What you need to know

• Google Maps is testing emoji reactions for images in business listings.
• Available emojis include heart, pray, fire, tongue-out, and a mind-blown option.
• Tapping an emoji triggers a small animation, but reactions don’t yet appear on images.

Google Maps seems to be testing a new feature that lets users react to images in a listing, similar to how you can currently react to messages in Google Messages.

Currently in Google Maps, when you open a listing you see the listing’s name, options like call and directions at the top, followed by images. You can swipe through the carousel of images and video or look for more in the Reviews section, but there’s no way to react or leave feedback to an image. Google now seems to be testing that.

On my Pixel 9 Pro, opening a listing shows a new “Press and hold to react” overlay on images with reactions above them. Pressing and holding an image shows five reactions above it, which include heart, pray, fire, a side tongue emoji (probably to react to an image of a restaurant), and a mind-blown emoji.

Photo reactions are coming to Google Maps

Tapping an emoji triggers an animation. For example, hitting the heart icon shows a big-sized heart that swirls across the screen. Moreover, when you first leave a reaction to an image, a dialog box informs the user that these emojis will be shared with Google and shown publicly.

However, on my device, tapping an emoji does nothing to the image, and there’s no way to tell if you’ve reacted (unless you tap-and-hold it again), as nothing shows up in the UI.

In Google Messages, if you react to a message, the emoji shows up below it, but emojis don’t appear in Google Maps for now. It’s also worth noting that these are the only five emojis available, and there’s no way currently to add others.

There’s no official word on what the feature is meant to achieve, but Google likely sees reactions as a quick way to boost engagement on Maps listings. The feature would make it easier for users to quickly share feedback on photos without leaving full reviews.

The feature doesn’t appear to be rolling out widely just yet, as I could spot it working only on my Google Pixel 9 Pro and Oppo Find N5, and not on any other Android devices or iPhone. However, since the feature has been spotted, it looks like it could roll out anytime soon.

Nasdaq-listed Heritage Distilling Holding Company has unveiled a $360 million digital asset treasury strategy centered on the Story (IP) token, according to an Aug. 11 statement provided to CryptoSlate.

The company said it secured $220 million through a private placement, comprising $100 million in cash and $120 million in Story tokens.

Of the total proceeds, $82 million will be used to purchase additional IP tokens from the Story Foundation. Meanwhile, the Foundation plans to deploy the entire cash portion to repurchase IP tokens on the open market within 90 days of the transaction.

The move marks the first time a Nasdaq-listed company has adopted the IP token as its primary reserve asset, reflecting a broader shift among traditional firms integrating alternative assets into their treasuries. Key backers in the funding round include a16z Crypto, Amber Group, and Arrington Capital.

However, the announcement coincided with sharp market declines in Heritage’s stock and IP’s value.

Google Finance data shows Heritage’s CASK shares plunged nearly 30% to around $0.49 at press time. At the same time, CryptoSlate’s data also recorded a 3.65% decline in the IP token’s value to approximately $6.35.

Understanding Story’s Nasdaq move

Story CEO SY Lee said the decision to list on Nasdaq was driven by a desire to extend the project’s narrative beyond the crypto community.

According to him:

“We’re not doing this just because everyone else is. Our reason is clear: our story needs to be told beyond crypto. There’s no better way to do that than by building a presence in the world’s largest capital market, the US stock market.”

Lee described Story as a blockchain network operating at the intersection of crypto, artificial intelligence, and intellectual property. Rather than competing on yield or transaction speed, the company focuses on unlocking what it views as an $80 trillion asset class spanning AI datasets, entertainment franchises, and biomedical patents.

Story aims to enable attribution, traceability, and fair compensation for creators by making IP programmable. Lee emphasized that the next competitive battleground in AI will be data ownership and monetization, not just computational power.

Lee pointed out that the network has already secured significant adoption as its Layer 1 blockchain already has hundreds of thousands of IPs, including works from artists like Justin Bieber, Blackpink, and BTS, as well as global brands such as Crocs and Adidas.

Mentioned in this article

The sell-side risk ratio for long-term holders has only shown a modest uptick. On Mar. 23, this ratio sat at 745.8μ and gradually climbed to 0.001679 by Apr. 10. This increase is statistically minor, especially when contrasted with the sharp movements seen in short-term cohorts. It suggests that long-term holders are not engaging in panic selling or strategic exits despite geopolitical escalation and increased noise in the derivatives and ETF markets.

Their behavior instead aligns with a phase of ongoing accumulation. This group’s 30-day net position change has remained positive for an entire month, rising from 0.17% on Mar. 12 to 2.19% by Apr. 10. This indicates that coins held for long durations continue to move into stronger hands, either through direct acquisition or passive aging.

This accumulation is particularly noteworthy when juxtaposed with price action. Bitcoin traded above $82,000 in the days leading up to April 10, only to see a sharp drawdown that brought prices closer to the $76,000 level. The fact that long-term holders are still adding to positions during this price instability implies that they are unfazed by the current retracement and view the prevailing market environment as part of a larger accumulation phase. Historically, long-term holders tend to distribute during periods of euphoria and aggressive price discovery, not during geopolitical or macro-driven pullbacks.

The behavior of short-term holders paints a different picture. This group has been much more reactive, with the sell-side risk ratio fluctuating within a broader and more volatile range. Since the beginning of the year, this metric has moved between 425μ and 0.001855.

In the most recent stretch from April 6 to April 10, it jumped from 713μ to 0.001302, following the escalated tensions between the US and China, a broad sell-off in risk assets, and a meaningful outflow from spot Bitcoin ETFs. This sudden increase in sell-side risk from short-term participants suggests heightened sensitivity to price and macro triggers.

Unlike their long-term counterparts, short-term holders tend to have weaker convictions, higher leverage exposure, and a shorter time horizon. Their propensity to sell in reaction to volatility amplifies intraday swings and contributes to short-term liquidity stress. This is especially relevant given that the broader market has faced a $450 million outflow from Bitcoin ETFs over just a few sessions. The confluence of short-term selling pressure and ETF redemptions generates a reflexive loop where falling prices are exacerbated by weak hands selling into the fear.

However, the structural implication of this divergence is stabilizing rather than destabilizing. Short-term selling, in isolation, does not inherently compromise Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. What matters is whether long-term holders respond to these sell-offs by reducing their own exposure. That has not happened so far. The persistent accumulation of long-term holders, even as the market corrects, implies an ongoing belief in the long-term thesis and suggests that the market is undergoing short-term rebalancing.

It is important to consider the broader macro backdrop to contextualize these behaviors. China’s announcement of a 125% tariff on US goods has sharply elevated geopolitical friction while pressuring global risk markets.

Gold has rallied as capital seeks safety, oil has declined amid demand fears, and US equity futures have weakened. Meanwhile, Bitcoin has struggled to find a clear direction due to its dual role as a risk-on speculative asset and a hedge against macroeconomic stress. In this context, it is natural to expect participants with lower time preferences to exit while more strategic capital consolidates positions.

The post Long-term holders continue to accumulate as short-term sellers react to market stress appeared first on CryptoSlate.

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Bitcoin (BTC) is facing strong bearish pressure, struggling to break above the $85,000 level as macro uncertainty weighs on the market. Since late January, BTC has lost over 29% of its value, with investors growing increasingly fearful of further downside. Global trade war fears and volatile macroeconomic conditions have put both the crypto and U.S. stock markets under pressure, leaving traders uncertain about the next major move for Bitcoin.

Despite the ongoing downtrend, some analysts see potential for a market reversal. Top analyst Ali Martinez shared insights on X, pointing out that global liquidity is expanding rapidly. Historically, this trend has been a bullish catalyst for Bitcoin, often leading to significant price surges when liquidity enters the market. If this pattern holds, BTC could see renewed buying pressure in the coming weeks.

However, in the short term, bears remain in control, and BTC must reclaim key technical levels before a recovery can begin. If macro conditions remain uncertain, Bitcoin could stay under pressure, potentially testing lower support levels before any meaningful bounce. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether BTC can stabilize or if further losses are ahead.

Bitcoin Hits Lowest Levels Since November 2024

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at its lowest levels since November 10, 2024, with bulls struggling to regain control. The market has remained in a strong downtrend since late January, and fear continues to push lower price targets, as many investors now question whether the Bitcoin bull cycle is over. With BTC failing to reclaim key resistance levels, sentiment remains decisively bearish, increasing the risk of further downside in the coming weeks.

Despite the ongoing decline, Martinez’s insights on X remark that global liquidity is expanding rapidly. Liquidity growth has been a driver for Bitcoin price increases, and if past trends hold, BTC could catch up around mid-April. However, for this scenario to unfold, bulls must defend key support levels and regain momentum in the coming weeks.

The broader market downturn has been largely influenced by macroeconomic uncertainty and rising volatility since the U.S. elections in November 2024. Concerns over global trade wars, unstable economic policies, and erratic market reactions have made it difficult for risk assets like Bitcoin to sustain any significant upward momentum. Given that these macroeconomic concerns remain unresolved, Bitcoin is likely to stay under pressure until market conditions show signs of improvement.

For now, bulls have a lot of work to do to reverse the bearish trend and bring BTC back above key technical levels. If liquidity expansion drives renewed buying pressure, the market could see a recovery. However, if macro conditions remain unfavorable, Bitcoin may continue to trade in a downward trajectory in the short term.

Bitcoin Struggles to Reclaim $85K

Bitcoin is currently trading at $83,300, with bulls struggling to regain momentum after weeks of selling pressure. The key level for a potential recovery remains $85,000, as this mark aligns closely with the 200-day moving average (MA). If BTC fails to break above this level soon, bearish sentiment is likely to persist, increasing the risk of further downside.

For Bitcoin to initiate a recovery rally, bulls must push above the 200-day MA quickly. A break and close above this level would signal renewed buying interest, potentially leading to a stronger move toward higher resistance zones. However, BTC’s struggles at this technical barrier indicate that market confidence remains weak, with traders hesitant to enter long positions amid growing uncertainty.

If Bitcoin fails to reclaim the 200-day MA in the coming days, the risk of a sharp drop below $80,000 increases significantly. A break below this psychological level could trigger further sell-offs, sending BTC toward lower demand zones. The next few trading sessions will be critical in determining whether BTC can reverse its recent losses or if the downtrend will continue into deeper territory.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

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