KEYTAKEAWAYS
- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin plans to strip down the protocol to be "as beautifully simple as Bitcoin" within five years, shifting away from years of growing technical complexity and refocusing on the base layer.
- Google has implemented zero-knowledge proofs in its Wallet for age verification, allowing users to prove they're old enough for restricted applications without revealing personal information, with Bumble among the first apps to use the system.
- The EU passed strict new Anti-Money Laundering Regulation banning anonymous crypto accounts and privacy coins like Monero, while requiring identity verification for transactions over 1,000 euros starting July 2027.
CONTENT
Welcome to the CoinRank Crypto News Roundup. CoinRank will provide daily important crypto news in this column series, allowing readers to quickly obtain the latest crucial updates from the cryptocurrency market.
MORNING NEWS
1. Suilend Introduces STEAMM Token Launcher for Sui Blockchain
Suilend has introduced the STEAMM Token Launcher, described as the next phase of Sui’s Superfluid AMM. The platform offers what it claims is the easiest way for anyone to launch a token on the Sui blockchain.
2. Virtuals Protocol Updates Genesis Launch to Include Recognized Staked Agents
Virtuals Protocol has announced that all Recognized Staked Agents are now eligible for point staking through Genesis Launch. The update is designed to prioritize real builders over empty hype, rewarding agents with verified traction, accountability, and contribution to the Virtuals ecosystem.
Recognized Staked Agents can immediately participate in point staking, while others must apply for evaluation through the provided link. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure staking rewards align with the strongest contributors to the agent economy.
3. Two Prime Abandons Ethereum to Focus Exclusively on Bitcoin
Algorithmic trading firm Two Prime has announced it will no longer hold any Ethereum (ETH) and will exclusively manage and lend against Bitcoin (BTC). The firm cited Ethereum’s unpredictable behavior, declining market momentum, and eroding institutional appeal for its decision.
Two Prime, an SEC-registered investment advisor that has lent over $1.5 billion against BTC and ETH in the past 15 months, described ETH’s statistical trading behavior as similar to a “meme coin” rather than a predictable asset. The firm’s CEO, Alexander Blume, stated, “Two Prime is done with ETH.”
This shift comes as Ethereum has experienced a 51% year-to-date decline, currently trading at approximately $1,833, while Bitcoin trades near $97,000, having gained 2.7% since the start of the year.
4. Google Adds Zero-Knowledge Proofs to Wallet for Age Verification
Google has added zero-knowledge proofs to their Wallet for age verification. The new cryptographic system allows users to prove they are old enough to use restricted applications without revealing personal information such as name or birthdate.
The system has been introduced in the UK and several U.S. states, with Google planning to expand its Wallet to 50 more countries. Dating app Bumble will be among the first partners to use this system, requiring users to authenticate their identity using their Google Wallet ID passes and government-issued IDs saved to their Google Wallet.
5. Aria Officially Launches Points System for OG Status Users
Aria has officially launched a points system open to users with OG status. For every 1 USDC pledged to the Stakestone vault, users receive 1 point. Experience points gained from completing Zealy tasks are counted into the points at a 1:1 ratio.
Users who have not yet obtained OG status can participate by continuously completing tasks. Points will serve as an important reference for subsequent incentives and rewards.
NOON NEWS
1. CZ Takes Jab at Gold as Precious Metals Rally Halts
Changpeng Zhao (CZ) took to X on Saturday with a critique of gold, stating: “Not against gold, but it’s not a limited supply asset.” His comment highlighted his preference for Bitcoin’s capped supply over gold’s theoretically unlimited supply.
This came as gold’s rally appears to be ending, with spot gold sliding 0.4% to $3,228.50 an ounce on Friday, putting it on track for a 2.6% weekly loss after hitting a record high of $3,500.05 on April 22.
Gold’s struggle coincides with easing US-China trade tensions, as China’s commerce ministry indicated the US had shown interest in resolving tariff issues. The cooling of safe-haven demand affected precious metals broadly, with silver, platinum, and palladium all heading for weekly losses.
2. EU Passes Anti-Money Laundering Regulation Affecting Cryptocurrencies
The European Union has officially passed the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR), introducing stringent measures for cryptocurrencies. Starting from July 1, 2027, financial institutions will be prohibited from providing anonymous cryptocurrency accounts or wallets to crypto service providers, and transactions involving privacy coins such as Monero, Zcash, and Dash will be completely banned.
The regulation mandates that any cryptocurrency transaction exceeding 1,000 euros must undergo mandatory identity verification. Additionally, the EU has established a new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) that will directly oversee large cryptocurrency platforms.
3. Usual Announces Third Wave of Early Redemption Fees Distribution
Usual has announced that the third wave of Early Redemption fees has been distributed, with 8.25 million USUALx redistributed to eligible holders. Usual is a secure and decentralized fiat-backed (RWA) stablecoin issuer that redistributes value and ownership through the $USUAL token.
4. World Chain Launches Orb Mini Biometric Device in US
World Chain has launched the portable biometric device Orb Mini in the United States on May 1, 2025. The device is designed to simplify iris scanning and make identity verification more convenient. It may be used as a point-of-sale terminal in the future, allowing users to pay by iris.
World Chain is Worldcoin’s blockchain platform focused on digital identity verification, with Orb Mini serving as a hardware device in its ecosystem primarily used to confirm human identity through iris scanning.
5. Claynosaurz Announces Partnership with Sui Blockchain
Web3 animation and entertainment brand Claynosaurz has announced a partnership with Sui blockchain. The company aims to integrate programs, mobile games, social media brands, NFT collections, and toy companies into an attractive consumer experience through blockchain technology, smart contracts, and digital asset tokenization.
Claynosaurz is positioning itself at the crossroads of early Web3 development, transitioning from technology enthusiasts to mainstream adoption. The company previously joined the Walrus ecosystem to promote on-chain animation and interactive experiences.
EVENING NEWS
1. Polymarket Forecasts 59% Probability of US Recession in 2025
According to data from Polymarket’s official website, there is a 59% probability of the U.S. economy entering a recession within 2025. The cumulative trading volume for this prediction has surpassed $4.27 million.
2. APACX Joins Global Payfi Alliance at Dubai Web3 Event
Stablecoin operations service provider APACX, which focuses on the Southeast Asian market, has joined the Global Payfi Alliance at the Web3 PayFi Oasis event in Dubai.
APACX COO Simon stated at the PayFi roundtable that “APACX focuses on enterprise-level stablecoin services for the Southeast Asian market, including incubating and operating local stablecoin projects and providing B2B stablecoin management solutions. Among these, PHT, a stablecoin based on the Philippine peso incubated by APACX, has been market-validated, reducing user transfer fees from the traditional 2.51% to 0.1%. At the same time, APACX’s WaaS service fills the gap in the secure use of digital assets between enterprises in the Southeast Asian market from the PayFi infrastructure level.”
3. Vitalik Buterin Proposes Simplifying Ethereum to Match Bitcoin’s Simplicity
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin wants to strip the protocol down to its essence, stating that in five years it could be as “beautifully simple” as Bitcoin. In a blog post published on Friday, Buterin outlined a sweeping plan to simplify Ethereum’s core protocol and shift away from years of growing technical complexity.
Buterin argues that the blockchain should prioritize simplicity alongside scalability and security, as overly complicated systems increase maintenance costs, security risks, and create barriers to participation in protocol development. One proposed change would overhaul Ethereum’s consensus system using a new model that would reduce code size and simplify validator responsibilities.
On the execution side, Buterin backed transitioning from the aging Ethereum Virtual Machine to a cleaner, faster architecture like RISC-V. This shift coincides with the Ethereum Foundation’s recent signal that it would refocus on the base layer after years of favoring rollups.
4. Cryptocurrency Funding Rates Turn Bearish Across Major Exchanges
According to recent data from Coinglass, funding rates across major centralized and decentralized exchanges have shifted towards a bearish outlook.
Funding rates are a mechanism used by cryptocurrency trading platforms to maintain the balance between contract prices and underlying asset prices, typically applied to perpetual contracts. This facilitates the exchange of funds between long and short traders without the platform charging a fee.
A funding rate of 0.01% signifies a baseline rate. When the rate exceeds 0.01%, it suggests bullish market sentiment. Conversely, when it falls below 0.005%, it indicates bearish market sentiment.
5. Bitdeer Increases Bitcoin Holdings to 1,245.8 BTC
Bitdeer, a prominent cryptocurrency mining company, has announced an increase in its Bitcoin holdings to a total of 1,245.8 Bitcoins. This expansion in reserves underscores Bitdeer’s strategic focus on accumulating Bitcoin as a hedge against market volatility and a store of value.
The decision reflects Bitdeer’s confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects and aligns with a broader trend among mining companies to accumulate Bitcoin to better manage financial risks and ensure long-term sustainability. This strategy enables the company to hedge against the volatility of operational costs, which are often denominated in fiat currencies.
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