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.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

 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.

Beginner

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Ethereum R1 offers a decentralized rollup solution for Ethereum

This article dives into Bitcoin liquid staking protocol Lombard Finance, how LBTC works and how you can stake LBTC through Bybit Web3.

Bitcoin stands as the undisputed giant of the cryptocurrency space, commanding the largest market capitalization. Yet, much of its potential remains untapped, often sitting idle as a store of value rather than actively participating in the thriving 

 ecosystem. Lombard Finance aims to change this narrative by unlocking Bitcoin's utility and integrating it seamlessly into DeFi.

Lombard is built upon Babylon, the innovative Bitcoin staking protocol, and is incubated by Polychain Capital. Lombard’s flagship product, 

 (LST) for BTC. This article explores what Lombard Finance is and how LBTC works, and describes the Lombard ecosystem and how you can stake LBTC through Bybit Web3.

 is a liquid staking protocol that focuses on transforming 

's role in the digital economy. Its core mission is to evolve BTC from simply being a store of value — also viewed as 

 — into a productive asset that actively generates yield and participates within DeFi. Currently, a significant portion of Bitcoin's

 sits idle, lacking the native staking capabilities or cross-chain composability seen with assets such as 

Lombard Finance addresses this shortcoming by building on top of 

, a protocol that supports BTC staking without needing 

 or custodians. Babylon allows Bitcoin's economic weight to secure other 

 (PoS) chains and applications, creating a new yield source for holders. Lombard leverages this foundation to offer LBTC, making staked BTC liquid and usable across the DeFi market.

Lombard’s goal is ambitious: to channel Bitcoin's vast liquidity into DeFi. This could potentially double the ecosystem's 

 (TVL) if even a fraction of available BTC is introduced. Lombard believes this integration will catalyze significant growth and create more sustainable market dynamics by making BTC a core, yield-bearing primitive within DeFi.

Founders and investors of Lombard Finance

Lombard Finance was founded in April 2024 by a team with deep expertise within DeFi, drawing talent from established crypto projects like Polychain, Babylon, Argent, Coinbase and Maple. This collective experience underpins the protocol's design and strategic direction.

The project was notably incubated by Polychain Capital, a prominent crypto investment firm that also led Lombard's $16 million seed funding round (which was 

 in July 2024). This round saw participation from a wide array of significant players in the crypto space — including Babylon, dao5, Franklin Templeton, Foresight Ventures, HTX Ventures, Mirana Ventures, Mantle EcoFund, Nomad Capital, OKX Ventures and Robot Ventures — thus highlighting broad industry confidence in Lombard's vision. Strategic partnerships and contributions from exchanges like

 and Bitget are further bolstering its distribution and liquidity aggregation efforts.

LBTC is Lombard Finance's flagship product — a liquid staking token (LST) that represents Bitcoin staked through the Babylon protocol. Designed as a universal liquid BTC standard, LBTC is fully backed 1:1 by native Bitcoin, ensuring its value is directly tied to the underlying asset.

The token is yield-bearing, capturing rewards generated from securing PoS networks via Babylon staking. Crucially, LBTC remains liquid, meaning holders can freely use it across various DeFi applications — such as 

 and automated vaults — without sacrificing their underlying staked positions or associated yield.

LBTC is also designed for cross-chain compatibility, natively minted on supported blockchains like Ethereum, Base and Sui and using secure infrastructure [such as 

]. This avoids the risks associated with traditional bridging or wrapping methods, thus aiming to provide a more secure and seamless way to utilize Bitcoin across the multichain DeFi ecosystem.

Lombard Finance simplifies the process of putting Bitcoin to work within DeFi through its LBTC token. The mechanism is designed with security and user experience in mind, leveraging the Babylon protocol and a robust Security Consortium.

The core benefit of LBTC lies in its ability to unlock multiple layers of value simultaneously. Holders earn native yield from Babylon staking, potentially accrue additional rewards (such as Lombard Lux points) and gain access to diverse DeFi yield opportunities, all while maintaining the liquidity of their Bitcoin position. This transforms BTC from a static asset into a dynamic, yield-generating component of the DeFi ecosystem.

Lombard Finance is actively building a wide LBTC ecosystem that already boasts over 75 DeFi integrations. Security is foundational, anchored by the 14-member Security Consortium (including prominent names like Galaxy and OKX Ventures) and validating all critical operations alongside audits and bug bounties.

Core infrastructure relies both on Babylon for staking, and on the Chainlink CCIP for secure cross-chain movement, with EigenLayer integration 

. LBTC integrates with leading DeFi applications across lending platforms (e.g., 

) and automated vaults. The platform supports multiple blockchains (including Ethereum, Base, Sui, BNB Chain) and 

 (L2s), positioning LBTC as a versatile cross-chain asset.

Here's how you can stake BTC on Lombard and use LBTC in DeFi and automated vaults.

Lombard Finance (via its LBTC token) offers a compelling way for Bitcoin holders to put their assets into use, earn yield via Babylon staking and gain exposure to the expansive DeFi ecosystem — all while maintaining liquidity. Incubated by Polychain Capital and supported by a robust consortium and growing partner network, Lombard is positioning LBTC as a secure and versatile liquid Bitcoin standard.

It’s easy to participate in the Lombard ecosystem through 

, you can utilize your Bybit Web3 Seed Phrase Wallet to stake BTC and mint 

, Lombard's vault token that represents deposits in automated yield strategies. This provides you with a seamless gateway to access Bitcoin liquid staking and DeFi yields.

Ready to unlock your Bitcoin's potential? 

Intermediate

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Lombard Finance: Polychain-backed Bitcoin liquid staking protocol

The cryptocurrency market has entered a phase reminiscent of past altcoin seasons, primarily driven by Bitcoin's recent rebound to the $94K–$96K range. 

Altcoin season might have come with reviveding speculation 

The cryptocurrency market has entered a phase reminiscent of past altcoin seasons, primarily driven by Bitcoin's recent rebound to the $94K–$96K range. This resurgence has sparked renewed interest among retail traders, shifting focus from Bitcoin to smaller, more speculative altcoins. The overall market saw a 10% increase in value during the final eight days of April, contrasting with Bitcoin's 7% gain. This trend indicates a growing appetite for risk among investors, particularly in meme coins, which have seen a surge in social media discussions.

However, caution is warranted as elevated crowd enthusiasm often precedes market corrections. Historical patterns suggest that when buzzwords like "altseason" are dominating discussions, it may signal an impending price exhaustion. The current market dynamics reflect a shift toward speculative investments, raising concerns about the sustainability of this enthusiasm.

Bitcoin's bullish sentiment substantially improves

Bitcoin's position as the leading cryptocurrency has remained steady, with discussions around its price fluctuating significantly. Following a period of pessimism, when predictions dipped as low as $10K–$69K, sentiment shifted dramatically with the price recovery. Now, optimistic projections of $100K–$159K are dominating conversations, indicating a reversal in trader sentiment.

Despite Bitcoin's consistent presence in market discussions (approximately 25% of asset topics), the ratio of bullish-to-bearish commentary has grown increasingly favorable. This suggests a growing confidence among traders bolstered by Bitcoin's recent performance. However, it’s essential to monitor whether this bullish sentiment translates into sustained investment, or if it leads to overconfidence that may trigger a market pullback.

Ethere, once a robust contender in the altcoin arena, has struggled to regain retail investor confidence despite recent bullish commentary and promises of innovation from co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Its social media presence has dwindled to about 6–7% of discussions, a significant drop from previous years. This decline highlights the challenges Ethereum faces in re-establishing itself as a go-to investment in a market increasingly dominated by speculative assets.

Conversely, XRP has seen a notable increase in optimism surrounding ETF approvals, with expectations rising to 85%. This shift reflects a broader trend of institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, potentially paving the way for significant capital inflows. Meanwhile, Dogecoin's potential ETF listings have sparked renewed interest, transforming its image from that of a meme coin to a legitimate investment option. The growing dialogue surrounding institutional adoption of Dogecoin and XRP indicates a pivotal moment for these assets, suggesting they may play critical roles in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Advanced

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Bybit x Santiment social sentiment report: Altcoin sentiment recovers despite Bitcoin’s resilience

Bybit Spread Trading allows traders to simultaneously buy and sell two related instruments in order to hedge risk or profit from price discrepancies. Read more.

Whether markets are flying high or wobbling unpredictably, one thing remains true: traders are always looking for smarter ways to 

 and find profit opportunities. That’s where Bybit Spread Trading comes in. This feature is tailor-made for those who want to go beyond basic buy/sell plays and start taking advantage of price discrepancies between related instruments. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how Bybit Spread Trading works, why it matters and how you can start using it today, whether you’re 

is a newly launched Bybit feature that allows users to simultaneously buy and sell two related instruments — such as Spot, Perpetual or Expiry contracts with different settlement dates — in order to hedge risk or profit from price discrepancies.

This type of trading strategy is popular among institutional and professional traders because it enables more precise, controlled market exposure. However, with Bybit’s interface, the barrier to entry is significantly lowered, opening the door for individual traders to tap with just a few clicks into a powerful set of tools.

At its core, Spread Trading on Bybit is about executing what’s called a combo trade. This means entering two positions at once: one long, one short. These positions are taken on related instruments, such as a BTC Spot trade and a BTC Perpetual contract, with the idea that their prices will either converge or diverge in a way that benefits your position.

When you place a buy combo, you’re buying the instrument with the longer expiration (the “far leg”) and selling the one that expires sooner (the “near leg”). 

A sell combo is the reverse: selling the far leg and buying the near leg. The profit (or loss) comes from how the spread between these two instruments shifts over time.

For example, if you believe the spread between a Perpetual and a Quarterly Futures contract will widen, you can buy the combo. If the spread increases after your entry, that movement becomes your profit. Bybit calculates your 

 prices automatically, based on the mark prices and your defined “order price,” so there’s no need to manually crunch the numbers.

Perhaps the most important feature here is atomic execution. This ensures both sides of your combo trade are filled together, in equal quantities, or the trade doesn’t go through at all. It removes “leg risk,” which is the danger of getting filled on one side of the trade, but not the other. In volatile markets, that alone can save you from an unwanted mess.

Spread Trading on Bybit currently supports combinations such as Spot and Perpetual, Spot and Expiry, Perpetual and Expiry, or even two Expiry contracts with different dates. This flexibility lets you build strategies that align with different market outlooks — bullish, bearish or neutral.

There’s a strong reason why Spread Trading is a go-to for many experienced traders: it allows for strategic plays that are more sophisticated than just guessing price direction. On Bybit, it’s not only powerful, but also convenient.

First, you get price certainty. Your spread is locked in at the price you specify. There’s no 

 between legs because the entry prices are automatically calculated and matched. You’re trading the spread, not the individual legs.

Secondly, the trading experience is smoother. Instead of placing two separate orders and manually trying to sync them, Bybit handles everything as a single transaction. You don’t have to worry about whether one leg gets filled and the other doesn’t — that risk is eliminated through atomic execution.

Third, this setup is a great hedge against volatility. By taking opposing positions on two related contracts, you reduce exposure to sharp price movements. Your P&L becomes more about the relative performance between contracts, rather than the market direction itself.

There’s also a strong cost advantage. Trading spreads on Bybit is significantly cheaper than doing it manually. You pay only half the trading fees you’d incur if you placed two individual trades on the order book. For high-volume or 

, that translates to meaningful savings over time.

Finally, it unlocks strategy flexibility. Whether you're 

 funding rates between Spot and Perpetual, doing 

 with different Futures contracts or taking advantage of price convergence before expiry, this platform gives you the tools to execute those ideas efficiently.

How to get started with Bybit Spread Trading 

Now that you have a better understanding of how Bybit Spread Trading works, let’s look into how to get started. Please note that you’ll need to have a Bybit account in order to proceed. If you don’t already have one, please check out our 

 for more information on how to create a Bybit account.

: Log in to your Bybit account and hover your cursor over the 

: The available spreads are organized in a grid, with each tile representing a unique combo. Choose your preferred combo to trade.

Tiles with a border around them signify that Spread Trading offers a better price. Hover over a tile for more details, or use the bar at the bottom of the grid to explore more options.

On the order placement page, set up your order with the following parameters:

to place your order. A pop-up window will appear for you to confirm your order details. Then, click on 

Congratulations — you’ve successfully placed an order!

You can view your Spread Trading orders from any trading page (Spread Trading, Spot and Futures), as they all share the same order data.

 to view your active orders. You’ll be able to view the combo, underlying asset, order price and more. 

If you would like to adjust your order parameters, you may click on the pencil icon under 

. To cancel your order, simply click on the order’s corresponding 

to view your completed orders. To view each order’s information on each leg, click on the order’s corresponding 

button. For additional insights, click on 

Spread trading isn’t for everyone — but if you’re someone who enjoys strategic trading, hedging or arbitrage, it’s a tool worth adding to your arsenal. It appeals to traders who are less interested in taking a directional bet, and more focused on capitalizing on inefficiencies in the market.

You don’t have to be a pro trader to benefit, either. The simplified execution and intuitive UI mean even intermediate users can explore advanced strategies without being overwhelmed. As long as you understand how spreads work, and how your P&L is affected by their movement, you’re already halfway there.

More importantly, in times of market uncertainty or low volatility — when price action feels sluggish — spread trading gives you an alternative way to profit. It keeps you in the game — even when momentum plays aren’t cutting it.

Bybit Spread Trading is a powerful tool that combines simplicity with sophistication. Whether you're looking to hedge, save on fees or experiment with 

 strategies, it offers a clean and user-friendly way to do so. With lower risk, lower costs and plenty of flexibility, Bybit Spread Trading is a smart move for any trader looking to level up their game — especially when markets get messy.

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Bybit Spread Trading: Smart strategies for market swings

All About P2P Platforms

Crypto

There are five different ways to buy crypto with cash: 1. Peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange, 2. Fiat deposit service, 3. Using Bybit Card, 4. Crypto ATM, 5. Buy in person

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Do you want to buy crypto with cash? If so, it's important that you first have a 

 or any other cryptocurrency. The best wallets are hardware wallets that offer ample security features. 

There are four different ways to purchase crypto with cash. You can: 

Buying Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with cash has several notable benefits. For one, a cash transaction gives you a considerable amount of privacy. Although using a standard crypto exchange is convenient, you don’t have to reveal personal information for identity verification in a cash purchase. Therefore, buying Bitcoin with cash instead of a credit or debit card can be safer because it keeps you from becoming a victim of identity theft. 

It’s also much quicker than completing an exchange transaction or bank transfer. A standard bank deposit usually takes around one to three business days to be completed. 

(CEXs) often require identity verification before transactions are made, which also can take a few days to weeks, depending on the exchange. A cash trade could save you a considerable amount of time. 

Four primary methods allow you to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with cash. Keep in mind that each of these methods not only lets you buy, but also sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

Using a trusted exchange such as Bybit is a very secure method for buying bitcoins with cash. The platform acts as a type of escrow service that holds your money until the transaction is complete. 

You can also purchase other cryptocurrencies on the Bybit platform, such as 

. Bybit ensures safer transactions via its KYC verification. Bybit P2P Trading via the mobile app or desktop version is offered as well. 

 button on the home page, then select P2P. 

 page, you can filter your preferred advertisers after filling out the payment method, amount and fiat currency fields. The information you input depends on what transaction you'd like to complete. If this is your first time buying Bitcoin with P2P, you’ll need to create a nickname.

Select your preferred advertiser before clicking on the 

 Input the total amount of fiat you'd like to pay or the number of coins you'd like to receive, then select 

to go forward with the transaction. You'll then be sent back to the main order page, where you’ll have 15 minutes to make sure that the money is transferred to the seller's account. Once you've determined that every order detail is correct, click on 

Purchasing Bitcoin through the P2P platform on Bybit is that simple. When you’ve received your coins, you can view all the details of the transaction in your P2P asset history. It also features a 

 box where you can get in touch with the seller in real time. In addition, the customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you if any issues arise. For instance, if you don't receive your coins within 10 minutes, click on 

, and the customer support team will contact you.

2. Fiat Deposit and Balance Payment Service

Bybit also offers a Fiat Deposit and Balance Payment Service with several currency options from which to select. The various fiat currencies you can use to buy crypto include BRL, ARS, EUR, GBP and RUB. (Note that completing KYC is necessary once you reach a certain limit for some currencies.) You can easily buy Bitcoin and several other cryptocurrencies such as 

 (ADA) through this cash deposit and balance payment service.

To purchase your choice of cryptocurrency with fiat, check out the steps below (Note that you will first need to 

 In the top left portion of the navigation bar, click on 

To buy your desired crypto, follow these steps:

. Keep in mind that the reference price refreshes after 30 seconds.

Make sure all your details are correct, then click on 

 Once your transaction is complete, the coins will be deposited into your funding account after one to two minutes. Click on the 

 button to see your current balance. The status of your order can also be sent to your email.

 is ideal for making all kinds of online purchases. Since it’s a Mastercard crypto debit card, you can also use it to purchase crypto on Bybit. The funds on the card are derived from your Bybit Funding Account, so you’ll need to top up your funds with cash via the 

 option. Currently, Bybit Card accepts two types of fiat currencies: EUR and GBP.

After purchasing crypto using Bybit Card, you can easily manage your transactions via the Bybit Web or App dashboard. Note that Bybit Card has a daily spending limit of 5,000 EUR/GBP, a monthly limit of 50,000 EUR/GBP and an annual limit of 250,000 EUR/GBP. 

For hassle-free transactions, the Bybit Card can now be linked to Apple Pay. This seamless feature allows you to buy your favorite digital assets with just a tap using any linked bank card, including Bybit Card. For a limited time, you can also enjoy zero fees on transactions of 100 USDT or equivalent when using Apple Pay.

If you prefer a more traditional method to buying crypto with cash, you can use a crypto ATM. It works like a typical ATM, whereby you simply walk up to a stand-alone kiosk and insert cash or a credit or debit card. Various crypto ATMs are available, such as Ether ATMs, Litecoin ATMs, Bitcoin Cash ATMs, and — the most prevalent — Bitcoin ATMs. 

Most crypto ATMs charge fees in the range of five to ten percent of the transaction. Even though the fees are high, the ATMs typically allow you to buy crypto without going through a verification process. Although some crypto ATMs don't come with a verification process, others do. 

Below are the steps for buying Bitcoin from a Bitcoin ATM. While the process of buying Bitcoin via a Bitcoin ATM may differ slightly from machine to machine, the general steps are as follows:

While the third-party services mentioned above are effective ways to purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using cash, you might not want to use a third-party service for this type of transaction. If that’s the case, you'll need to conduct the transaction with the seller on your own. Bybit’s P2P platform supports over 300 payment methods, with cash in-person transactions as one of the many.

Otherwise, if you have friends in the cryptocurrency industry, they may be able to help you buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with cash. You can also attend a 

 to make friends with fellow Bitcoin and crypto enthusiasts, then proceed to find a trusted person from whom to purchase Bitcoin.

As is the case with any in-person transaction, the most important thing to remember is that your safety and privacy come before anything else. Don't give the seller your real name or address. Also, don’t forget to bring your crypto wallet to verify your completed transaction.

If you want to meet with a local seller, do so in a public location that you're confident is safe. The most popular spots for these types of transactions include malls, banks and coffee shops. While there are several ways you can buy crypto in person, it's highly recommended that you use an escrow service to facilitate a smooth and safe transaction. 

If you've never used escrow before, these services will hold the crypto until the transaction is completed, after which the escrow account will send the crypto coins directly to you. Even when using this method, it's still important that you conduct the transaction in a safe and secure location. 

If you're thinking of buying crypto from a seller with whom you've never worked, select a location that has security cameras, access control and even metal detectors. As long as you maintain common sense when performing an in-person transaction, you should be able to buy crypto without issue. 

If you're interested in buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with cash, there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of before finalizing a transaction. 

As mentioned earlier, buying crypto with cash is great because of your ability to avoid a lengthy and invasive verification process. For instance, buying crypto with cash in person means you shouldn't need to provide the seller with your name or address. 

At Bybit, if you purchase crypto via its fiat deposit feature, you’ll also enjoy anonymity and privacy, if you’re purchasing fiat currencies that don't come with KYC requirements.

Another benefit of buying crypto with cash is that this type of transaction can be considerably faster than the alternatives. While a cash transaction can be completed in minutes, before you even start buying any crypto on exchanges, the identity verification process can take weeks. Even bank deposits take from one to three days. 

Even though cash is an appealing payment method for anyone who wants to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, there are a few issues with this option. For one, your transaction amounts are limited. A majority of Bitcoin ATMs, for instance, have limits on how much money you can use during the transaction. However, with Bybit P2P trading, as long as your KYC information is verified, you can execute larger transactions.

It’s also risky to buy in person rather than through a trusted exchange such as Bybit. Using an escrow service will help mitigate this risk. 

While you can buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with cash, it's best to do so via P2P trading, which is made possible with trusted exchanges such as Bybit. Another effective solution is to purchase Bitcoin with a fiat deposit through Bybit. Buying crypto with cash is simpler than ever with Bybit, and your transactions are guaranteed to be safe and secure. Most other options aren't nearly as safe. 

Besides cash, you can also buy crypto with a credit or debit card on Bybit, which is both safe and convenient. 

Best Ways to Buy Crypto With Cash in 2024

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