Recent reports by Fidelity Digital Assets reveal a significant development in Bitcoin’s supply dynamics: the volume of Bitcoin that has remained unmoved for over ten years, known as ’ancient supply,’ is now increasing faster than the amount of new Bitcoin issued through mining. As of early June 2025, over 566 BTC per day is entering this ancient supply category, surpassing the 450 BTC mined daily post the April 2024 halving. More than 3.4 million BTC (about 17% of total supply) has not moved in a decade, and this trend could see ancient supply hit 30% of all circulating BTC by 2035 if it continues. The accumulation of Bitcoin by public companies—now holding more than 800,000 BTC—further limits available exchange supply. This sustained supply restriction highlights increasing scarcity and could drive upward price pressure, especially if institutional demand, spot Bitcoin ETF launches, and macroeconomic factors continue to support investment. Although ancient supply growth signals bullish potential for Bitcoin, ongoing market volatility and changes in long-term holder behavior could still trigger price movements. Crypto traders should closely monitor these supply-side trends, as shifts in long-term holder activity and institutional accumulation remain key drivers for Bitcoin market strategies and volatility.
Iran has enforced a nationwide curfew on all domestic cryptocurrency exchanges in response to a major security breach on Nobitex, its largest crypto trading platform. The June 18 hack, orchestrated by the Israeli-linked group Predatory Sparrow (Gonjeshke Darande), resulted in over $90 million worth of assets—including BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP, SOL, TRX, and TON—being drained from Nobitex’s hot wallets and rendered irretrievable via blockchain burn addresses. This politically motivated cyberattack targeted Iran’s crypto infrastructure, impacting a platform vital for circumventing international sanctions. In immediate response, Iran’s central bank restricted all exchange operation hours to between 10 am and 8 pm. According to Chainalysis, Nobitex processed over $11 billion in inflows and is connected to wallets tied to sanctioned and illicit actors. Nobitex confirmed cold wallet reserves remain secure and hot wallets emptied, with sufficient reserves to fully cover customer losses, while also boosting platform security. This incident underscores mounting geopolitical risks, increased regulatory scrutiny, and potential disruptions to liquidity and cross-border trading for Iranian crypto traders.
U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs have recorded eight consecutive days of net inflows, totaling $388.3 million on June 18, reflecting robust institutional demand despite escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Major funds, including BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC, led these inflows, while Bitwise’s BITB also grew and Grayscale’s GBTC saw some outflows. Since mid-April, this sector has reported only eight days of net outflows, amassing over $11.2 billion in new capital and reaching more than $46.3 billion in total ETF assets under management. Spot Ethereum ETFs, spearheaded by BlackRock’s ETHA, reversed recent outflows and posted multiple positive days in June. Meanwhile, Iran’s crypto market faced setbacks after a $100 million hack at Nobitex, the country’s largest exchange, prompting tight restrictions from the central bank. The hack was notable for burning funds rather than laundering them. Telegram’s founder also highlighted mounting regulatory risks in France. Overall, continued strong inflows into major crypto ETFs, underpinned by solid ETH staking and relatively stable macro policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve, are helping support the crypto market’s resilience—even as altcoins and emerging sectors face increased volatility amid global uncertainty.
Ethereum (ETH) is showing potential for a market bottom and recovery, with a growing shift in investor interest from Bitcoin (BTC) towards Ethereum. Technical analysis reveals ETH is hovering near its 50-week moving average—a critical level that has previously signaled bullish rallies when breached. While Ethereum continues to underperform against Bitcoin overall, recent trends indicate renewed buying interest. ETH is up 71% from its April year-to-date low, though still below its 2021 all-time high. Notably, US spot Ether ETFs have seen impressive momentum, recording a 19-day streak of net inflows totaling $1.37 billion, which accounts for roughly 35% of total inflows since their July 2024 launch. Despite these positive flows, market sentiment remains cautious with many investors still affected by ’bear market PTSD.’ Analysts stress that a sustained Ethereum rally above key resistance levels is essential to stimulate an altcoin season, as altcoins remain laggards compared to Bitcoin. Derivatives markets have seen seller exhaustion and major ETH short liquidations, prompting a potential stabilization as leverage ratios decrease and confidence swiftly returns post-volatility. The ETH/BTC ratio, though still weak, has shown minor recent improvement, suggesting market participants are watching for signs of further ETH strength. Overall, cautious optimism prevails with traders advised to monitor resistance levels, ETF inflows, derivatives activity, and macroeconomic factors for decisive trend shifts.
The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 116, known as the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act, signaling a significant step toward making the state more crypto-friendly. The bill exempts cryptocurrency transactions under $200 from capital gains tax, with this threshold set to adjust annually for inflation. It provides robust legal protections for blockchain activities, including mining, staking, and running nodes, ensuring such operations are not subject to discriminatory regulation, licensing, or zoning changes. The measure clearly states that businesses engaged in mining or staking are not offering securities or investment contracts, in contrast to stricter federal interpretations. Additionally, the legislation prohibits state agencies from restricting residents’ use of self-custody crypto wallets. The bill passed with bipartisan support and now awaits consideration in the State Senate. Against a national backdrop where over 160 crypto-related bills are being reviewed in 40 states, Ohio aims to position itself as a leader in crypto adoption and regulatory clarity. If enacted, House Bill 116 could spur wider retail use of cryptocurrencies and attract blockchain businesses by lowering regulatory and tax hurdles, while offering greater certainty to industry participants.
Crypto exchange Upbit has announced the launch of USDC (USD Coin) deposit and withdrawal services via the Solana blockchain, making USDC accessible through Solana’s fast and low-fee infrastructure. This move supplements existing network options for USDC on the platform, aiming to improve transaction efficiency and broaden accessibility for USDC holders. The integration marks a significant step in stablecoin adoption as more exchanges and derivatives platforms, like Coinbase, embrace USDC for margin trading and collateral management, highlighting a broader industry trend towards stablecoin utility on scalable blockchains. No additional figures or notable personalities were mentioned.
Bitcoin remains resilient above the $104,000 mark, demonstrating dominant momentum amid recent market turbulence and following its 2024 halving event. Technical analyses suggest the potential for a major rally, with projections of significant gains in 2025 if historical cyclical patterns persist. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) and recurring bullish cycles provide further support for a long-term positive outlook for Bitcoin. Capital inflows to Bitcoin spot ETFs, which now manage over $131 billion, reinforce growing institutional confidence and underscore Bitcoin’s role as a stable store of value. In stark contrast, the altcoin sector continues to suffer from poor investor demand, as reflected by a negative 1-Year Cumulative Buy/Sell Quote Volume Difference of -$36 billion (excluding BTC and ETH) and ongoing ’altcoin winter.’ Experts attribute this divergence in performance to regulatory uncertainty, macroeconomic pressures, and shifting risk appetites. As capital consolidates around Bitcoin, altcoins remain under significant bearish pressure with a weak near-term outlook for an altseason revival. Crypto traders are advised to closely monitor volume and sentiment indicators for any potential reversal, as increased accumulation and demand would be necessary to spark a recovery in the altcoin market.
The Czech government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Civic Democratic Party, narrowly survived a no-confidence vote after a $45 million Bitcoin donation scandal intensified scrutiny on cryptocurrency regulations and political transparency. The controversy centers on Tomáš Jiřikovský, a convicted criminal, who donated 1,561 BTC (valued at approximately 1 billion CZK) to the Ministry of Justice, sparking concerns over conflicts of interest and ethical standards in government crypto dealings. The opposition—ANO, SPD, and the Pirate Party—failed to gather the 101 votes needed to topple the administration, with the final tally reaching 94 after more than 24 hours of debate. In response, Prime Minister Fiala admitted to mishandling the incident, leading to the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek; his successor, Eva Decroix, pledged an independent investigation to restore public trust. The technical complexities of crypto storage were highlighted as only a portion of Jiřikovský’s holdings could be transferred, with 3,855.15 BTC remaining inaccessible. This event has deepened global attention on regulatory gaps in crypto governance, mirroring rising international concern over political actors’ cryptocurrency interactions, and underscores the urgent need for robust legal frameworks as digital assets become more integrated into public finance.
Crypto prime brokerage FalconX is actively exploring an initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, reflecting rising institutional demand and a surge in digital asset company listings. Recent developments reveal the company has begun informal talks with advisers but has yet to formally hire an investment bank for the IPO process. This follows similar moves by other major crypto firms, including Circle’s $1.1 billion public debut and IPO filings by Bullish, Gemini, Exodus, and eToro. FalconX aims to strengthen its market position as a leading provider of institutional crypto trading, custody, and brokerage services. Strategic actions, such as the acquisition of Arbelos Markets for derivatives expansion and partnerships with Standard Chartered for enhanced FX and banking services, demonstrate FalconX’s efforts to attract institutional investors. Additionally, securing a significant bitcoin-backed credit facility from Cantor Fitzgerald signals intent to broaden services for traditional finance. These actions, combined with industry momentum, are expected to raise transparency and bring new capital into the crypto sector. Traders should watch FalconX’s IPO pursuit as an indicator of expanding institutional appetite and maturing crypto markets.
Ethena Labs and Securitize have achieved 24/7 atomic swaps between Ethena’s stablecoin USDtb and BlackRock’s tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, BUIDL. This integration builds on prior institutional adoption, where major exchanges like Deribit and Crypto.com, as well as Binance, OKX, and Frax Finance, began accepting BUIDL as trading collateral. BUIDL now makes up 90% of USDtb’s reserves, totaling $2.88 billion in locked value, positioning USDtb as a highly liquid, real-world asset-backed stablecoin. The initiative significantly enhances on-chain liquidity and offers a frictionless, permissionless asset exchange for both institutional and on-chain users, potentially reducing margin requirements and counterparty risk. This further blurs traditional finance and DeFi boundaries. However, with BlackRock dominating about 40% of the tokenized Treasury market and only a handful of firms controlling the majority of tokenized Treasuries, concerns about centralization and systemic risk persist. Overall, the move signals rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets, driving deeper DeFi integration and potential market efficiency improvements.
Dogecoin (DOGE) is at a pivotal juncture as its price retests the $0.168 support level for the second time since April. Earlier bullish technical patterns mirrored DOGE’s 2020 pre-rally setup, with some analysts eyeing a possible breakout toward $4.50 should history repeat. However, recent developments indicate rising market risk: if DOGE closes below $0.168 on the weekly chart, there is little historical buying interest beneath this level, potentially triggering a rapid 30% drop. Bearish signals include the 50-day moving average sinking below the 200-day, a bearish MACD crossover, and an RSI currently at 42. While a long-term cup-and-handle chart pattern suggests that a breakout above upper resistance could push DOGE toward $0.75, downside risk dominates. Market attention is also focused on an imminent US regulatory decision regarding a spot Dogecoin ETF: approval could increase institutional inflows and volatility, while rejection or delays may accelerate selling. In the last 30 days, DOGE has posted gains on 13 days with an average daily swing of 10.57%. Traders should closely monitor key levels, volume, and ETF-related news for short-term trading decisions.
Bitdeer, a leading Bitcoin mining company, has announced a $330 million private fundraising round through the sale of convertible notes set to mature in 2029. This move aims to bolster Bitdeer’s balance sheet, support expansion, finance operational growth, and potentially enable strategic acquisitions in the crypto mining sector. The convertible notes can be exchanged for Bitdeer shares under specific conditions, highlighting institutional confidence in the long-term prospects of Bitcoin mining. However, the capital raise introduces dilution risk, leading to a notable drop in Bitdeer stock following the announcement. The development underscores ongoing volatility in Bitcoin mining stocks, amid industry-wide capital demands, recent Bitcoin halving, and fluctuating Bitcoin prices. Bitdeer’s fundraising efforts reflect continued and growing investment in crypto mining infrastructure as the sector adapts to evolving market conditions.
Dogecoin (DOGE) has seen notable downward pressure, falling over 25% in the past four weeks and currently trading near $0.167. This decline aligns with a broader bearish sentiment in the altcoin market, as the total crypto market cap dropped by 2.4% in response to macroeconomic uncertainties including the Middle East crisis and the Federal Reserve’s ongoing quantitative tightening. Technical indicators remain negative: DOGE is trading below its 200-day EMA, while momentum signals like the weekly MACD suggest the possibility of a further 30% drop toward $0.11. However, the historical $0.167 support level has previously triggered rebounds, and lower trading volumes during the decline may imply weakening selling momentum. On-chain data shows substantial DOGE outflows from exchanges, hinting at potential accumulation by long-term investors. Social sentiment is turning more positive, with speculation around a spot DOGE ETF gaining traction. U.S. fund managers are eyeing DOGE for future ETF approval, and Polymarket assigns a 67% chance of SEC approval by the end of 2025. If DOGE sustains closes above the year-to-date downtrend, bearish scenarios could be invalidated, potentially sparking a reversal. Traders should closely monitor key support levels, market volumes, and regulatory developments to assess risk and catch any potential bullish shift.
Bitcoin prices remained stable following the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged, mirroring previous trends and market expectations. The Fed cited caution over near-term inflation and plans to assess further economic data before considering any future rate adjustments. Despite speculation over potential rate cuts and President Trump’s advocacy for more aggressive easing, the central bank continues with quantitative tightening by reducing its holdings of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities. Crypto markets reacted with minimal volatility, indicating that the Fed’s policy stance was already priced in. However, continued geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East and differing views among Fed officials on future rate cuts add to the landscape of unpredictability. Market data suggests a significant probability of a rate cut later in the year, keeping traders watchful for economic indicators and future Fed communications. Analysts expect market volatility and possible underperformance of altcoins relative to Bitcoin, with opportunities for price rallies towards the year-end if macroeconomic conditions shift. Traders should monitor ongoing Fed policy and global developments to guide their strategies in the crypto market.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has executed its largest-ever cryptocurrency seizure, initiating a civil forfeiture action to seize approximately $225.3 million in Tether (USDT) connected to a sophisticated global crypto scam. This operation, supported by the US Secret Service (USSS), targets a network that defrauded over 430 victims worldwide by channeling illicit funds through a maze of wallets and exchanges, notably OKX, to obscure their origins. Investigations started after OKX and Tether flagged suspicious transactions, enabling agencies like the USSS and FBI to trace, freeze, and secure the assets with advanced blockchain analytics; these assets are now managed by the US Marshals Service. The DOJ’s stated goal is to return the recovered funds to victims. Senior officials, including US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, have reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating cryptocurrency fraud and protecting investors. This enforcement action underscores increased regulatory scrutiny, evolving forensic capabilities in tracking illicit digital assets, and could influence market sentiment regarding regulatory risk, especially for stablecoins and exchanges handling suspicious activity.
Prenetics, a Nasdaq-listed health sciences firm based in Hong Kong and the US, has announced a $20 million investment in Bitcoin, purchasing approximately 187 BTC at an average price of $106,712 through a Kraken custody account. The company aims to diversify its $117 million balance sheet and position itself as a leading Bitcoin-holding healthcare business. Prenetics plans to significantly increase its future Bitcoin holdings and will begin accepting BTC payments for healthcare services by year-end. The board now includes experienced crypto leaders such as Andy Cheung (ex-OKX COO), Raphael Strauch (TOKEN2049), and Tracy Hoyos Lopez—Kraken’s Chief of Staff for strategic initiatives and an adviser to Donald Trump on crypto policy. The move reinforces a trend of increasing institutional and cross-sector adoption of Bitcoin, echoing strategies by companies like MicroStrategy and aligning with recent US government interest in national Bitcoin reserves. Following the news, Prenetics’ Nasdaq shares (PRE) surged by over 8.7%. For crypto traders, this highlights growing diversification of Bitcoin demand and signals greater convergence between traditional industries and the crypto sector.
Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital, emphasized that the proposed stablecoin bill currently debated in the U.S. Congress could significantly foster institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. Novogratz explained that regulatory clarity around stablecoins is expected to build trust among banks, asset managers, and other traditional financial players. This clarity would encourage greater participation from these institutions in the cryptocurrency market, leading to increased liquidity, enhanced market stability, and wider adoption of digital assets. The bill aims to introduce consistent rules for stablecoin issuance and oversight, targeting key assets like USDC and USDT, which are crucial for global payments and trading. Novogratz believes this legislation marks a turning point for bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance, signalling a move towards mainstream adoption. Ongoing discussions and potential passage of this bill are closely watched by traders, as regulatory moves in the past have sparked rallies and attracted new capital into the crypto sector.
Meme coins, including PEPE, Dogecoin (DOGE), and others, have experienced sharp declines as geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran trigger risk-off sentiment in crypto markets. PEPE, an Ethereum-based memecoin, dropped 21% in the past week, with its price structure showing lower highs and lower lows, indicating a prolonged bearish trend. Key technical support lies at the point of control (POC), combining crucial Fibonacci retracement and volume zones; a failure to hold this level could lead to further downside. DOGE fell 16% in the past week, and overall the meme coin market dropped 3% sector-wide and 28% over the past month. Whale netflow into PEPE collapsed by 97%, showing large players are exiting amidst rising uncertainty. Despite positive events such as token burns in other projects, sentiment remains negative. Bitcoin, meanwhile, gained dominance as traders seek safer assets. Historically, similar market shocks from geopolitical conflicts have led to rapid but short-lived declines, followed by rebounds. With important macroeconomic developments, such as the upcoming FOMC decision, expected soon, traders should monitor technical support at the POC for signs of any reversal or continued decline in PEPE and the wider memecoin market.
Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, suffered a major hack with over $81 million stolen from its hot wallets. The breach, claimed by pro-Israel hacker group Gonjeshke Darande, was announced on June 18, with threats to leak Nobitex’s code and internal documents—accusing the platform of enabling Iranian government sanctions evasion. Blockchain analyst ZachXBT confirmed funds were siphoned using custom vanity addresses on Tron and Ethereum, with one wallet moving $49 million. Nobitex quickly froze affected wallets, assured users no cold wallets (offline storage) were compromised, and promised full reimbursement to clients via insurance funds and company reserves. The attack highlighted significant risks surrounding exchange security, third-party vulnerabilities, and the impact of geopolitical conflict on crypto markets. For traders, this event underscores the constant importance of strong security protocols and the potential hazards of storing assets on centralized exchanges, especially in regions under economic sanctions or facing political tension.
Norwegian crypto brokerage K33 has successfully launched a share issue to raise at least 85 million Swedish krona (around $8.9 million), with the aim of expanding its Bitcoin treasury by up to 1,000 BTC. The capital raise, led by Pareto Securities, involves offering over 820 million shares at $0.011 each. Funds will be used exclusively to purchase Bitcoin, strengthening K33’s balance sheet, boosting brokerage operational leverage, and improving profit margins. K33 recently acquired its first 5 BTC, worth about $523,000, signaling the start of its plan. CEO Torbjørn Bull Jenssen emphasized their goal to build a strong Bitcoin-based balance sheet to attract institutional clients and expand product offerings. This move reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption in Norway, following similar actions by Norwegian Block Exchange and Aker. K33’s aggressive accumulation of Bitcoin highlights growing confidence in Bitcoin as a reserve asset for professional investors and could inspire similar strategies among other digital asset firms, potentially influencing market sentiment and Bitcoin price action.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is formally reviewing proposals from Franklin Templeton for spot XRP and Solana (SOL) ETFs. This marks a significant step toward expanding regulated altcoin investment beyond Bitcoin ETFs. The Franklin XRP ETF, if approved, would physically hold XRP, with Coinbase Custody Trust as custodian and pricing based on the CF Benchmark CME XRP-Dollar Index. The SEC’s review is in the ’Order Instituting Proceedings’ stage, and a final decision is set for September 9, 2025, though extensions are possible. The SEC is seeking public comments, specifically on XRP market maturity and mechanisms to prevent price manipulation. If approved, these ETFs will be listed on the Cboe BZX exchange, signaling increased institutional interest and potentially boosting market legitimacy and liquidity for altcoins like XRP and SOL. Historically, ETF approvals for cryptocurrencies have driven institutional inflows and enhanced market credibility. In the short term, the news has led to notable spikes in XRP network transactions and a 4.14% price increase, with SOL also showing price resilience. Long term, approval could broaden regulated exposure to non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies; however, the SEC’s cautious approach underlines ongoing regulatory uncertainty. Crypto traders should monitor this process closely, as a green light could act as a strong catalyst for the broader altcoin market.
The Blockchain Group, a Paris-listed European Bitcoin treasury firm, has expanded its BTC holdings with a new purchase of 182 Bitcoins, valued at $20 million and funded via recent convertible bond issuance. This increases the company’s reserves to 1,653 BTC, or about $170 million, reflecting a significant surge in its Bitcoin portfolio yield—reporting an impressive 1,173% gain in 2025. The funding round attracted involvement from major investors including UTXO Management, Moonlight Capital, TOBAM, and Ludovic Chechin-Laurans. One outstanding subscription from TOBAM and Adam Back, worth $7.31 million, could further boost total holdings to 1,723 BTC if exercised. The move highlights a robust trend among European corporates to utilize innovative financing, like bonds, to increase Bitcoin exposure—a shift mirrored by Japanese firm Metaplanet. These continued acquisitions indicate increasing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a treasury asset, potentially impacting market liquidity, supporting positive sentiment, and encouraging further corporate adoption across Europe amid fluctuating crypto market prices.
Bitcoin (BTC) could reach between $205,000 in 2025 and up to $4.3 million by 2036 if historical patterns and rapidly growing institutional demand continue, according to analyses from CryptoQuant and researchers Murray Rudd and Dennis Porter. Historically, Bitcoin shows strong price growth tied to four-year halving cycles, with 2025 expected to be particularly bullish following positive years in 2023 and 2024. Long-term data highlight a robust bullish market structure, bolstered by realized cap all-time highs and sustained institutional inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs—these saw $1.46 billion in net inflows over five sessions in June 2024. The latest research underscores Bitcoin’s limited liquid supply (approximately 11.2 million BTC), with around 4 million BTC permanently lost, intensifying the possible supply shock as institutional players, including ETFs and governments, accumulate increasingly large amounts. Three institutional growth scenarios are outlined: a conservative estimate targets $2.2 million per BTC by 2036, a bullish scenario reaches $5 million by 2031, and an extreme outcome projects up to $4.3 million if liquidity dries up at a rate of 4,000 BTC per day. Both short-term and long-term trends suggest significant price appreciation potential, especially for institutions or traders who position early. Increasing institutional adoption is likely to drive exponential growth, making strategic timing essential for market participants.
Bullish
Bitcoin price predictionInstitutional demandETF inflowsSupply shockCrypto market outlook
Nasdaq-listed Eyenovia has announced a $50 million private placement to acquire over one million HYPE tokens, establishing the first dedicated HYPE treasury among US public companies. This move follows HYPE’s all-time high of $44.86, propelling its market capitalization to $14.876 billion and making it the eighth largest cryptocurrency by market cap. In response, Eyenovia’s stock surged by over 134%. The company will rebrand as ’Hyperion DeFi’ with the ticker ’HYPD’ and has appointed crypto veteran Hyunsu Jung as Chief Investment Officer. The financing structure includes non-voting convertible preferred stock and warrants, potentially raising up to $150 million for further DeFi projects. Despite this major institutional endorsement, HYPE’s price dropped over 5% as technical indicators turned bearish, with the Relative Strength Index falling to 45.6 and open interest in futures declining amid a broader crypto sell-off. Technical analysis, however, points to a potential target of $100 for HYPE, supported by a completed cup-and-handle pattern and strong support levels. Eyenovia’s strategy marks a shift from traditional Bitcoin and Ethereum-centric corporate treasuries, highlighting growing institutional appetite for altcoins and the DeFi sector. This development may trigger increased institutional investment and drive HYPE demand in the short and long term.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) significantly increased its Bitcoin holdings by acquiring over 6,000 BTC in mid-June, pushing its total stake to more than 674,000 BTC and amassing $70.4 billion in assets under management. These large-scale purchases occurred during a period of notable outflows from other major US Bitcoin ETFs, such as Fidelity’s FBTC and Ark Invest’s ARKB, resulting in subdued net inflows for the market overall. Despite waning sentiment from most competitors, IBIT’s moves demonstrate strong institutional confidence and have resulted in BlackRock commanding a 54% share of the $131 billion US Bitcoin ETF market. The aggressive accumulation coincides with Bitcoin’s price dip to just over $103,000, triggered by heightened geopolitical risks related to the Iran-Israel conflict and declining futures open interest, which suggests reduced leverage in the market. This reinforces BlackRock’s strategic role as a dominant player and could influence trading strategies ahead of pivotal events like the Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting. For crypto traders, IBIT’s resilience during market stress underscores both immediate and long-term bullish signals for Bitcoin’s institutional adoption and price outlook.
Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has executed a rapid sell-off of Circle (CRCL) shares, offloading nearly $100 million in two days through its ARK Innovation (ARKK), Next Generation Internet (ARKW), and Fintech Innovation (ARKF) ETFs. The sales represent about 14% of ARK’s initial Circle position, acquired at the stablecoin issuer’s June 5 IPO. Despite the U.S. Senate passing the pro-stablecoin GENIUS Act, Circle shares dipped 1.3% to $149 after peaking at $165, indicating ongoing volatility. Other major holders, like BlackRock, have not mirrored ARK’s move, while Circle’s CEO and co-founders also plan to sell shares post-IPO. ARK’s aggressive profit-taking, despite regulatory clarity for stablecoins, signals a cautious outlook on Circle and potentially the broader stablecoin sector. Crypto traders should monitor for possible continued volatility in CRCL stock and watch for broader sentiment shifts in the stablecoin equity space.
Bitcoin trading volume surged nearly 100% to over $88 billion following increased geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. This sharp rise in activity reversed previous subdued trading and triggered volatile Bitcoin price swings between $105,000 and $108,000. Open interest in Bitcoin remains robust at $71 billion, close to its all-time high, while altcoin performance lags and Bitcoin’s market dominance has surpassed 64%. On-chain analytics identify strong liquidity support around $103,000, likely limiting further downside. The current positive funding rate points to ongoing bullish sentiment among futures traders, though volumes have declined from the immediate peak. Market analysts caution that financial markets have yet to fully price in the risk of broader Middle East conflict, suggesting the muted reaction reflects expectations of de-escalation. However, escalating conflict could pressure Bitcoin toward $101,610, while stabilization may enable a rebound toward $106,548. Traders should closely monitor geopolitical events and on-chain indicators, as these factors will heavily influence near-term Bitcoin price action. Overall, strong on-chain support and resilient market sentiment are balancing external risks, making this a critical moment for active market participants.
JD.com, China’s major e-commerce company, is entering the global stablecoin market under the leadership of founder Richard Liu. The firm plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in major fiat-currency countries, aiming to cut cross-border payment costs by 90% and reduce settlement times to under 10 seconds, far outpacing existing SWIFT payment systems. The initiative begins with B2B transactions but could expand to consumer payments. This announcement coincides with the US Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act, advancing stablecoin regulation and intensifying the competition between China and the US in digital currency adoption and cross-border payments. JD.com’s strategy follows China’s moves to internationalize the digital yuan (e-CNY), and the company’s previous integration of DCEP for salary and business payments. These developments underline growing global interest in stablecoin infrastructure, with regulatory clarity and innovation expected to drive accelerated adoption and disruption in cross-border digital payments.
Ethereum is experiencing unprecedented accumulation from both whales and institutional investors, driving notable market activity. Recent on-chain data reveals that Ethereum staking has reached a record high, with over 35 million ETH locked as of June. Additionally, accumulation addresses, which have never sold any ETH, now control 22.8 million ETH, underscoring strong long-term confidence. In a recent development, wallets with 1,000 to 10,000 ETH added over 871,000 ETH in a single day, marking the highest daily inflow for these addresses since 2017 and pushing their collective holdings past 14.3 million ETH. Institutional players like BlackRock are increasing exposure, recently acquiring $15.46 million worth of ETH via Coinbase Prime, highlighting intensified Wall Street interest. Technical analysis shows Ethereum price stabilizing above $2,500, holding near key moving averages. The RSI is neutral to slightly bearish at 48.9, but improving momentum could drive prices higher. If Ethereum remains above $2,500, a move toward $2,600–$2,650 appears likely; falling below $2,435 could bring further downside risk. Decreasing liquid supply, driven by staking and accumulation, could amplify future upswings if demand increases. Crypto traders should closely watch ongoing whale and institutional flows, as these will likely influence both short-term and long-term ETH price action.