Kategorie: Bitcoin News

Bitcoin news about the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain and its crypto ecosystem.

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Arbitrum freezes 30K ETH in KelpDAO hack as attacker routes funds to Bitcoin

  • Arbitrum froze 30,766 ETH before it could be bridged out.
  • Attacker moved 75,701 ETH and began routing funds to Bitcoin.
  • Over $176 million is being laundered through multiple parallel flows.

Arbitrum has frozen a significant portion of funds linked to the KelpDAO exploit, even as the attacker moves to push the remaining assets beyond reach.

The Arbitrum Security Council confirmed it froze 30,766 ETH, valued at over $70 million at the time of action.

The funds were tied to an address associated with the KelpDAO attacker and were secured before they could be bridged out of the network.

The intervention came after coordination with law enforcement, suggesting authorities may already have leads on the exploiter’s identity.

A race against time

Blockchain investigators, including PeckShield, had flagged that the attacker was already attempting to move the funds off Arbitrum using a native bridge.

Had that transfer been completed, the ETH would likely have joined a much larger pool of stolen assets already in circulation across other chains.

By intervening when it did, Arbitrum prevented roughly 29% of the stolen funds from entering the laundering pipeline. However, the remaining assets were not as fortunate.

The KelpDAO exploit itself is estimated at around $290 million, making it one of the largest decentralized finance breaches of 2026.

The attacker moved quickly after the initial exploit, splitting funds across multiple wallets and chains in an effort to reduce traceability.

Laundering shifts to Bitcoin

Following the freeze, the attacker accelerated efforts to move the remaining funds.

Data shows that approximately 75,701 ETH, worth about $175 million, was transferred to Ethereum mainnet.

From there, the funds began moving into Bitcoin through decentralized protocols like THORChain, Chainflip, and Umbra Cash, which allow direct cross-chain swaps without relying on centralized exchanges.

PeckShield analysts observed that the attacker left only about 0.7 ETH in some wallets, just enough to cover transaction fees, while draining the rest into new routes.

This pattern reflects a high level of operational discipline and planning.

Another $176 million portion of the stolen funds has also been actively moved in parallel transactions.

Rather than laundering everything in a single flow, the attacker appears to be running multiple streams at once.

This staggered approach reduces the risk of a single point of failure and makes recovery efforts more difficult.

Is the infamous North Korea’s Lazarus Group linked to the KelpDAO exploit?

The scale and coordination of the operation have led investigators to link the exploit to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, specifically a subgroup known as TraderTraitor.

This attribution is based on transaction patterns and laundering techniques that match previous operations tied to the group.

Lazarus has a long history of targeting crypto platforms and using complex cross-chain strategies to obscure stolen funds.

The use of decentralized bridges and rapid asset conversion seen in the KelpDAO case fits that pattern closely.

The post Arbitrum freezes 30K ETH in KelpDAO hack as attacker routes funds to Bitcoin appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin stalls near $66K: is a bigger drop coming this week?

  • Bitcoin price tests $65,000 support amid oversold conditions and weak momentum.
  • Rising US real yields and oil prices weigh on short-term buying pressure.
  • Traders should watch the $68,400 resistance and $65,100 support for the next moves.

Bitcoin (BTC) is showing signs of short-term fatigue as it navigates a tricky market environment.

After failing to break above resistance near $68,400, BTC has retreated toward critical support between $65,600 and $65,100.

The cryptocurrency is now hovering in a delicate range, where technical oversold signals clash with potent macroeconomic pressures.

Technical analysis

The seven-day RSI currently sits at 32.37, suggesting that Bitcoin is nearly oversold.

Bitcoin price chart

This level often indicates a potential bounce, but the market has yet to show sustained buying strength. Short-term momentum is fragile, with price action struggling to maintain levels above $66,000.

Even though buyers have defended the $65,600 band so far, a break below $65,100 could signal a deeper correction.

Resistance remains firmly in place at $68,400, and attempts to push past it have been met with immediate selling. Traders should closely watch the $68,000–$68,500 zone, as it represents the ceiling for any short-term recovery attempts.

In this range-bound setup, the market is consolidating rather than trending decisively.

The macro headwinds shaping Bitcoin price movements

Bitcoin’s short-term struggles are compounded by external pressures.

Rising real yields, especially on 10-year TIPS in the United States, have increased the appeal of government bonds over risk assets like BTC.

As a result, investors seeking yield are diverting capital toward these safer instruments, leaving Bitcoin with weaker demand.

At the same time, WTI crude oil prices have surged past $103 per barrel and Brent crude oil prices have hit $114, adding another layer of market uncertainty.

Energy-driven inflationary concerns make the broader financial environment more cautious, further dampening appetite for speculative assets.

Adding to the pressure, a $2.2 billion payout by the FTX Recovery Trust to FTX creditors is scheduled for March 31, 2026.

Recipients may choose to liquidate portions of their holdings, which could add temporary selling pressure and keep BTC range-bound.

Even large buyers, often referred to as whales, are active but appear to be accumulating cautiously below $70,000.

This cautious accumulation suggests that institutional players are positioning for the long term but are unwilling to push aggressively at current levels.

What traders should expect this week?

Short-term momentum is still weak, so any bounce is likely to be contained unless macro conditions improve.

Overall, Bitcoin is at a crossroads, balancing oversold technical conditions against persistent bear pressures from rates, oil prices, and potential selling catalysts.

Traders should monitor the $65,100 level closely, as a decisive hold here would support consolidation between $65,100 and $68,000.

A break below this band could open the door to a further decline toward $63,000 or lower.

On the upside, sustained moves above $68,400–$68,500 would be required to challenge resistance near $70,000.

The post Bitcoin stalls near $66K: is a bigger drop coming this week? appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin price drops below $70,000 after Iran truce buzz, Network Activity weakens

  • Bitcoin price falls below $70,000 as network activity weakens.
  • Declining transactions and addresses signal lower demand.
  • Key support is at $69,400, while resistance stands near $71,600.

Bitcoin price today hit a daily low of $69,914.54 after soaring above $71,000 at the start of the week, following news of a truce proposal to Iran by US President Donald Trump.

The sudden pullback has pushed Bitcoin back below the $70,000 level, a psychological zone that traders often watch closely for signs of strength or weakness.

This decline did not happen in isolation, as the underlying data suggests that the broader network is also losing momentum.

Bitcoin Network Activity signals weakening demand

Recent on-chain data shows that Bitcoin’s Network Activity Index continues to trend downward, pointing to a steady cooling in user participation.

This index tracks a combination of key metrics that together reveal how actively the network is being used daily.

Among these metrics are active addresses, which measure how many unique participants are sending or receiving Bitcoin.

A decline in active addresses often signals reduced interest or engagement from both retail users and larger players.

Transaction counts have also softened, indicating that fewer transfers are taking place across the network.

This drop in transaction activity suggests that demand for block space is easing, which usually aligns with quieter market conditions.

Another important indicator, the UTXO count, reflects how coins are being distributed and reused, and its slowdown points to less frequent movement of funds.

Block data, including the number of bytes per block, further confirms that network usage is not as intense as it was during more active periods.

Taken together, these signals paint a clear picture of declining demand rather than temporary disruption.

The BTC price struggles mirror on-chain weakness

The recent dip below $70,000 appears to be more than just a reaction to short-term news or macro headlines.

Instead, it reflects a broader lack of strong buying pressure needed to sustain higher price levels.

Even though Bitcoin managed to climb earlier in the week, the rally lacked the support of rising network activity.

This disconnect between price and usage often leads to corrections, as the market struggles to justify higher valuations.

Short-term performance data also shows mild losses across multiple timeframes, reinforcing the idea that momentum is fading.

While the market has not entered a sharp sell-off, the gradual decline suggests a slow shift in sentiment.

Investors seem to be taking a more cautious approach, with fewer participants actively entering the market.

At the same time, existing holders appear less willing to move their coins, contributing to the drop in transactional activity.

The key Bitcoin price levels to watch in the coming days

Bitcoin is now approaching a critical zone where price action in the coming days could define its short-term direction.

Notably, most technical indicators are leaning bearish, with Bitcoin trading below major exponential moving averages on the daily chart.

Bitcoin price analysis

This positioning suggests that the broader trend remains under pressure unless the price can reclaim key moving averages.

Currently, the most important level to watch is $69,423, which now acts as immediate support for the market.

If this support holds, it could allow Bitcoin to regain strength and attempt a push toward the first major resistance at $71,645.

If buyers manage to break above $71,645, momentum may build toward the next resistance level at $73,687.

A stronger rally could then open the door for a test of $75,930, which stands as the third key resistance level in the current structure.

On the downside, failure to hold above $69,423 would weaken the current structure and expose Bitcoin to further losses.

In that scenario, analysts note that the next support would be $67,167.

The news to watch

From a macro perspective, traders should closely watch the upcoming inflation data, particularly the PCE print expected early next month.

A softer reading below 2.8% could support risk assets and provide Bitcoin with a chance to recover.

On the other hand, a higher-than-expected figure above 3% may add pressure and push prices lower.

The post Bitcoin price drops below $70,000 after Iran truce buzz, Network Activity weakens appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin back above $71K: is this rebound real or a bull trap?

  • Bitcoin price rebounds above $71,000 amid cautious market sentiment.
  • Exchange outflows suggest long-term accumulation by investors.
  • Geopolitical signals and Bitcoin transfers shape near-term trends.

Bitcoin has bounced back above $71,000 after a week of mixed signals in the market.

The move comes as investors closely watch geopolitical developments, particularly efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.

Notably, a peace proposal between the United States and Iran has sparked cautious optimism, lifting risk assets and sending Bitcoin higher.

Despite the rebound, sentiment remains cautious, with the Fear & Greed Index at 35, signalling that investors are still in the “Fear” zone.

This suggests that while the price has recovered, many market participants are hesitant to commit fully, waiting for clearer direction.

Exchange outflows signal an accumulation phase

Recent on-chain data shows that more bitcoins have been leaving crypto exchanges than entering them.

This trend is often interpreted as a sign of accumulation.

Investors appear to be moving coins into private wallets for long-term holding rather than selling immediately.

The persistent outflows indicate confidence in Bitcoin’s fundamentals and a willingness to weather short-term price swings.

This accumulation behaviour can help reduce selling pressure in the market.

When coins leave exchanges, fewer are available for immediate trading, which often supports the price even during periods of uncertainty.

Bhutan Government moves $37 BTC

Adding another layer to the market dynamic, the Royal Government of Bhutan recently moved roughly $37 million worth of Bitcoin from government-controlled wallets, according to Arkham Intelligence data.

Analysts see this as a structured transfer rather than a sudden liquidation, suggesting careful treasury management.

While the exact motives are not fully public, such large-scale movements highlight that governments and large holders can influence liquidity.

These actions can affect market psychology, especially when combined with broader investor accumulation trends.

Bitcoin price forecast for the coming days

Overall, the market is in a consolidation phase, seeking a catalyst to define the next sustained move.

Exchange outflows, government movements, and geopolitical developments are all factors that could influence the next direction.

The recent Bitcoin price movements suggest that it may have recently hit bottom around $67,500, even though the broader picture is still uncertain.

But whether the current recovery signals a true bottom or just a temporary rebound remains to be seen, although the combination of accumulation behaviour, controlled government movements, and cautious optimism on geopolitical developments has created an environment where Bitcoin can maintain support and potentially build momentum.

A daily close above $73,000 could signal strength and potentially push the price toward $75,000, according to analysts.

Conversely, a break below $70,000 might prompt a retest of $67,500 support, marking a critical line for short-term investors.

The post Bitcoin back above $71K: is this rebound real or a bull trap? appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin price outlook: Citigroup predicts $112K despite regulatory roadblocks

  • Citigroup forecasts Bitcoin at $112,000 despite slow US crypto legislation.
  • Bitcoin price ranges show cautious momentum with potential volatility ahead.
  • Institutional demand remains key amid regulatory uncertainty.

Bitcoin has been steadily climbing over the past week, with its price now sitting around $74,000.

This marks a 6.5% increase over the last seven days, showing renewed momentum after several months of sideways movement.

Citigroup, in its latest update, adjusted its 12-month price forecast for Bitcoin to $112,000, from its previous target of around $143,000.

Citi’s move reflects a cautious optimism shaped by both market dynamics and regulatory developments.

Regulatory headwinds weigh heavily

One of the main reasons for Citigroup’s revised forecast is the slow progress on US cryptocurrency legislation. Lawmakers have yet to finalize clear rules on key issues like stablecoins and decentralized finance.

This lack of clarity is affecting institutional adoption.

Investment firms and hedge funds are hesitant to increase exposure without clear regulatory guidance. The window for passing meaningful crypto laws in the Senate is narrowing.

Internal political divisions are slowing the process further.

Without these legislative catalysts, the market may continue to trade in ranges despite overall optimism.

Citigroup notes that this legislative uncertainty could act as a ceiling for Bitcoin in the near term. Even with strong demand from retail and institutional investors, clear rules are needed to support sustained growth.

What traders should watch out for

Ethereum, Bitcoin’s closest competitor, is also experiencing slower growth due to similar challenges.

Citigroup lowered Ethereum’s 12-month target to $3,175, down from over $4,000. Both cryptocurrencies are influenced by network activity and investor demand, which have shown signs of weakening.

Currently, Bitcoin is trading within a 24-hour range of $73,500 to $74,800, showing relatively stable momentum.

Over the past week, it has moved between $69,000 and $75,600, indicating that volatility is still present.

Citigroup outlines several potential scenarios for Bitcoin’s trajectory. In a bear case, a broader economic downturn or continued regulatory delays could push the price toward $58,000.

On the other hand, strong investor interest and institutional flows could drive it up to $165,000.

These scenarios suggest a wide range of outcomes, highlighting the risks and opportunities for traders.

Even in the base case, Bitcoin is expected to trade around $112,000 within 12 months if adoption trends continue and market confidence improves.

This makes it an attractive, though still volatile, asset for those looking to participate in the cryptocurrency market.

The road ahead is clearly influenced by policy decisions, investor sentiment, and market activity, and traders will need to watch for both regulatory developments and demand signals to navigate this landscape successfully.

The post Bitcoin price outlook: Citigroup predicts $112K despite regulatory roadblocks appeared first on CoinJournal.