Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Renewed pressure from former President Trump over a Federal Reserve headquarters renovation budget prompted threats to remove Chair Jerome Powell. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Trump against dismissing Powell, saying it could undermine Fed independence and destabilize markets. Powell responded by reaffirming his commitment to Fed independence and legal safeguards. He will complete his term through May 2026 and can remain on the Board of Governors until January 2028. Yellen is also vetting potential successors and has suggested Powell resign his board seat alongside his chairmanship to avoid governance confusion. For cryptocurrency traders, Fed independence means policy will stay data-driven with limited chance of premature rate cuts. Restrained liquidity is likely to weigh on Bitcoin and other risk assets in the short term. Traders should monitor Fed communications closely for guidance on interest-rate paths and market stability.

Dogecoin (DOGE) confirmed a textbook double bottom breakout after clearing the $0.24–$0.25 neckline. The token traded around $0.2525 at press time, up over 5% in 24 hours, with daily volume surging more than 100%. Whale accumulation reached 1.08 billion DOGE over 48 hours, signaling strong institutional interest and added liquidity. Social dominance rose to 3.57%, its highest level since early Q1 2025, indicating renewed retail engagement. On-chain metrics show the MVRV Z-score climbed to 1.35, suggesting many holders are in profit, while the NVT ratio hit 121, warning of potential overvaluation if network usage lags price gains. Key resistance lies at $0.30; a sustained break above this level could set DOGE on a path toward the $0.42 target implied by its double bottom pattern. Traders should monitor trading volume, on-chain demand and potential profit-taking near psychological levels.

Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX detected abnormal withdrawal activity early Sunday, triggering alerts of a suspected hot wallet hack that moved $44.2M. The team immediately paused withdrawals and retained Chainalysis for a blockchain forensics investigation. Preliminary analysis points to a third-party API vulnerability exploited to transfer BTC, ETH and USDT. CoinDCX flags the compromised addresses and is collaborating with law enforcement to recover assets. Customer funds in cold wallets remain safe and are fully insured. Trading and deposits have resumed under strengthened security protocols. CoinDCX plans to implement multi-signature controls and an external security audit within 30 days. Despite allegations of lost customer assets, CoinDCX reiterates that no user balances were affected. This security breach highlights the need for robust cybersecurity, transparency and risk management in crypto exchanges.

The U.S. GENIUS Act introduces strict stablecoin regulations. Stablecoin issuers must keep one-to-one dollar reserves, register with the Treasury, and meet AML, KYC and sanctions compliance. The Act also directs the Federal Reserve to explore a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC). Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino praised the GENIUS Act for boosting legal certainty, protecting consumers, and attracting fintech talent back to the U.S. Senators Lummis and Gillibrand say the bill will safeguard market stability and cement America’s leadership in digital finance. Critics warn the new rules grant unprecedented financial surveillance powers and could serve as a backdoor to a CBDC. Economist Saifedean Ammous notes digital dollars already act as de facto CBDCs under state oversight. Experts Jean Rausis and Michael Egorov warn that centralizing stablecoins risks regulatory capture, reserve seizures, and stifled innovation. For crypto traders, the GENIUS Act may alter liquidity dynamics, shift risk profiles, and reshape privacy safeguards. Market participants should track regulatory developments to adjust their trading strategies. Many may explore truly decentralized alternatives and privacy-focused solutions to protect autonomy. This stablecoin regulation marks the most significant overhaul in U.S. digital finance and could redefine market norms.

Ethereum price broke above $3,600, igniting a memecoin rally as traders chase high returns. In the latest altcoin surge, Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped 10% to $0.236 on $16.8 billion volume, lifting weekly gains to 23% amid whale buys. Meme coin Pepe Coin (PEPE) saw trading volumes spike and whales accumulate positions, pushing PEPE toward its all-time high. Meanwhile, Pepeto (PEPETO) presale offers tokens at $0.000000141 with up to 92× potential returns, drawing investor interest. Despite Ethereum’s ongoing rally, crypto volatility remains high—traders should monitor sudden price swings in DOGE and other memecoin assets when analyzing real-time data during this altcoin boom.

The GENIUS Act, signed on July 18 2025, has provided regulatory certainty for dollar-backed stablecoins by requiring federally licensed or state-supervised issuers to maintain 1:1 USD reserves, undergo monthly audits and submit to oversight, excluding algorithmic and non-USD pegs. This regulatory clarity from the GENIUS Act has boosted market confidence in compliant stablecoins. In response, Ripple minted 10 million RLUSD tokens, driving its market cap to $527 million, and appointed Bank of New York Mellon as reserve custodian to enhance institutional credibility. Analysts at Standard Chartered project the stablecoin market could reach $2 trillion by 2028 under such conditions. Together, these developments position RLUSD and the XRP Ledger for accelerated retail and institutional adoption.

Bitcoin advocate Peter McCormack, owner of Real Bedford FC, has launched a private security pilot in Bedford town centre, funding ten Belmont Guard officers to patrol every Saturday in August. The £10,000 private security initiative responds to rising crime—shoplifting, aggressive begging and crack addiction—citing police inaction. McCormack notified local authorities and plans a public meeting on July 24 at Real Coffee to gather community feedback. Legal advisers warn of potential vigilantism risks under UK law. The pilot, criticized as a ’political stunt’, aims to pressure the police and council; future expansion hinges on community response. While the move reflects growing private security roles, it has no direct impact on cryptocurrency prices.

Crypto presales are heating up, with multiple projects attracting early investors. Nexchain’s Layer-2 solution has accelerated its presale, raising over $6.6 million to date and offering NEX tokens at $0.086 in Stage 22 ahead of a planned $0.30 listing; its testnet launches on August 8. Meanwhile, WeWake Finance opened its whitelist for gasless Layer-2 transactions and smart wallets via a Paymaster API and SDKs. Cardano’s ADA, by contrast, shows limited momentum, trading near $0.95 resistance after a 5% monthly decline. More recently, five additional presale projects emerged on major launchpads: DexBoss (DEBO, $0.011) enables smart wallet tracking on Solana; AurealOne (DLUME, $0.0013) targets Web3 gaming; Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) combines meme coin appeal with deflationary burns and Bitcoin-based airdrops; and Token6900 (T6900) offers community-driven DeFi tokenomics and staking incentives. These crypto presales carry high reward potential—up to 400% for some—but also elevated risk. Traders should assess tokenomics, team credibility and market demand before participating in any presale.

Justin Sun, advisor to HTX, transferred 50,600 ETH from HTX to Binance via Aave redemption and a recovery wallet. This transfer adds to a week-long outflow of 160,600 ETH (≈$518M). Large Ethereum inflows to Binance often signal potential selling pressure and increased market liquidity. However, major whales also boosted their Ethereum holdings. On-chain data shows SharpLink bought 4,904 ETH, and address 0x9684 withdrew 19,550 ETH this week. Institutional firm BlackRock acquired 158,875 ETH in one day and 307,461 ETH over two days, raising its total to 2.46M ETH. Ethereum’s price jumped 20% to $3,566 in seven days. Traders should watch Ethereum exchange inflows, order book depth, and whale accumulation for near-term volatility and market direction.

In the debate of Solana vs Mutuum Finance, Solana (SOL) remains a leading layer-1 blockchain with high throughput, low fees and a robust DeFi and NFT ecosystem. Its mature staking model and growing institutional adoption position SOL as a lower-risk choice for conservative traders. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is emerging as a DeFi disruptor. It has raised over $12.7 million in its presale with 13,700+ investors, launched a $50,000 CertiK bug bounty and a $100,000 community giveaway. Its dual-lending model and penalty-backed tokenomics adjust rates via smart contracts and reduce sell pressure. Traders comparing Solana vs Mutuum Finance should note SOL’s stable network and liquidity support reliable long-term ROI. In contrast, Mutuum Finance offers higher volatility and the potential for outsized gains if adoption grows. Portfolio allocation should reflect individual risk appetite and investment horizon.

Avalanche’s AVAX has achieved a major technical breakout above a multi-month descending channel and the key AVAX/BTC resistance line. This decisive close above $26 confirms renewed bullish momentum. On-chain metrics—rising funding rates and growing open interest—highlight trader confidence and reinforce a bullish on-chain bias. Earlier technical analysis showed strong 1-hour buy signals but medium-term exhaustion near $23.24, with AVAX consolidating around $22.80–$23.00. Key support levels at $22.60, $22.00–22.20 and $21.60–$21.80 now provide pullback opportunities for strategic entries. Analysts project targets of $32–$35 in the next one to two weeks for Avalanche’s AVAX, with a potential peak at $47 if it sustains the $26–27 zone. Traders should watch for consolidation and manage risk during retracements while positioning for this breakout-driven rally.

Ethereum short squeeze intensifies as leveraged short positions exceed $1 billion, with another 10% price rise potentially triggering additional liquidations. ETH has rallied about 20% over the past week to $3,610 on Bitstamp, building on a 150% YTD gain. Funding rates on perpetual swaps have flipped positive, and derivatives open interest is at multi-month highs. Bulls cite a MACD golden cross, RSI above 60, reduced sell pressure from EIP-1559 burns, and the upcoming Shanghai upgrade as catalysts. Bitcoin dominance has dipped to 61.4%, prompting capital rotation into altcoins like ETH and XRP. Analysts see Ethereum aiming for $4,000—up 15–20%—but warn of risks from U.S. monetary policy shifts and large‐scale profit‐taking. Traders should monitor funding rates, open interest, liquidation levels, and BTC dominance to gauge momentum and manage risk.

Taker Protocol, a Bitcoin liquidity layer founded by Angel Xu in 2021, is set to list its TAKER token on Binance Alpha on July 18, 2025, at 10:00 UTC. Binance has integrated on-chain trading for TAKER, enhancing security and transparency. Traders can claim 1,000 TAKER tokens in a first-come, first-served airdrop by spending 15 Binance Alpha Points, with at least 165 points required. Claims must be confirmed within 24 hours via the Binance Alpha Events page or they will lapse. OkX has also launched an airdrop checker allowing users to import MetaMask wallets to verify eligibility. Taker Protocol uses a Nominated Proof-of-Liquidity consensus and supports staking of BTC, ORDI, and WBTC, with rewards from fees and block rewards. Its ecosystem includes native swaps, lending, gaming, and cross-chain universal accounts via Particlentwrk. The Lite Mining and Sowing programs distribute TAKER through daily tasks and social engagement. Traders should review Taker Protocol’s tokenomics, roadmap, and whitepaper, and manage risk accordingly.

Crypto analyst Jason Pizzino forecasts further Bitcoin gains driven by US dollar weakness and a breakout in equity markets, notably the S&P 500. A softer USD boosts demand for alternative assets like Bitcoin, which has historically mirrored bullish equity trends. However, increasing corporate Bitcoin holdings may signal a late-stage bull cycle. Firms adding BTC to their balance sheets have seen stock gains tied more to crypto exposure than core operations, heightening leverage risk. Traders should leverage robust risk management and monitor macro indicators—US dollar trends, equity performance, and corporate accumulation patterns—to navigate potential volatility and sharp price swings.

Ethereum futures volume reached $104.2 billion in 24 hours, outpacing Bitcoin’s $67.5 billion by over 50%. This surge in Ethereum futures volume aligns with a 21% weekly price rally, driven by record Ether ETF inflows. On July 17, U.S. Ether ETFs recorded $727 million in a single day, contributing to a tighter ETH supply and boosting the price to around $3,600. Open interest on ETH futures climbed 6.1% to $32.2 billion, while BTC open interest slid 1.4% to $64.2 billion. Funding rates remain moderate—0.0096% for ETH versus 0.01% for BTC—indicating rising speculative interest without market overheating. The convergence of rising ETF inflows and expanding futures activity suggests traders are positioning for further upside.

On-chain analytics and Whale Alert data reveal that Circle’s USDC supply surged by approximately $1.8 billion in the past week, including a notable $250 million mint, lifting total circulation to about $52 billion. Renewed institutional demand and fresh inflows from DeFi protocols are driving the USDC supply increase, as traders hedge against bitcoin and altcoin volatility by rotating into stablecoins. The expanded USDC liquidity enhances market depth, reduces slippage for large orders and opens up arbitrage opportunities across exchanges. USDC’s transparent reserves and regulatory compliance continue to attract cautious investors over alternatives like USDT and DAI. Crypto traders should monitor USDC liquidity metrics, diversify stablecoin holdings and explore DeFi yield strategies. This development underscores stablecoins’ critical role in deepening crypto liquidity and signals a bullish outlook for digital dollars.

Vanguard has unexpectedly become the largest shareholder of the Bitcoin shadow stock Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), acquiring over 20 million A-class shares (around 8% of stock) through its index funds. Strategy holds nearly $70 billion in Bitcoin on its balance sheet and trades at a 100%–200% premium over its net crypto reserves. The Bitcoin shadow stock Strategy has attracted passive index fund inflows, embedding BTC value into US equity indices. These dynamics reflect rising institutional demand for regulated Bitcoin exposure when direct holdings or ETFs are restricted. Other traditional funds, including Capital Group, also hold Strategy shares. Meanwhile, Strategy’s Bitcoin custody details remain confidential under SEC Rule 83, with filings hinting at nine leading custodians but no exact names. The company’s stock performance has been boosted by Bitcoin accumulation, ETF inflows and market optimism, sending MSTR to record highs. Traders should watch updates on Bitcoin custody, institutional buying, crypto treasury fund launches and Ethereum staking strategies pending SEC clarity.

PUMP token crashed 21% in 24 hours to $0.00406, slipping below its ICO price despite listings on OKX and BitMEX. The token’s initial 20% rally following a $30 million buyback proved short-lived, and a subsequent $2.3 million repurchase failed to stem the sell-off. On-chain data shows 59.6% of early investors have exited their positions, while only 3% boosted holdings. Trading volume hit $1.1 billion, but open interest on perpetual contracts tumbled 16% to $629 million. Competition from rival launchpads like LetsBONK.fun and a lack of token utility have further dampened sentiment. Analysts warn that without renewed investor confidence or a fresh catalyst, PUMP token may test new lows. Traders should manage risk amid high volatility.

Analysts identify a group of altcoins as key opportunities for 2025 breakouts and Q3 rallies. BlockDAG (BDAG) tops the list with its advanced scaling protocol, supporting over 100,000 transactions per second and attracting developer activity. For longer-term gains, XRP’s renewed institutional partnerships and clearer regulations drove a 15% month-on-month volume increase; Cardano’s Vasil and Hydra upgrades boost smart-contract throughput, while its DeFi ecosystem saw a 30% rise in total value locked; and Litecoin, approaching its 2023 halving, historically delivers around 80% gains in the year after halving. In the near term, BONK, SEI and PENGU are named top Q3 altcoin picks. Community-led BONK rallies on memecoin hype and new exchange listings. SEI’s Layer-1 blockchain recorded record volumes after launching staking incentives. PENGU’s metaverse partnerships have enhanced NFT trading and token utility. Traders should scale positions across these altcoins, aim for 20–30% price targets, and monitor mainnet launches, exchange listings, regulatory updates and volatility.

At least seven law firms, including Pomerantz LLP and Robbins Geller, have filed class-action lawsuits against Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), alleging securities fraud in its Bitcoin investment strategy. The suits claim the company overstated potential profits and downplayed risks after reporting a $5.9 billion unrealized Bitcoin loss in an April 7, 2025 8-K, which triggered an 8.7% share price drop. Crypto attorney Tyler Yagman warns these cases could take years to resolve and often stall. Despite legal scrutiny, Strategy added $472 million of Bitcoin on July 15, boosting its crypto treasury to over 601,550 BTC. Traders are now eyeing Strategy’s Q2 earnings report on July 31, with an expected EPS of –$0.10, to gauge how the ongoing Bitcoin loss and risk disclosures will affect financial results. CEO Michael Saylor’s commitment to using BTC as the company’s primary reserve asset remains unchanged. The handling of this Bitcoin loss and related legal challenges could influence corporate crypto strategies and investor confidence.

Hyper’s leading ETH trader on Hyper platform first trimmed its Ethereum long exposure by $6.97 million, then fully exited long positions, locking in a realized profit of $96,210. This move underscores disciplined risk management, precise market timing and profit realization in volatile conditions for ETH trading. Traders should monitor ETH trading metrics and long positions held by major players for insights into liquidity flows, price momentum and portfolio strategies within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Shane Donovan Moore, 37, a former Seattle semi-pro rugby player, was sentenced to 30 months in U.S. federal prison after pleading guilty to orchestrating a $900,000 crypto Ponzi scheme. From January 2021 to October 2022, his firm Quantum Donovan LLC falsely promised investors 1% daily returns from cryptocurrency mining operations. Instead of buying hardware, Moore used new investments to pay earlier backers and fund personal luxuries such as travel and electronics. This crypto fraud scheme cost over 40 victims across five states, with net losses totaling $387,000, according to the Department of Justice. Though Moore occasionally sent small amounts of cryptocurrency to reassure investors, no mining operations existed. The FBI’s investigation highlights a broader crackdown on crypto mining fraud and the growing prevalence of crypto Ponzi scams, serving as a warning to traders about the risks of too-good-to-be-true crypto offers and the importance of thorough due diligence.

Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen has moved another $26 million in XRP to Coinbase on July 18, adding to his 106 million XRP outflows since January. The transfer coincides with XRP’s recent rally—up 32% in days and nearing an all-time high—driven by growing XRP ETF speculation and enhanced regulatory clarity from the U.S. GENIUS Act. On-chain data shows Larsen still holds 332 million XRP, while institutional wallets have amassed over 2.2 billion XRP, boosting futures open interest to nearly $10 billion. Ripple’s strategic developments—including a joint U.S. National Trust Bank charter with Circle, a planned $300 million XRP treasury by Webus International, and the dropped SEC appeal—reinforce expectations for an XRP ETF debut. Traders should watch on-chain flows, ETF filings and regulatory updates, as the ProShares XRP Futures ETF launch could act as a near-term catalyst for further price gains.

Argot Collective, a leading non-profit Ethereum development group, has sold 600 ETH from its treasury to fund operational expenses, including research, infrastructure and salaries. The ETH sale, a strategic treasury management move, also supports asset diversification and highlights non-profit funding challenges in the Ethereum ecosystem. At 600 ETH, the volume is small relative to daily ETH trading, making significant price impact unlikely. Instead, the transaction underscores confidence in Ethereum’s long-term prospects and sets a precedent for prudent crypto treasury practices. Traders should view this ETH sale as an operational funding decision rather than a bearish signal, while monitoring similar treasury activities for insights into project health and strategy.

UK Labour has proposed banning crypto political donations from digital-asset firms and individuals whose income primarily derives from cryptocurrencies, citing risks of money laundering and foreign interference. This move, backed by Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden, aligns with broader UK crypto reforms—such as the OECD’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework from January 2026 and the FCA’s plan to bar retail investors from buying crypto with credit. Crypto UK, representing over 120 firms with $20 bn in assets, called the ban an attack on civil liberties that would stifle innovation. The group argues that crypto political donations are inherently transparent—recorded on public blockchains and monitored by the UK Electoral Commission—and urges balanced regulation to protect financial integrity and maintain the UK’s status as a global crypto hub. Critics caution that a blanket ban could alienate investors and weaken market growth. Traders should note the policy divergence as the US continues to accept crypto donations, underlining potential implications for global capital flows and market sentiment.

Aether Holdings, a Nasdaq-listed fintech platform with a $160 million market cap, has raised $40 million to execute a Bitcoin acquisition as part of its corporate treasury strategy. Allocating the bulk of proceeds to digital assets underscores Aether’s confidence in Bitcoin acquisition for inflation hedging, store-of-value diversification and potential asset appreciation. Joining the ranks of MicroStrategy and other institutional adopters, Aether benefits from matured custody solutions and clearer regulatory frameworks. While this move could enhance investor appeal and trading liquidity, traders should weigh price volatility, compliance challenges, custody security and accounting complexities. Broader institutional demand may drive NASDAQ:AETR volatility and shape crypto market dynamics.

Backpack has launched a no-fee FTX claims portal that lets global creditors in restricted regions sell debt claims directly to institutional buyers. The new FTX claims portal integrates identity verification, claim validation and settlement under an EU MiFID II license, streamlining liquidity and offer management in the secondary claims market. It targets roughly $470 million in deferred claims—$380 million from China and significant holdings in Russia—offering faster recovery for FTX creditors. Participation is voluntary; creditors must balance immediate payouts against potential future distributions from the FTX bankruptcy estate. Founded by former FTX insiders, Backpack rebounded from an 88% funding loss by acquiring FTX EU for €32.7 million and has since repaid over €53 million to creditors. This transparent, commission-free model may set a new standard for managing cryptocurrency bankruptcy claims and boost market efficiency.

Nasdaq-listed Bit Origin has launched a $500M Dogecoin treasury strategy. It raised $400M via equity and $100M through convertible bonds, deploying an initial $15M to buy DOGE. This move helped DOGE surge over 16% to $0.25. Similar firms like Neptune Digital Assets and Dogecoin Cash Inc. are also building Dogecoin treasuries. Meanwhile, institutional investors are extending their crypto reserves beyond Bitcoin into altcoins. AI tokens such as Bittensor (TAO) and Ethereum (ETH) saw large corporate purchases by TAO Synergies, SharpLink Gaming and Bit Digital. The strategy builds on a trend of institutional investment in meme coins. The Dogecoin treasury plan highlights rising institutional interest in meme coins and altcoins, which could drive further DOGE liquidity and price momentum.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 15–20% minimum EU tariffs on all European imports, rising to 30% after August 1 if no deal emerges. He rejected Brussels’ proposal to cut auto duties, keeping current 25% levies on cars. In response, the EU is preparing over €90 billion in countermeasures targeting U.S. goods, including bourbon, Boeing and digital services, with €21 billion of tariffs on chicken and jeans set for August 6. These EU tariffs and retaliatory measures have already lifted Q2 customs revenues by nearly $50 billion and pushed the S&P 500 down 0.2%, signalling broader market volatility. Crypto traders should watch for rising inflation and dollar strength, as heightened macro volatility from this trade war may trigger risk-off sentiment in crypto markets, leading to short-term sell-offs and higher crypto-equity correlation.