SharpLink Gaming continued its institutional ETH accumulation strategy by depositing $108 million in USDC to Galaxy Digital. The firm immediately used part of the funds to purchase 14,933 ETH at an average price of $3,550. The remaining $55.6 million USDC was allocated for future Ethereum buys.
Since June, this MicroStrategy-style approach has increased SharpLink’s reserves to 464,000 ETH. At a cost basis of $3,029 per ETH, the position is now worth $1.62 billion, yielding an unrealized gain of $214 million. On-chain analytics suggest the disciplined ETH accumulation signals growing institutional demand and confidence in Ethereum.
Traders should monitor on-chain flows and unrealized gains as indicators of short-term price momentum and long-term market support.
Bullish
ETH AccumulationInstitutional InvestmentEthereum DemandUSDC FlowsOn-Chain Analytics
Altcoin Season Index at 37 indicates a prevailing Bitcoin Season. The index tracks the performance of the top 100 cryptocurrencies against Bitcoin over 90 days, excluding stablecoins and wrapped tokens. A score of 37 shows fewer than 25% of altcoins have outperformed BTC, highlighting rising Bitcoin dominance.
This Altcoin Season Index update underscores how macroeconomic uncertainty, the upcoming Bitcoin halving, and growing institutional adoption via spot ETFs are driving funds toward Bitcoin. Traders face heightened risk in altcoin trading under these conditions.
Market cycles suggest altcoin rallies typically follow periods of Bitcoin consolidation. Monitoring Bitcoin’s dominance, institutional inflows, and sector innovations can help anticipate the next altcoin season.
Recommended strategies include focusing on blue-chip altcoins with strong fundamentals, using dollar-cost averaging, and rebalancing portfolios toward Bitcoin or stablecoins. Disciplined risk management and a long-term perspective remain essential during the current Bitcoin Season.
Bullish
Altcoin Season IndexBitcoin SeasonBitcoin DominanceAltcoin TradingMarket Cycles
Nvidia has denied that its H20 AI chips contain backdoors, responding to a cybersecurity probe by China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) and scrutiny from US lawmakers. After securing US government approval in July to resume H20 AI chip exports, Nvidia met with Beijing officials on July 31, addressing concerns over tracking, geolocation, and remote shutdown functions. The CAC requested detailed documentation on potential vulnerabilities and past tracking allegations in the H20 AI chips. US legislators, including Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Bill Foster, have raised questions about export controls and mandatory security mechanisms in advanced semiconductors. Nvidia maintains that its H20 AI chips contain no hidden access points or remote access capabilities. This development highlights escalating US–China tensions over AI semiconductors and underscores the importance of transparent security standards in global chip trade.
Neutral
NvidiaH20 AI ChipsChina CybersecurityUS Export ControlsAI Semiconductor Security
Ripple has re-escrowed 100 million XRP on the XRP Ledger, reinforcing its XRP escrow strategy. Under this escrow system, Ripple releases 1 billion XRP monthly and re-locks any unused portion. By locking 100 million XRP in July, Ripple extends the lock-up period and maintains predictable supply. This XRP escrow mechanism reduces the risk of sudden supply shocks and selling pressure, enhancing market stability. All movements are on-chain and verifiable via Whale Alert and other trackers, boosting trader confidence. Critics note centralization risks due to Ripple’s large holdings, but routine escrow actions show commitment to long-term ecosystem health. Traders should monitor on-chain data to align strategies with Ripple’s predictable escrow schedule. Market momentum will hinge on XRP’s adoption in cross-border payments and liquidity solutions.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Federal Reserve interest rates as “too high,” warning that elevated borrowing costs could hamper growth. He said he would not hesitate to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though he conceded that a Powell dismissal might unsettle markets. Analysts note that abrupt Fed leadership changes often fuel volatility as investors reassess monetary policy. Despite the critique, Trump expects Powell to remain to avoid disruption. Crypto traders should monitor Federal Reserve rate decisions and any Powell developments, as heightened uncertainty may trigger volatility across digital assets.
Bearish
Federal ReserveInterest RatesJerome PowellMarket VolatilityCrypto Traders
In recent weeks, a major Bitcoin whale rotation saw Satoshi-era holders offload over 80,000 BTC, triggering a near $9.6 billion sell-off. Yet the market rebounded within hours, underscoring strong liquidity and maturity. Data from Santiment shows mid-tier wallets have added more than 218,000 BTC since late March, absorbing supply and smoothing volatility. Institutional demand has surged as 219 entities—including ETFs, corporations, and treasury firms—now hold 3.6 million BTC (approximately $419 billion). Analysts compare this trend to early gold ETF growth and expect Bitcoin institutional adoption by pension funds to drive sustained demand and price stability. Glassnode notes long-term holders still control 53% of supply, suggesting future sell pressure. Overall, this whale rotation into institutional hands underpins market stability and lays the groundwork for the next bull run, marking a pivotal phase in Bitcoin institutional adoption.
Strategy expanded its at-the-market Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) offering from $500 million to $4.2 billion in July 2025 to accelerate Bitcoin accumulation. The expanded STRC offering funded the purchase of over 21,000 BTC, highlighting the company’s aggressive BTC treasury strategy.
Meanwhile, investors filed class action lawsuits alleging Strategy understated Bitcoin’s volatility and overstated projected profits. Plaintiffs challenge the use of alternative metrics such as “BTC Yield” and “BTC Gain” that they say obscure true financial performance.
Co-founder Michael Saylor defends the model as “misunderstood” and emphasizes Strategy’s strong capitalization and long-term vision. Analysts warn that large-scale BTC accumulation and ongoing legal uncertainty could heighten short-term market volatility. Traders should monitor the STRC offering and related risk disclosures for potential impact on Bitcoin market movements.
Bitcoin fell below the $113,000 support level, sliding to $112,980 on Binance USDT as macroeconomic headwinds, whale movements and renewed regulatory scrutiny intensified selling pressure. A breakdown under critical technical support triggered automated sell orders and stop-loss liquidations, amplifying crypto market volatility. Large-cap altcoins like ETH followed Bitcoin’s decline, while mid-cap tokens saw steeper losses as traders rotated into stablecoins. Traders are advised to employ disciplined trading strategies and risk management, including dollar-cost averaging (DCA), strategic profit-taking and stop-loss orders to navigate the downturn. Looking ahead, Bitcoin’s historical resilience after past market corrections, combined with upcoming halving events and growing institutional adoption, may support a long-term recovery. However, persistent inflation, interest rate hikes and evolving regulatory developments require ongoing monitoring.
Ethereum Foundation has unveiled the Ethereum Lean Plan, a 10-year roadmap to enhance network security, uptime, and scalability. The plan incorporates quantum-resistant cryptography and targets 10,000 transactions per second on Layer 1 and 1 million TPS on Layer 2 through a lean consensus model that uses SNARK-friendly EVM, real-time zkVMs and Data Availability Sampling for sub-second finality. Defensive “Fort Mode” ensures quantum-safe security, 100% uptime and full decentralization, while offensive “Beast Mode” boosts throughput with optimized protocol designs. The roadmap highlights strategic reserves of $10 billion and 2.73 million ETH in corporate holdings. ETH trading near $3,610, up 47% last month, reflects growing trader confidence. Traders should monitor protocol proposals, developer milestones and adoption metrics as the Ethereum Lean Plan unfolds.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz clarified that Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell’s caution on XRP was driven by regulatory uncertainty, not personal bias. Powell cited XRP’s early ties to Ripple Labs and warned of ‘asymmetrical risk’ if U.S. regulators classify XRP as a security. This concern led Kraken to suspend XRP trading for U.S. customers to avoid enforcement actions.
The debate began after Schwartz’s informal poll on a potential Ripple IPO, which aims to raise $100 million at a $15 billion valuation. Crypto traders should monitor ongoing legal developments around XRP, as regulatory clarity could enhance liquidity and price stability. Conversely, lingering ambiguity may trigger short-term volatility and impact exchange listings.
Metaplanet has filed to issue ¥555 billion (US$3.73 billion) of perpetual preferred shares to fund a 210,000 BTC Bitcoin treasury by 2027. The shares, paying up to a 6% fixed dividend, will be subject to approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The firm currently holds 17,132 BTC—surpassing Tesla and Galaxy Digital—and aims to make Bitcoin its core asset and inflation hedge. Metaplanet’s stock has jumped 345% year-to-date on strong Bitcoin demand, though share dilution fears triggered a 7% drop post-announcement. The preferred shares provide stable, non-dilutive financing but carry risks from Bitcoin’s price volatility, Japanese regulatory uncertainty, market liquidity for large holdings and ongoing dividend obligations. CEO Simon Gerovich says the strategy positions the company as a corporate Bitcoin pioneer and could spur wider adoption and clearer crypto regulations in Japan.
Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler will resign on August 8, reducing the Board of Governors to six members and opening a FOMC nomination spot. A key moderating voice on interest rates, her departure may shift the Fed’s balance toward more hawkish policymakers, strengthening the USD and increasing volatility in the crypto market. Traders should monitor upcoming FOMC nominations, Fed meeting minutes and economic data such as CPI and non-farm payrolls for clues on interest rate trajectories. A potential rise in rates could pressure digital assets, while a similarly dovish replacement might sustain the current risk-on environment in the cryptocurrency sector.
Bearish
Federal ReserveMonetary PolicyCrypto MarketUSD StrengthFOMC Nominations
Fed Governor Adriana Kugler will resign effective August 8, 2025, opening a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) seat early. Her departure intensifies political pressure on Fed independence as President Trump pushes for aggressive rate cuts and criticizes Chair Powell. The Fed last held interest rates steady after hotter-than-expected inflation data, triggering a Bitcoin volatility spike. Expectations for rate cuts rebounded following soft nonfarm payrolls. Traders now face heightened crypto market sensitivity. They await the president’s nominee and Powell’s confirmation to gauge future interest rate policy. This Fed resignation deepens uncertainty over rate cut timing and underlines the link between central bank moves and Bitcoin volatility. The dynamic underscores how Federal Reserve policy shifts directly drive Bitcoin volatility.
SEC Project Crypto aims to update US blockchain regulations with a transparent framework for on-chain trading, tokenized assets, and decentralized custody. The plan includes exemptions, safe harbors, and clear guidance on ICOs, token launches, airdrops, and staking rewards.
Traders reacted with caution. XRP price plunged over 3.5% to $2.89 on heavy volume as RSI hit oversold and MACD turned bearish. Solana (SOL) fell from $169.34 to $166.13, with RSI near 27 and on-balance volume declining. The selloff reflects profit-taking and uncertainty over enforcement timelines under SEC Project Crypto.
Short-term volatility is likely as market participants digest the scope and timeline of the new rules. In the medium term, clearer regulatory guidance could enhance market stability and drive growth in blockchain-based capital markets.
DevvStream has launched a crypto treasury strategy by deploying $10 million to acquire Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL). The Nasdaq-listed carbon management firm issued $300 million in secured convertible notes through Helena Global Investment Opportunities to fund digital assets. It highlights Bitcoin’s high liquidity and low correlation as a stable reserve asset, while Solana’s fast network supports tokenized carbon markets and sustainability projects. Founded in 2021, DevvStream provides carbon credits for renewable energy and forest protection initiatives. The company is negotiating to expand its $300 million equity credit line to accelerate further crypto acquisitions and invest in blockchain-based sustainability infrastructure like EV charging networks. This crypto treasury move positions DevvStream among publicly traded firms diversifying their balance sheets with digital assets and scaling environmental asset tokenization.
A dormant Bitcoin wallet reactivated after 12.4 years, moving 306 BTC (about $35 million). Acquired at roughly $90 per coin, the wallet has gained 127,000%, underscoring Bitcoin’s long-term value growth.
Dormant Bitcoin wallet movements often signal shifts in market sentiment and liquidity dynamics. Traders monitor on-chain data and volume spikes for clues to potential price action. Historically, decade-old wallet reactivations precede significant price swings.
Institutional accumulation by MicroStrategy and Metaplanet continues, reinforcing a bullish outlook. This convergence of dormant Bitcoin wallet activity and institutional buying may tighten short-term supply. Traders should watch price trends and on-chain metrics for emerging signals.
Tether Gold’s market cap has topped $800 million, backed by 7.66 tonnes of physical gold supporting over 259,000 XAUt tokens. This rapid growth in Tether Gold reflects rising institutional demand for tokenized gold as an inflation hedge. At the same time, Twenty One Capital boosted its BTC holdings to over 43,500 BTC (valued at $5.1 billion), cementing its position among the largest corporate Bitcoin holders.
On Avalanche, Grove partnered with Janus Henderson and Centrifuge to allocate $250 million in on-chain real-world assets (RWA), tokenizing U.S. Treasuries and CLO funds on the AVAX network. This move underlines increased confidence in credit strategies on Avalanche’s blockchain.
Regulatory clarity arrived as the U.S. SEC approved in-kind creations and redemptions for spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, lowering costs and improving efficiency. Ethereum spot ETFs, led by BlackRock’s iShares, have already surpassed $10 billion in assets.
These developments point to a maturing tokenized asset landscape and bolster bullish momentum across gold, BTC, Avalanche RWA and crypto ETFs. Traders should monitor Tether Gold inflows, institutional BTC accumulation, and ETF flows for potential market opportunities.
Tokyo-listed Metaplanet has filed a ¥555 billion shelf registration to raise up to $3.7 billion through a continuous offering of perpetual preferred shares, split into Class A non-convertible and Class B convertible stocks, each valued at ¥277.5 billion. The shares carry a dividend of up to 6% annually, with issuance planned from August 2025 to August 2027. Proceeds will support an aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, targeting 210,000 BTC by end-2027, including a revised 2026 goal of 100,000 BTC. Metaplanet currently holds 17,132 BTC (approx. $1.95 billion) after a recent 780 BTC purchase. The fundraise represents about 75% of its ¥729 billion market cap. Bitcoin trades near $113,400, down 2% over 24 hours.
Coinbase reported Q2 revenue of $1.5 billion, down 26% quarter-over-quarter, as transaction revenue fell 39% to $764 million and subscription and services revenue slipped 6% to $656 million amid lower market volatility. However, stablecoin revenue rose 12% to $332 million, and average USDC balances reached $13.8 billion, underscoring growing demand for less volatile assets.
Looking ahead, Coinbase forecasts Q3 subscription and services revenue of $665–745 million and anticipates July transaction revenue of $360 million. CEO Brian Armstrong outlined a pivot to an “Everything Exchange,” integrating decentralized exchanges and launching tokenized US stocks pending US regulatory approval. This tokenization push, supported by recent US policy signals, aims to diversify services, bolster long-term growth, and reduce reliance on crypto trading cycles.
Crypto ETFs recorded a record $12.8 billion in net inflows in July as token prices climbed and institutional interest surged. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the rally with over $86 billion in assets under management, outpacing traditional equity ETFs like IVV and IWM.
The SEC’s approval of in-kind creation and redemption for spot Bitcoin ETF and Ethereum ETF vehicles is set to further boost institutional adoption. These mechanisms allow large managers to swap crypto without triggering taxable events or liquidity strains, lowering costs and improving fund efficiency.
Simplified brokerage access, regulatory oversight, professional custody, high liquidity and diversification potential drove demand. Traders should monitor expense ratios, tracking errors, market volatility and evolving regulations as they assess Crypto ETF strategies.
This inflow milestone underlines growing confidence in regulated Crypto ETFs as a bridge between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency market.
Charlotte Fed President Raphael Bostic said that despite July employment data showing signs of slowing, the labor market remains strong. He emphasized the Fed’s data-driven approach, holding interest rates steady and maintaining expectations for Fed rate cuts—one likely this year and further cuts by 2025. Persistent inflation risks and emerging economic indicators will dictate the timing of monetary policy adjustments. Bostic also noted the lasting fiscal impact of tariffs on consumer sentiment. Crypto markets should prepare for increased volatility as traders evaluate Fed rate cuts outlook and shifts in risk appetite.
Neutral
Federal ReserveFed rate cutsLabor MarketMonetary PolicyCrypto Volatility
Ethereum marked its 10th anniversary as institutional demand accelerated, with corporate crypto treasuries now exceeding $100 billion in digital assets. Firms have acquired over 1.3 million ETH—around 1.09% of total supply—driven by staking yields and active value generation. Standard Chartered forecasts that corporate holdings could reach 10% of Ethereum’s supply, potentially lifting ETH above $4,000 by year-end. Robust spot ETH ETF flows added $5.3 billion since July 3, while leading firms such as Strategy, Metaplanet and SharpLink expand their Ether reserves. Phoenix Group diversified with 514 BTC and 630,000 SOL, and BitMine Immersion aims for up to 5% of the ETH supply. Japanese company Metaplanet plans a $3.7 billion stock offering to buy 210,000 BTC by 2027. Meanwhile, DeFi platform Veda has appointed ex-SEC counsel TuongVy Le to strengthen compliance. Ethereum’s Total Value Locked in DeFi remains high at nearly $85 billion, underscoring ecosystem growth amid tightening supply.
XRP faces a critical $2.80–$2.95 support zone. On the 4-hour chart, RSI shows a bullish divergence as price records lower lows. The daily chart has formed a Dragonfly Doji, signaling strong buyer intervention at dips. XRP is carving a falling wedge pattern with a key breakout threshold at the wedge’s upper trendline near $3.07, coinciding with the 0.236 Fibonacci level. A decisive close above this level could trigger a 20% rally toward $3.60–$3.65 by late August. Traders should monitor whether XRP holds above $2.80–$2.95 to confirm fresh bullish momentum. All traders should conduct personal research; trades carry risk.
Crypto stocks plunged after the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported just 73,000 new jobs in July versus 100,000 expected. Weak nonfarm payrolls intensified market volatility and raised recession concerns. Renewed US tariff threats of 10%–41% on rerouted Chinese goods further dented investor sentiment. Bitcoin slid below $115,000 from near $120,000 highs, amplifying pressure on crypto stocks that track BTC price movements.
Persistent core PCE inflation clouds the Federal Reserve’s rate cut outlook. Futures markets still price in multiple Fed rate cuts later this year, but current data suggests economic headwinds will persist. Expert Jeffrey Schulze at ClearBridge Investments warns that weak job growth combined with rising tariffs could further contract the labour market.
Traders should monitor US nonfarm payrolls, tariff negotiations and Bitcoin price trends. A sustained rebound in BTC above $120,000 could support a recovery in crypto stocks. Conversely, prolonged labour weakness or higher tariffs may keep risk assets under pressure.
Bearish
crypto stocksUS jobs datatariff threatsBitcoin pricemarket volatility
On August 1, a dormant Bitcoin whale reactivated a 12.4-year-old wallet and moved 306 BTC (about $35.3 million) into two new addresses. On-chain analysis indicates that this Bitcoin whale’s transfer likely reflects a security upgrade or fund reorganization rather than an imminent sell-off. Splitting the transfer across two standard-fee transactions suggests routine fund management. Although 306 BTC is modest compared with daily trading volumes and did not immediately sway Bitcoin’s price, this rare dormant wallet activity can affect market sentiment. The event underscores the importance of on-chain analytics, cold storage practices and seed-phrase backups for long-term Bitcoin custody. Traders tracking Bitcoin whale movements should watch similar dormant wallet reactivations for insights into whale behavior and potential liquidity changes.
CoinDCX hack occurred on July 19 when attackers used a fake job offer to dupe an employee into running tasks on his company laptop. This social engineering attack granted them access to internal systems. Exploiting his corporate privileges, hackers drained $44.2 million in Solana (SOL) and Tether (USDT) from a liquidity wallet via the Jupiter aggregator. Bengaluru police have arrested software engineer Rahul Agarwal, though it remains unclear if he was complicit or deceived. Authorities are tracing external wallets to recover funds, with CoinDCX offering a bounty of up to 25% of recovered assets. The exchange covered all customer losses from its reserves, ensuring user funds remain safe. The CoinDCX hack highlights the growing threat of insider vulnerabilities and social engineering, prompting calls for tighter internal security controls in crypto trading.
Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have urged the Senate Agriculture Committee to block Brian Quintenz’s CFTC nomination, citing conflicts-of-interest due to his roles at a16z and as a Kalshi board member. FOIA-released emails indicate his incoming CFTC team sought confidential data on Kalshi competitors. In response, the White House requested delaying the committee vote, spotlighting worries about regulatory transparency and potential bias in the CFTC nomination. Crypto traders should monitor this saga for its implications on future CFTC policy and broader market conditions.
US Congress has passed the GENIUS Act, establishing the first federal framework for fiat-backed stablecoins. The law sets out strict stablecoin regulation: issuers must obtain a federal license, maintain 1:1 reserves in high-quality liquid assets, undergo independent reserve audits, and disclose full transparency.
The Act also bans yield-bearing stablecoins. This prohibition aims to separate payment-focused tokens from tokenized money-market products and reshape DeFi balance between pure payment tokens and yield products.
According to Fabian Dori, CIO at Sygnum Bank, the new stablecoin regulation will provide legal certainty, boost institutional adoption, and promote responsible innovation and financial stability.
Compared to Europe’s more cautious digital euro approach, the US favours innovation. Crypto traders should monitor licensing timelines, reserve disclosures and stablecoin usage shifts to assess potential market moves.
Congress passed the GENIUS Act, introducing the first comprehensive US stablecoin regulation. This stablecoin regulation aims to boost trust and mainstream adoption. The law mandates 100% reserve backing in cash or high-grade assets, stringent AML/KYC controls, monthly reserve disclosures, and annual PCAOB audits for major issuers. It establishes dual oversight: the Fed and OCC for issuers over $10 billion, state regulators for smaller players, and grants holder priority in bankruptcy. A ban on yield-bearing stablecoins protects consumers but may drive users to DeFi. However, a notable loophole exempts offshore issuers like Tether, subject only to undefined ‘comparable’ standards. Tether has pledged compliance and plans a domestic stablecoin. The Act opens stablecoin issuance to banks and retailers, from Bank of America to Amazon, and is likely to boost demand for US Treasuries. Traders should watch for market share shifts toward compliant alternatives and increased volatility during the transition.