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Vanguard, one of the world’s leading investment management firms, has increased its exposure to Bitcoin-related equities through a significant addition to its holdings in Strive Asset Management. The move highlights a broader trend of institutional interest in companies with ties to Bitcoin.

Vanguard boosts Strive Asset Management stakeVanguard’s Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX) acquired an additional 269,200 shares of Strive Asset Management, bringing its total investment to approximately $3.2 million. With this purchase, the fund’s overall holdings in Strive now reach 1.98 million shares, with a combined market value of roughly $23.7 million.

Strive Asset Management primarily focuses on corporate engagement and investment strategies that include exposure to Bitcoin treasury holdings. The company has drawn increased attention from institutional investors seeking access to digital asset markets through equity positions.

Mini dictionary: Strive Asset Management, a US-based asset management firm that advocates shareholder-driven stewardship and has gained attention for investing in companies with significant Bitcoin holdings.

Data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET showed the increased activity, reflecting a pattern seen among several major asset managers as they seek to diversify portfolios with crypto-linked assets.

Vanguard Holdings in StriveShares AddedTotal SharesEstimated ValueJuly 2026269,2001.98 million$23.7 millionInstitutional adoption gathers paceJoe Burnett, Director of Market Research at The Bitcoin Way, commented on social media that the growing integration of Bitcoin into mainstream markets is increasingly occurring through passive investment channels like index funds and ETFs.

A growing portion of global capital is passive, simply tracking returns and mirroring market allocations. The world is starting to own Bitcoin, sometimes without even realizing it.

This trend, Burnett explained, suggests that many mainstream investors are gradually becoming exposed to Bitcoin-related assets as part of diversified fund portfolios, rather than through direct purchases of cryptocurrencies.

Evolving stance at VanguardIn early 2024, Vanguard held a cautious approach to cryptocurrency. The firm, under then-CEO Tim Buckley, declined to offer spot Bitcoin ETFs to its brokerage clients. This policy shifted after the appointment of Salim Ramji as CEO. Ramji, a former BlackRock executive with experience overseeing the launch of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), brought a more receptive attitude towards digital assets.

By late 2025, Vanguard reversed a key policy and lifted its restriction on digital asset ETFs, although it maintained that it would not launch proprietary crypto products. The company continued increasing stakes in companies with substantial Bitcoin treasury reserves, such as Strive Asset Management, building on earlier disclosures from April regarding its growing shareholdings.

Vanguard drew further industry attention in July by advertising for a newly created position: Head of Digital Assets for Personal Wealth. The role signals expanded ambitions in digital asset management and direct engagement with evolving investor demand for cryptocurrencies within traditional finance platforms.

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.

COINTELEGRAPH: Bitcoin price wedged into 'most divided' FOMC as Iran war spikes oil prices 8%

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat down with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on July 28 for a 90-minute conversation that boiled down to one message: don’t count on a deal with Iran.

Netanyahu expressed deep skepticism that Tehran would agree to meaningful constraints on its nuclear program, and he pushed for ramping up both economic and military pressure. He also warned that Israel reserves the right to respond on its own.

What actually happened in the room Netanyahu made clear that he views the prospect of a negotiated agreement with Iran as unlikely, advocating instead for a strategy built on escalating pressure across two fronts: tightening economic sanctions and keeping the military option firmly on the table.

After the meeting, both leaders struck an upbeat note publicly. Netanyahu called it “one of the best” conversations he has had with Trump. The shared objective, they said, is preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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The Trump administration has been managing escalating tensions with Iran since the start of the year, and this meeting represents the latest chapter in those discussions.

Why crypto traders should care about Oval Office meetings Geopolitical instability in the Middle East has historically driven volatility in oil prices. Brent crude has already shown signs of price swings tied to the ongoing Iran situation. When energy prices spike, inflation expectations tend to follow.

Bitcoin, trading at approximately $64,000, has long been positioned by its advocates as an inflation hedge. During periods of heightened geopolitical risk, Bitcoin and other risk assets tend to see increased trading volume as market participants recalibrate their exposure.

The broader geopolitical chess board Previous attempts at diplomatic resolution, most notably the 2015 JCPOA, have either collapsed or been abandoned. Trump withdrew the US from that agreement during his first term. The fact that Netanyahu is now publicly expressing doubt about any deal being reachable suggests that the diplomatic window may be closing further.

What investors should be watching The immediate signal from this meeting is that the US and Israel are moving in lockstep toward a harder line on Iran, reducing the probability of a negotiated settlement in the near term.

For crypto market participants, oil price movements deserve close attention. Brent crude volatility is the most direct transmission mechanism from Middle East geopolitics to broader financial markets. Sustained upward pressure on oil prices would strengthen the inflation-hedge case for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s position at roughly $64,000 puts it in a range where macro catalysts, rather than crypto-native developments, are likely to drive the next major move.

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

Bipartisan work on the long-awaited Clarity Act continues after Democratic senator Catherine Cortez Masto said that she, along with two law enforcement groups, are feeling “good” about proposed changes to the bill, according to a news report. 

Along with the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and the National District Attorneys Association, Cortez backed changes to the bill and said they felt positive about “the chance to resolve this issue once and for all,” according to a POLITICO report.

The changes were sent to the White House. A number of lawmakers are hoping the Clarity Act — which would set in stone crypto regulation in the U.S. — gets passed before Congress departs for August recess. But some sticking points remain — particularly with Democrats. 

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto backs the new CLARITY ACT proposal sent to the White House saying:

"We feel good about the chance to resolve this issue once and for all" – POLITICO 👏 pic.twitter.com/Bn3b7dcz8e

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) July 29, 2026 According to the news report, the changes proposed by the law enforcement groups refer to a small section of the bill which seeks to protect some crypto software developers and firms from being prosecuted for illicit activity committed by others on platforms they create.

A new version of the Clarity Act has been circulating amongst lawmakers since last week; it has changes regarding ethics and bans officials and their families from issuing or promoting crypto — something lawmakers previously had issue with.

The Clarity Act was passed last year by the House of Representatives but has been in deadlock in 2026 while regulators and banking chiefs hash out a new version of the bill. 

The banking lobby has raised concerns over stablecoins and the yield they would potentially pay customers and some Democrats think the bill falls short regarding ethical issues.  

Still, the bill has been worked on by both Republicans and Democrats — despite crypto legislation being something pushed by pro-crypto President Donald Trump. 

Major institutions, including Fidelity and Goldman Sachs, as well as crypto lobby groups and politicians, have said the revised bill works in its current form. 

Mathew Di Salvo

Mathew is a reporter who's covered the space since 2019, reporting on everything from Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele's Bitcoin bet to crypto exchange FTX's bankruptcy.

The Fed kept interest rates unchanged, as expected.

All eyes are now on Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s press conference, scheduled for 9:00 PM (2:30 PM ET).

Here’s Bitcoin’s reaction after the interest rate decision:

New Fed chairman Kevin Warsh, like his predecessor Jerome Powell, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of controlling inflation. Some investors believe Warsh has taken a tougher stance on inflation than expected.

While interest rate cuts were expected during Warsh’s tenure as FED Chair, appointed by Trump, market expectations that the central bank may raise interest rates by the end of the year have gained strength.

Trump frequently criticized the Fed chairman on social media, arguing that interest rates were not being lowered fast enough during Powell’s tenure, and even threatened to remove him. However, despite no major changes in the Fed’s decision-making approach since Warsh took office, Trump’s attacks on the central bank chairman have ceased.

Michael Reynolds, Vice President of Investment Strategy at Glenden, pointed out the similarities between the two Fed chairmen, stating, “There is a significant degree of continuity between the two chairmen.”

*This is not investment advice.

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Robeco Institutional Asset Management, one of Europe’s largest asset managers, bumped up its position in Strategy Inc by 11% during the second quarter of 2026. The firm now holds 133,755 shares of the Bitcoin treasury company formerly known as MicroStrategy, according to its 13F filing submitted on July 21.

The position is worth approximately $11.63 million as of June 30. Not exactly a bet-the-farm move for a firm managing hundreds of billions in assets, but the direction of the trade tells a more interesting story than its size.

What the filing actually shows Robeco added 13,291 shares during the quarter, a move that pushed its total holdings from a previously reported range of roughly 120,464 to 121,000 shares up to the current 133,755. That’s an 11.03% increase quarter-over-quarter.

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Those 133,755 shares represent just 0.0143% of Strategy’s outstanding stock.

Strategy held 818,334 Bitcoin as of May 3, 2026, representing 22% growth in its Bitcoin stack year-to-date. That makes it the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin on the planet. The company has essentially transformed itself from an enterprise software firm into what it calls a “Bitcoin Treasury Company.”

The broader institutional picture Q1 2026 saw several large asset managers adjusting their Strategy Inc exposure amid volatile market conditions. The fact that Robeco chose to increase rather than trim during Q2 suggests the volatility didn’t spook them enough to change course.

Robeco is headquartered in Rotterdam. The 13F filing system requires institutional investment managers with at least $100 million in qualifying assets to disclose their holdings quarterly.

It’s worth noting that no major cryptocurrency media outlets had published dedicated coverage of Robeco’s filing prior to its circulation on social media.

What this means for investors Strategy’s stock price is heavily correlated with Bitcoin’s price, but it also trades at a premium (or sometimes discount) to its net asset value in Bitcoin. Increased institutional demand for the stock can push that premium higher, creating a feedback loop where Strategy can raise capital more cheaply, buy more Bitcoin, and attract even more institutional investors.

Robeco’s 0.0143% stake means it can exit without moving the market at all. For Robeco, buying a small slice of Strategy’s 818,334 Bitcoin hoard appears to be a calculated way to get Bitcoin exposure through regulated, familiar channels, without having to deal with custody, wallets, or other operational considerations of direct crypto ownership.

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

It is the question every Bitcoin holder is asking after a brutal 2026: is the bottom in? Coinbase’s CEO says the low was near $60,000. Bitwise’s CIO agrees. Standard Chartered still sees $100,000 by year-end. And yet Bitcoin dipped below $58,000 weeks after those calls, and ETFs are still down billions for the year. This guide lays out the actual evidence on both sides, the signals that would confirm a bottom, and why the honest answer is more useful than a confident one.

Where Bitcoin stands Bitcoin trades near $64,000 in late July 2026, roughly 50% below its October 2025 all-time high near $126,000 (live BTC price on CoinGecko). The year’s low so far is around $57,700, printed in late June. July has been a genuine recovery month, with double-digit gains from that low, but Bitcoin has failed to clear $68,000 all month.

So the raw setup is: a deep drawdown, a low that has held for a month, and a recovery that keeps stalling at the same ceiling. That is exactly the kind of chart that produces honest disagreement.

The case that the bottom is in The people closest to flows think so. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said in June that Bitcoin had hit its low point near $60,000. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan expressed a similar view in early July. Both run businesses that see order flow and institutional appetite directly, which makes their read worth weighing, even though both are also structurally bullish by profession.

Buyers showed up at the low. The late-June drop to $57,700 was bought, not extended. A month later that low still stands. Every subsequent dip has found support in the low $60,000s.

Flows have started turning. Spot Bitcoin ETFs ran a three-week inflow streak in July worth roughly $560 million (flow data on Farside), led by BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC, after June’s outflow wave. That reversal recovered about 10% of the year’s net outflow deficit. Digital asset investment products overall took in $154 million in the most recent week.

The macro headwind is easing at the margin. June inflation came in lower than anticipated, and the panic scenario of aggressive 2026 hikes has softened from its worst-case pricing. Standard Chartered renewed its call for $100,000 Bitcoin by the end of 2026, an aggressive target that implies roughly 55% upside from here.

Sentiment has been washed out for months. Extended periods of extreme fear historically cluster near accumulation zones rather than tops. The forced selling that defined May and June has largely cleared.

The case that it has not Prediction and reality diverged once already. Armstrong called the low near $60,000, and Bitcoin subsequently traded below $58,000. That does not invalidate the thesis, but it is a reminder that even well-informed calls on bottoms are frequently early.

The year’s flow picture is still negative. Despite July’s improvement, US spot Bitcoin ETFs carry roughly $4.8 billion in net outflows for 2026. One good month does not undo that. And the July streak broke on July 23 with about $225 million of outflows, showing the demand is not yet durable.

Rate risk has not disappeared. Heading into the July 29 FOMC, markets priced close to 30% odds of a rate hike, with hike odds having touched 36% earlier in the week. A hiking Fed is the single most reliable way to break a crypto recovery, and the September meeting is another live event.

The regulatory catalyst slipped. The CLARITY Act, mid-July’s main bullish narrative, stalled in the Senate ahead of the August recess, removing a tailwind traders had already priced in.

Bitcoin keeps failing at the same level. Rejections around $68,000 through July mean the recovery has not produced a decisive higher high. Until that changes, this is a range, not a trend reversal.

Correlation risk is live. Bitcoin fell 3% to an 11-day low in late July purely because a Chinese chipmaking breakthrough hit Asian tech markets. An asset that still trades as a high-beta tech proxy is exposed to shocks that have nothing to do with crypto.

The four signals that would actually confirm it Rather than guessing, watch specific, checkable conditions.

1. ETF inflows sustained for a month, not a week. The single most important variable. The 2026 downturn was caused by institutional selling; it ends when institutional buying is consistent. A four-week positive streak that survives a down week would be real evidence.

2. A decisive close above $68,000. That level has capped every July rally. Clearing it, and then holding above the 200-week moving average near $62,500 on any retest, would turn the range into an uptrend.

3. The Fed shifting from hikes to cuts in market pricing. Not necessarily an actual cut, just the probability of a hike collapsing. Bitcoin bottoms have historically followed the peak in rate expectations rather than the peak in fear.

4. Higher lows on the daily chart. The most basic and most reliable structure signal. If the next correction stops above $60,000 rather than retesting $57,700, the market has changed character.

The honest answer There is a defensible case that $57,700 was the cycle low: buyers defended it, flows turned, sentiment was washed out, and credible operators called it. There is an equally defensible case that it was not: the year is still net-negative on flows, rate risk is live, the legislative catalyst slipped, and the price cannot clear its ceiling.

The useful framing is not to pick a side but to recognize that bottoms are only ever confirmed in hindsight, and that the conditions above will tell you before any headline does. For long-term investors, that is why strategies like dollar-cost averaging exist: they do not require calling the bottom correctly. For traders, the levels are clear enough to act on without a prediction: $68,000 above, $57,700 below.

Bottom line Bitcoin near $64,000 sits in a month-old range above a June low of $57,700, with genuine evidence on both sides of the bottom debate. Coinbase and Bitwise leadership say the low is in, Standard Chartered targets $100,000 by year-end, and July’s ETF inflows support them. Against that: $4.8 billion of 2026 outflows, live rate-hike risk, a stalled CLARITY Act, and repeated rejections at $68,000.

Watch the four confirmation signals rather than the headlines. A sustained month of ETF inflows plus a decisive break above $68,000 would settle the argument. Until then, the honest answer is that the bottom is plausible but unconfirmed, and anyone claiming certainty in either direction is selling something.

This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile, and market bottoms cannot be reliably predicted. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Frequently Asked Questions Has Bitcoin bottomed in 2026? It is plausible but unconfirmed. Bitcoin's 2026 low of about $57,700 has held for a month, buyers defended it, and July brought ETF inflows. However, the year is still net-negative on ETF flows, rate-hike risk remains, and Bitcoin keeps failing at $68,000.

Who says Bitcoin has bottomed? Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said in June that Bitcoin hit its low near $60,000, and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan expressed a similar view in early July. Standard Chartered has renewed its target of $100,000 by the end of 2026.

What was Bitcoin's low in 2026? Bitcoin's low so far in 2026 is around $57,700, printed in late June, roughly 54% below its October 2025 all-time high near $126,000. That level has held through July.

What would confirm a Bitcoin bottom? Four things: ETF inflows sustained for a month rather than a week, a decisive close above $68,000, rate-hike odds collapsing in market pricing, and a higher low on the next correction (stopping above $60,000 instead of retesting $57,700).

Could Bitcoin fall further? Yes. Rate-hike risk was priced near 30% into the July FOMC, US spot Bitcoin ETFs still carry roughly $4.8 billion in 2026 net outflows, and the CLARITY Act stalled in the Senate. A hawkish Fed or renewed outflows could push Bitcoin toward $61,000 or lower.

Should I buy Bitcoin now? That depends entirely on your risk tolerance and timeline, and this is not investment advice. Because bottoms are only confirmed in hindsight, many long-term investors use dollar-cost averaging rather than trying to time the exact low. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Cryptocurrency analytics company Glassnode reported that the fading expectations of interest rate cuts in the US bond market and the pricing in of a potential rate hike have suppressed risk appetite in the cryptocurrency market.

Glassnode’s assessment stated that the Fed’s interest rate decision is critically important for the direction of the market. According to the analysis company, the yield on US Treasury bonds has surpassed the return that can be obtained from “carry trade” transactions in the cryptocurrency market.

This situation has led investors to hold new capital in cash and low-risk interest-bearing instruments rather than crypto assets. The continued strength of the dollar is also contributing to the weakening of marginal demand for the cryptocurrency market.

Glassnode noted that the Bitcoin price is trading below the most intense cost base region on the chart. The company identified the approximately $69,000 level as a break-even cost zone and significant resistance for short-term investors.

It was stated that for a stronger recovery in Bitcoin, the $69,000 short-term investor cost floor needs to be surpassed again with increasing trading volume. Furthermore, it was added that renewed strong buying in spot Bitcoin ETFs would also be important for the recovery.

According to Glassnode, Bitcoin’s current downturn represents the shallowest bear market to date in terms of the depth of price loss. However, the current downturn doesn’t appear to be over yet when compared to previous market cycles in terms of time.

The report stated that inflows and outflows of funds on cryptocurrency exchanges, spot trading volumes, and ETF demand all slowed down significantly at the same time.

Spot market trading volumes have fallen to multi-year lows, and sell orders have also thinned. However, a significant portion of investors are holding buy orders at prices well below the current price.

Glassnode’s market risk indicator, Vector, has reportedly given a “Risk Off” signal. This indicates that investors prefer to protect their capital rather than move into risky assets.

The company also reported that investors reduced their protective positions at the peak of the rally, but returned to hedging within a week following price weakening.

Glassnode stated that the current structure of the market is determined more by macroeconomic factors such as monetary policy, bond yields, and the trajectory of the dollar than by developments in the crypto sector.

According to the analysis, Bitcoin losing its strong cost floor region between $62,000 and $68,000, coupled with a renewed acceleration of inflows to cryptocurrency exchanges during the same period, could invalidate the current recovery scenario.

Conversely, a more supportive stance in monetary policy, increased trading volumes, Bitcoin’s recovery to the $69,000 level, and a return to spot ETF buying can be considered the first signs of recovery in the cryptocurrency market.

*This is not investment advice.

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A new analysis shared by crypto commentator XRP Update has sparked renewed discussion about Bitcoin’s long-term price cycles, suggesting that the leading cryptocurrency may be nearing the start of another major upward move.

Historical Patterns Align for Possible BreakoutAccording to the chart presented by XRP Update, Bitcoin’s previous cycles each lasted roughly 1,064 days of upward momentum followed by a 365-day correction. The comparison includes three full historical cycles and indicates a fourth may soon begin following the same timeframe.

Current technical observations place Bitcoin at the end of its most recent correction, which followed the last all-time high. The chart highlights this period as a possible bottom, marking a potential starting point for the next multi-year surge.

If the historical sequence is maintained, the forecast calls for Bitcoin to rebound from present levels and eventually climb toward $180,000 as this cycle progresses. While this projection is based on trends from previous years, it does not include in-depth technical indicators or a comprehensive risk assessment.

Each market cycle tracked by XRP Update features a similar structure: an extended rise, a sharp correction, and a subsequent recovery. The analysis forecasts another bull run, with Bitcoin’s price possibly reaching $180,000 in the next phase.

Anticipation Builds Among XRP and Crypto InvestorsWhile the primary focus is on Bitcoin, XRP Update specifically addressed the XRP community, questioning whether investors were prepared for what was described as the “biggest bull run.” The message encouraged followers to reflect on their own readiness as the market approaches a critical juncture.

Reactions among community members reflected a blend of enthusiasm and caution. Some users, including Yusif Ibrahim, noted the importance of early preparation for significant gains if the projected rally materializes. Others, such as XRP King and SomeSillyMan, voiced skepticism regarding the long timeline and the likelihood that other cryptocurrencies like XRP would remain within familiar trading ranges.

Comments across the community range from eager optimism about a forthcoming surge to doubts regarding timeframes and the potential for digital assets like XRP to break out of their established patterns.

Tools to Monitor the Next Market PhaseAs participants navigate these shifting trends and evaluate potential rallies, many are turning to streamlined tools for timely decision-making. CryptoAppsy, an all-in-one platform, enables investors to manage their portfolios with access to real-time price updates, detailed charts, and multi-currency tracking on a single interface. With features such as customizable price alerts, coin-specific news filters, and notifications for newly listed altcoins, users can monitor key market developments closely—enhancing their ability to react swiftly during high-volatility phases. The application also integrates macroeconomic indicators like Fed interest rate decisions, aiming to help users stay informed about broader market dynamics.

Although the historical cycle chart has drawn heightened attention to Bitcoin’s long-term prospects, many investors remain divided over how soon and how dramatically the market may shift.

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.

The Key Technical LevelsIn a livestream podcast on July 28, pseudonymous analyst DonAlt said Bitcoin needs to move decisively away from the $60,000 region and reclaim $65,000 to improve its technical outlook.

While Bitcoin has managed to hold the zone, he said repeated tests weaken support and increase the risk of a breakdown.

Ethereum Looks Ready To RunEthereum stood out as the most attractive major crypto asset in DonAlt’s analysis as it is displaying relative strength against Bitcoin for the first time in an extended period.

A sustained move above $2,000 would improve Ethereum’s short-term structure, while a breakout above $2,500 could potentially open the door to a rapid return toward its previous all-time high.

DonAlt acknowledged his historical bias toward Ethereum but noted that the improving ETH-BTC chart and widespread investor skepticism create a favorable setup.

He argued that once Ethereum begins gaining momentum, sidelined investors may rush to regain exposure, accelerating the move.

Meanwhile, Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) continues to underperform, with DonAlt identifying the $35 to $40 region as a potential buying zone if the broader market breaks down.

Image: Shutterstock

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Following the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, declines in the three major U.S. stock indexes narrowed: the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.09%, the S&P 500 edged down 0.15%, while the Nasdaq Composite turned positive. The crypto market rallied, with Bitcoin surging over 0.7% in a short period and Ethereum jumping more than 1.15%. Spot gold climbed $20 to a peak of $4,064 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) dropped nearly 27 points to 101.1.

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Gold is having a structural moment, and Bitcoin traders should pay attention. A fresh report from JustMarkets dissects the core drivers that will shape gold prices through 2026, and the macro variables it lays out are precisely the ones compressing risk premiums across crypto markets. The analysis, released Wednesday and available in the original report, zeroes in on real yields, central bank reserve behavior, and dollar liquidity conditions. None of those forces stop at the bullion vault door.

For Bitcoin, the read-across is becoming undeniable. The digital asset has oscillated between risk-on and risk-off narratives, but over the past two years the correlation with gold has firmed during episodes of macro stress. When real rates turn negative or when sovereign buying intensifies, hard assets in general catch a bid. The JustMarkets paper, while targeted at commodity desks, effectively maps the roadmap that will dictate whether capital rotates into or away from scarcity-backed assets next year.

The macro convergence What makes this moment unusual is the simultaneity of pressures: sticky core inflation in advanced economies, a Federal Reserve that cannot pre-commit to a cutting cycle, and a geopolitical landscape that keeps demand for physical gold elevated among non-Western central banks. Those same variables keep Bitcoin’s institutional base on edge. If gold is pricing in a slower easing path, it becomes harder for Bitcoin to sustain momentum purely on ETF inflows; the macro tailwind for speculative positioning weakens.

The JustMarkets paper reportedly identifies three interlocking drivers: the pace of disinflation in the G7, the trajectory of the DXY, and the scale of central bank gold purchases outside the traditional OECD bloc. Each of those directly feeds into crypto liquidity conditions. When dollar strength persists, for instance, the liquidity drain hits both gold and high-beta crypto assets simultaneously. That channel may be the clearest signal for market operators trying to front-run the next rotation.

At the same time, gold’s role as a geopolitical hedge has strengthened. Central bank purchases hit multi-decade highs in 2024 and 2025, and the JustMarkets analysis suggests this trend will not reverse quickly. For Bitcoin, which also benefits from narratives around debasement and sovereign risk, the comparison is instructive: gold demand from state actors is deeply sticky, while Bitcoin’s institutional demand is still largely rate-sensitive. That gap could widen or narrow in 2026 depending on whether the Fed shifts its stance.

Institutional flows and tokenized gold One structural bridge between the two assets is the rapid expansion of tokenized real-world assets. With the total value of on-chain RWAs recently crossing $20 billion, gold-backed tokens are no longer a niche. Bullish’s $4.2 billion acquisition of Equiniti and Ondo’s live settlement with JPMorgan underline how legacy assets are migrating to blockchain rails. When gold itself becomes composable in DeFi, its price drivers leak more directly into crypto-native capital flows. A rally in physical gold no longer stays isolated; it can instantly increase the collateral value in lending pools and structured products.

Institutional staking products are also absorbing fresh capital, as seen in Sui’s recent 18% surge driven by institutional staking and large-scale fintech integrations. That demand sits on top of the same macro layer that defines gold’s trajectory. When real yields fall, the opportunity cost of holding both gold and staked crypto declines, creating a correlated but not identical flow. The JustMarkets analysis, by mapping gold’s price response to yield expectations, gives Bitcoin traders a proxy for how much firepower institutional desks could deploy into digital assets under different rate scenarios.

Regulatory crosswinds and what remains unclear One variable that the gold market rarely has to price in is abrupt regulatory risk. Bitcoin does. As Washington remains gridlocked over digital asset legislation, with banking interests attempting to gut the most consequential crypto bill in US history, the macro tailwind for gold could diverge sharply from Bitcoin’s regulatory headwind. A central bank buying spree that lifts gold does nothing to remove the threat of enforcement actions or stalled legislation. That asymmetry matters for allocations: a family office comfortable with gold’s macro case might still trim Bitcoin exposure if the legal framework remains hostile.

The critical unknown is whether Bitcoin can shed its high-beta correlation with equities faster than gold prices force a safe-haven rotation. In 2024, Bitcoin rallied hard alongside tech stocks, but 2026 may demand a different playbook. If the JustMarkets projection of rangebound real yields materializes, gold could consolidate while Bitcoin’s next catalyst becomes purely regulatory or adoption-driven rather than macro-led. That would break the short-term correlation and force traders to read each asset on its own narrative flow. For now, though, the signal from gold is worth tracking: it is the oldest barometer of macro anxiety, and it is flashing a message that crypto markets would be unwise to ignore.

AUTHOR

Mushumir Butt is a seasoned crypto journalist with over three years of experience reporting on the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency. At Blockchain Reporter, he delivers insightful news, in‐depth project reviews, and precise price analysis and predictions. With a strong background in SEO and digital marketing, Mushumir excels at breaking down complex trends into clear, accessible content, ensuring readers stay ahead in the fast‐paced crypto space.

In crypto stocks news, Ionic Digital, the Bitcoin miner and AI infrastructure company that emerged from the wreckage of Celsius Network’s bankruptcy, climbed roughly 26% on its Nasdaq debut Tuesday, closing at $62.90 after opening at $50 and printing a market cap of approximately $2.8Bn, according to its registration statement filed with the US SEC.

The stock pared some of those gains in after-hours trading, falling 6.5% to $58.80, according to Yahoo Finance. That pullback is worth noting: a strong open does not guarantee a clean trend, and investors in Bitcoin mining names know that first-day enthusiasm can fade quickly.

This news dropped as Bitcoin climbed +1.6% overnight, reclaiming $64K and hitting $64,350 ahead of today’s FOMC rate-hike meeting in the US. Daily trading volume for BTC USD sits at $24.9Bn.

NEW: Bitcoin miner Ionic Digital records 26% in Nasdaq debut. pic.twitter.com/x6pe6xu97W

— Bitcoin News (@BitcoinNewsCom) July 29, 2026

Crypto Stocks: Ionic is the Largest US Direct Listing Since 2021 Ionic did not conduct a traditional IPO – no new primary shares were sold, and no investment bank set a book price through roadshow demand. Instead, it used a direct listing, a structure where existing shareholders sell directly into the open market. IPO research firm Renaissance Capital said Ionic’s implied market value of $2.4 billion at Nasdaq’s $53 reference price made it the largest US direct listing since 2021, a cohort that previously included high-profile technology names.

The company was formed in 2024 to acquire Celsius Mining’s assets through the bankrupt crypto lender’s court-approved restructuring and has since expanded into AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. For broader context on that day’s crypto market conditions, Bitcoin was trading near $64,480 on the same session.

What This Means for Bitcoin Mining Stocks

(SOURCE: CompaniesMarketCap.com)

Ionic’s debut adds a notable data point to the Bitcoin mining sector. The direct listing structure, combined with a $2.8Bn close valuation and approximately 44.9 million shares outstanding per the SEC filing, gives the market concrete figures to work with.

Several Bitcoin miners have been expanding into AI and HPC infrastructure alongside their core mining operations. Ionic’s debut reflects continued public market interest in companies pursuing that combined model, though the Bitcoin mining stock sector has seen companies face significant challenges on public markets in the past.

The Bitcoin mining sector is valued at around $69Bn, with IREN, Hut 8, and TeraWulf the most valuable, accounting for more than $32Bn of that total. Once the table is updated, Ionic will likely enter the top 10, replacing Bitfarms in the number 10 spot.

EXPLORE: Best Crypto Presales With Asymmetric Upside in the Current Market

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Prominent crypto influencer Ansem is more optimistic about digital assets than at any point in his career as he argues that improving infrastructure, mobile adoption and on-chain innovation are laying the foundation for the next cycle.

Speaking with crypto commentator Thread Guy in an interview on July 28, Ansem said speculation remains crypto’s biggest strength, while predicting traders will increasingly become the next generation of financial influencers.

Ansem said the current market resembles previous cycle bottoms, where sentiment remained overwhelmingly bearish despite steady improvements beneath the surface.

“I’ve never been this bullish on crypto in my entire life,” he said.

Unlike previous cycles, Ansem argued that crypto is benefiting from major advances in mobile applications, stablecoin infrastructure and regulatory clarity while AI is making it easier than ever for developers to build products.

He said crypto offers startups a faster path to liquidity than traditional venture capital, making blockchain networks an increasingly attractive place to launch new businesses.

Ansem pointed to projects such as Robinhood Chain as an example of crypto evolving beyond infrastructure into consumer-facing products.

Meme Coins Still MatterWhile institutional investors increasingly focus on tokenization and real-world assets, Ansem said speculation remains crypto’s competitive advantage.

He compared blockchain ecosystems to cities that need both financial institutions and entertainment businesses.

"You can’t shut down all the bars, clubs and casinos because you don’t like them,” he said, arguing that meme coins help attract users and liquidity that ultimately benefit broader blockchain ecosystems.

Rather than viewing speculation as harmful, Ansem said it has historically driven adoption throughout crypto.

Bitcoin, Solana And The Bigger PictureDespite lingering macro uncertainty, Ansem said Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) continues to resemble digital gold and expects institutional demand to remain supportive.

He also reiterated his long-term optimism toward Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), saying consumer adoption and improving on-chain applications continue to strengthen the ecosystem.

Looking beyond price action, both Ansem and Thread Guy argued crypto activity is picking up again after months of stagnation, citing renewed experimentation across decentralized finance, tokenized assets and mobile trading.

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After South Korean stocks plummeted, wreaths were laid in front of the National Assembly as retail investors demand the abolition of leveraged ETFs for Samsung and SK Hynix.

According to a report by The Chosun Ilbo, South Korean individual investors’ dissatisfaction has surged after single-stock leveraged ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plummeted. On that day, around 30 mourning wreaths were placed in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, calling for the scrapping of the related 2x leveraged ETF products. The wreaths were sent by the individual investor group "Stock Market Normalization Council", whose demands include strengthening investor protection and pushing for the delisting of such products. The group argues that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix single-stock leveraged ETFs amplified stock price volatility and exacerbated retail investors’ losses. The protest came amid sharp fluctuations in South Korea’s stock market. On the previous trading day, the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index) plunged more than 8% at one point, triggering the circuit breaker; the single-stock leveraged products tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix also tumbled around 25%. Against the backdrop of a downturn in the AI hardware chain and sharp falls among semiconductor leaders, the risks of highly leveraged products were rapidly magnified. South Korea’s financial authorities have started tightening trading thresholds. The Financial Services Commission plans to require individual investors to hold a minimum cash margin of at least 30 million won when purchasing new or additional single-stock leveraged products starting from July 31. South Korea’s Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eui-keun said industry estimates show that after the measure takes effect, related trading accounts may drop from around 100,000 to about 10,000, with trading volume likely to decrease by around 60%.

2 minutes ago

Bitunix Trading Champion Challenge officially launched, with a 700,000 USDT prize pool up for grabs!

Bitunix has officially launched the "Trading King Challenge" individual trading contest, running from July 28 to August 12 (UTC+0), open to all registered users on the platform. The contest features two leaderboards: the trading volume leaderboard and the return rate leaderboard, with their respective prize pools accounting for 80% (560,000 USDT) and 20% (140,000 USDT). Eligibility requires a valid contract trading volume of at least 50,000 USDT; users ranking on both leaderboards will receive the higher reward. As Bitunix's contract trading ecosystem continues to expand, the platform is giving back to the community with a total prize pool of up to 700,000 USDT, inviting traders worldwide to compete and claim the "Trading King" title.

2 minutes ago

MARA CEO: AI power use delivers far higher returns than Bitcoin mining, with crypto miners’ future core competitiveness shifting to power resources.

Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA Holdings, stated that revenue generated from using electricity for AI infrastructure is far higher than that from Bitcoin mining, making power resources the most critical strategic asset for mining firms. He said: “For every unit of electricity used, the returns from AI are significantly higher than those from Bitcoin mining.” Thiel pointed out that as Bitcoin halvings continue to compress mining revenues, and electricity remains the largest operating cost for mining companies, firms must secure power resources or form close partnerships with utilities to stay competitive. MARA has partnered with Starwood to build a roughly 1GW computing power platform, with plans to expand further to 2.5GW; this month, the company also announced the acquisition of a Texas campus with approximately 2GW of power access capacity for developing digital infrastructure. However, Thiel emphasized that AI will not completely replace Bitcoin mining. In regions with low-cost, idle, or surplus power, Bitcoin mining remains an important method to boost power utilization rates. He believes that in the future, for mining firms with grid access and developable land, Bitcoin mining will become one of the uses for power resources, rather than the sole purpose.

2 minutes ago

South Korea's financial authorities will hold an emergency meeting starting at 17:00 Beijing time.

According to South Korean lawmaker Yoo Dong-soo, South Korea's financial authorities will hold an emergency meeting today, set to begin at 6 PM local time (17:00 Beijing time). (Jinshi)

2 minutes ago

Vanta will launch a 100,000 USDC trading competition on July 30, with a weekly reward pool of 1 million points.

According to official announcements, decentralized full-asset trading platform Vanta will launch a trading competition with a total prize pool of 100,000 USDC at 16:00 Singapore time on July 30. During the event, users will split the 100,000 USDC prize based on their trading volume, with higher volume translating to larger rewards. Participants in the trading competition can also join Vanta’s weekly 1 million-point reward program, earning Vanta points based on trading volume, new user referrals, liquidity provision, and other ecosystem contributions. It is reported that Vanta officially opened to all users on July 16, with the platform’s cumulative trading volume already exceeding $300 million. The project is also advancing its global expansion by establishing local teams in multiple countries. Founded by core executives from exchanges including Bitget and OKX, the platform supports trading of multiple asset classes such as crypto assets, stocks, gold, forex, commodities and indices, and has launched Smart Trading and AI trading assistance features.

2 minutes ago

Dark Side of the Moon completes an oversubscribed $3.5 billion funding round, hitting a $35 billion valuation.

Moonshot AI (Chinese name: 月之暗面) has raised $3.5 billion, exceeding expectations, in a recently completed funding round, bringing its valuation to $35 billion. (Jinshi)

2 minutes ago

Table of contents

Fear of a rate hike is not supposed to peak when the Fed is widely expected to hold, but that is exactly what Santiment’s social chatter data is showing ahead of the July 28–29 FOMC meeting. According to a Santiment update, the volume of crowd talk around a potential hike has climbed steeply, echoing a surge last seen in mid-June just before Chair Kevin Warsh’s first decision. That prior move fizzled when the Federal Open Market Committee left rates untouched at 3.50% to 3.75%.

Santiment tracks crypto-specific social chatter across Telegram, Reddit, X, and trading forums to measure crowd conviction around the three possible outcomes: rate hikes, rate cuts, and a hold. The most dangerous moments for crypto positioning, the feed suggests, are when the crowd is overwhelmingly sure of one path. In June, hike-fear spiked hard only to dissipate after the pause. Now, with markets pricing a 36% to 38% chance of a surprise move, the loudness of the crowd may be telling traders more about sentiment extremes than about actual policy risk.

That dynamic matters because Bitcoin and the broader digital-asset space remain tightly coupled to macro liquidity expectations. An unexpected hike would tighten dollar liquidity and pressure risk assets, but the social volume itself reveals that many traders have already started hedging or front-running a hawkish scenario. This creates a setup where even a dovish hold could produce sharp short-term unwinds, as over-positioned speculators scramble to adjust.

The fragile macro backdrop is compounded by legislative noise. Banks are trying to kill the biggest crypto bill in US history four days before a key Senate vote, adding a layer of policy-driven anxiety that can amplify knee-jerk reactions to any Fed surprise.

The June Pattern That Traders Should Remember On June 16, the Santiment chart showed hike chatter spiking to levels that historically have coincided with local tops in fear. When Warsh’s committee held rates steady on June 17, the crowd’s conviction was immediately invalidated. Bitcoin’s reaction at the time was relatively muted, suggesting that a chunk of the selling pressure had already been absorbed during the run-up to the meeting.

That same sequence could play out again. Banks and most economists expect a hold because inflation data has not decisively forced the Fed’s hand, but the social chatter is not reflecting that baseline. Instead, it is amplifying a tail‑risk narrative that may already be priced into shorter-term options and futures positioning. If the committee delivers the expected pause, the unwind of that fear could temporarily support a relief bounce in crypto, though the sustainability of such a move would depend on post‑meeting language from Chair Warsh.

What July’s Social Data Does and Doesn’t Price In Santiment’s live chart is not a prediction engine; it is a gauge of how loud the crowd has become. Elevated hike-talk does not mean a hike is coming. It often means that traders have become emotionally anchored to a single outcome, which makes them vulnerable to any deviation. The current reading points to elevated conviction, but conviction alone has been wrong at previous Fed inflection points.

What the data does expose is a compressed market where directional bets are crowded. If the hold materializes and the committee signals patience, the unwind could be swift, especially in altcoins that react more violently to shifts in risk appetite. If a surprise hike does land, the market will have had some warning, but an aggressive sell‑off could still follow because liquidity conditions remain thinner across crypto order books than they were during previous tightening cycles.

The FOMC decision is due July 29. The immediate reaction will matter less than where crowd sentiment sits a day later — if the chatter pivots sharply from hike‑fear to relief, that too could become a contrarian signal in its own right.

AUTHOR

Max delves deep into the cryptocurrency realm, with a passion for altcoins and NFTs. Convinced of crypto's transformative potential, he envisions a decentralized financial future. Max's background in the financial sector grants him unique insights into global monetary systems. In his leisure, Max embraces the thrill of adventures and is an avid sports enthusiast, finding balance and rejuvenation away from work.

In crypto news today (July 29), Bitcoin climbed +1% overnight, reclaiming $64,000 ahead of today’s FOMC meeting, in which a rate hike is rumored to be on the table. Liquidations have slowed from yesterday, sitting at just over $420M, down from $605M the day before, although the majority of those liquidations are still from long positions, $325M to be precise.

ETF flows have also continued their red streak; following an eight-day inflow streak, yesterday saw $49M in Bitcoin sold across various products, marking a fourth consecutive day of outflows totaling more than $500M, per CoinGlass data.

With the total crypto market cap up around 1% overnight, it has reclaimed $2.28 trillion. Daily trading volume across crypto sits at $61.9Bn, down from $66Bn yesterday.

The Fear & Greed Index is frozen at 29/100, unchanged from yesterday, within ‘Fear’ territory. This lack of movement reflects a market waiting for the results of today’s FOMC meeting before moving in either direction.

Crypto News Today: 1inch Launches Aqua Liquidity Layer Targeting Idle Funds 1inch has officially launched Aqua, a new liquidity layer for decentralized finance (DeFi). This system enables liquidity providers to use a single wallet balance to manage multiple trading positions simultaneously, without locking assets in liquidity pools.

The company stated that this approach enhances capital efficiency and addresses a significant limitation of traditional decentralized exchanges (DEXs): the presence of large amounts of idle liquidity. Aqua is now available across 13 EVM-compatible networks.

Aqua operates on a registry-based model. Users authorize the protocol to access a specified number of tokens, while the assets remain in their wallets and are transferred only when a trade is executed.

According to 1inch, this new architecture allows a single wallet balance to support multiple price quotes simultaneously, without relying on leverage. For instance, $100,000 in assets can back three separate positions with a total quoted liquidity of up to $300,000.

This is achievable because tokens are committed only when a swap is executed. The developers describe Aqua as one of the first risk-controlled liquidity systems that does not require providers to deposit assets into liquidity pools. If a wallet lacks sufficient funds to settle a trade, that liquidity provider is simply excluded from the transaction.

Liquidity providers: it’s time to wake up.

Use 1inch Aqua to find more activity in more markets, without letting your tokens out of your wallet.

Risk-controlled execution meets full self-custody.

No, you aren’t dreaming.

Here’s how it works:

⬇️ pic.twitter.com/F7CJeikteJ

— 1inch (@1inch) July 28, 2026

Trade BTC on ByBit and Join 99Bitcoin’s Exclusive $1000 USDT Airdrop Campaign

Ionic Digital Stock Surges +25% Following Nasdaq Debut ​In other crypto news today, shares of Bitcoin miner and AI infrastructure operator Ionic Digital rose more than 25% on their first day of trading on Nasdaq. At their peak, the shares approached $63, giving the company a valuation of roughly $2.75Bn.

According to reports, Ionic went public on Tuesday through a direct listing under the ticker IOND. Trading opened at $50, compared with a reference price of $53.

Ionic Digital’s history is tied to the collapse of crypto lender Celsius Network in 2022. The company was formed in January 2024 to acquire nearly all of Celsius Mining’s assets as part of the bankruptcy and restructuring process.

Ionic received Celsius’ mining equipment and infrastructure, about $195M in cash, and 540 BTC. At the time of the deal, the Bitcoin holdings were worth approximately $35M.

Ionic’s mining facilities were initially managed by Hut 8 under a four-year agreement. However, less than a year later, Ionic terminated the contract and took direct control of the sites. Hut 8 retained a minority stake in the company.

Finally the Celsius bankruptcy mining co is trading under $IOND

It's going UP ONLY and it's a damn good stimmy.

My total Celsius repayment is now 150% of what I lost.

Only issue is I haven't been able to transfer the shares to my broker to sell and it might take 5 days lol https://t.co/TK0dwbAk0D pic.twitter.com/Ig8JdLhdQp

— Wazz (@WazzCrypto) July 28, 2026

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Bitcoin ETFs extend outflow streak as BTC fails to hold $65KUS spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded four straight sessions of outflows totaling $526 million as Bitcoin faced renewed selling pressure after failing to hold $65,000.

US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) extended their outflow streak to four consecutive trading sessions, with investors withdrawing about $49.8 million as Bitcoin briefly fell to $63,000.

Bitcoin ETFs recorded total net outflows of about $526 million across the four trading sessions, with the largest withdrawals coming on July 24 and July 23, at about $240 million and $225 million, respectively, according to SoSoValue data.

Despite the recent selling pressure, cumulative net inflows remained at $51.3 billion, while total net assets stood at $77.2 billion as of July 28.

The outflows followed a seven-day inflow streak that brought in nearly $1 billion, highlighting renewed volatility after Bitcoin failed to hold above $65,000. CryptoQuant community analyst Darkfost said Bitcoin’s return to a bullish trend would require renewed demand and improving market conditions. He said Bitcoin spot volumes on major exchanges have fallen sharply from late 2024 levels, with Binance recording about $35 billion in July spot volume compared with $246 billion in November 2024.

At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $64,371, up 2.7% over the past seven days, according to CoinGecko data. Bitcoin briefly dropped as low as $63,100 on Thursday, marking its lowest level since July 17.

This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.

Artificial intelligence remains one of the strongest convictions for this cycle as institutional adoption continues to grow and real-world AI applications expand rapidly. One analyst says upcoming milestones, such as potential IPOs from companies like OpenAI or Anthropic, could shift fresh capital into AI-related Crypto coins. 

While the broader market remains under pressure, with Bitcoin trading around the mid-$60,000 range, the current weakness is seen as a buying opportunity rather than a warning sign. 

He expects the market to find its bottom between September and October, following the pattern of previous cycles, and plans to steadily dollar-cost average into high-conviction AI projects. According to him, investors should focus on fundamentally strong protocols with real products, active users, and sustainable revenue, as these are likely to lead the next rally once sentiment improves.

Near Protocol Leads His AI PortfolioAmong his highest-conviction investments is Near Protocol, which he says continues to deliver meaningful network growth despite market weakness.

He highlighted several reasons:

Around $24 billion in cross-chain swaps settled.Strong focus on privacy-powered AI applications.Infrastructure supporting projects such as Venice and privacy-focused ecosystems.Exposure to the rapidly growing AI-agent economy, which is projected to reach $190 billion–$500 billion by 2030.Trading around $1.60, he considers Near attractive even at current prices and would add more if the market falls further.

TAO Remains a Long-Term FavoriteNext up on his list is Bittensor (TAO), describing it as one of the strongest decentralized AI plays available.

His investment thesis includes:

A network supporting 128 AI subnets.Continuous ecosystem expansion with new subnet launches.Increasing social attention surrounding the project.Strong long-term vision as a marketplace for decentralized intelligence.He even referenced recent comments from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who described intelligence as a future universal currency, arguing that TAO is building the marketplace around that idea.

With TAO trading near $190, he said accumulating around current levels, or on any further dip toward the $170–180 range, could prove rewarding over time.

Venice Still Has UpsideThe third AI project on his list is Venice.

Although the token faced criticism following its $65 million Series A funding round, he thinks those concerns have largely been priced in.

Recent developments include:

Integration of the Kimmy K3 AI model.Continued focus on private AI infrastructure.Stable price action compared with many competing AI tokens.That’s why he expects Venice to revisit previous highs once AI enthusiasm returns.

Other Coins Still on His RadarBeyond AI, he continues watching Hyperliquid, planning to accumulate if prices fall into the low-$50 or even $40 range. He also remains positive on Zcash and XRP which is 9% down, calling it another high-conviction holding outside the AI sector. 

For now, however, his strategy is to ignore low-quality projects, accumulate fundamentally strong AI leaders, and prepare for what he believes could become the next major crypto narrative.

Story Ends Here

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Bitcoin slipped near the $63,000 mark on Wednesday as a chip stock sell-off, ETF outflows, $510 million liquidations and Fed uncertainty weighed on sentiment. The cryptocurrency was trading at the $63,973 mark.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin was up 0.88% and Ethereum was up 1.43% to trade at the $1,910 mark. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained up to 5.14%, whereas Hyperliquid was down 1.40%.

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Bitcoin is consolidating around the $63,700 level after briefly falling to a 10-day low near $63,000, as a sharp sell-off in Asian semiconductor stocks spilled over into Wall Street and the crypto market, said Akshat Siddhant, Lead quant analyst, Mudrex.

Siddhant further said that the decline triggered more than $510 million in liquidations, while continued outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs further weakened investor sentiment. Moreover, the uncertainty around the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook continues to keep traders cautious.

The global crypto market capitalisation went up 0.62% to $2.19 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap. The pause in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows after an extended streak has also prompted participants to reassess near-term positioning, while Ethereum has cooled ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision and XRP continues to trade within a range as investors await a stronger directional trigger, said Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42.

Despite the short-term weakness, institutional interest in digital assets remains intact, suggesting that the broader market continues to be driven by macroeconomic cues rather than any structural deterioration in the crypto ecosystem, Shekhar further said.

In the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum were down 2.98% and 0.46%. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Hyperliquid, Dogecoin, and Cardano corrected up to 7.16%.

Nischal Shetty, founder, WazirX, said the crypto market has entered a phase of heightened caution as investors reposition ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision, and the decline has been driven by a combination of rising liquidation activity, softer institutional flows, and a broader risk-off sentiment that has weighed heavily on global technology stocks.

Markets have sharply repriced expectations for U.S. monetary policy, with the probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike increasing materially over the past week, Shetty further said.

Also Read | Can a Rs 31,000 monthly SIP help you build a Rs 10 crore corpus? Expert explains
Market perspectiveVikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus: Bitcoin traded near $63,620 on Wednesday, gaining about 0.8% over 24 hours, as investors maintained cautious positions before the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The recovery remains modest after Bitcoin retreated from last week’s local high near $66,700.

CoinSwitch Markets Desk: BTC briefly fell below $63K as a sharp sell-off in Asian equities and the Senate’s delay of the CLARITY Act weighed on market sentiment, before recovering towards $64K. Near-term price action will likely be driven by the Fed’s policy decision and commentary, alongside core PCE inflation, second-quarter GDP data and earnings from major technology companies.

Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange: Crypto markets are consolidating after the recent correction, with Bitcoin attempting to recover from key support while remaining below the $64,500-65,500 resistance zone. Ethereum is also rebounding, with immediate resistance at $1,945-1,970 and support around $1,865-1,880.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times.)

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

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Increasing sovereign and consumer debt, MMT psychology, and why HIVE is racing from 14 cents an hour on Bitcoin chips to $2 an hour on GPUs.

Americans, and America, are in more debt than ever before, across multiple categories. While many economists are sounding the alarm, and have been for longer than I’ve been alive, spending has only increased over time.

Frank Holmes, executive chairman of HIVE Digital Technologies, joined TheStreet Roundtable to share his thoughts on the growing debt for both consumers, businesses, and governments.

Holmes believes that while the debt is a real risk, it incentivizes smart investors to buy hard assets like Bitcoin and gold.

"We know what will happen if it comes to an economic crisis — they'll just print more money," he said.

The debt machine and modern monetary theoryLendingTree reported that as of June 2026, credit card debt has surpassed $1.2 trillion dollars. Auto loans are at $1.6 trillion. Mortgages sit around $13 trillion. And of course, the U.S. federal government is approaching $40 trillion in debt.

In 2026, the U.S. will spend over $1 trillion on interest payments alone. This accounts for nearly 20% of all dollars the government spends, putting it near the top in total spending by program before you ever pay a single borrowed dollar back.

Ratings agencies have been slowly downgrading the U.S. credit rating for years. S&P started back in 2011, moving the U.S. from the highest rating, AAA, to AA1. In 2025, Moody’s did the same, the last of the big agencies to do so.

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Holmes doesn't dispute that the debt is real. He disputes that anyone will ever be asked to pay it. Even consumer debt will be absorbed by the state printing money.

"The government finds ways to bail people out. Modern monetary theory (MMT) started this century, and it's been: solve every problem with printing more money. When you look at the United Nations' 194 countries, a bulk of them are practicing MMT," he explained.

More news:Influencer sells 2 Ferraris to buy Bitcoin dipBitcoin's biggest driver isn't what you think, says veteran investorOndo introduces Ondo Network to power its trading productsBitcoin as a hedgeHolmes believes that the increased debt has made Bitcoin an obvious hedge against the inflation that is inevitably coming.

He said about the debt that “it's a good worry. It's like driving a car without car insurance. You should have that worry. It’s so easy for people to go and open an account at Robinhood and do $100 a month into HODL, the VanEck ETF. You can take that $100 and that's your hedge, and that's cheaper than three dollars a day at Starbucks."

The dollar, which is the blood for most of the globe’s financial infrastructure, has lost more than 90% of its value since it was created.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is free from centralized control, meaning that governments can’t print more of it, forcing them to be more fiscally responsible and ensuring that normal people’s wealth cannot be stolen from them by decreasing its purchasing power. 

TLDR K33 Research says Bitcoin’s traditional four-year price cycles may no longer apply. Analysts say Bitcoin is shifting from a speculative asset to a store of value. Bitcoin held near $118,300, up 6.6% for the week, as cooling inflation data eased investor nerves. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged ten straight days of net inflows, led by BlackRock’s IBIT. Traders are split on whether Bitcoin can reach $150,000 by the third quarter. Bitcoin has followed a four-year pattern for over a decade. New price highs tend to arrive about a year after the mining reward halving events. Now, analysts at K33 Research say this pattern may be breaking down.

In past cycles, Bitcoin peaked roughly 1,060 days after the prior bottom. Halvings in 2012, 2016, and 2020 each led to a new all-time high the following year. If history repeated, a peak could come as soon as mid-October.

But K33’s researchers say that playbook no longer fits. They wrote that the impact of halvings is much smaller today than it used to be. Supply shocks that once triggered sharp rallies carry less weight now.

A Maturing Market The researchers point to wider institutional access and growing interest from sovereign entities as reasons the old cycle may no longer apply. These forces, they say, matter more than the mining reward schedule.

K33 described Bitcoin as moving away from being a purely speculative asset. Instead, they see it becoming a store of value that reacts to global trade tension and inflation pressure.

This shift means Bitcoin’s price may now track macroeconomic events more closely than past halving cycles. That includes interest rate decisions, inflation reports, and currency trends.

Price Action and ETF Demand Bitcoin has responded to some of those macro signals this week. The asset steadied near $118,300, up 6.6% for the week, after a cooler than expected U.S. inflation report calmed investors.

Ether also gained ground, holding above $3,340 and climbing more than 20% over seven days. Traders are watching to see if it can break to a record high.

Other coins moved higher too. XRP rose 6.4% on the day to $3.09, up 27% for the week. Solana added 5% to reach $170, while Dogecoin gained 6%, trading just above 20 cents.

BNB Coin rose nearly 3% to $708, and Tron’s TRX gained 3.7% to 31 cents. The broader crypto market extended gains for a second straight day.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their tenth straight day of net inflows, totaling $799 million on Wednesday. BlackRock’s IBIT fund led the way with $763 million of that total.

Traditional markets showed a similar pattern. Asian equities dipped as investors adjusted rate-cut expectations, while gold prices edged higher and the dollar weakened.

The dollar index is down roughly 10% so far this year. That decline has helped support dollar-priced assets, including crypto.

Not everyone agrees on what comes next. QCP traders said Bitcoin’s momentum stalled after passing $120,000, with a support zone forming between $114,000 and $118,000.

They pointed to seasonal trading slowdowns and equity market fatigue as possible reasons for a pause. Some downside buying has already appeared in that price range.

Other analysts remain more optimistic. Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, said a move to $150,000 by the third quarter looks increasingly plausible.

He cited ETF inflows, limited new supply, and a weaker dollar as reasons for his outlook. Lee also pointed to potential Federal Reserve rate cuts as a possible tailwind for prices.

11h05 ▪ 5 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Is bitcoin threatened by its own evolutions? This is the warning issued by Michael Saylor on July 28, 2026. On X, the executive chairman of Strategy defended the immutability of the network consensus rules, believing that any change to its architecture could weaken the first crypto. This stance comes as debates about the protocol’s evolution intensify within the Bitcoin community.

In Brief Michael Saylor anticipates a spectacular rise of Bitcoin, while stating that its biggest threat now lies in changing its consensus rules. The leader likens the protocol to a constitution and warns against factions seeking to alter the network’s immutability for their own benefit. The analysis targets specific projects like BIP-110, covenants, and block size increase, accused of weakening Bitcoin’s security and scarcity. With the gradual decrease of block rewards, Saylor reminds that miners’ economic balance depends on transaction freedom and system stability. Bitcoin’s Constitution Tested by Its Own Victory In his public statement, Michael Saylor makes a direct observation about the state of the network’s maturation. He stated : “bitcoin has won. Now, it must survive its own victory”. According to the executive chairman of Strategy, external threats having failed to stop the asset’s trajectory, the major danger now comes from internal disputes over the fundamental rules of the system. To better understand the scope of his warning, Saylor structures his vision around the following factual pillars :

The network constitution : he compares the consensus framework to the founding rules of a state: “the bitcoin consensus rules establish its constitution. They define ownership, scarcity, transaction settlement, and power” ; The threat of capture : he warns against influential factions that could alter this foundation: some entities could “invent excuses, rewrite the rules, and confiscate economic rights” ; The intergenerational risk : he highlights the consequences of political drift in the code on the future: “a single corrupted rule adopted today could deprive future generations of markets not yet built, technologies not yet imagined, and economic freedom not yet conquered”. This warning fits into a long-term strategic vision where bitcoin aims to go beyond traditional markets to structure international finance. By positioning the immutability of consensus rules as the sole guarantor of scarcity and property rights, the leader reminds that investor trust depends on absolute respect for this social and technological contract.

BIP-110: Restrictive Clauses and Block Size Increase Getting into details of controversial technical proposals, Michael Saylor explicitly targets BIP-110, features related to restrictive clauses, and projects aiming to increase block size. The leader believes these changes alter the incentive balance and impose unnecessarily high risks on the network. More specifically, he argues that restrictions applied to transactions limit the choice of mining specialists, while increasing block size will weaken block space scarcity while raising validation costs borne by node operators. Regarding restrictive clauses, Saylor claims they introduce unnecessary complexity in the code, opening new exploitable attack surfaces at the expense of overall security.

Such questioning of software changes relies on preserving the network’s founding principles against attempts to extend its features. According to Saylor, introducing complex mechanisms risks distorting bitcoin’s primary function, which is to serve as the ultimate settlement network. By altering block structure and imposing new execution constraints, the protocol would lose the simplicity that gives it resistance to attacks. Code neutrality is the fundamental bulwark ensuring no entity can favor one type of use over another.

The Mining Equation and the Specter of a Permanent Protocol War Beyond software considerations, this analysis integrates economic constraints inherent to the functioning of shadow actors known as mining companies. Saylor recalls the reality of the security model and the central role played by them: “mining companies risk their own capital to secure the Bitcoin network. With a halving of their subsidy every 210,000 blocks, transaction fees must carry an increasing share of security costs”.

From this perspective, restricting transaction freedom or altering the fee market weakens operator profitability as block subsidies decrease. The chairman of Strategy fears these governance disputes could turn into a permanent confrontation, warning that “the protocol war becomes permanent”, a situation likely to divert capital, slow innovation, and compromise the asset’s long-term expansion.

Ultimately, this warning refocuses the historic debate between the desire to add new features and the need to preserve an immutable settlement layer. While some developers believe technical adjustments like BIP-110 are necessary to support evolving uses, Saylor’s stance reflects the rigor demanded by institutional investors. For listed companies and fund managers, bitcoin’s cardinal value lies in its absolute predictability and resistance to any political manipulation. The arbitration of these tensions will determine whether the community can maintain protocol neutrality to realize its valuation potential globally.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.