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

Blockchain

Altcoins

Explainers

The only regulatory-compliant blockchain in China, Conflux (CFX) is a proof of work (PoW) and proof of stake (PoS) hybrid permissionless blockchain. 

2401-T16454_Skinny_Banner_for_Blog_and_Learn_Row_53_728x90.png

Skinny_Banner-1600x400.webp

Conflux, which claims to be China’s only regulatory-compliant public blockchain, and is dubbed by some as the “Chinese Ethereum,” has recently moved beyond Ethereum to 

. Its hybrid consensus mechanism enables it to support 

 protocols recently popularized by Bitcoin. In light of these developments, Conflux has introduced an EVM-compatible Bitcoin 

 (L2) solution, marking a significant step toward seamless asset transfers between Conflux and Bitcoin. 

Read on to learn more about Conflux and its latest innovation that’s set to further solidify its position in the blockchain space.

. It was initially a proof of work (PoW) blockchain, and in 2022, Conflux completed an upgrade that added a proof of stake (PoS) component, known as the 

 upgrade. This advance allowed CFX token holders to earn rewards by staking their tokens to the PoS system. 

 improves the Conflux blockchain technology by protecting against security attacks and giving developers greater project flexibility. 

The Hydra upgrade also introduced the concept of 

 into the network, featuring two main spaces: Core Space and eSpace. Core Space represents the original Conflux network, while the fully EVM-compatible eSpace operates as a sub-chain running over Core Space. While eSpace lets you easily deploy Ethereum projects at a low cost, Core Space is optimal for launching brand-new projects and regulated public blockchain 

These Spaces aren’t separate blockchains. as they exist on a single distributed ledger, the Tree-Graph, and the

In January 2024, Conflux also unveiled an 

-compatible Bitcoin L2 solution as an additional Space. It facilitates seamless asset transfers between Conflux and Bitcoin, which can catalyze the development of 

 apps. This L2 solution comes equipped with built-in BTC staking, which allows users to contribute to the security of Conflux’s platform. The PoS consensus mechanism can also support Ordinals and inscription protocols, promoting a more diverse range of asset creation. 

Although both fiat-to-crypto trading and 

 (ICOs) are prohibited in China, crypto-to-crypto trading is permitted. Hence, Conflux can remain compliant with China’s regulations allowing new crypto projects to enter the local market. 

Conflux is a Layer 1 public blockchain technology that also offers some benefits of a private blockchain through its hybrid format. It stands apart from Bitcoin and Ethereum with its 

 system. This divergent structure allows the Conflux network to process multiple blocks simultaneously. Such parallel processing makes Conflux’s throughput dramatically higher than that of blockchains with a linear structure (such as 

Conflux’s Tree-Graph structure combines with a consensus mechanism known as Greedy Heaviest Adaptive SubTree (

) to manage the execution order of transactions with scalability in mind. Additionally, GHAST adds security with its ability to detect and prevent certain types of chain attacks. 

The GHAST consensus algorithm is maintained through a decentralized 

 structure, which allows for scaling as more nodes join the network. To participate as a node, you need to set up and run this node on your computer. 

There are three types of nodes on Conflux’s network, categorized according to the amount of data required for storage:

In addition to its Tree-Graph structure, there are several key aspects of the Conflux blockchain that make it stand out. For example, it supports Turing-complete 

 to help developers create new projects on the blockchain. Conflux is also 

 cross-chain solution supports the use of Bitcoin and Ethereum assets. It also allows users to add any new 

In addition, Conflux’s blockchain technology features a robust software development kit (

) to help developers create projects. It specifically supports the four mainstream programming languages; Python, Java, JavaScript and Golang. It also offers community-developed SDKs and Solidity SDKs. 

The network's DApp development tools include Truffle, Hardhat, ChainIDE and Studio.

Conflux users pay gas fees and cover storage expenses with CFX, the network’s native coin. CFX also supports the network's maintenance through staking and mining rewards. The 

 shows that miners earn 1 CFX per block, while PoS stakers earn CFX rewards in proportion to their stakes at an annual base interest rate of 0.04%, plus an APY of 12.9%. 

In addition to earning rewards, users who stake their CFX tokens for more than a quarter annually will have voting rights for the network’s governance. The longer you stake your tokens, the more voting rights you earn (up to one vote for a stake of over a year). While you can extend the stake’s locked duration, you can’t reduce it or withdraw tokens while they’re staked.

With the integration of the Bitcoin L2 solution, CFX is effectively converted into an ERC-20 token. This facilitates interaction with DApps in the BTC L2 space, as BTC is used in this new space as a gas token to pay for transaction fees.

CFX can be stored in three crypto wallets: Fluent, MetaMask and Ledger. 

 token, with a current inflation rate of 1.9%. At its genesis, 5 billion pre-mined CFX tokens were allocated to Conflux Network’s direct builders and ecosystem contributors. 

The genesis tokens are distributed as follows:

Conflux Network's token, CFX, has surged from $0.215 in late January 2024 to $0.31 in early March, boasting a 44.19% increase in just over a month. This price surge is likely due to the unveiling of the network’s BTC L2 space (which could further boost Conflux’s interoperability), coupled with the overall bull market led by Bitcoin’s rally resulting from 

CFX’s price of $0.328 (as of Mar 11, 2024) is 80.8% lower than its all-time high of $1.70 on Mar 27, 2021, and over 1,300% higher than its all-time low of $0.02 on Dec 30, 2022. 

Many experts anticipate favorable growth for the CFX token. According to DigitalCoinPrice, 

 to soar over the next several years to hit $0.84 in 2025, which would reflect a 156% increase in roughly two years, with the potential to reach $2.40 by 2030. Meanwhile, PricePrediction 

 $0.746 by the end of 2025, with a projected rise to $4.45 by the end of 2030. 

While price predictions for CFX indicate the potential for growth, it’s crucial to understand the key factors that will likely contribute to this growth going forward. Some of Conflux’s achievements in 2023 include its collaboration with China's social media and ecommerce platform, Little Red Book, to 

, the country's second-largest wireless provider, to develop blockchain-based SIM cards (BSIM). 

Its latest innovation, the EVM-compatible BTC L2 space, extends the realm of possibilities for seamless interaction of DApps across its three Spaces, bolstering cross-chain interoperability. Moreover, enabling BTC 

 for network security not only fosters adoption but also demonstrates Conflux's strategic acumen amid the current Bitcoin-led bull run.

Conflux has also been steadily advancing in its NFT and 

 journey, which could promote mass adoption. For instance, it’s teamed up with the renowned esports team JTeam (under the leadership of CEO and singer Jay Chou) to craft blind boxes featuring 

. These items can be worn as virtual clothing in the metaverse, elevating the experience of esports gaming. Additionally, Conflux has joined forces with Blossom House, a luxury resort in China, to create a 

 that offers exclusive perks, such as complimentary afternoon tea, access to hot springs and tickets to nearby attractions.

While these developments may be indicative of Conflux’s high growth potential, they shouldn’t be viewed as investment advice. Always remember to 

 before investing in any cryptocurrency, as crypto prices tend to be volatile.

You can purchase CFX tokens on the world's top crypto exchanges, including Bybit. Before buying these tokens on Bybit, you need a 

 with a funded wallet. After opening an account, ensure that your wallet has the appropriate amount of USDT to complete the transaction. Bybit's intuitive trading terminal supports fast and easy 

Conflux remains a cornerstone of China's crypto landscape, driving innovation to enhance interoperability and foster a flourishing ecosystem. As China’s economy continues to flourish, Conflux will thrive as that country’s first regulatory-compliant public permissionless blockchain.

Conflux Network (CFX): The China-Endorsed Public Blockchain

Compete for 2,500 USDT Every Week

Earn Points by Completing Tasks

Event Rules

Register now and get 10 points

Write/Reply Comments (0/5)

Publish an Article (0/5)

Share an Article on Social Media (0/5)

Like an Article (0/5)

Read an Article (0/5)

Weekly Leaderboard