VivoPower Announces $121M Private Capital Raise to Fund XRP Strategy
VivoPower International PLC said Wednesday it has secured agreements with private investors to raise $121 million through a capital offering priced at $6.05 per share. The offering was led by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Abdulaziz Al Saud and includes contributions from several digital asset-focused institutions. The transaction, involving the sale of 20 million ordinary shares, was priced slightly above the company’s last closing price of $6.04 on Nasdaq. The capital raise remains subject to shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions, including the finalization of securities purchase agreements. Shift Toward XRP-Centric Treasury Strategy Proceeds from the offering will fund VivoPower’s transition into a digital asset treasury operation focused on XRP, a cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs. The company aims to invest in the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem and position itself as the first publicly traded firm to adopt an XRP-centric treasury model. VivoPower Executive Chairman Kevin Chin described the move as a step toward expanding real-world use cases for XRP, particularly in cross-border payments. He noted the company sees potential blockchain applications across its subsidiaries, including Tembo, which develops electric utility vehicles, and Caret Digital, a crypto mining venture. Both entities are expected to be spun off before the end of the third quarter. Adam Traidman, a former Ripple board member and co-founder of several blockchain firms, will join VivoPower’s Board of Advisors as chairman. Traidman is also participating in the funding round. He said the initiative reflects institutional interest in scalable blockchain infrastructure. Conditions and Regulatory Compliance The offering was made to non-U.S. investors under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. As such, the securities involved have not been registered under U.S. securities laws and cannot be sold to U.S. persons unless they meet exemption criteria. Shareholders are expected to vote on the proposal at a meeting tentatively scheduled for June 18. VivoPower stated that closing is contingent on conditions, including the absence of material adverse changes and continued listing of its stock.
Crypto Market Correction: What Every Investor Should know
The crypto market is known for its ups and downs. Sometimes, the prices of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum go up quickly. But other times, they fall just as fast. When prices drop by 10% or more from a recent high, it’s called a market correction. In simple terms, a crypto market correction happens when the price of a cryptocurrency falls by around 10% or more from its recent high. This doesn’t mean the market is crashing — it just means it’s adjusting. Prices may have gone up too quickly, and the correction brings them back down to a more realistic level. Corrections are normal and happen in all financial markets, not just crypto. They help balance things out and keep prices from getting too out of control. A correction usually means that prices have dropped by 10% or more from a recent high. But this 10% number is just a general guide, it’s not a strict rule. Key takeaway What is Crypto Market Correction? A crypto market correction occurs when prices across the market experience a swift decline, typically ranging from 10% to 20%. While the exact percentage can fluctuate, the essential idea is clear: prices are adjusting after a rapid rise. This process is a natural and expected part of the market cycle, and it’s important to recognize it as an opportunity rather than a setback. These corrections often happen after a big, sudden surge in prices. The market pulls back and returns to a more normal, long-term trend. Think of it like a reset button after things get too hot. If the price drop gets much bigger than that, it’s no longer just a correction — it’s called a market crash. But most of the time, corrections are just temporary dips that help the market stay healthy. A crypto market correction is a normal part of investing in digital assets. It doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Often, it simply means the market is taking a break after a big rise. Market corrections can help bring prices back to more normal levels when they’ve gone too high. They are a natural part of how markets work and can happen for many reasons, like changes in investor mood, new rules from governments, or big world events. When a cryptocurrency’s price shoots up too fast because of hype or excitement, it can create a bubble—something that’s not built to last. A correction helps pop that bubble early, bringing prices back to a more realistic level. Sometimes, investors sell their crypto after a big price jump to lock in profits. This is called profit-taking, and it often causes prices to dip. Other times, external news like new government rules, tech updates, hacks, or changes in how people feel about the market—can cause prices to fall. Even though corrections might feel stressful, they’re actually a healthy part of the market. They help stop prices from getting too high and make room for more steady, long-term growth. Many smart investors even see corrections as a good time to buy. Significance of Corrections in the Crypto Ecosystem Corrections might sound scary, especially if you’re new to crypto, but they actually play a very important role in the health of the market. When prices rise too fast because of hype or speculation, assets can become overvalued, meaning people are paying more than the asset is really worth. A correction brings those prices back to their actual market value. It helps cool down the market and keeps it from forming dangerous bubbles that could burst and lead to much bigger crashes later on. Corrections also give investors a chance to re-enter the market at better prices. For long-term believers in crypto, a correction might not be bad news — it could be a buying opportunity. In short, corrections are part of the natural rhythm of the crypto world. They help clean up the excess, reset expectations, and set the stage for healthier, more sustainable growth. Intrinsic Factors Driving Corrections When the cryptocurrency market experiences a sudden drop in prices — also known as a correction — it’s not always due to external forces like government regulations or macroeconomic trends. Often, the reasons are built into the market itself. These are called intrinsic factors, and they can play a powerful role in shaping price movements. Market Sentiment and Speculative Trading Crypto markets are incredibly sentiment-driven. In a space where fear and hype can spread like wildfire on social media, the collective mood of investors often causes dramatic price swings. When prices are rising, the “fear of missing out” (FOMO) kicks in, drawing in new buyers who hope to ride the wave. But the moment the market shows weakness, that optimism can flip into panic. Traders rush to sell and lock in profits or cut losses, triggering a chain reaction of falling prices — the essence of a correction. Speculative trading also fuels this cycle. Many participants aren’t long-term holders but short-term speculators looking for quick gains. They use leverage, bots, and momentum-based strategies, which can amplify market moves both up and down. As a result, even small shifts in sentiment can cause large, rapid corrections. Overvaluation and Price Bubbles Sometimes, a correction is just the market hitting the brakes after accelerating too fast. During bull runs, prices can soar far beyond the actual value of a project, creating what’s known as a price bubble. In these cases, investors may start pouring money into coins simply because they’re trending, not because they understand the technology or use case. This can cause massive overvaluation. Eventually, reality catches up — perhaps when hype dies down or fundamentals are scrutinized — and prices begin to fall. This correction is a natural rebalancing, helping the market return to a more sustainable valuation. Think of it like this: if a coin’s value triples in a week with no major news or development, a pullback is not only expected — it’s healthy. Security Breaches and Exchange Trust Issues Trust is everything in
10 Biggest Bitcoin Myths That Just Won’t Die
Bitcoin was initially an underground affair used by cypherpunks, computer scientists, and libertarians. Its fame grew during the global financial uncertainty of the early 2009s-2010s as more people understood its potential. Years later, on January 19, 2025, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $109,026.02. It has since gained broader legitimacy, with countries like El Salvador recognizing it as legal tender, and even seasoned Wall Street traders treating it as a serious asset. If you’ve ever believed that Bitcoin is only used by criminals or has no real backing, this article is for you. 10 Biggest Bitcoin Myths Busted You’ve likely heard that drug dealers mainly use Bitcoin, or that it’s “bad for the environment” or that it is a bubble that’s about to pop. In this section, you’ll get exposed to the truth behind 10 popular myths about Bitcoin. Myth 1: Bitcoin Is Completely Anonymous Courtesy: Pixabay One commonly held assumption about Bitcoin is its anonymity, and this has contributed to its circulation in both legal and illegitimate markets. However, research shows that Bitcoin’s privacy model is pseudonymous rather than anonymous. According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “Travel Rule,” more than 40 countries obtain and transmit information on Bitcoin transactions exceeding $3000. Hence, both small- and large-scale anonymous Bitcoin transactions are practically impossible. How Transactions Are Traceable on the Blockchain The blockchain on which Bitcoin operates is public and unalterable, meaning every transaction is publicly visible and open to audit. When a user completes a transaction on Bitcoin, they will do so with a cryptographic address (i.e., `bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh`), which serves only as a pseudonym. Bitcoin addresses do not have personally identifiable information (PII), and they are anonymous in reality. In addition, IP and metadata leaks, transaction graph analysis, and the exchange KYC compliance requirements all contribute to de-anonymizing Bitcoin. A real-life example is the 2020 Twitter hack, where high-profile accounts were allegedly breached to facilitate a Bitcoin scam. The scam was quickly tackled by investigators through timing analysis of deceptive transactions. Myth 2: Bitcoin Has No Real Value Another recurring critique of Bitcoin is that it has no intrinsic value and is essentially a speculative asset. When it comes to determining value, monetary assets are different from commodities. Commodities have value because of their use and consumption; monetary assets have value because they are durable, portable, and scarce. Bitcoin is the first digital-native asset that possesses these basic monetary properties. Unlike prior evolving forms of money, the value proposition of Bitcoin does not arise from a physical use; rather, it arises from its digital convenience, secure decentralized security model, and increased global interest and acceptance. While gold’s market value of $15 trillion is still substantially larger than Bitcoin’s value, Bitcoin is predicted to take market share away from gold, according to Zach Pandl, a Goldman Sachs analyst. As gold annual production will grow by about 2.5% a year, Bitcoin’s inflation rate fell to 1.8% after the 2024 halving and will fall to 0.85% after the 2028 BTC halving. Large corporations are also predicted to hold about $330 billion worth of Bitcoin assets by 2029. Myth 3: Bitcoin Is Only Used for Illegal Activities While Bitcoin’s pseudonymous functionality facilitated some initial illicit use in its early years, its ecosystem has developed into a regulated financial infrastructure where legitimate transactions predominate. Chainalysis’ 2022 Crypto Crime Report notes that illegal activity now was about 0.15% of Bitcoin’s annual transaction volume in 2021. The 0.15% illicit usage rate not only refutes critics’ claims, it also excels when compared with the contrasting value in traditional financial systems. For instance, the UN estimates between 2% and 5% of global GDP, or about $800 billion to $2 trillion, each year is illicit fiat transactions. To prevent legitimate transactions, many countries ensure all cryptocurrency exchanges use KYC & AML-compliant systems as imposed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). These compliance frameworks function as systemic barriers to illicit financial flows. Myth 4: Bitcoin Is Bad for the Environment The environmental implications of Bitcoin mining are yet another misconstrued part of cryptocurrency, with many often pointing out energy consumption figures. While Bitcoin’s proof-of-work mechanism requires a substantial amount of electricity, the idea that Bitcoin is “bad for the environment” does not take into account recent developments. Many Bitcoin miners have transitioned to renewable energy on massive scales, further increasing their mining hardware efficiencies. When compared to older financial and commodity systems, Bitcoin has a much less significant environmental impact. The table below compares Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact to that of various similar commodities: Sector Metric Value Gold Mining Annual Energy Consumption 475 TWh Gold Mining Toxic Mercury Waste 4,500+ tons Gold Mining Land Usage 180,000 acres Traditional Banking Annual Energy Consumption 650 TWh Traditional Banking CO2 Emissions from Currency Production 8 million tons CO2 Global Data Infrastructure Annual Energy Consumption (Video Streaming) 350 TWh Global Data Infrastructure Projected AI Energy Use by 2026 800 TWh Bitcoin mining has become one of the most sustainable industries in the energy sector. According to the Bitcoin Mining Council’s 2022 report, 59.5% of Bitcoin’s global hash rate now runs on renewable energy. This shift was driven by miners’ economic incentives to seek the cheapest power sources, which increasingly come from excess renewable energy. Myth 5: Bitcoin Is Just a Bubble Courtesy: Pixabay Classifying Bitcoin as a speculative bubble negates its ability to withstand volatility. The most relevant argument against Bitcoin as a bubble is that real bubbles in finance tend to share three things in common that are not found in Bitcoin: Real bubbles like Beanie Babies or Pets.com stock do not have utility, but Bitcoin does because it is a censorship-resistant settlement network and an institutional-grade collateral. Bubbles, no matter how long the life cycle, do not recover to the previous valuation, e.g., the Nasdaq took 15 years to recover from its 2000 high. Bitcoin has survived 5 market collapses and systematically increased to an all-time high after each cycle. Bubbles only generate retail speculation, but institutional Bitcoin adoption
Top 10 Most Important USDT Trading Pairs in 2025
For more than a decade since its creation, Tether (USDT) has held its position as a leading stablecoin in the cryptocurrency market. Pegged to the US dollar, USDT plays a central role in global crypto trading. Traders often use the token to move funds between exchanges, manage risk during volatile periods, and trade against a wide range of digital assets. According to CoinMarketCap, at the time of writing this guide, Tether ranks as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, currently priced at $0.9999. Its trading volume has climbed by 36.13 percent, pushing its total market cap to approximately $144.34 billion. This rise in activity points to consistent demand and practical use by both retail and institutional participants. Still, the cryptocurrency ecosystem is not static when it comes to trading pairs. Some trading pairs draw more interest due to liquidity, ecosystem growth, or increased participation from larger players. Therefore, in this article, you will discover ten of the most important USDT trading pairs in 2025, backed by market data, real-world usage, and ongoing developments in the space. What Determines Importance in Trading Pairs Sources: Freepik Several factors determine how important a trading pair is. If you’re trying to decide what to look for before trading your Tether pairs on an exchange, here are the key points to consider: Volume One of the first factors you should check is whether the token or coin has a high trading volume. This is because pairs with strong volumes attract both retail and institutional traders. It is worth noting that high-volume trading usually means better liquidity, which helps reduce slippage and makes it easier to enter or exit positions, even with larger amounts. Network Development Another important factor to consider is network development. Assets supported by growing networks with active development often attract more attention. Increased interest usually brings more capital into the token. A healthy, expanding ecosystem also points to long-term utility and sustained relevance in the market. Adoption and Use Case Tokens that are used in real-world applications or by popular platforms tend to become more important as trading pairs. This is because as more businesses adopt these tokens for transactions, demand increases, leading to more trading activity. This real-world use helps strengthen the token’s value and keeps it relevant in the market. The more people and companies use it, the more it’s traded, which drives its overall activity and liquidity. Market Presence Coins that have consistent trading across exchanges and visibility in decentralized finance (DeFi) become essential for traders using USDT. When a coin stays active and well-known, it attracts both individual and institutional traders. Their steady presence across different platforms makes them more reliable and stable. Being involved in DeFi also boosts their importance, as they’re often used in liquidity pools and decentralized apps, making them even more relevant in the market. The Top 10 USDT Trading Pairs Source: freepik 1. BTC/USDT Source: freepik Bitcoin remains the largest digital asset by market capitalization. As of this publication, Coinmarketcap shows data Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $1.68 trillion. The leading cryptocurrency has over 19.85 million BTC in circulation. Also, even though there are thousands of digital currencies out there, Bitcoin still leads when it comes to trading volume. Right now, it’s doing over $36.11 billion in daily trades, including its trades against USDT. The BTC/USDT pair is listed on almost every exchange and is a common choice for both beginners and experienced traders. Its popularity, clearer regulations in many countries, and role as a foundational asset in the crypto market are key reasons why BTC/USDT remains one of the most important trading pairs in 2025. It serves as a major entry and exit point for traders moving in and out of the market. While Bitcoin’s volatility has decreased compared to previous years, it still offers plenty of opportunities for profit-taking and hedging. This year, large-scale institutional adoption has played a big role in boosting its presence. For example, since the beginning of the year, Japanese firm Metaplanet and MicroStrategy have both added more Bitcoin to their holdings. At the same time, the growth of ETF products has made Bitcoin more accessible to traditional investors. Its increasing role as a reserve asset has further boosted its appeal in the broader financial world. 2. ETH/USDT Source: Freepik The second largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum holds its place as the foundation for most decentralized applications. The ETH/USDT trading pair is critical for participants in decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and staking. Ethereum’s transition to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, along with a series of network upgrades, has led to improved scalability and overall performance. Most recently, Ethereum developers announced May 7 as the target date for the upcoming Pectra upgrade, which is expected to bring notable improvements to the network’s infrastructure and functionality. Many in the community anticipate that Pectra will drive further development around Ethereum’s native token, potentially opening the door to new trading pairs and deeper integration across decentralized applications. At the same time, the widespread adoption of Layer 2 scaling solutions has significantly reduced transaction fees and boosted on-chain activity. USDT (Tether), one of the most widely used stablecoins on the Ethereum network, plays a key role in the ecosystem. It’s especially important in the ETH/USDT trading pair, which remains central to DeFi activity and overall crypto market liquidity 3 XRP/USDT XRP has long been known for its use in cross-border payments, providing fast and low-cost transactions that attract financial institutions. While regulatory challenges, particularly the ongoing legal battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have slowed its growth, XRP has remained active, especially through its USDT trading pair. Recently, both Ripple Labs and the SEC have taken steps to end their legal dispute, with both sides dropping their appeals. This marks a potential turning point for XRP, clearing the path for wider adoption and more investor confidence. In addition, several major organizations, such as Grayscale and Bitwise, have filed for an XRP ETF. With Paul Atkins now
Beyond Trading: How to Earn Crypto Rewards and Secure Your Earnings
Did you get into crypto hoping to make it big, maybe even fast? It’s a common dream when first venturing into this space. But what happens instead? Lost sleep? Heart-wrenching losses? Scam attempts? Enough things to make you want to jump out of the ecosystem without making any money. But what if there was a way to fix all that? Well, there is. Aside from trading crypto, crypto investors can also make money by earning crypto rewards. This guide will focus specifically on how to earn crypto rewards. We’ll explore about 15 methods to help you earn these tokens and also discuss how you can safeguard them. Let’s get right into it. What are Crypto Rewards? Image by Pikisuperstar Essentially, crypto rewards are incentives. You contribute something valuable and the project or network rewards you for your effort or participation. These rewards are strategic tools designed to build and grow their ecosystems. Why Projects Give Crypto Rewards? Some of the top reasons why crypto rewards are given are outlined below; 1. Providing Network Security Many crypto rewards, especially from staking, incentivize users to lock up their crypto. This helps secure the network, making it more robust and attack-resistant. 2. Ensuring Liquidity Decentralized exchanges need pools of crypto so people can trade easily. Rewards for Liquidity Providers (LPs) encourage users to deposit their assets, ensuring there is enough digital cash sloshing around for smooth swaps. 3. Growth & Marketing Airdrops, learn-to-earn campaigns, and referral bonuses are classic growth hacks for new projects. They attract new users, create buzz, and encourage people to try out a platform or token. 4. Community Participation Some projects reward users for voting on proposals (governance) or testing new features. This keeps the community involved and invested in the project’s direction and success. What You Can Earn as a Crypto Reward Image by drobotbean Crypto rewards come in different forms. Here are the most common; Native Tokens This is the most straightforward type. You earn the main token of the blockchain or protocol you’re involved with. Staking Ethereum earns you more ETH, staking Solana earns SOL, etc. The value is directly tied to that specific project’s performance. Governance Tokens These tokens often grant you voting rights on the project’s future direction. They can be earned through participation, providing liquidity, or even using a platform early on (like Uniswap’s UNI airdrop). Stablecoins Sometimes, rewards are paid out in stablecoins (like USDC, USDT, DAI). These are designed to hold a steady value, offering a more predictable income stream compared to volatile native tokens. Other Project Tokens Occasionally, you might earn tokens from a partner project, a special promotional token, or a secondary token related to the platform. For example, when the X Token launched, people earned some tokens by playing Hrum or participating in the MAJOR Community. How to Earn Crypto Rewards Image by freepik While these methods are not guaranteed to be get-rich-quick schemes, and each comes with its own set of risks and requirements, there is a big chance to earn crypto rewards if you do any of the following; 1. Staking Staking generally involves locking up your cryptocurrency to help validate transactions and secure a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain network. Staking is straightforward. You commit your tokens to the network either by running your validator node (complex), delegating your stake to a trusted validator (most common), using liquid stacking platforms (which give you a token representing your staked assets), or directly through different crypto staking platforms. The crypto rewards are typically paid in the network’s native token (e.g., stake ADA, earn ADA). Sometimes, you can also get auxiliary rewards like a share of transaction fees or bonus tokens from specific promotions. 2. Lending Your Crypto Holding some assets in a crypto wallet somewhere? How you earn crypto rewards in this case is to lend some of that crypto to others and earn interest. This happens on both Centralized Finance (CeFi) platforms and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols. With CeFi Lending, you deposit your crypto onto a centralized platform (e.g, Nexo). The platform manages the loans and pays you interest. For DeFi Lending, You deposit crypto into lending pools on protocols like Aave or Compound. Borrowers take loans directly from these pools, and you earn interest algorithmically. You retain more control but interact directly with smart contracts. Again, the crypto rewards are usually paid in the same crypto you lent (lend USDC, earn USDC interest) or sometimes in the platform’s native token. 3. Providing Liquidity (LP) Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap or Sushiswap need liquidity pools so users can swap tokens. With these providers, you can earn crypto rewards by becoming a Liquidity Provider (LP) and depositing your asset into one of these pools. You get LP tokens equivalent to the value of the tokens you deposited into a trading pool. If someone swaps tokens using that pool, you will also earn a percentage of the trading fees in proportion to your share of the entire pool. 4. Participating in Crypto Events & Promotions If you’re still wondering how to earn crypto rewards, another way is by participating in the special crypto events held by exchanges or projects to boost engagement or celebrate milestones. These events range from trading competitions to token launch participation, community challenges (e.g., social media tasks), or limited-time promotions offering enhanced rewards for specific actions. Crypto rewards for participating in events can vary between bonus tokens, NFTs, discounts on trading fees, exclusive access, or direct airdrops. 5. Catching Seasonal Rewards Similar to regular events, some platforms give special rewards during specific times of the year or anniversaries. A platform might temporarily increase staking yields, offer deposit bonuses, or run special trading campaigns during holidays, their anniversary month, or other seasonal periods. These rewards can take the form of temporary increases in existing reward rates (e.g., higher APY on staking) or bonus tokens. 6. Learn to Earn Image by jcomp Yes, you read that right. Many crypto platforms pay you small amounts of crypto just
