Western Union CEO hints at Solana-based stablecoin USDPT launch in May

  • The USDPT stablecoin will run on Solana and be issued via Anchorage Digital.
  • Launch is planned for May 2026 after final rollout preparations.
  • Western Union links crypto wallets to its global cash network.

The Western Union CEO, during the Western Union’s first-quarter earnings discussion, announced that the company is moving closer to launching its dollar-backed stablecoin USDPT on the Solana blockchain, with a rollout targeted for May 2026.

The update comes after months of internal development around Western Union’s broader digital asset strategy, which aims to combine blockchain settlement with its long-established global cash transfer network.

USDPT moves from concept to near launch

USDPT, short for US Dollar Payment Token, is a fully dollar-backed stablecoin designed to operate on the Solana network.

The token will be issued through Anchorage Digital Bank, a federally regulated crypto institution in the United States.

This structure places regulatory oversight at the centre of the project, while still allowing blockchain-based settlement.

According to details shared by Western Union, the stablecoin will be integrated into a newly developed system known as the Digital Asset Network.

This network will connect crypto wallets, exchanges, and digital platforms directly to Western Union’s physical cash-out infrastructure, which spans more than 200 countries and hundreds of thousands of agent locations worldwide.

The system is designed to allow users to move between digital dollars and physical cash without relying on traditional banking intermediaries.

Users will be able to send USDPT on-chain and withdraw local currency at Western Union locations.

Solana chosen for speed and scale

Solana has been selected as the underlying blockchain for USDPT due to its high throughput and low transaction costs.

The network can process thousands of transactions per second, with settlement times measured in seconds.

This aligns with Western Union’s requirement for high-volume remittance flows.

Notably, Western Union processes millions of cross-border transactions annually, many of which involve small-value transfers.

The company has highlighted that traditional settlement systems often take several days and rely on multiple intermediary banks, while, in contrast, USDPT on Solana is expected to reduce settlement time to near-instant execution while lowering operational costs.

Anchorage Digital Bank will handle issuance and custody, ensuring that each USDPT token remains fully backed by US dollar reserves under regulated standards.

Launch timeline set for May 2026

While earlier guidance placed the rollout within the first half of 2026, the latest update narrows the timeline to May 2026.

The project is described as being in its final preparation phase, with technical integration and network testing underway.

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Hyperliquid price forecast: HYPE holds above $40 as leverage builds

TL;DR

  • Hyperliquid (HYPE) holds near $42 with a bullish structure above $40.
  • The bullish structure is supported by rising futures Open Interest and positive funding rates. 

Hyperliquid (HYPE) trades above $42 on Monday, sustaining its upward trajectory from an ascending trendline. 

While the broader trend remains constructive, signs of cooling retail interest contrast with a steady buildup in leveraged positions, creating a mixed near-term outlook for the decentralized exchange token.

Retail momentum fades as social dominance drops

Retail-driven momentum appears to be weakening. Data from Santiment shows Hyperliquid’s social dominance has declined sharply to 0.137%, down from 0.688% at the height of the US-Iran conflict in late March. 

The drop suggests reduced retail attention as geopolitical tensions ease, removing a key narrative driver that previously fueled speculative interest in the DEX.

In contrast, derivatives activity is heating up. According to CoinGlass, HYPE futures Open Interest (OI) has climbed roughly 3% over the past 24 hours to $1.65 billion, signaling an increase in outstanding leveraged positions.

Funding rates remain positive at 0.0077%, indicating that long positions continue to dominate. This persistent positive funding over the past month reflects growing bullish conviction among leveraged traders, even as spot-driven retail enthusiasm cools.

HYPE price outlook: Rising wedge puts $40 support in focus

The HYPE/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient as HYPE is consolidating within a rising wedge.

The token remains supported above both its 50-day EMA at $38.98 and 200-day EMA at $34.90, reinforcing the underlying bullish structure.

Momentum indicators suggest steady but controlled upside. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 56, pointing to positive but not overbought conditions, while the MACD is trending higher toward a bullish crossover, hinting at fading downside pressure.

If the bulls push higher, they would encounter immediate resistance at the $43.71 level, which caps the current recovery and aligns with the upper wedge boundary near $46.80. A decisive break above this zone could trigger a stronger bullish continuation.

However, if the market undergoes a correction, the ascending trendline support near $41.21 remains critical. 

HYPE/USD 4H Chart

A breakdown below this level would likely expose the 50-day EMA at $38.98, with the 200-day EMA at $34.90 acting as a deeper demand zone if selling pressure intensifies.

While Hyperliquid’s structure remains bullish above $40, the divergence between fading retail interest and rising leverage suggests the next move could be determined by whether momentum expands or reduces.

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Bitcoin’s rally stalls below $80k: Check forecast

TL;DR

  • BTC briefly touched the $79k level during the late hours of Sunday.
  • US-listed spot BTC ETFs recorded inflows of over $820 million last week, marking the fourth straight week of positive flows.

Bitcoin (BTC) edges slightly lower on Monday, trading around $77,873 after securing its fourth consecutive weekly gain since late March. Despite the mild pullback, the broader bullish structure remains intact, underpinned by steady institutional demand. 

However, as BTC approaches the critical $80,000 resistance zone, rising geopolitical uncertainty tied to US-Iran tensions and the Strait of Hormuz is tempering near-term risk appetite.

Institutional demand remains a key factor

Institutional flows continue to provide strong support for Bitcoin’s upward trajectory. According to SoSoValue data, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $823.7 million in net inflows last week, following $996.38 million the week prior. 

This marks four straight weeks of positive inflows, reinforcing sustained institutional interest. If the trend persists or accelerates, it could fuel another leg higher for BTC in the near term.
While fundamentals remain supportive, macro uncertainty is capping momentum. Reports suggest Iran has submitted a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the current ceasefire, aiming to move toward a longer-term resolution. However, the outcome remains uncertain. 

US President Donald Trump reportedly dismissed the proposal as insufficient, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected negotiations under pressure. This backdrop has dampened risk sentiment, prompting a pause in Bitcoin’s recent rally.

Bitcoin price outlook: Bullish bias intact despite resistance

The BTC/USD 4-hour chart remains bearish and efficient. Technically, Bitcoin maintains a constructive outlook despite facing rejection near $80,000. Last week’s 6% gain pushed BTC above the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level at $78,490, a key resistance zone. 

A sustained move higher could see BTC retest $80,000, with further upside targeting the 200-week EMA at $82,488.

Momentum indicators support the bullish case. On the 4-hour chart, the RSI sits at 54, above the neutral territory, signaling weakening bearish pressure. Meanwhile, the MACD shows a bullish crossover from mid-April, with a rising histogram reinforcing upside potential.

On the upside, immediate resistance lies at $78,962 (50% retracement), followed by the psychological $80,000 level. A breakout above this zone could open the door toward $83,437 (61.8% retracement) and $84,410.

BTC/USD 4H Chart

However, if the bears regain control, initial support sits near $75,680, followed closely by the 100-day EMA at $75,619 and the 38.2% retracement at $74,487. 

A deeper pullback could test the 50-day EMA at $73,363, with further support at $68,950 and the lower channel boundary near $63,033, ahead of the major structural floor at $60,000.

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Monero (XMR) eyes $400 amid positive derivatives data

Key takeaways

  • XMR is trading above $380 on Friday, after over 3% rebound from the 200-day EMA on the previous day.
  • The positive derivatives data could push XMR’s price above $400. 

Monero (XMR) is trading around $380 on Friday, showing a mild retracement after a 3% gain the previous day. The privacy coin is steadily regaining demand in the derivatives market, as traders anticipate further upside amid a broader market risk-on phase

Monero derivatives signal strong retail sentiment

Monero has continued its recovery since the early February sell-off, with growing retail demand for its derivatives. 

According to CoinGlass data, the XMR futures Open Interest (OI) has risen to $139.39 million, up from $109.94 million on February 7, reflecting renewed investor confidence. 

Furthermore, the OI-weighted funding rate remains positive at 0.0093%, indicating a persistent preference for holding long positions at a premium.

The positive derivatives data indicate that buyers are starting to enter the Monero market. This could push XMR’s price higher in the near to medium term. 

Technical outlook: Can Monero surge to $400?

The XMR/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient, but the structure could flip bullish if Monero continues with its rally. 

Currently, XMR is holding above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $351 and the 200-day EMA at $364.

The 4-hour chart reveals a rising channel pattern, signaling a constructive market structure.  The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 61 and a positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) above its signal line support sustained upside momentum.

On the upside, immediate resistance is at $400, aligning with the Inducement Liquidity (ILQ) created on February 4. A breakout above this level could push Monero towards the 50% retracement level at $470, above the 4-hour TLQ level. 

XMR/USD 4H Chart

However, if the bears regain control, support is found at the 200-day EMA at $364, followed by the 50-day EMA at $351. 

A deeper pullback below the rising support trendline at $330 would signal a more significant shift in the current constructive outlook.

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Cardano (ADA) faces bearish pressure as whales reduce exposure

Key takeaways

  • ADA is trading below key resistance zones, signaling a bearish near-term bias and limiting recovery attempts.
  • Whales are reducing their exposure to ADA, which could lead to further price decline. 

Cardano (ADA) continues to trade under pressure, hovering below $0.250 on Friday as price action remains subdued beneath key resistance zones. 

On-chain data from Santiment indicates that certain whale wallets have begun reducing their holdings, adding to selling pressure.

Whales reduce exposure amid shifting accumulation trends

Santiment’s Supply Distribution data points to a weakening outlook for Cardano as large-wallet investors adjust their positions. Whales holding between 100,000 and 1 million ADA and 1 million–10 million ADA have collectively offloaded around 80 million tokens since April 19.

Furthermore, wallets in the 10 million–100 million ADA range have accumulated approximately 60 million ADA over the same period. 

This divergence suggests a rotation in holdings: mid-sized whales are selling, while larger entities are absorbing supply. Such behavior often reflects distribution at elevated levels, increasing short-term downside risk.

Cardano’s derivatives data present a mixed outlook with a slight bearish tilt. CoinGlass data shows open interest falling to $444 million on Friday, down from $490 million on April 18. This indicates declining trader participation and weakening speculative demand.

Additionally, ADA’s long-to-short ratio stands at 0.80, its lowest level in over a month. A ratio below 1 indicates bearish positioning, with more traders expecting price declines.

Despite that, the funding rate paints a bullish narrative. The OI-weighted funding rate turned positive on Thursday and currently sits at 0.0076%, suggesting that long positions are paying shorts—often interpreted as a mild bullish signal.

Cardano price outlook: bears continue to halt recovery

The ADA/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient as Cardano remains technically weak, trading below $0.250. 

The coin is facing immediate resistance at the 50-day EMA of $0.258, followed by $0.269 (23.6% Fibonacci retracement) and the 100-day EMA at $0.294.

Momentum indicators remain neutral. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 51, while the MACD is flat just above zero, indicating a lack of strong directional conviction.

If the bearish trend persists, immediate support is found at $0.245. A breakdown below this level could expose ADA to further losses toward $0.220, a key prior-cycle support zone.

ADA/USD 4H Chart

However, if the bulls regain control and close above the $0.258 resistance, it would be the first sign of recovery strength, potentially opening the path toward $0.269 and higher resistance levels near $0.294 and $0.299. 

An extended bullish reversal would require a move above $0.323 and eventually toward the 200-day EMA near $0.383.

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