Archive

April 28, 2025

Browsing

Nutritional Growth Solutions Limited (ASX:NGS) (‘NGS’ or ‘the Company’), is pleased to announce that it has received binding commitments for the issue of 1,000,000 convertible notes (Placement CNs), to be issued at $1.00 each (CN Placement).

HIGHLIGHTS

  • NGS has secured commitments of A$1.0 million under a placement of convertible notes.
  • Each investor who is issued with ordinary shares on conversion of the convertible notes will be issued with one option for each fully paid ordinary share that is issued on conversion of the convertible notes, with that issuance of options to take place on the same date as the ordinary share issuance date. This is expected to be within 10 business days of NGS shareholders approving that issuance of options including for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1. These options will be exercisable on a 1:1 basis into fully paid ordinary shares in NGS at an exercise price of $0.04 per option, and will expire 3 years following their issue date if they have not been exercised during that 3 year period.
  • The placement of convertible notes was supported by Australian sophisticated and professional investors.
  • Funds raised from the placement of convertible notes will be used to purchase inventory for retail expansion in CVS and Wakefern, as well as working capital and corporate expenses.

The offer of the Placement CNs was made to sophisticated and professional investors in Australia and successfully closed, achieving binding commitments of A$1.0 million.

Stephen Turner, NGS CEO and Managing Director, commented on the CN Placement:

“We are very pleased with the strong support shown by investors in this placement, which provides important growth capital to support our retail expansion into leading U.S. retailers, including CVS and Wakefern. We would like to thank our shareholders for their ongoing support as we execute our growth strategy and build on the momentum from our recent distribution achievements.”

The conversion of the convertible notes into fully paid ordinary shares in NGS will take place at a price of between A$0.03 and A$0.025 per ordinary share within 10 business days of NGS shareholders approving their conversion including for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1. NGS expects to convene a general meeting of its shareholders to consider whether to approve the conversion of the convertible notes into fully paid ordinary shares in NGS and whether to approve the issuance of options within the next few weeks.

Until the convertible notes are converted into ordinary shares or redeemed, they bear interest which is payable quarterly in arrear at either 10% per annum (if the holder of the convertible notes elects not to receive ordinary shares in NGS in lieu of cash interest), or 15% per annum (if the holder of the convertible notes elects to receive ordinary shares in NGS in lieu of cash interest). Issuance of ordinary shares in NGS in lieu of cash interest is subject to NGS being in compliance with the ASX Listing Rules. If the convertible notes have not been converted by the date that is 2 years after their issue date, they will be redeemed by NGS at their issue price.

Each investor who is issued with ordinary shares on conversion of the convertible notes will be issued with one option for each fully paid ordinary share that is issued on conversion of the convertible notes, with that issuance of options to take place on the same date as the ordinary share issuance date. This is expected to be within 10 business days of NGS shareholders approving that issuance of options including for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1. These options will be exercisable on a 1:1 basis into fully paid ordinary shares in NGS at an exercise price of $0.04 per option, and will expire 3 years following their issue date if they have not been exercised during that 3 year period (the CN Holder Options). Quotation of the CN Holder Options on the ASX will be sought.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the issue of the convertible notes are planned to be used in the following areas:

LEAD MANAGER OPTIONS

The Company engaged GBA Capital Pty Ltd (AFSL 544680) to act as lead manager for the CN Placement (Lead Manager).

Under the terms of the mandate with the Lead Manager, the Lead Manager will be issued with 30% of the number of CN Holder Options (the Lead Manager Options). The Lead Manager Options will be exercisable on a 1:1 basis into fully paid ordinary shares in NGS at an exercise price of $0.04 per Lead Manager Option. The Lead Manager Options will expire 3 years following their issue date if they have not been exercised during that 3 year period.

The Lead Manager Options will be issued within 10 business days of NGS shareholders approving that issuance including for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.1. NGS expects the Lead Manager Options to be issued at the same time as the issuance of the CN Holder Options. Quotation of the Lead Manager Options on the ASX will be sought.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

The American economy may be heading toward stagflation, an environment characterized by high inflation, slowing growth and rising unemployment, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned earlier this month.

‘Unemployment is likely to go up as the economy slows in all likelihood, and inflation is likely to go up as tariffs find their way and some part of those tariffs come to be paid by the public,’ Powell said during an April 15 appearance in Chicago.

While he was careful not to use the word ‘stagflation,’ experts have pointed out that the circumstances Powell outlined correspond with its definition, thrusting the term back into public discourse.

But what exactly is stagflation, and why is it such a concern for investors? Read on to find out.

What is stagflation?

Stagflation describes the economic scenario where inflation remains high even as economic growth slows and unemployment rises. Stagflation is a rare occurrence, and contradicts the foundational economic belief that inflation typically rises during economic booms and falls during recessions.

The term was coined by British politician Iain Macleod in 1965 and became infamous during the 1970s oil crisis, when a dramatic spike in oil prices triggered both rising costs and shrinking output across much of the global economy.

In simple terms, stagflation means you’re paying more for everything while earning less; at the same time, finding a new job, or even keeping your current one, becomes more difficult.

The misery index, created to measure such bleak periods, adds the unemployment rate to the inflation rate. During the worst of the 1970s, it exceeded 20. As of March 25, 2025, it stood at around 6.6, with inflation at 2.4 percent and unemployment at 4.2 percent. Many economists fear that number could rise quickly if current trends continue.

Why are experts sounding the alarm on stagflation?

A combination of geopolitical shocks, fragile supply chains and new economic policies — particularly a sweeping series of tariffs enacted by the Trump administration — has created a perfect storm, economists say.

The tariffs include a 10 percent universal tax on all imports, up to 25 percent duties on goods from Canada and Mexico and a staggering 245 percent tariff on imports from China. These are not minor adjustments — they are foundational changes to the pricing structure of the US consumer and business marketplace.

‘The level of the tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated,’ Powell said in a written statement from his Chicago appearance that was published on April 16. ‘The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth.’

In other words, the tariffs act as a supply shock: They make it more expensive to bring goods into the country, which businesses pass on to consumers through price hikes. At the same time, higher costs can lead companies to cut back on investment and hiring, slowing the economy and increasing job losses.

“The Trump White House tariff policy has certainly increased the risk of both higher inflation and lower growth,” Brett House, professor of professional practice in economics at Columbia Business School, told CNBC.

To better understand what’s at stake, economists are looking at the 1970s — a decade that was marked by an oil embargo, skyrocketing prices and stagnant economic activity.

In response, then-Fed Chair Paul Volcker aggressively hiked interest rates, with the federal funds rate peaking at nearly 21 percent in 1981. The move ultimately tamed inflation, but plunged the country into two recessions.

That painful cure became the playbook for handling runaway prices, with central banks committing to maintaining credibility and acting decisively, even at the cost of job losses.

“The Fed’s credibility in keeping inflation low and stable, won over decades, kept longer-term inflation expectations stable,” Fed Governor Adriana D. Kugler said in a recent statement.

Still, today’s economic landscape differs from the 1970s in critical ways. The US is no longer as dependent on foreign oil. And labor unions, once a powerful driver of wage spirals, now represent a smaller portion of the workforce.

However, these differences might not offer much protection. While oil prices are less of a concern today, tariff-induced uncertainty could have a similar chilling effect.

How does stagflation impact everyday life?

For most people, stagflation translates into economic whiplash.

Essentially, prices go up, wages don’t keep pace and job security becomes tenuous. According to Forbes, a rising misery index would create a whole new roster of challenges for the everyday person.

To illustrate, people will likely have to spend more to get the same quantity of food, clothes and gas. Employees’ chances of getting laid off or working fewer hours will increase. For recent college graduates, the job market could become especially brutal. For families, the cost of borrowing — whether to buy a home, finance a car or use a credit card — could rise steeply if the Fed chooses to raise interest rates to combat inflation.

Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG, described today’s environment as having a “whiff of stagflation,” where people feel less secure about their financial future, even if the economic statistics haven’t fully caught up to the sentiment.

Is stagflation a certainty?

Not all economists agree that stagflation is inevitable, or that it will reach the same severity as in the 1970s.

Still, concerns are growing. Michael Feroli, JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (NYSE:JPM) chief US economist, issued a warning earlier this month, stating the bank now expects a recession in 2025.

He predicts unemployment will rise to 5.3 percent, while a core measure of inflation will reach 4.4 percent, which he described as a “stagflationary forecast.”

KPMG also projects a shallow recession, with inflation peaking at the end of the third quarter. But even a modest downturn could be painful for vulnerable workers and households already stretched thin by pandemic-era economic disruptions and the fading buffer of savings built up during that time.

What does stagflation mean for investors?

Stagflation presents a complex and often discouraging landscape for investors.

Unlike recessions, where bonds tend to do well as interest rates fall, stagflation often erodes the value of both stocks and bonds. In such periods, equities can suffer from declining corporate profits due to rising input costs, as well as weakening consumer demand, creating varied headwinds for the stock market.

At the same time, high inflation erodes the real value of future earnings, often leading to downward pressure on stock prices, particularly for growth-oriented companies whose valuations depend heavily on projected future cashflow.

Bonds, too, become vulnerable. Inflation eats into the fixed income stream provided by bonds, especially longer-term bonds. As inflation rises, the purchasing power of interest payments declines, and yields on newly issued bonds increase to compensate investors, driving down the market value of existing lower-yield bonds.

This was evident during the 1970s, the last prolonged period of US stagflation. At that time, both the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) and US treasuries experienced prolonged periods of underperformance in real terms.

Gold, on the other hand, surged in value as investors sought assets that could maintain their purchasing power amid inflation and economic uncertainty. The price of gold increased more than 1,000 percent from 1971 to 1980, reflecting its appeal as a hedge during economic stress. Commodities more broadly — such as oil, agricultural products and industrial metals — have historically performed better in stagflationary conditions.

Since commodities prices are a direct input into inflation measures, they tend to rise during inflationary periods, particularly when inflation is driven by supply shocks. For instance, in the 1970s, oil prices quadrupled following the OPEC embargo, delivering significant gains for energy producers and commodity-focused investors.

Still, it’s worth noting that no single asset or strategy is immune to the pressures of stagflation. While diversification, inflation hedging and a focus on quality assets are time-tested approaches, the unique combination of rising prices and faltering growth challenges even seasoned investors.

Investor takeaway

Stagflation is not just an economic term from the past — it may soon be a lived reality for millions and even billions.

With tariffs reshaping trade dynamics in real time, inflation hovering stubbornly above the Fed’s target and job growth showing signs of slowing, the conditions are set for a troubling period ahead.

Whether or not future policymaking can steer the economy away from this outcome remains to be seen. For now, consumers, businesses and investors alike would do well to prepare for the reality that stagflation brings — not just a historical anomaly, but a modern economic threat.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Keep reading…Show less
This post appeared first on investingnews.com

(TheNewswire)

Silver Crown Royalties Inc. ( Cboe: SCRI, OTCQX: SLCRF, BF: QS0 ) ( ‘Silver Crown’ ‘SCRi’ the ‘Corporation’ or the ‘Company’ ) is pleased to announce that the Company has successfully closed the third and final tranche (‘ Final Tranche ‘) of its non-brokered offering of units ( ‘Units’ ) that was previously announced on February 6, 2025 (the ‘Offering’ ) and issued 89,400 Units at a price of C$6.50 per Unit, for gross proceeds of approximately C$581,100

Each Unit consists of one common share ( ‘Common Share’ ) and one Common Share purchase warrant ( ‘Warrant’ ), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$13.00 for a period of three years from the closing date. A total of 232,248 Units were issued in accordance with the Offering for cumulative gross proceeds of C$1,509,615.

The proceeds from the Final Tranche will be used to partially fund the second tranche of the Company’s silver royalty acquisition on the Igor 4 project in Peru, as well as general and administrative expenses. All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The closing was subject to customary conditions, including the approval of Cboe Canada Inc.

Regarding the receipt of payments from the Company’s producing royalties, Silver Crown expects to receive cash payments equivalent to approximately 6,703 ounces of silver in the first quarter of 2025. This is driven by the early payment of the PPX/Igor 4 royalty as well as payments under the Elk Gold Royalty.

ABOUT Silver Crown Royalties INC.

Founded by industry veterans, Silver Crown Royalties ( Cboe: SCRI | OTCQX: SLCRF | BF: QS0 ) is a publicly traded, silver royalty company. Silver Crown (SCRi) currently has four silver royalties of which three are revenue-generating. Its business model presents investors with precious metals exposure that allows for a natural hedge against currency devaluation while minimizing the negative impact of cost inflation associated with production. SCRi endeavors to minimize the economic impact on mining projects while maximizing returns for shareholders. For further information, please contact:

Silver Crown Royalties Inc.

Peter Bures, Chairman and CEO

Telephone: (416) 481-1744

Email: pbures@silvercrownroyalties.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain ‘forward looking statements’ and certain ‘forward-looking information’ as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘continue’, ‘plans’ or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, the proceeds from the Final Tranche will be used to partially fund the second tranche of the Company’s silver royalty acquisition on the Igor 4 project in Peru, as well as general and administrative expenses. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which SCRi will purchase gold and other metals or from which it will receive royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; SCRi’s ability to enter into definitive agreements and close proposed royalty transactions; the inherent uncertainties related to the valuations ascribed by SCRi to its royalty interests; problems inherent to the marketability of gold and other metals; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in interest rates; government entities interpreting existing tax legislation or enacting new tax legislation in a way which adversely affects SCRi; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises on SCRi’s business, operations and financial condition, loss of key employees. SCRi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SCRi undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available.

This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CBOE CANADA DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Ethereum price has underperformed in recent months, sparking criticism from top crypto voices such as Cardano’s founder. Charles Hoksinson. Due to the lack of any meaningful gains, traders are actively seeking the best Ethereum rivals to buy and potentially make 10x returns on investment as the broader market flashes bullish signs.

For context, the Ethereum price is trading at around the same price it was one year back, while Bitcoin has surged by 68%. Crypto trader Naiive also criticised ETH, saying a $10,000 investment made 8 years ago would now be worth $8,000.

ETH/USDT: 1-Week Chart

Amid these bearish headwinds and waning investor confidence, let’s explore the top 5 Ethereum rivals to buy to turn $1K to $10K in May.

Ethereum Rivals to Buy Now For 10x Gains in May

The top Ethereum rivals to buy now for potential 10x returns in May include Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Sui (SUI). These altcoins have not only outperformed Ethereum but also have robust fundamentals and a strong technical outlook, hinting at gains.

Ripple (XRP)

XRP is one of the top Ethereum rivals to buy now amid positive catalysts, including the hype around XRP ETF approvals. At press time, XRP had a higher fully diluted market cap of $232 billion, compared to Ethereum’s $219 billion.

Meanwhile, XRP/ETH is at the highest point in five years after forming a golden cross, indicating that XRP has offered better returns than ETH. Therefore, investors looking to turn $1,000 into $10,000 should consider switching their investment from Ethereum to XRP.

XRP/ETH: 1-Week Chart

Solana (SOL)

One of the top reasons making Solana among the top Ethereum rivals to buy is network growth. Data from DeFillama shows that Solana’s DeFi TVL is approaching the $10 billion milestone, while the stablecoin market cap is at an all-time high.

DeFiLlama

At the same time, SOL has a series of bullish catalysts that could drive a price recovery in the coming months, including potential ETF approvals. If these products are approved, $1,000 worth of Solana could easily grow to $10,000.

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Dogecoin’s rising open interest highlights massive interest in the altcoin, making it among the top Ethereum rivals to buy now. Data from Coinglass shows that Dogecoin’s OI has gradually risen in the last three weeks to $1.9 billion at press time.

Additionally, 71% of traders with open positions on Binance are long on Dogecoin, highlighting a bullish sentiment that this top meme coin will register massive gains. If DOGE bounces higher, traders holding the coin can easily make a 10x return on investment.

DOGE Long/Short Ratio

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano founder Hoskinson is bearish on Ethereum, after recently stating that the altcoin will crash in 15 years. This criticism drew speculation over whether Cardano could be a better investment and one of the top Ethereum rivals to buy.

The technical outlook on the daily price chart shows ADA has bounced from a key demand zone and aims for the next target of $0.93. The rising RSI with a value of 60 further shows the bullish momentum is growing strong and the MACD line has also crossed above the zero line.

ADA/USDT: 1-day Chart

Sui (SUI)

SUI has outperformed the broader crypto market with a staggering 70% gain in the last week alone. Its market cap has also surged to $12 billion, and it might soon enter the ranking for the top ten largest cryptos by market cap.

SUI/USDT: 1-day Chart

SUI is just 28% shy of its all-time high, and as the uptrend strengthens, as highlighted by the AD line, SUI might be poised for a massive uptrend. The AO bars also support a bullish SUI price prediction that the uptrend will continue.

Summary of Top Ethereum Rivals to Buy

Ethereum is underperforming against most cryptos, and traders are actively seeking the top Ethereum rivals to buy to enjoy massive returns. Some of the top altcoins that you can buy to turn $1,000 to $10,000 today are XRP, SOL, ADA, DOGE, and SUI.

The post 5 Ethereum Rivals to Buy to Turn $1K to $10K in May appeared first on CoinGape.

Crypto exchange Coinbase is partnering with Founders Factory, Animoca Brands, and Fabric Ventures to launch a 16-week program supporting blockchain and AI startups. In a recent announcement, the exchange revealed its strategic deal with the UK Venture studio and investment giants to boost crypto and AI innovation in the country.

Notably, Coinbase’s initiative comes as the UK is reportedly seen as lagging behind in becoming a major hub for the crypto and AI sector. Let’s explore the details of the exchange’s new venture and its potential implications on the UK’s crypto and AI landscape.

Coinbase Launches AI and Crypto Initiative: Know More

Partnering with Founders Factory, a UK-based venture studio, and the crypto investment firms Animoca Brands and Fabric Ventures, Coinbase is setting its sights on the AI space. The top crypto exchange is planning to organize a 16-week program exclusively for AI and crypto startups.

“The initiative will be unveiled at the Global Fintech Forum on Monday, under the auspices of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade,” stated Coinbase’s UK CEO, Keith Grose. These platforms will unveil the initiative at the Global Fintech Forum on Monday, under the auspices of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade.

Unlocking Next Wave of Crypto & AI

Significantly, this joint venture intends to provide proper guidance to the freshers in the broad crypto and AI spaces. “What we’re looking for is people that are building real-value, high-integrity, trusted applications that will drive broader market adoption for either consumers or enterprises,” Founders Factory chief operating officer Damian Routley stated.

Founders Factory will work with selected founders on business strategy, product development, and fundraising. At the same time, Animoca and Coinbase would share their extensive Web3 experience and expertise with the fledgling startup companies.

According to Routley, applications for the program will open in June 2025. The COO also announced that the program will kick off in September.

Coinbase US Expands Offerings with Bitcoin Yield Fund

In a parallel development, Coinbase US is launching the Bitcoin Yield Fund, set to launch on May 1. The fund targets a 4-8% annual return in Bitcoin for non-US institutional investors. It will utilize a cash-and-carry trading strategy to capitalize on price discrepancies in the Bitcoin market.

These developments come amid the recent legal developments within the Coinbase ecosystem. Alabama’s Securities Commission has dropped its legal action against the exchange, marking a significant milestone.

The post Coinbase Takes Major Step For Crypto & AI Push In UK With This Partnership appeared first on CoinGape.

Raydium’s Smart Move:- The race to tap on the potential of memecoins is outdated. Now, web3 projects are racing to build and scale meme launchpads, the platforms that allow users to create and launch their own memecoin.

The centre of this fierce race have become the two leading competitors – Raydium and PumpFun. Both have launched and upgraded their memecoin lauchpads respectively in the last month.

Now, in another major stride by Raydium, it has collaborated with the leading meme project, BONK. Solana DEX Raydium and BONK have come together to launch their new memecoin lauchpad platform, LetsBonk.Fun. As the meme launchpad, LetsBonk allows users to create and launch their memecoins.

Raydium Launches Another LaunchPad – Whats Happening

Before discussing the new platform, it is important to note that this launch marks a significant evolution in the market trend. Earlier, there was a race to launch mass memecoins and now the focus has shifted to the launchpads that create them.

The new Bonk platform, LetsBonk, allows users to launch their own memecoin on Solana without coding. Users can simply connect a Solana wallet, fill in token details such as name, symbol, supply as per their choice. Users are then required to customize settings like liquidity and taxes, and pay a small fee in BONK.

Tokens can then immediately integrate with Raydium’s LaunchLab for liquidity and trading. The platform also offers features like liquidity locking to build investor trust.

Interestingly, a portion of the platform fees will be used to support BONK buybacks and Solana network security. Letsbonk.Fun aims to democratize token creation while promoting transparency and sustainability within the Solana ecosystem.

Bullish Market Reaction

Since its launch, Letsbonk.Fun has witnessed significant engagement. Within the first 24 hours, the platform has attracted approximately 800,000 visitors and facilitated the creation of over 2,700 tokens.

Among these, more than 70 have been successfully launched.

Notably, the platform’s namesake token, LetsBONK, achieved a market cap of more than $30 million within just six hours of its debut.

MarketCap | Source: Coingecko

Serious Player Or A Marketing Move?

The close integration of LetsBonk with Raydium has lead users raising certain questions. Few view this as a “smart play” by Ray to promote its own platform. Due to similarities in UX of both the platforms, few are calling the new launchpad nothing but Launchlabs.

A user on X highlighted the same program ID for creating tokens on both LetsBonk and Raydium’s LaunchLabs. Another highlighted that only changing the colour won’t bring up a new platform.

However, few analysts are hinting at a bigger strategy by Raydium to beat the monopoly of PumpFun in memecoin creator segment. They argue that launch of LetsBonk with the help of Raydium signifies that it is helping other projects to build their own launchpads via Launchlabs.

This strategy indirectly supports asset issuance, a core strength that drove Raydium’s success. Unlike AMM, this business moat is less prone to commoditization, offering a more sustainable competitive edge,” said an analyst.

In this way, it is indirectly competing with PumpFun. Notably, on April 26, Raydium’s LaunchLab had its biggest day with over 4k tokens launched within 24 hours of LetsBonk launch.

More than half of these tokens were from Bonk‘s new launchpad (letsbonkdotfun) that is built on top of Raydium Protocol‘s LaunchLab. There was total of $25m in trading volume on Day 1 of its launch.

Thus, one thing can be concluded: For BONK and users, the LaunchLab–built platform can be just another place to debut a memecoin. But for Raydium, it’s a strategic move that will affirm its place in market and drive new user engagement.

 

Also Check: Ethereum Price Today!

The post PumpFun Competitor Raydium Launches Another Memecoin Launchpad With Bonk – Whats Happening appeared first on CoinGape.

MicroStrategy which has rebranded to Strategy announced yet another major Bitcoin purchase. The latest purchase was made between April 21 and April 27. The purchase was completed on April 28, 2025 and has brought MicroStrategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 553,555 BTC.

MicroStrategy Buys 15,355 Bitcoin For $1.42 Billion

This time the firm purchased 15,355 BTC for approximately $1.42 billion at an average price of $92,737 per bitcoin. Company executive chairman Michael Saylor shared the news on X. According to Saylortracker, the company’s Bitcoin portfolio is now valued at approximately $52.76 billion. This stash has seen a major pump from their cost basis of approximately $37.90 billion.

The post Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy Bags 15,355 Bitcoin For $1.42B appeared first on CoinGape.

In the latest XRP news thread, a Ripple whale has caught the attention with his recent hefty transfer. Besides, it also comes as the Ripple’s coin price hit a monthly high, which has further fueled speculations. Notably, many are citing the recent dump as a profit-taking strategy, often used by traders to book profits when an asset’s price goes higher.

XRP News: Whale’s 69M Dump Fuels Speculation

The on-chain transaction tracking platform Whale Alert reported that approximately 29.53 million XRP, worth nearly $68.72 million, was moved from an unknown wallet “rnVcQ…dT2Vq” to Coinbase. This high-value transaction occurred as XRP marked a significant upswing, hitting its highest price point in over a month.

What’s Happening?

Meanwhile, many market watchers believe the whale’s decision to dump this massive amount indicates an attempt to capitalize on the recent price rise. Historically, large holders often liquidate parts of their holdings when prices rally, aiming to lock in quick profits.

Having said that, the timing of this latest XRP transfer has added more weight to this theory. Some analysts view it as a classic sell signal, while others argue it could simply be a strategic wallet reshuffle ahead of broader market movements. Regardless, the transaction has sparked discussions among the market participants.

Notably, XRP has shown signs of strong recovery recently, especially amid the broader market recovery. So, let’s take a quick look at its recent movements and see what lies ahead for the asset.

XRP Price Soars: Rally To Sustain?

XRP price today has jumped more than 7% and traded at $2.32, accompanied by a 166% jump in its trading volume to $5.33 billion. Notably, the crypto has recently touched its monthly high of $2.35 while adding about 10% in the weekly chart. The recent surge, amid a broader market recovery, hints that investors are once again gaining confidence in Ripple’s coin.

Derivatives Data & Ripple ETF Developments Spark Optimism

Besides, the XRP Futures Open Interest also recorded a jump of around 10%, indicating a strong market sentiment. It also comes as Ripple’s coin has caught the eyes with the recent ETF-related developments. A recent XRP price analysis also showed how the crypto might react once the ETFs get the green light from the US SEC.

Meanwhile, the crypto has also recorded a significant inflow over the last few weeks. Last week, it recorded an influx of $31.6 million while Bitcoin and Ethereum topped the list with a $3.4 billion inflow in total.

What’s Next?

Also, renowned expert Ali Martinez has shared a bullish outlook on the future of the coin. In a recent X post, the analyst noted that the crypto appears to be “breaking out of an inverse head and shoulders pattern, with a potential upside target between $2.70 and $2.90.”

Source: Ali Martinez, X

Considering that, it seems that the crypto might continue to move upwards in the coming days, potentially hitting the $2.90 mark. However, given the macroeconomic concerns and the still persisting volatile scenario in the market, investors should exercise caution before investing in the assets.

The post XRP News: Whale Moves 69 Mln Coins As Price Hits Monthly High appeared first on CoinGape.