Bitcoin Hits $78,000 Wall, But Charles Schwab Analyst Says The Real Resistance Is Higher

The $78,000 Cost Basis Problem

The active investor cost basis sits at approximately $78,000, where last week’s rally stopped. This represents the average price investors paid for Bitcoin on secondary markets.

Jim Ferraioli, Director of Digital Currencies Research and Strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, says both the $78,000 and $83,000 levels show that the average Bitcoin investor is currently sitting at a loss.

“These levels could serve as much stronger areas of resistance than moving averages,” Ferraioli told Decrypt.

Why $83,000 Is The Real Sell Zone

Around $83,000 is the average cost basis across all spot Bitcoin ETPs. This is where new crypto investors are likely…

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Is XRP Headed For A Relief Rally To $1.60?

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) may be setting up for a short-term rebound, but analysts caution that the broader trend remains bearish unless key resistance levels are reclaimed.

XRP’s Cyclical Structure

In an Apr. 20 podcast, technical analyst ChartNerd said XRP continues to follow a long-term cyclical pattern seen since 2020.

Historically, the asset has dropped to a rising support trendline, formed a base such as a double bottom, and then triggered a strong rally to new highs.

The current phase appears to be another correction following the July 2025 peak. Based on this structure, XRP may still need to revisit its key support zone between $0.70 and $0.90 before forming a durable cycle bottom.

On the…

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New York Sues Coinbase And Gemini Over Alleged Illegal Prediction Market Gambling Operations

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed lawsuits against Coinbase Financial Markets and Gemini Titan, alleging that both companies operate illegal gambling platforms through prediction markets available in New York.

The lawsuits claim that Coinbase and Gemini allow users to place bets on outcomes of events including sports games, entertainment awards, and elections. According to the complaint, these markets function as gambling under New York law because users risk money on uncertain outcomes outside their control.

Attorney General James stated that the platforms operate without licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission. The state requires licensing for…

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Fake Iranian Officials Target Stranded Ships With Bitcoin Scam In Strait Of Hormuz

The Scam Messages

The fraudsters ask for vessel ownership documents, cargo manifests, and crew lists. After reviewing the paperwork, they send a payment demand—often hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in Bitcoin or USDT, Reuters reported.

“After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency,” the fraudulent message reads. “Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded.”

MARISKS said these messages are scams and were not sent by Iranian authorities.

One Ship Paid And Got Shot At

At least one vessel tried to exit the strait Saturday after paying a…

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Bitcoin Whales Accumulate 45,000 BTC As Warsh And Paparo Back Bitcoin’s Role

Bitcoin traded near $76,000 on Tuesday morning as fresh on-chain data revealed that the cryptocurrency’s largest holders have been accumulating at their fastest pace in over a year — a confluence of whale demand and easing geopolitical risk that is reshaping the near-term price picture.

Bitcoin opened near $76,000, up 2.7% from Monday’s lows of $73,854.25. The price action comes on top of a wave of institutional buying that analysts say has tightened available supply. Wallets classified as “whales” — those holding between 100 and 10,000 BTC — added roughly 45,000 BTC last week, the largest single-week accumulation since July 2025, per data from Cex.IO. 

What…

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Top U.S. Commander Says Bitcoin “Shows Incredible Potential”

Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that Bitcoin represents a “valuable computer science tool as power projection,” offering a rare and notable endorsement of the cryptocurrency from one of the nation’s most senior military officers.

The comments came during a FY2027 defense authorization hearing on April 21, 2026, when Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) pressed Admiral Paparo on whether Bitcoin leadership gives the United States an edge against China in the Indo-Pacific theater.

“Bitcoin is a reality,” Paparo told the committee. “It’s a peer-to-peer, zero-trust transfer of value….

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Here’s What Will Decide Bitcoin’s Next Move At $78,000 Resistance

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has rallied into a key bear market resistance zone, but analyst Benjamin Cowen says the move does not yet confirm a rejection or a breakout.

Resistance Zone In Focus

Cowen noted that Bitcoin is testing a major resistance band while also interacting closely with the 21-week exponential moving average (EMA).

He said price briefly touched this level before slipping slightly below it, creating uncertainty over whether the move represents a failed breakout or a temporary wick.

He added that similar price behavior in past cycles, particularly in 2023 and 2024, often preceded either short-lived rejections or eventual breakouts, making the current setup inconclusive in the…

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Morgan Stanley’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Tops $139M In Assets Within Nine Days

Morgan Stanley’s spot bitcoin ETF has amassed more than $139 million worth of BTC just nine days after launching, signaling early institutional demand for the Wall Street giant’s latest crypto product.

Data from blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence shows the rapid accumulation underscores growing investor appetite for regulated bitcoin exposure through traditional financial channels. 

The fund debuted with roughly $30.6 million in net inflows and about $34 million in trading volume, offering an early signal of demand from the bank’s vast wealth management network. MSBT carries a 14 basis point fee, undercutting many existing products and reinforcing a broader…

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Scammers Target Stranded Ships In Iran With Bitcoin Fees

Fraudsters are targeting global shipping firms with fake payment demands in Strait of Hormuz transit schemes, seeking fees in Bitcoin and Tether as vessels remain stranded amid conflict in the Gulf.

Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS said unknown actors have sent messages to shipowners claiming to represent Iranian authorities and offering safe passage through the chokepoint in exchange for bitcoin payments. 

The firm warned that the communications are fraudulent and not linked to Tehran.

The alerts come as tensions between the United States and Iran disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The waterway once carried about a fifth of global oil and liquefied…

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Onramp Launches Finance Platform Combining Cash, Bitcoin And Gold In One Account

Onramp has launched a new platform that brings cash management, bitcoin access and gold ownership into a single account, as financial firms compete to simplify long-term wealth strategies.

The Austin-based company announced today the debut of Onramp Finance, a unified platform designed for individuals and families focused on multi-decade wealth building. The product combines cash accounts offering up to 5% in rewards, bitcoin brokerage across all 50 states, bitcoin IRAs, direct gold ownership and a spending card with cash back, according to statements seen by Bitcoin Magazine. 

CEO Michael Tanguma framed the launch around traditional wealth-building principles rather than short-term…

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