raihanXYZ

US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds bounced back to notable daily inflows as Goldman Sachs entered the Bitcoin ETF sector.

Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs recorded $411.5 million inflows on Tuesday, marking the second-largest daily inflows in April so far, according to SoSoValue data.

The fresh inflows pushed total net flows for 2026 into positive territory at roughly $245 million year-to-date, while total assets under management surged above $96.5 billion, the highest since mid-March.

The gains came as Goldman Sachs, once a major Bitcoin critic, filed with US securities regulators to launch a Bitcoin-linked ETF. The move follows Morgan Stanley’s launch of its Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust ETF (MSBT) last Wednesday.

Source: Eleanor Terret

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley expand inflow streaks

No US spot Bitcoin ETF recorded outflows on Tuesday, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) leading the inflows at roughly $214 million, according to Farside data.

Both IBIT and Morgan Stanley’s MSBT extended their inflow streaks to five days, totaling around $696 million and $84 million, respectively.

Daily spot Bitcoin ETF flows (in millions of dollars) from April 8. Source: Farside

The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) were among the significant contributors on Tuesday, with inflows of $113 million and $45 million, respectively.

Inflows across all altcoin ETFs, including Dogecoin

The positive trend spread across all US-listed altcoin ETFs on Tuesday, with spot Ether (ETH) ETFs recording $53 million in inflows.

XRP (XRP) funds notably increased inflows at $11 million, while Solana (SOL) saw minor gains of just over $1 million.

The trend also extended to Dogecoin (DOGE) ETFs, which saw around $187,000 inflows, bringing cumulative inflows to around $9.2 million.

While it remains to be seen whether the rebound is sustainable, overall sentiment has slightly improved in recent days, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index rising above a score of 20 this week.

Source: Alternative.me

The price of Bitcoin also hit a multi-week high on Tuesday, briefly rising above $75,000 for the first time since March 17. It later pulled back below $74,000, trading at $73,852 at publishing time, according to CoinGecko.

Magazine: Your guide to surviving this mini-crypto winter

Key Takeaways

PayPay is a leading cashless payment service in Japan that enables digital payments, transfers, and wallet-based transactions.

Through its partnership with Binance Japan, users can seamlessly connect traditional finance with cryptocurrency trading.

Users can buy, sell, deposit, and withdraw funds between PayPay and Binance Japan using PayPay Money.

Introduction

As digital payments continue to grow worldwide, Japan has emerged as a key market for cashless innovation. One of the most prominent platforms driving this shift is PayPay. PayPay allows users to make payments, transfer money, and store funds digitally through their smartphones.

More recently, PayPay has expanded its role beyond everyday payments by partnering with Binance Japan. This collaboration introduces new ways for users to interact with digital assets, bridging the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrency.

What is PayPay?

PayPay is a mobile payment and digital wallet platform developed under the SoftBank Corp. group. At its core, PayPay enables users to store funds digitally in a wallet known as “PayPay Money.” This balance can then be used for a variety of purposes:

Paying at physical stores and online merchants

Sending money to other users

Managing personal finances without relying on cash

Through its strategic alliance with Binance Japan, PayPay is now also connected to the world of digital assets. This collaboration combines PayPay’s strong user base and payment infrastructure with Binance’s expertise in blockchain technology. The goal is to make Web3 and cryptocurrency services more accessible to everyday users.

One of the key outcomes of this integration is the ability for users to:

Purchase cryptocurrencies using PayPay Money

Withdraw proceeds from crypto sales directly into PayPay

Move funds seamlessly between a crypto exchange and a digital wallet

This marks an important step toward integrating cashless payments with digital assets in Japan’s evolving financial landscape.

Getting Started with PayPay

To use PayPay with Binance Japan, users must ensure that both their apps and accounts are properly set up. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Prerequisites (before beginning):

Update your Binance app to version 3.6.2 or above (iOS) or 3.6.4 or above (Android)

Ensure your PayPay account is created and verified

Link your PayPay account within the Binance Japan app

Note that each deposit or withdrawal incurs a 110 JPY fee. Daily deposit limit: 300,000 JPY; 30-day limit: 1,000,000 JPY.

Step 1: Access PayPay in the Binance App

Log in to your Binance app. From the main interface, tap [Trade], then select [PayPay]. This will take you to the PayPay transaction interface.

Step 2: Select Cryptocurrency to Sell

Under the [Sell] tab:

Choose the cryptocurrency you want to sell

Enter the amount

Tap [Verify and Sell] to proceed

This step allows you to define the transaction details before choosing how you want to receive funds.

Step 3: Choose PayPay as Payment Method

Select [PayPay] under the [Payment Method] section, then tap [Preview Order].

Do note that if you choose “JPY Balance” as your receive method, funds will remain in your Binance account rather than being transferred to PayPay.

If this is your first time using PayPay with Binance Japan, you will be prompted to link your accounts during this step. You can check out this guide for steps to link your account. 

Step 4: Confirm the Transaction

After linking your PayPay account:

Review the transaction details carefully

Tap [Confirm] to finalize your sell order

Be aware that PayPay Wallet has a maximum balance limit of 1 million yen. If your transaction exceeds this limit, you may encounter an “Exceeded Limit” error and need to adjust the amount.

Step 5: Complete Security Verification

For security purposes, you will need to complete additional verification steps, including two-factor authentication (2FA). This ensures that your transaction is authorized and secure.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Once confirmed:

The system will process your transaction

After completion, Japanese yen (JPY) will be credited directly to your PayPay account

Processing times may vary, so be patient and allow some time for confirmation.

Other Functions by PayPay and Binance Japan

Beyond basic buying and selling, the integration between PayPay and Binance Japan introduces several additional features that enhance flexibility and usability.

1. Prefunding Your Binance Account

Previously, PayPay could only be used during crypto transactions. With the updated functionality, users can now deposit PayPay Money into their Binance Japan accounts in advance. This means you can add funds ahead of time or execute trades instantly when market opportunities arise.

2. Trading Across Platforms

Funds deposited via PayPay can be used for spot trading on:

Brokerage services (simplified trading interface)

Exchange services (more advanced trading features)

This means whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, you can still participate in the spot markets.

3. Instant Withdrawals to PayPay

Users can withdraw JPY from Binance Japan back into PayPay at any time. The transferred balance is reflected almost instantly in the PayPay app, enabling immediate use for payments or transfers.

Closing Thoughts

PayPay has established itself as a cornerstone of Japan’s cashless payment ecosystem, offering users a convenient and widely accepted way to manage digital money. Its partnership with Binance Japan represents a significant step forward in connecting everyday financial tools with emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency. By enabling seamless deposits, withdrawals, and trading capabilities, this integration simplifies how users interact with both fiat and digital assets.

Further Reading 

How to Set Up a Crypto Wallet?

What is Blockchain and How Does It Work?

What Are Web3 Wallets?

Your Guide to Binance Spot Trading

Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and or educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Where the content is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Risk Warning and Binance Academy Terms.

EToro said Wednesday it agreed to acquire self-custodial crypto wallet provider Zengo, deepening the trading platform’s push into onchain products as digital assets remain central to its business.

The deal will let eToro add Zengo’s wallet technology and broaden its offering in areas such as tokenized assets, prediction markets, perpetuals and yield products, according to the company. Terms were not disclosed. Bloomberg reported the transaction is worth about $70 million, mostly in cash, citing a person familiar with the matter.

CEO Yoni Assia said at Paris Blockchain Week during a fireside chat that the acquisition fits eToro’s effort to attract a more crypto native user base while expanding beyond regulated brokerage products into self-custody infrastructure.

Crypto activities have become an important revenue source for the platform. eToro reported total revenue and income of $13.8 billion in 2025, of which $12.98 billion was revenue from crypto assets.

Yoni Assia, CEO of eToro, speaking at Paris Blockchain Week in 2026. Source: Cointelegraph

Assia keeps $250,000 Bitcoin target

At Paris Blockchain Week, Assia said he expects the current market slowdown to last another quarter before Bitcoin (BTC) returns to an accumulation phase, eventually pushing the token above $250,000.

“Bitcoin is on the path eventually to $250,000, $500,000 and beyond.”

EToro’s CEO is the latest industry figure to call for a $250,000 Bitcoin price target, following BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki.

However, other large companies remain divided on Bitcoin’s trajectory for the rest of the year, with some questioning the relevance of the four-year cycle theory.

Galaxy Digital urged investor caution and described the year ahead as “too chaotic to predict,” citing looming uncertainties such as the US midterm elections and shifting monetary policy.

Top assets by market capitalization. Source: CompaniesMarketCap

Regardless of the timeline, a Bitcoin rally to $250,000 would require Bitcoin’s price to increase by about 3.3-fold and implies a $5 trillion market capitalization. This would make BTC the world’s second-largest asset after gold, up from the 12th spot, according to CompaniesMarketCap data.

Magazine: Can Robinhood or Kraken’s tokenized stocks ever be truly decentralized?

Pakistan’s central bank has allowed banks to open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and their customers, replacing an eight-year-old prohibition on dealing in virtual currencies.

In a circular dated April 14, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said regulated entities may open bank accounts for entities licensed by the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), the statutory body responsible for licensing, regulation and oversight of virtual asset activities in the country.

The move follows Pakistan’s passage of the Virtual Assets Act 2026 in March and marks a shift toward a more formal regulatory framework for digital assets after years of restrictions following an outright ban in 2018. 

Authorities have recently signaled a more structured approach to the sector, including holding discussions with major exchanges such as Binance and HTX in December 2025, as part of efforts to attract regulated trading platforms. 

In parallel, Pakistan has also explored blockchain-based financial infrastructure through engagements with affiliates of World Liberty Financial, including discussions around the use of stablecoins for cross-border payments.

Banking access opens under strict regulatory framework

Under the new framework, regulated entities shall not invest, trade or hold virtual assets using their own funds or customer deposits, the circular states, emphasizing that banks’ role is limited to providing banking services to licensed firms.

BPRD circular letter. Source: Pakistan VARA

The SBP added that banks remain responsible for complying with all applicable central bank regulations, including foreign exchange rules, and that any arrangement with a VASP does not absolve them of those obligations.

Banks are required to open separate transactional accounts denominated in Pakistan rupees, described as Client Money Accounts (CMAs), for settlement of authorized transactions of licensed VASPs, with strict segregation between CMAs and other VASP accounts and a prohibition on commingling VASP funds with client assets. 

In addition to existing customer due diligence rules under SBP’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter financing terrorism (CFT) rules, regulated entities must conduct full due diligence on each VASP, amend their customer risk profiling models to capture VASP-related risks, and risk-rate VASPs accordingly.

Banks are directed to monitor their relationships with VASPs on an ongoing basis and report any suspicious transactions to Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Unit.

Magazine: Singapore isn’t a ‘crypto hub’ — it’s something better: StraitsX CEO