and bears in the short term. Technical indicators suggest weakening bearish momentum—MACD shows declining selling pressure, and moving averages are beginning to converge, indicating a wait-and-see sentiment in the market. A breakout above resistance on strong volume could pave the way for further gains, while a breakdown below support might lead to deeper corrections. For now, a cautious approach is advised, with close monitoring of key price levels.[1]

• ETH – Ethereum declined 1.16% over the past 24 hours, currently trading at $1,619. The chart shows a temporary support level forming near $1,600, which has been tested multiple times without breaking, suggesting signs of short-term stabilization. Immediate resistance lies around $1,688; a breakout above this level with strong volume could signal the start of a new upward move. The MACD indicator shows the two lines converging at lower levels, with shrinking red bars, indicating a potential short-term recovery or bounce. However, ETH remains in a consolidation phase with no clear trend. Investors are advised to stay on the sidelines and wait for confirmation of a breakout above key levels before making directional bets.[2]

• ETFs – According to SoSoValue data, on April 11, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a net outflow of $1.03 million, while spot Ethereum ETFs saw a significantly larger net outflow of $29.2 million. (Data as of April 14, 12:00 PM UTC+8.)[3][4]
• Altcoins – The Real World Assets (RWA), Mobile Mining, and The Boy’s Club sectors posted gains of +4.9%, +4.8%, and +0.7% respectively.[5]
• U.S. Stock Market – On April 11, the S&P 500 rose 1.81%, the Dow Jones gained 1.56%, and the Nasdaq jumped 2.06%.[6]
• Spot Gold – Gold prices edged down 0.07% to $3,231.85 per ounce as of April 14, 12:00 PM (UTC+8).[7]
• Fear & Greed Index – The index currently reads 31, indicating the market is in a state of fear.[8]

Top Performers

According to Gate.io market data[9], the top-performing altcoins over the past 24 hours, based on trading volume and price movement, are as follows:

RFC (Retard Finder Coin) – Up approximately 65.41% in the past 24 hours, with a market cap of $109 million.

RFC is a meme coin built on the Solana network, launched directly via Pump.fun. It blends political satire with celebrity culture, positioning itself as a community-first, transparently issued token. The project draws inspiration from the “I Find Retards” community on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating free speech, humor, and the decentralized finance ethos.

RFC has seen a surge in visibility recently, partly due to frequent interactions between its official account and Elon Musk, who has quoted the project in his responses to political commentary. This exposure has driven considerable interest in the token. Its listing on Gate.io and the launch of 25x leveraged trading on AsterDEX have further boosted liquidity. Today, a significant buy from Wintermute—a well-known market maker—helped push RFC’s market cap past the $100 million milestone[10].

ALCH (Alchemist AI) – Up approximately 21.71%, with a market cap of $112 million.

Alchemist AI is a no-code development platform that harnesses large language models to enable users to build software apps using just natural language prompts. Unlike traditional AI agent frameworks, Alchemist automates the entire process—no need to configure multiple agents manually. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran developer, the platform enables anyone to bring ideas to life without writing a single line of code.

Alchemist AI is set to roll out a series of powerful updates in Q2, including Smart Refine and Live Build for enhanced development speed, plus an API Builder for seamless integration. The upcoming Freelance Market aims to introduce new economic dynamics and real-world token utility. Meanwhile, the Game Engine 1.2 upgrade signals a continued expansion into game development. These updates are expected to significantly enhance the platform’s capabilities and drive demand for the ALCH token[11].

AERGO (Aergo) – Up approximately 25.76%, with a market cap of $141 million.

Aergo is a hybrid blockchain designed for enterprise adoption, merging the decentralization of public chains with the control and efficiency of private ones. Developed by South Korean blockchain firm Blocko, Aergo offers robust tools including a smart contract engine (supporting Lua and SQL), the Aergo Hub developer suite, and a marketplace for trading digital resources.

The project recently unveiled support for on-chain AI inference, signaling its official entry into the AI data infrastructure space. Momentum is also building around Booost, its flagship ecosystem project. Following the approval of proposal AIP-21, Booost was designated the core dApp of the HPP ecosystem. Now positioned as a trusted AI data engine focused on human proof and intelligent agents, Booost has added a fresh narrative to the Aergo ecosystem—one that’s fueling renewed optimism and contributing to AERGO’s recent price surge[12].

Data Highlights

Ethereum Stablecoin Transfers Reach $1.18 Trillion in 30 Days, Setting a New Record

Ethereum has started 2025 with a major milestone. Over the past 30 days, the network processed $1.18 trillion in stablecoin transfers, the highest monthly total ever recorded[13].

Several factors have driven this surge. The DeFi ecosystem continues to grow, stablecoins are increasingly used for cross-border transactions, and global investors are seeking safety amid rising market uncertainty. Recent tariff announcements from the Trump administration have added to the tension, prompting many to shift funds into fiat-pegged stablecoins as a hedge against volatility.

Ethereum has become the go-to platform for stablecoins such as USDT, USDC, and DAI. Its mature DeFi infrastructure, standardized token formats like ERC-20, and active developer community provide a strong foundation. The adoption of Layer 2 scaling solutions has also lowered transaction costs and improved network efficiency. These conditions have helped Ethereum attract significant liquidity and volume, ultimately driving stablecoin transfers to a historic high.

Pump.fun Sees 99% Drop in Daily Volume as Token Activity Slows

Pump.fun has experienced a dramatic decline in activity. Daily trading volume has fallen from $3 billion at the beginning of the year to about $11 million by mid-April, marking a 99% decrease. The platform’s token “graduation rate,” which tracks how many tokens exceed a $1 million market cap, has also dropped. It has fallen from 1.23% to just 0.6%, and only four tokens crossed the $1 million mark in the past 24 hours[14][15].

The platform initially gained traction due to its simple token launch mechanics, which encouraged rapid token creation and speculation. Some tokens surged in value almost overnight, attracting waves of short-term capital. However, both the number of new tokens and the frequency of high-performing launches have decreased sharply recently.

This trend reflects broader market weakness. With fewer high-quality meme projects and shrinking arbitrage opportunities, traders are becoming more cautious. Many users are shifting toward more stable assets or converting funds into stablecoins for risk management. Regulatory uncertainty is also playing a role. As crypto oversight tightens globally, traders are growing more hesitant to engage in high-risk activities, leading to lower participation on platforms like Pump.fun.

NFT Market Dips Again as Weekly Sales Drop 10.41% and User Activity Plummets

The NFT market remained sluggish last week. Weekly sales volume fell 4.7% to $94.7 million, hitting a recent low. Meanwhile, the number of active buyers dropped 73.65% and sellers fell 70.56%. Total transaction volume was down 10.41% from the previous week[16].

Despite the slowdown, one collection stood out. Courtyard, an NFT series built on Polygon, generated $16.24 million in sales and overtook CryptoPunks to become the week’s best-selling collection. Its appeal lies in being backed by physical assets, which helped it attract interest from collectors looking for more tangible value.

Ethereum continued to lead in NFT sales, with a 55.5% increase from the previous week, reaching $37.78 million. Polygon followed with $17.62 million. However, this growth was not enough to offset declines across other chains. The overall downturn was influenced by falling cryptocurrency prices. Bitcoin dipped to $85,000, Ethereum lost 13.5% over the week, and the total crypto market cap fell to $2.63 trillion. In addition, rising interest in meme coins and politically themed tokens has diverted attention from the NFT space, reducing both user engagement and transaction activity.

Spotlight Analysis

Gate.io Celebrates 12th Anniversary with Major Brand Refresh

To celebrate its 12th anniversary, Gate.io has rolled out a complete brand refresh, introducing its new Chinese name “Damen” , which translates to “The Gate.” The new branding highlights the platform’s vision of openness, fairness, and innovation as it evolves toward the Web3 era. Beyond just a visual update, the overhaul focuses on improving user experience and advancing technology. Gate.io aims to build a smarter and safer trading environment while expanding its decentralized ecosystem to make Web3 more accessible for everyone.

Since its founding in 2013, Gate.io has grown into one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency platforms. It now serves more than 22 million users and supports trading for over 3,800 crypto assets. Its native token, GT, has played a critical role since the launch of GateChain in 2019. GT has reached a peak price of $25.96 and boasts a market cap exceeding $2.94 billion, placing it among the top 40 digital assets globally. As part of the rebranding celebration, Gate.io will host a global summit in Dubai from April 29 to 30, gathering blockchain leaders to explore the future of crypto.

This transformation reflects the platform’s deep understanding of the industry’s direction and its strong confidence in the future of blockchain. As technology matures and Web3 adoption accelerates, users are seeking more from exchanges. They require stronger functionality, better security, and clearer educational resources. Gate.io’s rebrand is a statement of intent, showing its readiness to lead the next phase of the crypto evolution. Looking ahead, the platform plans to stay user-focused, remove barriers to Web3, and help shape a more open and inclusive digital economy[17].

SEC to Launch Crypto Regulatory Sandbox Following Industry Feedback

During its second crypto-focused roundtable, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda criticized the agency’s current approach to regulating digital assets. He pointed out that enforcement actions have taken precedence over clear guidance, leaving crypto companies stuck in a mess of uncertainty and legal gray zones. According to Uyeda, this approach hinders innovation and fails to provide adequate investor protection. He revealed that the SEC is working on a unified federal regulatory framework to replace the current patchwork of state-level rules. This would reduce compliance burdens and include a “safe harbor” program to support early-stage crypto projects[18].

Commissioner Hester Peirce also weighed in, supporting the creation of a regulatory sandbox. She proposed that such a sandbox would allow crypto exchanges to test new ideas, including the possibility of tokenized securities trading. The SEC has already hosted two industry roundtables to gather feedback, signaling its intent to create a more flexible and forward-thinking regulatory system[19].

If implemented, the sandbox could create a more supportive compliance environment. It would help crypto startups reduce legal risks and lower the cost of innovation. A streamlined federal framework with clearer rules could also improve market transparency and boost investor confidence. This may attract more traditional financial institutions into the space. However, if the rules are too lenient, it could increase investor risk. The challenge will be to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring adequate protections.

OM Token Crashes Over 90%, Shaking Confidence in RWA Sector

The Real World Assets (RWA) category was hit hard yesterday when MANTRA (OM) experienced a severe price collapse. The token fell from $6 to $0.50 in a short time, wiping out more than $5.5 billion in market value before rebounding to around $1.20[20].

The MANTRA team attributed the drop to aggressive liquidations by centralized exchanges during a period of thin liquidity. They denied any insider selling, stating that the token’s economics remain intact and that no team members, advisors, or the MANTRA DAO itself sold tokens. However, blockchain data revealed that several large wallets transferred significant amounts of OM to exchanges just before the crash. This raised suspicions of market manipulation among investors.

Community concerns also centered on valuation. MANTRA’s total value locked sits around $13 million, while its fully diluted valuation had soared to $9.5 billion. The gap between these figures triggered debate about the project’s sustainability and governance model.

The impact extended beyond OM. The incident has shaken confidence in the broader RWA sector. Investors are questioning how sustainable these projects really are and whether governance mechanisms are strong enough. The event also highlighted risks tied to centralized exchange dependence and the concentration of token ownership. If RWA projects fail to improve transparency and embrace decentralized governance, they may struggle to attract long-term support. Strengthening these areas could be key to restoring trust and ensuring the sector’s long-term health.

Funding News

According to RootData, five Web3 projects announced new funding rounds over the past 72 hours, raising a combined total of around $33.35 million. The largest single round reached $12 million, with projects spanning Web3 education, decentralized communication, and ZK-Rollup infrastructure. Here’s a closer look at the deals[21]:

BugsCoin — Raised $12 million in a Series A round backed by Becker Ventures, Castrum Capital, BullPerks, DuckDAO, Maxx Capital, and an Asia-based family office. BugsCoin is an education-focused Web3 platform that provides a risk-free simulated trading environment. Users can practice real-world financial strategies and earn $BGSC tokens as rewards for learning and participation.

The funding will be used to drive global expansion, develop localized education programs, and upgrade its decentralized asset management protocol, BugsFunded. BugsCoin also plans to introduce AI-driven financial advisory tools, enhance its tokenomics, and explore broader ecosystem applications. These initiatives aim to push forward its EduFi model, combining education with decentralized finance[22].

Towns Protocol — Secured $10 million in a Series B round led by a16z crypto, with participation from Coinbase Ventures and Benchmark. Towns Protocol is a decentralized communication protocol that blends an EVM-compatible Layer 2 network, an off-chain messaging layer, and smart contracts deployed on Base. It allows users to build programmable, self-governed digital “towns” featuring on-chain memberships, reputation systems, and end-to-end encrypted chat.

Although the use of funds has not been officially detailed, it’s expected the capital will support platform development, governance tools, community expansion, and increased user safety. The goal is to establish a more open, secure, and equitable digital social environment[23].

OpenZK Network — Raised $6 million in a combined seed and strategic round with backing from Animoca Brands, Coinstore, and Sovereign Trust. OpenZK Network is a Layer 2 infrastructure project built on zk-rollup technology, offering scalable, low-fee blockchain transactions. It also supports ETH staking, restaking, and stablecoin-based rewards to incentivize network participation.

The funding will be used to further enhance zk-rollup performance, expand integration across the Web3 ecosystem, and improve the user experience. The project also aims to promote the adoption of zero-knowledge proofs in DeFi and other blockchain applications[24].

Airdrop Opportunity

Huddle01 is a decentralized video conferencing platform built for the Web3 ecosystem. Designed for NFT communities, DAOs, developers, and Web3 enthusiasts, it offers secure, private, and open communication tools. Users can log in with crypto wallets, create token-gated meetings, use NFTs as avatars, and store meeting content on decentralized networks like IPFS or Filecoin.

Huddle01 has launched its testnet and officially confirmed an airdrop. Users can now start earning points that will later be redeemable for up to 10 million $HUDL tokens[25].

How to participate:

1. Visit the official website and connect your wallet.
2. Complete social and “Quest Arena” tasks.
3. Interact with dApps listed under the “App Arena” tab.
4. Open your profile and try to collect all available badges.
5. Invite friends and track your ranking on the leaderboard.

Note:
The airdrop structure and participation requirements may change, so it’s best to follow Huddle01’s official channels for the latest updates. As always, do your own research and proceed with caution. Please note that platforms like Gate.io do not guarantee the future distribution of airdrop rewards.


References:

1. Gate.io,https://www.gate.io/trade/BTC_USDT
2. Gate.io,https://www.gate.io/trade/ETH_USDT
3. SoSoValue,https://sosovalue.xyz/assets/etf/us-btc-spot
4. SoSoValue,https://sosovalue.xyz/assets/etf/us-eth-spot
5. CoinGecko,https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories
6. Investing,https://investing.com/indices/usa-indices
7. Investing,https://investing.com/currencies/xau-usd
8. Gate.io,https://www.gate.io/bigdata
9. Gate.io,https://www.gate.io/price
10. X,https://x.com/Gate_io/status/1909879085024628931
11. X,https://x.com/alchemistAIapp/status/1910386562858443088
12. X,https://x.com/aergo_io/status/1911389653791301834
13. X,https://x.com/Cointelegraph/status/1910905940754264115
14. Dune,https://dune.com/jonsy/pumpfun-token-analytics
15. Duen,https://dune.com/jhackworth/pumpfun
16. Cryptoslam,https://www.cryptoslam.io/
17. Gate.io,https://www.gate.io/zh/announcements/article/44396
18. SEC.gov,https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/uyeda-remarks-ctf-roundtable-crypto-trading-041125
19. Decrypt,https://decrypt.co/314552/sec-crypto-regulatory-sandbox
20. Mantrachain,https://www.mantrachain.io/resources/announcements/community-update-14-april
21. Rootdata,https://www.rootdata.com/Fundraising
22. X,https://x.com/bugscoin_bgsc/status/1910672268373745808
23. X,https://x.com/TownsProtocol/status/1910384877293494657
    24.X,http://x.com/OpenZkNetwork/status/1910682267351212389
24. X,https://x.com/huddle01com/status/1910329685143126162

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