DeFI News by Thebittimes.Com

The crypto market is experiencing extreme volatility, with Bitcoin (BTC) being down 6% on the weekly chart and whales dumping around $3.45 billion worth of the cryptocurrency over the same period.  While these so-called bear traps are typically indicative of long-term bull cycles, it is still far from clear where the digital hedge is going to be heading in the following weeks, especially with weakening retail sentiment. BTC price prediction To set a BTC price target for September 1, Finbold’s AI prediction agent used multiple LLMs to generate an average forecast for improved accuracy while incorporating momentum-based indicators into its context.  Based on the AI’s predictions, the average BTC price on September 1 will be $111,867, implying a 1.18% downside from the current price of $113,157. BTC price prediction. Source: Finbold Among the three LLMs used in the prediction, only Grok 3 had an optimistic outlook. xAI’s assistant predicted Bitcoin would t...

The number of Bitcoin ATMs worldwide increased by more than 1,000 during the first half of 2025, marking a notable uptick in crypto infrastructure growth despite regional fluctuations. As per data published in the Finbold H1 2025 Cryptocurrency Market Report, the total number of crypto ATMs rose from 37,722 on January 1 to 38,726 by June 30, representing a net increase of 1,004 machines globally. United States rebounds after Q1 dip The most notable turnaround came from the United States, which started the year on the back foot. In Q1 2025, the U.S. saw a net decline of 185 Bitcoin ATMs, dropping from 30,119 to 29,934. However, this trend reversed sharply in Q2, with the U.S. adding 513 new ATMs, bringing the total back up to 30,447 by the end of June. It is worth pointing out that this recovery aligns with broader bullish sentiment in the American market following improving regulatory clarity and growing institutional participation. Australia leads gr...

Bitcoin (BTC) has surged past the $110,000 mark following a critical breakout above $108,900, positioning itself for a potential new all-time high of $130,000.  Analyst Michaël van de Poppe predicted on June 10 that the current phase is likely a short consolidation period, a common pattern before increased upward momentum.  The ideal buying range as BTC prepares for what could be another historic run, van de Poppe suggests, sits around $107,000 to $108,000. Bitcoin’s 14-day relative strength index (RSI) currently sits at 6771, which is bullish but not yet overheated.  Michaël van de Poppe’s BTC analysis. Source: X If the RSI retests 75 by the end of the month, another analyst PlanB suggests, the June closing price for BTC would be ~$130,000, agreeing with van de Poppe’s predictions.  Bitcoin price forecast The rally can apparently be chalked up to a number of reasons, most notably a sharp technical breakout. Namely, BTC reclaimed the ...

Harare Institute of Technology, a Zimbabwean higher learning institution, is reportedly developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Quinton Kanhukamwe, the institution’s vice chancellor , said the digital currency is expected to help eliminate vices such as currency manipulation and unsanctioned foreign exchange deals. Eliminating Illegal Foreign Exchange Deals A Zimbabwean tertiary learning institution, the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) is developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the organization’s vice chancellor Quinton Kanhukamwe has said. According to Kanhukamwe, the envisaged CBDC is expected to help eliminate vices such as currency manipulation, the hoarding of cash, as well as illegal foreign exchange deals. As per his remarks published by the Herald, Kanhukamwe, who spoke at a graduation ceremony also attended by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, revealed how the blockchain-anchored CBDC can potentially bring the unbanked into the for...