The Miz Gloats Over John Cena Heel Turn, I’ve Said It Forever!

April 14, 2025

The Miz
Not Shocked John Cena Turned Heel
… I’ve Been Saying It for Years!!!

Published April 14, 2025 12:30 AM PDT

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TMZSports.com

John Cena shocked the wrestling world when he turned heel on Cody Rhodes … but The Miz didn’t bat an eye — ’cause he tells TMZ Sports he’s ALWAYS known he was a bad guy!!

We caught up with the WWE Superstar out at LAX … and he gloated quite a bit over the fact he called this development from a mile away — like, more than 10 YEARS ago!!

the miz john cena

“Do you not remember WrestleMania 27 going into the main event,” Miz said. “Do you not remember all the promos that I have cut on John Cena? All the feuds I’ve had with John Cena?”

“I’ve known this forever, but no one believes me because I’m the bad guy.”

Despite Cena calling out everyone from his loyal fans to even Ric Flair … the 44-year-old thinks the leader of the C-Nation won’t end his WWE career as a bad guy, and he’ll return to his good-guy ways.

Wherever the story goes, the former WWE Champion says Cena’s shocking turn is not only good for the business — but also for his WrestleMania opponent.

“The champion, Cody Rhodes, needs that type of bad guy,” he said. “You need that type of heel to go into WrestleMania. Right now there’s nothing hotter than John Cena, and no one is talking about anything else it feels like than John Cena.”

The talk won’t stop anytime soon … as Cena is currently on his farewell tour — and we’re sure there will be plenty of memorable moments.

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Japan’s Metaplanet Buys Another $26M in Bitcoin Amid Tariff Market Uncertainty – Decrypt

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April 14, 2025

Japan’s Metaplanet Buys Another M in Bitcoin Amid Tariff Market Uncertainty – Decrypt

Metaplanet, the Tokyo-listed firm dubbed “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” has boosted its Bitcoin holdings with a fresh 3.78 billion yen ($26.3 million) purchase amid growing tension over U.S. trade tariffs.

The company said it acquired 319 BTC at an average price of 12,849,780 yen ($82,549) per coin, bringing its total holdings to 4,525 BTC. Metaplanet plans to boost its Bitcoin holdings by 470%, targeting a total of 10,000 BTC by year-end.

The timing of the purchase comes as digital assets falter under geopolitical pressure. Bitcoin dropped more than 2% on Sunday during Asia trading hours, sliding to $83,482 as investors digested conflicting signals from Washington over the direction of U.S. trade policy toward China.

Traditional markets remained resilient despite a flurry of comments from the Trump administration regarding new tariffs on Chinese electronics. Nasdaq 100 futures rose over 1% in early trading, while S&P 500 futures climbed 0.7%.

While smartphones and semiconductors were temporarily excluded from a proposed 10% “reciprocal” tariff, President Trump clarified late Sunday on Truth Social that the same products will remain subject to a separate 20% national security levy.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said further sector-specific tariffs are expected within the next two months.

By Monday, 1 a.m. ET, Bitcoin was up just 0.4% over the last 24 hours, trading at $84,990, according to CoinGecko. Ether was up 1.8% to $1,638 over the same period. The top ten cryptocurrencies by market cap have all posted slight gains or no change.

Metaplanet has leaned heavily into Bitcoin as its core treasury asset. Last month, the company appointed Eric Trump, son of the U.S. president, to its newly formed Strategic Advisory Board, citing his “business expertise and passion for Bitcoin.”

Metaplanet is positioning itself in the mold of Michael Saylor’s Strategy, whose aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy has influenced a growing number of publicly listed firms to follow suit.

At the same time, the Trump administration has launched two separate initiatives: a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, funded by seized BTC and held as a permanent national asset, and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, which includes other confiscated crypto with potential for liquidation or strategic use.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Mantra Disastrous Meltdown: $5.5 Billion Vanishes Overnight in Collapse Echoing Luna Disaster

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April 14, 2025

Mantra Disastrous Meltdown: .5 Billion Vanishes Overnight in Collapse Echoing Luna Disaster

In just two hours on April 13, 2025, Mantra’s native token OM lost more than 90% of its value – a crash that echoed the infamous Luna collapse and now stands as one of the most severe price meltdowns in crypto history.

About Mantra, it’s a Layer 1 blockchain project with OM as its native token. In February 2025, OM experienced a parabolic rally, surging from $5 to a peak of $8.99.

From Asia’s Promising Project to a Luna-Style Meltdown

According to data from CoinMarketCap and TradingView, OM began to plummet from $6.33 on the evening of April 13 to around $0.40 in less than two hours— a nearly 94% drop.

As a result, Mantra’s market capitalization evaporated by nearly $5.5 billion, falling from $6 billion to just $500 million.

“I haven’t seen a crash of this speed and scale since the LUNA collapse,” one trader commented on X.

From Asia’s Promising Project to a Luna-Style Meltdown

OM crashed in 2 hours – Source: CoinGecko

On-chain data revealed that a personal wallet transferred approximately 3.9 million OM tokens to the OKX exchange just before the crash occurred. The community now suspects the wallet belongs to an insider from the project.

Additionally, according to a report from BeInCrypto, the Mantra team was involved in undisclosed over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, allegedly selling tokens at discounts of up to 50% compared to market prices.

“MANTRA has a highly centralized token distribution structure, with over 85% of the total supply held by the team and strategic investors. An internal sell-off could easily trigger a domino effect,” Lookonchain commented.

Who dropped the price of $OM?

Before the $OM crash(since Apr 7), at least 17 wallets deposited 43.6M $OM($227M at the time) into exchanges, 4.5% of the circulating supply.

According to Arkham’s tag, 2 of these addresses are linked to Laser Digital.

Laser Digital is a strategic… pic.twitter.com/zB8yAPRPSO

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) April 14, 2025

The incident sparked strong backlash against the Mantra team. Some social media users began digging into the team’s past, pointing out that WuBlockchain had previously warned that certain key members of the project were allegedly linked to the online gambling platform 21Pink.

WuBlockchain warned the risk of MANTRA DAO in 2021. It is composed of several core members of the online gambling platform 21Pink. OM once falsely claimed to have received FTX investment but FTX later denied the information. https://t.co/N1SeACx7A5

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 14, 2025

There were also claims that MANTRA once stated it had received investment from FTX, a statement later publicly denied by the now-defunct exchange.

“Not Our Fault”: Mantra Points at Exchanges After 94% OM Collapse

Shortly after OM’s dramatic plunge, Mantra co-founder John Patrick Mullin issued a public statement in an attempt to calm the community.

Posting on his personal account, Mullin firmly denied any involvement from the core team, the MANTRA Chain Association, or internal investors in the sell-off. He emphasized that all tokens remain locked under the publicly disclosed vesting schedule and that all project-related wallets are fully transparent and trackable.

Mullin claimed that centralized exchanges (CEXes) triggered forced liquidations during a period of low market liquidity—specifically late Sunday UTC.

“The timing and depth of the drop point to an unexpected position closure with no warnings or prior notice. Such an incident highlights a lack of oversight by centralized exchanges and may reflect an intentional attempt to dominate the market,” Mullin stated.

He added “We are actively working with our exchange partners – entities that hold significant control. But when such power is misused, events like this will continue to happen.”

Mantra also announced a community AMA on X to further clarify the incident. The project warned users to avoid clicking on suspicious links, as scammers are attempting to exploit the situation.

Notably, Binance – one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges and the current listing venue for OM, issued an official statement confirming that it is closely monitoring the ongoing developments surrounding MANTRA. In a notice today, Binance stated that it may suspend trading, delist the token, or apply other risk management measures to protect users if it detects serious violations related to transparency or false listing disclosures.

Given the extreme price volatility, disrupted liquidity, and unresolved concerns, analysts urge investors to trade OM cautiously to avoid unnecessary financial risks.

This dramatic collapse also sparked an unexpectedly ironic twist, dragging a completely unrelated project with a similar name – Manta, into the crossfire. Manta’s co-founder publicly clarified that their project has no affiliation whatsoever with Mantra after confusion spread due to the similar names.

Conclusion

The team attributes the crash to external liquidations, but on-chain activity and OTC deal reports have fueled community skepticism.

With its tokenomics under scrutiny and trust in the project rattled, Mantra’s path forward hinges on transparency, swift communication, and structural reform. It remains unclear whether this marks a temporary setback or signals the start of a deeper unraveling.

Read more: NFTs on Monad Are Exploding: +2,000% Gains in Weeks

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How AI Is Reshaping DeFi, NFTs, and the Future of Web3 | NFT News Today

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April 14, 2025

How AI Is Reshaping DeFi, NFTs, and the Future of Web3 | NFT News Today

AI’s analytical capabilities and adaptive algorithms are transforming how decentralized systems operate, enabling greater efficiency, security, and user experience across the digital asset landscape.

Key Takeaways

AI in Web3 is creating self-optimizing financial systems that reduce risks while maximizing returns in DeFi

Dynamic AI-generated NFTs with algorithmic rarity adjustments have increased asset values by 120-300%

DeFi automation tools are addressing critical challenges in risk management and liquidity optimization

Web3 innovation is being accelerated through AI-enhanced infrastructure that tackles the blockchain trilemma

Decentralized intelligence systems are emerging through autonomous DAOs with AI managing 12-15% of voting by late 2025

AI’s Transformative Impact on Web3

The integration of artificial intelligence with decentralized technologies represents one of the most significant technological developments in recent years. This convergence is creating a new digital economic paradigm where adaptive algorithms and machine learning models enhance blockchain capabilities across multiple domains.

AI in Web3 isn’t simply an add-on feature but a fundamental shift in how decentralized systems function. This technological marriage enables systems that can learn, adapt, and optimize without central authority – truly embodying the core principles of Web3 while enhancing their practical implementation.

The impacts of this convergence are visible across three primary areas:

Self-optimizing financial protocols that adjust to market conditions

Intelligent digital assets that evolve based on user interactions

Scalable blockchain infrastructure that adapts to network demands

DeFi’s AI Revolution: High Risk, Higher Rewards

The DeFi landscape has experienced tremendous volatility with the Crypto AI Agents sector seeing a 65% market cap collapse in early 2025, plummeting from $20 billion to just $7 billion in a single month. Despite this overall correction, the specialized DeFAI subsector has shown remarkable resilience with tokens like SingularityNET (AGIX) gaining 5.8% amid a 45% surge in trading volumes.

Institutional interest has also started emerging, with Trump’s WLFI launching its Macro Strategy Fund in Q1 2025 with a portfolio allocation of 40% to Bitcoin, 30% to Ethereum, and 30% to AI-driven altcoins. This institutional validation signals growing confidence in the long-term potential of DeFi automation systems.

Several key projects are leading the DeFAI innovation wave:

Spectral Finance (SPEC) – Market cap of $141M, focusing on credit risk assessment algorithms

BasedAI network (BASEDAI) – Market cap of $18.75M, creating AI-optimized lending protocols

HashAI (HASHAI) – Market cap of $17.9M, developing predictive market analytics for traders

These platforms are addressing crucial DeFi challenges through advanced analytical capabilities, offering solutions for risk management, market prediction, and liquidity optimization that human traders and traditional algorithms simply can’t match.

From Static to Dynamic: AI-Powered NFT Ecosystems

The NFT landscape is undergoing a transformation from static digital collectibles to dynamic, evolving assets. Generative AI technologies have enabled a new class of AI-generated NFTs that can adapt and change based on specific conditions, user interactions, or external data feeds.

These dynamic NFTs feature algorithmic rarity adjustments that have increased their value by 120-300% compared to static counterparts. The technology allows for NFTs that evolve over time, creating deeper engagement and potentially more sustainable value.

Major marketplaces have leveraged AI to enhance the user experience:

AI-curated recommendations on platforms like OpenSea and Rarible have boosted user engagement by 40%

Computer vision models verify NFT authenticity with 98.7% accuracy, reducing counterfeit incidents by 73%

AI-AR/VR integration creates immersive virtual galleries and adaptive GameFi assets that respond to player behavior

Projects like Alethea AI are pioneering intelligent NFTs (iNFTs) that can interact with users through natural language processing, creating entirely new use cases for digital collectibles in gaming, education, and entertainment.

Solving the Web3 Trilemma

Blockchain technology has long struggled with the “trilemma” of achieving scalability, security, and decentralization simultaneously. AI-enhanced infrastructure is making significant progress in addressing these fundamental challenges.

The Oasis Network has implemented AI systems that dynamically allocate blockchain resources based on network demand, reducing gas fees by 35% during peak periods while maintaining processing speed. This adaptive approach to network management represents a significant advancement in blockchain scalability.

On the security front, CertiK’s Skynet utilizes natural language processing to detect smart contract vulnerabilities 5 times faster than manual reviews. This AI-powered security enhancement provides critical protection for decentralized applications and user funds.

Data management within decentralized systems has also seen major improvements through projects like Ocean Protocol, which facilitates AI training on decentralized data pools. The protocol’s token now processes an impressive 14.7 petabytes of data monthly, creating a synergistic relationship between AI and decentralized data marketplaces.

Future-Forward Projects Reshaping the DeFi Landscape

Several emerging projects are demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in Web3 innovation, focusing on specialized use cases that go beyond basic automation:

Spectral Labs (SPEC) – Developing machine learning-powered smart contracts that adapt to changing market conditions

AIOZ Network – Creating a decentralized AI video transcoding system that reduces costs while improving quality

PaLM AI – Implementing language models for DAO governance to improve proposal analysis and voting

Fetch.ai – Building autonomous economic agents that can interact and transact on behalf of users

Interoperability remains a key focus area, with projects like Polkadot’s Moonbeam AI working to ensure AI systems can function effectively across multiple blockchains. This cross-chain approach is essential for creating truly integrated decentralized intelligence networks.

The Rise of Autonomous DAOs and Privacy-Preserving AI

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) are becoming more sophisticated through AI integration. By Q4 2025, AI agents are projected to manage 12-15% of DAO voting by analyzing sentiment in community forums and governance discussions.

This shift toward algorithmic governance creates more responsive organizational structures but also raises important questions about control and accountability. The balance between human and AI decision-making will likely remain a central topic in DAO development.

Privacy-focused projects are also emerging at the intersection of AI and blockchain. Morpheus Network combines zero-knowledge proofs with federated learning to maintain regulatory compliance while protecting sensitive data. This approach enables AI systems to learn from encrypted data without compromising user privacy.

Performance improvements are another key benefit, with Solana and Avalanche integrating AI modules to prioritize high-value transactions. These systems are targeting transaction speeds exceeding 50,000 TPS, representing a significant advancement in blockchain scalability.

Market Volatility and Investment Trends in AI-Crypto

Despite the promising technological developments, the AI-crypto market has experienced substantial volatility. A $13 billion sector correction affected most crypto-AI tokens, creating a stark contrast between market valuations and underlying technological progress.

Investment patterns show a clear distinction between general AI crypto sectors and specialized DeFAI implementations. While broad AI-related tokens have struggled, focused applications with clear utility have shown remarkable resilience.

Institutional recognition of AI-driven crypto opportunities continues to grow, with traditional finance increasingly allocating resources to this emerging sector. Investment focus has shifted toward utility-driven AI-crypto projects with proven use cases rather than speculative tokens.

This evolution in investment strategy suggests a maturing market that prioritizes fundamental value over hype – a positive sign for the long-term health of the AI-Web3 ecosystem.

Navigating Challenges in the AI-Web3 Frontier

Despite the exciting potential, several significant challenges remain for AI integration in Web3 environments:

Centralization risks from proprietary AI models threaten core decentralization principles

Regulatory uncertainty surrounds algorithmic stablecoins and AI-powered financial products

Energy consumption concerns exist for AI-blockchain hybrid systems that combine two resource-intensive technologies

Security vulnerabilities may emerge in AI-driven smart contracts that haven’t undergone rigorous auditing

Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts across the AI and blockchain communities. Open-source AI models, energy-efficient consensus mechanisms, and standardized audit protocols for AI-enhanced smart contracts will be essential for building a sustainable AI-Web3 ecosystem.

The convergence of AI and blockchain technology represents a frontier of innovation with transformative potential across multiple industries. While challenges remain, the rapid pace of development suggests we’re just beginning to explore the possibilities of truly decentralized intelligence systems.

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Scary Moment At Coachella: Singer Takes Nasty Fall Attempting Backflip

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April 14, 2025

Singer-songwriter d4vd had a rough, and very public, fall during his performance at Coachella, but the rising star didn’t let a faceplant stop him from delivering a high-energy show.

The 20-year-old, known for his breakout hits “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” took a tumble on the Gobi stage in front of thousands of festivalgoers while attempting a backflip during his song “Leave Her.”

As he helped kick off the first weekend of Coachella, which draws crowds of nearly 250,000 each April, d4vd miscalculated the move, landing flat on his face in a stunt gone wrong.