Murtuza Merchant
704 News
12 Learns
22 Researches
Murtuza is a seasoned finance journalist with extensive experience covering cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. He has contributed to Benzinga and Cointelegraph, among other publications, reporting on emerging trends, the regulatory landscape, and more. Find him at @murtuza_merc on Twitter and mmerchant001 on Telegram.
Disclosure: Murtuza holds ATOM, AKT, TIA, INJ, and OSMO.
Did The DOJ Just Violate Trump's Bitcoin Reserve Order? $6M Sale Raises Questions
US Marshals liquidated 57.55 Bitcoin ($6M+) from Samourai Wallet case on Nov 3, 2025, apparently conflicting with Trump's Executive Order 14233 to retain forfeited BTC.
Murtuza MerchantJan 05, 2026
The Prediction Market Loophole: Why Government Insiders Can Legally Profit And Why That's About To Change
A high-profile wager on Nicolás Maduro’s political fate has prompted a U.S. lawmaker to introduce legislation barring government officials from trading on prediction markets using nonpublic information.
Murtuza MerchantJan 05, 2026
How Much Money Does Maduro Have In Switzerland? Nobody Will Say, But It's Now Frozen
Switzerland has frozen assets linked to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro following his arrest by U.S. forces, citing the need to prevent the transfer of potentially illicit funds.
Murtuza MerchantJan 05, 2026
Crypto Fear Index Hits Neutral For First Time Since October: Is The Bottom In?
Crypto market sentiment has turned neutral for the first time since October as Bitcoin holds above $91,000, signaling stabilization after months of fear-driven selling.
Murtuza MerchantJan 04, 2026
They Can't Hack Your Wallet Anymore, So They're Coming To Your House Instead
Physical attacks on cryptocurrency holders are rising in severity even as digital security improves, exposing a growing gap between on-chain protections and real-world personal safety risks.
Murtuza MerchantJan 04, 2026
How Venezuela's Oil Could Give The U.S. Leverage Over China And Cripple Russia's Energy Dominance
Venezuela’s vast oil and natural gas reserves are emerging as a strategic lever in global geopolitics, with potential implications for U.S. influence over China and Russia and ripple effects across global markets.
Murtuza MerchantJan 04, 2026
Zcash +800%, Monero Triple Digits: Is Privacy The Only Altcoin Thesis That Still Works?
Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies outperformed most altcoins in 2025, signaling a shift toward censorship resistance and financial sovereignty as regulation and surveillance pressures intensified.
Murtuza MerchantJan 04, 2026
Epic US Strike Captures Maduro: What It Means for Venezuela's Vast Oil And Crypto Bypass Era
US epic strike captures Maduro, reshaping Venezuela's vast oil landscape. Explore 303B barrels, sanctions impact, and why crypto entered the bypass conversation.
Murtuza MerchantJan 03, 2026
Classified Intel Or Lucky Guess? New Polymarket Account Profits $400K From Maduro Arrest
Mystery trader bet $30K on Nicolás Maduro's arrest on Polymarket, then US forces detained him 24 hours later. The $400K profit raises insider trading questions.
Murtuza MerchantJan 03, 2026
Why Crypto's $49B Funding Surge Went To Exchanges, Not Builders In 2025
Crypto venture funding hit $49.75B in 2025—up 433% YoY—but deal count fell 42%. Capital concentrated in exchanges, custody, and reserves, not early-stage startups.
Murtuza MerchantJan 03, 2026
