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While institutional investors continue to show interest in the cryptocurrency market, there has been a noticeable decline in individual investor engagement on social media. According to recent data, the volume of posts using the keywords “Bitcoin” and “Ethereum” on X (formerly Twitter) has fallen to its lowest level in the last 12 months.

Daily posts about Bitcoin have dropped to around 130,000, while posts about Ethereum have fallen to around 40,000. These levels represent the lowest social media activity seen since 2020, when institutional interest was just beginning to emerge.

Tweet volume is considered one of the key indicators measuring the level of interest of individual investors in the market. This metric reveals not the amount of capital entering the market, but how much investors are talking about specific assets. The current situation is noteworthy because, despite social media interest falling back to 2020 levels, institutional investors’ interest in cryptocurrencies is conversely accelerating.

In 2020, Bitcoin and Ethereum hadn’t yet fully entered Wall Street’s radar, spot ETFs hadn’t been approved, and holding crypto assets on corporate balance sheets wasn’t widespread. Today, the picture has changed dramatically. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs manage billions of dollars in funds, and asset tokenization holds a significant place on the agenda of traditional finance conferences and major financial institutions.

Analysts believe this development could signal that institutional adoption may now be able to progress independently of individual investor interest. However, historical data shows that low levels of social media engagement often coincide with periods when prices are trading sideways or pulling back.

According to experts, as the crypto ecosystem matures, price movements and infrastructure investments may not require as much intense individual investor interest as in past bull cycles.

However, the renewed increase in individual investor participation remains a crucial factor in strengthening both trading volumes and market momentum. Therefore, social media data continues to be closely monitored as an indicator of market sentiment.

*This is not investment advice.

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Interpol operation exposes $122M crypto wallet tied to romance scam launderingA crypto wallet linked to a suspected romance-scam money launderer processed more than $122.5 million in 10 months, according to Interpol.

Interpol said that Thai authorities arrested two suspects and uncovered a money-laundering network that funneled proceeds from romance scams into cryptocurrencies, using cross-chain token swaps to obscure the trail.

The investigation was part of Operation First Light 2026, an Interpol-coordinated campaign targeting social engineering scams and the financial infrastructure used to launder their proceeds.

The operation involved authorities in 97 countries and territories, resulting in 5,811 arrests and the seizure of $293 million in illicit assets tied to fraud and money laundering.

Romance scams, also known as pig-butchering scams, often involve criminals building trust with victims through social media or online dating platforms before steering them toward fraudulent investment schemes.

InterpolAuthorities carried out raids on scam centers. Source: Interpol

Hyundai completes USDT treasury settlement pilot between US and MexicoHyundai Motor's US and Mexican units completed a pilot cross-border treasury transfer using Tether's USDT stablecoin, settling a $20,000 payment in about seven minutes on the Avalanche blockchain.

Hyundai Motor America converted the funds into USDT, transferred the stablecoin to Hyundai Motor Mexico and converted it back into US dollars. The transfer and verification process took about seven minutes, compared with three to four hours or more for a traditional cross-border bank transfer.

Tether said the pilot used Axiym's settlement infrastructure, while Hyundai Card designed the remittance structure and oversaw the regulatory, compliance, accounting and operational requirements needed to support the proof of concept.

Japan’s SBI to launch yen stablecoin lending with 3% yieldTokyo-based SBI VC Trade will begin accepting applications Thursday for a Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin lending service offering an initial annualized rate of 3% on JPYSC lent for 12 weeks.

Customers will lend JPYSC to the SBI Holdings subsidiary from Thursday and receive the tokens back with a lending fee at maturity, the company said in a Monday press release. At the advertised rate, the gross return over the 12-week term would be about 0.69%, before tax.

The company said the product pays more than the 0.325% to 1% annual rate SBI cited for ordinary yen deposits. Still, it is not a bank deposit, is not covered by deposit insurance and generally cannot be canceled early.

Japanese lender launches Bitcoin-backed loans of up to $6.2MJapanese lender CRYL has launched Bitcoin-backed loans of up to 1 billion yen ($6.2 million), allowing individuals and businesses to raise fiat currency without selling their BTC. 

On Thursday, the company announced that borrowers can access between $6,200 and $6.2 million at annual rates of 3.5% to 7%. The loans carry collateral ratios of 40% to 60%. They run for one year and can be used for expenses, including taxes, business funding and property purchases.

The launch expands Japan’s small market for regulated crypto-backed financing. In 2020, Fintertech, a Daiwa Securities Group and Credit Saison joint venture, launched a similar service and currently lends up to $3 million against Bitcoin or Ether. However, CRYL's service advertises a higher ceiling and a lower minimum, while limiting collateral to BTC. 

Metaplanet explores Bitcoin-backed digital credit with JPYC in JapanJapanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet has teamed up with stablecoin issuer JPYC and tokenization infrastructure provider Progmat to study Bitcoin-backed digital credit products in Japan.

The investigation will examine whether Bitcoin can be used as collateral or credit enhancement for digital corporate bonds and other credit instruments, with 24/7 accessibility, settlement and daily interest accrual for holders, issued on the blockchain ledger. No product has been launched yet as part of the experiment.

The news suggests Metaplanet is looking beyond its role as a Bitcoin treasury company and testing how Bitcoin could be used as a productive balance sheet asset.

Digital credit instruments have been an important part of Strategy’s playbook. The world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder has relied on "digital credit" instruments such as the STRC preferred stock as a primary vehicle for raising capital to acquire more Bitcoin. 

MetaplanetJoint study in the digital credit domain utilizing Bitcoin, JPYC, and security tokens. Source: Metaplanet 

Japan stablecoin payments advance with Lawson trial, Netstars launchJapanese convenience-store operator Lawson plans to test yen-denominated stablecoin payments at a Tokyo location in August, examining whether stablecoin payments can work within a standard convenience store checkout flow.

On Monday, blockchain company HashPort said it had signed an agreement to conduct the trial at the Lawson Takanawa Gateway City store. Participants will use HashPort's non-custodial wallet, while the store will process payments through the company's point-of-sale system without needing to open or manage crypto wallets. 

The pilot aims to explore how stablecoin payments can be integrated into Japan’s existing retail infrastructure while shielding merchants from much of the operational complexity associated with accepting digital assets.

Bitdeer stock jumps 14% as company expands US mining hardware productionBitdeer shares rallied after the company announced a $36 million Nevada manufacturing facility that will produce its SEALMINER Bitcoin mining machines and expand its hardware business.

The gains for the Singapore-based miner followed Bitdeer’s announcement that it will build a manufacturing facility in Sparks, Nevada. It will produce key mining hardware components, with commercial production expected to begin by the end of the year.

BitdeerBitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) stock. Source: Yahoo Finance

Hong Kong regulator orders new anti-phishing measures for crypto platformsThe Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) on Thursday issued new requirements for phishing-resistant authentication methods for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) and online brokers in the special administrative region.

The new standards require stronger phishing-resistant authentication methods and device binding while prohibiting the use of one-time passwords through SMS, email or app-based logins. Platforms must implement the changes within the next 12 months.

Bank of Korea stands firm on bank-led stablecoin push as deposit token pilots advanceThe Bank of Korea (BOK) has doubled down on its stance that won-denominated stablecoins should first be issued through bank-led consortiums.

According to local reports from Digital Asset and EDaily, the BOK also called for new safeguards including a statutory policy body involving relevant agencies to oversee the sector.

The latest comments reinforce the BOK's months-long push to keep won stablecoin issuance under bank-led structures. The central bank's stance has divided policymakers and industry groups and contributed to delays in South Korea's digital asset bill.

Regulators invited Binance to seek new licenses after MiCA setback, co-CEO saysBinance co-CEO Richard Teng says some regulators have invited the exchange to apply for crypto licenses after it failed to secure permission to operate in Europe.

Teng said the discussions are still “premature” and declined to identify the jurisdictions. 

MiCA created a single licensing framework for crypto firms across the European Union, with non licensed firms unable to operate in the block after July 1. Binance withdrew its application for a MiCA license in Greece on June 24, after report that Greek regulators were planning on knocking it back.

“It caught us by surprise because we submitted a fully compliant application. The regulators told us as much,” Teng said.

“We are not quite sure why the approval kept being delayed. We withdrew the application because otherwise our users would have faced a very short transition period,” he added.

Richard TengRichard Teng. Source: Binance

Asia crypto news in brief
Temasek says no to crypto
Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek is still smarting from having to write down $275 million on its FTX investment. Its Global Investment Head said this week that crypto remains “off the table” for now, though it’s still keeping an eye on developments in the blockchain sector.  

HSBC’s blockchain note
HSBC and Marketnode teamed up to complete the private placement of a “digitally native” USD denominated note issued on blockchain in Hong Kong.

Japan’s crypto ETFs and credit
The Japanese government remains on track to launch crypto ETFs in the country, following recent legislative amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchanges Act

SBI Solana Global
Japanese asset manager SBI Holdings has teamed up with the Solana Foundation to launch a new division called SBI Solana Global, focused on stablecoins, international payments and RWAs.

India crypto ban looms
The Reserve Bank of India said it is “leaning” toward a total prohibition on crypto and has  recommended that legislators prevent banks and financial institutions from getting involved in the sector.

Thailand stablecoin audits
The Bank of Thailand and the Thai SEC are using blockchain analytics tools to investigate suspicious high-volume stablecoin transactions, with a particular focus on USDT.

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

The broader cryptocurrency market risk-off sentiment builds as US President Donald Trump formally declares war with Iran to the US Congress. Bitcoin (BTC) holds at $62,000 on Tuesday, while Pi Network (PI) and Worldcoin (WLD) are leading losses over the last 24 hours.

CoinMarketCap’s Fear and Greed Index is at 28 on Tuesday, down from 31 on Sunday, reaffirming the declining risk appetite in the industry.

Fear and Greed Index. Source: CoinMarketCapBitcoin nears $60,000 amid renewed pressureBitcoin trades near $62,000 on Tuesday, after a 2% drop the previous day, keeping the near-term trend trapped below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $65,070. The reversal risks a retest of the $60,000 psychological level, with the swing low near $58,115 in place.

Momentum signals are comparatively modest, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering around a neutral 46.9 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) staying in positive territory but not yet strong enough to challenge the dominant downside structure.

BTC/USDT daily price chart.Looking up, a potential breakout of the 50-day EMA at $65,070 could extend the rally to the $70,000 mark.

Pi Network and Worldcoin poised for further declinePi Network trades at a record low level near $0.0740 on Tuesday, testing the breakout below a descending support trendline of a falling channel pattern. The PI token targets the 161.8% Fibonacci extension level at $0.0679 as immediate support, measured from the downswing from $0.1998 to $0.1183, where a daily close could extend its decline to steeper levels.

The MACD and signal line extend the declining trend, with expanding negative histograms indicating firm bearish momentum, while the RSI near 11 keeps the pair deeply oversold, suggesting that, while downside pressure is dominant, short-term bounces cannot be ruled out.

PI/USD daily price chart.Looking up, a potential rebound in the bearish setup from the support trendline could test the 127.2% Fibonacci level at $0.0961.

Worldcoin trades below $0.4000 at press time on Tuesday, following a 6% decline the previous day. The 50-day EMA at $0.4268 caps the near-term trend, pushing WLD price below the 50% retracement at $0.4048, measured from $0.7229 to $0.2267. A steady decline below could target the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.2980.

That said, the RSI at about 42 still leans toward softness, while the MACD remains marginally below its signal line, suggesting downside pressure persists despite the latest stabilization.

WLD/USDT daily price chart.Looking up, the 50-day and 200-day EMAs at $0.4268 and $0.4851, respectively, serve as key resistance levels.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) tapped $64,000 the previous week, but Glassnode’s Weekly Market Pulse report shows weakening spot participation, declining on-chain activity, and defensive options positioning underneath the price recovery.

What Is The Spot Market Actually Saying?Bitcoin’s 14-day Relative Strength Index jumped from 50.8 to 66.9, pushing the asset into overbought territory.

Spot trading volume fell 21.5% to $4.1 billion, well below Glassnode’s lower threshold of $4.7 billion.

Spot cumulative volume delta flipped from positive $17.2 million to negative $58.8 million, meaning aggressive sellers now outnumber aggressive buyers even as price climbs.

“The advance has been driven by relatively thin liquidity rather than broad-based buying conviction,” Glassnode wrote.

Are Futures And Options Traders Buying This Move?Futures open interest barely moved, slipping from $31.4 billion to $31.3 billion, meaning traders are holding existing positions rather than adding new bets. 

Meanwhile, funding payments rose above the upper statistical band, meaning long holders are paying a growing premium to stay in their trades while actual buying intensity collapsed 81.7% in perpetual markets.

Options traders are hedging rather than speculating. Put options are trading at a premium to calls, with traders paying more for downside protection than for upside exposure. The options market is not convinced this rally holds.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF flows turned positive, recording $161.3 million in net inflows after weeks of outflows. 

ETF trading volume fell 11.97% to $8.4 billion, so the return looks like gradual allocation rather than aggressive re-entry.

What Does On-Chain Data Show?Network activity moved against the price recovery. Daily active addresses fell 7.6% to 599,000, approaching Glassnode’s lower threshold of 594,600. 

Transfer volume dropped 16.1% to $4 billion and total fee revenue fell 13.9% to $168,400, below the lower statistical band.

Long-term holders remain firm, with the short-term to long-term supply ratio falling to 12.1%, below the lower band of 12.5%. 

Moreover, capital is still leaving Bitcoin on the net, just at a slower rate than before.

Glassnode’s takeaway is that Bitcoin is consolidating after recent lows rather than breaking out.

Spot volume recovering, sellers turning into buyers, and on-chain activity stabilizing are the conditions the data still needs to show before this recovery carries real conviction.

Image: Shutterstock

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The Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy (MSTR) has now gone three consecutive weeks without buying any BTC.

On Monday, Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor announced the company increased its US dollar reserve by $450 million over the past week but opted not to buy any new Bitcoin.

Over the two weeks prior, the firm sold a total of 3,588 BTC for $216 million. The sales, which sparked headlines across the crypto sector, materialized under the Strategy’s newly introduced BTC monetization program, designed to bolster the firm’s cash reserve and support dividend payments.

The firm still holds 843,775 Bitcoin worth $52.47 billion at time of writing, as well as $3 billion in cash reserves.

In May, Strategy sold 32 BTC worth $2.47 million, the company’s first Bitcoin sale since 2022, when the firm’s subsidiary, MacroStrategy, hawked 704 BTC for approximately $11.8 million.

The May sale marked a dramatic shift in tone for Strategy after Saylor spent years encouraging investors to “never sell” their BTC.

He did tip that a sale could happen, however, suggesting in a first-quarter earnings call that the firm would “probably sell some Bitcoin to fund a dividend just to inoculate the market – just to send the message that we did it.”

Strategy was the first public company to adopt Bitcoin as its sole treasury reserve asset and remains the world’s largest corporate holder of BTC by a wide margin.

Generated Image: Midjourney

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) may be entering the final stages of its bear market as higher-timeframe technical indicators increasingly point towards a long-term bottom.

Multiple Bullish SignalsIn a "Kev Capital" podcast on July 13, crypto analyst Kevin said he is not attempting to pinpoint the exact bottom but instead is gradually building exposure based on improving technical conditions.

He added that BTC is now showing multiple bullish signals on higher timeframes, including the weekly and two-week charts, rather than just shorter-term indicators.

Among the signals he highlighted are technical bullish divergences and BTC trading near its 12-day 200 EMA and 200 SMA—areas that have historically coincided with major cycle lows.

Kevin says he believes Bitcoin could still revisit the $44,000 to $56,000 region before a durable bottom is established but stressed that such a move would not alter his accumulation strategy.

The analyst argued that disciplined dollar-cost averaging has historically been a more effective strategy than waiting for a single-entry price.

Kevin also cited stablecoin dominance as another indicator supporting his bullish medium-term outlook.

Those signals suggest selling pressure is fading and that “the Bitcoin bears are finally getting weaker.”

Image: Shutterstock

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Bitcoin prices dropped as geopolitical concerns fueled losses.

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Bitcoin prices took a tumble on Monday, July 13, falling as global markets responded to the latest geopolitical tensions involving the Straight of Hormuz.

This development combined with other factors to place downward pressure on the digital asset’s price.

The world’s most valuable digital currency dropped to $61,750.90, according to Coinbase data from TradingView. At this point, the cryptocurrency was down roughly 4% after rising to nearly $64,400 earlier in the day.

Major stock indices including the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average also pushed lower during the day, according to Google Finance data.

“Bitcoin’s recent weakness has been driven by a broader risk-off move across global markets,” Roy Kashi, co-founder and CEO of Falconedge, stated via email.

“Rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran have pushed oil prices higher, reignited inflation concerns and reduced expectations for near-term rate cuts, prompting investors to trim exposure to risk assets.”

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Tal Fromchenko, Founder and CEO of Leveraged, offered a similar take, while also citing additional causal factors.

“The pullback to $62,000 is primarily driven by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, which sparked a broader shift away from risk assets while cooling institutional ETF inflows and triggering leveraged long liquidations after Bitcoin failed to break past key resistance on Friday,” he said through emailed comments.

“However, this remains a standard macro-driven flush within a historically healthy multi-year market cycle, leaving Bitcoin’s broader structural trajectory for growth entirely intact,” added Fromchenko, who provided a bullish outlook.

Himanshu Sahay, cofounder and CTO of crypto lender Arch, also weighed in, pointing to various factors when explaining bitcoin’s latest price movements.

“I don’t think this decline is the result of any one event. It’s more likely the market reacting to a mix of macro sentiment, positioning and liquidity, all of which can change pretty quickly,” he noted through emailed commentary.

Saeed Al-Marri, CEO at Ethra Invest, took a different tack, choosing to focus on market factors and an upcoming inflation report due for release later this week.

“I think on the technical side what we’re seeing looks like a wave of liquidations, not a loss of faith in Bitcoin. When traders go long, essentially borrowing money to bet the price will rise, then any drop basically forces exchanges to automatically liquidate those positions once losses hit a limit,” he stated via email.

“Right now, longs are being liquidated six times as often as shorts (6 to 1), which tells you this is bullish bets getting wiped out, not a broad exit from the asset.”

“And on the macro side the bigger driver is what’s coming on Wednesday: US Consumer Price Index (inflation data),” he continued. "If it comes in hot, it pushes back any hope of the Fed cutting interest rates soon, and higher rates make safer options like bonds and cash more attractive than a volatile asset like Bitcoin.

“That’s the real story right now. Its not Bitcoin breaking down, but the whole market waiting on a single number from the CPI.”

In brief New Hampshire's governor signed the Blockchain Basics Law, introducing new protections for blockchain innovation and crypto users in the state. Last year, the state became the first in the nation to introduce a strategic Bitcoin reserve, allowing for up to 5% of public funds to be invested in the leading crypto asset. However, its executive council recently rejected the allowance of the first Bitcoin-backed municipal bond. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte helped make the state into one of the crypto-friendliest in the nation when she signed HB 639 into law last week. 

Known as the The Blockchain Basic Laws act, the bill provides protections for cryptocurrency innovation and use in the state while also allowing for the creation of a special blockchain dispute docket in the superior court. 

"With Governor Ayotte's signature on HB 639, New Hampshire has once again demonstrated that it intends to lead the nation in blockchain innovation," said New Hampshire Representative Keith Ammon, the bill’s primary sponsor, in a statement. 

“The Blockchain Basic Laws protect one of the most fundamental rights in the digital economy—the right of individuals to control their own digital assets through self-custody,” he added. “They also provide clear legal protections for blockchain developers, miners, validators, entrepreneurs, and businesses building the next generation of financial technology.”

The state’s latest blockchain legislation follows its passing of a strategic Bitcoin reserve last year. The bill, signed by Ayotte in May 2025, allows the state’s treasurer to invest up to 5% of its public funds in the leading crypto asset, alongside precious metals like gold and silver. 

Ammon, who played a key role in that bill’s passage, told Decrypt at the time it was “one little way our state could hedge against inflation in the future."

“Today, with the signing of HB 639, we have taken another major step by enacting one of the most comprehensive blockchain rights laws in the country,” he said in a statement. “Entrepreneurs, investors, developers, and innovators across America should know that New Hampshire is open for blockchain business."

Despite its advances, the state’s executive council last week blocked a proposal that would have allowed the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to facilitate a Bitcoin-backed municipal bond.

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The crypto derivatives market had a rough Wednesday. More than $315 million in leveraged positions were forcibly closed within a single 24-hour window, with long traders absorbing the overwhelming majority of the damage.

Bitcoin slipping below the $60,000 support level was the match that lit the fuse, and an over-leveraged market provided plenty of fuel.

The breakdown, by asset Bitcoin led the carnage, accounting for $152 million of the total liquidations. Of that figure, 92.91% were long positions, meaning traders who had bet on continued upside got caught badly offside.

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Ethereum was not far behind. ETH traders saw $148 million liquidated, with 84.3% of those on the long side. Solana added roughly $15.17 million to the tally, with approximately 91% of those also longs.

Elevated funding rates matter here. In perpetual futures markets, funding rates are periodic payments between long and short traders. When they run high for an extended period, it is a reliable signal that longs are crowded and the market is carrying significant speculative leverage.

What actually triggered the move Bitcoin breaking below $60,000 was the proximate cause. Large transfers of Bitcoin to centralized exchanges in the lead-up to the event added selling pressure, as on-exchange BTC typically signals that holders are preparing to sell rather than hold in cold storage.

The mechanics of what happened next are worth understanding. Perpetual futures liquidations do not happen in isolation. When a position is liquidated, the exchange sells the underlying asset to cover the debt, which pushes price lower, which triggers the next round of liquidations. The $315 million figure reflects where the loop settled before buyers stepped back in.

Context: bad, but not historic To be clear about the scale here: $315 million is significant. It is not, however, the kind of number that rewrites the record books. Between 2021 and 2025, the crypto market witnessed several liquidation events measured in the billions, including episodes tied to the Terra/LUNA collapse, the FTX unwind, and various leverage flushes during Bitcoin’s more volatile rallies and corrections.

Open interest, the total value of outstanding derivative contracts, declined following the liquidations, which is how the market clears excess speculation. Less open interest means less fuel for the next cascade, at least in the near term.

The distribution of losses here, north of 90% long liquidations across the major assets, reflects a market that had become structurally skewed. For investors watching from the sidelines, the key variable to monitor is how quickly funding rates recover. A rapid return to elevated funding would suggest the market has not absorbed the lesson, and that another flush is being assembled in real time.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

The US government just moved $288 million worth of Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime, the exchange’s institutional custody and trading arm. The deposits include crypto confiscated from three separate criminal cases: assets tied to Brian Krewson, the defunct BTC-e exchange, and Ryan Farace.

Where the crypto came from BTC-e was a cryptocurrency exchange seized by US authorities back in 2017 on money laundering charges. The platform was one of the earliest major exchanges to face a full government takedown, and forfeited assets from that case have been trickling through the legal system ever since.

Ryan Farace, along with his brother Joseph Farace, was involved in a drug trafficking operation that led to the forfeiture of over 4,000 BTC between 2018 and 2021. Ryan and Joseph were sentenced for their roles in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

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The government also made a smaller, related transfer of 2.44 BTC to Coinbase Prime addresses, suggesting this isn’t a one-off dump but part of a broader, methodical approach to managing its growing crypto inventory.

Why Coinbase Prime matters here Coinbase Prime is an institutional-grade platform built for large clients, including government agencies, that need custody services, over-the-counter trading, and structured liquidation capabilities.

The Department of Justice and the US Marshals Service have increasingly relied on regulated platforms like Coinbase to handle forfeited digital assets. The process typically works like this: assets are held in custody until all legal formalities surrounding forfeiture are completed, at which point they can be liquidated for the government’s benefit.

The use of Coinbase Prime specifically signals something worth noting. The government is choosing regulated, compliance-heavy infrastructure over ad hoc methods for managing these assets. That’s a far cry from the early days of federal crypto seizures, when the US Marshals Service literally auctioned off Silk Road Bitcoin in bulk lots to the highest bidder. Tim Draper famously bought nearly 30,000 BTC that way in 2014.

Market implications for Bitcoin and Ether holders Coinbase Prime facilitates OTC sales, which are specifically designed to minimize market impact. Large blocks of Bitcoin or Ether can be matched with institutional buyers directly, bypassing the public order book.

On-chain analytics firms can now track these government wallets in near real-time. Transparency means traders get advance warning of potential sales, but it also means every wallet movement gets amplified by social media and crypto news cycles.

Investors would be wise to monitor Coinbase Prime wallet activity and any subsequent announcements from the DOJ or US Marshals Service regarding auction schedules or liquidation timelines.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

Strategy has raised $466.7 million through fresh MSTR stock sales while leaving its Bitcoin holdings unchanged at 843,775 BTC for the week ending July 12.

Summary

Strategy raises $466.7 million through MSTR stock sales. Company keeps Bitcoin holdings unchanged at 843,775 BTC. Standard Chartered maintains $100,000 Bitcoin target despite treasury concerns. According to a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Michael Saylor-led Strategy sold 4,818,781 Class A MSTR shares between July 6 and July 12 through its at-the-market (ATM) program, generating approximately $466.7 million in net proceeds. Despite the capital raise, the company reported that it did not purchase or sell any Bitcoin during the reporting period.

The filing showed Strategy continued to hold 843,775 BTC, acquired for about $63.69 billion at an average purchase price of $75,476 per Bitcoin, excluding fees and expenses. Following the latest issuance, the company still has roughly $23.79 billion available under its MSTR ATM stock program.

Strategy keeps Bitcoin holdings unchanged after recent sale Fresh SEC disclosures also showed Strategy held approximately $3 billion in U.S. dollar reserves as of July 12. According to the filing, the cash is intended to cover preferred stock dividends and interest payments on the company’s debt. The reported balance also includes expected proceeds from ATM share sales that had not settled by the reporting date.

The company further disclosed that it did not repurchase any shares under its existing buyback programs during the same week.

The latest filing follows Strategy’s $216 million Bitcoin sale disclosed the previous week, only the second BTC sale in the company’s history. At the time, the company said the proceeds would be used to fund dividends tied to its STRC preferred stock and other digital credit securities. After that transaction, Strategy’s Bitcoin balance fell to 843,775 BTC, where it has remained through the latest reporting period.

Earlier reports also noted that Strategy has authorization to sell up to $1.25 billion worth of Bitcoin under its BTC Monetization Program, a development that has drawn close attention from market participants even though the company has not announced additional BTC sales.

Standard Chartered says treasury uncertainty drove recent weakness Attention around Strategy’s Bitcoin plans increased after Executive Chairman Michael Saylor posted the company’s familiar Bitcoin acquisition chart on July 12 with the message, “Orange dots tell only part of the story.” As crypto.news reported earlier, the post did not confirm whether Strategy had bought, sold, or held Bitcoin during the latest reporting week.

Crypto.news also noted that Strategy’s public Bitcoin tracker continued to show 843,775 BTC, matching the latest SEC filing. The company typically reports treasury activity through regulatory filings, meaning social media posts do not establish whether a transaction has occurred or indicate its direction.

The latest disclosure comes as Bitcoin has climbed back above $64,000 after Standard Chartered reaffirmed its $100,000 price target for the end of 2026. In a research note, the bank said recent weakness in Bitcoin was driven largely by uncertainty surrounding Strategy’s evolving treasury approach rather than by any deterioration in Bitcoin’s underlying fundamentals.

Standard Chartered added that the recent pullback should not be interpreted as a change to its long-term bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency.

OPEC just trimmed its outlook for global oil demand growth again. For the third month in a row, the organization revised its 2026 forecast downward, this time by 190,000 barrels per day, landing at a total projected growth of 780,000 bpd.

What OPEC actually said The Monday report painted a picture of a global economy that’s consuming less crude than previously expected. Gulf crude production is rebounding, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is gradually normalizing, and the combination is easing near-term supply pressure on energy markets.

The 780,000 bpd growth figure is notable because it sits well below the kind of demand expansion that typically supports sustained oil price rallies. Lower expected demand growth generally translates to softer pricing, assuming supply remains steady or increases.

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And supply is doing exactly that. The Gulf production rebound combined with reopening shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, means more barrels are reaching the market with less friction.

Why crypto investors should care about oil forecasts Bitcoin mining is, at its core, an energy arbitrage business. Miners convert electricity into block rewards, and their profitability hinges on the spread between energy costs and Bitcoin’s price. When energy gets cheaper, that spread widens.

Proof-of-work mining operations, particularly large-scale facilities in North America, often source electricity from grids where natural gas (which tracks loosely with oil prices) sets the marginal cost of power generation. A sustained softening in oil demand projections can pull natural gas and electricity prices lower over time.

That’s the direct channel. The indirect channel matters too. Lower energy costs improve miner margins, which means fewer miners are forced to sell their Bitcoin to cover operational expenses. When miners hold instead of sell, it reduces persistent selling pressure on the market.

This dynamic played out clearly during previous oil price declines. When energy costs dropped meaningfully, publicly traded mining companies like Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms saw their cost-per-Bitcoin-mined decline, boosting profitability even when Bitcoin’s price stayed flat.

The macro picture is getting complicated It’s also worth watching how this interacts with OPEC+ production agreements. The cartel has historically responded to weakening demand by cutting output, which would offset some of the price relief.

Investors tracking publicly traded mining stocks should monitor energy cost disclosures in upcoming quarterly reports. If OPEC’s demand trajectory holds, miners reporting in Q3 and Q4 could show improved unit economics. That would likely trigger renewed institutional interest in the mining subsector, which has been under pressure since the most recent halving compressed block rewards.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

Texas spent years positioning itself as the promised land for crypto miners and data center operators. That welcome mat is getting pulled.

A Greenpeace-backed campaign, bolstered by grassroots activists and online opposition, is fueling a coordinated backlash against energy-intensive data center projects across the state. The movement has grown from scattered local complaints into something much harder to ignore: a statewide shift in public sentiment that’s already freezing billions of dollars in planned development.

The numbers tell the story A University of Texas poll from June 2026 found that 56% of Texans now oppose data center construction in their communities. In rural areas, where these facilities tend to land, that number climbs to 62%. The poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 points, meaning even the most generous reading still shows majority opposition statewide.

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The resistance isn’t just talk. At least 75 data center projects, collectively worth roughly $130 billion, were stalled or blocked during the first quarter of 2026 alone. Hill County, Texas, went a step further in May 2026, enacting a one-year moratorium on all new data center construction after sustained public outcry.

Greenpeace and 520 friends want a national moratorium On June 11, 2026, more than 520 organizations, including Greenpeace USA, sent a letter to Congress demanding a national moratorium on new data centers tied to unregulated AI and cryptocurrency growth.

The coalition’s core argument centers on two resources that Texas already struggles to manage: water and electricity. Data centers are enormous consumers of both. They require constant cooling, which devours water supplies, and they draw massive amounts of power from a grid that Texans have learned the hard way is not exactly overbuilt for resilience.

Greenpeace USA has specifically targeted Texas Bitcoin mining facilities, citing their high energy consumption and carbon intensity.

How Texas became ground zero The roots of this conflict trace back to China’s crackdown on cryptocurrency mining in 2021. When Beijing effectively banned the practice, a massive wave of mining operations relocated, and Texas was the top destination. Cheap electricity, deregulated energy markets, and a business-friendly political climate made the state irresistible.

What this means for crypto miners and investors Texas has been the largest domestic hub for Bitcoin mining since the post-China migration. The $130 billion in stalled projects isn’t just a data center industry problem. A significant portion of that planned capacity was earmarked for crypto mining and related operations.

The Hill County moratorium could easily become a template for other jurisdictions. And if the congressional moratorium push gains any traction, even as a negotiating position, it could introduce federal-level uncertainty into an industry that has been operating largely under state and local rules.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States is “taking over” the Strait of Hormuz and countries “must pay” the US for defending. As a result, Brent crude oil prices extend gains above $79 per barrel, causing the crypto market and Bitcoin price to crash lower.

US Will Defend Strait of Hormuz, Expects Payment in Return: Trump President Donald Trump said the U.S. will guard the Strait of Hormuz and expects countries to pay them. It sent Brent crude oil above $79 per barrel, triggering further selloffs across stock and crypto markets on July 13.

“We’re taking over the Strait. They have nothing… yesterday, they had an 11-hour meeting… and everything was agreed to yesterday, and they leave the room, and they call back and they say, ‘we had to make a couple of change,” said President Trump.

Trump also issued a sharp warning to Iran following the collapse of the ceasefire. He added that U.S. forces carried out major strikes overnight that destroyed key Iranian military equipment.

Oil prices climbed nearly 4% on Monday as the US and Iran continued to exchange strikes amid ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz’s control. Iran also declared the strait closed, but it was rejected by the US Central Command.

As geopolitical tensions escalate and major economic decisions loom, trading volumes are surging on the best crypto prediction markets as participants bet on real-world outcomes.

Bitcoin Price and Broader Crypto Market Crash Bitcoin price extended losses, tanking more than 3% over the past few hours. The price is currently trading at $62,389. The 24-hour low and high are $62,120 and $64,340, respectively.

Crypto market crashes further after Trump’s comments to take over the Strait of Hormuz, wiping out $20 billion from the market. Top altcoins Ethereum, XRP, BNB, Solana, Hyperliquid, Zcash and Cardano recorded 2-6% fall during the crypto market crash.

According to Coinglass data, the crypto market crash saw nearly $40 million in liquidations across Bitcoin, ETH, SPCX, SOL, SNDK, HYPE, MU, and XRP. Notably, 73k traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours. The largest single liquidation order of XYZ:SKHX valued at $4.86 million happened on Hyperliquid.

Traders are now awaiting the US CPI inflation data and Fed Chair Warsh’s testimony due Tuesday for clues on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy path.

Crypto Market Liquidations. Source: Coinglass

Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee says Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) is one of the most mispriced assets in the world, even after dropping from nearly $5,000 six months ago to under $2,000 today.

Why Does Lee Think Ethereum Is Undervalued?In an interview with Michael van de Poppe published on Monday, Lee built his valuation case around the assets that eventually need to move on-chain.

Gold sits at roughly $22 trillion, global equities exceed $100 trillion, and real estate approaches $300 trillion. To make those assets composable and digital, he argued, they run on Ethereum.

“If Ethereum is at $300 billion, it’s grossly undervalued,” Lee said. “Should it be a $1, $2, or even $5 trillion network in the next few years? Yeah, I can easily see it,” he added.

Lee outlined three reasons Ethereum’s value grows over time: AI agents will need neutral settlement infrastructure no single company controls, tokenization is moving trillions in financial assets on-chain, and Ethereum’s 11-year track record gives institutions a level of trust no newer chain can match.

What Is Holding Ethereum Back Right Now?Lee said the underperformance is not about Ethereum’s fundamentals.

The two legs of the investment thesis, AI integration and tokenization, are playing out slower than the market expected. 

That delayed timeline, combined with the broader crypto deleveraging that followed the October 2025 market break, explains the price lag.

He also pointed to narrative drift around the Ethereum Foundation, which has been streamlining its role.

Lee argued that this shift does not make Ethereum less valuable, but it has created confusion among holders looking for a clearer institutional signal.

“The fundamentals are actually much stronger and the growth ramps look much bigger,” Lee said. “But the price is lagging.”

Where Does Lee See The Cycle Going?Lee told van de Poppe he sees August or October as the likely cycle low, consistent with the four-year cycle pattern that has held across prior bear markets. 

He compared waiting for confirmation to preparing for a hurricane after it hits, pointing to gold and Nvidia as assets where most gains compressed into a short window after years of building.

On AI agents, Lee said the probability of delegated economic agents carrying wallets, making payments, and conducting machine-to-machine commerce within three years is “pretty close to 100%.” 

That infrastructure, he argued, cannot run on centralized systems and points directly to public blockchains.

Lee also said 2027 could produce the largest stock market gains of a generation as AI drives corporate margin expansion, central banks ease, and earnings growth accelerates on a real basis.

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Bitcoin is trading around $62,000 on Monday as escalating U.S.-Iran military strikes triggered a broad risk-off move across global markets, pushing crypto sentiment deeper into the fear zone.

Notable Statistics:

Coinglass data shows 81,200 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $326.94 million.        SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $90.4 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Friday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $18.4 million. In the past 24 hours, top losers include DeXe, Pi and Lighter. Notable Developments:

Trader Notes:

Trader KillaXBT’s best strategy is to wait for the short-term supply indicator to flip bullish rather than trading through the current sideways market.

Trader Jelle revealed that he is buying another batch of Bitcoin to increase long-term exposure in a “different week” but with “same plan.”

He plans to use the summer consolidation period to build position, anticipating the next bull run could drive BTC toward the $200,000 level.

Ted Pillows noted Bitcoin is targeting downside liquidity, with a key liquidity cluster around $62,000 that could be swept next.

If that level is cleared, attention could shift to upside liquidity between $65,000 and $66,000, making it the next potential target for a rebound.

Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez says Bitcoin has been rejected from the upper end of its trading channel.

After losing the $63,000 mid-range support, BTC could decline toward the lower channel boundary near $61,700, where buyers may step in and provide support.

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Crypto Bear Market? These Reports Say the Industry Has Never Been Stronger

Large-cap cryptocurrencies are spending much of mid-2026 moving sideways. While Bitcoin has stabilized, several leading altcoins are struggling to regain momentum as higher interest rates and cautious institutional activity keep volatility under control.

That slower environment is changing investor behavior. Instead of focusing only on established assets, many market participants are exploring earlier-stage projects where new products and ecosystems are still taking shape.

MemeToro ($MT) is one of the AI-focused presales attracting attention during this period.

XRP, Ethereum and Solana Face a Slower Market Each of these major cryptocurrencies is dealing with different challenges.

XRP started July trading close to $1.04, with buyers continuing to defend the important $1.00 psychological support level. Regulatory progress has improved sentiment compared to previous years, but price momentum remains limited.

Ethereum is also moving through a period of consolidation. Most forecasts place ETH within a broad trading range between $1,596 and $2,807, reflecting steady network activity but fewer immediate catalysts for a strong breakout.

Solana continues processing the majority of memecoin activity across the market, accounting for an estimated 60% to 70% of global memecoin volume. Even so, its price has cooled as macroeconomic conditions encourage investors to reduce exposure to higher-risk assets.

As one analyst summarized:

“Macro headwinds, shifting interest rate expectations, and a general cooling of spot ETF hype have trapped major capitals like ETH and XRP in strict consolidation. Volatility is no longer rising across the board. It is concentrating hyper-locally.”

That changing environment is encouraging investors to search elsewhere for growth opportunities.

Where Some Investors Are Looking Instead When established assets spend long periods moving sideways, capital often begins exploring projects that are still in earlier stages of development.

That does not necessarily mean abandoning large-cap cryptocurrencies.

Instead, many investors diversify by adding exposure to sectors showing stronger product development, including artificial intelligence, blockchain automation, and crypto presales.

Market researchers have observed a similar trend throughout 2026, with retail attention gradually moving toward projects that combine practical utility with earlier entry opportunities before public price discovery begins.

MemeToro: A Multi-Functional SocialFi Infrastructure MemeToro ($MT) is a decentralized ecosystem built on the BNB Chain that pairs a culture-focused aesthetic with practical DeFi utility and automated token tracking tools. The platform establishes a structured infrastructure for users to engage with modern digital asset trends securely and transparently.

Autonomous Trend Tracking: The protocol integrates a custom AI agent designed to monitor social data and assist in parsing emerging market narratives. Multi-Asset Incentive Pool: Users can earn programmatic platform rewards in both native $MT and $BNB through active product participation. Integrated Prediction Framework: The environment supports dedicated prediction markets alongside traditional staking programs to optimize platform liquidity. Vetted Smart Contract Security: All core operational functions deploy via thoroughly audited smart contracts to maintain strict operational integrity. The native $MT token functions as the core utility instrument powering access to these integrated applications. While the ecosystem provides advanced tracking analytics and verified tokenomics, participants should always conduct independent research before engaging with Web3 launches.

Getting Started With Your $MT Purchase Joining the MemeToro presale takes just a few minutes through a fully verified process:

Open the Presale Page: Head to the official MemeToro site and locate the active presale link. Set Up Your Wallet: Connect a compatible wallet configured for the BNB Chain network. Choose How to Pay: Fund your purchase with BNB, ETH, USDT, USDC, or a bank card. Lock In Your Tokens: Confirm the transaction and your $MT balance updates instantly. Once you’re holding $MT, the token opens doors well beyond the sale itself. It powers platform access, settles transactions across the ecosystem, and feeds into staking pools built for long-term holders.

Diversification Looks Different in 2026 Market leadership changes throughout every crypto cycle. At times, established assets drive returns. During quieter periods, investors often begin researching sectors that are still developing products and expanding their ecosystems.

XRP, Ethereum, and Solana remain among the most important blockchain networks in the industry, and many investors continue holding them for long-term exposure. At the same time, platforms like MemeToro ($MT) represent a different part of the market by focusing on AI-powered blockchain applications rather than competing as another Layer-1 network.

As capital rotates between mature cryptocurrencies and emerging ecosystems, diversification continues to be one of the defining themes shaping the second half of 2026.

More Information on MemeToro ($MT) Presale Here:

Website: https://memetoro.com/

X: https://x.com/memetoro_mt

Telegram: https://t.me/memetoro_mt

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The stablecoin market has lost more than $10 billion since May, but it might not be a warning sign. Instead, money is flowing into memecoins as investors chase higher returns on Robinhood chain. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the CLARITY Act are now driving price sentiment, with lawmakers expected to unveil an updated version of the bill next week.

Japan added to the optimism during WebX 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged stronger backing for Web3 through funding and friendlier policies. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee also grabbed headlines after calling Ethereum the settlement layer for the AI economy, a view that continues attracting institutional attention.

🇯🇵 HUGE: JAPAN PM SANAE TAKAICHI REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR STARTUPS AND WEB3 AT WEBX 2026

In a video address at WebX 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to strengthen support for Web3 startups through increased funding from government-backed institutions and further… pic.twitter.com/N9vMDTUKK2

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) July 13, 2026 Don’t Miss Out on Our $1,000 USDT Airdrop on ByBit

CLARITY Act Progress Lifts Bitcoin Price SentimentThe CLARITY Act could reach Congress as early as July 17, giving the crypto industry one of its biggest regulatory moments in years. Supporters believe the proposal will finally define which digital assets fall under securities laws and which qualify as commodities. If passed, the CLARITY Act could remove one of the biggest crypto obstacles.

Nevertheless, the Bitcoin price slipped below $63,000 over the weekend amid geopolitical tensions that rattled markets. The drop triggered more than $14 million in long liquidations, yet buyers quickly stepped in before losses snowballed. By Sunday, Bitcoin had settled back into the $63,000 to $64,000 range.

Fresh demand is also showing up elsewhere, with the Coinbase Premium Index climbing back toward neutral after spending 55 straight days in negative territory, showing U.S. buyers are becoming more active again. Not just that, spot Bitcoin ETFs also recorded net inflows after nine weeks of withdrawals, giving bulls another reason for confidence.

As of today, however, Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer still expects one more shakeout before the next rally, with $60K acts as the bottom. Michael Saylor also fueled speculation of another purchase after sharing his latest Bitcoin tracker update. Another orange dot from him might come soon, as usual.

As for Bitcoin, it too may be in an accumulation zone (in my view). At $60k it’s getting ever closer to its power law support line. pic.twitter.com/M3T3rDGFMx

— Jurrien Timmer (@TimmerFidelity) July 10, 2026 Another talking point is BIP 110, a proposal that would limit arbitrary data stored in Bitcoin transactions. Critics, including Adam Back and Michael Saylor, argue the change could split the community without solving a meaningful problem. So far, traders have shown little concern as attention stays fixed on the CLARITY Act.

Discover: The Best Crypto to Diversify Your Portfolio

Ethereum Price Draws Institutional AttentionEthereum price has been moving in a tight range around $1,800 despite a quieter weekend across the crypto market. Price action has slowed, but institutional interest has not.

Speaking at WebX 2026, Tom Lee described Ethereum as the foundation for the coming AI economy. He pointed to growing adoption from financial firms, the Robinhood Chain launch, and improving macro conditions as reasons that Ethereum price may be entering a new cycle.

Bitmine, ArkhamNot just the talk, Tom Lee’s firm, Bitmine, now holds 5.74 million ETH, or about 4.8% of the total supply, and plans to increase that stake. Agreeing with Lee,Ethereum whales also bought another $20.6 million worth of ETH even after several days of exchange outflows.

But that’s not all, ETH network development has also stayed active. The Ethereum Foundation confirmed one of its AI agents detected a validator crashing bug before human researchers verified the issue. A separate Cambridge study found Ethereum’s shift to Proof of Stake reduced electricity consumption by more than 99.9%, strengthening its case among institutions focused on sustainability.

So, with all that news, what should we be expecting this week?

The next few days could prove important for the market. We are watching the CLARITY Act for signs of regulatory progress while tracking institutional buying across both major coins. If those trends continue, Bitcoin and Ethereum price could build on their recent resilience. For now, the move out of stablecoins looks less like an exit from crypto and more like traders rotating into assets with higher upside, while the Ethereum price keeps finding support from long-term buyers.

Discover: The Best Token Presales

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TLDR Weekend military strikes between US and Iran have unsettled global markets Tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures tumbled 1%, while S&P 500 futures declined 0.3% Brent crude surged 3.8% approaching $79 amid fears of Hormuz Strait disruption Bitcoin dropped 1.6% to $62,943 as investors flee risky assets Critical inflation reports and major financial earnings reports scheduled this week Market futures took a hit Monday following a weekend of military exchanges between the United States and Iran. The tech-focused Nasdaq 100 futures plummeted 1%, while S&P 500 futures retreated 0.3%. Dow Jones futures remained relatively unchanged.

E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 26 (ES=F) The renewed Middle Eastern hostilities unnerved market participants who were already monitoring the region with heightened concern. Despite both major indices posting modest weekly gains, those advances now face significant headwinds.

According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Strait of Hormuz has been declared “closed until further notice.” American officials have challenged this assertion, maintaining the waterway remains operational. However, data from tracking service Kpler indicates zero LNG shipments have passed through since Saturday.

Oil prices experienced a sharp rally in response. Brent crude advanced 3.8% to reach $78.89 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate gained 3.7% to $74.04. Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid noted that energy markets had “reacted” to reports of vessel damage, intercepted drone strikes, and attacks targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf region.

President Trump indicated ceasefire negotiations with Iran continue, though he simultaneously declared the existing ceasefire “over.” This conflicting messaging has amplified market volatility and investor confusion.

Inflation Data and Earnings in Focus The timing of this geopolitical crisis couldn’t be more critical for financial markets. Two pivotal inflation measurements arrive this week. Tuesday brings the Consumer Price Index release, with the Producer Price Index following on Wednesday.

These economic indicators will be crucial for determining whether Middle Eastern developments are influencing domestic inflation trends. The data will also inform market expectations regarding Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions through year-end.

Corporate earnings season enters full swing simultaneously. Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America deliver quarterly reports Tuesday. Netflix and UnitedHealth also announce results this week.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company releases its quarterly performance data in coming days. Market analysts anticipate these figures will provide valuable insight into artificial intelligence chip demand, a subject commanding intense Wall Street attention.

The artificial intelligence investment narrative has weakened recently. Questions persist about whether technology giants can sustain their aggressive AI infrastructure spending indefinitely.

South Korean semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix experienced a 15% share price collapse Monday following its Friday US listing debut. This decline pulled South Korea’s KOSPI index down 9%, underscoring growing doubts about the sustainability of AI-driven market momentum.

Bitcoin Drops as Risk Appetite Fades Bitcoin declined 1.6% during the last 24 hours, settling at $62,943. The cryptocurrency’s weakness mirrors a widespread retreat from speculative investments amid escalating geopolitical uncertainty.

The 10-year US Treasury yield ticked up 1 basis point to 4.57%. Meanwhile, the US dollar weakened 0.1% relative to a basket of major global currencies.

With energy prices spiking, crucial inflation data approaching, and earnings season launching, the coming week promises to be among the most consequential of the year for market participants.

MicroStrategy, a leading enterprise analytics and software firm, announced an increase to its US dollar cash reserves, adding $466.7 million last week through sales of common stock. The move raised the company’s USD reserve to $3 billion, according to a recent regulatory filing published on Monday.

MicroStrategy’s capital raise and reservesThe proceeds were secured via an at-the-market equity program, which allows the company to sell shares to raise capital as market conditions allow. MicroStrategy reported that it holds this substantial cash reserve to support dividends on its preferred shares and interest payments on its outstanding debt obligations.

Despite recent market volatility, MicroStrategy made no changes to its bitcoin position last week. The firm’s bitcoin holdings remain at 843,775 BTC, a figure that has made it one of the largest corporate holders of the cryptocurrency internationally.

MicroStrategy now holds its US dollar reserve at $3 billion, while its bitcoin position remains unchanged at 843,775 coins acquired for a total of approximately $63.69 billion at an average purchase price of $75,476 per bitcoin.

According to the company, the aggregate purchase price for these bitcoin holdings, including fees and expenses, totals about $63.69 billion. The average purchase price per coin stands at $75,476.

MSTR shares were down 3% in pre-market trading as bitcoin traded at $62,800 following a weekend decline for the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

MetricValueUSD Reserve$3 billionBitcoin Holdings843,775 BTCTotal Bitcoin Purchase Price$63.69 billionAverage Price per Bitcoin$75,476Current Bitcoin Price$62,800MSTR Pre-market Change-3%Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, MicroStrategy is known for its business intelligence and cloud-based analytics platforms. In recent years, the company has become widely recognized for its aggressive bitcoin accumulation strategy, spearheaded by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor.

Crypto market dynamicsBitcoin experienced downward pressure over the weekend, falling through several support levels to its current price of $62,800. The decline in the cryptocurrency’s price corresponded with the drop in MSTR’s stock seen before markets opened.

Other factors, including renewed tensions in the Middle East and ongoing profit-taking across major crypto assets, have added volatility after a bullish streak in the previous week.

Crypto market analysts are closely watching developments in inflation data and earnings reports this quarter, anticipating their effect on both traditional equities and digital assets.

While broader market sentiment has been mixed, MicroStrategy’s steady bitcoin position signals continued confidence in the long-term prospects of the cryptocurrency.

Recent fluctuations have not prompted additional purchases or sales by the company, as its reserves are currently allocated for corporate financial obligations.

MicroStrategy’s dual strategy of maintaining a large bitcoin treasury while securing traditional dollar reserves continues to set it apart from other public companies operating in the digital asset sector.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.