Will Markets Break Resistance as $2B in Crypto Options Expire Today

Friday has arrived again, bringing another round of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expirations while spot markets try to hold on to recent gains.

About 22,200 Bitcoin options contracts are set to expire on April 17, with a total value of roughly $1.66 billion. This expiry is slightly smaller than last week’s, so it is not expected to significantly affect spot market movements.

Crypto prices have been gradually rising throughout the week, adding around $150 billion to the total market capitalization since Monday.

Bitcoin Options Expiry Overview

This week’s Bitcoin options show a put to call ratio of 1, indicating a balance between bullish and bearish positions. The max pain level is estimated at $71,000, which sits slightly below current spot prices, meaning some contracts may expire out of the money.

Open interest remains highest at the $80,000 strike price on Deribit, with about $1.5 billion in bullish positions. However, bearish traders still hold around $1.4 billion in open interest at the $60,000 level.

Across all exchanges, total Bitcoin options open interest has been steadily increasing this month and now stands at $35.6 billion, according to Coinglass.

Market positioning has shifted compared to last week. Bitcoin has moved from being dominated by call options to puts taking the lead, while Ethereum open interest has continued to grow despite broader market trends.

As Bitcoin’s price recovers, implied volatility for major options is declining, while market skew remains positive. Analysts note that traders are adjusting their strategies and increasingly aligning around expectations of lower volatility in the near term.

Alongside Bitcoin, about 196,000 Ethereum contracts are also expiring today, with a total value of $460 million. The max pain level is $2,225, and the put to call ratio stands at 0.91. Total Ethereum options open interest across exchanges is currently around $7.4 billion.

Spot Market Outlook

Total crypto market capitalization has reached a ten week high of $2.64 trillion, though it is now facing resistance similar to levels seen in mid March. Bitcoin is trading near the $75,000 resistance zone and has struggled to break above it.

Ethereum is closing the week around $2,345 after gaining about 7 percent over the past seven days. The altcoin market is mixed, with stronger performances from XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and MemeCore, the latter surging by 32 percent.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

BlockDAG Faces Scrutiny as Investigator Alleges 300 Million Dollar Scam

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has accused BlockDAG Network of allegedly defrauding retail investors of more than 300 million dollars through schemes promising unrealistic returns.

The warning came after Coffeezilla raised concerns about a promoter running a similar operation. ZachXBT responded by highlighting what he described as a broader pattern of deceptive practices within the crypto space.

Concerns Over Misleading Returns and Marketing Tactics

According to ZachXBT, one promoter advertising monthly returns between 5 and 10 percent blocked him after being questioned about the claims. Coffeezilla also cautioned users about investing with the individual, warning that such offers should raise red flags.

ZachXBT pointed out that these types of schemes continue to attract investors despite appearing overly simplistic. He cited BlockDAG Network as a prominent example, claiming the project used aggressive sales tactics and promises of high returns to draw in unsuspecting participants.

He shared examples of promotional content featuring phrases that emphasize limited supply and exaggerated profit potential, along with messaging designed to create urgency and push quick investment decisions.

History of Allegations and Questionable Practices

This is not the first time BlockDAG Network has faced criticism. ZachXBT has reportedly been examining the project for months, uncovering what he described as a pattern of aggressive presale campaigns, misleading claims, and inconsistencies in leadership.

The controversy traces back over two years, when the project conducted a presale while continuously increasing fundraising targets and promoting potential returns as high as 50 times or more. At the same time, it claimed listings on multiple exchanges and used sponsored content and influencer promotions to build credibility.

However, investigators have stated that there was no verifiable on chain trading activity to support those claims. Some investors have also reported difficulties withdrawing funds or receiving promised tokens.

Questions Surround Leadership and Fund Handling

More recently, attention has shifted to the project’s leadership structure. ZachXBT noted discrepancies between the publicly presented team and the individuals actually operating the platform.

Investigations have linked backend operations to a previously undisclosed figure identified as Gurhan Kiziloz, who is reportedly connected to the project. Findings suggest that the token presale has continued for more than two years, with funds allegedly being moved through over the counter channels in the Middle East.

ZachXBT further claimed that large sums of money were used to fund luxury purchases, including cars, real estate, and watches. Although Kiziloz initially denied involvement, he was later linked to the project through leaked documents, wallet data, and internal communications.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Arthur Hayes Outlines Bitcoin Outlook Across Four Iran War Scenarios

Arthur Hayes has shared a detailed outlook on Bitcoin’s future, suggesting that its short term direction may depend more on how the US Iran conflict unfolds than on central bank policy decisions.

Hayes, who serves as chief investment officer at Maelstrom, explained that the ongoing conflict, now nearing seven weeks, has created such uncertainty that his fund avoided major activity in the first quarter.

Four Possible Outcomes and Their Market Impact

At the center of Hayes’s analysis is one key issue involving the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. He outlined four potential scenarios, excluding a nuclear escalation scenario, which he considers too extreme to evaluate from an investment perspective.

The first scenario assumes a return to normal conditions where the conflict ends and shipping resumes. However, Hayes noted that this outcome may still bring challenges due to continued pressure from artificial intelligence on white collar jobs. He suggested that layoffs could gradually weaken banks holding consumer credit, potentially creating financial strain. In this case, Bitcoin could rise to between 80,000 and 90,000 dollars, though he does not see this as a strong buying opportunity.

The second scenario involves Iran limiting access to the Strait and introducing tolls. Hayes believes this could encourage countries to reduce reliance on the US dollar, increase gold purchases, and adopt the Chinese yuan for trade settlements. Such a shift could negatively affect US financial markets, with Bitcoin potentially facing initial pressure as investors reduce risk before recovering when central banks inject liquidity.

A related development emerged when Donald Trump announced plans for the US Navy to block ships entering or leaving the Strait. Hayes advised that traders should focus less on political statements and more on oil market indicators to assess actual supply disruptions.

The fourth scenario envisions the US military eliminating Iran’s ability to disrupt the Strait. However, Hayes warned that Iran has threatened to target broader energy infrastructure in the Gulf if that happens. This could force central banks worldwide to increase money supply while also raising the risk of a wider conflict.

Bitcoin’s Price Driven by Money Supply

Across all scenarios, Hayes emphasized a consistent theme that Bitcoin is influenced more by the amount of money in circulation than by interest rates.

Even if central banks raise rates to combat inflation in food and energy, governments are likely to increase borrowing to fund defense and secure resources. If private investors are unwilling to absorb this debt, central and commercial banks may step in, effectively expanding the money supply. Hayes argued that this environment tends to weaken assets dependent on cash flow while supporting Bitcoin and gold.

At the time of his analysis, Bitcoin was trading around 75,000 dollars, marking a weekly gain of about 5 percent and slightly outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

More Than 120 Million Dollars Liquidated in an Hour as Bitcoin Drops After US Jobs Report

Bitcoin’s recent upward momentum came to a sudden halt as the asset faced rejection at 75,000 dollars and quickly fell by about 2,000 dollars within minutes.

The sharp decline followed the release of the latest US jobs report, which delivered stronger than expected data. The US Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims fell by 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 207,000 for the week ending April 11. This came in below market expectations of around 215,000 claims.

Despite the relatively positive data, concerns remain about broader economic conditions. Layoffs are still low, but ongoing tensions involving Iran could be slowing hiring activity. Economist Carl Weinberg noted that rising energy and material costs could eventually pressure companies to cut jobs in order to maintain profit margins, drawing comparisons to delayed effects seen during the 1973 oil crisis.

Shortly after the report was released, Bitcoin dropped from 75,000 dollars to around 73,200 dollars before recovering slightly to about 73,700 dollars.

Liquidations Surge as Market Reacts

The sudden price movement triggered a wave of liquidations across the market, with altcoins experiencing similar declines. In just one hour, more than 120 million dollars in positions were liquidated, with long positions making up the majority.

Over a 24 hour period, total liquidations have climbed to approximately 350 million dollars. Nearly 140,000 traders were affected during this time, highlighting the scale of the market reaction.

The largest single liquidation occurred on Binance and was valued at nearly 10 million dollars, underscoring the intensity of the selloff.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Justin Sun Criticizes WLFI Proposal Over Alleged Coercive Governance Practices

Justin Sun has strongly criticized a governance proposal introduced by World Liberty Financial, a project linked to Donald Trump, describing it as one of the most questionable governance schemes he has encountered.

In a post on X, Sun argued that the proposal, which WLFI presents as a governance alignment signal and long term commitment mechanism, effectively punishes participants who vote against it by locking their tokens indefinitely. He explained that this setup creates a coercive environment where dissenting voters face consequences without any clear path to unlock their assets.

Concerns Over Voting Restrictions and Centralized Control

Sun also raised concerns about the integrity of the voting process, claiming that certain stakeholders, including himself, have been excluded. Despite holding roughly 4 percent of the voting power, he said his tokens have been frozen, preventing him from participating. He added that other major holders face similar restrictions, while the project team retains the ability to freeze tokens, effectively controlling who can vote and influencing the outcome.

He compared the process to a controlled system where participation is limited to approved individuals, arguing that this undermines the legitimacy of the vote. According to Sun, the governance structure is further compromised by the control of smart contracts, which he said are managed by a small group of anonymous actors through a multisignature setup and a separate guardian account with the power to blacklist addresses.

This level of control, he argued, contradicts the principles of decentralized governance, as decision making authority appears to rest with unidentified individuals rather than the broader community. Sun described the system as resembling a dictatorship disguised as a decentralized autonomous organization.

Proposal Details and Token Impact

The proposal from World Liberty Financial involves changes affecting more than 62 billion WLFI tokens. It suggests that 45.23 billion tokens held by advisors, institutions, partners, founders, and team members would be subject to a two year waiting period followed by a three year gradual release schedule for those who opt in. It also includes a plan to burn 10 percent of tokens, potentially removing up to 4.52 billion tokens permanently.

For early supporters, 17.04 billion locked tokens would transition into a two year waiting period and a two year gradual release without any token burn. Those who choose not to accept the new terms would have their tokens remain locked indefinitely under existing conditions. WLFI stated that these measures are intended to strengthen long term participation and reduce circulating supply.

Additional Red Flags Highlighted

Sun’s remarks follow earlier concerns he raised about hidden control mechanisms within the project. He pointed to an anonymous wallet and a small group of individuals who allegedly have the authority to freeze user funds.

These claims are based on on chain analysis supported by blockchain researcher banteg, who noted that WLFI token contracts were modified over time to include features such as a blacklist function. According to the findings, these updates allow certain addresses to restrict or reallocate tokens, including a mechanism designed to recover funds lost to scams.

Sun, who has invested 75 million dollars into WLFI and is its largest backer, stated that he was not informed about these controls. He also claimed that a single external account has the power to freeze any holder’s assets, raising further concerns about transparency and decentralization within the project.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Remains 40 Percent Below Peak as S&P 500 Hits New Record

Bitcoin’s subdued reaction to easing tensions in the Middle East stands in sharp contrast to the rapid recovery seen in the stock market.

The S&P 500 closed at a new all time high of 7,022 on April 15, fully rebounding from losses tied to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran within just a few weeks. In comparison, Bitcoin has shown limited movement, with on chain analyst Darkfost noting that the divergence between the two assets has reached its longest stretch of weak correlation since 2020.

Stocks Surge While Bitcoin Trails Far Below Its Peak

According to Darkfost, the S&P 500’s latest rally came as tensions between the US and Iran began to ease, with markets already anticipating a resolution following a wave of diplomatic efforts. Additional support came from March core PPI data, which came in at 0.1 percent, significantly lower than February’s 0.3 percent and below expectations, suggesting that the US economy remains largely shielded from inflation driven by energy costs.

In contrast, Bitcoin has not experienced the same boost. The asset is currently trading near 75,000 dollars, which is about 40 percent below its all time high of more than 126,000 dollars reached in October 2025. This gap has remained in place for several months.

Darkfost explained that this prolonged period of weak correlation, or even decoupling, from traditional indices is the longest observed since 2020. While Bitcoin often moves in line with major indices such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, it can still follow its own internal market dynamics, leading to periods of divergence.

The S&P 500 has risen in 10 of the last 11 trading sessions, gaining more than 10 percent during that time. The pace of this recovery has been unusually fast. Data from Quantifiable Edges highlighted that the index moved from a 100 day low to a 200 day closing high in just 11 days, a feat never previously recorded, with the closest comparison being 12 days in October 2014.

Despite Bitcoin’s slower performance, Tom Lee of Fundstrat stated during an appearance on CNBC that he expects cryptocurrencies to lead the next phase of the market rally alongside major technology stocks. He pointed out that many investors remain on the sidelines, which could create further upside potential rather than limiting gains.

Bitcoin Approaches Key Technical Turning Point

Bitcoin’s current price action adds another dimension to the divergence. Analyst Ali Martinez noted that the asset is once again testing its 100 day simple moving average as resistance for the third time in six months.

The first test in October last year resulted in a 30 percent rejection, with the price falling from around 116,000 dollars to 80,000 dollars. The second attempt in January led to a 39 percent decline, pushing Bitcoin from about 97,000 dollars down to roughly 60,000 dollars.

A third rejection at this level could signal a major structural breakdown, potentially forming a triple top pattern and sending Bitcoin back toward its yearly low near 60,000 dollars. However, a successful breakout above the 100 day moving average could pave the way for a move toward the 80,000 to 84,000 dollar range.#crypto#cryptonewshttps://coinsignals.nethttps://t.me/coinsignalpublic

XRP Leads Large Cap Altcoins as Bitcoin Faces Resistance Near 75,000

SIREN has climbed back into the top 100 altcoins after an impressive 16 percent surge, while DOT has gained more than 10 percent over the past day.

Bitcoin’s price moved above 75,000 dollars earlier today before sellers pushed it lower by roughly 1,000 dollars. Meanwhile, most large cap altcoins delivered stronger performances, with XRP standing out as the top gainer among them.

Bitcoin Pulls Back After Testing 75,000

The leading cryptocurrency reached a local high close to 74,000 dollars on Saturday morning following a relatively optimistic week influenced by developments in the US Iran situation, where a ceasefire announcement supported market sentiment. However, the collapse of peace discussions over the weekend triggered a sharp correction that sent Bitcoin below 70,500 dollars.

Despite this decline, Bitcoin managed to hold the 70,000 dollar support level and surged again at the start of the business week after reports suggested both sides would continue working toward a lasting agreement. The price climbed to 74,800 dollars on Tuesday morning and later jumped to a monthly high of 76,000 dollars.

That level acted as resistance, pushing the price back below 74,000 dollars on Wednesday. A renewed upward move in the past 12 hours lifted Bitcoin to 75,500 dollars, but another rejection followed, bringing the price down by about 1,000 dollars.

Bitcoin’s market capitalization has now dropped slightly below 1.5 trillion dollars, while its dominance over altcoins remains above 57 percent.

Altcoins Record Strong Gains Across the Board

XRP posted the most notable gain among large cap altcoins, rising by 4 percent to reach 1.40 dollars. SOL and DOGE also recorded gains among the top 10 assets, while HYPE and ADA delivered even stronger performances within the top 20.

Other cryptocurrencies including BCH, LINK, XLM, LTC, and AVAX are also trading higher. Ethereum continues to hold above 2,300 dollars after a modest increase, while BNB remains above 620 dollars.

Several altcoins such as PEPE, DOT, NEAR, ICP, and AAVE have each gained more than 5 percent. SIREN has reentered the top 100 after a sharp 16 percent rally.

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has increased by more than 40 billion dollars since yesterday’s low and now stands above 2.61 trillion dollars.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Exchange Activity Points to Strong Accumulation Trend

Bitcoin has been steadily moving away from centralized crypto exchanges, signaling that investors are accumulating and holding their assets for the long term.

According to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost, exchange outflows have continued for the past two months, with several days showing only withdrawals, a trend described as remarkable. Since early March, the average monthly exchange flow has turned negative and now sits at minus 1,640 BTC.

This pattern reflects a growing accumulation trend that has been building over recent months. When Bitcoin leaves exchanges in this way, it is typically an indication that investors intend to hold rather than sell. Sustained behavior like this points to a broader structural shift rather than occasional transfers, making it a notably positive signal for the market.

Rising Inflows Signal Possible Short Term Selling Pressure

Despite the accumulation trend, CryptoQuant observed a contrasting development when Bitcoin approached the 75,000 dollar resistance level. Exchange inflows surged, with roughly 11,000 BTC per hour moving onto exchanges, marking the highest level since December 2025 and surpassing the spike seen in March that came before a market pullback.

This movement suggests that large holders may be preparing to sell into market strength, increasing the likelihood of short term selling pressure. Additionally, the average Bitcoin deposit to exchanges climbed to 2.25 BTC, the highest daily level since July 2024.

The surge was largely driven by significant transfers exceeding 1,000 BTC into Binance, confirming that the activity came from large holders rather than retail investors. Historically, this type of pattern has often been followed by extended selling pressure and price corrections.

Glassnode also noted in its latest on chain report that Bitcoin is trading about 5.2 percent below the True Market Mean of 78,100 dollars, which remains an important resistance level in the near term. Although the price has not yet managed to break and hold above this threshold, there is still a strong संभावना of a move toward or even beyond it in the medium term.

Bitcoin Price Outlook Remains Uncertain Near Resistance

Bitcoin reached an intraday high of 75,200 dollars during late Wednesday trading before slipping back to around 74,500 dollars. It later attempted to reclaim the 75,000 dollar level during Thursday morning trading in Asia.

The asset is currently trading near the top of a ten week range and continues to face strong resistance in this region. However, analyst Ted Pillows believes Bitcoin has broken out of a seven month downtrend and could make one final push toward the 77,000 to 78,000 dollar range. He cautions that this may be followed by a decline to new lows in the second quarter of 2026.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.nethttps://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Bitcoin Developers Propose BIP 361 to Protect Legacy Addresses From Quantum Risk

A group led by Jameson Lopp alongside five other contributors has introduced a proposal aimed at freezing Bitcoin addresses that could be vulnerable to future quantum computing attacks.

The plan reflects rising concern within the Bitcoin community that advances in quantum technology may eventually undermine the cryptographic security that protects the network today.

Gradual Shift Toward Safer Wallet Standards

In a GitHub post published on Tuesday, the developers outlined a three stage transition plan under Proposal BIP 361 to phase out older wallet formats considered less secure.

The proposal builds on earlier work from February under BIP 360, which suggested a soft fork introducing a new output type called Pay to Merkle Root. This design would remove exposure points in Bitcoin addresses that currently reveal public keys and increase vulnerability.

Under the first stage of the new plan, users would no longer be able to send Bitcoin to older address formats considered at risk from quantum attacks. The goal is to encourage migration toward updated wallet systems.

The second stage, expected two years later, would impose a stricter rule. Wallets still using outdated signature methods would lose the ability to send Bitcoin entirely, effectively locking inactive users out of spending until they upgrade.

A possible third stage is also being discussed. It would allow users to recover funds after missing earlier deadlines, although this remains under review and requires broader agreement from the Bitcoin community.

Implications for the Bitcoin Network

Research estimates suggest that quantum computers could pose a real threat to Bitcoin’s cryptography between 2027 and 2030. Analysts also believe that around 34 percent of all Bitcoin supply may already be exposed to this risk due to older address types.

The proposal warns that a quantum attack might not be immediately detectable, allowing attackers to quietly exploit vulnerable addresses. Because of this, developers argue that waiting until the threat becomes active would be too dangerous.

They also highlight potential benefits of a coordinated upgrade. A network wide transition could strengthen long term security, reduce uncertainty, and improve resilience against future attacks.

Another key advantage is the introduction of a clear timeline that would help wallets, exchanges, and institutions prepare in advance rather than reacting during a crisis.

Some organizations are already exploring quantum resistant solutions. For example, Blockstream research division recently reported successful transactions on a Bitcoin sidechain using post quantum cryptography.

Developers also note that if a large portion of Bitcoin supply becomes permanently inaccessible, overall scarcity could increase. At the same time, they believe such a shift could encourage more careful management of digital assets by users.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic

Crypto.com Expands Reach Through High Roller Deal and UFC Partnership

Crypto.com has announced two major partnerships that extend its presence in both regulated financial markets and global sports entertainment, highlighting its push toward wider mainstream adoption.

The agreements, revealed on April 11 and April 14, 2026, show the company’s continued focus on regulatory compliance while expanding brand visibility across high profile industries.

Expansion Into U.S. Derivatives Through High Roller Partnership

Crypto.com has entered into a partnership with High Roller Technologies to distribute event based prediction contracts in the United States.

Under the arrangement, High Roller will operate as a registered intermediary within a framework supervised by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It will connect users to a futures commission merchant operated by Crypto.com, allowing access to contracts linked to financial markets, sports outcomes, and entertainment events.

Company representatives said the partnership followed months of preparation involving product development and regulatory coordination. They also highlighted that the structure positions High Roller early in a market segment that could grow to more than one trillion dollars annually.

UFC Freedom 250 Sponsorship Deal

In a separate agreement, Crypto.com will serve as a co presenting sponsor for UFC Freedom 250, scheduled for June 14, 2026. The event will be held at the White House as part of celebrations marking 250 years of the United States, making it the first UFC event hosted at that venue.

As part of the sponsorship, Crypto.com plans to contribute a one million dollar bonus pool for selected fighters, in addition to the standard performance bonuses already provided by the promotion.

The partnership builds on a relationship that began in 2021, when Crypto.com became the official fight kit sponsor of Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The event will be broadcast in the United States on Paramount+. The fight card is set to include a lightweight title matchup between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, along with a co main event featuring Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.nethttps://t.me/coinsignalpublic