Arbitrum (ARB) Transactions Outpace Bitcoin, At The Cost of Sky-high Fees: Collateral Network (COLT) Presale Sees Rapidly Rising Demand

Despite a 6.46% price decline in the past week, Arbitrum (ARB) trading volume continues to rise and reached $1.7 billion on April 18.

Arbitrum (ARB) is the latest cryptocurrency to hit the headlines after its daily trading volume surpassed Bitcoin (BTC). The Layer 2 scaling solution has quickly become an international sensation, with an increase of 16.66% in the last month. Meanwhile, the Collateral Network (COLT) presale has seen a 40% price jump.

Arbitrum (ARB) Daily Trading Volume Exceeds $1 Billion

Arbitrum (ARB) is rapidly moving up the list of top cryptocurrencies after large increases in trading volume and a price surge that has driven ARB to $1.41. Despite a 6.46% price drop over the past week, Arbitrum (ARB) trading volume continues to rise, reaching $1.7 billion on April 18.

During its recent price spikes, Arbitrum (ARB) has outperformed many of the major cryptocurrencies in the market, including Solana (SOL) and Dogecoin (DOGE), which have declined 3.87% and 9.80%, respectively, in the last week. Despite recently declining 4.85%, Arbitrum (ARB) trading volume continues to rise, with crypto whales doubling their investments.

Collateral Network (COLT) Presale Demand Surges

With Arbitrum (ARB) potentially facing a market correction in the coming weeks, investors are diversifying their portfolios with Collateral Network (COLT), which has seen a large influx of buyers during April. Since its pre-sale began in February, the Collateral Network (COLT) has increased its price by 40%, with one COLT token currently priced at $0.014. The tokens are expected to rise in price to $0.0168, once 120,000,000 tokens have been sold, increasing returns for early investors to 68%.

In addition to great returns, the Collateral Network (COLT) is designed as a market disruptor for the crowdfunding industry. The platform allows people to unlock the liquidity of their physical assets by minting them on-chain as asset-backed NFTs. Once on-chain, each NFT is fractioned so that multiple investors/lenders can provide a percentage of the loan instead of the full payment all at once.

Investors are incentivized to lend cryptocurrencies with lucrative interest rates that allow them to generate passive income. Alternatively, investors can stake COLT tokens to generate income. Collateral Network (COLT) currently only accepts high-value assets, including diamonds, vintage cards, fine art, fine wine, real estate, and collectibles.

To keep borrowers safe, all transactions are completely private, and all NFT data is kept on the Blockchain to make it irrefutable. On average, borrowers can pay off assets in 24 hours and their credit rating will never be affected by the loans they take against their assets.

To end up, it is worth considering that while Arbitrum (ARB) appears to be falling in value, Collateral Network (COLT) is on its way to becoming the next big thing on the market. Showing huge potential and yields of 3500%, experts predict the project will ramp up in the next six months.

By Audy Castaneda

Next Week’s Main Macro Events: A Turning Point for the Crypto Market

As investors gear up for the week ahead, the anticipation of upcoming macro events is fueling volatility and creating an electrifying atmosphere in the crypto sphere.

As April is drawing to a close, market participants are eagerly awaiting a new week filled with a series of potentially shocking macro events. From central bank interest rate decisions to the release of crucial economic data, these events could have a significant impact on the stock and crypto markets.

In recent days, the crypto market has seen dramatic fluctuations amid concerns about possible interest rate hikes in the coming week. However, the picture quickly changed when the collapse of the First Republic Bank sent ripples through the market.

US Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision (May 2nd and 3rd)

As the Federal Reserve continues on its path of monetary policy normalization, the potential impact of interest rate hikes on the crypto market has become a topic of intense debate. Next week, the US Federal Reserve will convene for a pivotal meeting where voting on possible interest rate hikes will take center stage.

The highly anticipated FOMC meeting will take place on May 2-3, culminating in Fed Chairman Powell’s decision announcement on May 3. Market participants eagerly await the likely outcome (a 25 basis point rate hike) in this crucial May FOMC event. Subsequently, the Federal Reserve is anticipated to halt its rate-raising trajectory, beginning with the FOMC meeting on June 13-14.

Therefore, an increase in interest rates can significantly sink the cryptocurrency market and strengthen the dollar. Furthermore, the global crypto market capitalization may witness a massive sell-off by investors.

ECB Monetary Policy (May 4th)

The European Central Bank (ECB) plays a key role in shaping the economic landscape of the Eurozone through its decisions on monetary policy and interest rates. As the crypto market continues to interact with traditional financial systems, the potential influence of ECB policy on digital assets becomes increasingly relevant.

As the European Central Bank prepares for its next meeting on May 4, it may be forced to enact another interest rate hike if inflation persists following the economic forecasts set out in March. In anticipation of ECB moves, market projections suggest a 25 basis point increase for the 3% deposit rate during the May 4 meeting, followed by a further 25 basis point increase in mid-2023.

US Nonfarm Payroll (May 5th)

A crucial indicator of the nation’s economic health, the US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report provides information on the change in the number of people employed, excluding the agricultural sector. A strong NFP report generally increases market confidence and encourages risk-taking, while a weaker-than-expected report can trigger risk aversion.

US Unemployment Rate (May 5th)

In March, the US economy added jobs at a strong pace, bringing the unemployment number down to 3.5%. This trend indicates lasting rigidity in the labor market. More robust growth on May 5 may affect the strength of the US dollar, as better-than-expected labor market data may lead to a stronger dollar. Since cryptocurrencies are often priced in USD, fluctuations in the value of the dollar can affect cryptocurrency prices.

By Audy Castaneda

What are the Threats of an Artificial Intelligence “Digital God”?

The idea of ​​an AI Digital God raises concerns about privacy, surveillance, economic disruption, and concentration of power. Ethical dilemmas and decision-making are critical challenges associated with highly advanced AI systems. Government and industry must collaborate to regulate the development of AI, ensuring that AI technology is used responsibly and ethically.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various industries and improved countless aspects of daily life. However, as AI systems advance, concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with the so-called “digital God of AI.”

Many industry leaders have spoken about the dark side of artificial intelligence and the potential threats that a highly advanced AI system could pose to humanity.

It is relevant to define what a Digital God is: it is an omnipotent and highly advanced AI system that could potentially control or influence various aspects of human life. Such a concept has recently gained ground. Prominent figures like Elon Musk and Sundar Pichai have discussed the potential risks of creating an AI system with godlike capabilities.

Potential Threats Posed by a Digital AI God

First, there is the loss of privacy and surveillance, one of the biggest concerns associated with an AI digital God. Advanced AI systems can analyze large amounts of data. Additionally, personal information could be at risk of being monitored and exploited, resulting in a loss of individual privacy. Additionally, AI-powered surveillance technologies such as facial recognition and data analytics have raised questions about privacy rights and potential abuse.

These concerns will only intensify as artificial intelligence systems become more powerful and ubiquitous. Society must find ways to balance the benefits of AI-driven innovation with the preservation of privacy and individual freedom.

Second, unemployment and economic disruption, are two aspects that are already reshaping the labor market. Automation and machine learning are replacing human labor in various industries.

The creation of an AI Digital God could exacerbate this trend. Consequently, it leads to widespread unemployment and economic disruption, as machines outperform humans at numerous tasks.

In addition to displacing jobs, an AI Digital God could increase income inequality. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that more than 60% of Americans believe that AI will have a significant impact on the workforce in the next two decades. Meanwhile, 28% of the participants feel that artificial intelligence will profoundly influence their personal lives.

Last but not least, there is the risk of excessive concentration of power, since as control of advanced AI systems becomes centralized, these entities could exercise excessive influence over society.

Ethical Dilemmas and Decision Making

Advanced artificial intelligence systems like AI Digital God could face complex ethical dilemmas when making decisions that affect human life. As these systems become more influential, there is a risk that they will not align with human values ​​or moral principles.

One approach to address this problem is to design AI ethics frameworks that guide the development and implementation of AI systems. Another aspect of the ethical development of AI is to encourage public participation and education.

In light of the above, the role of governments and regulatory bodies in shaping the development and deployment of artificial intelligence is critical. Furthermore, governments should invest in research and development of AI technology. They must ensure that the benefits of AI innovation are widely accessible to all. This includes supporting educational initiatives and workforce development programs that equip people with the skills to thrive in an AI-driven world.

By Audy Castaneda

Bitcoin Mining Deployment in Argentina Allows Bitfarms to Reach 5/ EHs

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Bitcoin mining companies’ infrastructure deployment continues thanks to high BTC prices in 2023. In this case, Argentina-based Bitfarms exponentially increased its hashing power with the expansion of its center in the South American country. Now, the company reaches a new record in block processing capacity.

It should be noted that by the middle of next year, the halving of the Bitcoin network will take place. The latter is an automatic event aimed at creating a scarcity of the digital currency and thereby triggering long-term valuation. To achieve this, the network halves the rewards it gives to miners for each valid block of transactions processed.

Relationship between Halving and the Deployment of Bitcoin Mining Companies

The fact that halving halves the rewards to miners is a cause for anxiety for that industry. In that regard, Bitcoin mining companies are looking to increase the deployment of their capacity to ensure stable revenues after the cut. Some companies such as CleanSpark and Marathon have been working on that at an accelerated pace.

Attending to the possible contexts that await it, the company’s expansion allowed its computing power to reach 5 EH/s this Thursday. The Rio Cuarto, Cordoba (Argentina) farm now has more mining equipment and allowing the company to increase its revenues. Like other mining groups, it takes advantage of high BTC prices to invest in its own production.

It should not be lost of sight the fact that the Bitcoin mining deployment has time against it. This is because the crypto winter of 2022 turned out to be a lost year in which not only was there no capacity for expansion, but many companies went bankrupt. The fact that the total Bitcoin hashrate increased last year does not mean that all companies were able to grow.

6 EH/s by the End of the Year

Bitcoin mining company’s management assures that they are working hard to keep up the pace of expansion of their operations. “This moment of excitement is a reflection of the hard work of our teams over the past two years, resulting in the largest, most advanced, and lowest cost facility we have,” said Geoff Morphy, CEO of the company.

Next, the entrepreneur noted that the goal by the end of 2023 is to reach 6 EH/S. “With our new miner purchases and new expansion opportunities, we expect our farm in Argentina to be a major growth driver in the coming months as we move toward our year-end goal of 6.0 EH/s.”

Jeff Lucas, who is CFO of the company, highlighted the goodness of the South American country for the business. He said that low energy prices allow for increased return capacity on these ASIC investments.

As such, the deployment of Bitfarms’ Bitcoin mining equipment in Argentina becomes one of the group’s main bets. “The farm in Argentina is a key component of our strategy to control costs and maintain our average cost of Bitcoin mined,” he noted. He then highlighted that the expansion also significantly increases gross revenues for this company founded in 2017.

By Marina Meza

Solana [SOL] Witness Steady Growth as Positive Developments Stimulate Ecosystem

On a weekly basis, SOL rose 9.14%, driven by numerous positive developments in the ecosystem. Interest in SOL in the derivatives market increased, reflected in a strong increase in open interest.

Solana [SOL] was one of the top gainers in the crypto market right now, posting a 24-hour gain of 3.29%, according to CoinMarketCap. On a weekly basis, the coin rose 9.14%, buoyed by numerous positive developments in the ecosystem.

One of the biggest was the helium migration. [HNT] to the Solana mainnet, marking one of the biggest transitions in the history of the decentralized network.  Besides, the launch of the first-of-its-kind real-time carbon emissions tracking portal also added bullish momentum to SOL. The positive momentum could continue for longer as another important partnership is forged.

It’s a ‘Master’ Deal

Payment giant Mastercard announced an alliance with major Blockchain companies, including Solana, to create a new set of standards, dubbed the Crypto Credential. Through an official statement, Mastercard said that Crypto Credential will build an industry-wide set of standards and infrastructure to ensure trusted interactions between customers and businesses using Blockchain networks.

The payments company added that the new set of standards will also provide the necessary enabling technology to help bring more use cases to life. On April 28, Mastercard tweeted the following:

“At Consensus23, we announced how we are instilling trust in the Blockchain ecosystem through Mastercard Crypto Credential. With crypto wallet providers Bit2Me_Global, LiriumAG, MercadoBitcoin, and UpholdInc and public Blockchain network organizations AptosLabs, avalabsofficial, 0xPolygonLabs, SolanaFndn, we’re collaborating to enhance verification in NFTs, ticketing, enterprise, and other payments solutions.”

Deciphering Solana’s Chain Activity

News of the collaboration showed immediate results as the number of active users on the Solana network increased by 4% in the last 24 hours, according to Token Terminal. Although, it should be noted that on a weekly basis, the user base has contracted by 9%.

However, user growth did not provide a significant boost to transaction volume. This led to the transaction fees collected on the network decreasing by 0.8% in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, NFT activity has picked up speed over the past week. NFT sales worth more than $28 million were settled on-chain, representing a marginal increase of 0.41%, CryptoSlam data revealed. There was a strong increase in the number of buyers and sellers, increasing by 43.92% and 26.29% respectively.

A possible explanation for the increase could be the recent release of the ChatGPT plugin, which allows users to purchase NFTs through the ChatGPT UI.

Demand for SOL Derivatives Soars

Interest in SOL in the derivatives market increased, reflected in a sharp rise in open interest (OI), Coinglass data showed. SOL’s OI rose 13.54% over the last 24 hours to reach $295.56 million at press time.

The OI has risen 22% over the last week and, combined with the price increase, signaled bullish momentum.

By Audy Castaneda

Bitcoin (BTC) and Polygon (MATIC) price forecast for May 2023

April was an interesting month for the cryptocurrency market, characterized by high volatility, new yearly highs, and a sharp drop. BeInCrypto shares a Bitcoin (BTC) and Polygon (MATIC) price forecast for May 2023.

The month is coming to an end and volatility has almost completely dissipated, however, May could bring excitement back to the cryptocurrency market.

Below are the biggest predictions for May, related to Bitcoin, Polygon, and the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin (BTC) price will reach its first bearish monthly close in 2023

Bitcoin price has created three successive bullish monthly candlestick closes. Unless the price closes below $28.476 in the last two days of April, the monthly candle will also be bullish, leading to the fourth such consecutive candle.

However, the future viewpoint for May does not look so positive. The main reason for this is the negative reaction to the $31,000 horizontal resistance area.

While the BTC price initially moved above this area, it was sharply rejected, initiating a short-term decline. The area is crucial as it has intermittently acted as support and resistance since early 2021, according to a BTC/USD – monthly chart published by TradingView.

In addition, the weekly relative strength index (RSI) looks ripe for rejection. Traders use the RSI as a momentum indicator to assess whether a market is overbought or oversold and to determine whether to accumulate or sell an asset.

If the BTC price reaches a close above the $31,000 resistance area, it will invalidate this bearish forecast and could trigger a rally to $42,000.

Bitcoin’s dominance rate (BTCD) will decline sharply.

The bitcoin dominance rate (BTCD) shows the ratio of Bitcoin’s market capitalization to the rest of the cryptocurrency market. A BTCD value of 48.50% means that 48.50% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization comes from Bitcoin.

Although BTCD is close to a new yearly high, it shows several bearish signs. First, it created a shooting star candle on the weekly time frame.

A shooting star is a type of bearish candlestick that is characterized by a long upper wick and a bearish close. It means that the upside move could not be sustained and sellers pushed the price down below the opening of the period.

Below, the weekly RSI is overbought. The last time there was this overbought was in early 2021, preceding a very sharp drop. Then, the BTCD is likely to decline to 42%. This forecast will not be valid for a weekly close above the 48% resistance area. In that case, BTCD could move to 62%.

Polygon’s price forecast: MATIC will fall out of the Top 10

Looking at the altcoins in May, the price predictions do not favor Polygon (MATIC). MATIC is currently ranked among the top 10 cryptocurrencies based on market capitalization and has been in the top 10 for a long period of time.

However, the price action is showing several bearish signals suggesting that the next few months will not be positive for the MATIC token price. The main reason for this is the fact that the cryptocurrency is trading slightly below the support line of a long-term ascending parallel channel.

Such channels usually contain corrective patterns, which means that an eventual breakout is the most likely scenario. If one occurs, Polygon’s price could fall toward the $0.75 support area and potentially break below June 2022 low at $0.32, shown in a Polygon (MATIC) Price Long-Term MATIC/USDT – Weekly Chart issued by TradingView.

A close above the support line will invalidate this bearish forecast. In that case, MATIC’s price may move towards the mid-channel line at $1.45.

By Marina Meza