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  • GLAAD: AI Fails LGBTQ Users, Risks Mount

    GLAAD: AI Fails LGBTQ Users, Risks Mount

    AI Amplifying Anti-LGBTQ Bias, Discrimination, Report Finds

    Artificial intelligence is exacerbating anti-LGBTQ bias, misinformation, and discrimination, with potential impacts spanning healthcare, employment, housing, and privacy, according to a new report from the advocacy organization GLAAD.

    The report, titled “Build for Everyone: A Framework for LGBTQ Representation and Safety in AI,” released Wednesday, asserts that LGBTQ safety should be a fundamental requirement in the development of responsible AI.

    GLAAD warns that AI systems trained on biased or incomplete data risk reinforcing stereotypes, silencing LGBTQ voices, exposing users to privacy vulnerabilities, and producing discriminatory outcomes as the technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.

    “AI is a civil rights issue,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis stated in the report. “Neutrality is no longer an option. To build AI that is ethical, inclusive, and responsible, tech leaders must proactively embrace intentional practices to create safe products.”

    The study identified several areas of concern, including biased training data, the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ misinformation, discriminatory results from predictive AI systems, failures in content moderation, and privacy risks. The report argues that AI trained on incomplete or inaccurate information about LGBTQ individuals can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

    Ellis contended that responsible AI is not only beneficial for business but also essential for future-proofing AI companies. “More than 20 percent of Gen Z is LGBTQ,” she wrote. “These are your future employees and consumers.”

    A 2023 study by advisory and investment firm LGBT Capital indicated that the global buying power of LGBTQ individuals stands at $4.7 trillion, a figure projected to reach $33 trillion by 2030.

    “To put that in perspective, if we were a country, we would be the 4th largest economy in the world,” Ellis noted.

    The GLAAD report emerges amidst ongoing discussions about AI bias. In May, researchers observed that prominent AI models consistently favored Catholicism in their responses while exhibiting less favorable treatment toward Jehovah’s Witnesses, atheism, and agnosticism.

    Earlier this month, former xAI engineer Devin Kim filed a lawsuit against xAI and SpaceX, alleging wrongful termination after he raised concerns about Grok’s inadequate safeguards against misinformation and bias. Concurrently, Elon Musk’s xAI is engaged in a legal dispute with the state of Colorado over a law mandating that companies assess and mitigate discrimination risks in AI systems used for decisions related to housing, employment, and lending.

    GLAAD emphasizes that the implications of AI bias extend beyond simple chatbot interactions and image generation.

    “While not specific to LGBTQ people, we must also mention other emerging challenges as AI development and adoption progresses,” the study stated. “These can include model hallucinations or sycophantic behavior that generate misinformation, including about consequential topics such as health or elections.”

    These concerns are amplified, the study noted, as companies deploy AI agents capable of performing tasks with minimal human supervision. GLAAD cautioned that autonomous agents could inherit existing biases and automate discriminatory outcomes, such as excluding LGBTQ-affirming healthcare providers from search results or making incorrect assumptions about users’ identities.

    To mitigate these risks, GLAAD urged developers to enhance LGBTQ representation in training data, bolster privacy protections, ensure human oversight of moderation systems, and collaborate more closely with advocacy groups. The report also calls for increased industry accountability and regulatory scrutiny.

    “Failure to account for LGBTQ experiences and issues in training data, product design, and governance can result not only in harm to marginalized communities but also in inaccurate, lower-quality products that may undermine user trust in a growing demographic,” the study concluded.

  • AI Predicts Hyperliquid Could Overtake Ripple by 2026

    AI Predicts Hyperliquid Could Overtake Ripple by 2026

    HYPE, the native token of the decentralized crypto exchange Hyperliquid, has experienced a remarkable surge, reaching a new all-time high even as the broader digital asset market continues to grapple with a prolonged downturn. The token recently outpaced Dogecoin (DOGE) to claim the 10th position among the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. This development prompted an inquiry into whether HYPE could potentially surpass Ripple’s XRP within the current year, with insights sought from three prominent AI-powered chatbots.

    HYPE’s Ascent and Market Position

    Earlier this week, HYPE’s price climbed to a historic peak of approximately $77, accompanied by a market capitalization reaching around $16 billion. Despite this significant appreciation, HYPE’s valuation remains considerably lower than XRP, which currently boasts a market capitalization of roughly $74 billion.

    AI Perspectives on HYPE’s Potential to Overtake XRP

    ChatGPT assessed the likelihood of HYPE surpassing XRP as low, citing the substantial market cap disparity. However, OpenAI’s platform did identify several potential catalysts that could drive HYPE’s valuation to such levels. These include the growing popularity of Hyperliquid, its potential expansion to rival major exchanges like Binance, and endorsements from influential figures within the industry.

    The report also referenced Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, who had a significant stake in HYPE. While Hayes reportedly sold his holdings, the blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain suggested he may have repurchased nearly 34,000 HYPE tokens for over $2 million, a claim Hayes has since denied.

    ChatGPT further suggested that institutional interest could positively impact HYPE. Data indicates that inflows into spot HYPE exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recently outweighed outflows, accumulating approximately $180 million in net inflows. This figure, however, falls short of the $1.44 billion attracted by XRP-based ETFs since their introduction in late 2025.

    Perplexity echoed a similar sentiment, positing that a significant rise for HYPE is only conceivable within a “narrow sense.” The AI highlighted that beyond its market cap advantage, XRP benefits from a large and dedicated community, which could present a formidable obstacle to HYPE’s ascent. Perplexity elaborated, stating, “In 2026, HYPE can plausibly flip XRP on price momentum, narrative strength, or even short-term market cap at times, but XRP has a much larger base to overtake, so a full sustained flip is less likely without a major rotation in capital.”

    Google’s Gemini offered a more cautious outlook, identifying pure mathematics as the primary challenge for HYPE, rather than its utility. Gemini characterized XRP as a “highly liquid, large-cap legacy asset” with a market cap that remains in the tens of billions of dollars even during market corrections, supported by “deep institutional plumbing and international remittance use cases.” Gemini concluded, “For HYPE to flip XRP, it would need to see an astronomical influx of capital, multi-billion-dollar daily trading volumes, and massive speculative retail FOMO – all while XRP would have to severely stagnate or decline.”

  • Bitcoin Recovery Hinges on Key Support

    Bitcoin Recovery Hinges on Key Support

    Bitcoin’s recovery has stalled after hitting a significant resistance cluster, with the cryptocurrency now consolidating below a key supply zone. Current price action indicates bulls are striving to maintain upward momentum, but the market is at a pivotal juncture where the next move—either a breakout or rejection—will likely dictate the short-term trend.

    Daily Chart Dynamics

    On the daily chart, Bitcoin is trading near $65,000, having rebounded from the $60,000 support level earlier this month. This recovery has propelled the price directly into the initial major supply zone, situated between $65,000 and $67,000, where selling pressure has begun to manifest.

    Recent daily candles show consolidation within this resistance area rather than an immediate sell-off, which is generally viewed as a positive sign for buyers. However, Bitcoin remains below its 100-day moving average, which is hovering around $72,000, and its 200-day moving average, located near $77,000. This suggests that the broader upward trend has not yet fully re-established itself.

    Should buyers successfully reclaim the current supply zone, the next upward target would be the higher resistance region between $72,000 and $74,000. This area is significant as it coincides with the second supply zone, the 100-day moving average, and the lower boundary of a previously breached ascending channel, presenting the next substantial obstacle for the market.

    On the downside, the $60,000 to $62,000 range continues to serve as the critical support zone. As long as Bitcoin maintains its position above this level, the recent recovery structure is expected to remain intact.

    Four-Hour Chart Perspective

    The four-hour chart illustrates the recent rally into the $65,000-$67,000 supply zone, following a breakout from an ascending recovery channel. After reaching the upper limit of this zone near $66,800, Bitcoin has entered a phase of sideways consolidation.

    The latest price movements suggest that neither bulls nor bears currently hold dominant control. The asset is holding above the former breakout region, roughly between $64,000 and $65,000, while sellers have so far prevented a decisive breach of the supply zone.

    A breakout above $67,000 would bolster the bullish outlook and potentially pave the way toward the higher resistance area around $72,000. Conversely, a failure to hold the $64,000 support region could trigger a more significant pullback toward the demand zone between $61,000 and $62,000.

    For the immediate future, the short-term technical structure remains constructive, provided that higher lows continue to form above the recent breakout area.

    Liquidity Heatmap Analysis

    The Binance liquidation heatmap reveals a notable concentration of liquidity both above and below the current price. However, the closest and most significant cluster of liquidity is situated between $67,000 and $69,000.

    Given that Bitcoin is currently consolidating around $65,000, this overhead liquidity zone could act as a short-term magnet. A move through the current supply region might trigger liquidations of short positions, potentially accelerating momentum toward the $68,000-$69,000 area.

    Concurrently, a substantial liquidity pocket exists below the market, between $62,000 and $63,000. If Bitcoin were to lose the $64,000 support area, the market could be drawn lower to absorb this liquidity before establishing its next directional trend.

    Overall, the heatmap indicates that the market is currently positioned between two major liquidity pools. Considering the proximity of the upper cluster and Bitcoin’s ability to hold within the $65,000-$67,000 resistance zone, the short-term bias leans slightly toward an upward sweep of liquidity into the $67,000-$69,000 region before a more significant directional decision is made.

  • Warsh’s First Fed Decision Looms Over Crypto

    Warsh’s First Fed Decision Looms Over Crypto

    Fed Policy Decision Looms as Key Event for Crypto Market

    The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to convene on Wednesday, June 17, for a policy decision that marks the first under new Chair Kevin Warsh. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen has identified this meeting as a pivotal macroeconomic event for the cryptocurrency sector.

    Chen described the current economic landscape as exceptionally challenging, characterized by persistent inflation and a White House keen on increasing liquidity, all while the Federal Reserve appears more internally divided than in recent years.

    Market observers, based on online commentary, do not anticipate any changes to interest rates, with a hold being widely priced in. Some analysts, such as HaxKai, suggest that focusing solely on the rate decision itself is a misdirection, stating that “watching the rate decision itself is watching the wrong thing.”

    Instead, the focus is expected to be on the FOMC’s “dot plot,” which signals future rate expectations, and, crucially, on how Warsh navigates his inaugural press conference as chair. Chen believes that cryptocurrencies have evolved into a truly cross-asset class, a dynamic that older analytical frameworks fail to adequately capture.

    “The old idea that crypto only trades on crypto-native narratives is outdated,” Chen posted on X. “Today, BTC, US equities, gold, FX and commodities are all reacting to the same macro question: Where is liquidity going next?”

    Chen anticipates that if Warsh adopts a hawkish tone, the U.S. dollar is likely to strengthen, exerting downward pressure on gold and risk assets. Conversely, a dovish stance from Warsh could potentially trigger a relief rally across equities and cryptocurrencies. However, she cautioned that the market would likely scrutinize the justification for any easing measures given the prevailing high inflation.

    This perspective is supported by recent data. An analysis by Charlie Bilello on June 16 indicated that Bitcoin and gold are the only major asset classes showing losses year-to-date in 2026, with cryptocurrency down 27%, while the S&P 500 has gained 9% and small-cap stocks have risen 19%.

    Previous analysis by XWIN Research on Warsh suggested a greater emphasis on balance sheet reduction over interest rate cuts. This research also posited that reducing liquidity through quantitative tightening could negatively impact risk assets, even if short-term rates remained unchanged.

    In contrast, investor Ran Neuner expressed a “mega bullish” outlook heading into the meeting. His reasoning is that any indication of the Fed moving away from a rate hike path could bolster risk assets, particularly if inflation expectations decline alongside lower oil prices.

    HaxKai, however, remains less optimistic. They pointed out that Bitcoin has historically declined following most FOMC meetings and noted that the recent rally from $59,000, which stalled at $67,000 earlier this week, leaves considerable room for a downturn. Consequently, they advised traders to exercise caution and avoid making immediate moves in the aftermath of the announcement.

    At the time of this report, Bitcoin was trading near the $65,000 mark, representing a roughly 2% decrease from the previous day but a nearly 6% gain over the preceding seven days.

  • House, Senate Agree on Housing Bill, Ban CBDC Until 2030

    House, Senate Agree on Housing Bill, Ban CBDC Until 2030

    Housing Bill Includes Temporary Ban on Central Bank Digital Currency

    Leaders of the Senate Banking and House Financial Services committees on Tuesday unveiled updated text for a comprehensive housing bill that includes a temporary prohibition on the U.S. issuing a central bank digital currency.

    The legislation, H.R. 6644, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, aims to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and prevent institutional investors from displacing families in the single-family housing market. A provision within the bill stipulates that the Federal Reserve “may not issue or create a central bank digital currency” or any similar asset until December 31, 2030. This ban includes an exception for open, permissionless private dollar assets, such as stablecoins, that maintain the privacy protections afforded by U.S. coins and physical currency.

    The bill represents years of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, incorporating priorities from both chambers of Congress and the White House, according to Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-SC), Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), House Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-AR), and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA). Senator Scott stated it was time to “deliver real relief for the American people,” while Representative Waters described it as the most significant housing legislation in over three decades.

    Following months of negotiations, the Senate agreed to a three-year sunset clause for a disaster recovery block grant program and adopted several House-approved measures. These include nine community banking bills and language designed to limit institutional homebuyers. Representative Hill expressed anticipation for President Trump to sign the bill into law. Representative Waters noted that the text incorporates over 50 housing and banking provisions that Democrats advocated for.

    The provision restricting a central bank digital currency was added at the request of House Republicans, and the Trump administration has supported it. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently reaffirmed that a digital dollar is not under consideration.

    Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which are digital equivalents of government-issued cash, have emerged as a contentious issue. Critics warn that CBDCs could facilitate financial surveillance. Some conservative House members, including Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), are pushing for a permanent ban, arguing that “CBDCs are bad for everyone.”

    The Senate initially attached the CBDC ban to a package in March, passing it by a vote of 89-10. The House subsequently cleared its amended version in May with a 396-13 vote. The updated text is now scheduled for consideration on the Senate floor.

  • OKX Adjusts Spot Trading Precision

    OKX Adjusts Spot Trading Precision

    OKX to Adjust Trading Precision for Select Spot Pairs

    Hong Kong – June 17, 2026 – Cryptocurrency exchange OKX announced today that it will be adjusting the trading amount precision for several spot trading pairs to enhance market liquidity and improve the user trading experience. The changes are scheduled to take place on June 23, 2026, between 7:00:00 AM and 9:00:00 AM UTC.

    Trading Precision Adjustments

    The adjustments will affect the following trading pairs, with specific time slots allocated for each:

    • LAT/USD: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:00:00 AM and 7:01:59 AM UTC.
    • LAT/USDT: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:02:00 AM and 7:03:59 AM UTC.
    • IOST/EUR: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:04:00 AM and 7:05:59 AM UTC.
    • IOST/USD: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:06:00 AM and 7:07:59 AM UTC.
    • IOST/USDT: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:08:00 AM and 7:09:59 AM UTC.
    • IOST/USDC: Precision will change from 0.000001 to 0.00001. This adjustment will occur between 7:10:00 AM and 7:11:59 AM UTC.
    • LSK/EUR: Precision will change from 0.00000001 to 0.0000001. This adjustment will occur between 7:12:00 AM and 7:13:59 AM UTC.
    • LSK/USD: Precision will change from 0.00000001 to 0.0000001. This adjustment will occur between 7:14:00 AM and 7:15:59 AM UTC.
    • LSK/USDT: Precision will change from 0.00000001 to 0.0000001. This adjustment will occur between 7:16:00 AM and 7:17:59 AM UTC.
    • LSK/USDC: Precision will change from 0.00000001 to 0.0000001. This adjustment will occur between 7:18:00 AM and 7:19:59 AM UTC.

    Risk Warning and Order Handling

    During the brief 2-minute window for each trading pair’s precision adjustment, trading will be temporarily suspended. Users will be unable to perform transfers, place new orders, amend existing orders, or cancel orders for the affected pairs. Trading for other pairs will remain unaffected.

    Existing Orders:

    • Limit Orders: If an existing limit order’s decimal precision is greater than the newly adjusted trading amount precision, the order will be canceled. Orders with a decimal precision less than or equal to the adjusted precision will remain active. For instance, an order with a precision of 0.000001 would be canceled if the precision is adjusted to 0.00001, while an order with a precision of 0.00001 would not be canceled.
    • Trading Bots: Similar to limit orders, existing bot orders with a precision greater than the adjusted value will be canceled. Orders with a precision less than or equal to the new precision will not be canceled.

    * For Spot Grid and Spot DCA bots, open orders will be canceled, and the bots will be stopped.
    * For all other bot types and order types (including recurring buy, TWAP, iceberg, smart portfolio, stop, trailing stop, and trigger orders), open orders will be canceled, but the bots themselves will not be affected and will resume trading with the new precision once trading reopens.

    Adjustments to Larger Decimal Values:

    If the trading amount precision is adjusted to a larger decimal value (e.g., from 0.00001 to 0.000001), existing orders will be filled according to the new, more precise trading amount.

    API Users:

    For orders placed via API, if the trading amount precision is adjusted to a smaller decimal value (e.g., from 0.000001 to 0.00001), the system will automatically round down buy orders and round up sell orders to ensure successful placement. However, users will not be able to place orders using the pre-adjustment precision on the standard web and mobile interfaces.

    Order Display:

    • When precision is adjusted to smaller decimal places (e.g., 0.000001 to 0.00001):

    * Non-API users will see open and historical orders displayed with the adjusted trading amount precision.
    * API users will see open and historical orders displayed with the pre-adjustment trading amount precision.

    • When precision is adjusted to larger decimal places (e.g., 0.00001 to 0.000001):

    * Open and historical orders will be displayed with the original trading amount precision.

    OKX advises users to adjust their trading strategies accordingly to mitigate any potential impact from these changes.

    The exchange also reiterated a general risk warning, stating that the provided information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or any other form of advice. Digital assets are highly speculative and volatile, and investors may lose their entire investment. OKX encourages users to conduct their own research and evaluate their risk appetite before trading.

  • Portfolio Margin Collateral Ratio, Leverage & Margin Tiers Updated

    Portfolio Margin Collateral Ratio, Leverage & Margin Tiers Updated

    Binance to Adjust Portfolio Margin and Futures Leverage Parameters

    Binance announced that it will update the collateral ratio and tiered collateral ratio for Portfolio Margin Pro assets under Portfolio Margin on June 19, 2026, at 06:00 UTC. The update is expected to take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

    Portfolio Margin Adjustments

    The following assets under Portfolio Margin will see adjustments to their collateral ratios on June 19, 2026, at 06:00 UTC:

    | Asset (Portfolio Margin) | Collateral Ratio (Before) | Collateral Ratio (After) |
    | :———————– | :———————— | :———————– |
    | ADA | 90% | 85% |

    Additionally, the following assets under Portfolio Margin Pro will be adjusted at the same time:

    | Asset (PM Pro) | Rank | Floor (USD) | Cap (USD) | Collateral Ratio (Before) | Rank | Floor (USD) | Cap (USD) | Collateral Ratio (After) |
    | :————- | :— | :———- | :———– | :———————— | :— | :———- | :———– | :———————– |
    | FDUSD | 3 | 0 | 10,000,000 | 100% | 4 | 0 | 3,000,000 | 100% |
    | | | 10,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 97.50% | | 10,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 95% |
    | | | 30,000,000 | 99,999,999,999 | 95% | | 30,000,000 | 99,999,999,999 | 90% |

    Binance Futures Leverage and Margin Tier Updates

    Binance Futures will also update the leverage and margin tiers for several USD-M Perpetual Contracts, with the updates scheduled to be completed within approximately one hour.

    Important Note: Existing positions opened before these updates will be affected. Futures running grid strategies may expire due to changes in leverage and margin tiers, and users are advised to adjust their positions accordingly prior to the scheduled changes.

    June 19, 2026, 06:30 UTC: SIRENUSDT (USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contract)

    | Leverage Before Change | Position Before Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate Before Change | Leverage After Change | Position After Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate After Change |
    | :——————— | :———————————————- | :———————————- | :——————– | :——————————————— | :———————————– |
    | 21 – 25x | 0 < Position ≤ 1,000 | 3.00% | NA | | |
    | | 1,000 < Position ≤ 3,000 | 4.00% | 11 – 20x | 1,000 < Position ≤ 3,000 | 4.00% |
    | 6 – 10x | 3,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 5.00% | 6 – 10x | 3,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 5.00% |
    | 5x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 30,000 | 10.00% | 5x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 60,000 | 10.00% |
    | 4x | 30,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% | 4x | 60,000 < Position ≤ 70,000 | 12.50% |
    | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 16.67% | 3x | 70,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 16.67% |
    | 2x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 2,000,000 | 25.00% | 2x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 2,500,000 | 25.00% |
    | 1x | 2,000,000 < Position ≤ 3,000,000 | 50.00% | 1x | 2,500,000 < Position ≤ 5,000,000 | 50.00% |

    June 19, 2026, 06:30 UTC: VELVETUSDT, RESOLVUSDT, TRUSTUSDT, THEUSDT, and MAVUSDT (USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contracts)

    | Leverage Before Change | Position Before Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate Before Change | Leverage After Change | Position After Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate After Change |
    | :——————— | :———————————————- | :———————————- | :——————– | :——————————————— | :———————————– |
    | 21 – 50x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 1.50% | NA | | |
    | | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.50% | 11 – 20x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.50% |
    | 6 – 10x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 20,000 | 5.00% | 6 – 10x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 20,000 | 5.00% |
    | 5x | 20,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 10.00% | 5x | 20,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 10.00% |
    | 4x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% | 4x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% |
    | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 16.67% | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 16.67% |
    | 2x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% | 2x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% |
    | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,500,000 | 50.00% | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,500,000 | 50.00% |

    June 19, 2026, 06:30 UTC: SANTOSUSDT (USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contract)

    | Leverage Before Change | Position Before Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate Before Change | Leverage After Change | Position After Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate After Change |
    | :——————— | :———————————————- | :———————————- | :——————– | :——————————————— | :———————————– |
    | 21 – 50x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 1.50% | 21 – 25x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 2.00% |
    | 11 – 20x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.50% | 11 – 20x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.50% |
    | 6 – 10x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 20,000 | 5.00% | 6 – 10x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 20,000 | 5.00% |
    | 5x | 20,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 10.00% | 5x | 20,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 10.00% |
    | 4x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% | 4x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 100,000 | 12.50% |
    | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 16.67% | 3x | 100,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 16.67% |
    | 2x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% | 2x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 2,500,000 | 25.00% |
    | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,500,000 | 50.00% | 1x | 2,500,000 < Position ≤ 5,000,000 | 50.00% |

    June 19, 2026, 06:30 UTC: ORDIUSDT (USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contract)

    | Leverage Before Change | Position Before Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate Before Change | Leverage After Change | Position After Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate After Change |
    | :——————— | :———————————————- | :———————————- | :——————– | :——————————————— | :———————————– |
    | 51 – 75x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 1.00% | NA | | |
    | 26 – 50x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 1.50% | 26 – 50x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 1.50% |
    | 21 – 25x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 25,000 | 2.00% | 21 – 25x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.00% |
    | 11 – 20x | 25,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 2.50% | 11 – 20x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 25,000 | 2.50% |
    | 6 – 10x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 125,000 | 5.00% | 6 – 10x | 25,000 < Position ≤ 62,500 | 5.00% |
    | 5x | 125,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 10.00% | 5x | 62,500 < Position ≤ 125,000 | 10.00% |
    | 4x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 12.50% | 4x | 125,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% |
    | 3x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 1,000,000 | 16.67% | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 500,000 | 16.67% |
    | 2x | 1,000,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% | 2x | 500,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% |
    | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,500,000 | 50.00% | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,500,000 | 50.00% |

    June 19, 2026, 06:30 UTC: DIAUSDT and INXUSDT (USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contracts)

    | Leverage Before Change | Position Before Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate Before Change | Leverage After Change | Position After Change (Notional Value in USDT) | Maintenance Margin Rate After Change |
    | :——————— | :———————————————- | :———————————- | :——————– | :——————————————— | :———————————– |
    | 26 – 50x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 1.50% | NA | | |
    | 21 – 25x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.00% | 21 – 25x | 0 < Position ≤ 5,000 | 2.00% |
    | 11 – 20x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 25,000 | 2.50% | 11 – 20x | 5,000 < Position ≤ 10,000 | 2.50% |
    | 6 – 10x | 25,000 < Position ≤ 62,500 | 5.00% | 6 – 10x | 10,000 < Position ≤ 20,000 | 5.00% |
    | 5x | 62,500 < Position ≤ 125,000 | 10.00% | 5x | 20,000 < Position ≤ 50,000 | 10.00% |
    | 4x | 125,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 12.50% | 4x | 50,000 < Position ≤ 100,000 | 12.50% |
    | 3x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 1,000,000 | 16.67% | 3x | 100,000 < Position ≤ 250,000 | 16.67% |
    | 2x | 1,000,000 < Position ≤ 7,500,000 | 25.00% | 2x | 250,000 < Position ≤ 2,500,000 | 25.00% |
    | 1x | 7,500,000 < Position ≤ 12,000,000 | 50.00% | 1x | 2,500,000 < Position ≤ 5,000,000 | 50.00% |

    Please Note: The collateral ratio changes will impact the Unified Maintenance Margin Ratio (uniMMR). Users are advised to closely monitor their uniMMR to prevent potential liquidations or losses resulting from these adjustments.

  • Bybit Supports XION Network Upgrade

    Bybit Supports XION Network Upgrade

    Bybit to Support XION Network Upgrade, Halting Deposits and Withdrawals Temporarily

    Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced its support for the upcoming XION (XION) v30.0.0 network upgrade. The upgrade is scheduled to occur on June 17, 2026, at approximately 11:40 AM UTC, or upon reaching block height 21,889,000.

    In preparation for the upgrade and to ensure a seamless transition, Bybit will temporarily suspend all XION (XION) deposits and withdrawals starting at 11:00 AM UTC on June 17, 2026.

    Trading activities on the platform will remain unaffected during this period.

    Bybit has stated that there will be no separate announcements regarding the resumption of deposit and withdrawal services. Users wishing to be notified when these services are back online are advised to visit the Deposit or Withdrawal page and activate the “Set Alert” function.

    Further details regarding the XION network upgrade can be found in the official release notes.

  • AVAX Growth Slowdown Sparks Social Media Debate

    AVAX Growth Slowdown Sparks Social Media Debate

    Avalanche Faces Scrutiny Amidst Growing Skepticism

    Avalanche (AVAX) found itself at the center of intense discussion on Monday, even as the broader cryptocurrency market experienced a rally. Growing skepticism surrounding the network’s competitive edge has ignited widespread debate on social media.

    Concerns Over Network Growth and Developer Activity

    Data from Santiment indicates that many users are questioning Avalanche’s ability to keep pace with rapidly expanding blockchains like Solana and Sui. A significant portion of the criticism centers on the perception that developer activity, user adoption, and overall ecosystem growth are shifting away from Avalanche and towards rival networks. Santiment’s sentiment analysis reveals a sharp decline in market mood surrounding AVAX, transitioning from a highly bullish phase earlier this year to one of its most bearish periods.

    However, the analytics platform also noted that extreme negative sentiment can sometimes present opportunities for market reversals. Despite the mounting criticism, Avalanche continues to foster institutional partnerships, engage in government-linked initiatives, and leverage its subnet technology, which remains a key feature of the network.

    Developer Metrics Lag Behind Competitors

    Further insights from Electric Capital’s Developer Report highlight a disparity in developer engagement. Solana leads with 795 full-time developers, defined as those contributing at least 10 days per month, while Sui boasts 202 such developers. Avalanche trails behind with 168 full-time developers. In terms of total developer counts, Solana leads with 2,555, followed by Sui at 656, and Avalanche at 484. This metric exclusively counts original code authors, excluding those involved in merged pull requests, forked commits, and automated bot activity.

    Recent Price Action and FIFA Partnership

    AVAX briefly surpassed the $7 mark this week, mirroring the broader crypto market’s recovery. The token saw a nearly 4% increase in the past 24 hours. This uptick coincides with increased attention on FIFA’s partnership with Avalanche for the ongoing 2026 World Cup. FIFA is utilizing a custom Avalanche blockchain to manage ticketing, loyalty programs, and digital collectibles for fans globally.

    The Layer 1 network, announced in May 2025, powers FIFA Collect, the organization’s official collectibles platform developed in collaboration with Modex. This initiative allows fans to use “Right-to-Ticket” collectibles to gain access to official World Cup tickets via a dedicated portal before matches. The partnership has reportedly contributed to Avalanche attracting new users.

    Long-Term Performance and Historical Context

    Despite recent gains, AVAX remains down over 26% in the past month. Furthermore, its price has fallen by more than 76% from its September 2026 high of $30.

  • Japan Rates Surge to 30-Year Peak, Crypto Market Unfazed

    Japan Rates Surge to 30-Year Peak, Crypto Market Unfazed

    Crypto Markets Remain Stable as Japan Raises Interest Rates to 30-Year High

    Tokyo, Japan – Cryptocurrency markets showed resilience on Tuesday, holding steady even as the Bank of Japan implemented its first interest rate hike in 17 years, pushing benchmark rates to a three-decade high amid concerns over rising domestic inflation.

    The Bank of Japan’s policy board voted 7-1 to raise its benchmark interest rate to approximately 1%, with the new guideline taking effect on June 17. Policymakers cited the risk of inflation exceeding the 2% target, driven by higher oil prices impacting consumer goods, and signaled expectations for further rate increases.

    In a separate development, a relief rally had previously boosted crypto markets following President Trump’s announcement of a deal with Iran over the weekend. This de-escalation of tensions, which the Bank of Japan had linked to rising oil prices, propelled Bitcoin above $65,000 from its earlier low $60,000s. A formal signing of the deal is anticipated on Friday.

    At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading around $66,000, a 1.1% decrease on the day, according to CoinGecko data. Sentiment on the prediction market Myriad, operated by Dastan, the parent company of Decrypt, remained predominantly bearish, with traders assigning a 64% probability to Bitcoin’s next move being a decline to $55,000.

    The Bank of Japan noted that Japan’s economy has “recovered moderately” despite weakening factors associated with the Middle East. Strong corporate profits and a robust job market have helped to cushion the impact on economic activity. The central bank’s guidance suggests the broader economy is expected to align with a “baseline scenario” of moderate growth, albeit at a slower pace. Government measures aimed at mitigating energy costs are anticipated to reduce the risk of a sharp economic slowdown.

    Tuesday’s quarter-point increase to 1% marks the highest level for Japan’s benchmark rate in over three decades, a level last seen in 1995.

    Historically, Bank of Japan rate hikes have exerted pressure on crypto markets by unwinding the yen carry trade. This strategy involves investors borrowing yen at low interest rates to invest in higher-yielding assets abroad, profiting from the interest rate differential while the yen remains weak.

    Despite this historical precedent, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market remained stable following Tuesday’s rate hike, even as traders appeared to have anticipated a potential selloff.

    The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies hovered around $2.34 trillion, down 1.4% for the day, according to CoinGecko. Data from CoinGlass indicated a decrease in open interest for Bitcoin futures over the preceding day, suggesting traders had reduced their leveraged positions, thereby limiting the potential for a significant selloff.

    “The Yen carry trade has failed to trigger any meaningful disruption in either crypto or global equities this time around,” Ryan Yoon, senior analyst at Tiger Research, told Decrypt. He added that the memory of previous carry trade scares is “still incredibly fresh,” leading investors to “refuse to panic” as the market appears to have “fully recovered” from earlier shocks.

    Decades of low and negative interest rates have supported global markets, with Japan currently carrying public debt exceeding 200% of its GDP, the highest among advanced economies, according to IMF data.

    Yoon suggested that the yen carry trade would likely remain “just another headline” unless Japan’s policy shift significantly drains liquidity from the U.S. market. He explained that once the market processes a narrative and realizes “the sky isn’t falling,” such scares “lose their power to move prices.”

    Maksim Balashevich, founder and CEO of Santiment, commented that Japan’s rate hike held less market significance now, as it had been “priced in before.” He posited that “The ‘unknown’ events of the future, which aren’t fully priced in and able to move markets significantly, must be some other pieces of unveiling reality.”

    Tuesday’s rate hike was accompanied by a commitment to increase bond purchases if long-term yields rise sharply, thereby capping the extent of monetary tightening. The Bank of Japan confirmed its intention to continue reducing these purchases by approximately ¥200 billion (about $1.3 billion) each quarter until early 2027, after which they are expected to stabilize near ¥2 trillion (approximately $12.5 billion).