Bitcoin price pulled back to around $115,000, a 6.8% drop from its Aug. 14 all-time high of $124,128. Fresh macro data—the U.S. Producer Price Index rising more than expected—dampened hopes for near-term interest rate cuts, limiting risk appetite. At the same time, large holders moved to lock in gains: Binance net inflows flipped positive last week, while exchange reserves climbed, signaling profit-taking among whales. Market indicators show Bitcoin below the Bollinger Band midpoint, with critical support at $114,600 and the relative strength index approaching oversold levels. A sustained break below $114,000 could open a decline toward $112,000, whereas a recovery above $117,500 would signal renewed bullish momentum. Traders should watch exchange flows, macro releases, and technical levels for clues to Bitcoin’s next move.
Bitcoin mining centralization has surged in 2025, with the top six pools accounting for 95% of the network’s hashrate. Foundry leads with 30%, followed by “AntPool & friends”—an estimated 40% share when including proxy mining pools—while ViaBTC, F2Pool, and MARA Pool control 14.5%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. This concentration prompted the creation of a Mining Centralization Index, which measures the cumulative hashrate share of the largest pools.
Proxy mining pools linked to AntPool mask true network centralization. Smaller pools such as Poolin, Binance Pool, and CloverPool use nearly identical block templates, inflating decentralization metrics based solely on coinbase tags. When combined, “AntPool & friends” rival Foundry’s dominance in the updated index.
The Bitcoin mining centralization trend raises concerns about censorship resistance and 51% attack risks. A single pool holding 40% of hashrate has roughly a 50% chance of winning six consecutive blocks. To restore balance, supporting small pools like Ocean and DEMAND and encouraging more independent mining operations are essential to bolster network stability.
Bearish
Bitcoin mining centralizationMining Centralization IndexProxy mining poolsHashrate distributionMining pool dominance
Cryptocurrency markets saw broad profit-taking over the weekend, with Solana (SOL) and XRP slipping around 5%, Ether shedding 4%, and Bitcoin (BTC) hovering near $115,000 amid mixed trading. Traders are weighing the impact of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut in September, which could either rekindle Bitcoin’s role as a “digital gold” hedge alongside bullion or maintain its risk-on correlation with equities. LVRG Research’s Nick Ruck noted that easing monetary policy historically aligns Bitcoin with gold, but recent trends have linked BTC more to stock performance. Meanwhile, gold has hit record highs on central bank purchases and geopolitical tensions. Market participants expect U.S. retail earnings and broader equity moves to guide crypto’s short-term direction. With rate cut expectations priced into bond markets, the crypto market remains sensitive to macro signals, keeping profit-taking pressure and potential gold divergence in focus for traders.
Dogecoin slid below its $0.23 support level after sellers overwhelmed a bullish golden cross setup. Despite whale wallets adding roughly 680 million DOGE in August—lifting holdings to nearly 98.6 billion tokens—late-session selling and global trade tensions pushed price down 6% from $0.24 to $0.23. Intraday volatility reached 7% as a midday rally on 916 million volume was quickly reversed. A breakdown of $0.23 on growing volume signals further downside risk, even though the 50-day–200-day golden cross remains intact. Traders are also watching security threats: Qubic’s community, fresh from a Monero 51% attack, has voted to target Dogecoin. With open interest in derivatives topping $10 billion, market sentiment may remain bearish until support is reclaimed or accumulation resumes.
Crypto traders should watch ether price below $4,200, as a breach could trigger massive ETH long liquidations. Data from Hyperdash shows over 56,638 ETH (approximately $236 million) in long bets on Hyperliquid are at risk if ether price falls to $4,170. Additional liquidation zones lie near $3,940 and $2,150. At press time, ETH trades at about $4,260, down almost 5% in 24 hours. According to Andrew Kang of Mechanism Capital, cascading liquidations may drive ether price down to $3,600 or even $3,200. Forced liquidations occur when margin calls close leveraged positions, amplifying sell pressure and volatility. Traders should monitor liquidation clusters and adjust risk management strategies amid potential short-term market swings.
Bearish
ETH PriceLong LiquidationsMarket VolatilityHyperliquid ExchangeRisk Management
An investor used $125,000 to execute ETH rolling futures over two months. The leveraged position peaked at 76,700 ETH (about $342 million). After closing the trades, the profit totaled $6.86 million. This represents a 55x return on the initial capital. The strategy underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of ETH futures. It also highlights how margin trading can amplify gains in the cryptocurrency market.
HashKey MENA, the Middle East and North Africa arm of HashKey Group, has launched a new order book trading service. The platform now supports 24/7 deposits and withdrawals. Traders can enter positions from as low as 1 USDT. There are no upper limits on trading volumes. This upgrade aims to deliver a more flexible trading experience. The order book trading feature offers transparent and fair market pricing. In parallel, HashKey MENA has rolled out an OTC service. This OTC desk targets institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals. It supports large trades in BTC, ETH, and USDT. Transactions can be settled in AED and USD. By adding both order book and OTC services, HashKey MENA strengthens its position in the regional crypto market. The launch reflects growing demand for efficient, round-the-clock trading solutions across MENA. Crypto traders can now access a full suite of services via a single platform. The move is expected to boost liquidity and attract more users. Overall, HashKey MENA’s upgrade marks a key step in its expansion strategy.
Bullish
HashKey MENAOrder Book TradingOTC Trading24/7 TradingMENA Crypto Market
After hitting a new all-time high, the Bitcoin price quickly retraced to last week’s levels, indicating renewed bearish control. Crypto analyst Melikatrader outlines two possible scenarios, each starting with a bullish rebound before facing rejection at key supply zones. In the first scenario, Bitcoin price rallies toward $118,000 then reverses as sellers emerge. In the second, it extends gains into the $119,000–$120,000 range before a similar pullback. Both paths end with a steeper decline, targeting support around $115,800. The initial break below the lower trendline of an ascending channel signals increasing bearish pressure. Traders should monitor supply zone rejections and watch for a potential bounce at the $115,800 demand level for signs of stabilization and the next rally.
Bearish
BitcoinTechnical AnalysisPrice PredictionBearishSupply Zone
The crypto market has seen record ETF inflows as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) reach fresh peaks. However, this boom has fueled a rise in a sophisticated crypto scam operation. Fraudsters impersonate law firms and government agencies—often under names like the International Financial Trading Commission (INTFTC)—to offer fund recovery services. Victims are lured with promises of stolen-asset retrieval before being pressured to pay via crypto or gift cards. Warning signs include refusal of video calls, demands for upfront fees, and unverified licenses. Security experts advise a zero-trust approach: verify credentials, request video proof, keep detailed records, and confirm identities through official channels. Vigilance and due diligence remain the best defenses against this growing wave of fake law firm crypto scam.
Neutral
Crypto scamsFake law firmsETF inflowsFund recoverySecurity tips
The latest BNB price prediction points to slowing growth after a recent rally above $800. The Maxwell upgrade has improved transaction speeds and cut costs, reinforcing BNB’s utility across payments, DeFi and enterprise adoption.
Despite a bullish outlook, some holders are shifting attention to Layer Brett (LBRETT), a new Ethereum Layer 2 token offering 9000% staking rewards in its presale. Priced under $1, LBRETT combines meme culture with real DeFi performance, delivering near-zero fees and fast transaction speeds.
With a presale price of $0.0042, LBRETT provides an attractive entry point. Additional features include full decentralisation, no KYC requirements, and a $1 million community giveaway, boosting its appeal among early traders.
Traders face a clear contrast: BNB offers stability backed by institutional interest and established use cases, while Layer Brett promises explosive high-yield opportunities. Monitoring the BNB price prediction alongside LBRETT’s performance could guide trading strategies through Q4 2025.
The recent Bitcoin ETF surge propelled Bitcoin to an all-time high of $124,500 and drove Ethereum to $4,500, reflecting growing institutional investment in digital assets. However, the market rally coincides with a sharp rise in crypto scams. Fraudsters are impersonating law firms and government agencies to lure victims with false fund-recovery services demanding cryptocurrency payments. Experts urge traders to adopt a zero-trust approach: independently verify any recovery offers, request official documentation, and avoid unsolicited communications. These trends underscore that the Bitcoin ETF surge is accompanied by heightened scam risks, necessitating continuous vigilance. Investors should trust their instincts and report suspicious activities to authorities. Staying informed and cautious is critical to navigating the booming yet perilous crypto landscape.
Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel has clarified that Judge Analisa Torres has no further role in the Ripple-SEC case, countering speculation by crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto that a final district court sign-off could drive XRP to $5. On August 15, the SEC and Ripple filed a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal of their cross-appeals with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, advancing the Ripple-SEC case solely to the appellate level. Legal expert Bill Morgan noted the procedural nature of this filing. Community members have called for action against accounts spreading repeated misinformation. With Judge Torres’s district involvement concluded and the appeals process under way, traders should adjust their strategies and focus on formal dismissal timelines rather than anticipating new rulings from the district court.
Neutral
Ripple-SEC caseJudge TorresJoint Stipulation of DismissalXRP price speculationCryptocurrency misinformation
Lib Work, a leading Japanese construction firm, announced a strategic Bitcoin Purchase of 500 million yen (approximately $3.4 million) in 2025. The company aims to hedge against inflation risks and support its overseas expansion by holding a globally liquid digital asset. This corporate Bitcoin purchase underscores a growing trend of firms adding crypto to their treasury management strategies. Key benefits include portfolio diversification, potential capital appreciation, and an enhanced innovative brand image. However, challenges such as Bitcoin’s market volatility, evolving regulatory requirements, and secure custody solutions must be addressed. To guide similar initiatives, Lib Work recommends thorough due diligence, clear investment objectives, expert consultation, and institutional-grade security protocols. This move places Lib Work among global pioneers like MicroStrategy and may encourage broader corporate crypto adoption.
A crypto scalper executed a panic sell of 2,277 ETH (about $9.57 million) at an average price of $4,203 per coin. The large order triggered significant on-chain slippage, underscoring the risks of rapid, high-volume trades in volatile markets. Despite the adverse price impact, the scalper secured a net profit of $4.04 million. This event highlights the importance of liquidity management and strategic order execution to minimize slippage. Traders should note that large sell-offs can drive short-term price swings but also create arbitrage opportunities. Monitoring on-chain data for slippage events can offer key insights into market sentiment and trading patterns.
Major Wall Street players BlackRock, JPMorgan and Citi have launched tokenization platforms to streamline financial markets. BlackRock’s Aladdin integrates tokenized assets and offers the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) on Ethereum. JPMorgan’s Onyx Digital Assets provides intraday liquidity, tokenized repo transactions, money market funds and JPM Coin for institutional settlement. Citi Token Services delivers blockchain-based cross-border payments, liquidity management and tokenized trade finance with enhanced interoperability. This institutional push towards asset tokenization addresses long-standing inefficiencies. Reduced settlement times—from days to minutes—boost capital efficiency and liquidity while lowering funding costs. Real-time collateral transfers optimize balance sheets and minimize margin call risks. Tokenization also grants banks control over asset data, enabling advanced compliance, analytics and risk tools. Despite progress, the market remains fragmented across private blockchains. A single global ledger, akin to TCP/IP for networks, may emerge as the standard for scalable, low-cost transactions. With Boston Consulting Group estimating a $16 trillion tokenization market by 2030, this trend could reshape financial infrastructure and drive demand for blockchain technology.
Cardano (ADA) futures volume surged to $6.96 billion on August 14, marking a five-month high and signaling renewed trader interest in ADA futures. After a 12% gain over the past week, ADA traded near $0.93 and briefly reached $0.98 following a breakout above a triangle consolidation. Analysts Ali Martinez and Dan Gambardello identify key resistance between $1.00 and $1.25, targeting $1.10 for a short-term move and $1.25 to confirm a broader bullish trend. Market sentiment, tracked by Market Prophit, has turned bullish, reflecting growing optimism around ADA. Institutional moves, including Grayscale’s new Cardano trust, have fueled speculation of a future spot ADA ETF. Traders will watch whether rising futures volume and momentum can push ADA through the $1.10–$1.25 range, potentially unlocking further upside.
MicroStrategy vs BitMine highlights two distinct crypto treasury models. MicroStrategy (renamed Strategy) employs complex financing—ATM stock issuances, convertible notes, and hybrid perpetual preferred shares (STRK, STRF, STRD, STRC)—to amass over $5.5 billion in BTC since January. By issuing instruments with 8–10% dividends and setting dilution guards tied to a 2.5× BTC multiplier, MicroStrategy diversifies funding and limits equity dilution. In contrast, BitMine Immersion Technologies relies on classic ATM stock sales and convertible notes to rapidly build a $5.2 billion ETH position of 1.15 million ETH. BitMine’s smaller scale and high public profile offer greater growth upside but less financing flexibility in downturns. Both serve as high-beta proxies for BTC and ETH, with their fortunes directly linked to token prices. Traders should monitor financing costs, share dilution triggers, and token momentum as key indicators of each firm’s resilience and growth potential.
Pump.fun, the meme crypto generator behind the PUMP token, transferred 2.5 billion PUMP tokens (≈$9.19M) to the OKX exchange. Hours after the token transfer, PUMP price plunged 15%, dropping from $0.003736 to $0.003172. The large deposit raised bearish pressure as traders feared a major sell-off. On-chain data show open interest fell 6.41% to $443.79M, while trading volume surged 102%.
Technical indicators signal bearish momentum for the PUMP token. The 3-hour MACD crossed below its signal line, the RSI slid from 56 to 38, and PUMP now trades below its 50- and 100-period EMAs. Chaikin Money Flow has turned negative, confirming capital outflows. Analysts debate if Pump.fun is offloading holdings or enhancing OKX liquidity. The transfer underscores meme coin sensitivity to sudden supply shifts. Traders should watch PUMP closely as market confidence wanes.
Crypto analysts have turned bullish on memecoins Dogecoin and Pepe, forecasting potential price gains of up to 200% by the end of the current bull market. Simultaneously, Remittix (RTX) is attracting hype ahead of its token presale and planned exchange listings. Positioned as a PayFi project, Remittix aims to facilitate crypto-to-bank transfers across 30+ countries, offering early backers a 40% token bonus and 20% referral rewards. The project’s presale milestone of $20 million will trigger the announcement of its first centralized exchange listing. Traders should note the increasing memecoin sentiment and the promising utility case for Remittix as factors likely to influence market momentum.
The TRUMP meme coin has fallen steadily since its January 17, 2025 launch, with over 760,000 investors losing more than $1 billion. Crypto analyst Master Ananda notes that TRUMP meme coin (TRUMPUSDT) hit a bottom in April and has now spent 131 days in sideways action. Historically, altcoins recover 8–10 months after a trough, including a roughly two-month buildup followed by a one- to three-month bullish wave.
Based on this cycle, the TRUMP meme coin may enter its recovery phase soon. Master Ananda’s price forecast places the next bullish zone peak at $78, implying a potential 700% increase from current levels. Traders are advised to focus on the long-term outlook rather than short-term fluctuations. With altcoin recovery trends and bullish wave patterns supporting the case, the TRUMP meme coin could stage a significant rally over the coming months.
At the 2021 bull market peak, leading crypto influencers such as CZ, Michael Saylor, ZachXBT and others shared bold predictions on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices. Tweets ranged from confident forecasts—expecting BTC to hit $100,000 or declaring the bear market over—to humorous or obscure commentary. A retrospective shows that many top crypto influencers failed to sell at the top, with BTC and ETH plunging by up to 70% over the following two years. Despite some accurate timing calls, the majority of influencer predictions proved unreliable. This review underscores the challenges of market timing and the risks of relying solely on social media voices. Traders are advised to prepare for volatility, set clear exit strategies, and use influencer insights as one of multiple inputs in their trading decisions.
Bitcoin has remained above the $100,000 threshold for over 100 consecutive days, marking a significant milestone in this bull market. Despite strong technical signals—such as the 200-day moving average breaking the $100K level—and ongoing institutional support from spot ETFs, retirement account inclusion, and endorsement at the WEF, retail investors have been notably absent. Google Trends data show Bitcoin searches have fallen below unrelated terms, reflecting a lack of grassroots interest. Analysts attribute this retail void to previous cycle losses, skepticism over a now “institutionalized” market, and a perception that Bitcoin has lost its speculative appeal. Although whales have been replaced by large institutions, the missing retail cohort raises questions about future liquidity and volatility. Traders should monitor whether renewed retail engagement or continued institutional inflows will drive the next leg of this bull run.
Australia’s Monochrome spot Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) raised its holdings to 990 BTC as of August 15, 2025. The fund’s assets under management climbed to about A$181 million. This uptick reflects rising institutional demand for direct Bitcoin exposure in Australia’s nascent spot Bitcoin ETF market. Monochrome launched IBTC to provide investors a regulated vehicle for Bitcoin. Its growing BTC allocation follows global trends where spot Bitcoin ETFs increasingly attract inflows. The Bitcoin ETF’s expanding AUM points to strong market appetite. Traders should monitor IBTC holdings and AUM growth, as well as any premiums or discounts to net asset value, for insights into demand and liquidity.
Bullish
MonochromeBitcoin ETFETF HoldingsAssets Under ManagementCryptocurrency
On August 18, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced increased volatility, dropping below the $115,000 threshold as BTC price slid to $114,929.20 on OKX, marking a 2.80% decline intraday. The price drop underscores profit-taking after recent highs and reflects broader market uncertainty amid mixed macroeconomic signals. Traders are eyeing key support levels and awaiting upcoming economic data and central bank commentary to gauge potential for a rebound or further correction.
Binance has announced that users holding at least 230 Binance Alpha Points can participate in the RICE AI Token Generation Event (TGE) via the Alpha activities page. Each entry into the RICE AI TGE requires a deduction of 15 Alpha Points. This point-based launch mechanism rewards active Binance users with early access to RICE AI tokens, driving engagement on the platform. Traders should weigh the 15-point cost against potential token value when deciding to join, considering both the timing and limited nature of this offering.
Qubic, an AI-focused blockchain project, has voted to carry out a 51% attack on the Dogecoin network. The community chose Dogecoin over Zcash and Kaspa in a recent poll. Sergey Ivancheglo, Qubic’s founder, announced on X that the vote outcome reflects mounting concerns over blockchain resilience and preparation for such an attack.
Following the vote, Dogecoin’s price dipped below $0.22, declining 4% within 24 hours. A recent bullish golden crossover failed to sustain momentum. Dogecoin’s futures open-interest-adjusted cumulative volume delta (CVD) also dropped 1%, marking the largest sell-pressure signal among top tokens.
The move comes after Qubic’s successful 51% attack on Monero. The attack highlights vulnerabilities in ASIC-enabled proof-of-work networks. Other major tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum show similar bearish pressure, while LINK is the only large-cap token with a positive CVD.
Bitcoin fell almost to $115,000, extending losses from its $124,000 record high. The drop followed hotter-than-expected U.S. producer price inflation, which weakened prospects for a 50-basis-point Fed rate cut. Markets now price in a 25-basis-point cut in September. Analysts at Coinbase Institutional view this pullback as a buying opportunity ahead of potential rate cuts in September and October.
Traders should monitor short-term volatility around Qubic’s planned 51% attack on Dogecoin and macroeconomic indicators, including Fed Chair Powell’s remarks at Jackson Hole.
Dunamu, operator of South Korea’s Upbit exchange, reported crypto assets worth 2.6 trillion won (~$1.87 billion) at the end of H1 2025. The portfolio comprises 16,879 BTC (~$1.8 billion), 10,575 ETH (~$25.4 million) and 10.18 million USDT. These digital reserves, built primarily through trading fees, underscore Upbit’s market dominance and robust revenue model. Public disclosure of its crypto assets enhances transparency and aligns with regulatory demands, potentially boosting investor confidence and market liquidity. Dunamu’s strategic management of its crypto assets may influence price movements in Korea’s dynamic crypto market. As volatility and competition rise, such transparency is crucial for assessing the exchange’s financial stability and informing trading decisions.
KuCoin Spotlight has unveiled an exclusive AKE token sale for the AKEDO AI gaming platform, offering traders early access, reduced pricing, and principal protection. AKEDO’s multi-agent AI framework enables users to create studio-quality Web3 games in minutes using natural language prompts, integrating on-chain ownership and crypto rewards. The AKE token sale features a Spotlight FDV at 80% of the previous financing round and an additional 10% discount for KCS subscribers. Allocation is guaranteed through proportional distribution in case of oversubscription, while a buyback mechanism protects participants’ principal. Built on Solana, TON, BNB, Bera, and DuckChain, AKEDO’s ecosystem supports earnings in DOGE, BNB, USDT, and more via its PlayDrop feature. With KuCoin Spotlight’s track record of incubating innovative projects, this AKE token sale presents both short-term trading opportunities and potential long-term growth tied to the rising AI gaming sector.
Japanese crypto asset manager Metaplanet has added 775 BTC, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 18,888 BTC. The purchase underscores Metaplanet’s continued confidence in the Bitcoin market. The move follows similar accumulation trends by major firms and signals support for market stability. Increased corporate demand could tighten supply and lift BTC prices in both short and long term. Traders should monitor corporate accumulation metrics as potential bullish indicators.