Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$84,336.30 and is up 0.4 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range has seen a low of US$83,592.79 and a high of US$85,311.80.23.

Bitcoin’s price movements on April 16.

Chart via TradingView.

Trade tension escalation between China and the US continues to drag on the crypto market.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,588.68, a 1.1 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,551.41 and a high of US$1,605.30.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$132.69, up 3.7 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$124.95 and peaked as the stock markets closed on Wednesday.

• XRP is trading at US$2.11, reflecting a 0.6 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.07 and reached its highest point as markets closed for the day.

• Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.11, showing a decreaseof 0.7 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$2.04 and a high of US$2.13

• Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6130, down 0.9 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Wednesday was US$0.6007, with a high of US$0.6152.

Today’s crypto news to know

Analysts confirm crypto bear market

Recent market analysis suggests the cryptocurrency market has been experiencing a bear market cycle. Bitcoin’s price has been below its 200-day simple moving average (SMA) since March. The 200-day SMA is a key metric used to identify trends in Bitcoin’s price movements and potential market cycles.

“The 200DMA model on bitcoin does suggest that the token’s recent steep decline qualifies this as a bear market cycle starting in late March. But the same exercise performed on the COIN50 index (which includes the top 50 tokens by market capitalization) shows the asset class as a whole has been unequivocally trading in bear market territory since the end of February,” David Duong, global head of research at Coinbase Institutional, said in a note published Monday.

“All of these structural pressures stem from the uncertainty of the broader macro environment, where traditional risk assets have faced sustained headwinds from fiscal tightening and tariff policies, contributing to the paralysis in investment decision making.’

The authors of the report urge cautious trading for the next month or so, after which the sentiment could change “rather quickly.” Duong said the market could rebound in the second half of 2025.

A market analysis by Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr also points to potential for price recovery later in the year, noting the increasing dominance of US-regulated exchanges and a recurring bullish technical signal. Reduced supply, noted by analyst Borin Vest, could also contribute to upward price movement.

Janover increases Solana holdings

According to an April 15 announcement from real estate-focused financial technology firm Janover (NASDAQ:JNVR), the company’s Solana holdings have doubled to 163,651.7 after its latest purchase of 80,567 tokens for roughly US$10.5 million.

Janover’s total Solana holdings are now worth about US$21.2 million, including staking rewards.

Janover recently raised approximately US$42 million in a convertible note and warrants sale to bolster its digital asset treasury strategy. This funding round saw participation from investors including Pantera Capital, Kraken, Arrington Capital, Protagonist, The Norstar Group, Third Party Ventures, Trammell Venture Partners and 11 angel investors.

The company intends to utilize the newly acquired capital to enhance its digital asset treasury strategy, including immediate staking of recently purchased SOL to generate additional revenue.

Ripple Labs and SEC appeal paused amid settlement talks

In the ongoing legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the SEC, an appeals court has approved a request to halt proceedings while settlement discussions take place, raising speculation about a potential imminent resolution. The SEC is required to provide an update on the situation by June 15.

China faces a regulatory dilemma over seized crypto assets

China’s growing trove of seized cryptocurrencies — confiscated from fraud, money laundering and gambling cases — has become a legal and political hot potato as local governments debate how to convert illicit digital wealth into usable state revenue, Reuters reported.

With crypto trading banned and virtual assets not recognized as legal tender, authorities currently rely on loosely regulated private firms to offload seized tokens on offshore exchanges, raising concerns over transparency, corruption and inconsistent enforcement.

Legal experts, judges and financial authorities are now calling for new national guidelines, including proposals to centralize asset management, establish crypto disposal agencies or even hold confiscated Bitcoin as sovereign reserves — a potential pivot that could reshape China’s crypto stance amid broader geopolitical and economic shifts.

OKX ramps up US presence with exchange launch, wallet rollout

OKX, one of the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges, is making a calculated leap into the US market with a phased rollout of its centralized trading platform and a powerful self-custody Web3 wallet for retail and institutional users.

Spearheading this expansion is newly appointed US CEO Roshan Robert and a fresh San Jose headquarters, signaling the company’s strategic commitment to regulatory compliance and American market penetration.

The exchange offers deep liquidity, low fees and fast execution, while the new wallet — compatible with over 130 blockchains — lets users manage NFTs, tokens and dApps across multiple ecosystems.

OKX is also prioritizing transparency, publishing monthly proof-of-reserves reports verified by third-party auditors to reinforce user trust in its custodial holdings.

Semler Scientific doubles down on Bitcoin despite substantial unrealized loss

Healthcare technology firm Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SMLR) revealed a US$41.8 million paper loss on its Bitcoin investment as of Q1 2025 following a sharp decline in Bitcoin’s price — from US$93,500 in January to US$82,350 in March — but has nonetheless pledged to press forward with its crypto acquisition strategy.

As of March 31, the company held 3,182 Bitcoin valued at over US$263 million. It remains undeterred, announcing plans to issue up to US$500 million in securities to support further purchases and shore up operating capital.

Semler also disclosed a tentative US$30 million settlement with the Department of Justice related to a civil probe, signaling ongoing legal pressures even as it pushes into risky, non-core asset classes.

The firm’s stock is down 36 percent this year, remaining a polarizing example of Bitcoin’s expanding foothold in non-crypto industries.

Oklahoma pulls out of Bitcoin reserve race after narrow senate vote

Oklahoma’s ambitious plan to become a state-level crypto pioneer came to an abrupt halt after its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (HB1203) failed to pass the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee by a razor-thin 6–5 vote.

The proposed legislation would have allowed the State Treasurer to allocate up to 10 percent of public fund assets into Bitcoin and other large-cap digital assets, while also exploring staking mechanisms and crypto integration into retirement accounts.

Supporters argued the bill could hedge against inflation and government overreach, but critics raised concerns about volatility, fiduciary responsibility and the need for deeper regulatory safeguards.

With the bill’s collapse, Oklahoma joins a growing list of states backing away from crypto investment, leaving Arizona, Texas and New Hampshire as the frontrunners in the race to make Bitcoin a strategic public asset.

Crackdown on illegal gold trade and foreign involvement

While aimed primarily at increasing fiscal revenues, the new law could also serve as a mechanism to limit avenues for illicit gold sales and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

Illegal gold mining has become a flashpoint in Ghana’s political and environmental discourse. Fueled by soaring global gold prices, rising youth unemployment and weak enforcement, galamsey has led to extensive deforestation, mercury pollution and the contamination of over 60 percent of the country’s water bodies.

Chinese nationals have been widely implicated in the galamsey trade, frequently operating alongside local actors and allegedly flouting environmental and labor regulations.

While the new law does not explicitly target a particular nationality, it is expected to curtail foreign involvement in illegal gold sourcing.

Impact on Ghana’s mining giants

The policy shift comes amid broader changes in Ghana’s gold mining landscape, which is home to some of the world’s largest mining firms. However, as large-scale mining companies did not have their licenses revoked, such firms should not be affected by the new legislation.

The government of Ghana currently has a 10 percent free carried interest in regulated mines operating in the country, which it is entitled to after it grants an exploitation permit.

Publicly traded companies mining and exploring for gold in Ghana include:

Gold Fields’ Damang mine to close after lease denied

In a separate but related development, South Africa-based Gold Fields is ceasing operations at its Damang mine in Ghana after the government rejected its application for a lease renewal.

Mining at Damang had already ended in 2023, and the mine was processing only stockpiles, but Gold Fields had sought an extension as part of its end-of-life plan.

“The government has instructed Gold Fields to cease operations and vacate the lease area by the 18th April on expiry of the lease,” the company said in a statement, adding that it is working to safely wind down operations.

Damang produced 135,000 ounces in 2024, about 6 percent of Gold Fields’ total output. The company’s larger Tarkwa mine remains operational.

1. Camino Minerals (TSXV:COR)

Year-to-date gain: 477.78 percent
Market cap: C$10.47 million
Share price: C$0.26

Camino Minerals is a copper exploration company focused on advancing assets located in Peru.

Its flagship Los Chapitos project, located near the coastal town of Chala, covers approximately 22,000 hectares and hosts near-surface mineralization. The company has been advancing exploration work on the property since 2016.

Shares in Camino gained significantly after announcing the start of a discovery exploration program at the project on January 22. The company stated the program would consist of 11 holes and 1,200 meters of drilling along the La Estancia fault, focusing on newly identified copper breccias and mantos to determine their extension at depth.

Camino has not provided further updates from Los Chapitos. Another significant update since the start of the year was announced on March 17, when it filed a pre-feasibility study for the Puquois copper project. The project was originally acquired as part of an October 2024 definitive agreement to create a 50/50 joint venture between Camino and Nittetsu Mining (TSE:1515) for the construction-ready project.

The study results demonstrate a post-tax net present value of US$118 million, with an internal rate of return of 23.4 percent and a payback period of 3.1 years at a fixed copper price of US$4.28 per pound. It also suggested all-in sustaining costs for the 14.2-year life of the mine were US$2 per pound.

In addition to the economic details, the included mineral resource estimate shows measured and indicated amounts of 149,000 metric tons of copper with a grade of 0.46 percent from 32.16 million metric tons of ore.

Shares in Camino reached a year-to-date high of C$0.31 on January 29.

2. King Copper Discovery (TSXV:KCP)

Year-to-date gain: 240 percent
Market cap: C$36.64 million
Share price: C$0.17

King Copper Discovery is a copper, silver and gold explorer that is developing a portfolio of projects in South America. The company changed its name from Turmalina Metals in March.

Its primary focus is the Colquemayo project in Moquegua, Peru. In July 2024, King Copper entered into an option agreement with Compania de Minas Buenaventura to acquire a 100 percent ownership stake in the property.

The 6,600 hectare site has seen more than 20,000 meters of historic core drilling and hosts multiple porphyry targets that have been identified but have gone untested. Highlighted drill samples from the property have demonstrated results of 2.4 percent copper and 10 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver over 237.3 meters, including 14.8 percent copper and 47 g/t silver over 31.3 meters.

In news released on February 12, the company said it was intensifying its focus on the project and would be relogging historic cores. Additionally, King Copper hired Insideo, a Lima-based environmental consulting firm, to help advance baseline studies and the drill permit process.

The release also indicated that the company was in the process of rebranding from Turmalina Metals to King Copper. As part of the restructuring, company CEO Roger James stepped down, maintaining a seat on the board, and was replaced by Jonathan Richards as interim CEO.

On March 11, the company began trading under its new name and ticker. Shares in King Copper Discovery reached a year-to-date high of C$0.225 on March 25.

3. BCM Resources (TSXV:B)

Year-to-date gain: 211.11 percent
Market cap: C$25.05 million
Share price: C$0.14

BCM Resources is an exploration company working to advance its flagship Thompson Knolls project in Utah, United States.

The greenfield copper, molybdenum, gold and silver project in Utah’s Great Basin consists of 225 federal unpatented lode mining claims and two state section leases covering an area of 2,242 hectares.

Exploration of the project area began in the 1970s, when a US Geological Survey aerial survey identified a prominent magnetic anomaly. In the 1990s, follow-up work was conducted at the target.

BCM carried out its last drill program at the property in 2023. At the time, the company announced that one drill hole encountered a significant mineral intercept of 0.66 percent copper, 0.12 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold and 7.4 g/t silver over 155.4 meters starting at a depth of 621.8 meters. The sample also contained eight intervals with greater than 1 percent copper over 24.3 meters.

The company received approval from the Bureau of Land Management for a plan of operation to continue drilling at the project. In a July 2024 update, the company released data from an analysis of the project’s porphyry-skarn system by the Colorado School of Mines, which it plans to use to prepare for the drilling at the site.

Shares in BCM Resources reached a year-to-date high of C$0.15 on April 9.

4. DLP Resources (TSXV:DLP)

Year-to-date gain: 152.94 percent
Market cap: C$55.99 million
Share price: C$0.43

DLP Resources is an explorer focused on advancing its flagship Aurora copper-molybdenum project in Peru.

The 8,500 hectare site is located in the Central Andes. Exploration work has been performed at the site since the early 2000s, with DLP conducting drill programs in 2023 and 2024.

Shares in DLP have been rising since the release of a technical report for Aurora on February 27, which included a maiden resource estimate with significant copper and molybdenum spread over two zones.

The inferred resource totals 1.05 billion metric tons of ore containing 4.65 billion pounds of copper, 1.1 billion pounds of molybdenum and 80 million ounces of silver. The resource has average grades of 0.2 percent copper, 0.05 percent molybdenum and 2.4 grams per metric ton silver.

The company said it is pleased with the size and results of the report and will continue drilling the site to upgrade the resource ahead of a preliminary economic assessment.

DLP shares also got a boost on April 1 after it released its management’s discussion and analysis for the nine months ending on January 31. The release covers the firm’s activities for the period, highlighting its recent resource estimate, as well as the completion of a non-brokered private placement in January for proceeds of C$1.36 million.

Shares in DLP reached a year-to-date high of C$0.48 on April 3.

5. C3 Metals (TSXV:CCCM)

Year-to-date gain: 150 percent
Market cap: C$52.28 million
Share price: C$0.60

C3 Metals is an exploration company working to advance its assets in Jamaica and Peru.

C3’s primary Jamaican asset is the Bellas Gate project, a 13,020 hectare site featuring 14 porphyry and over 30 epithermal prospects along an 18 kilometer strike. To date, drilling at the site has concentrated on a 4 kilometer zone encompassing the Provost, Geo Hill, Camel Hill and Connors prospects.

Shares in C3 experienced significant gains after it announced on February 11 that it had signed an earn-in agreement with a Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) subsidiary, which can gain up to a 75 percent interest in the project. Under the agreement, Freeport must contribute US$25 million in exploration and project expenditures over five years to earn the initial 51 percent interest, and an additional US$50 million over the following four years for the remaining 24 percent.

In Peru, C3 has focused on advancing its Jasperoide copper-gold project. The site in Southern Peru spans 30,000 hectares and hosts two porphyry and more than 15 skarn prospects across two 28 kilometer belts.

According to a July 2023 technical report, a mineral resource estimate reported a measured and indicated resource of 51.94 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 0.5 percent copper and 0.2 g/t gold for contained metal totaling 569.1 million pounds of copper and 326,800 ounces of gold.

C3 released an exploration update from its Khaleesi copper-gold project area in Jasperoide on February 19, reporting that a soil sampling campaign defined a copper-molybdenum anomaly extending 1,900 meters by up 650 meters. Two zones contained average concentrations of 950 parts per million copper and 650 ppm of copper.

The company stated that it is working to complete geophysical surveys by the end of March and will use the data to implement a maiden diamond drill program at the target. It closed a US$11.5 million bought deal private placement on March 19 that will be used in part for exploration and development at the Khaleesi target.

Shares in C3 Metals reached a year-to-date high of C$0.69 on April 1.