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

Bybit Learn

Trading

A rounding top pattern, also known as a rounded top pattern, is a technical analysis tool used by crypto traders to identify a potential trend reversal.

It’s often said that traders should cut their losers early and let their winners run. While traders may want to let their crypto winners run, an overt focus on 

 and not taking profits off the table can be dangerous when momentum turns against you and the sentiment of a particular coin or token suddenly becomes 

To gain a sense of when it’s time to consider closing your existing position, one bearish reversal pattern you may want to consider is the rounding top pattern.

By interpreting the warning signs early and grasping the formation of an upcoming inverted U-shaped top, traders with knowledge of such 

–related patterns can easily establish a short position early or close off a long position before the rounding top pattern fully plays out.

Interested in learning how you can lock in your profits early before a sudden downtrend reversal? In the following guide, we’ll consider how crypto traders can learn to notice early formation of the rounding top chart pattern and set take-profit levels.

A rounding top pattern, also known as a rounded top pattern, is a technical analysis tool used by crypto traders to identify a potential trend reversal. The chart pattern looks like an inverted U, and is formed when an asset’s price increases gradually, peaks and then dips again.

Ask any active trader and they’ll tell you it's important to be aware of bearish reversal pattern formations, as it can help with setting rough 

 levels and guarantee profits before an inevitable downswing in price movement. The rounding top pattern typically occurs as the crypto market shifts from 

 leans toward the bearish side. To take advantage of the sudden shift, traders with charting and technical analysis backgrounds may want to 

 based on these shifts. The plan may be crafted with the intention of either 

Before proceeding to make trades based on the rounding top pattern, it’s key to first study the formation and eventual emergence of this charting pattern. An often relied-upon trend reversal pattern that may indicate an explosive breakout in a bearish direction, the rounding top can easily be spotted, thanks to a sudden downward trend that occurs as the result of a gradual appreciation in price. 

Regardless of whether the sudden trend change is based on news or is moving off of technicals, this sudden movement represents a change in trader sentiment and expectations. In order to possibly profit from early knowledge of this shift in sentiment, crypto traders can opt to establish a 

 so they can trade off the chart pattern’s formation. To break down the rounding top pattern, traders can watch for the three stages that form its inverted U-shaped curve.

Initial Buildup of the Rounding Top Reversal Pattern

The first stage of this pattern involves gradually rising prices and is characterized by low volume. This indicates that crypto traders may not actively be buying and selling at this time. Because of the lack of demand, some speculators might call this a 

, since there’s weak price action. Moreover, traders may notice that the asset’s price tends to face short-term bounces off resistance lines before resuming its gradual decline.

The second stage marks a shift in sentiment, with the asset’s price reaching a peak as part of the inverted U shape, before going back on the decline to form a range that sees the price bouncing off key levels. This flagging pattern hints that traders may be exiting the market again ahead of a potential negative catalyst or news story.

In the third and final phase of the rounding top pattern, traders may notice a buildup of selling pressure as the asset’s price trends downward, and a hint of an upcoming breakout as bullish candlesticks appear to signify the end of the flagging pattern. This is typically accompanied by a sudden increase in trading volume, confirming the asset's bearish momentum and subsequent downward price movement. 

During this portion, breakout traders usually start to enter into short positions with confidence as the price action is confirmed with the surge in buying volume. Conversely, if long positions were previously established, the recognition of this bearish trading pattern might be a sign to exit these long positions and lock in profits ahead of a drop in the asset’s price.

When Does the Rounding Top Pattern Breakout Occur?

If you’re a crypto trader who focuses on pattern breakouts, then you’ll certainly want to know when breakouts occur for the rounding top pattern. In this bearish pattern’s case, breakouts usually take place at the end of the formation when the price falls sharply below the support level that’s been established during the formation. As the price breaks below this level, it signals that sellers are dominating and likely driving prices lower. This can be an opportunity for traders to capitalize on a bearish move in the underlying asset, and to take action according to the existing market momentum.

Benefits of Using the Rounding Top Pattern

Keen to get ahead of the competition? Here are the possible benefits of including the rounding top pattern in your arsenal of recognized bearish chart patterns.

Early Recognition of the Bearish Pattern Formation

By understanding the formative stages of the rounding top pattern, crypto traders gain an edge over other market participants, as they can plan ahead and execute their trading plan according to how the price of the coin or token might move based on the pattern.

From trading on the breakout and building a short position to cutting the trade short and locking in profits, understanding the formation of the rounding top pattern helps crypto traders better grasp their setups and learn when to increase their position size.

Easy Setting of Take Profit & Stop Loss Levels

 can be straightforward if crypto traders make use of the price levels presented as part of the rounding top pattern. Those seeking to open a short position may consider placing their 

 levels at the peak of the inverted U shape in order to limit their risk. As for profit-taking levels, traders can attempt to play the breakout by setting a take-profit level slightly below the initial formation of the inverted U shape.

Although the rounding top pattern is a hot favorite among crypto traders with a bearish inclination, here are some risks that traders should take note of.

Using the rounding top pattern as part of a trading strategy can be risky, due to the inherent uncertainty in interpreting chart patterns. 

First, the rounding top pattern is hard to identify, and therefore traders may be unsure whether they’re observing a valid pattern or not. Secondly, since traditional chart patterns offer no certainty of future price movements, traders may experience losses if they misread the chart pattern and make wrong judgment calls. Furthermore, there may also be risks associated with false breakouts (

) that could lead to potential losses for traders.

As with all trading chart patterns, it’s key to recognize that the full formation of patterns such as the rounding top won’t play out perfectly. In particular, the second stage of the rounding top pattern may take days or weeks to fully play out. This can be a struggle for those who are 

 or trading with a shorter time horizon. Crypto traders who prefer to 

 or perform quick scalps throughout the day may ultimately lack the patience to see through their trading plan and let the rounding top pattern fully play out in order to realize a full recovery in price.

Because of the inherent volatility of buying and selling activity from market participants, nothing’s a sure bet when it comes to trading. This is made worse due to the somewhat volatile nature of cryptocurrencies. 

While the rounding top pattern may be considered a trusted formation for planning trades, given that it’s usually effective for trades with long time frames, non-viability might arise when catalysts cause marked changes in sentiment. While trading crypto, you may see huge surges and dips that cause an asset’s price to suddenly shift directions and break out of an established trend without prior warning. This can result in crypto traders becoming trapped in a trade after deciding to go short during the rounding top pattern’s second phase.

Relationship of Rounding Top Pattern to Double Top Pattern

A commonly known bearish charting formation that crypto traders rely on is the 

. It’s similar to the rounding top pattern in that both appear to play out the same in their initial stages. However, while rounding top patterns usually result in a breakthrough of the initial inverted U-shaped formation that acts as a support level, double-tops are characterized by false breakouts that cause the price of the asset to rebound off the established support level.

In order to not fall for such false flags, crypto traders can make use of complementary trading indicators and trendlines to confirm the downward movement of an asset before deciding to commit to their bearish trading plan.

Is the Rounding Top Pattern Worth Trying?

Based on the points listed above, the rounding top pattern is definitely worth trying as it’s relatively easy to identify and can help crypto traders get a better idea of when market sentiment changes direction. However, it should be noted that no pattern is 100% accurate, so it’s important for crypto traders to use other indicators and set appropriate stop-loss and take-profit orders in order to ensure their positions are adequately protected against large and unexpected market swings.

Regardless of your level of trading experience and/or prior knowledge, it’s key to grasp how the rounding top pattern works and forms in order to determine if it will work for you as a trader. This pattern ultimately requires longer time frames and a sharp eye, as rounding tops typically form over several days or weeks before even becoming remotely recognizable to trained eyes.

All in all, the rounding top pattern can be a useful tool for crypto traders looking to identify bearish sentiment in the market. However, it’s important to remember that this pattern should only be used as one of many indicators and trading tools when making trading decisions. We hope that you’re now better informed on the use of the rounding top pattern as a result of our simple trading guide. For more articles and guides on trading patterns and 

, make sure to read up on Bybit’s guide to trading the 

Rounding Top Pattern: How to Use It for Crypto Trading

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