The CoinDesk 20 index experienced a slight increase of 0.5%, reaching 2110.57 since 4 p.m. ET on Friday. According to NS3.AI, Bittensor (TAO) notably rose by 4.1% over the weekend. Out of the 20 assets in the index, eleven were trading higher.

Binance Blog published a new article, introducing Binance's latest security feature, Withdraw Protection, aimed at safeguarding users against physical coercion. This innovative tool allows users to block all withdrawals from their Binance account for a predetermined lockdown period ranging from 1 to 7 days. The feature is particularly designed for situations where digital security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and passwords are insufficient, specifically when users face in-person pressure to move their funds. Withdraw Protection ensures that during the lockdown window, no withdrawals can be made, not even by the account holder. By default, the lockdown cannot be terminated early, providing users with certainty that their assets are secure from any form of coercion. However, for those seeking more flexibility, an optional "Allow early unlock" setting is available, enabling users to end the lockdown prematurely using a security key and authenticator app, with additional confirmation steps via phone or email. The article emphasizes that while digital threats like phishing links, imposter scams, SIM swaps, and compromised seed phrases are common, physical coercion poses a unique risk that traditional defenses do not cover. Withdraw Protection addresses this gap, allowing users to activate the feature through their account settings on both the Binance app and web platform. Users can select their preferred lockdown duration, with the default set at 48 hours, and decide whether to enable early unlock. Despite the lockdown, other functionalities of the Binance account remain unaffected, allowing users to trade, hold positions, and access their account without restriction. The article advises users to continue employing multi-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, anti-phishing codes, and passkeys to bolster their security further. Withdraw Protection is specifically tailored to address physical security concerns that other security layers cannot. Binance's commitment to user safety is evident through the introduction of Withdraw Protection, providing an additional layer of security for those rare but potentially severe instances of physical coercion. Users can activate this feature swiftly in their account security settings, ensuring their funds are protected when needed. The article concludes by reiterating Binance's dedication to creating a secure platform for storing digital assets, highlighting the importance of this feature for moments when users may face physical threats.

Strive has purchased 444 Bitcoin (BTC) for approximately $33.9 million, with an average acquisition price of $76,307 per BTC, according to CEO Matt Cole's announcement on X. As of May 1, the company holds a total of 15,000 BTC, which is valued at $1.17 billion.

DTCC has chosen Ondo as an official partner in a working group focused on creating tokenization standards for U.S. capital markets. According to NS3.AI, this initiative includes participation from leading traditional finance and cryptocurrency companies, aiming to establish guidelines that will facilitate the integration of tokenized assets into the financial system.

DeFi Development has announced a $200 million ATM plan aimed at increasing its holdings of SOL and supplementing operational funds. According to Foresight News, this initiative is part of the company's strategy to bolster its financial resources and enhance its operational capabilities.

Key TakeawaysBitcoin hit an intraday high of $80,594 -- its highest since January 31 -- before dropping to $78,760 after Iran's Fars news agency claimed two missiles struck a US patrol boat near Jask IslandThe US denied any of its ships were hit; oil and equity futures pared sharp initial moves on the denial but Bitcoin held its decline as traders priced in ceasefire fragility$301 million in short positions were liquidated as Bitcoin broke above $80,000 earlier in the sessionBrent crude spiked more than 5% to above $113 per barrel before partially reversing on the US denialTrump announced "Project Freedom" on Truth Social -- a military escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz using guided-missile destroyers, aircraft, and drones -- to which Iran responded by announcing it had "redefined its control zone" extending claimed maritime borders to FujairahEther, Solana, XRP, BNB, and Dogecoin all pulled back from intraday highs but remained positive or only slightly lower on the dayBitcoin's first sustained push above $80,000 since January lasted hours before an unverified Iranian missile report triggered a sharp reversal, sending the asset from a $80,594 high to $79,074 in late Asian trading Monday as geopolitical risk re-entered the tape at the worst possible technical moment.The session had begun with significant momentum. Bitcoin broke above $80,000 for the first time since January 31, climbing from $78,415 at 1:25 AM UTC to a $80,594 intraday high by 4:20 AM UTC -- a move that triggered $301 million in short liquidations as bearish positions clustered above the psychological level were forcibly covered. The MSCI AC Asia Index hit a new all-time high of 245.2, breaking its pre-war record from February 22, and broader crypto markets were participating in the risk-on move with Ether up nearly 4%, BNB up 3.3%, and Dogecoin leading altcoin gains.The Missile Report and the DenialThe reversal came without warning. Iran's state-affiliated Fars news agency claimed that two missiles had struck a US patrol boat near Jask Island after the vessel allegedly ignored Iranian warnings to leave its territorial waters. Brent crude spiked more than 5% to trade above $113 per barrel within minutes of the report. Bitcoin dropped nearly $1,500 from its intraday high as traders immediately priced in the possibility of a ceasefire collapse and full-scale military escalation.The US denied the report shortly after, stating no American ship had been struck. Oil and equity futures pared their sharp initial moves on the denial, with Brent retreating from the $113 spike. Bitcoin, however, held its decline -- a sign that traders are pricing in the fragility of the ceasefire that has held since early April rather than treating the US denial as a full all-clear. The asymmetry between the speed of the selloff and the partial nature of the recovery reflects the market's heightened sensitivity to any Iran-related headline at this juncture.Project Freedom Escalates the Hormuz StandoffThe missile report arrived hours after President Trump announced "Project Freedom" on Truth Social -- a US military operation to begin escorting ships stranded in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday. The operation involves guided-missile destroyers, aircraft, and drones, and represents the most direct US military intervention in the strait since the conflict began.Iran responded by announcing it had "redefined the control zone" around Hormuz, extending its claimed maritime borders to Fujairah -- a port city in the UAE on the Gulf of Oman -- and signaling that Tehran intends to regulate shipping traffic in the area regardless of US escort operations. The competing claims over maritime jurisdiction set up a direct confrontation scenario that markets are now actively pricing as a tail risk.Altcoins Pull Back but Hold GainsOther major cryptocurrencies followed Bitcoin lower from intraday highs but remained broadly positive on the day. Ether traded at $2,341, up 1.2% over 24 hours after touching $2,368 earlier in the session. Solana sat at $84.08, up just 0.2% after starting Monday at $85.14. XRP slipped to $1.40 and BNB retreated to $623. Dogecoin held up better than most, remaining up 2.3% on the day at $0.1102 with the weekly print still at 12.1%.What Comes NextWhether the US denial holds or fresh confirmation emerges from either the Iranian or US side will likely set the directional tone for the remainder of the US session. A confirmed attack would almost certainly trigger a sharp risk-off move across crypto and equities. A sustained US denial that is accepted by markets would likely allow Bitcoin to stabilize around $79,000 and potentially retest $80,000 as the session progresses.The broader setup heading into the week remains constructive -- $301 million in shorts were liquidated in the breakout, the Clarity Act stablecoin compromise is advancing toward a Senate markup, ETF inflows totaled $629.8 million on Friday, and the MSCI Asia record reflects genuine global risk appetite. The Iran headline is a reminder that in the current environment, geopolitical risk can reverse even the most technically compelling breakouts within hours.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter stated that we have absolute control over the Strait of Hormuz, that the Iranian economy is collapsing, and that the Iranians cannot control the Strait of Hormuz. (Jinshi)

According to an official announcement, Coinbase will launch spot trading of BILL (Billions). If liquidity conditions are met, the BILL-USD trading pair will be available in supported regions later today.

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has announced the formation of an industry working group aimed at advancing the tokenization of U.S. capital markets. According to ChainCatcher, Ondo has been selected to join this group, collaborating with major financial institutions such as BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Franklin Templeton, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citadel Securities, the New York Stock Exchange, Circle, Fireblocks, and Robinhood. DTCC, which oversees assets exceeding $114 trillion and clears transactions totaling $3.7 trillion annually, is developing a tokenization service to bring core processes of the U.S. capital markets onto the blockchain. DTCC President and CEO Frank La Salla stated, "We believe tokenization will significantly alter market operations, offering investors new levels of liquidity, transparency, and efficiency."

Payward Inc. (Kraken's parent company) has filed a lawsuit in Colorado court, accusing former escrow partner Etana Custody and its CEO Dion Brandon Russell of misappropriating over $25 million in client funds and allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme. The lawsuit alleges that Etana commingled escrow assets for operating expenses and high-risk investments, filling funding gaps with new capital while continuously providing clients with false reports that their funds were "in good condition." Kraken stated that when it attempted to withdraw approximately $25 million in funds in April 2025, it encountered delays, with Etana refusing to pay citing "reconciliation issues." Furthermore, Etana is accused of investing at least $16 million of client funds in defaulted bills and using some assets for foreign exchange hedging while retaining returns. These funds remain unreturned. Etana is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and under court receivership. Payward is seeking at least $25 million in damages and may pursue treble damages and other legal remedies. This incident once again highlights the counterparty risk issue in the crypto industry's custody process, namely, whether client assets are truly segregated and securely held, which remains a key focus of the market. (CoinDesk)

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has issued a new warning: the next two years will be a "particularly dangerous period," with a triple storm of debt, geopolitics, and technology converging, and most investors' timing strategies are doomed to fail.

For developed countries, that layer is still bank deposits and account relationships; for developing countries, that layer is cross-border payments, capital flows, and monetary sovereignty.

X's head of Product Nikita Bier has just revealed that crypto is the topic most likely to be muted by X users, as fewer and fewer users want to see crypto-related news on their "For You" page.

OpenAI is trying to patch the vulnerabilities, but the lives lost continue to test the boundaries between technology and humanity.

Singapore is testing AI with five banks and agencies to spot scam transactions earlier using shared data. The trial aims to improve detection and reduce losses, with plans to expand if it works well.

The XRP community has been hit by a new kind of threat—and this time, it unfolded in real time during a live event.

Morgan Stanley added another 286.7 Bitcoin worth about $22.5 million, bringing its total holdings to around 2,620 BTC valued at roughly $205 million.

Brazil has banned foreign exchange providers from using stablecoins and cryptocurrencies to settle cross-border payments, forcing them to use traditional banking channels instead. Crypto trading remains legal, but firms using blockchain for remittances must change their systems by deadlines running to 2027.

The long-stalled CLARITY Act is now on the brink of a decisive breakthrough, with U.S. senators reaching a critical compromise that could push the landmark crypto bill to a floor vote as early as May.

Nobitex, Iran’s dominant cryptocurrency platform, has been thrust into the spotlight after a Reuters investigation revealed it was founded by individuals linked to one of the country’s most powerful political families—raising fresh questions about the intersection of crypto infrastructure and state influence.