Chainlink Rewards, launching on May 8, incentivizes active participation in the Chainlink network.

Daily top performer — ICON Network (ICX)

The S&P 500 fell 0.64% on Monday as market sentiment weakened due to stalled trade talks and new tariff threats, with investors awaiting the Fed’s policy meeting and Powell’s remarks. Gold surged over 2% to $3,321 as a weaker USD and Fed rate hold expectations boosted demand, with traders eyeing resistance at $3,350 ahead of Powell’s upcoming comments. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, down 0.53%, with Bitcoin and Ether down 1.33% and 1.44%, respectively in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is ICX, which surged 21.4% after the announcement of its transformation into SODAX, a unified DeFi platform powered by Sonic and $SODA.

ICON Network (ICX), launched in 2017, connects diverse blockchain communities through smart contracts and Citizen nodes, aiming to improve interoperability across blockchains. It uses decentralized identifier (DID) technology to securely store user data, supporting decentralized finance and digital content distribution. 

, a unified DeFi platform with a new deflationary token ($SODA), optimized liquidity products, and a migration to the faster, low-cost Sonic EVM chain for scalability and sustainability.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

, launching on May 8, incentivizes active participation in the Chainlink network. The first phase, Season Genesis, offers 100M SXT tokens to eligible LINK Stakers. Future seasons will introduce a more advanced claiming system and additional rewards linked to various Chainlink Build projects. Stay cautious of phishing attempts, and only rely on official links provided at launch.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw total outflows of $105.7M, with $16.4M from GBTC and $89.3M from other ETFs.

, enabling users to verify their reserved Human ID as an on-chain proof of identity linked to their humanity. RWT will convert to Humanity Points (HP), claimable offchain with one click. Palm scanning via mobile will also be introduced to confirm user presence on the network.

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Chainlink rewards launches with 100M SXT token giveaway for LINK stakers

May 5, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly highlight — Robust economic data might support June rate cut

Things are becoming increasingly complicated for the Federal Reserve as it prepares for its upcoming meeting. With inflation in focus, officials are likely to maintain interest rates. Yet, concerns about an economic slowdown are growing, exacerbated by calls from President Trump for a rate cut.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell may find some reassurance in recent labor data, which reported a robust increase of 177,000 jobs in April 2025. This solid job market provides a rationale for the Fed to hold rates steady. Additionally, the Fed's preferred inflation measure indicates a slight easing of price pressures. However, rising tariffs on imports threaten to undermine this progress.

Uncertainty looms globally over major central banks, as the White House seeks trade deals that could significantly alter economic forecasts. Economists suggest Powell will emphasize the importance of price stability, especially as inflation expectations appear to be shifting.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank continues to lower rates in anticipation of disinflation and weaker growth due to US tariffs, and the Bank of Canada has diverged from its usual practice of issuing a standard forecast, opting instead for two contrasting scenarios based on the tariff situation with the US.

Looking ahead, the US economic calendar is sparse, with upcoming data on service sector activity and jobless claims expected to provide insights into labor market trends. Globally, monetary policy decisions are anticipated in several countries, highlighting the widespread impact of trade tensions.

As central banks navigate these turbulent waters, the interplay of tariffs and inflation will be critical in shaping future economic policies.

Weekly crypto highlight — Strategy sees no pause in Bitcoin purchase

Michael Saylor's company, Strategy, has doubled its capital raising plan to $84 billion following a record $4.2 billion first-quarter loss. This loss was attributed to a new accounting rule mandating that the firm value its substantial Bitcoin holdings at market prices. On Thursday, Strategy registered to sell an additional $21 billion in common shares, having exhausted a previously authorized equity program.

Additionally, the company has increased its planned debt purchase program from $21 billion to $42 billion, with $14.6 billion remaining. This shift reflects a growing awareness among corporate Bitcoin buyers of the unrealized earnings fluctuations that can occur, such as in Strategy's dramatic quarterly loss. The company holds approximately $53 billion in Bitcoin.

Prior to this accounting change, Strategy classified its Bitcoin as intangible assets, which limited its ability to recognize gains unless the assets were sold. This resulted in permanent markdowns whenever Bitcoin prices fell.

Over the past five years, Saylor has transformed Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy Inc., into the largest leveraged Bitcoin proxy globally. However, revenue from its software division fell 3.6% to $111.1 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Saylor's advocacy has significantly contributed to Bitcoin’s mainstream acceptance, inspiring numerous companies to follow suit by purchasing Bitcoin for their balance sheets. Analysts suggest that as more firms adopt this strategy, demand for Bitcoin will rise, potentially benefiting Strategy further.

Despite the stock's remarkable 3,000% increase since Saylor began buying Bitcoin in 2020, concerns remain about the sustainability of this approach. New competitors are emerging, including well-funded entities like Twenty One Capital Inc., increasing the pressure on Strategy. Nonetheless, Saylor shows no signs of slowing down, and is continuing to expand Bitcoin acquisitions aggressively.

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Robust US economic data sends stocks higher; Strategy sees no pause in Bitcoin purchase

The US dollar is facing its biggest test in years. Since President Trump returned to office, markets have struggled. 

Introduction: The Trump effect and market breakdown

The US dollar is facing its biggest test in years. Since President Trump returned to office, markets have struggled. The S&P 500 recorded its worst start under a new president since 1928. At the same time, the US dollar is falling — not just against one or two currencies, but broadly.

Normally, when stock markets fall, the dollar gains as a “safe-haven” asset. But this time is different, as both stocks and the dollar are dropping, which is rare and worrying. Investors are leaving the dollar and moving into alternatives like the euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), gold and Bitcoin (BTC).

Example of negative S&P 500-Dollar correlation. S&P 500 dropped while the Dollar rose — July to October 2023 correction period. 

A perfect storm: Tariffs, isolation and the Federal Reserve

One of the biggest reasons for the dollar's current weakness is fear. Trump’s aggressive trade stance is isolating the US economy, and investors are worried about new tariffs and the long-term damage to global trade relationships.

If Europe decides to deepen trade ties with China instead of the US, the dollar’s position as the global reserve currency could face a real threat. On top of that, Trump has been attacking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, calling him a “loser” and pushing for lower interest rates. These comments hurt confidence in the independence of the Fed — a cornerstone of US financial stability.

, it could signal a more cooperative approach and help stabilize investor confidence, offering much-needed support for the dollar.

China, trade and the mechanism behind the dollar decline

For decades, China and other countries have exported goods to the United States, earning US dollars. These dollars were often reinvested in US assets such as Treasury bonds, helping support the dollar’s strength. But tariffs are upending this entire system.

When Trump’s tariffs were activated, Chinese goods became more expensive in the US This meant that China sells less, earns less profit and has fewer dollars to reinvest. Demand for the dollar falls — and so does its value.

In other words, more tariffs are actually 

 for the dollar. The same goes for other export-heavy countries, such as Japan or Germany. If they see reduced access to US markets, they hold fewer dollars and invest less in US assets.

This shift in global capital flows is a major reason why the dollar is falling, and why it could fall further — unless, of course, a 

, which could help bring global flows back toward the dollar.

Technical environment: Oversold — or more pain to come?

There are two key ways to track the dollar in financial markets:

The DXY is currently down 8.3% in 2025, sitting at around 99.5 — its lowest level since April 2022. Meanwhile, EUR/USD is trading at around 1.134,after hitting 1.157 on April 21 — its highest level since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022.

Technically, the dollar appears to be oversold. The 

 (RSI) is at 38, which is close to the “oversold” threshold of 30. Earlier in April it hit 25, which often signals a short-term rebound. The 

 indicator also shows early signs of positive momentum, as the 12-day moving average has crossed above the 26-day. If DXY can remain above 100 for a few days, it could help to build a stronger rally.

On the other hand, EUR/USD shows signs of being slightly overbought. The RSI is at around 60 (with 70 being the usual “overbought” threshold), and the MACD suggests downside risk is building. A drop below 1.13 in EUR/USD could push the dollar back up slightly. However, without fundamental support, any rebound may be short-lived.

Key events to watch: Tariff deadline and Fed cuts

Two major forces will shape the dollar in the weeks ahead:

Trump signing a tariff agreement with China

 before the July deadline — could help reverse the current negative trend and provide a short-term boost for the US dollar.

The US dollar is under pressure from all sides: politics, trade, interest rates and technical factors. Meanwhile, the rare combination of falling stocks and a falling dollar signals that global investors are losing confidence in their outlook on the US. The core of the problem is Trump’s aggressive trade policy and its impact on China — a longtime buyer of US assets.

As the 90-day tariff delay nears its end and the Fed prepares to lower interest rates, the dollar could face another sharp leg down. However, 

if a tariff deal is reached between the US and China

, the dollar could regain strength, as investor sentiment improves and capital flows return.

Technical indicators also suggest that the Dollar may be slightly oversold. RSI and MACD readings point to a possible short-term bounce if conditions improve.

In the meantime, traders and investors should watch the 100 level on the DXY and the 1.13 line on EUR/USD. These will be key markers for where the dollar is heading next.

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Bybit x FxStreet Report: USD is oversold as the result of technical indicators and EUR hype

Bybit showcased its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. 

Daily top performer — Zebec Network (ZBCN)

The S&P 500 extended its rally with a nine-day winning streak, its longest since 2004, as optimism over potential trade deals and upcoming Fed and earnings updates lifted sentiment. Gold rose to $3,245 on trade uncertainty and Fed rate cut hopes. CoinDesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell 1.50% in the past 24 hours, while Bitcoin and Ether dropped 0.10% and 0.51%, respectively. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is ZBCN, which surged 19.5% after Zebec Network joined the Circle Alliance, aiming to make USDC the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

Zebec Network (ZBCN), founded in 2021, is a Solana-based DeFi protocol enabling real-time payroll and payments, with products like Zebec Card, Safes, and Web3 Banking, all governed by ZBC token holders. 

, with Circle Ventures being an early backer. USDC powers Zebec's products, including Zebec Cards and payroll services. With Circle holding a significant amount of ZBCN, Zebec aims to establish USDC as the default stablecoin for real-world payments.

 its innovative crypto solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025, emphasizing its role in integrating crypto into traditional payments. The exchange launched Bybit Pay in Brazil, offering a seamless crypto-to-fiat experience with features like QR code payments, multi-currency support, and secure blockchain transactions. Bybit also highlighted its strategic partnerships, including with Tomorrowland Brasil, and introduced its rewarding Bybit Card. The event showcased Bybit’s commitment to empowering the LATAM crypto community and making crypto accessible in everyday life.

BTC spot ETFs saw $1.8B net inflows last week, driven by $1.86B into non-GBTC ETFs despite a $58.7M GBTC outflow. Since inception, total net inflows stand at $40.2B.

GiveRep is experiencing heavy traffic, causing site loading issues, but the team is actively working on 

 V1 soon. In the meantime, users can continue earning rewards as all tweets about GiveRep are still being indexed. A confirmed ATTN token airdrop will reward those who rank higher on the leaderboard, so continued engagement is encouraged.

Bybit showcases crypto payment solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025 with Bybit Pay launch in Brazil

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Explainers

Altcoins

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUALS) empowers users to create decentralized AI agents on Base, blending blockchain with interactive AI experiences.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has continued to disrupt many industries, and the entertainment niche hasn’t been left behind. AI agents — autonomous characters designed to perform certain tasks without human intervention — have become increasingly popular due to their efficiency, which improves productivity and cuts costs.

In the blockchain space, we've seen AI agents being introduced in areas such as gaming (e.g., 

, an AI-powered casual game platform; relationships (for example, 

In line with the potential that AI agents hold, Virtuals Protocol has created a platform that lets people create and own AI agents. It basically decentralizes AI agents, turning them into community-owned assets that can generate revenue.

 that’s designed to allow anyone to create an AI agent, a virtual character that can interact and engage with its environment in a similar way that human beings do.

The creators of Virtuals Protocol believe that the $100 billion AI market remains hugely untapped, especially in the entertainment and gaming niche. With that in mind, the team aims to offer a platform chartering a new path in the decentralized co-ownership of AI-powered tokens that can bring real value to users.

AI agents on Virtuals Protocol can move and speak in 3D spaces, make on-chain transactions, learn, make decisions and interact “virtually” with their environment. There are two primary types of agents in Virtuals Protocol: IP agents and functional agents. IP agents represent specific personalities, with one of the original IP agents on the platform known as Luna, who has over 500,000 followers on TikTok.

On the other hand, functional agents are designed to enhance user experience by enabling a seamless interaction with the virtual world. An excellent example of a functional agent on Virtuals is G.A.M.E (Generative Autonomous Multimodal Entities), a framework that allows developers to access and experiment with AI agents via APIs and SDKs.

In short, while IP Agents such as Luna focus on delivering personalized and engaging interactions as distinct characters, functional agents in the form of G.A.M.E. provide the underlying frameworks and tools that facilitate the creation, integration and operation of these AI agents within various applications and virtual environments.

The native token of Virtuals Protocol, VIRTUAL, is designed to facilitate the on-chain agent economy on the platform.

 to create an ecosystem that allows co-ownership and deployment of AI agents in the gaming and entertainment sectors. Its platform is structured to allow all interactions to be recorded transparently and stored securely in order to enhance the development of AI agents. Virtuals Protocol follows the architecture below.

At the core of Virtuals Protocol lies the 

, which standardizes and streamlines interactions among various stakeholders.

Interaction Between Contributors and Validators

The collaboration between Contributors and Validators is pivotal to the protocol's functionality.

The ICV is a protocol-owned vault that archives all historically approved contributions of VIRTUAL agents on-chain to ensure transparency, composability and proper attribution of contributions.

Creating AI Agents With Virtuals Protocol

Anyone can create their own AI agents on Virtuals Protocol.

The creation of an AI agent encompasses both 

 operations. First, you’ll need to submit an agent creation form that defines the agent’s identity by filling in crucial details, such as the profile picture, name, ticker symbol and description. You can also further customize the agent with optional details, such as social media links.

Next, you’ll need 10 VIRTUAL tokens to create the agent, which will be deployed on a bonding curve. Users can buy and sell the agent tokens along this curve. Once the agent token reaches a market cap of $420,000, a liquidity pool is established on Uniswap, and the agent becomes visible on the platform.

After the bonding process, you can opt to delegate your voting power to facilitate decentralized governance on the platform. Your delegated voting power allows you to participate in the contribution validation process, thereby ensuring that changes made to an agent’s AI model or behavior are approved by the community.

Once an AI agent has been created, it undergoes deployment. This process involves AI model selection, whereby the system defaults to a predefined cognitive model that can be customized later. Next is the preparation of the character card and AI model, which are critical for the agent's cognitive core.

Contribution NFTs are then minted, initiating the agent's operational capabilities. The AI model is then deployed into the Agent Runner, a specialized environment designed to run the agent's cognitive, voice and visual cores.

Creating AI agents within Virtuals Protocol involves a structured process known as the Initial Agent Offering (IAO), a mechanism that enables users to develop, deploy and co-own AI agents, transforming them into community-driven, revenue-generating assets.

The IAO is the foundational step for introducing new AI agents into the Virtuals ecosystem. It allows creators to launch AI agents by locking a certain amount of VIRTUAL tokens, which are then used to establish liquidity pools for the agent's governance tokens. These liquidity pools are locked for 10 years to encourage long-term token stability.

The Virtuals Protocol ecosystem encompasses a range of AI-driven applications designed to enhance user engagement across various platforms and virtual worlds. Following is an overview of each.

AiDOL is pioneering the development of fully AI-driven live-streaming agents, focusing on platforms like TikTok. Unlike traditional VTubers who rely on human performers, AiDOL utilizes advanced AI technologies to create virtual idols capable of forming personalized connections with fans. The first virtual creation on AiDOL is an AI band whose lead singer, Luna, has over 500,000 followers on TikTok.

Roblox Westworld is an interactive simulation within a popular Web 2.0 game, 

, featuring autonomous agents powered by the GAME framework. Inspired by the concept of AI androids in a Wild West setting, players are tasked with identifying and capturing a hidden villain ("The Bandit”). The simulation includes ten agents, each with unique personalities and goals and capable of strategizing and interacting autonomously. This setup leads to diverse storylines and outcomes, enhancing replayability with minimal repetition across playthroughs.

AI Waifu is a web-based application offering over 300 AI characters and fantasies created by the community. Users can enjoy a personalized and interactive experience by engaging in role-playing scenarios, customizing voices, and creating manga. This platform caters to users seeking companionship and creative expression through AI-driven interactions.

 is an upcoming interactive game on Telegram, showcasing the capabilities of VIRTUAL Agents in managing on-chain transactions within a game where economy matters. Players can engage with autonomous agents, convincing them to perform tasks and witnessing the agents' decision-making processes in real time.

 is a 3D AI-RPG (role-playing game) on Telegram that integrates AI agents to create immersive and interactive storytelling experiences. Players can engage with AI-driven characters, explore narratives and influence story outcomes through their interactions.

What Is the Virtuals Protocol Token (VIRTUAL)?

VIRTUAL is the native token for the Virtuals Protocol ecosystem. A utility token, it’s designed to facilitate and incentivize interactions within the AI-driven platform. Its core functions are as follows:

VIRTUAL has a finite total supply of 1 billion tokens, distributed as follows:

You can buy VIRTUAL on Bybit as a Spot pair (

Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) Price Prediction

As of Nov 28, 2024, the VIRTUAL token’s price is at $0.8647, just 6.9% lower than its all-time high recorded the day before at $0.

over 11,000% higher than its all-time low of $0.007486 on Jan 23, 2024.

Price prediction experts are bullish on the future price of VIRTUAL. According to price forecasting experts at DigitalCoinPrice, VIRTUAL 

 of $2.26 in 2025 and increase to $6.51 by 2030. Another price prediction platform, CoinCodex, believes that VIRTUAL 

 $4.15 by 2025, but decline slightly to $3.30 by 2030.

While these price predictions are bullish, they don’t guarantee the future price of VIRTUAL. They aren’t financial advice. We highly recommend you 

 before investing in VIRTUAL or any other cryptocurrencies.

As AI continues to disrupt the web3 space, a project such as Virtuals Protocol is strategically placed to provide users with a platform to create AI agents. With its innovative approach to community ownership of AI agents, crypto enthusiasts can tap into the platform to generate revenue. Virtuals Protocol is definitely a project to watch as it continues to pioneer innovative applications in the fast-growing multibillion AI industry.

Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL): Future of AI in Digital Media

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Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL): Future of AI in Digital Media

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Compete for 2,500 USDT USDT Every Week

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards