Coinbase set to acquire crypto derivatives giant Deribit in $2.9 billion deal, WSJ reports

  • Deribit currently operates under a full license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
  • This regulatory license enables the platform to legally offer crypto derivatives trading to institutional and qualified investors.
  • Transferring the license to Coinbase would require regulatory approval, potentially delaying the finalization of the deal.

Coinbase is acquiring Deribit—a leading crypto options and futures exchange—for approximately $2.9 billion, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The acquisition, if finalized, would mark the largest in Coinbase’s history and significantly accelerate its push into the fast-growing derivatives market, which accounts for the bulk of daily crypto trading volume globally.

The deal is said to involve a combination of cash and Coinbase stock, with negotiations reportedly entering their final phase after months of deliberation.

Deribit’s robust presence in the crypto derivatives sector, having processed around $1.2 trillion in trading volume in 2024 alone, makes it a prime target for Coinbase’s global expansion strategy.

Coinbase-Deribit deal

Deribit currently operates under a full license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which it secured after relocating its base from Panama in late 2024.

This regulatory license enables the platform to legally offer crypto derivatives trading to institutional and qualified investors.

However, transferring the license to Coinbase would require regulatory approval, potentially delaying the finalization of the deal.

Coinbase has been gradually expanding its presence in the derivatives space.

Its acquisition of FairX enabled the launch of CFTC-regulated futures products in the US, while the creation of Coinbase International Exchange allowed for perpetual futures trading outside the American market.

However, its derivatives volume still trails offshore competitors—something the Deribit acquisition is expected to change.

The timing of the deal aligns with growing optimism around US crypto regulation.

Bloomberg reported in March that Coinbase’s move comes amid encouraging policy signals from Washington, suggesting a shift toward clearer regulatory frameworks.

Industry peers like Kraken have also acted on this momentum, acquiring futures broker NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion earlier this year.

Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers had previously stated that the company was not officially for sale, though its dominant market position had attracted interest from multiple potential buyers.

As of early May, sources indicate that most deal terms have been finalized, with only regulatory hurdles remaining before closure.

If approved, the acquisition will not only enhance Coinbase’s derivatives liquidity but also give it access to a licensed offshore exchange catering to institutional traders, potentially transforming the company’s global trading capabilities.

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DeFi Development Corp shares have surged 1,700% in just a few weeks: here’s why

  • Share count will increase from 2 million to 14 million.
  • Firm rebranded from Janover Inc., now trades as DFDV.
  • Acquired validator business with 500,000 SOL stake.

DeFi Development Corp., formerly known as Janover Inc., is executing a 7-for-1 stock split on May 20, expanding its outstanding shares from 2 million to over 14 million.

The move follows a dramatic pivot into the Solana blockchain, which has triggered a staggering 1,700% rally in its share price over just one month.

The company, now trading under the ticker DFDV on Nasdaq, has rebranded and restructured its business model around crypto infrastructure.

It says the split will improve liquidity and make its shares more accessible to investors as it scales its decentralised operations across the blockchain sector and validator economy.

Solana pivot drives market surge

The Florida-based real estate software firm entered the digital asset space in April with a treasury strategy focused on long-term Solana accumulation.

Shortly after, it rebranded to DeFi Development Corp. to signal a permanent shift toward blockchain assets and operations.

The firm’s Nasdaq-listed shares, which had traded modestly under Janover, exploded in value following this announcement.

Although DFDV fell 3% on Wednesday to close at $79.31, the pullback came after a surge that saw its share price soar more than 1,700% in a matter of weeks.

The company stated on X that the split is designed to enhance liquidity and broaden accessibility for investors interested in decentralised infrastructure projects.

Its recent performance has drawn considerable attention from both institutional and retail market participants.

Validator buyout and SOL reserves

DeFi Dev Corp. has strengthened its Solana focus through two major steps: acquiring a validator business with 500,000 SOL in delegated stake, and purchasing over 400,000 SOL tokens, valued at around $58 million.

The $3.5 million validator deal, paid largely in restricted stock, was announced one day before the company disclosed the additional SOL purchase.

The validator acquisition gives DeFi Dev Corp. access to native cash flow within the Solana protocol, while the token accumulation solidifies its balance sheet as heavily weighted toward crypto assets.

Combined, the company now holds more than 900,000 SOL, worth close to $130 million at current market rates.

Executives noted that the validator infrastructure deepens the company’s alignment with decentralised protocols and adds recurring revenue through staking rewards. It also serves as a strategic hedge against future volatility in traditional capital markets.

Stock split to boost accessibility

Shareholders of record as of May 19 will receive six additional shares for each one they hold.

While the split increases the number of shares in circulation to over 14 million, the company confirmed its authorised share capital remains unchanged.

Although the stock split does not affect the company’s market cap, it is often used to increase trading volume and attract retail interest.

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Altcoins signal bullish breakout as Bitcoin nears $100K milestone

  • ETH targets $3,200 after breaking trendlines.
  • SOL eyes $230 range with bullish setup.
  • DOGE rises past $0.18 as retail interest grows.

A major shift is unfolding in the cryptocurrency market as Bitcoin edges closer to the $100,000 psychological mark, prompting renewed attention towards altcoins.

With Bitcoin dominance starting to decline, market participants are observing a wave of bullish technical signals across major altcoins.

Coins like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) are leading what analysts believe may be the early stages of an extended altcoin breakout cycle.

The shift comes after months of sideways movement in both Bitcoin and alternative digital assets.

Traders are interpreting recent consolidations in key altcoins as signs of accumulation.

With bullish chart patterns now forming across higher timeframes, the setup for a widespread breakout appears to be strengthening.

Bitcoin rally triggers altcoin interest

Bitcoin’s steady climb has captured global headlines, but under the surface, a quieter transition is taking place.

Market watchers are noting a drop in Bitcoin dominance — the measure of Bitcoin’s share in the total crypto market capitalisation — indicating that capital is rotating into the altcoin sector.

This development aligns with patterns seen in previous cycles, where Bitcoin rallies first and is followed by outsized gains in smaller-cap cryptocurrencies.

As a result, several major tokens are now attempting to break above long-term resistance levels that have been intact since the last bull run.

ETH, SOL, DOGE show price strength

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, has broken above key trendlines and is now targeting the $3,200 zone.

The move is supported by technical indicators pointing to increasing momentum and volume accumulation.

Solana (SOL), which has recovered strongly since the end of 2024, is now targeting the $220–$230 range.

After bouncing from major support zones, SOL has formed an inverse head and shoulders pattern on the daily chart, suggesting a sustained upward push.

Meanwhile, Dogecoin (DOGE), one of the most-watched memecoins, has climbed above $0.18, a key resistance level from its early 2024 highs.

DOGE’s rise is backed by rising social media interest and increased retail trading volume, both considered indicators of speculative momentum.

NEAR, KAS, ADA in breakout zones

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) and Kaspa (KAS) are also flashing bullish setups.

NEAR has broken out of a months-long consolidation and is showing signs of institutional interest.

Technical analysis reveals a breakout from a symmetrical triangle, which often precedes a strong continuation move.

Kaspa (KAS), known for its blockDAG technology and high transaction throughput, is forming a classic bull flag.

If confirmed, the pattern could point to a rapid price acceleration from current levels.

Cardano (ADA) and Sonic (S) are similarly exhibiting accumulation patterns.

ADA is currently testing upper trendlines, while Sonic recently completed a successful retest and breakout.

These moves suggest that altcoins are now attempting to recover a significant portion of their bear market losses, with analysts pointing to the potential for 100–250% rallies, should sentiment hold and Bitcoin remain above critical levels.

Technicals support a bullish cycle

The latest altcoin rally is not merely speculative. It is backed by technical confirmation on higher timeframes, including weekly charts.

Patterns such as the cup and handle and inverse head and shoulders have formed across several major tokens, a common feature during the early stages of bullish cycles.

The broader implication is that altcoins could retrace around 60% of their previous losses if market momentum continues to improve.

With Bitcoin approaching the $100K mark, this shift in liquidity towards altcoins could mark the beginning of a fresh wave of capital inflows into the broader crypto market.

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Stellar gains ground in RWA market, but 80% XLM supply held by few stirs concern

  • Stellar ranks third in RWA tokenisation market by value.
  • Exchange balances on Binance grow to 1 billion XLM.
  • Active wallets reach 9.5 million, growing by 5,000 daily.

Stellar (XLM) is navigating a complex landscape in 2025.

While the blockchain network continues to gain traction as a real-world asset (RWA) hub, concerns around centralisation and potential market manipulation are also intensifying.

Stellar has recorded an 84% rise in RWA-linked value this year, surpassing $500 million.

However, with nearly 80% of XLM supply controlled by just ten wallets, analysts warn of volatility risks if large holders move to sell.

Meanwhile, daily wallet growth and rising exchange balances suggest expanding adoption but also potential sell pressure.

As institutional products integrate with Stellar and retail participation climbs, investors remain split on whether the current distribution model can support long-term price stability without triggering major corrections.

XLM supply is controlled by top wallets

The top 10 wallets hold around 25 billion XLM out of a total of 30.9 billion in circulation, equating to roughly 80% of the available token supply.

Source: CoinMarketCap

This significant imbalance raises questions about decentralisation and network resilience.

In contrast, 90% of holders reportedly own fewer than 100 XLM, giving them little influence over market trends.

Such concentration could have serious implications for XLM’s price stability.

If a small number of holders were to liquidate significant volumes, the market could face sharp corrections.

The risk is further amplified by rising exchange balances, with XLM held on Binance growing from 180 million in late 2023 to 1 billion by May 2025, according to stellar expert.

This increase points to higher trading interest, but also the possibility of mounting sell pressure.

RWA tokenisation pushes XLM adoption

Despite supply concerns, Stellar has made clear inroads into the tokenisation of real-world assets — a sector drawing institutional capital and crypto-native investment in 2025.

Stellar currently ranks as the third-largest protocol by RWA market capitalisation, trailing only Ethereum and ZKsync Era.

Institutional-grade products like the Franklin Templeton OnChain US Government Money Fund, valued at $497 million, and Circle’s USDC stablecoin with $345 million on the Stellar chain, have helped push the total RWA value on Stellar to over $500 million.

This is up from $275 million in January, marking an 84% increase within five months.

Such growth signals that more traditional financial institutions are considering Stellar as an alternative to Ethereum for tokenized assets.

Faster transactions and lower costs remain key attractions.

On-chain growth supports the adoption trend

The XLM network has also shown strong user base expansion. Stellar’s active accounts grew from 7.2 million in 2023 to 9.5 million by May 2025.

This represents an average addition of about 5,000 wallet addresses daily. The growth helps counterbalance the impact of concentrated holdings, as demand rises across a broadening user base.

This daily activity reflects more than speculative trading.

It suggests growing confidence in Stellar’s long-term utility, particularly in the RWA sector.

While increased circulating supply often raises concerns about dilution or dumping, in Stellar’s case, it appears aligned with deliberate expansion strategies aimed at onboarding more institutional and retail users.

Market remains divided on centralisation risks

While Stellar’s RWA integrations and active user growth highlight ongoing demand, the risk associated with token concentration cannot be overlooked.

If the top holders — or “whales” — choose to exit positions, price shocks are likely.

However, if network development continues alongside strategic RWA partnerships, the Stellar blockchain could retain and grow its niche within the broader crypto asset ecosystem.

Although Stellar’s fundamentals appear strong, investors are likely to remain cautious until the network addresses its centralisation risks.

Efforts to increase token distribution, improve governance, or introduce staking mechanisms may help mitigate future volatility.

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Meme coins swing wildly as Zerebro, Fartcoin, and Lofi diverge

  • Developer-linked wallet sold $1.27M worth of ZEREBRO tokens.
  • Fartcoin struggles to hold key support after recent rally.
  • Technical charts suggest further swings are likely across tokens.

The meme coin market is experiencing heightened volatility, with projects like Zerebro, Fartcoin, and Lofi all moving sharply in opposite directions.

Zerebro (ZEREBRO) has plunged over 22% this week following a series of developments involving its developer, Jeffy Yu, including a staged death hoax and a large-scale token dump.

Meanwhile, Fartcoin is undergoing a correction after briefly touching a $1 billion market cap.

In contrast, Lofi has emerged as a breakout performer in the SUI ecosystem, soaring over 321% in the past 30 days and gaining significant investor traction.

The divergence reflects growing speculation and risk across meme coin trading desks.

Zerebro developer hoax triggers $1.27M token dump

Zerebro (ZEREBRO), which launched in November 2024 with a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, has seen its value tumble after a controversial episode involving its creator.

A token named $LLJEFFY was introduced on May 4, accompanied by a blog post from developer Jeffy Yu.

Days later, a fake obituary was posted on Legacy.com, and both Jeffy’s and Zerebro’s official X accounts were deleted, fuelling rumours of his death.

The situation escalated when crypto figure Daniele Sesta publicly claimed that Yu was alive, later presenting proof. Jeffy then confirmed he had faked his death in an attempt to escape mounting online harassment.

Notably, on-chain data from Lookonchain revealed that a wallet connected to Yu sold 35.55 million ZEREBRO tokens, worth approximately $1.27 million, just 11 hours before the hoax was exposed.

ZEREBRO’s price has since declined to around $0.035 as it approaches a potential death cross on technical charts.

A further drop below the $0.025 support could send it down to $0.0189.

Source: CoinMarketCap

However, if sentiment improves, the token may retest resistance at $0.041 and potentially reach $0.054 or $0.066.

Fartcoin loses steam after hitting $1 billion valuation

Fartcoin, once a trending meme coin, is currently under pressure.

After reaching a peak valuation of $1 billion, the token has entered a correction phase.

While it still retains a significant market cap, the price has dropped back toward key technical levels.

If current losses continue, Fartcoin could fall to support at $0.944.

A breach of this level may lead to further declines toward $0.797 or $0.717.

On the upside, a recovery could target resistance at $1.06, and surpassing that may open the door to $1.20 or even $1.28.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The decline coincides with lower social media mentions and a decrease in meme trading volume, suggesting waning enthusiasm compared to its peak.

Lofi outperforms with a 321% rise in 30 days

LOFI, which launched in December 2024, has emerged as a top performer within the SUI meme coin ecosystem.

With a circulating and maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, LOFI currently holds a market cap of $31.95 million.

It posted a 13% gain in the past 24 hours and is up 321% over the last month.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The token’s price is currently approaching resistance at $0.042. If the uptrend holds, LOFI could rally to $0.0546.

On the downside, support lies at $0.025, and a break below this level may trigger a correction to $0.0228.

Lofi’s rapid rise positions it as a major contender within the SUI ecosystem, where dominance is still up for grabs.

The momentum suggests that traders are rotating capital into newer meme coins with perceived growth potential.

Market sentiment remains mixed amid rising volatility

The divergent performances of ZEREBRO, Fartcoin, and LOFI reflect a broader theme of unpredictability in the meme coin space.

While developer drama can erode investor trust, as seen with ZEREBRO, strong technical momentum and ecosystem hype, like in the case of LOFI, can still draw in substantial capital.

As retail traders and speculators continue to chase high-risk, high-reward tokens, meme coins remain one of the most volatile segments of the crypto market.

Short-term sentiment, community engagement, and social media narratives continue to exert disproportionate influence on prices.

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