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May 7, 2025

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Trump’s latest Hollywood “hit” isn’t the kind you stream.

Threatening to slap a 100% tariff on films produced in foreign countries, the president’s announcement rattled several media stocks like Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Walt Disney Co. (DIS), and others.

What makes the whole thing complicated is this:

  • No clear-cut definition of “foreign”: Many “American” films are shot abroad with foreign crews, locations, and studios.
  • Tax breaks abroad: Studios rely on international incentives to cut costs—think Marvel in the UK or Netflix in Korea (Squid Game).
  • Global revenues: Delivering content overseas boosts subscriptions.
  • Disruption to current projects: In-progress shoots and cross-border production deals could face sudden delays, cancellations, or financial penalties.
  • And last but not least, retaliation risk. Countries may hit back with tariffs or restrictions on U.S. films, hurting global revenues.

The result? A policy that aims to protect American film could end up undercutting it from every angle.

Which Media Stocks Are Still Worth Holding?

With Trump’s proposed 100% tariff and the looming threat of retaliation, you’re probably wondering: Which media stocks are still investable—and which ones are caught in the crossfire?

Let’s focus on the platforms that most Americans stream at home.

  • Netflix (NFLX) is the most exposed to Trump’s tariffs due to its heavy investment in international productions.
  • Disney (DIS) is most vulnerable both ways—to the U.S. tariff and international retaliation—in that over 60% of its box office revenue is international; plus, it operates theme parks in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe.
  • Roku (ROKU) appears to be the least exposed, as it’s a content aggregator and not a producer. The bulk of its revenue comes from advertising, subscriptions, and platform fees, not from producing or exporting content.

NOTE: I’m excluding Amazon (AMZN) in favor of pure-play media entertainment stocks. While Amazon is not as exposed to foreign film tariffs, it’s exposed to the other tariffs.

First, how are these stocks performing relative to each other and the broader market (S&P 500)?

FIGURE 1. PERFCHARTS DISPLAYING THE RELATIVE PERFORMANCE OF ALL THREE STOCKS VS THE S&P. Netflix is far outpacing its two media peers.

Among these three, which stocks are currently the most investable—that is, which ones are showing favorable price action that could support a viable trading setup?

Netflix Technical Analysis: Uptrend Intact, But Caution Ahead

Let’s start with NFLX—the company most fundamentally exposed to the proposed tariffs on foreign-made films. Check out this daily chart.

FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF NFLX STOCK. No tariff fears are evident here as the stock continues its uptrend.

NFLX stock remains in a strong uptrend, with a StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) well above the 90-line, making it one of the top-performing large-cap stocks from a technical perspective. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests the stock may be overbought, raising the possibility of a short-term pullback.

The  20-day Price Channel can help identify potential turning points since it highlights recent tops and bottoms. The green-shaded zone marks the first area of support, where a bounce may occur if the stock retreats in the coming sessions. If that level fails to hold, the red-shaded zone identifies a secondary support area aligned with the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). A drop below this level without a strong rebound could signal a weakening of the current bullish trend.

Caution: Among the three stocks analyzed, Netflix appears to be most exposed to potential downside from Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-made films. Investors should remain cautious, as shifting geopolitical dynamics could alter the stock’s fundamental outlook and technical setup.

Now let’s take a look at Disney, a stock vulnerable to Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs on foreign-made films and the added threat of retaliatory tariffs from international markets.

Disney’s Recovery Potential Faces Global Headwinds

With a significant portion of its revenue coming from global box office sales and international theme parks, DIS stock is particularly sensitive to shifts in global trade policy. Take a look at this daily chart.

FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF DISNEY STOCK PRICE. Oof. Even if it recovers, will we see a breakout beyond the top range?

Disney is underperforming, and the key question is whether the stock is entering a potential recovery phase. The Full Stochastics Oscillator tends to mirror the stock’s cyclical movements well and suggests a possible short-term pullback.

If DIS holds above its most recent swing low support range (highlighted in red), the stock may attempt to retest the resistance area (highlighted in green), which aligns with the 200-day SMA and the most recent swing high.

One bullish signal to note: the Accumulation/Distribution Line (ADL) (shown in orange) is significantly above current price levels, suggesting that buying interest may be quietly building even while the stock trades near its lows. Is DIS a solid buy? Probably not at these levels. You will want to see a stronger indication (or confirmation) that DIS is recovering.

Also, note that DIS has been cycling the $80 to $125 range over the last three years. Unless you’re holding it as a dividend stock, there’s little indication yet that there’s going to be growth beyond this exceedingly wide range.

Is Roku Ready to Break Out, or Break Down?

Let’s analyze the daily chart of Roku.

FIGURE 4. DAILY CHART OF ROKU STOCK. It’s gearing for a breakout, but driven by what?

ROKU may be the least exposed to the proposed foreign film tariffs, but what’s going to drive it higher? Remember, the stock plunged in 2022–2024 due to falling ad revenue, widening losses, and a high-profile cybersecurity breach that shook investor confidence. Without a clear reason for a rebound, the stock may remain stuck.

The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is probably the most telling indicator here: buying and selling pressure are at a virtual standstill. There has to be a compelling catalyst to move the stock higher or lower. Still, ROKU appears to be rebounding from a technical standpoint, with overhead resistance levels at $71 and $82.

However, there needs to be something fundamental to validate this technical setup, especially if it turns bullish (like a break above resistance). So if for any reason you’re bullish on ROKU, monitor the fundamental side of this stock play. Right now, it doesn’t look very promising.

At the Close

Trump’s proposed tariff on foreign-made films has stirred up more than just Hollywood headlines; it’s forcing Wall Street to reassess risk across streaming and media stocks. Keep monitoring the technical, fundamental, and geopolitical factors. Don’t make any decisions until you see clear technical confirmation backed by a viable fundamental catalyst. And remember, geopolitical dynamics can still shift the conditions in an instant.


Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

Triumph Gold (TSXV:TIG,OTC:TIGCF) is a Canadian gold exploration company well-positioned to benefit from a strengthening gold market. The company’s primary focus is advancing its 100 percent-owned Freegold Mountain Project, a district-scale property located in Yukon’s highly prospective Dawson Range gold-copper belt.

With defined multi-million ounce gold resources, significant potential for expansion, and promising discovery targets, Triumph Gold provides investors with exposure to a large, consolidated land package in one of Canada’s most mining-friendly jurisdictions.

The Freegold Mountain Project is Triumph Gold’s flagship asset — a district-scale property extending 34 kilometers along the highly mineralized Big Creek Fault system in Yukon. What sets this project apart is the widespread presence of mineralization across all major rock types on the property, including Paleozoic metamorphics, Jurassic intrusives, and Cretaceous intrusives. Each of these hosts distinct styles of precious and base metal mineralization, underscoring the project’s exceptional geological potential.

Company Highlights

  • Resource Base: Combined indicated resources of 1 million ounces and inferred resources of 1.08 million ounces gold equivalent across the Freegold Mountain project
  • Strategic Location: Positioned in the mineral-rich Dawson Range, home to major deposits including Newmont’s Coffee, Western Copper’s Casino, and Pembridge’s Minto mine
  • Multiple Deposit Types: Mineralization found in various forms (porphyry, epithermal, skarn) providing diversified exploration targets
  • Expansion Potential: All deposits remain open in multiple directions with numerous untested satellite targets
  • Fully Permitted: Exploration permits in place until 2025-2026 allowing for extensive drilling programs
  • Experienced Leadership: Management team with proven track records in mineral exploration, mine development and capital markets

This Triumph Gold profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Triumph Gold (TSXV:TIG) to receive an Investor Presentation

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Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, at the World Gold Council, discusses the organization’s latest report on gold demand trends, highlight key data points from Q1.

He also shares his thoughts on gold’s record-setting rise, saying fundamentals remain strong.

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

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The global pharmaceutical market reached a total value of US$1.38 trillion in 2024, according to Research and Markets, up significantly from the US$888 billion seen just over a decade earlier in 2010.

Experienced and novice investors alike may want to consider pharmaceutical exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a way to gain exposure to the top pharma companies. Like all ETFs, pharmaceutical ETFs are a good option for those who want to trade a set of assets in the pharmaceutical industry instead of focusing solely on individual pharmaceutical stocks.

The main advantage of a pharmaceutical ETF is the fact that it can provide exposure to an overarching sector, but still trades like a stock. Pharma ETFs also offer less market volatility and lower fees and expenses.

Big pharma ETFs

Many of these funds have diverse holdings across some of the most important sectors in the pharmaceutical industry, including pain therapeutics, oncology, vaccines and biotechnology. Data was gathered on May 6, 2025.

1. VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:PPH)

Total assets under management: US$653.61 million

Established in late 2011, the VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF tracks the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index. It has the capacity to provide big returns, even though there are some risks attached to the ETF. An analyst report indicates that investors looking for ‘tactical exposure’ to the pharma sector might consider this ETF as an investment option.

The ETF has 25 holdings, with the top five being Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) at a weight of 12.17 percent, AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) at 6.48 percent, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) at 6.45 percent, Novartis (NYSE:NVS) at 5.43 percent and Cencora (NYSE:COR) at 5.34 percent.

2. iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:IHE)

Total assets under management: US$571.51 million

Created on May 5, 2006, this iShares ETF tracks some of the top US pharma companies. In total, the iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF has 41 holdings, with the vast majority being large-cap stocks.

Of its holdings, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson are by far the largest portions in its portfolio, coming in at weightings of 24.55 percent and 23.38 percent, respectively. The next highest are Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX) at 4.93 percent, Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) at 4.80 percent and Viatris (NASDAQ:VTRS) at 4.57 percent.

3. Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:PJP)

Total assets under management: US$240.1 million

The Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF is primarily focused on providing exposure to US-based pharma companies. An analyst report states that this ETF chooses individual securities based on certain investment criteria, namely stock valuation and risk factors. Invesco changed the fund’s name from the Invesco Dynamic Pharmaceuticals ETF in August 2023.

This ETF was started on June 23, 2005, and currently tracks 31 companies. Its top holdings are Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) with a weight of 5.2 percent, AbbVie at 5.17 percent, Johnson & Johnson at 5 percent, Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) at 4.94 percent and Eli Lilly at 4.86 percent.

4. SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:XPH)

Total assets under management: US$139.14 million

The SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF came into the market on June 19, 2006, and represents the pharmaceutical sub-industry sector of the S&P Total Markets Index. An analyst report for the ETF suggests that due to its narrow focus — which includes pharma giants that post ‘big returns’ during times of consolidation — it should not be considered for a long-term portfolio.

This pharma ETF tracks 43 holdings, with relatively close weighting among its holdings. XPH’s top five holdings are Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CORT) with a weight of 5.26 percent, Eli Lilly at 3.99 percent, Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX) at 3.98 percent, Zoetis at 3.87 percent and Johnson & Johnson at 3.81 percent.

5. KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (ARCA:KURE)

Total assets under management: US$82.86 million

The KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF was launched in February 2018 and tracks an index of large- and mid-cap Chinese stocks in the healthcare sector, all weighted by market capitalization. According to an analyst report, the fund provides investors with ‘exposure to a relatively small slice of the Chinese economy.’

The ETF tracks 46 holdings, and its top five are Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine (SHA:600276) at 8.33 percent, BeiGene (OTC Pink:BEIGF,HKEX:6160) at 7.88 percent, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics (SZSE:300760) at 6.79 percent, Wuxi Biologics (OTC Pink:WXIBF,HKEX:2269) at 6.67 percent and Innovent Biologics (OTC Pink:IVBXF,HKEX:1801) at 5.51 percent .

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no investment interest in any of the companies mentioned in this article.

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Copper prices are being pushed skyward as China’s stockpiles sit on the verge of depletion and as US demand for the red metal surges, fueled by looming trade restrictions under the Trump administration.

According to Mercuria, the market is undergoing “one of the greatest tightening shocks” in its history.

“At the current pace of draws, those Chinese inventories could deplete (to zero) by the middle of June,” Nicholas Snowdon, head of metals and mining research at the commodities trading house, told the Financial Times.

“Beijing had a razor-thin inventory buffer” to meet its soaring domestic demand, he added.

Copper inventories held in Chinese warehouses fell by a record 55,000 metric tons last week alone, sinking to just 116,800 metric tons. The sudden drawdown has placed further stress on a market that is already being strained by geopolitical tensions and a shift in long-term demand driven by clean energy initiatives and electrification.

The copper squeeze is being exacerbated by US buyers rushing to secure supply ahead of potential new tariffs.

US President Donald Trump has signaled that his administration is investigating “dumping and state-sponsored overproduction” of copper, echoing the rationale used for the imposition of 25 percent levies on steel and aluminum.

Copper futures prices on the Comex in New York have soared, rising 16.35 percent year-to-date to trade for US$4.69 per pound. The rally has been further buoyed by signs that China’s Ministry of Commerce is open to trade talks with the US — it has reportedly “taken note” of Washington’s signals and is evaluating the possibility of engagement.

As a result, inventories in Comex warehouses have surged to their highest levels since 2018.

The copper crunch is not confined to refined metal.

Analysts warn that Chinese access to copper scrap — a vital feedstock for its smelting industry — is also under threat from retaliatory trade measures and possible US export controls.

China relies heavily on imported scrap, and the US remains a key supplier. In 2024, the US exported 960,000 metric tons of copper scrap, nearly half of which went to China, according to data from Fastmarkets.

This year, exports are already trending lower: 142,000 metric tons were shipped in January and February, down from 149,000 metric tons in the same period last year. If the US imposes a ban on scrap exports or China imposes retaliatory import duties, the shortage in Asia’s largest economy could become even more acute.

Copper’s strategic role in the energy transition

Beyond short-term trade politics, copper is at the heart of a deeper structural transformation.

As the global economy pivots toward electrification and decarbonization, demand for the base metal is set to soar — despite advances in material efficiency and substitution.

During a recent webinar, Michael J. Finch, head of strategic initiatives at commodities price and data firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, noted that the accelerating deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy sources is rapidly driving up copper intensity across energy systems.

“What … we can’t forget is, what are the requirements on the grid network? What are the requirements on power generation because of EVs, because of the charging infrastructure?” Finch said. He emphasized to attendees that while copper usage per EV has declined from around 100 kilograms in 2015 to about 68 to 70 kilograms today due to design optimizations and thrifting, total copper demand from the EV sector is still expected to rise sharply.

“We’re still looking at a market here … (of) over 5 million tonnes by 2040,” he said.

“That’s going to need a lot of charging infrastructure. That’s going to need a lot of grid upgrades. That’s going to need a lot of renewable power to be put in place,’ Finch added.

The overlapping dynamics of geopolitical uncertainty, rising protectionism and shifting energy priorities have created a volatile cocktail that could reshape global copper trade flows.

Efforts are underway in the US to take advantage of this shift. European copper producer Aurubis is investing 740 million euros in a new recycling facility in Richmond, Georgia, aimed at bolstering domestic supply. The plant, which is expected to be operational by the end of the fiscal year, will rely primarily on scrap sourced within the US.

Meanwhile, analysts are watching closely to see if the US and China can defuse trade tensions before they further destabilize a market that is already stretched thin.

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

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Tether’s Next Focus:- Crypto IPOs this year have surged this year. eToro, Circle, Animoca Brands, Kraken, are among the top crypto companies that are eyeing IPO in 2025.

Adding on to this, in a latest update, Singapore-based Antalpha has also launched its roadshow for its upcoming IPO on NASDAQ.

According to the Form-1 SEC filing Antalpha has filed, the stablecoin giant Tether will be buying the company shares too.

Antalpha is a key lending partner of the Bitcoin mining giant and provides Bitcoin supply and margin laons. Its subsidiary Antalpha Prime Technology platform give its clients digital asset loans, such as borrowing Stablecoins of fait against crypto collateral.

It also manages a web-3 focused funding venture, Antalpha Ventures. It  has actively invested in a diverse portfolio of early-stage Web3, blockchain, and digital asset infrastructure companies.

Few of the names include Avalon Labs, Solv Protocol, Orderly Network, DAOBase, Mint Blockchain, CoinFX, among others.

Tether to Invest in Antalpha IPO: All you need to Know

As per the press release accessed by Coingape, Antalpha plans to offer approximately 3.85 million ordinary shares under the ticker symbol “ANTA.” The expected price range is between $11.00 and $13.00 per share.

The company aims to raise approximately $46 million through the IPO. This would value it at around $277 million at the midpoint of the proposed price range.

Fort the financials, in the 12 months ending December 31, 2024, Antalpha reported revenue of $47 million. 

Notably, Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, will be purchasing up to $25 million worth of shares in the offering, representing about 54% of the deal.

Antalpha’s move to go public comes amid a resurgence in crypto companies going public particularly in the United States. Further, the company’s close relationship with Bitmain also positions it strategically within the Bitcoin mining ecosystem.

Also Read: Michael Saylor Hits At Microsoft

Why the IPO Matters for Crypto Mining Business

With the fund raised from the IPO, Alphanta aims to increase its Bitcoin loan services for the Bitcoin mining industry players.

Besides Bitcoin loans, it also provides supply chain loans that includes mining machine laons, Hashrate loans in USD-denominations.

According to the SEC Form-1 filing, the company has also shown interest in exploring new finical solutions for restricting the rising electricity costs with crypto mining.

The IPO is contingent upon the effectiveness of a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has not yet become effective.

As such, these securities cannot be sold, nor offers to buy accepted, until the registration statement is effective.

But if accepted, with the Antalaphe IPO, crypto mining business will indirectly receive boost. The raised funds by the company will be used by the company to provide loans for the purchase of crypto mining machines. It is also likely to invest more via its Alphanta Ventures in the emerging web3 projects.

Related: eToro IPO

The post Tether Shows Interest As Bitmain’s Major Lending Partner Files for NASDAQ IPO appeared first on CoinGape.

As the two nuclear nations – India and Pakistan – engaged in a military confrontation on Tuesday, Solana-based token under the name of ‘Operation Sindoor’ has started floating in the market, as investors seek to ride the momentum. These tokens have been majorly circulating on decentralized exchanges and trading up 24% with trading volumes of just over $20K.

Newly Created ‘Operation Sindoor’ Solana Tokens Raise Concerns

A series of newly minted crypto assets, named after themes like “Operation Sindoor” and “Pahalgam,” have surfaced on the Solana blockchain. Most of these tokens have low market capitalizations and minimal trading volumes, with some linked to “Operation Sindoor” appearing just hours ago, just after India launched precision strikes on Pakistan terror camps on Tuesday.

Industry analysts have noted the lack of key indicators of legitimacy for these assets. Many tokens fail to provide essential documentation such as whitepapers, official websites, or active social media channels, which are typically expected from credible projects.

Major market events tend to create hype in the early hours, with some players capitalizing on it. We have often seen this with Solana-based meme coins launched after celebrities or things. However, the liquidity usually dries up after the event fades, and retail players need to maintain caution while riding these trends.

Crypto Market Reaction in the Aftermath

In the aftermath of these attacks, the crypto market remains largely stable today while investor optimism picks up once again ahead of today’s FOMC meeting. There’s a 95% probability that the Fed rate cuts won’t happen during this meeting, however, the market seems to be looking past that.

As of press time, Bitcoin price is trading 3.43% up at $96,988, as investors await a potential breakout to $100K levels and beyond to fresh all-time highs. On the other hand, altcoins have also gained momentum with top players gaining 3-5% today, while awaiting the passing of crypto legislation by the US Senate.

The post Solana-Based Operation Sindoor Token Gains Traction Amid India’s Missile Strike on Pak appeared first on CoinGape.

In this competitive crypto market, several turn their heads to crypto prediction tools to ease their trading journey. Though, traditional crypto prediction markets often promise simplicity, they actually deliver cluttered interfaces, endless wallet approvals, and confusing user flows. These layers of friction can frustrate even seasoned DeFi users, making fast-paced predictions feel like a slow, technical grind. But the scenario is changing with this telegram bot.

Hardbeed looks to solve all the aforementioned complaints. Instead of building more complex apps, some projects like this one are exploring lightweight, non-custodial models that reduce friction and shift the user experience away from traditional web interfaces.

It offers a stripped-down experience with no user interface, no wallet connections, no deposits, and no accounts. Instead, everything happens through two smart contract addresses, with a read-only Telegram stats bot available for real-time updates.

Hardbeed—A prediction protocol without a platform

Hardbeed offers one-minute binary options on the ETH/USDC price with no website to visit or app to install. To make a prediction, users simply send ETH from their own wallet to one of two designated smart contract addresses: one for “Up,” the other for “Down.” There’s no wallet connection, no approvals, and no deposits in the traditional sense. The only transaction you make is your on-chain prediction.

At the end of each round, the outcome is determined using on-chain Uniswap v3 data, and payouts are resolved automatically by the smart contract with no off-chain intervention. If the prediction is incorrect, there is no further action as the loss is final while no funds are retained by the protocol.

All ETH at stake is pooled together, and the winners split the pot proportionally based on the size of their action. The fewer people who guessed correctly, the larger each winner’s share. Users will always need to pay gas for each transaction.

Telegram bot as the control center

Since Hardbeed does not feature a traditional frontend, the only real interface is a familiar Telegram bot. Technically speaking, it isn’t a bot in the interactive sense. It’s just there for stats. Users can check how much ETH is staked on each side of the current round, see how much time is left, and monitor recent results, much like at a roulette table.

There’s no registration, no KYC verification process, and no accounts to set up. The trustworthiness of actions is backed by Ethereum smart contracts, which means every action is public, auditable, final, and fair.

What’s most appealing about Hardbeed is the way it’s reinventing trust in a sector where scams and theft are common. Hardbeed doesn’t need slick marketing or certifications from sketchy jurisdictions to convince you it can be trusted. Instead, you place your trust in Ethereum itself. You don’t deposit funds, click any buttons, or don’t wait days for withdrawals. All you do is send ETH, and the result is final – win or lose. It’s a simplification of the prediction experience that aligns more closely with crypto’s original ethos.

Source: Telegram

A stripped-down user experience

For more advanced DeFi users, Hardbeed can be described as refreshing. There’s a certain degree of simplicity in making an on-chain prediction this way. There’s no need to worry about misclicking a UI element, connecting the wrong wallet, or wondering if your balance is stuck in limbo.

At the same time, the experience can be intimidating. There’s no “are you sure?” prompt. No timer bar. No feedback unless you check the bot or manually track your transaction. One might say the learning curve isn’t steep, but it’s sharp, especially for users who’ve only interacted with polished Web3 interfaces designed by marketing teams.

There are, of course, some drawbacks, although through no fault of Hardbeed. Since each round is just one minute, there’s very little room for error. If you send a transaction late, you might miss the round entirely. If gas is too low, your action may not be confirmed in time.

These quirks likely won’t bother more experienced users, though they may be seen as part of a learning curve for users newer to on-chain tools. That said, this is a reasonable trade-off for a system with simplicity and decentralization at its core.

Who is Hardbeed meant for?

Hardbeed’s target user seems clear: crypto natives who value autonomy, transparency, and speed over visual polish. These are likely individuals who would rather read a contract than browse a UI.

One would be forgiven for assuming Hardbeed is exclusive to tech maximalists. But anyone with a basic understanding of ETH transfers and on-chain mechanics can try it out. Since there’s no signup, no approvals, and no minimum balance requirement beyond the prediction itself, users can walk away if they aren’t pleased with the experience after just one minute.

The project launched in January 2025 and has already seen daily cumulative volumes around 14,500 ETH. That suggests a varied user base, although one would assume a few whales account for the majority of transactions. Still, the system is built to be fair for users of all kinds.

Risks and realities

It’s worth emphasizing that binary options are high-risk. Each round is an all-or-nothing kind of a deal. This isn’t where you can fold your hand after posting a big blind.

Sure, the platform removes a lot of the usual friction and middlemen, but it doesn’t remove the chance of rapid losses, especially in a one-minute cycle, which might feel like an hour. During periods of high volatility, even 10 seconds can feel like an eternity.

Since every prediction is a separate on-chain transaction, Ethereum network fees can add up quickly, especially for smaller amounts, but this is a limitation of the blockchain, not the platform itself. And while the platform requires no custodial deposits, the minimum action is dynamic, tied to the current gas price, with a floor of around 50,500 gwei * gas.

Final thoughts

Hardbeed is a fast and transparent minimalist’s binary options protocol. For the kind of user who sees too many platforms as overbuilt and over-trusted, it may feel like the most stripped-down approach to binary predictions yet.

Hardbeed removes the noise and replaces it with something rare in prediction protocols: clarity. In doing so, it offers a new model that proves fairness doesn’t require flair. For those comfortable with the risks, it’s setting the standard for what on-chain prediction protocols can achieve.

The post Tired Of Complex Crypto Prediction? Check Hardbeed—A No-UI Telegram Bot That Is Changing The Market appeared first on CoinGape.

In the latest development within the Ripple ecosystem, the XRP token is on the radar for a potential game-changer. With the New Hampshire Digital Asset Reserve law passed, experts predict XRP’s inclusion in the reserve, sparking widespread enthusiasm.

Is a strategic XRP reserve possible? Of course, yes, say legal experts. However, there’s still a condition that the token needs to meet.

This article explores the possibility of an XRP reserve and its requirements. Let’s dive into the details and what this could mean for Ripple’s future.

Strategic XRP Reserve on the Horizon? Expert Weighs In

In response to the recent HB 302 Bill passed by New Hampshire, legal expert Fred Rispoli has shared insights on the potential adoption of Ripple’s XRP as a crypto reserve. The law authorizes the State Treasurer to invest in cryptocurrencies with a market cap exceeding $500 billion—a criterion currently met only by Bitcoin. Rispoli wrote on his X post, “According to this law that was passed, if XRP hits a $500B market cap this year then it is also eligible for the NH digital asset strategic reserve in 2026!”

According to Rispoli’s X post, XRP is likely to be adopted as a Strategic Reserve in New Hampshire if the token’s market cap surges past $500 billion. Currently ranked 4th with a market cap of $125.25 billion, this milestone seems ambitious. However, the coin’s growing demand and adoption suggest it’s not entirely out of reach.

Government Bonds: A Revolutionary Idea

In a parallel development, Black Swan Capitalist proposed a bold concept involving XRP. He sparked a lively debate on introducing XRP-backed government bonds. According to the proposal, the US government could issue debt instruments denominated in Ripple’s coin, offering investors a fixed yield and redemption at maturity. This move aims to modernize sovereign debt markets with blockchain technology for improved efficiency and transparency.

This increased use case, coupled with the growing institutional adoption of the Ripple token, significantly bolsters Fred Rispoli’s prediction. The speculation is further intensified by emerging reports that US banks are exploring XRP adoption.

The post XRP Could Qualify for U.S. Strategic Reserve; Here’s How appeared first on CoinGape.