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

Glossary

The term “bull market” describes an extended period of rising crypto prices and optimistic investors. During a bull market, prices are high and the public isn't concerned about potential downturns.

Have you ever wondered about the “definition of bull market” and why bull markets are associated with optimism and growth, while bear markets evoke images of downturns and uncertainty? In this blog post, we unravel the mysteries of bull markets, delving into their origins, impact on the economy, and how investors can navigate these periods of economic growth.

Let’s examine the catalysts for a bull market and explore how investors can profit from these growth periods.

A bull market is often described as a period of sustained growth in stock prices, typically marked by a 20% or more increase from recent lows. The exact definition of a bull market can elicit differing opinions among experts, as it often varies based on the market index under consideration and how recent the low point was. According to the SEC, a bull market is defined as “a time when stock prices are rising and market sentiment is optimistic,” which can influence an investor’s investment strategy.

, a certified financial planner, emphasizes that not every increase in stock prices necessarily implies a bull market, and similarly, not every decrease in stock prices necessarily implies the end of a bull market or a stock market crash. Identifying the commencement or conclusion of a bull market is not always straightforward for market observers, as temporary fluctuations in stock prices may not provide a full picture of investor sentiment.

Key traits observed during bull markets encompass escalating stock prices, heightened trading volume, increased security valuations, and enhanced liquidity. As a result, companies may elect to reward their shareholders by augmenting dividends and increasing the number of companies going public through IPOs. Valuation metrics, such as PE ratio and dividend yield, can offer investors indications of their position within the bull-bear cycle. The PE ratio of stock indexes, such as the S&P 500, is usually lower than its historic long-term average at the early stages of a bull market or the late stages of a bear market. At the same time, dividend yields are higher than normal.

 can be traced back to animal symbolism and the evolution of market terminology. The terms “bull” and “bear” are thought to have originated from the manner in which each animal attacks its adversaries: a bull thrusts its horns upward, symbolizing a rising market, while a bear swipes its paws downward, symbolizing a falling market.

Over time, these market terminologies have evolved, with bull markets now signifying periods of economic expansion and bear markets indicating times of economic contraction.

Animal symbolism in bull and bear markets represents the aggressive nature of a bull and the defensive nature of a bear, reflecting market trends. Bulls are known to attack by thrusting their horns upward, symbolizing prices going up, while bears swipe their claws downward, symbolizing stock prices falling. This symbolism underscores the importance of understanding market trends and the underlying forces driving them.

Other cultures have also employed different animal symbolism to signify market trends, such as the wolf, ostrich, and pig, further emphasizing the connection between animal behavior and market movements.

Market terminology has evolved over time, with bull and bear markets now representing periods of economic growth and decline, respectively. The terms “bull market” and “bear market” have been utilized since at least the late 19th century, although their precise origins remain debatable. The terms gained popularity during the 18th century and have been used to describe rising and falling markets since then.

This evolution of market terminology has shaped the way investors perceive and navigate the financial markets, helping them better understand the forces at play during different market cycles.

Bull markets impact the economy through various economic indicators and investor sentiment. Economic indicators, such as GDP, employment rates, and corporate profits, tend to be higher during bull markets, demonstrating economic growth. Investor sentiment is generally optimistic during bull markets, resulting in increased investment and expenditure.

Nonetheless, it’s crucial to recognize that not every bull market will have the same impact on the economy, as the effect can vary based on the factors propelling the market.

Economic indicators, such as GDP, employment rates, and corporate profits, often rise during bull markets, signaling economic growth. A bull market is generally associated with a positive influence on GDP, as it can lead to increased consumer and business confidence, resulting in increased spending and investment.

Furthermore, during a bull market, the employment rate typically decreases as the economy expands and businesses experience growth.

Investor sentiment tends to be optimistic during bull markets, leading to increased investment and spending. Many investors become overconfident and more willing to take risks and make investments, bolstered by the belief that stock prices will continue to rise. This optimism drives the positive sentiment in the market and contributes to the upward momentum of the bull market. As bull markets tend to foster such behavior, it is crucial for investors to remain vigilant and avoid getting carried away.

Investors should, however, stay mindful of the potential dangers of overconfidence and recognize the value of preserving a balanced and diverse portfolio.

Investing strategies during bull markets should focus on diversification, risk management, and dollar-cost averaging. By employing these strategies, investors can maximize their potential returns while minimizing the risks associated with market fluctuations.

Before making investment decisions during a bull market, investors should have a clear grasp of their financial objectives and their capacity to bear risk.

Diversification and risk management involve maintaining a balanced portfolio to minimize potential losses during market downturns. By investing in a variety of assets across different industries and categories, investors can reduce unsystematic risk and protect their capital from market volatility.

Beyond diversifying their portfolio, it may be beneficial for investors to collaborate with a financial advisor to devise an all-encompassing investment strategy that caters to their unique needs and financial circumstances.

Dollar-cost averaging involves consistently investing a fixed amount over time, reducing the impact of market fluctuations on investment returns. By investing regularly over a period of time, investors can acquire more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high, diminishing the overall effect of price volatility.

This strategy is particularly advantageous when utilized with broad-based funds like S&P 500 index funds, a type of broad market index, that have exhibited commendable performance over extended periods.

Bull Market vs. Bear Market: Key Differences

Bull and bear markets have key differences in investment approaches and market cycles. Investment strategies during bull markets prioritize growth and capital appreciation, whereas bear markets necessitate defensive tactics to protect capital.

Market cycles switch between bull and bear markets, each stage persisting for varying lengths and affected by economic elements.

Investors typically employ strategies such as:

in bull markets. Applying indicators to identify potential transitions between bull and bear markets is also vital.

Conversely, in bear markets, investment strategies often adjust to emphasize:

Market cycles alternate between bull and bear markets, with each phase lasting for varying durations and influenced by economic factors. The primary stages in a market cycle are:

Between 1926 and 2019, the average bull market has endured for 6.6 years. Identifying the transition between bull and bear markets can be challenging, as it requires analyzing market trends, economic indicators, and investor sentiment.

Identifying the Current Market: Bull or Bear?

To determine whether the current market is a bull or bear market, investors can analyze market trends, economic indicators, and investor sentiment. For instance, a sustained period of decreasing stock prices may signal a bear market, while increasing stock prices typically indicate a bull market.

Recognizing the signs of a market transition can help investors make informed decisions and adjust their investment strategies accordingly.

Some of the most notable bull markets in history include the post-Great Recession period from 2009 to 2020, during which the S&P 500 experienced a gain of over 300%. Another significant bull market occurred between 2003 and 2007, when the S&P 500 nearly doubled in value. These historic bull markets demonstrate the potential for significant growth and wealth creation during periods of economic expansion, such as the notable bull market we’ve seen in recent years.

When navigating bull markets, investors should prioritize a long-term viewpoint, steer clear of market timing, and concentrate on stocks that pay dividends for consistent returns. By adhering to these strategies, investors can maximize their potential returns while minimizing the risks associated with market fluctuations.

Furthermore, investors should remain vigilant for signs of market transitions and adjust their investment strategies accordingly to capitalize on changing market conditions.

In conclusion, understanding the ins and outs of bull markets is essential for investors looking to capitalize on periods of economic growth. By analyzing market trends, economic indicators, and investor sentiment, investors can identify the current market phase and adjust their investment strategies accordingly. By employing effective investing strategies such as diversification, risk management, and dollar-cost averaging, investors can maximize their potential returns while minimizing risk during bull markets.

A bull market is defined as a period of time in financial markets when the price of an asset or security rises continuously, with stock prices rising by 20% or more over a two-month or longer period. Investor confidence is high during a bull market, and traders employ various strategies to take advantage of this opportunity.

 believe we are already in a new bull market. The majority of investors believe this year's gains have only been a bear market bounce, expecting more trouble ahead. However, there is hope for those looking to carve out gains by picking individual stocks as the stock market forecast for 2023 looks bullish.

A bull market is an upswing in the markets, characterised by favorable economic conditions and job growth, whereas a bear market is a market downturn with economic decline and stock prices falling.

What are 2 characteristics of a bull market?

A bull market is characterized by a prolonged period of rising stock prices and increased investor confidence. Prices typically increase by at least 20% over a two-month period, measured by a broad index such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500.

A bull market is typically characterized by a growing economy, increased demand, higher profits and rising investor confidence, which together drive up stock prices.

Bull Market

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