Mantra unveils $108M fund to back real-world asset tokenization, DeFi

The Mantra blockchain network has launched a $108,888,888 ecosystem fund aimed at accelerating the growth of startups focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi), amid rising demand for stable, asset-backed digital products.

Mantra, a layer-1 (L1) blockchain built for tokenized RWAs, launched the Mantra Ecosystem Fund (MEF) to accelerate the growth and adoption of projects and startups building on its network, according to an April 7 announcement shared with Cointelegraph.

Mantra said it will deploy the capital over the next four years among “high-potential blockchain projects” worldwide, with investment opportunities sourced through Mantra’s network of partners. The fund’s backers include a wide range of institutional partners including Laser Digital, Shorooq, Brevan Howard Digital, Valor Capital, Three Point Capital and Amber Group.

Related: 0G Foundation launches $88M fund for AI-powered DeFi agents

Mantra CEO John Patrick Mullin said the fund will operate

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Crypto ETPs shed $240M last week amid US trade tariffs — CoinShares

Cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw renewed outflows last week, with $240 million in investor capital pulled, according to an April 7 report from digital asset manager CoinShares.

The outflows reversed two consecutive weeks of inflows that totaled $870 million, leaving total digital asset ETP holdings at about $133 billion, CoinShares reported.

The new outflows likely reflect investor caution in response to global trade tariffs imposed by the United States and concerns over their potential threat to global economic growth, CoinShares head of research James Butterfill said.

Weekly crypto ETP flows since late 2024. Source: CoinShares

Bitcoin ETPs flip monthly total negative

Bitcoin (BTC) ETPs led the downturn, with $207 million in weekly outflows. As a result, monthly flows turned negative for the first time this year, with $138 million in net outflows in the past 30 days.

Despite monthly outflows turning

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Hong Kong introduces crypto staking rules, reaffirms Web3 commitment

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has introduced new guidelines for crypto exchanges offering staking services.

In an April 7 announcement, the SFC announced new guidelines for crypto exchanges offering staking services and locally authorized funds exposed to digital assets involved in staking. The announcement follows recent remarks from Christina Choi, the SFC’s executive director of investment products, who said during a speech at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival:

“The SFC is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s Web3 journey.”

In its announcement, the regulator said it “recognizes the potential benefits of staking in enhancing the security of blockchain networks and allowing investors to earn yields.” Consequently, the latest guidance allows crypto exchanges to provide staking service offerings.

Related: Hong Kong investment firm’s shares surge 93% after buying just 1 Bitcoin

New rules for staking services

The new rules were

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Whale makes $14M Ether emergency deposit to avoid $340M liquidation

An unidentified cryptocurrency whale injected millions of dollars in emergency capital to avoid a potential liquidation of more than $300 million in Ether as markets slumped amid renewed macroeconomic pressure.

The whale is reportedly close to liquidation on a 220,000 Ether (ETH) position on MakerDAO, a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform. To stave off liquidation, the investor deposited 10,000 ETH — worth more than $14.5 million — and 3.54 million Dai (DAI) to raise the position’s liquidation price, blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain said in an April 7 post on X.

“If $ETH drops to $1,119.3, the 220,000 $ETH($340M) will be liquidated.”

Source: Lookonchain

The development came hours after another Ether investor was liquidated for over $106 million on the decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform Sky.

The whale lost more

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How to use Render Network for decentralized GPU rendering

Key takeaways

Render Network connects GPU owners with creators, allowing users to rent idle graphics power for AI training, 3D rendering and crypto-related projects.

The RNDR token powers the ecosystem, enabling fast, transparent and decentralized transactions between creators and node operators.

Decentralized rendering is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional centralized GPU services, solving issues such as pricing, scalability and vendor lock-in.

Proof-of-render ensures verified outputs, rewarding only completed, validated tasks while maintaining blockchain-level trust and transparency.

The hunger for powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) has skyrocketed. Whether it’s training complex AI models or rendering high-fidelity 3D graphics, the demand often outstrips supply.

Traditional centralized GPU services, while effective, can be costly and sometimes inaccessible to smaller developers or artists. This is where the Render Network steps in, offering a decentralized approach to GPU rendering.

By connecting individuals who have idle GPU power with those who need it, Render Network creates a

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Black Monday 2.0? 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week

Bitcoin (BTC) is turning back the clock this week as tariff mayhem drags BTC price action toward 2021.

Bitcoin is giving up bull market support lines left and right as a new “death cross” completes on the BTC/USD daily chart.

CPI week is firmly overshadowed by US trade tariffs and their increasingly global impact on stock markets.

Both crypto and TradFi market participants are drawing comparisons to “Black Monday” 1987 and the COVID-19 cross-market crash.

Bitcoin’s speculative investor base is firmly out of pocket and likely increasingly tempted to panic sell.

Sentiment everywhere is nonexistent, with the TradFi Fear & Greed Index recording its lowest score in history.

BTC price “death cross” brings 2021 highs into play

Bitcoin risks falling below its old all-time highs from March 2024 next, Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows.

BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

After slipping

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The future of American dynamism depends on cryptography

Opinion by: Ismael Hishon-Rezaizadeh, co-founder and CEO of Lagrange

Trade wars and proxy wars are underway in the current geopolitical power realignment, but the next phase won’t be fought with tariffs or drones. It will be decided by who leads in cryptography.

Just as past industrial and technological revolutions in its private sector yielded the US an edge in global power, the ability to secure and verify information through cryptographic breakthroughs, especially in zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, will determine the balance of power in the digital age.

The US risks falling behind. While China and other nations invest aggressively in technological advancements, America lacks a national strategy to maintain leadership in this critical domain. It’s time to recognize cryptography as a foundational technological asset and a key to securing the country’s economic and national security future.

From industrial might

During the world wars of the previous century, the US maintained

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Trader stakes $0.05 of SOL for 3,000 years: Here’s what it’ll be worth in 5138

A crypto user has gone very long on Solana, staking a very small portion of the token for the next 3,000 years, according to blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence.

The unknown user staked $0.05 Solana (SOL) in 2023, and it will unlock in the year 5138, Arkham said in an April 5 post to X.

Speaking to Cointelegraph, Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said the move was likely a symbolic act reflecting a strong belief and conviction in Solana’s long-term ecosystem.

Source: Arkham Intelligence

“Legacy staking is more than locking assets it’s a mindset. The real edge in crypto isn’t in chasing short-term hype, but in holding long-term conviction assets through cycles,” he said.

Adding that: “this kind of thinking builds not just portfolios, but long term legacies.”

SOL is currently trading for

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Ethereum whale gets liquidated $106M on Sky amid crypto bloodbath

An Ether investor who had a large position on decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform Sky has been liquidated to the tune of more than $100 million as the price of Ether crashed. 

The Ether (ETH) whale lost 67,570 ETH worth around $106 million when the asset crashed by around 14% on April 6, liquidating his collateralized debt position on Sky, according to Maker Vaults explorer DeFi Explore, and as observed by Lookonchain.

The Sky lending protocol, which rebranded from Maker in August, is used by DeFi participants to create collateralized debt positions by providing crypto, ETH in this case, to borrow the platform’s stablecoin, DAI (DAI).

The system uses an overcollateralization ratio, typically 150% or higher, meaning that users need to deposit at least $150 worth

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A defendant tried to use an AI avatar in a legal appeal. It didn't work

A defendant in a New York appeals court has been slammed by a judge for using an artificial intelligence avatar to represent himself in a recent case. 

A New York appeals court faced an unusual situation in late March when Jerome Dewald, representing himself in an employment dispute, submitted an AI-generated avatar to present his legal arguments via video, a livestream of the hearing shows

It’s the latest example of artificial intelligence tools trickling their way into courtrooms. 

Within seconds of the video starting, Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels called for it to stop, asking whether the avatar was counsel for the case. 

“I generated that,” 74-year-old Dewald responded, adding, “That is not a real person.”

The judge appeared displeased, retorting, “It would have been nice to know that when you made your application,” stating that the defendant had previously appeared before the court and been able

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