Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitcoin support was tested after prices dropped below $113,000 following a rapid rally to $124,128. The pullback was driven by rising Treasury yields, a hotter-than-expected July Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading and profit-taking. Leveraged liquidations added downward pressure, with data showing $559 million in position closures, including $487 million in long liquidations. The stronger U.S. inflation data kept Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations elevated. Short-term selling spread across risk assets. Bitcoin support near $113,000 appeared critical for market stability. Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) and XRP also fell amid broader risk-off flows, down 4.6%, 3.5% and 6.7% respectively. Traders should monitor upcoming Fed minutes, Jackson Hole remarks and Treasury yield movements for clues on recovery. Stable or easing yield trends could help Bitcoin support hold. However, persistent inflation pressure or further liquidations may extend the pullback.

The Altcoin Season Index from CoinMarketCap has remained in the mid-40s—dropping to 43 on August 19 and edging up to 45 on August 20—well below the 50 threshold that signals a Bitcoin Season. This index measures the performance of the top 100 cryptocurrencies against Bitcoin over the past 90 days, indicating that fewer than 25% of altcoins have outperformed BTC. Market volatility and investors’ de-risking strategies, coupled with Bitcoin’s large market cap, halving anticipation, and rising institutional inflows, are driving capital into BTC as a safer asset. Traders should prioritize Bitcoin accumulation, apply strict risk management, and take selective altcoin positions in projects with solid fundamentals. Key indicators of a return to Altcoin Season include Bitcoin price stabilization, a decline in Bitcoin dominance, and the emergence of new narratives in DeFi, NFTs, and Layer 2 solutions. Monitoring the Altcoin Season Index will help crypto traders adjust their portfolios—focusing on Bitcoin during the current consolidation and preparing for future altcoin rallies.

US spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw ETF outflows for a second day, underscoring negative market sentiment. Bitcoin fell below its short-term support at $117,000 and dropped under $113,000. Ethereum also breached the $4,200 level. Overall liquidations reached $450 million, with $368 million in long positions, and Ethereum longs suffered heaviest losses. The market has cleared excess long liquidity around $113,800 for Bitcoin and $4,165 for Ethereum. Traders now target $112,000 as critical long-term support. The upcoming Fed Chair Powell speech on Friday adds volatility risk, as ETF outflows may intensify and drive further market pullbacks.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins said only a few crypto tokens qualify as securities, marking a shift in US crypto regulation post-Gary Gensler. Speaking with Cointelegraph, Atkins argued most tokens fall outside SEC oversight, focusing enforcement on a limited number of assets. The comments suggest a more restrained approach that could reduce compliance burdens and legal risks for crypto projects and traders.

Onchain Lens data shows that singer-turned-trader Wong Lik Sing recorded a combined $13.68 million unrealized loss on his high-leverage crypto positions amid the recent market downturn. He held 25x ETH, 40x BTC, 10x HYPE and 5x PUMP long trades, which plunged into deep red as prices fell. The unrealized loss highlights the risks of leveraged trading during volatile phases. Market participants are reminded that rapid price swings can trigger margin calls and wipe out capital. Traders should reassess exposure and implement strict risk management to mitigate similar losses.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index Falls to 44, Signaling Fear According to Alternative data on August 20, the crypto market’s Fear and Greed Index plunged to 44 from 56 the previous day. This shift moved sentiment from “Greed” into “Fear,” highlighting growing caution among traders. The Fear and Greed Index tracks market momentum, volatility, social media trends, and trading volume to gauge investor mood. Readings below 50 indicate prevailing fear, often leading to reduced buying pressure and heightened risk aversion in the short term. Traders should watch for increased volatility and potential oversold opportunities as market sentiment remains under pressure.

Bhutan executed a major Bitcoin transfer on August 18, moving 799.69 BTC (≈$92 million) into two new wallets. This marks the third significant Bitcoin transfer in mid-August, following 517 BTC on August 5 and another batch to Cobo custody on August 7. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham suggests these Bitcoin transfers may head to a centralized exchange, likely Binance. The news comes as Bitcoin’s price slipped from a mid-August peak of $124,500 to around $115,300, fueling sell-pressure speculation. Bhutan, now the world’s sixth-largest sovereign BTC holder with about 9,969 BTC (≈$1.15 billion), has not confirmed any sell-off. Traders should monitor on-chain data and exchange inflows to distinguish potential profit-taking from routine custody restructuring.

OKB has exploded higher, rising 12.28% in the past 24 hours and extending its year-to-date gains to 180%. Over the last 48 hours, spot investors scooped up $3.69 million in OKB, moving tokens into private wallets. Derivatives traders followed suit, boosting long exposure and lifting the open interest weighted funding rate to 0.0098%. The long/short ratio stands at 1.10, signaling that buyers dominate futures activity. On the price chart, OKB is confined within a bullish triangle pattern, currently testing resistance near $142. A clean breakout above this level could pave the way for a new all-time high. Technical indicators support the upside scenario: the Money Flow Index (MFI) sits at 73.58, indicating sustained inflows, while the Average Directional Index (ADX) is climbing, confirming trend strength. Traders should watch liquidity flows, funding rate shifts, and the bullish triangle breakout. A decisive move above resistance may trigger further buying and a fresh record high for OKB.

Bitcoin has stalled below the $120,000 resistance, indicating a potential downward trend. The recent loss of the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) suggests a shift to bearish momentum. Key support levels now lie at the 100-day EMA around $110,500 and the 200-day EMA near $103,000. With the Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropping below 50 and low trading volumes, sellers may dominate in the short term. Dogecoin remains in a medium-term bullish structure as its 50-day EMA stays above the 100- and 200-day EMAs. The price is testing the 50-day EMA support; if this holds, DOGE could retest resistance between $0.24 and $0.26. However, a break below the 50-day EMA risks a drop to $0.21 and potentially $0.20. Shiba Inu approaches the apex of a symmetrical triangle, signaling an imminent breakout. A bearish EMA cross (50 falling below 100) could push SHIB under $0.000012. Conversely, a rally above $0.000014–$0.000015 may trigger a volatility-driven surge toward $0.000017. Traders should watch for confirmation of support or a decisive breakout to gauge the next major move.

On-chain analyst Ai Auntie flagged an ETH whale liquidation as a lead holder began trimming a 12,500 ETH long when prices dipped. Around August 19, the whale sold 1,300.47 ETH to avoid liquidating at a price near $4,177. The next day, August 20, the trader closed an additional $125,000 long, retaining $770,000 principal. This ETH whale liquidation highlights how big sell orders can intensify downward pressure and trigger price swings. Traders should watch key on-chain signals: liquidation levels, open interest, and liquidity metrics. Monitoring these indicators helps anticipate short-term moves and assess market volatility.

Market sentiment has turned bearish, with Bitcoin repeatedly rejected at the $120,000 resistance and slipping below its 50-day EMA. This downturn is influencing altcoins, notably Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. Dogecoin has found support at its 50-day EMA, around $0.25, a level traders are watching closely. A sustained hold above this moving average could trigger a rebound towards the 100-day EMA near $0.30. Shiba Inu sits at the base of a symmetrical triangle, trading between $0.000014 and $0.000015. A decisive breakout above this range may spark a volatility-driven rally. Conversely, a drop below the triangle support could extend the bearish trend. Key indicators for crypto traders include Bitcoin’s EMA crossovers, Dogecoin’s ability to maintain its 50-day EMA, and Shiba Inu’s triangle breakout. Monitoring these patterns will be critical for anticipating short-term price moves and potential trend reversals.

Coinglass data shows crypto liquidations surged to $532 million in 24 hours, with Ethereum liquidations amounting to $199 million. Long positions worth $460 million were closed, driving 148,745 trader liquidations globally. The largest single crypto liquidation occurred on Binance’s BTC/USDT market at $9.695 million. This wave of crypto liquidations reflects intensified deleveraging across spot and derivatives markets.

Chainlink has launched an on-chain crypto treasury reserve that auto-converts enterprise fees and stablecoins into LINK, depositing 109,661.68 LINK (≈$2.6 M) so far. Meanwhile, Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson proposed allocating 5–10% of its $1.2 B ADA treasury into Bitcoin and stablecoins, generating annual yield to fund perpetual ADA buybacks. Separately, World Liberty Financial plans a $1.5 B corporate-style crypto treasury via Nasdaq-listed ALT5 Sigma shares, holding half proceeds in WLFI tokens and half in cash. These active crypto treasury strategies—on-chain revenue conversion, asset reallocation and corporate funding vehicles—mark a shift from passive reserves to demand-generating models. Traders should watch liquidity impacts, governance transparency and scale relative to daily volumes to assess short- and long-term token demand and price stability.

The White House is eyeing Budapest as the venue for a potential trilateral summit involving U.S., Russian and Ukrainian leaders. According to two anonymous sources cited by Politico, preparations are underway by the U.S. Secret Service for this Budapest peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin favors Moscow, while French President Macron and Switzerland’s foreign minister have pushed for Geneva. Hungary’s capital recalls the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Ukraine’s security assurances, which proved ineffective in 2014. This proposed summit marks a new diplomatic push to negotiate an end to the ongoing Ukraine war.

Meta Platforms (META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is undertaking a Meta AI restructuring to enhance the company’s competitive position in artificial intelligence. According to the New York Times, Meta will divide its Meta Super Intelligence Lab into four specialized teams: AI Research, Superintelligence Development, Product Implementation, and Infrastructure & Data Centers. The Meta AI restructuring aims to streamline operations and accelerate AI product development across the company. Insiders indicate that some senior AI executives may depart, and Meta is evaluating potential staff reductions or transfers to other divisions. This organizational change underscores Meta’s strategy to drive innovation and better compete with rivals in the AI sector.

On August 20, the US stock close saw a mixed session with the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging higher, the S&P 500 slipping 0.58%, and the Nasdaq Composite retreating 1.46%. The US stock close was marked by a standout rally in Intel, which soared 6.97%, offset by a 3% drop in Nvidia and a 2% decline in Meta Platforms. The Nasdaq Gold Dragon China Index also ended the session down 0.9%. Traders assessed the market for signs of tech sector rotation, as Intel’s surge highlights shifting investor sentiment amid a broader Nasdaq decline.

An Eagle Equities executive has proposed a crypto trading ban to shift investor focus onto the Philippine stock market. Joey Roxas, president of Eagle Equities, argued that crypto “does not do anything for the Philippine economy” and that banning crypto trading could accelerate growth in local equities. Any steps toward a crypto trading ban will likely trigger pushback from web3 communities. The SEC, however, recently clarified that its new rules for Crypto Asset Service Providers support legal trading rather than a ban. Web3 leaders swiftly rejected the proposal. GCash executive Luis Buenaventura compared banning crypto to shutting down Spotify to boost radio, while WAV3 founder Raine Laluna warned against decisions based on fear. Block Tides CEO Myrtle Anne urged regulators to “upgrade the rails” instead of blaming crypto for market stagnation. Social media reactions were largely negative. Many comments highlighted crypto’s liquidity and accessibility over stocks, called for structural reforms, and noted that a ban would drive traders offshore. Critics also pointed out that modern markets should embrace digital assets, citing global examples of crypto adoption. The debate underlines ongoing friction between traditional finance and web3 advocates. Traders should monitor regulatory developments, as any move toward stricter crypto regulations could affect market sentiment and liquidity.

Ethereum short interest has surged to a historic high of 18,438 leveraged contracts, marking the largest bearish bet in ETH’s history. This build-up increases liquidation risk if the price rallies and triggers a short squeeze. After slipping below the $4,300 support zone, ETH faces potential downside toward $4,000 or even $3,900 on a break below $4,200. However, institutional accumulation, declining exchange supply and growing ETF inflows provide strong bullish fundamentals. Traders are watching whether ETH can defend the $4,200–$4,250 demand level, which aligns with the 100-day moving average, before attempting a rebound toward the $4,500–$4,600 resistance range. With volatility elevated and open interest high, Ethereum short interest dynamics could dictate the token’s next major move.

Ethereum price is closing in on its 2021 high of $4,878 and eyeing the $5,000 milestone. The launch of eight spot ETH ETFs in July 2024 triggered over $1 billion in first-day trading volume and $108 million in net inflows, forcing issuers to buy real ETH on exchanges. The March 2024 Dencun hard fork introduced EIP-4844 proto-danksharding, cutting Layer-2 fees and boosting transaction speed. Broader crypto momentum—driven by Bitcoin’s rally and easing macro conditions—has supported Ethereum price alongside other top assets. Meanwhile, filings by VanEck and 21Shares for US spot SOL ETFs hint at a potential Solana ETF wave, though approval and liquidity will determine its impact. Traders should monitor ETF flow reversals, network risks and regulatory shifts that could spark volatility.

Tether hires a former White House crypto policy director to lead its US stablecoin strategy. This move enhances regulatory engagement and positions Tether ahead in the competitive stablecoin market. The new hire, previously responsible for developing national digital asset frameworks, will oversee compliance, policy and government relations for USDT. Tether currently dominates the stablecoin market with over $100 billion in circulation. Demand for regulated US-based stablecoins soars amid tighter SEC and Congressional scrutiny. The appointment underlines Tether’s commitment to regulatory adherence and expansion as rivals like USDC, BUSD and DAI vie for market share. Tether expects stablecoin growth to align with evolving legislation, including the STABLE Act. Analysts view the hire as a bullish signal for USDT adoption, potentially reinforcing market confidence and liquidity. Stablecoin traders should note increased institutional support and possible policy-driven volatility.

Market analysts warn that Bitcoin’s price stability may increasingly hinge on large-scale corporate treasury purchases, particularly by MicroStrategy. Independent expert Nick G. criticizes CEO Michael Saylor for issuing new shares below promised valuations, undermining trust and impairing the firm’s financing capacity. This share dilution raises concerns over MicroStrategy’s ability to fund further Bitcoin acquisitions, linking its financial health closely to Bitcoin’s performance. Experts argue that while corporate buying can stabilize prices by absorbing sell pressure, it also introduces systemic risks: asset sell-offs or financing failures by key institutions could trigger sharp market downturns. MicroStrategy’s stock fluctuations now mirror Bitcoin’s volatility, reducing the influence of smaller investors. Observers warn that financing missteps could erode market confidence and precipitate a new bear cycle in the cryptocurrency sector. Traders should monitor institutional treasury flows and MicroStrategy’s capital strategies as indicators of broader market resilience. The evolving role of corporate holdings in Bitcoin markets underscores heightened uncertainties for both traders and regulators.

Cryptocurrencies and crypto-linked stocks dropped sharply as traders await the Fed’s July meeting minutes on Aug. 20 and Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech on Aug. 22. Bitcoin fell 3.2% to below $114,000, ether slid 5.3% under $4,200, XRP tumbled 6.2%, and ADA sank 8%. Mining and exchange stocks like MARA, COIN and MSTR lost up to 7.4%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell less than 1.5%. Eight factors argue against a September rate cut: tariff-driven cost pass-through, sticky inflation data, corporate limits on absorbing tariffs, mixed economic signals, policy uncertainty, historical tariff shocks, upcoming forward indicators and internal Fed divisions. Higher-for-longer rate expectations curb liquidity and raise financing costs, deepening the crypto sell-off. Traders will look to Fed minutes and Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks for signals on rate-cut timing.

Ethereum price fell below $4,200 on August 19, sliding to $4,195.08 on OKX after a 3.47% decline. Selling pressure continued the next day, with Ethereum price dipping under $4,100 to $4,091.72 on August 20, a 2.39% intraday drop. Traders are closely watching the $4,100 and $4,000 support levels for signs of a rebound. Market volume and sentiment will be crucial to assess whether bears will drive further declines or if bulls can defend these key thresholds.

Tron Network has announced a strategic integration that enables TRX to be natively supported in MetaMask, the leading self-custodial crypto wallet. This MetaMask integration aims to improve global accessibility and on-chain adoption of TRX across diverse regions. Following the announcement, TRX trading volume jumped 10% to $1.25 billion despite broader market declines. The price of TRX held strong at the $0.35 support level, limiting intraday losses to under 1%. Technical analysis shows that TRX trading above its 20-day moving average ($0.34) and an RSI of 60.7 indicate cautious bullish momentum. If the current support holds, TRX could test resistance at $0.37 and potentially reach $0.40 in the coming weeks. Conversely, a break below $0.34 would bring attention to downside levels near $0.32 and $0.31. Traders should monitor volume and on-chain metrics for confirmation of this trend.

BitMEX offers three core crypto basis trading strategies. They enable traders to earn interest income without taking Bitcoin price risk. The first strategy, cash and carry, involves buying spot BTC and shorting the XBTU23 futures contract. This locks in a positive basis spread for a guaranteed return at expiry. The second strategy uses the perpetual swap XBTUSD. By holding spot BTC and shorting the swap, traders capture the funding rate when it is positive. The third strategy executes curve trades between futures and swaps. Curve flattening sells futures and buys swaps if the basis curve is expected to narrow. Curve steepening buys futures and sells swaps when the curve is set to widen. All crypto basis trading strategies eliminate Bitcoin directional risk by hedging spot and derivative positions. Traders must manage margin and leverage to avoid liquidation. Professional traders use these basis trading strategies for steady, volatility-adjusted yields on BitMEX.

Qubic community led by Sergey Ivancheglo seized over 77.54% of Monero’s hashrate and executed a 51% attack, prompting concerns about proof-of-work network security after Kraken paused XMR deposits. Following a Discord vote, Qubic is now targeting Dogecoin, which uses the Scrypt algorithm and is merge-mined with Litecoin, forming a combined network hashrate of about 3.47 PH/s (DOGE) and 2.78 PH/s (LTC)—over a million times larger than Monero’s. Mounting a 51% attack on Dogecoin would require months of development; even capturing 0.1% of the Dogecoin-Litecoin network would yield more computational power than the entire Monero network, rising to 1% for an 11,000-fold advantage. Traders should watch for potential volatility as any real threat to Dogecoin’s network integrity could undermine investor confidence and trigger market contagion.

The U.S. Treasury has opened a public comment window through October 17 to evaluate novel stablecoin monitoring tools as required by the GENIUS Act. The consultation will assess the effectiveness, cost, privacy and cybersecurity risks of systems designed to track illicit stablecoin activity. Feedback will inform proposed rules expected in early 2026, with final regulations by mid-2026 and enforcement from 2027. Under the GENIUS Act, issuers must comply with lawful orders to seize, freeze, burn or block stablecoin transfers. Stablecoin issuers are also poised to become major buyers of U.S. Treasury bills, with Tether ranking as the 18th largest T-bill holder in Q2. Meanwhile, the banking lobby’s Bank Policy Institute has urged Congress to close interest-payment “loopholes” on payment stablecoins, warning of a potential $6.6 trillion shift from bank deposits to digital dollars that could strain bank lending. This public consultation aims to balance innovation, market stability and regulatory oversight of digital assets.

This guide explains how to trade XBT/USD futures with leverage on BitMEX. Using reverse futures contracts, traders can amplify exposure: with 1 XBT margin and 25x leverage, you control 25 XBT notional at the $30,000 XBT/USD futures price, equating to 750,000 contracts. A 10% price move on the XBT/USD futures contract—from $30,000 to $33,000—yields a 2.5 XBT profit for long positions; short positions gain similarly if prices fall. Each XBT/USD futures contract represents $1 of Bitcoin at any price, so a 1% move in the XBT/USD rate changes the notional value by 1%. Beyond quarterly XBT/USD futures, BitMEX offers perpetual contracts and a full suite of crypto derivatives. Traders can explore all products in BitMEX’s listings and stay informed via official Discord, Telegram, and Twitter channels for updates and advanced leverage strategies.

This article reviews five major Fed rate cut cycles since 1990 and their distinct market outcomes. Preventive cuts (1995–98, 2019–21) generally fueled rallies, while crisis-driven cuts (2001–03, 2007–09) coincided with downturns. In 1990–92, cuts eased recession pressures and Nasdaq rose 47.4%. The 1995–98 preventive cycle amid Asia’s crisis saw Nasdaq jump 134.6%. By contrast, post-dot-com and post-Lehman cuts failed to lift equities. The 2019–21 preventive cut, amplified by pandemic liquidity, drove a 166.7% Nasdaq surge and powered crypto’s 2021 bull run. Crypto markets mirror liquidity cycles: 2017’s ICO boom and 2021’s DeFi, NFT, and multi-chain frenzy. Today’s environment resembles preventive easing: stablecoin compliance, ETF inflows, and RWA tokenization are aligning. With $7.2 trillion in money-market funds poised for reallocation, altcoins and ETH are already up 50%, though valuations and macro risks remain high. Traders should note that Fed rate cuts and liquidity remain key triggers for crypto bull runs, but selective positioning in robust sectors is essential.