cointelegraph.com

Cboe set to launch new FTSE Bitcoin futures product in April

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (Cboe) has announced the launch of a new Bitcoin futures derivative product.

According to an April 7 announcement, Cboe plans to launch the FTSE Bitcoin Index futures on April 28, which is based on the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (XBTF), if approved by regulators.

The new product will be cash-settled, and like XBTF, it will represent one-tenth of the value of the FTSE Bitcoin Index. The futures will settle on the last business day of each month.

This is the first product that was launched as a result of Cboe’s collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group’s index subsidiary, FTSE Russell. The new Bitcoin derivative product is reportedly meant to complement its recently launched Bitcoin options offerings, Bitcoin US ETF Index Options (CBTX) and Bitcoin US ETF Index Options (MBTX). Catherine Clay, global head of derivatives at Cboe, said:

“This launch comes at a pivotal time as demand for crypto exposure continues to grow and market participants are increasingly seeking more capital-efficient and versatile ways to gain and manage that exposure.”

Related: Largest ever CME gap has just printed in Bitcoin futures

Cboe continues crypto product development

Cboe is a major player in the worldwide financial landscape and a historic institution founded in 1973. The exchange is also a provider of Bitcoin (BTC) products, having launched its first Bitcoin futures contracts on Dec. 10, 2017.

Now, Cboe continues to innovate the traditional markets that appear so glacial in their evolution to crypto natives. In early February, the exchange further shrank the gap between crypto and traditional finance by announcing plans to roll out a 24-hour trading day — but only on weekdays.

Related: Cboe files amended applications to list Bitcoin, Ethereum options in US

Bitcoin futures are not a thing of the past

Despite the introduction of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Bitcoin futures are still widely traded and discussed among crypto market participants. In late March, Bitcoin futures leveraging led to a $10 billion open interest wipeout.

Product development is also still ongoing in the segment. In March, Coinbase announced that it plans to offer 24/7 trading for Bitcoin and Ether futures to US residents.

Also in March, Singapore Exchange (SGX), the largest exchange group in Singapore, was reported to plan to debut Bitcoin perpetual futures in the second half of 2025.

Magazine: Bitcoin heading to $70K soon? Crypto baller funds SpaceX flight: Hodler’s Digest, March 30 – April 5

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Cboe set to launch new FTSE Bitcoin futures product in April

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (Cboe) has announced the launch of a new Bitcoin futures derivative product.

According to an April 7 announcement, Cboe plans to launch the FTSE Bitcoin Index futures on April 28, which is based on the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (XBTF), if approved by regulators.

The new product will be cash-settled, and like XBTF, it will represent one-tenth of the value of the FTSE Bitcoin Index. The futures will settle on the last business day of each month.

This is the first product that was launched as a result of Cboe’s collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group’s index subsidiary, FTSE Russell. The new Bitcoin derivative product is reportedly meant to complement its recently launched Bitcoin options offerings Bitcoin US ETF Index Options (CBTX) and Bitcoin US ETF Index Options (MBTX). Catherine Clay, global head of derivatives at Cboe, said:

“This launch comes at a pivotal time as demand for crypto exposure continues to grow and market participants are increasingly seeking more capital-efficient and versatile ways to gain and manage that exposure.”

Related: Largest ever CME gap has just printed in Bitcoin futures

Cboe continues crypto product development

Cboe is a major player in the worldwide financial landscape and a historic institution founded in 1973. The exchange is also a provider of Bitcoin (BTC) products, having launched its first Bitcoin futures contracts on Dec. 10, 2017.

Now, Cboe continues to innovate the traditional markets that appear so glacial in their evolution to crypto natives. In early February, the exchange further shrank the gap between crypto and traditional finance by announcing plans to roll out a 24-hour trading day — but only on weekdays.

Related: Cboe files amended applications to list Bitcoin, Ethereum options in US

Bitcoin futures are not a thing of the past

Despite the introduction of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Bitcoin futures are still widely traded and discussed among crypto market participants. In late March, Bitcoin futures leveraging led to a $10 billion open interest wipeout.

Product development is also still ongoing in the segment. In March, Coinbase announced that it plans to offer 24/7 trading for Bitcoin and Ether futures to US residents.

Also in March, Singapore Exchange (SGX), the largest exchange group in Singapore, was reported to plan to debut Bitcoin perpetual futures in the second half of 2025.

Magazine: Bitcoin heading to $70K soon? Crypto baller funds SpaceX flight: Hodler’s Digest, March 30 – April 5

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Dubai gov’t agencies to link real estate registry with property tokenization

Dubai’s real estate and crypto regulatory authorities have signed a new agreement aimed at expanding digital asset adoption in the real estate sector.

On April 6, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced an agreement with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). According to the announcement, the agreement will link Dubai’s real estate registry with property tokenization through a governance system. 

The agreement aims to improve digital infrastructure and attract global investment by enhancing market liquidity and property management efficiency.

It also aims to support Dubai’s broader economic strategy, which includes a goal of doubling the city’s gross domestic product over the next decade.

Related: Mantra and Damac sign $1B deal to tokenize Middle Eastern assets

New real estate model opens up Dubai’s market to global investors

The new development follows the DLD’s recent project pilot to convert real estate assets into blockchain-based digital tokens. 

On March 20, the DLD announced the pilot phase of its real-estate tokenization project. The tokenization launch made DLD the first real-estate registration entity in the United Arab Emirates to tokenize property title deeds. The DLD expects the initiative to drive growth in real estate investment, aiming to reach a value of over $16 billion by 2033. 

Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of real-word asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the new development shows a clear message from the UAE government: 

“In just three weeks, Dubai has gone from pilot launch to strategic execution and the message is loud and clear: the future of real estate investment is onchain.”

Thiel also said that the two agencies working hand in hand will create a smarter model that opens Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors. “This isn’t just another MOU. It’s the playbook for Real Estate 2.0,” Thiel told Cointelegraph. 

The executive urged investors across the globe to observe what the UAE is doing in terms of tokenization. Thiel said this is “what the future of real estate looks like.”

Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Dubai gov’t agencies to link real estate registry with property tokenization

Dubai’s real estate and crypto regulatory authorities have signed a new agreement aimed at expanding digital asset adoption in the real estate sector.

On April 6, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced an agreement with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). According to the announcement, the agreement will link Dubai’s real estate registry with property tokenization through a governance system. 

The agreement aims to improve digital infrastructure and attract global investment by enhancing market liquidity and property management efficiency.

It also aims to support Dubai’s broader economic strategy, which includes a goal of doubling the city’s gross domestic product over the next decade.

Related: Mantra and Damac sign $1B deal to tokenize Middle Eastern assets

New real estate model opens up Dubai’s market to global investors

The new development follows the DLD’s recent project pilot to convert real estate assets into blockchain-based digital tokens. 

On March 20, the DLD announced the pilot phase of its real-estate tokenization project. The tokenization launch made DLD the first real-estate registration entity in the United Arab Emirates to tokenize property title deeds. The DLD expects the initiative to drive growth in real estate investment, aiming to reach a value of over $16 billion by 2033. 

Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of real-word asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the new development shows a clear message from the UAE government: 

“In just three weeks, Dubai has gone from pilot launch to strategic execution and the message is loud and clear: the future of real estate investment is onchain.”

Thiel also said that the two agencies working hand in hand will create a smarter model that opens Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors. “This isn’t just another MOU. It’s the playbook for Real Estate 2.0,” Thiel told Cointelegraph. 

The executive urged investors across the globe to observe what the UAE is doing in terms of tokenization. Thiel said this is “what the future of real estate looks like.”

Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Dubai gov’t agencies to link real estate registry with property tokenization

Dubai’s real estate and crypto regulatory authorities have signed a new agreement aimed at expanding digital asset adoption in the real estate sector.

On April 6, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced an agreement with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). According to the announcement, the agreement will link Dubai’s real estate registry with property tokenization through a governance system. 

The agreement aims to improve digital infrastructure and attract global investment by enhancing market liquidity and property management efficiency.

It also aims to support Dubai’s broader economic strategy, which includes a goal of doubling the city’s gross domestic product over the next decade.

Related: Mantra and Damac sign $1B deal to tokenize Middle Eastern assets

New real estate model opens up Dubai’s market to global investors

The new development follows the DLD’s recent project pilot to convert real estate assets into blockchain-based digital tokens. 

On March 20, the DLD announced the pilot phase of its real-estate tokenization project. The tokenization launch made DLD the first real-estate registration entity in the United Arab Emirates to tokenize property title deeds. The DLD expects the initiative to drive growth in real estate investment, aiming to reach a value of over $16 billion by 2033. 

Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of real-word asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the new development shows a clear message from the UAE government: 

“In just three weeks, Dubai has gone from pilot launch to strategic execution and the message is loud and clear: the future of real estate investment is onchain.”

Thiel also said that the two agencies working hand in hand will create a smarter model that opens Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors. “This isn’t just another MOU. It’s the playbook for Real Estate 2.0,” Thiel told Cointelegraph. 

The executive urged investors across the globe to observe what the UAE is doing in terms of tokenization. Thiel said this is “what the future of real estate looks like.”

Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Dubai gov’t agencies to link real estate registry with property tokenization

Dubai’s real estate and crypto regulatory authorities have signed a new agreement aimed at expanding digital asset adoption in the real estate sector.

On April 6, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced an agreement with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). According to the announcement, the agreement will link Dubai’s real estate registry with property tokenization through a governance system. 

The agreement aims to improve digital infrastructure and attract global investment by enhancing market liquidity and property management efficiency.

It also aims to support Dubai’s broader economic strategy, which includes a goal of doubling the city’s gross domestic product over the next decade.

Related: Mantra and Damac sign $1B deal to tokenize Middle Eastern assets

New real estate model opens up Dubai’s market to global investors

The new development follows the DLD’s recent project pilot to convert real estate assets into blockchain-based digital tokens. 

On March 20, the DLD announced the pilot phase of its real-estate tokenization project. The tokenization launch made DLD the first real-estate registration entity in the United Arab Emirates to tokenize property title deeds. The DLD expects the initiative to drive growth in real estate investment, aiming to reach a value of over $16 billion by 2033. 

Scott Thiel, the co-founder and CEO of real-word asset (RWA) tokenization platform Tokinvest, told Cointelegraph that the new development shows a clear message from the UAE government: 

“In just three weeks, Dubai has gone from pilot launch to strategic execution and the message is loud and clear: the future of real estate investment is onchain.”

Thiel also said that the two agencies working hand in hand will create a smarter model that opens Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors. “This isn’t just another MOU. It’s the playbook for Real Estate 2.0,” Thiel told Cointelegraph. 

The executive urged investors across the globe to observe what the UAE is doing in terms of tokenization. Thiel said this is “what the future of real estate looks like.”

Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Bitcoin’s 24/7 liquidity: Double-edged sword during global market turmoil

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often praised for offering around-the-clock trading access, but that constant availability may have contributed to a steep sell-off over the weekend following the latest US trade tariff announcement.

Unlike stocks and traditional financial instruments, Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies enable payments and trading opportunities 24/7 thanks to the accessibility of blockchain technology.

After a record-breaking $5 trillion was wiped from the S&P 500 over two days — the worst such drop on record — Bitcoin remained above the $82,000 support level. But by Sunday, the asset had plummeted to under $75,000.

Sunday’s correction may have occurred to due Bitcoin being the only large tradable asset over the weekend, according to Lucas Outumuro, head of research at crypto intelligence platform IntoTheBlock. 

“There was a bit of optimism last week that Bitcoin might be uncorrelating and fairing better than traditional stocks, but the [correction] did accelerate over the weekend,” Outumuro said during Cointelegraph’s Chainreaction live show on X, adding:

“There’s very little people can sell on a Sunday cause most markets are closed. That also enables the correlation because people are panicking and Bitcoin is the largest asset they can sell over the weekend.”

Outumuro noted that Bitcoin’s weekend trading can also have upside effects, as prices often rally in calmer conditions.

Related: Trump tariff negotiations are ‘all about’ China deal — Raoul Pal

Bitcoin initially “decoupled” from traditional assets after the US stock market saw a $3.5 trillion drop on April 4 as US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariffs” could significantly affect the economy and lead to higher inflation.

However, Bitcoin fell below $75,000 on April 6 as the panic from traditional markets spread to cryptocurrencies over escalating trade war concerns.

Related: Bitcoin price can hit $250K in 2025 if Fed shifts to QE: Arthur Hayes

Most Bitcoin investors are “all in” and overleveraged — Adam Back

Adding to Bitcoin’s 24/7 trading mechanics, numerous Bitcoin holders are overleveraged, according to Blockstream CEO Adam Back.

Speaking during a fireside chat with Cointelegraph managing editor Gareth Jenkinson at Paris Blockchain Week 2025, Back said:

“The problem with the Bitcoin market is most of the people who are into Bitcoin are all in. So they’ve got no money. And worse, some of them are leveraged or overleveraged and it trades 24/7.”Bitcoin’s 24/7 liquidity: Double-edged sword during global market turmoil

Adam Back during a fireside chat with Cointelegraph’s Gareth Jenkinson. Source: Cointelegraph

“On a weekend, there’s not much volume. So you have a worse risk of rapid sort of flash crashes or flash dips that get filled in again,” he said.

Back also reiterated his belief that Bitcoin will rival gold over the next decade as a hedge against rising monetary inflation.

Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Can Pi Network succeed without listing on major exchanges?

No Binance listing for Pi

Despite massive community support and over 2 million votes pushing for a Binance listing, Pi Network’s native token remains unlisted and unheard by the exchange as of April 2025.

Pi Network launched with a bold, although somewhat farfetched mission: make cryptocurrency mining accessible to anyone with a smartphone. No expensive hardware, no complicated setup — just a simple tap once a day.

While the idea would have Hal Finney turning in his grave, the concept gained traction quickly, drawing in millions of users around the world and building one of the largest crypto communities to date.

Naturally, as interest in the project grew, expectations around listing on major exchanges — especially Binance — began to build.

In fact, more than 2 million of Pi Network’s users participated in a community poll in early 2025, with 86% voting in favor of pursuing a Binance listing.

Yet as of April 2025, Pi Network’s native token, Pi, is still not listed on Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.

In fact, there hasn’t even been an official statement from Binance. It’s a bit like knocking on a neighbor’s door for help and watching the curtain twitch — but no one ever opens.

The Pi Network

Why hasn’t Binance listed Pi?

There are a few reasons Pi hasn’t made it onto Binance’s platform, both unofficial and official.

Unofficially, concerns have circulated within the broader crypto space since Pi Network’s mainnet launch in February 2025. Critics point to artificially inflated user metrics, Ponzi-style dynamics, centralized control of the network and tokenomics, or the lack thereof, as dead giveaways.

However, the official stance of Binance experts familiar with the matter suggests:

Blockchain compatibility problems: Binance’s “Vote to List” initiative favors projects built on the BNB Smart Chain. Pi Network operates on its own blockchain, so it doesn’t meet the core eligibility criteria.Transparency issues: Binance expects clear and public disclosures about how a token is issued, locked or burned. So far, Pi has not provided the level of detail that major exchanges typically require. Without that transparency, it’s difficult for platforms to assess the integrity of the token’s economics.Regulatory concerns: In regions like Vietnam and China, Pi Network has come under scrutiny for operating in a way that resembles multilevel marketing (MLM). That kind of classification introduces regulatory uncertainty — something major exchanges prefer to avoid.

Did you know? You can’t join Pi Network without a referral code; every user has to be invited by someone else. It’s designed to grow only through personal connections.

Pi token faces market challenges

Since missing out on Binance’s stamp of approval, PI’s price has continued to suffer, dropping to around $0.56 as of early April 2025 — an 80% plunge from its all-time high.

And while Pi has made its way onto other platforms such as OKX, Bitget and MEXC, none of them bring the same level of exposure or liquidity. Without access to Binance’s massive user base and credibility, it’s hard for PI to gain serious traction in the broader market.

Since then, Pi’s price line has been choppy. Short-lived spikes have mostly been driven by speculation — often around mainnet rumors or exchange teasers — but they’ve consistently been followed by corrections. The token has struggled to maintain upward momentum, and trading volumes remain thin compared to more established projects.

The Pi Core Team has said it’s been working on improving transparency and tightening up the regulatory side of things. That’s a step in the right direction, but whether it’s enough to win over Binance — or any other top-tier exchange — is still up in the air.

Can Pi network succeed without listing on major exchanges_

Can Pi survive?

The answer to this question is twofold and relies on where one chooses to place the blindfolds.

Blindfold on: Community power and independent infrastructure

Pi Network does have certain advantages that could allow it to grow without relying on top-tier exchange listings.

First, its user base is massive. Even with skepticism growing, Pi claims tens of millions of users — numbers most crypto projects would kill for. This scale gives the network a built-in market for its native currency, especially in regions where mobile-first solutions have real appeal.

Second, the Pi Core Team has emphasized real-world usage. Through campaigns like PiFest, it has tried to prove that Pi is a functional currency as well as a speculative asset — over 125,000 merchants reportedly signed up to accept Pi during the March 2025 event.

Even though the actual payment volume remained flat, the infrastructure is at least starting to form.

The team also continues to build its own ecosystem — wallets, decentralizd applications and even a proprietary Know Your Customer (KYC) system — rather than relying on third-party platforms or validators. If Pi can evolve into a closed-loop economy, where users earn, spend and exchange Pi within its own environment, major exchanges may not be as critical. 

In theory, Pi could carve out its own lane: not as a speculative coin traded on open markets, but as a digital currency used in peer-to-peer economies and low-cost marketplaces.

Blindfold off: A fragile ecosystem with mounting pressure

Despite the initial hype, Pi Coin’s performance since its mainnet launch has been dismal. 

The token is facing major inflation pressure: Over 124 million Pi is being unlocked in April alone, with a total of 1.53 billion entering circulation in the next year, pushing the supply to over 8.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the migration process is broken. Only a fraction of users have been able to complete KYC and access their coins, with many reporting lost tokens or endless verification loops.

While smaller exchanges like OKX and Bitget list Pi, tier 1 platforms like Binance, Coinbase and Kraken have steered clear. The lack of transparency from the Pi Core Team on development milestones and token economics only deepens user frustration.

Did you know? It’s been reported that Bybit’s CEO called the Pi Network a “scam” — a label the developers deny but one that hangs heavy in the absence of clear communication.

Without exchange listings, is there a future for Pi Network?

Could Pi succeed without major exchange listings? Technically, yes — but the odds are narrowing fast.

To do so, it would need to pivot fully into a functional ecosystem where Pi is used, not traded. That means solving the KYC backlog, building a real application layer, attracting developers and showing meaningful payment activity. It’s a tall order.

The more likely outcome is that Pi needs at least some exchange support to gain the liquidity, visibility and trust it currently lacks. Without it, Pi may remain a well-intentioned experiment that never fully escapes its enclosed garden — or worse, collapses under the weight of its own hype.

In short, Pi Network doesn’t need Binance to exist. But to thrive? That’s another story.

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Can Pi Network succeed without listing on major exchanges?

No Binance listing for Pi

Despite massive community support and over 2 million votes pushing for a Binance listing, Pi Network’s native token remains unlisted and unheard by the exchange as of April 2025.

Pi Network launched with a bold, although somewhat farfetched mission: make cryptocurrency mining accessible to anyone with a smartphone. No expensive hardware, no complicated setup — just a simple tap once a day.

While the idea would have Hal Finney turning in his grave, the concept gained traction quickly, drawing in millions of users around the world and building one of the largest crypto communities to date.

Naturally, as interest in the project grew, expectations around listing on major exchanges — especially Binance — began to build.

In fact, more than 2 million of Pi Network’s users participated in a community poll in early 2025, with 86% voting in favor of pursuing a Binance listing.

Yet as of April 2025, Pi Network’s native token, Pi, is still not listed on Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.

In fact, there hasn’t even been an official statement from Binance. It’s a bit like knocking on a neighbor’s door for help and watching the curtain twitch — but no one ever opens.

The Pi Network

Why hasn’t Binance listed Pi?

There are a few reasons Pi hasn’t made it onto Binance’s platform, both unofficial and official.

Unofficially, concerns have circulated within the broader crypto space since Pi Network’s mainnet launch in February 2025. Critics point to artificially inflated user metrics, Ponzi-style dynamics, centralized control of the network and tokenomics, or the lack thereof, as dead giveaways.

However, the official stance of Binance experts familiar with the matter suggests:

Blockchain compatibility problems: Binance’s “Vote to List” initiative favors projects built on the BNB Smart Chain. Pi Network operates on its own blockchain, so it doesn’t meet the core eligibility criteria.Transparency issues: Binance expects clear and public disclosures about how a token is issued, locked or burned. So far, Pi has not provided the level of detail that major exchanges typically require. Without that transparency, it’s difficult for platforms to assess the integrity of the token’s economics.Regulatory concerns: In regions like Vietnam and China, Pi Network has come under scrutiny for operating in a way that resembles multilevel marketing (MLM). That kind of classification introduces regulatory uncertainty — something major exchanges prefer to avoid.

Did you know? You can’t join Pi Network without a referral code; every user has to be invited by someone else. It’s designed to grow only through personal connections.

Pi token faces market challenges

Since missing out on Binance’s stamp of approval, PI’s price has continued to suffer, dropping to around $0.56 as of early April 2025 — an 80% plunge from its all-time high.

And while Pi has made its way onto other platforms such as OKX, Bitget and MEXC, none of them bring the same level of exposure or liquidity. Without access to Binance’s massive user base and credibility, it’s hard for PI to gain serious traction in the broader market.

Since then, Pi’s price line has been choppy. Short-lived spikes have mostly been driven by speculation — often around mainnet rumors or exchange teasers — but they’ve consistently been followed by corrections. The token has struggled to maintain upward momentum, and trading volumes remain thin compared to more established projects.

The Pi Core Team has said it’s been working on improving transparency and tightening up the regulatory side of things. That’s a step in the right direction, but whether it’s enough to win over Binance — or any other top-tier exchange — is still up in the air.

Can Pi network succeed without listing on major exchanges_

Can Pi survive?

The answer to this question is twofold and relies on where one chooses to place the blindfolds.

Blindfold on: Community power and independent infrastructure

Pi Network does have certain advantages that could allow it to grow without relying on top-tier exchange listings.

First, its user base is massive. Even with skepticism growing, Pi claims tens of millions of users — numbers most crypto projects would kill for. This scale gives the network a built-in market for its native currency, especially in regions where mobile-first solutions have real appeal.

Second, the Pi Core Team has emphasized real-world usage. Through campaigns like PiFest, it has tried to prove that Pi is a functional currency as well as a speculative asset — over 125,000 merchants reportedly signed up to accept Pi during the March 2025 event.

Even though the actual payment volume remained flat, the infrastructure is at least starting to form.

The team also continues to build its own ecosystem — wallets, decentralizd applications and even a proprietary Know Your Customer (KYC) system — rather than relying on third-party platforms or validators. If Pi can evolve into a closed-loop economy, where users earn, spend and exchange Pi within its own environment, major exchanges may not be as critical. 

In theory, Pi could carve out its own lane: not as a speculative coin traded on open markets, but as a digital currency used in peer-to-peer economies and low-cost marketplaces.

Blindfold off: A fragile ecosystem with mounting pressure

Despite the initial hype, Pi Coin’s performance since its mainnet launch has been dismal. 

The token is facing major inflation pressure: Over 124 million Pi is being unlocked in April alone, with a total of 1.53 billion entering circulation in the next year, pushing the supply to over 8.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the migration process is broken. Only a fraction of users have been able to complete KYC and access their coins, with many reporting lost tokens or endless verification loops.

While smaller exchanges like OKX and Bitget list Pi, tier 1 platforms like Binance, Coinbase and Kraken have steered clear. The lack of transparency from the Pi Core Team on development milestones and token economics only deepens user frustration.

Did you know? It’s been reported that Bybit’s CEO called the Pi Network a “scam” — a label the developers deny but one that hangs heavy in the absence of clear communication.

Without exchange listings, is there a future for Pi Network?

Could Pi succeed without major exchange listings? Technically, yes — but the odds are narrowing fast.

To do so, it would need to pivot fully into a functional ecosystem where Pi is used, not traded. That means solving the KYC backlog, building a real application layer, attracting developers and showing meaningful payment activity. It’s a tall order.

The more likely outcome is that Pi needs at least some exchange support to gain the liquidity, visibility and trust it currently lacks. Without it, Pi may remain a well-intentioned experiment that never fully escapes its enclosed garden — or worse, collapses under the weight of its own hype.

In short, Pi Network doesn’t need Binance to exist. But to thrive? That’s another story.

Read more at cointelegraph.com

Trump administration reportedly shutters DOJ’s crypto enforcement team

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly disbanding the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET).

NCET’s disbandment was noted in a four-page memo by United States Deputy General Todd Blanche, according to a Fortune journalist who claims to have seen the document in an April 8 report. The official is quoted saying in the note:

“The Department of Justice is not a digital assets regulator. However, the prior Administration used the Justice Department to pursue a reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution.”

Blanche is the second-highest-ranking official in the DOJ and served as US President Donald Trump’s defense attorney in high-profile cases, including the New York hush money case and federal cases related to classified documents and the 2020 election.

Related: Trump tariff negotiations are ‘all about’ China deal — Raoul Pal

What is the NCET?

The NCET’s launch was established in October 2021 under President Joe Biden. At the time, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said that the unit was aimed at going after platforms “that help criminals launder or hide their criminal proceeds.” She said:

“We want to strengthen our capacity to dismantle the financial ecosystem that enables these criminal actors to flourish and — quite frankly — to profit from what they’re doing.”

The NCET has been active since February 2022, and at the time of publication, its website remains online. The disbandment is reportedly effective immediately and implemented as part of the efforts to comply with Trump’s late January executive order reshaping US crypto policy.

US Government, United States, White House, Department of Justice, Donald Trump

NCET website. Source: US Department of Justice website

Related: US federal agencies to report crypto holdings to Treasury by April 7

Trump makes waves in US crypto policy

Before returning to office, Trump campaigned on a pro-crypto policy. He promised the creation of a United States strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve, spoke at crypto conferences both before and after his reelection and promised to make the US a global crypto leader. He also picked a pro-crypto Securities and Exchange Commission chairman.

Despite the administration’s favorable stance, critics have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Trump and his family are behind the World Liberty Financial (WLFI) decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin and his Trump Media is launching crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in partnership with Crypto.com.

The projects themselves were also the source of multiple controversies, with the presidential memecoin being hit with insider trading allegations, later written off by some as MEV bot activity. Concerns were also raised about the WLFI’s World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) stablecoin and how it could complicate ongoing bipartisan efforts to pass stablecoin legislation in Congress.

This led to Five Democratic lawmakers in the US Senate calling on leadership at regulatory agencies to consider the potential conflicts of interest caused by the USD1 stablecoin in late March. Earlier in April, California Representative Maxine Waters suggested that Trump may be looking to replace the US dollar with his stablecoin.

Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Read more at cointelegraph.com