Stephen Alpher

Stephen is CoinDesk's managing editor for Markets. He previously served as managing editor at Seeking Alpha. A native of suburban Washington, D.C., Stephen went to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, majoring in finance. He holds BTC above CoinDesk’s disclosure threshold of $1,000.

Stephen Alpher

Latest from Stephen Alpher


Finance

Backpack launches BP token on Solana with 25% airdrop, no insider allocation

The remaining tokens are subject to long-term lockups tied to company milestones and a potential IPO.

Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante (CoinDesk)

Finance

Tom Lee's Bitmine extends buying streak with $138 million ETH purchase, betting on crypto slump ending

The Ethereum treasury firm led by Thomas Lee now has increased its buying pace for three consecutive weeks even as unrealized losses mount.

Thomas Lee, chairman of BitMine and CIO of Fundstrat, on the main stage during Consensus Hong Kong 2026 (CoinDesk)

Markets

Strategy returns to 'small' bitcoin purchases, adding $76.6 million in BTC last week

Led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, Strategy acquired 1,031 bitcoin, bringing holdings to 762,099 coins.

Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor at the Digital Asset Summit in New York City on March 20, 2025. (Nikhilesh De)

Policy

The SEC explains how it's viewing a crypto security: State of Crypto

Joint SEC-CFTC interpretive guidance outlines how the agencies will determine whether a cryptocurrency is a security.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

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Finance

The 5-cent contract that debunked a wartime death conspiracy

When social media declared Netanyahu dead, crypto prediction markets priced it at 5%. The money was right — and Washington wants to shut it down.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried tries to get on Donald Trump’s good side by backing his Iran strikes

The jailed founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is fueling growing speculation that he is seeking a presidential pardon.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Kalshi gets temporary Nevada ban in dispute over sports betting

A Nevada court issued a 14-day ban on a wide range of contracts from prediction market firm Kalshi as the firm continues battling with state regulators.

Kalshi website on a laptop.

Markets

Bitcoin's latest fear unlocked as rate hike bets rise and bond markets crumble

For now, surging oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions are driving inflation fears and weakening traditional safe-haven assets.

Eggs with hand-drawn anxious faces symbolizing market fears

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Finance

Crypto wallet maker Ledger taps former Circle exec as CFO to help lead IPO push

The crypto security firm is expanding its U.S. footprint and strengthening its leadership team as it prepares for a potential public listing.

(Photo: Ledger Media/Modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

Iran war volatility is driving oil trading boom on Hyperliquid, says JPMorgan

Round-the-clock oil trading on Hyperliquid is drawing investors beyond crypto as geopolitical shocks expose gaps in traditional markets, the bank said.

The Iranian flag flutters above a cityscape. (Shutterstock)