May 5, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly highlight — Robust economic data might support June rate cut

Things are becoming increasingly complicated for the Federal Reserve as it prepares for its upcoming meeting. With inflation in focus, officials are likely to maintain interest rates. Yet, concerns about an economic slowdown are growing, exacerbated by calls from President Trump for a rate cut.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell may find some reassurance in recent labor data, which reported a robust increase of 177,000 jobs in April 2025. This solid job market provides a rationale for the Fed to hold rates steady. Additionally, the Fed's preferred inflation measure indicates a slight easing of price pressures. However, rising tariffs on imports threaten to undermine this progress.

Uncertainty looms globally over major central banks, as the White House seeks trade deals that could significantly alter economic forecasts. Economists suggest Powell will emphasize the importance of price stability, especially as inflation expectations appear to be shifting.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank continues to lower rates in anticipation of disinflation and weaker growth due to US tariffs, and the Bank of Canada has diverged from its usual practice of issuing a standard forecast, opting instead for two contrasting scenarios based on the tariff situation with the US.

Looking ahead, the US economic calendar is sparse, with upcoming data on service sector activity and jobless claims expected to provide insights into labor market trends. Globally, monetary policy decisions are anticipated in several countries, highlighting the widespread impact of trade tensions.

As central banks navigate these turbulent waters, the interplay of tariffs and inflation will be critical in shaping future economic policies.

Weekly crypto highlight — Strategy sees no pause in Bitcoin purchase

Michael Saylor's company, Strategy, has doubled its capital raising plan to $84 billion following a record $4.2 billion first-quarter loss. This loss was attributed to a new accounting rule mandating that the firm value its substantial Bitcoin holdings at market prices. On Thursday, Strategy registered to sell an additional $21 billion in common shares, having exhausted a previously authorized equity program.

Additionally, the company has increased its planned debt purchase program from $21 billion to $42 billion, with $14.6 billion remaining. This shift reflects a growing awareness among corporate Bitcoin buyers of the unrealized earnings fluctuations that can occur, such as in Strategy's dramatic quarterly loss. The company holds approximately $53 billion in Bitcoin.

Prior to this accounting change, Strategy classified its Bitcoin as intangible assets, which limited its ability to recognize gains unless the assets were sold. This resulted in permanent markdowns whenever Bitcoin prices fell.

Over the past five years, Saylor has transformed Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy Inc., into the largest leveraged Bitcoin proxy globally. However, revenue from its software division fell 3.6% to $111.1 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Saylor's advocacy has significantly contributed to Bitcoin’s mainstream acceptance, inspiring numerous companies to follow suit by purchasing Bitcoin for their balance sheets. Analysts suggest that as more firms adopt this strategy, demand for Bitcoin will rise, potentially benefiting Strategy further.

Despite the stock's remarkable 3,000% increase since Saylor began buying Bitcoin in 2020, concerns remain about the sustainability of this approach. New competitors are emerging, including well-funded entities like Twenty One Capital Inc., increasing the pressure on Strategy. Nonetheless, Saylor shows no signs of slowing down, and is continuing to expand Bitcoin acquisitions aggressively.

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Robust US economic data sends stocks higher; Strategy sees no pause in Bitcoin purchase

Bybit showcased its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. 

Daily top performer — Zebec Network (ZBCN)

The S&P 500 extended its rally with a nine-day winning streak, its longest since 2004, as optimism over potential trade deals and upcoming Fed and earnings updates lifted sentiment. Gold rose to $3,245 on trade uncertainty and Fed rate cut hopes. CoinDesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell 1.50% in the past 24 hours, while Bitcoin and Ether dropped 0.10% and 0.51%, respectively. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is ZBCN, which surged 19.5% after Zebec Network joined the Circle Alliance, aiming to make USDC the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

Zebec Network (ZBCN), founded in 2021, is a Solana-based DeFi protocol enabling real-time payroll and payments, with products like Zebec Card, Safes, and Web3 Banking, all governed by ZBC token holders. 

, with Circle Ventures being an early backer. USDC powers Zebec's products, including Zebec Cards and payroll services. With Circle holding a significant amount of ZBCN, Zebec aims to establish USDC as the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

 its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. The exchange launched Bybit Pay in Brazil, offering a seamless crypto-to-fiat experience with features like QR code payments, multi-currency support, and secure blockchain transactions. Bybit also highlighted its strategic partnerships, including with Tomorrowland Brasil, and introduced its rewarding Bybit Card. The event showcased Bybit’s commitment to empowering the LATAM crypto community and making crypto accessible in everyday life.

BTC spot ETFs saw $1.8B net inflows last week, driven by $1.86B into non-GBTC ETFs despite a $58.7M GBTC outflow. Since inception, total net inflows stand at $40.2B.

GiveRep is experiencing heavy traffic, causing site loading issues, but the team is actively working on 

 V1 soon. In the meantime, users can continue earning rewards as all tweets about GiveRep are still being indexed. A confirmed ATTN token airdrop will reward those who rank higher on the leaderboard, so continued engagement is encouraged.

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Bybit showcases crypto payment solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025 with Bybit Pay launch in Brazil

Crypto portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

In the whirlwind cryptocurrency space, the secret to keeping your profits lies not in predicting the next moonshot, but in mastering portfolio diversification: the art of turning market chaos into a calculated advantage. From blending rock-solid 

, this article reveals how strategically spreading your investments can shield your portfolio from meltdowns and position you to profit — no matter which way the crypto winds blow.

Portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

This strategy aims to mitigate the impact of poor performance in one area by balancing it with gains or stability in others.

Portfolio diversification entails spreading investments across different asset classes in order to minimize risk. By holding a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities, you avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. When one asset class takes a hit, others may remain stable or even perform better, helping to reduce the overall risk to your portfolio.

In the crypto market, diversification works in a similar way, but with an extra layer of complexity. Cryptocurrencies 

, so diversifying within this market is essential. A well-diversified crypto portfolio often starts with well-established coins like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). These major assets are the foundation of many portfolios, due to their market dominance and liquidity. Then, in order to add growth potential (though with higher risk), investors might include mid-to-small cap coins like 

You can also diversify by sector, investing in different use cases, such as 

, AI or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This can involve a mix of altcoins and newer tokens that are part of various blockchain ecosystems — such as 

 (DOT) — to reduce dependency on a single blockchain's performance.

For those looking to minimize volatility, diversifying into stablecoins like 

 can be a good option. These assets are pegged to traditional currencies such as the US dollar, making them more stable while still allowing you to gain exposure to the crypto market.

 (ETFs) or index funds can help simplify crypto diversification. These options give investors access to a basket of cryptocurrencies, reducing the need to manage each asset individually and providing a more hands-off approach to diversification.

Diversifying your cryptocurrency portfolio is a strategic approach to managing risk and enhancing potential returns in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various digital assets, sectors and regions, investors can mitigate the impact of adverse movements in any single asset as follows.

Different types of portfolio diversification

Diversifying your crypto portfolio is essential for managing risk and capturing growth across varying market conditions. Below are some key methods to consider.

Infrastructure tokens like Ethereum (ETH) and Cardano (ADA) are vital for running blockchain networks, while 

) give holders a voice in project decisions. Meanwhile, 

), though speculative, can offer short-term gains, due to community hype and viral momentum.

Diversification is a powerful strategy to manage risk and optimize returns, but it requires careful planning and ongoing monitoring. Following are some key considerations before diversifying your crypto portfolio.

Assess your risk tolerance and investment goals

 and investment objectives. If stability is your priority, consider focusing on well-established assets like BTC, ETH and stablecoins like USDC and USDT. These assets tend to offer lower volatility and more predictable returns. However, if you're comfortable with higher risk for potentially higher rewards, you might allocate a portion of your portfolio to emerging sectors, such as DeFi tokens or gaming coins. Additionally, your time horizon matters — since short-term investors may prefer liquid, low-volatility assets (such as stablecoins), while long-term holders may opt for high-potential assets, such as NFTs or blockchain infrastructure (e.g., mining operations or tokenized real estate).

When diversifying, balance large-cap cryptocurrencies (e.g., BTC or ETH) with smaller, high-growth altcoins. Large-cap assets are generally more stable, and provide a solid foundation for your portfolio. Meanwhile, smaller-cap coins can offer higher growth potential, but they come with more risk. 

Spread your investments across different sectors, such as DeFi, 

 platforms, in order to reduce overexposure to any one area. Consider geopolitical factors and the regulatory environment, as these factors can affect markets differently in various regions, making geographical diversification important.

A balanced portfolio is key to effective diversification. For example, you could allocate 40% to Bitcoin and Ethereum, 30% to stablecoins for liquidity and risk mitigation and the remaining 30% to altcoins or alternative investments, such as blockchain startups. Another strategy is that of 

 (DCA), whereby you invest a fixed amount periodically, regardless of market fluctuations. This helps to reduce the impact of market timing and smooth out crypto market volatility.

While diversification has its advantages, over-diversifying can dilute your returns because your gains may be spread thin across many assets. Frequent trading and rebalancing can also lead to higher transaction fees that can into your profits. Additionally, managing a diverse portfolio requires time, expertise and constant attention, which might not be feasible for every investor.

To further reduce exposure to crypto volatility, think about including traditional assets, such as stocks, ETFs or blockchain infrastructure investments. These can act as a stabilizing force during crypto market downturns, offering balance to your portfolio.

Ultimately, a well-diversified portfolio can help investors navigate market volatility with more confidence. Diversifying your portfolio is a vital strategy for managing risk and optimizing returns, particularly in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various asset types, market caps, sectors and investment vehicles, investors can cushion the impact of market fluctuations and potentially capture better returns. While diversification offers many benefits, it requires careful planning, constant monitoring and a balanced approach in order to avoid over-diversification and excessive trading costs.

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Portfolio diversification: The key to efficiently navigating market volatility

Ethereum R1 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum

The S&P 500 rose 0.63% Thursday, boosted by strong Meta and Microsoft earnings, but futures slipped Friday as investors awaited the April jobs report and weighed Apple and Amazon tariff concerns. Gold fell to $3,235 as easing trade tensions cut safe-haven demand; markets await US jobs data for rate cut signals. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, rose 2.19%, with Bitcoin and Ether up 2.57% and 2.60%, respectively in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is AR, which gained 16.8% following CloneX's successful migration to Arweave, sponsored by ArDrive.

Arweave (AR), founded in 2017, is a decentralized network for permanent data storage, using blockweave and Proof of Access to ensure long-term accessibility. It offers 200-year storage for a one-time fee, incentivized by AR tokens for miners. The system connects blocks efficiently to preserve and retrieve data, aiming to create a lasting digital knowledge repository. CloneX has successfully 

 to Arweave for permanent storage, with the support of ArDrive, which sponsored the migration of 100 GB of data. The process is nearly complete, with only Animus remaining to undergo decentralization.

 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum. Built on open-source code and the Nethermind Surge stack, it emphasizes credible neutrality, public good funding (with all fees burned after 2030), and infrastructure that remains free from VC control or centralized dependencies.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw $71.1M in total inflows, with $16M from GBTC and $55.1M from other ETFs.

 $BOOP tokens to active Solana memecoin traders and creators who promote memecoins or Solana dapps on X. To claim, users must connect their Solana wallet or X account and launch a free token. The airdrop arrives in 30 days, but growing the token’s market cap can accelerate the reward.

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Ethereum R1 offers a decentralized rollup solution for Ethereum

Blockchain

Explainers

Altcoins

Syscoin (SYS) is a modular blockchain platform that offers a unique combination of Bitcoin-inherited security, Ethereum-compliant smart contracts and rollup-supported scalability.

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Blockchain networks are regarded as highly secure, thanks to features like cryptography and decentralization. Among the various blockchain platforms, 

 (BTC) is known for its exceptionally robust security setup. Few other decentralized networks can rival the world's first blockchain when it comes to secure operations and protecting users’ funds.

Despite Bitcoin's unparalleled security features, it lacks the functionality to support 

 (DApps). In the world of DApps, smart contract chains, particularly 

 (ETH), have been the go-to platforms for developers and users. Unfortunately, the proof of stake (PoS) block validation model used by the majority of smart contract chains has come under some criticism due to its security vulnerabilities, particularly the potential for a 

, is an unusual project that combines Bitcoin's renowned security with 

-compatible smart contract functionality. Moreover, Syscoin’s stack of products includes a Layer 2 solution that provides scalability and cost efficiency that Ethereum simply can’t match.

As blockchain-based DApps continue to gain relevance in various industries, the Syscoin project, one of the oldest surviving blockchains, is experiencing a resurgence of interest from DApp developers and operators.

 blockchain platform with a UTXO/EVM architecture featuring several technologies that leverage the security of Bitcoin and the smart contract functionality of the Ethereum virtual machine (EVM).

The blockchain, forked from Bitcoin in 2014, mirrors many of Bitcoin's foundational security and architectural properties. Central to its design is the highly secure UTXO (

) transaction model that’s implemented by both the Syscoin UTXO chain and Bitcoin. Just as with Bitcoin, the Syscoin blockchain uses a 

Besides the original UTXO chain, Syscoin's architecture includes another Layer 1 network — the 

 (NEVM) blockchain. The NEVM chain is compatible with Ethereum's 

 engine, used by various highly popular smart contract chains.

In addition to the UTXO and NEVM Layer 1 chains, the Syscoin ecosystem includes a 

, designed to provide a low-cost transaction environment, high scalability and finality, and resilience to network outages. Rollux facilitates efficient and scalable transactions for both the Syscoin UTXO chain and the NEVM network.

By leveraging these three core components — the UTXO chain, NEVM chain and Rollux Layer 2 rollup — Syscoin offers an ecosystem characterized by Bitcoin-level security (through the UTXO chain), smart contract capabilities and EVM compatibility (with the NEVM chain) and excellent scalability and transaction efficiency (via Rollux).

As mentioned, Syscoin’s UTXO network was hard forked from Bitcoin in 2014. While retaining most of Bitcoin’s underlying technical properties, Syscoin has introduced a number of improvements and additional features that differentiate its platform from a typical Bitcoin fork.

 protocol, a decentralized scalability solution that allows users to send and receive crypto assets with near-instant finality and at meager cost. Moreover, Syscoin launched its EVM-compatible NEVM chain in late 2021 to support smart contracts and DApps, a feature unavailable on a typical Bitcoin offshoot.

NEVM is the Syscoin ecosystem's key chain of interest for DApp developers and operators. Compliant with Ethereum standards and featuring EVM compatibility, the chain can easily integrate DApps from other EVM networks. 

Although most smart contract chains and EVM-compatible networks are based on a 

 (PoS) block validation model, the NEVM network uses the same PoW as the Syscoin UTXO chain. In fact, NEVM uses the same native coin, SYS, as the UTXO chain, and is secured by the same 

While the PoW block production model may be debatable, it’s often cited as being more secure than the alternative PoS system. Thus, NEVM is capable of offering smart contract functionality while benefiting from the security of the PoW algorithm.

In 2023, Syscoin debuted its Layer 2 Rollux solution, which supports both of its main chains (UTXO and NEVM). Rollux utilizes the UTXO chain's data availability layer, offering users highly efficient, low-cost and secure transactions. Transaction fees on Rollux are fractions of a cent, and transactions are confirmed within two seconds.

To be more specific, Rollux is actually a set of tools that can be used to spin off various rollup implementations. These could include both optimistic and 

 (ZK-) rollups. The first implementation of a rollup based on the Rollux suite is a Rollux optimistic rollup.

In essence, Syscoin can be described as a multi-layer, multi-network ecosystem, rather than a single blockchain environment. Its token transfer functionality via the Syscoin Bridge allows the two Layer 1 chains to communicate with each other and share assets.

Much of Syscoin’s dual chains' security, including the implementation of 

 with Bitcoin. Under this setup, mining nodes can use the same machine to mine two or more cryptocurrencies at the same time, thereby conserving energy use. The 

 they contribute to the mining process is used by both (or all) of the merged-mining networks.

Merged mining involves the simultaneous mining of two or more cryptocurrencies using the same mining machine and hash power. Through merged mining with Bitcoin, Syscoin taps into the vast network of Bitcoin miners, with up to 60% of its hash power contributed by them. This significantly improves Syscoin's overall security, positioning the network not far behind Bitcoin in regard to security features and protection against hostile takeovers.

Thanks to merged mining with Bitcoin, the Syscoin network is protected by the decentralized power of thousands of Bitcoin miners.

In addition to miners, there’s a second kind of specialized network participant on Syscoin — 

. While not involved in block production, these nodes act as an additional decentralized layer to enhance network security, provide greater stability to network operations and participate in on-chain governance.

Sentry Nodes are incentivized by rewards in SYS tokens for their work. The longer a node functions in this capacity on the network, the higher the rewards. New Sentry Nodes currently earn 52.91 SYS per block generated on Syscoin, while those with more than 2.5 years in the role are rewarded with about twice as much, or 105.83 SYS.

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) Compatibility

The EVM compatibility offered by Syscoin via its NEVM chain allows developers to easily migrate existing DApps to and from other chains that support the popular virtual engine, with some modifications. Smart contracts on NEVM use Solidity, the most popular programming language used within the Ethereum ecosystem. Thus, developing Syscoin DApps from scratch is also a familiar process for most blockchain developers.

 (SPTs) are crypto tokens issued on the Syscoin platform's UTXO chain. Users can take advantage of the abovementioned Z-DAG protocol for speedy and cost-efficient transactions on the chain. The protocol operates in unison with the underlying PoW network, and relies on 

 (DAG) technology, a distributed ledger model that records transactions as a blockchain does, but in a different manner.

We noted earlier that an essential part of Syscoin's ecosystem is the Rollux Layer 2 network. In order for a Layer 2 rollup to function, it needs to have access to a reliable and stable data availability layer — a part of the network architecture used to store data necessary for the transaction verification process.

Rollux utilizes the data availability layer offered by the Layer 1 UTXO chain. The implementation of Syscoin's data availability layer is called 

 (PoDA). It offers lower costs, greater transaction throughput capacity and higher resilience to network outage events than most other data availability solutions.

The Syscoin UTXO platform also allows you to create your own SPTs (see above). Key details, such as supply levels and functions, can be customized per your needs and preferences. As a UTXO-based token, SPT enjoys the security of the UTXO transaction model and other related Bitcoin benefits, such as 

. The Z-DAG technology also facilitates swift SPT transactions at a low cost, supporting both fungible crypto tokens and 

 is a bridging solution that links the platform’s two Layer 1 chains so users can access the benefits of UTXO's security and NEVM flexibility. It can be used to seamlessly transfer assets such as SPTs between the UTXO and NEVM networks.

The Syscoin UTXO network is largely similar to that of Bitcoin and supports the technology that has given rise to the tremendously popular 

SYS is the native cryptocurrency of both the UTXO and NEVM chains. It’s primarily used on the Syscoin platform as payouts for mining rewards and gas fee payments. For instance, DApps on the NEVM chain pay gas fees in SYS for smart contract operations. Similarly, all of the network transactions initiated by users, e.g., Syscoin Bridge transfer fees, require SYS. Additionally, Sentry Nodes use SYS to lock in the required collateral of 100,000 SYS to operate their nodes.

SYS doesn’t have a supply limitation. The token’s total supply is around 780 million, nearly all of it in circulation.

. Among these are popular crypto wallets like MetaMask, MathWallet and Ledger. However, most of these wallets don’t provide support for all of the networks on Syscoin — UTXO, NEVM and Rollux. The only wallet suitable for all three chains is 

As of Mar 12, 2024, the SYS token was trading at $0.308, or 76.2% lower than its all-time high of $1.30 (recorded on Jan 2, 2022) and over 100,000% higher than its all-time low of $0.0002097 (recorded on Feb 22, 2015).

Long-term forecasts for SYS are all on the bullish side. PricePrediction 

 at around $0.78 in 2025 and $5.47 in 2030, while DigitalCoinPrice predicts it will 

You might consider investing in the SYS token based on the following key factors:

In January 2024, the platform also launched another product, Zero-Knowledge Proof-of-Data Availability (

) — an even more scalable data availability layer for rollups based on ZK technology. Syscoin’s continual product launches and updates demonstrate that it has a highly dedicated project team, always an enormous plus for any blockchain platform and its cryptocurrency.

Syscoin has a longstanding presence in the blockchain market, predating many other platforms. Having originated as a plain, unassuming Bitcoin fork, the platform has evolved over time to mature into a unique system boasting Bitcoin-grade security, sophisticated smart contract functionality and stellar scalability driven by rollup technology.

Looking ahead, with a dedicated and tireless team behind the project, Syscoin will almost certainly continue walking the path of innovation. This platform will keep testing the boundaries of what blockchain technology can achieve. For the present, developers have few excuses not to try out the Syscoin product suite, as it provides virtually all of the essential bits a blockchain app needs — security, flexibility and scalability — all under the same roof.

Syscoin (SYS): A Trifecta of Security, Flexibility and Scalability

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Syscoin (SYS): A Trifecta of Security, Flexibility and Scalability

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Compete for 2,500 USDT USDT Every Week

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