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.

Advanced

5 May 2025 weekly newsletter.png

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

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.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

 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.

Beginner

4.png

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

Crypto portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

In the whirlwind cryptocurrency space, the secret to keeping your profits lies not in predicting the next moonshot, but in mastering portfolio diversification: the art of turning market chaos into a calculated advantage. From blending rock-solid 

, this article reveals how strategically spreading your investments can shield your portfolio from meltdowns and position you to profit — no matter which way the crypto winds blow.

Portfolio diversification is the practice of spreading investments across different asset classes, industries or geographies in order to reduce risk.

This strategy aims to mitigate the impact of poor performance in one area by balancing it with gains or stability in others.

Portfolio diversification entails spreading investments across different asset classes in order to minimize risk. By holding a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities, you avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. When one asset class takes a hit, others may remain stable or even perform better, helping to reduce the overall risk to your portfolio.

In the crypto market, diversification works in a similar way, but with an extra layer of complexity. Cryptocurrencies 

, so diversifying within this market is essential. A well-diversified crypto portfolio often starts with well-established coins like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). These major assets are the foundation of many portfolios, due to their market dominance and liquidity. Then, in order to add growth potential (though with higher risk), investors might include mid-to-small cap coins like 

You can also diversify by sector, investing in different use cases, such as 

, AI or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This can involve a mix of altcoins and newer tokens that are part of various blockchain ecosystems — such as 

 (DOT) — to reduce dependency on a single blockchain's performance.

For those looking to minimize volatility, diversifying into stablecoins like 

 can be a good option. These assets are pegged to traditional currencies such as the US dollar, making them more stable while still allowing you to gain exposure to the crypto market.

 (ETFs) or index funds can help simplify crypto diversification. These options give investors access to a basket of cryptocurrencies, reducing the need to manage each asset individually and providing a more hands-off approach to diversification.

Diversifying your cryptocurrency portfolio is a strategic approach to managing risk and enhancing potential returns in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various digital assets, sectors and regions, investors can mitigate the impact of adverse movements in any single asset as follows.

Different types of portfolio diversification

Diversifying your crypto portfolio is essential for managing risk and capturing growth across varying market conditions. Below are some key methods to consider.

Infrastructure tokens like Ethereum (ETH) and Cardano (ADA) are vital for running blockchain networks, while 

) give holders a voice in project decisions. Meanwhile, 

), though speculative, can offer short-term gains, due to community hype and viral momentum.

Diversification is a powerful strategy to manage risk and optimize returns, but it requires careful planning and ongoing monitoring. Following are some key considerations before diversifying your crypto portfolio.

Assess your risk tolerance and investment goals

 and investment objectives. If stability is your priority, consider focusing on well-established assets like BTC, ETH and stablecoins like USDC and USDT. These assets tend to offer lower volatility and more predictable returns. However, if you're comfortable with higher risk for potentially higher rewards, you might allocate a portion of your portfolio to emerging sectors, such as DeFi tokens or gaming coins. Additionally, your time horizon matters — since short-term investors may prefer liquid, low-volatility assets (such as stablecoins), while long-term holders may opt for high-potential assets, such as NFTs or blockchain infrastructure (e.g., mining operations or tokenized real estate).

When diversifying, balance large-cap cryptocurrencies (e.g., BTC or ETH) with smaller, high-growth altcoins. Large-cap assets are generally more stable, and provide a solid foundation for your portfolio. Meanwhile, smaller-cap coins can offer higher growth potential, but they come with more risk. 

Spread your investments across different sectors, such as DeFi, 

 platforms, in order to reduce overexposure to any one area. Consider geopolitical factors and the regulatory environment, as these factors can affect markets differently in various regions, making geographical diversification important.

A balanced portfolio is key to effective diversification. For example, you could allocate 40% to Bitcoin and Ethereum, 30% to stablecoins for liquidity and risk mitigation and the remaining 30% to altcoins or alternative investments, such as blockchain startups. Another strategy is that of 

 (DCA), whereby you invest a fixed amount periodically, regardless of market fluctuations. This helps to reduce the impact of market timing and smooth out crypto market volatility.

While diversification has its advantages, over-diversifying can dilute your returns because your gains may be spread thin across many assets. Frequent trading and rebalancing can also lead to higher transaction fees that can into your profits. Additionally, managing a diverse portfolio requires time, expertise and constant attention, which might not be feasible for every investor.

To further reduce exposure to crypto volatility, think about including traditional assets, such as stocks, ETFs or blockchain infrastructure investments. These can act as a stabilizing force during crypto market downturns, offering balance to your portfolio.

Ultimately, a well-diversified portfolio can help investors navigate market volatility with more confidence. Diversifying your portfolio is a vital strategy for managing risk and optimizing returns, particularly in the volatile crypto market. By spreading investments across various asset types, market caps, sectors and investment vehicles, investors can cushion the impact of market fluctuations and potentially capture better returns. While diversification offers many benefits, it requires careful planning, constant monitoring and a balanced approach in order to avoid over-diversification and excessive trading costs.

portfolio diversification.png

Portfolio diversification: The key to efficiently navigating market volatility

Ethereum R1 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum

The S&P 500 rose 0.63% Thursday, boosted by strong Meta and Microsoft earnings, but futures slipped Friday as investors awaited the April jobs report and weighed Apple and Amazon tariff concerns. Gold fell to $3,235 as easing trade tensions cut safe-haven demand; markets await US jobs data for rate cut signals. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, rose 2.19%, with Bitcoin and Ether up 2.57% and 2.60%, 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 AR, which gained 16.8% following CloneX's successful migration to Arweave, sponsored by ArDrive.

Arweave (AR), founded in 2017, is a decentralized network for permanent data storage, using blockweave and Proof of Access to ensure long-term accessibility. It offers 200-year storage for a one-time fee, incentivized by AR tokens for miners. The system connects blocks efficiently to preserve and retrieve data, aiming to create a lasting digital knowledge repository. CloneX has successfully 

 to Arweave for permanent storage, with the support of ArDrive, which sponsored the migration of 100 GB of data. The process is nearly complete, with only Animus remaining to undergo decentralization.

 is a new donation-funded, tokenless Layer 2 rollup designed to offer a decentralized, censorship-resistant, and governance-minimized scaling solution for Ethereum. Built on open-source code and the Nethermind Surge stack, it emphasizes credible neutrality, public good funding (with all fees burned after 2030), and infrastructure that remains free from VC control or centralized dependencies.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw $71.1M in total inflows, with $16M from GBTC and $55.1M from other ETFs.

 $BOOP tokens to active Solana memecoin traders and creators who promote memecoins or Solana dapps on X. To claim, users must connect their Solana wallet or X account and launch a free token. The airdrop arrives in 30 days, but growing the token’s market cap can accelerate the reward.

3.png

Ethereum R1 offers a decentralized rollup solution for Ethereum

Everyone has opinions on NFTs. Whether you think they're just another fad or the next big thing in the cryptoverse, here's a snapshot of the hottest NFT trends that we’re likely to see more of in 2022. 

Nyan_Cat.png

An_ape_avatar_by_Bored_Ape_Yacht_Club.png

Banksy’s_Gorilla_in_a_Pink_Mask..png

Illuvium.png

Poster_for_GenZeroes.jpg

Samsung’s_MICRO_LED_smart_TV.jpg

Royal.png

Arcade.png

Pringle’s_“CryptoCrisp”-flavored_NFT.png

). For some, they’re just another fad that’ll fizzle out any day now. For others, they’re the next big thing in the cryptoverse. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there’s no denying digital collectibles like these are going to continue their impact on the crypto market in 2022. 

NFTs first rose to prominence in early 2021, when 

 for a record-shattering $69 million at Christie’s auction house. That milestone opened the floodgates and led to countless headlines, involving more non-fungible assets such as 

. NFTs were such a hot topic in 2021 – be it on mainstream newspapers or major social media platforms – that the 

 ended up selecting the acronym as its word of the year. 

Besides their impact on the general population, NFTs have also opened up a whole new world for blockchain technology, with new developments in 

As developers come up with more applications for the technology, the popularity of NFTs shows no signs of slowing. To give you an idea of where the market may trend, we’ve taken a snapshot of the latest and hottest trends that we’re likely to see more of in 2022. 

Beeple’s record-breaking NFT coup was far from the only high-profile NFT art sale reported in 2021. To quickly recap, a GIF of the Pop-Tarts®-bodied feline meme sensation 

 sold for 300 ETH (worth an estimated $590,000 at the time). A month later, in March 2021, a digital card displaying an image of a morph between Homer Simpson and Pepe the Frog called 

 sold for 205 ETH (equivalent to $320,000 at that time). 

 has become so popular that Sotheby’s Auction House launched a dedicated NFT marketplace called 

, which reportedly achieved almost $100 million in sales before the end of 2021. 

The hype didn’t just stop with crypto art, as 

 — algorithmically generated digital images of cartoon characters — quickly became the next big thing, with numerous avatars selling for millions of dollars. Perhaps the most famous examples of avatars from 2021 are the collections from 

, which count major celebrities such as 

An ape avatar by Bored Ape Yacht Club. Image source:

The staggering rise of NFTs in the art scene has naturally raised questions about what makes art valuable, the nature of ownership, and perhaps most importantly, what else we might expect in 2022 and beyond.

The trend going into 2022 appears to be buying and selling fractionalized NFTs of real-world artwork by famous artists. 

 for high-value crypto assets, but at a fraction of the cost. 

One event to watch for is the auction of NFTs representing a mural by iconic street artist 

, which was removed from a wall in Bristol, England, in September 2020. 

, the company that extracted the mural, is set to sell the graffitied wall this year as a collection of 10,000 fractionalized NFTs, each of which will sell for around $750. 

Following Exposed Wall’s example, another company, 

, is planning to launch the sale of NFT collections representing fine art masterpieces from around the world. Like Exposed Wall, Particle divides each individual art piece into a grid of 10,000 NFTs. The platform acquired the physical version of Banksy’s 2005 work, 

 for almost $12.9 million. The artwork will be the first to be fractionalized by Particle into 10,000 NFT parts, each one selling for just over $1,400, for a total value of $14 million.

Fractionalizing assets may sound like a strange model for ownership, but it’s actually started to gain traction in 2021. Picasso’s 

(valued at $3.68 million) was fractionalized into a collection of 

 (or $920 per fractionalized share). In addition, platforms like 

 are offering investors the opportunity to buy and sell fractionalized shares of individual multimillion-dollar works by blue-chip artists, including Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Kaws (aka Brian Donnelly), and more. 

 isn’t without its flaws. However, art investors seem to be embracing the technology and exploring its possibilities for profit as the next evolution of fine art collecting.

This new model is also a boon for creative industries, enabling artists to monetize their work while providing a larger pool of people with the opportunity to invest. 

 will also be able to receive royalties from secondary sales

Besides revolutionizing the art world as we know it, NFT art has the potential to democratize and increase transparency in the annual 

Gaming was probably the second biggest area of development for NFTs in 2021. 

 (a portmanteau of gaming and finance, otherwise known as NFT gaming) paved the way for this development with blockchain-based play-to-earn games that reward players with in-game NFT assets. 

 (AXS) is the most popular game of the bunch, with reportedly over 

 worth of in-game assets traded on its platform. The game is inspired by Pokémon and features collectible pets called “Axies,” which are NFTs with a unique combination of abilities. The game also has its own in-game tokens, Axie 

 and Smooth Love Potion (SLP), which function as currency in the 

Illuvium is slated to be the first-ever AAA game on the blockchain. Image source:

Play-to-earn games aren’t the only projects in the GameFi space. There are also text-based games which use NFTs. For example, 

 is a community-created game template which features 8,000 distributed “loot bags” containing randomly generated lists of items, including weapons and other equipment of varying rarity, to be used in a game that will be designed by its online community. The items are collectible NFTs which are completely free (apart from associated gas fees). Loot is still under development, and there are currently no more details on the properties of the items that are minted in loot bags. 

One of the bigger changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is the model for how studios release and monetize new movies — as even blockbuster films now go straight to streaming. The television industry has similarly experienced change, as it adjusts to the popularity of nonlinear streaming viewing habits.

Streaming has completely revolutionized content delivery. But is having a middleman who controls what you can and can’t watch really the future of entertainment? Some crypto experts think NFTs are the next frontier — which could change how content is consumed. 

, an NFT TV show by House of Kibaa. Image source:

NFTs enable a whole new way to monetize, merchandise and crowdfund film/TV projects. Some big industry names have already started to release NFT TV shows, including: 

NFT TV shows are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. There are also TV shows that aren’t NFTs, but are based on NFT characters, such as the 

 TV series being developed by Time Studios, the film and TV production studio of 

 director Kevin Smith announced in April 2021 that he would be taking part in the NFT experiment by auctioning off his upcoming horror movie, 

 as an NFT. According to a statement from Smith, the studio that purchases the movie NFT can monetize it traditionally — or even choose never to screen it. 

Samsung’s MICRO LED smart TV is slated for a 2022 release and will feature an NFT platform. Image source:

NFTs have also found their way into TVs, quite literally, as Samsung 

 an “NFT Aggregation Platform” in its newest models of smart TVs (Neo QLED, MICRO LED, and The Frame TV models) scheduled for release in 2022. Viewers can use the feature to browse NFTs for sale on several marketplaces, and even buy them directly using their TV. 

It’s a pretty big endorsement for the NFT space, and perhaps the clearest sign that NFTs and the entertainment sector are only going to become more entwined in the future. 

The music industry has also caught the NFT bug. It’s no secret that it’s difficult for musicians to earn under the current system, with artists getting paid fractions of pennies per stream. Independent musicians are turning to NFTs as a new financial model that offers more creative freedom. The trend in 2022 appears to be more NFT albums and songs. 

Musician Daniel Allan, who was recently 

, is one example of an artist who has reportedly sold digital copies of his songs as NFTs for thousands of dollars each. Allan, who makes electro-pop music, uses platforms like 

 to showcase his work. Glass is a video streaming platform where every video is an NFT that’s owned by the creators, who get to decide how the content is monetized without any middlemen. 

Other ventures in the music industry include 

, which enable music lovers to earn a share of income collected every time a song in the platform’s catalog is performed. Band Royalty reportedly has 3,000 NFTs on its platform, with the long-term goal of having a total of 12,000 NFTs over the next 18 months. 

DJ 3LAU launched an NFT-based music platform called

that features NFT music by artists like Nas. Image source:

A famous example of an artist successfully selling an NFT album is DJ 3LAU, who released a crypto album that made 

 producer sold 33 unique NFTs of his album, 

 in an auction he announced on Twitter. His next project is an NFT-based music platform called 

, which lets fans purchase NFTs to share in royalties earned by their favorite musicians.

Other prominent artists who have shown interest in NFTs include rapper Meek Mill, who announced last year that he’s going to release an NFT mixtape in 2022. 

). The band dropped three different types of tokens: One was a special album package, the second offered perks like front-row concert seats for life, and the third contained exclusive audiovisual art.

As you can see from the examples above, this new formula has been tried and tested for success. It won’t be surprising if more big artists start releasing NFT versions of their albums as record labels jump on the NFT hype train.

It might sound like the only good potential use cases for NFTs are in digital art, media and gaming, but they go far beyond play-to-earn games and prohibitively expensive cartoon profile pictures. One up-and-coming use case is NFT loans. Investors are putting their NFTs and NFT collections to work by using them as collateral to obtain loans for emergencies and new potential investments. 

 platforms were launched in 2021 to facilitate loans using NFTs as collateral. For example, 

 platform that offers NFT-backed loans. The borrower and lender must first agree to the terms before the collection is locked in an escrow account facilitated by a 

 deployed by Arcade. The NFT(s) remains locked up and irretrievable until the loan is paid in full or defaulted.

NFT holders can put their individual pieces and collections to work on DeFi lending platforms like Arcade. Image source:

As of January 2022, Arcade reportedly supported 50+ NFT collections that have “

. The platform recently secured $15 million in Series A funding from notable crypto investors including Pantera Capital and Franklin Templeton. 

Another popular DeFi platform for NFT-backed loans is 

, a marketplace where users can put up NFT assets as collateral for loans or offer loans to other users. Any ERC-721 token can be used as collateral in exchange for a loan in 

. Once the loan is repaid, the NFT is transferred back to the borrower. If the loan defaults, then the asset is transferred to the lender. 

Brands in all industries have been coming up with creative ways to grab a slice of the NFT pie. Food brands likeCampbell’s, McDonald’s and Taco Bell, and fashion brands including Gucci, Nike and Louis Vuitton are leading the charge by releasing limited-edition NFT collectibles as a way to build brand loyalty, boost social media engagement, generate new revenue streams and raise money for charity. 

, a limited-edition digital collection of crypto-themed crisps with a “virtual flavor.” Limited to just 50 versions, the NFT is an MP4 file that shows an animated spinning golden Pringles can with the “CryptoCrisp” flavor.

The price for the CryptoCrisp NFTs started at 0.0013 ETH, or approximately $2, which is the price of a regular Pringles can. The NFTs are now available for prices starting at 4 ETH on 

6 Biggest NFT Trends to Look Out For (2022)

Compete for 2,500 USDT Every Week

Earn Points by Completing Tasks

Event Rules

Weekly Leaderboard