Texas is on the verge of becoming the third U.S. state to establish a state- managed Bitcoin. The Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act, SB 21, was approved by the House of Representatives with a vote of 101-42. The bill…

Texas approves Bitcoin reserve bill, awaits governor’s signature

Photos from within US President Donald Trump&#8217;s secretive dinner for his top 
memecoin buyers show attendees were treated to a three-course meal and gift 
bags as protesters gathered outside the event to accuse Trump of profiting 
from the presidency.
Pictures posted online by some of the 220 largest holders of the Official 
Trump (TRUMP) token &#8212; one of several crypto ventures critics have said 
conflicts with Trump&#8217;s ethics as president &#8212; show attendees were greeted by 
large posters bearing &#8220;Fight Fight Fight,&#8221; which also sat atop each table, 
referencing the company that launched the memecoin.
The White House said it would not publish a guest list of those who attended 
the dinner, but Tron CEO Justin Sun, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu and BitMart CEO 
Sheldon Xia were among those sharing snaps of the dinner held at the Trump 
National Golf Club in Virginia.
&gt; Trump Crypto Dinner！ #TrumpCoin @GetTrumpMemes pic.twitter.com/9ZredNjOEu 
&gt; 
&gt; &#8212; Sheldon (@sheldonbitmart) May 23, 2025
On the menu was a &#8220;Trump organic field green salad&#8221; to start, which was 
followed by a filet mignon and pan-seared halibut with mashed potatoes and 
vegetable medley, with a lava cake for dessert, according to two photos taken 
by apparent attendees seen by Cointelegraph.
_The menu on offer at Trump &#8216;s Gala Dinner on May 22. Source: __Christoph 
Heuermann/Instagram_
A video of the event shows that attendees were also given a gift bag 
containing a black hat.
Sun, who the Securities and Exchange Commission charged with securities laws 
violations before it dropped the case under the Trump administration, was the 
single largest buyer of Trump&#8217;s memecoin leading up to the dinner.
A video shows the Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur, who is also the biggest 
backer of the Trump&#8217;s crypto platform World Liberty Financial, was brought up 
on stage and ceremoniously gifted a golden Trump-branded watch, which a Trump- 
linked company sells for $100,000.
&gt; As the top holder of $TRUMP and proud supporter of President Trump, it was 
&gt; an honor to attend the Trump Gala Dinner by @GetTrumpMemes. 
&gt; 
&gt; Thank you @POTUS for your unwavering support of our 
&gt; industry!#MakeCryptoGreatAgain🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Yy2TuWEgzT 
&gt; 
&gt; &#8212; H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 (@justinsuntron) May 23, 2025
Sun&#8217;s attendance at the event was highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and 
other media outlets, with many noting that the dinner may have deepened his 
ties to Trump and his family.
## Attendees confronted by fierce protestors on arrival
Bloomberg reported that around 100 protestors gathered outside the event booed 
and jeered attendees as they arrived at the premises.
&gt; BREAKING: In a stunning moment, protesters have swarmed Trump National Golf 
&gt; Club, where Trump is hosting his &#8220;Memecoin&#8221; dinner tonight. 
&gt; 
&gt; Outside: fury. 
&gt; 
&gt; Inside: crypto bros and campaign bundlers toasting corruption like it&#8217;s 
&gt; vintage wine. 
&gt; 
&gt; Americans are done watching billionaires… pic.twitter.com/WrkwtMYiSF 
&gt; 
&gt; &#8212; Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) May 23, 2025
The protesters were holding signs with messages such as: &#8220;Stop Trump&#8217;s Crypto 
Corruptio,&#8221; and &#8220;Democracy Is Not For Sale,&#8221; while another said &#8220;Cripto Grift 
Dinner Bribery On Menu.&#8221;
_**Related:**__**Donald Trump gives conflicting answers over memecoin 
profits**_
Some protesters called for Trump&#8217;s impeachment and removal, while others 
demanded financial reform in the US.
Trump-linked entities reportedly cashed in around $100 million in trading fees 
from the TRUMP token that launched two days before Trump was inaugurated as 
president on Jan. 20.
On March 24, Trump Media also signed a non-binding agreement with Crypto.com 
to launch a series of &#8220;Made in America&#8221; exchange-traded products in the US.
_**Magazine:**__**Trump &#8216;s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider 
trading questions**_

Pictures give glimpse inside Trump’s memecoin holder dinner

Cryptocurrency ownership in Singapore has decreased, with nearly half of 
crypto users selling their holdings, as reported by the Independent Reserve 
Cryptocurrency Index. The percentage of residents owning crypto fell from 40% 
in 2024 to 29% in 2025, primarily due to profit-taking and portfolio 
rebalancing. Bitcoin, Ethereum Most Preferred Cryptocurrency ownership in 
Singapore has trended […]

Singapore Crypto Awareness Hits High Despite Ownership Dip

Dogecoin started a fresh increase and climbed above the $0.2420 zone against 
the US Dollar. DOGE is now correcting gains and might start another increase. 
DOGE price started a fresh increase above the $0.2320 and $0.2420 levels. The 
price is trading above the $0.2420 level and the 100-hourly simple moving 
average. There is a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at 
$0.2460 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair (data source from Kraken). 
The price could start a fresh increase if it clears the $0.2550 resistance 
zone. Dogecoin Price Extends Gains Dogecoin price started a fresh increase 
after it found support near $0.2220, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. DOGE climbed 
and recovered above the $0.2350 resistance zone. The bulls even pushed the 
price above the $0.2420 resistance zone. However, the bears were active near 
the $0.2550 level. A high was formed at $0.2542 and the price is now 
correcting some gains. There was a move below the 23.6% Fib retracement level 
of the upward move from the $0.2227 swing low to the $0.2542 high. Dogecoin 
price is now trading above the $0.2450 level and the 100-hourly simple moving 
average. There is also a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at 
$0.2460 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair. Immediate resistance on the 
upside is near the $0.2550 level. The first major resistance for the bulls 
could be near the $0.2620 level. The next major resistance is near the $0.2650 
level. A close above the $0.2680 resistance might send the price toward the 
$0.280 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $0.2840 
level. The next major stop for the bulls might be $0.30. Downside Correction 
In DOGE? If DOGE’s price fails to climb above the $0.2550 level, it could 
start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $0.2450 
level and the trend line. The next major support is near the $0.2385 level and 
the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $0.2227 swing low to 
the $0.2542 high. The main support sits at $0.2320. If there is a downside 
break below the $0.2320 support, the price could decline further. In the 
stated case, the price might decline toward the $0.220 level or even $0.2120 
in the near term. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for DOGE/USD is 
now gaining momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) 
– The RSI for DOGE/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – 
$0.2450 and $0.2350. Major Resistance Levels – $0.2550 and $0.2620.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Heats Up: Upside Move Hints at Major Breakout Ahead

Bitcoin futures open interest (OI) has hit record levels on crypto derivatives 
exchanges as traders anticipate the cryptocurrency will continue and reach new 
all-time highs.
Bitcoin (BTC) futures open interest reached a peak of just over $80 billion on 
May 23, according to CoinGlass. It&#8217;s an increase of 30% since the start of May 
as derivatives speculators load up on leverage in anticipation of higher 
Bitcoin prices.
Open interest is the total number of outstanding futures contracts that allow 
traders to bet on the future price of Bitcoin, which have not been settled or 
closed, showing the total amount of current market speculation.
_Total Bitcoin futures OI. Source:__Coinglass_
When OI surges, it indicates massive leveraged positions are built up in the 
market, with lots of traders holding large positions with borrowed money.
If Bitcoin&#8217;s price moves against these over-leveraged positions, traders get 
forcibly liquidated, and the flushout can create selling pressure on Bitcoin, 
which can cause a rapid drop in prices and high volatility.
However, analysts suggest the surge in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) 
inflows, which have seen more than $2.5 billion this week, can counter some of 
that extended leverage.
_**Related:**__**Crypto perp futures coming &#8216;very soon,&#8217; says CFTC&#8217;s 
Mersinger**_
Bitcoin options markets show a similar pattern with open interest over $1.5 
billion at the $110,000 and $120,000 strike prices on the Deribit exchange. 
There is also more than $1 billion in OI at strike prices of $115,000, 
$125,000, and $130,000.
Around $2.76 billion worth of notional value contracts are due to expire on 
May 23 with a put/call ratio of 1.2%, meaning there are more short (put) 
sellers than longs (call), and a max pain point of $103,000, where most losses 
will be made on expiry, according to Deribit.
_Bitcoin options OI by strike price. Source:__Deribit_ _ _
## Bitcoin slips below $111,000
Meanwhile, Bitcoin has slightly lost its recent gains and briefly slipped 
below $111,000 on Coinbase, according to TradingView.
The asset has now gained almost 20% since the beginning of the year and almost 
50% since its crash to $75,000 on April 7 following US President Donald 
Trump&#8217;s announcement of global tariffs.
Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $112,000 on May 22 and had mostly traded just 
above $111,000 over the last 24 hours, but had again slipped below the level 
at 4:15 am UTC on May 23.
_**Magazine:**__**Crypto scam hub expose stunt goes viral, Kakao detects 70K 
scam apps: Asia Express**_

Bitcoin open interest hits record high as BTC slips below $111K

## TL;DR
 _Spotting the next big crypto project before it explodes demands data, 
discipline and a sharp eye for real signals. This guide explores how to 
identify early winners by analyzing onchain metrics, tokenomics, dev activity 
and community traction while avoiding the common traps of hype-driven pumps 
and red-flag projects._
Despite the crypto space being crowded, fast-moving and full of noise, some 
investors manage to consistently find promising projects while they&#8217;re still 
under the radar.
So, how do they do it?
Crypto trendspotters know how to read onchain data. They understand 
tokenomics. They read GitHub commits and follow the money. It takes more than 
jumping on the hype bandwagon ahead of the crowd.
This guide breaks down how to find crypto projects with real potential using 
lessons from past winners like Solana, Arbitrum, Chainlink and even memecoins 
like Pepe. Along the way, it will highlight the tools that matter, red flags 
to avoid and the difference between organic growth and manufactured buzz.
## How the real winners took off
### Solana
When Solana launched in 2020, few outside of developer circles had heard of 
it. But it had one big edge: speed. Solana&#8217;s proof-of-history tech made it one 
of the fastest chains around, and it quickly became a magnet for builders, 
especially in DeFi and NFTs. By 2021, its ecosystem exploded with apps like 
Serum and Magic Eden.
Early adopters who paid attention to onchain growth &#8212; like wallet activity 
and DEX volume &#8212; could see something brewing. Solana (SOL) went from under $1 
to $50+ in less than a year.
### Arbitrum
Arbitrum launched in 2021 as an Ethereum layer 2, but its big moment came with 
the Arbitrum (ARB) token airdrop in March 2023. At launch, Arbitrum was 
already processing more transactions than many layer 1s and had billions in 
total value locked (TVL) in decentralized applications (DApps).
Smart investors were watching. Even before the token, the signs were there: 
user activity, rising liquidity and growing app adoption. When ARB dropped, 
the pump stuck because the foundation was real.
### Chainlink
Chainlink is a classic example of a project with long-term utility. It doesn&#8217;t 
have flashy branding or meme power, but it does one thing incredibly well: 
feed real-world data into smart contracts.
By 2024, it had become the backbone of much of DeFi, gaming and even tokenized 
real-world assets. If you were watching closely in 2019-2020, you saw LINK 
(LINK) getting integrated everywhere. That kind of early utility often flies 
under the radar &#8212; until price action catches up.
### PEPE Coin (PEPE)
Let&#8217;s not pretend memes don&#8217;t matter. Pepe (PEPE) launched in 2023 with no 
roadmap, no utility and no VC backing. But it hit a nerve, and the internet 
ran with it. The coin hit a billion-dollar market cap within weeks.
That kind of run is rare &#8212; and risky. But for traders tracking social 
sentiment, wallet distribution and community activity, the early signals were 
all there. PEPE didn&#8217;t promise anything, but it delivered returns by becoming 
a viral moment.
## How to find crypto gems early
So, how do you separate the next Solana from the next rug pull? Here&#8217;s how 
serious trendspotters approach it.
### 1\. Start with onchain metrics
Public blockchains are transparent. Use that to look at:
 * Daily active wallets
 * Transaction volume
 * Tokenholder growth
 * Liquidity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs)
 * TVL (for DeFi projects).
If users and capital are moving in &#8212; before the token moons &#8212; that&#8217;s a great 
sign. Tools like Dune Analytics, Nansen and DefiLlama are your best friends 
here.
### 2\. Understand the tokenomics
Ask questions like:
 * What&#8217;s the total supply? How much is circulating?
 * Are there upcoming unlocks or vesting cliffs?
 * Who holds the tokens, and how concentrated are the top wallets?
 * Is there utility? Does the token _do_ anything?
Tokens with capped supply, smart incentives (like staking or burn mechanisms) 
and fair distribution models tend to do better long-term.
### 3\. Check developer activity
Is the team actually building?
GitHub is a goldmine. Look at how often code is pushed, how many contributors 
are active, and whether the repo looks alive. No updates for months? Big red 
flag.
You don&#8217;t need to read code &#8212; just track commits and releases. Projects with 
real traction are always shipping.
### 4\. Look for ecosystem signals
Are other developers building _on top_ of it? Are DApps launching? Is 
liquidity growing? Are users coming back week after week?
Ecosystem growth is hard to fake, and it&#8217;s often the strongest early indicator 
that a project has legs.
### 5\. Follow the community
X, Discord, Telegram, Reddit &#8212; yes, it&#8217;s noisy. But it&#8217;s also where trends 
start. Look beyond the price talk:
 * Are people actually using the product?
 * Are devs answering questions?
 * Is the tone constructive or just hype?
Use LunarCrush or Santiment to track social momentum, but always double-check 
it with onchain data.
## Key tools to spot crypto trends
Here&#8217;s a quick rundown of the top platforms used by smart crypto 
trendspotters:
_**Top tip:**__Don &#8216;t just use one tool. Great traders cross-reference 
everything._
## Crypto trend analysis 2025
A coin might be flying, but is it because people are actually using it or just 
talking about it? Learning to tell the difference can save you from making a 
bad investment.
### Signs of real traction
 * **Steady user growth and TVL over time:** If users are showing up _before_ a token pumps &#8212; and the numbers keep climbing week over week &#8212; that&#8217;s usually a sign of substance. You&#8217;ll often see this in DeFi protocols or layer 2s gaining trust slowly, not overnight.
 * **Code commits and product updates:** A live GitHub with regular commits, active devs and visible progress means the team is building. This shows momentum and long-term focus &#8212; not just a marketing push.
 * **More tokenholders, less whale control:** When new holders join steadily &#8212; and supply isn&#8217;t all locked up by the top five wallets &#8212; it&#8217;s a healthier setup. Distributed ownership reduces the risk of rug pulls or coordinated dumps.
 * **New integrations and ecosystem activity:** If other apps are integrating the token or building on the protocol, it usually means the tech is solid and useful. This kind of network effect compounds fast and often precedes a breakout.
 * **Liquidity that builds slowly:** Gradual increases in liquidity and trading volume tend to reflect real interest. If liquidity sticks around (rather than vanishing after a pump), it&#8217;s usually organic.
### Signs of manufactured hype
 * **Sudden spikes in social mentions or trading volume with no news:** If the project is everywhere on X overnight, but there&#8217;s no product update, launch or roadmap shift, be skeptical. It&#8217;s likely a coordinated shill.
 * **Influencer spam and recycled talking points:** When you see multiple anonymous influencers posting the same meme or catchphrase, that&#8217;s a signal someone&#8217;s trying to manufacture buzz.
 * **No dev activity or roadmap:** If there&#8217;s no GitHub, no changelog and the team isn&#8217;t shipping anything, it&#8217;s probably just a hype machine.
 * **Anonymous team, outrageous promises:** Combine a mystery team with claims like &#8220;100x guaranteed,&#8221; and you&#8217;re likely looking at a cash grab. Real builders let the work speak for itself.
_**Rule of thumb:**__If the price is moving and everything else &#8212; users, 
devs, integrations &#8212; is standing still, you&#8217;re looking at hype. But when 
those fundamentals are quietly ticking up in the background? That&#8217;s when it&#8217;s 
worth a closer look._
### More red flags
Some projects look great on the surface &#8212; slick websites, trending hashtags, 
a fast-moving chart &#8212; but fall apart under the hood. Here are some more red 
flags to watch out for:
 * **High holder concentration:** If most of the token is sitting in a handful of wallets, it doesn&#8217;t take much for a price crash. Whales often buy early and dump on retail.
 * **Unverified token contracts:** A token that hasn&#8217;t been verified on Etherscan or BscScan might hide functions that allow minting, blocking wallets or draining liquidity. Always check the contract or look for an audit.
 * **No liquidity lock or audit:** If the devs control all the liquidity provider tokens and there&#8217;s no lock or time-locked contract, they can pull the rug at any moment. Similarly, no third-party audit? That&#8217;s a gamble.
 * **Big token unlocks coming up:** Large unlocks for insiders or early investors can trigger huge sell-offs. If you&#8217;re holding during a major vesting event, you could be exit liquidity. Know the schedule.
_**Top tip:**__Before you click buy, ask, Who stands to gain the most if this 
pumps? Who gets hurt if it dumps? If the answer points to a few insiders with 
heavy bags and zero accountability, walk away._
## How to spot crypto trends before the crowd
The best early investors are the mechanics looking under the hood. They study 
token structures and unlock schedules, join communities early to catch signals 
firsthand, and follow the builders to see who&#8217;s actually shipping.
Most importantly, they cross-check everything: on-chain data, social 
sentiment, developer activity, and liquidity. Tools like Dune, DefiLlama, 
Nansen and GitHub help them separate noise from substance &#8212; and spot winners 
before the crowd does.
Crypto rewards those who are curious, critical and a little bit contrarian. 
The crowd usually shows up late. If you want to find gems before they moon, 
you&#8217;ll need to think independently, dig deeper, and act before the narrative 
forms.
It&#8217;s not easy. But it&#8217;s doable. And the more you practice spotting early 
signals &#8212; the real ones, not the noise &#8212; the more second nature it becomes.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every 
investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their 
own research when making a decision.