The US Treasury will expand its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using seized assets without new spending. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent first clarified that no new bitcoin purchases were planned, causing a brief market dip. He later explained on social media that the reserve will grow through budget-neutral pathways with $15–20 billion of confiscated coins and that current liquidations will halt. This mixed messaging on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve sparked volatility—Bitcoin jumped to $124,000 before reversing on hot US inflation data. Traders should monitor future budget-neutral acquisition plans and policy signals, which could influence market supply dynamics and price stability.
On August 14, 2025, BtcTurk detected a security breach in its hot wallet, marking the second BtcTurk hot wallet hack within a year. In the latest hot wallet hack, hackers moved an estimated $48M across Ethereum (ETH), Avalanche (AVAX), Arbitrum (ARB), Optimism (OP), Mantle (MNT), Base and Polygon (MATIC) networks to two Ethereum and one Solana (SOL) address. Blockchain security firm Cyvers flagged the abnormal transfers, and some stolen tokens were converted to ETH. Lookonchain estimates the loss at $23M, while CertiK places it at $50M. BtcTurk has frozen crypto deposits and withdrawals but assured users that cold wallet reserves, trading and fiat operations remain unaffected. Authorities have been notified, and enhanced security measures are in progress.
The US government’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve remains stalled amid conflicting statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the President’s Working Group on Digital Assets. Despite holding $15–20 billion in BTC from seizures and forfeitures, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will not grow through direct government purchases, Bessent ruled, although he vowed to stop selling existing holdings and explore budget-neutral paths. Meanwhile, Google’s revised digital wallet rules force US wallet apps on Google Play to register with FinCEN and state regulators, triggering DeFi backlash until non-custodial wallets were clarified as exempt. Market reactions were mixed: BTC surged to a record $124,128 on rumors of government buying, then dipped below $118,000 after inflation data and policy clarifications. Other key developments include Bullish Global’s $1.1 billion IPO, Justin Sun’s lawsuit against Bloomberg over private asset disclosures, Trump-linked WLFI token gaining tradability, and industry efforts to block bank data access fees. Traders should prepare for regulatory-driven volatility amid this evolving crypto landscape.
In the past 24 hours, a record $7.9B of BTC and ETH options expired, resulting in heightened volatility and position adjustments in the wake of the crypto options expiry. Concurrently, stablecoin issuance surged with a $1B USDT mint today, totaling $2B in new USDT liquidity as whales accumulate. Analysts expect renewed buying pressure to trigger a short-term rally if fresh USDT mint inflows drive breakouts above $118K for BTC and $4,350 for ETH. Conversely, failure to hold support at $115K and $4,100 could prompt pullbacks to $109-111K and $3,900-3,950. Traders should monitor volume and open interest to confirm moves and avoid faux breakouts around this options expiry event.
Binance has added a new USELESSUSDT perpetual contract on its derivatives platform. The USELESSUSDT perpetual contract enables traders to speculate on Useless Coin (USELESS) against USDT. The contract supports up to 50× leverage and settles every four hours. It features a minimum price increment of 0.0001 and a funding rate capped at ±2.00%. The underlying asset, Useless Coin, is based on the Solana (SOL) blockchain. The contract is margined and settled in USDT. Launching the new perpetual contract expands Binance’s offerings and provides traders with more options for high-leverage altcoin trading. Market participants should factor in the high funding rate volatility and short settlement intervals when planning strategies.
Bitcoin’s Sharpe ratio rose to 2.15, the highest among major assets, as implied volatility dropped to 37%, near a two-year low. MicroStrategy (MSTR), with significant Bitcoin exposure, followed with a Sharpe ratio of 2.00 and implied volatility of 56%. The data, current as of mid-August, highlights volatility compression as a key driver of strong risk-adjusted returns. With Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted performance outperforming large-cap tech peers (Sharpe ratios around 1.0), market participants view the lower volatility as a sign of maturity. MSTR’s multiple to net asset value stands at 1.61 post-Q2 earnings, with the company delaying equity offerings until mNAV exceeds 2.5. Year-to-date returns stand at +27% for Bitcoin and +24% for MSTR. Traders may consider the low volatility and high Sharpe ratio as bullish indicators for further Bitcoin inflows and portfolio diversification.
XRP has surged to the forefront of the real-world assets (RWA) market this week. A new decentralized exchange (DEX) leading the RWA ecosystem posted a 50% weekly gain, underscoring growing demand for tokenized assets. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast that the crypto bull market is only beginning, bolstered by favorable macro data. On CPI release day, US consumer price inflation fell to 2.7% year-over-year, below the 2.8% forecast. The lower-than-expected CPI supports hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts later this year, increasing market liquidity and potentially driving crypto prices higher. Meanwhile, softer US job figures further reinforce expectations of a September rate cut. Traders should note that a CPI reading under 2.8% could fuel another crypto rally, whereas a reading above 2.9% may trigger short-term pullbacks. However, heightened volatility is likely as market makers seek to liquidate positions on both sides. Caution and strategic position sizing are advised amid these mixed signals.
Crypto whales have significantly increased their positions in five altcoins ahead of an anticipated market rally, according to on-chain data and large transaction analyses. The accumulation suggests that major investors are betting on bullish momentum for these altcoins as Bitcoin consolidates around $122,500 following a recent breakout. A four-hour chart retest indicates Bitcoin support holds above the breakout level, strengthening the case for a broader altcoin surge. Traders should monitor whale wallet flows and Bitcoin’s daily closing price for confirmation of the next upward leg.
NordFX broker has established itself as a reliable online trading partner for forex and crypto traders, offering lightning-fast trade execution in as little as 0.1 seconds and tight spreads under competitive ECN conditions. With support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, automated and copy trading features, and real-time trading signals, NordFX broker caters to both beginners and professionals. Trusted by over 1.7 million accounts across 190 countries, NordFX simplifies deposits and withdrawals with more than 25 payment methods, including instant crypto transfers, while delivering responsive customer support and transparent pricing.
hashedmining ranks first among 2025 cloud mining platforms. It offers zero hardware costs, 100% renewable energy, and smart contract–driven hash rate optimization. Users can mine Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), and XRP with flexible contracts. The platform is FCA regulated and publishes daily audited profit reports. Compare competitors: MiningToken leverages AI for hydropower-optimized mining; ECOS offers long-term contracts from 12 to 50 months; Bitdeer, backed by Bitmain, provides high hash rates but has longer lock-ins and higher fees. hashedmining’s combination of real-time computing power allocation, environmental sustainability, and regulatory transparency delivers both short-term liquidity and long-term growth. These features position hashedmining as the top choice for traders seeking efficient and eco-friendly cloud mining services in 2025.
Central Asia is experiencing a sharp rise in illegal Bitcoin mining. In Tajikistan alone, unauthorized operations caused $3.52 million in electricity theft losses in H1 2025. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan uncovered a two-year scheme stealing over 50 MWh of power, amounting to $16.5 million in damages. This surge in illegal Bitcoin mining is driven by low energy costs, weak regulation, and an influx of miners displaced by crackdowns in China and Russia. Authorities are strengthening legal frameworks, upgrading grid security, and seeking international cooperation to curb electricity theft. The widespread illegal Bitcoin mining threatens grid stability and economic productivity, underscoring the need for robust oversight and clearer crypto policies.
Ethereum Exit Queue has surged to a record 808,880 ETH locked for unstaking, creating a 14-day delay. The entry queue holds 374,136 ETH with a 6-day wait. Traders attribute the rise in Ethereum Exit Queue and unstaking delays to profit-taking at near-all-time-high prices, Justin Sun’s $600 million ETH withdrawal from Aave, and the unwind of Lido’s stETH loop after a 0.3% depeg. Higher borrowing costs and deleveraging on liquid staking tokens like stETH have further fuelled exits. Meanwhile, a May SEC ruling that staking tokens are not securities has heightened expectations for ETH staking ETFs. Short-term network congestion may increase selling pressure, while potential ETF launches could support long-term staking demand. Traders should monitor the Ethereum Exit Queue, DeFi liquidity shifts, and ETF developments to gauge market liquidity and price trends.
The US Treasury has announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to hold seized and forfeited Bitcoin instead of liquidating it. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that confiscated digital assets will now contribute to the government’s official Bitcoin reserves. This move reflects a strategic pivot by the US government, treating Bitcoin as a national asset similar to gold or foreign currencies. Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy’s Executive Chairman, hailed the announcement as an implicit recognition of Bitcoin’s legitimacy and long-term value. By designating seized coins to a reserve, the US reduces potential market sell pressure and signals support for digital assets. This initiative could set a global precedent, encouraging other nations to re-evaluate their policies on government-held cryptocurrencies. The formation of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve may bolster Bitcoin’s stability and credibility, attracting institutional investors and supporting more constructive regulatory frameworks. Overall, this development marks a significant step in integrating digital currencies into national wealth management and could improve market confidence and long-term adoption.
SHAKA 2025 returns to Biarritz from August 25–27 with a unique three-day tech festival blending AI, Web3 and crypto trading. Hosted at Le Connecteur, the event features over 100 speakers and 2,000 participants exploring “Make a short film with AI,” a real-time crypto trading challenge, and a prompt battle. Industry leaders including Rachel Delacour, Paul Midy and Maider Arosteguy, alongside partners like Crypto.com, Polkadot and Avalanche, will lead workshops, panels and immersive sessions. The Startup Line-Up pitch competition, overseen by Julia Lemeunier, offers startups a chance to win a spot to pitch at CES Las Vegas 2026. SHAKA 2025 also fosters networking through surfing, yoga, padel and beachside talks, capped by an after-party DJ set on August 27. An all-inclusive pass covers activities, food and drinks. Founded by Damien and Franck Dupont, Benjamin Maunier and Christophe Molinari, SHAKA 2025 aims to combine summer leisure with in-depth exploration of technologies reshaping finance and culture.
Binance has added $USELESS to its futures trading platform, enabling traders to take leveraged long or short positions on the token. The new listing broadens access to this emerging altcoin and may boost liquidity and market activity. As with other futures contracts, participants can manage risk through margin and benefit from price speculation in both bullish and bearish scenarios. Traders are advised to enable platform notifications for real-time updates on contract specifications, trading fees, and risk controls before engaging in $USELESS futures trading.
Ethereum whales have withdrawn over $250 million in ETH from exchanges in the past 24 hours, signaling strong accumulation. On-chain analytics show one address moved 17,591 ETH (≈$81.5M) from Coinbase, while Galaxy Digital transferred 37,808 ETH (≈$172M) from multiple platforms. These Ethereum withdrawals reduce exchange liquidity and point to long-term holding or staking strategies, cutting immediate selling pressure. Analysts interpret this whale activity as a bullish indicator for Ethereum. On-chain data, such as exchange balances, whale transactions, and network growth metrics, provide transparent insights into asset flows and investor sentiment. Galaxy Digital’s participation underlines rising institutional adoption, enhancing market legitimacy and stability. This surge in large-scale ETH accumulation suggests confidence in upcoming protocol upgrades and DeFi expansion. Traders should watch on-chain indicators closely, as continued withdrawals may foreshadow price appreciation. Overall, these significant Ethereum withdrawals by whales and institutions reflect a bullish outlook and support potential upward movements for ETH.
Spot Ether ETFs recorded over $3 billion in net inflows during early August, marking the second-strongest month since launch. Weekly inflows topped $2.9 billion with a daily peak of $1 billion on Monday. The seven Spot Ether ETF products now hold a record $29.22 billion in assets under management. ETH prices rallied to a yearly high of $4,765 before settling above $4,600, up nearly 20% on the week. Since launch, Spot Ether ETFs have amassed $12.73 billion in cumulative net inflows and posted five consecutive months of inflows. On Thursday, BlackRock’s ETH ETF led with $519.68 million of inflows, followed by Grayscale’s trust and Fidelity’s fund. Market strategists at Fundstrat project ETH could reach $12,000–$15,000 by year-end, citing strong macro demand. Rising Spot Ether ETF inflows and the ETH price rally underscore growing institutional interest in regulated Ethereum exposure.
Bitcoin Cash price is trading in a tight $580–$640 range after peaking at $607 on July 27 and dipping to $517 before buyers stepped in. On August 11, BCH price briefly broke above $632 but pulled back near the $630 resistance. Technical indicators remain mixed: the weekly moving averages are flat, confirming a sideways trend, while the 21-day SMA stays above the 50-day SMA, signaling underlying bullish momentum. BCH price is currently in overbought territory after testing the $640 zone. Key resistance levels lie at $600, $630 and $650, with support zones at $580, $500 and $450. A successful breakout above $630 could propel Bitcoin Cash toward its April 2025 high of $701. Failure to breach this barrier may keep BCH range-bound between $580 and $630. Traders should watch whether BCH price can hold above the 21-day SMA to resume its uptrend or risk further downside if it falls below key moving averages.
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Bitcoin CashBCH priceBreakoutTechnical analysisSupport and resistance
Bitcoin Optech’s 367th newsletter highlights new release candidates and key performance upgrades for Bitcoin infrastructure. LND v0.19.3-beta.rc1 and Bitcoin Core 29.1rc1 release candidates introduce important bug fixes, optional data migrations, and reduced resource requirements. Major Bitcoin Core changes include removal of ineffective DoS peer discouragement, a per-input cache for sighash pre-computation to defend against quadratic hashing attacks, and a new monolithic libbitcoinkernel.a static library for simpler downstream linking. Core Lightning’s #8389 update mandates the channel_type field on channel opens and clarifies zero-conf channel reporting. These infrastructure improvements reinforce Bitcoin network security and efficiency. Traders should note the push for standardized node upgrades but can expect a neutral impact on market prices.
On August 15, Bitcoin (BTC) staged a technical recovery following a 4% drop, holding above its 50% Fibonacci retracement and aligning with the 100 EMA on the 4-hour chart. This confluence suggests bullish momentum with potential to reach $124,500. Coinbase’s acquisition of Deribit adds a $60 billion futures platform to its suite, highlighting ongoing market consolidation. Meanwhile, US inflation rose 0.9% in July, delaying potential Fed rate cuts and creating near-term headwinds. In this context, Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) is advancing its Layer-2 solution, leveraging a Canonical Bridge and the Solana Virtual Machine for dApps, smart contracts, and DeFi on Bitcoin. Investors track Bitcoin Hyper’s upcoming network launches as a key catalyst. Market participants should monitor Coinbase’s expanded derivatives offering, inflation data, and Bitcoin Hyper’s development for both short-term volatility and long-term growth opportunities.
On August 15, on-chain data revealed major Dogecoin (DOGE) whales amassed 2 billion tokens (~$448M) last week, driving Dogecoin trading volume up 10% despite a 6.3% price dip. Technical analysis shows DOGE facing key resistances at a June sell-off zone and a descending triangle trendline. Bullish signals include a rebound from the 200 EMA and support at the 50 EMA on the 4-hour chart. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s repost of the original Doge meme underscores ongoing bullish sentiment. Traders are eyeing the new meme coin Maxi Doge (MAXI) presale for potential high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
A four-week-old interview clip of Mark Yusko, Morgan Creek Capital’s CIO, was republished by XRP advocate Digital Asset Investor (DAI) this week. In the clip, Yusko admits he “kind of stands by” calling XRP a “scam” and argues that price moves reflect order flow rather than improved functionality.
Scott “The Wolf of All Streets” Melker quickly distanced himself from the “scam” claim. Melker says he does not think XRP is fraudulent and is surprised by Yusko’s blunt remarks. He dismissed the broader “dinosaur” coin narrative applied to XRP and Ethereum.
XRP supporters on Crypto-Twitter countered the renewed FUD. Analyst Cryptoinsightuk noted that XRP is no more a scam than Bitcoin (BTC) or the US dollar. Lawyer Bill Morgan called anti-XRP claims “deliberate FUD.” They also cited the SEC’s August 2025 settlement with Ripple, which cleared XRP of fraud but imposed a $125 million fine and restrictions on institutional sales.
Impact on trading could be muted. The debate underscores sensitivity around FUD and regulatory history, but the SEC ruling has already reduced uncertainty. Traders may watch XRP liquidity and on-chain metrics for clearer signals.
Solana whale wallets holding over 10,000 SOL surged to a record 5,224, according to Glassnode data cited by analyst Ali Martinez. This increase in Solana whale wallets occurred even as SOL price dipped 4% to $197.27, a level 32.9% below its all-time high. Martinez views this surge as a final “buy-the-dip” opportunity before a potential rally toward $360. On the daily chart, SOL respects a long-term ascending support line, with RSI at 61.5 and a positive MACD suggesting further upside. Key resistance stands at $209, $272.23, and the $320–$360 range, while downside risks include $185.74, $167.47, and $154.64. Traders should monitor whale accumulation and technical levels for entry points, as the current dip may offer a strategic opening ahead of an anticipated rally.
He Yi, co-founder and executive of Binance, grew up in a poor Sichuan village. She overcame early hardships—losing her father at nine and selling drinks at 16—to become a billionaire holding 10% of Binance. When CEO Changpeng Zhao faced legal issues and imprisonment, He Yi stepped into the spotlight. She led customer service, marketing, and crisis management, retrieving a student’s $500 crypto loss. Binance maintained its position as the world’s largest exchange despite a $4.3 billion US penalty and Zhao’s departure. Under He Yi’s influence, Binance adopted user-centric policies: all new hires start in customer support and executives engage directly with users on messaging platforms. The company also introduced formal governance with a seven-member board. He Yi predicts deeper crypto integration into traditional finance through stablecoins and blockchain. Today’s Binance success underscores her “customer-first” strategy and resilience, as she navigates regulatory challenges and shapes the future of cryptocurrency trading.
Ourbit has been confirmed as the title sponsor and largest single backer of Taipei Blockchain Week 2025 (TBW2025), committing $100,000. The three-day event runs from September 4 to 6, 2025, at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei. TBW2025 adopts the theme “Onboard AI” to explore the fusion of artificial intelligence and decentralized blockchain technology. At the conference, Ourbit will host a booth to showcase its high-speed trading engine, improved meme token liquidity and trend-detection tools. The exchange will also highlight its platform security investments. Attendees can join interactive activities and meet the Ourbit team to learn about new products and services.
Estonian banker Rain Lõhmus has permanently lost the private key to a cold wallet holding 250,000 ETH—purchased for $75,000 during Ethereum’s 2014 presale. On-chain data from Arkham Intelligence shows no significant transfers since acquisition, leaving roughly $1.2B in ETH at current prices (~$4,700/ETH) irrecoverable. Lõhmus admits he often forgets passwords and cannot retrieve the lost private key.
This incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous private key security and self-custody best practices. Traders should back up seed phrases across multiple secure locations, use hardware wallets, and routinely test recovery procedures. As Ethereum continues to underpin DeFi and NFTs, this case serves as a stark reminder that lost private key access can render substantial crypto holdings inaccessible permanently.
Sui (SUI) slid 6% to $3.81 after over $1.5 billion in liquidations on leveraged positions across Binance, OKX, Bybit and Gate. Charts from analyst Ali Martinez show SUI breaking out of a long-term symmetrical triangle above the 0.618 Fibonacci level at $3.57, now acting as support. This breakout sets immediate targets at $5.25, followed by $6.90–$7.00. Martinez forecasts a rise to $4.90, a brief pullback, then a climb toward the $6.90–$7.00 zone in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Sui-based DeFi TVL stands near record levels at $2.15 billion, up from $500 million last year, reflecting growing ecosystem activity despite short-term dips. 21Shares has also expanded European exposure by listing two new ETPs on the SIX Swiss Exchange: the 21Shares Sui Staking ETP (ASUI) and the 21Shares XDC Network ETP (XDCN). Traders should watch SUI’s support at $3.57 and the forecasted breakout path for potential bullish opportunities.
Galaxy Digital has moved 37,808 ETH—approximately $172 million—off multiple cryptocurrency exchanges within a 24-hour window, according to blockchain analytics firm The Data Nerd. This significant outflow joins another large withdrawal by a whale address, 0xE75, which pulled 17,591 ETH (around $81.5 million) from Coinbase. Such concentrated ETH withdrawals by institutional players and whales often signal reduced exchange liquidity and potential bullish sentiment, as assets removed from trading platforms are typically locked in custody or staking. Crypto traders should monitor exchange reserves and on-chain data: sustained outflows can tighten supply, influence short-term price swings, and reflect broader confidence in Ethereum’s long-term outlook.
BlockSec’s Phalcon alert system detected a suspicious transaction on Binance Smart Chain involving an unknown smart contract, resulting in a loss of approximately $19,000. The incident underscores ongoing smart contract security risks on Binance Smart Chain and highlights the importance of rigorous auditing and real-time monitoring. Crypto traders are advised to enhance due diligence, use trusted protocols, and implement risk management strategies when interacting with DeFi applications on BSC to mitigate potential losses.
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Binance Smart ChainSmart Contract SecurityBlockSec AlertDeFi RiskCrypto Loss