Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Yemen’s Houthis attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and intercepted multiple commercial vessels amid escalating US-Iran war. Oil prices have climbed further due to disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, causing Bitcoin and XRP to pare gains.

Yemen’s Iran-Aligned Houthis Disrupt Oil Supply in Red Sea Yemen’s armed forces hit two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, IRNA News Agency reported on July 23. The attacks also intercepted multiple commercial vessels, according to a formal statement by spokesperson Yahya Saree.

Saudi authorities confirmed a Saudi-owned commercial vessel was targeted in the Red Sea, causing a fire on the ship. All crew members are safe. Authorities claim such attacks constitute a violation of international laws and norms.

Houthi leaders in Yemen have declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, effective immediately. US stock futures, Bitcoin and XRP are dropping amid risks of further supply disruptions.  

The attacks coincided with Saudi Arabia signing a nuclear deal with the US. The 30-year agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy.

Saudi Arabia and United States Sign Agreement on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. pic.twitter.com/FSJWIqmXwS

— وزارة الطاقة (@MoEnergy_Saudi) July 22, 2026

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed another round of strikes against Iran for the 12th consecutive night. President Trump threatened to bomb bridges or power plants every time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz

U.S forces struck Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense systems. The strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels.

Bitcoin and XRP Slips amid Rising Oil Prices, US Treasury Yields Two-chokepoint risk for global oil supply caused oil prices to spike above $88 per barrel today. Oil prices are now up more than 31% since July-start, with no signs of an end to the US-Iran war.

Meanwhile, the US dollar index (DXY) slipped below 101.71 amid inflation concerns from surging energy costs. The 10Y Treasury Yield is approaching 4.70% and a fresh 52-week high, triggering selloffs in Bitcoin price. This puts the 10Y Treasury Yield up over 70 basis points since the US-Iran war began, with markets continuing to brace for an energy shock.

30-Year Treasury Yield closing in on its highest level since the run-up to the Global Financial Crisis 🚨 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8EeHCTctVb

— Barchart (@Barchart) July 22, 2026

Bitcoin fell more than 1% amid Yemen’s attacks in the Red Sea. The price is currently trading near $65,600, with a 24-hour low and high of $65,514 and $66,401, respectively.

Furthermore, trading volume has decreased by 9% in the last 24 hours, indicating a drop in interest among traders. Investors await US economic events and the Fed rate decision for cues on market direction.

Meanwhile, XRP price hit resistance near $1.16 again and fell to $1.13. Trading volume has dropped 32% as traders weigh rising Middle East tensions. XRP futures open interest also dropped more than 1% to $2.51 billion in the past 4 hours.

Navigating these volatile macro environments requires a dedicated suite of the best crypto research tools to analyze blockchain transaction volume and market sentiment.

VerusCoin's Ethereum bridge was hacked, with around $7.53 million in assets transferred out.

According to CertiK Alert monitoring, a security vulnerability attack has targeted VerusCoin’s Ethereum bridge, with attackers transferring approximately $7.53 million in assets. CertiK noted that the vulnerability likely stems from the bridge contract’s failure to properly verify whether the input amount from the Verus chain side matches the actual payment amount — a similar issue that occurred in an incident back in May.

1 seconds ago

F2Pool co-founder Chun Wang has deposited ETH and WBTC worth approximately $15.6 million to Binance.

Per Onchain Lens monitoring, Chun Wang (@satofishi), co-founder of F2Pool, deposited 6,009 ETH (valued at approximately $11.56 million) and 62.31 WBTC (worth around $4.09 million) into Binance, with a total value of roughly $15.6 million. The assets were sourced from withdrawals from Spark Fi, unstaking ETH from Lido Finance, and converting WETH to WBTC via CoW Swap.

1 seconds ago

Intel and AMD are reportedly signing long-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese clients, with some products seeing price hikes of over 40% this year.

According to Reuters, driven by the boom in AI data center construction, Intel and AMD are signing longer-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese server clients, with some terms exceeding two years to lock in purchasing volumes, though prices are generally not fixed. The report notes that demand for AI infrastructure has expanded from GPUs to areas including server CPUs, storage, networking equipment and memory. Some Chinese server CPU products have seen prices rise by over 40% year-to-date, with monthly increases for certain products exceeding 10%. Earlier, Reuters reported that the delivery cycle for some of Intel’s Xeon server CPUs has extended to up to six months.

1 seconds ago

Binance will suspend trading on July 25 for system upgrades.

According to an official announcement, Binance will support its partner brokers in carrying out a scheduled system upgrade, during which its stock trading service will be suspended from 10:50 to 14:00 UTC on July 25. Users will not be able to submit stock trading orders during the upgrade period. Binance stated that the upgrade is scheduled outside regular U.S. stock trading hours, and the service is expected to automatically resume after the upgrade is completed. The exact resumption time may be earlier or later than the planned window, so users are advised to arrange their relevant trading activities in advance.

1 seconds ago

Yesterday, Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $69.1 million, while Ethereum spot ETFs saw a net inflow of $72.7 million.

According to data from Farside Investors, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged a total net inflow of $69.1 million yesterday. BlackRock’s IBIT led with a $38.8 million net inflow, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $21.5 million, Bitwise’s BITB at $5.4 million, and MSBT at $3.8 million. Grayscale’s GBTC, however, saw a net outflow of $38.3 million, while all other products had zero net flow. In the same period, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs posted a total net inflow of $72.7 million: BlackRock’s ETHA took in $53.5 million, Fidelity’s FETH added $19.2 million, and all other products recorded no net flow.

1 seconds ago

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Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

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Jim Cramer Eyes Ex-Bitcoin Miner’s AI Power Pivot as Hedge Fund Bets Big

VerusCoin's Ethereum bridge was hacked, with around $7.53 million in assets transferred out.

According to CertiK Alert monitoring, a security vulnerability attack has targeted VerusCoin’s Ethereum bridge, with attackers transferring approximately $7.53 million in assets. CertiK noted that the vulnerability likely stems from the bridge contract’s failure to properly verify whether the input amount from the Verus chain side matches the actual payment amount — a similar issue that occurred in an incident back in May.

1 seconds ago

F2Pool co-founder Chun Wang has deposited ETH and WBTC worth approximately $15.6 million to Binance.

Per Onchain Lens monitoring, Chun Wang (@satofishi), co-founder of F2Pool, deposited 6,009 ETH (valued at approximately $11.56 million) and 62.31 WBTC (worth around $4.09 million) into Binance, with a total value of roughly $15.6 million. The assets were sourced from withdrawals from Spark Fi, unstaking ETH from Lido Finance, and converting WETH to WBTC via CoW Swap.

1 seconds ago

Intel and AMD are reportedly signing long-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese clients, with some products seeing price hikes of over 40% this year.

According to Reuters, driven by the boom in AI data center construction, Intel and AMD are signing longer-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese server clients, with some terms exceeding two years to lock in purchasing volumes, though prices are generally not fixed. The report notes that demand for AI infrastructure has expanded from GPUs to areas including server CPUs, storage, networking equipment and memory. Some Chinese server CPU products have seen prices rise by over 40% year-to-date, with monthly increases for certain products exceeding 10%. Earlier, Reuters reported that the delivery cycle for some of Intel’s Xeon server CPUs has extended to up to six months.

1 seconds ago

Binance will suspend trading on July 25 for system upgrades.

According to an official announcement, Binance will support its partner brokers in carrying out a scheduled system upgrade, during which its stock trading service will be suspended from 10:50 to 14:00 UTC on July 25. Users will not be able to submit stock trading orders during the upgrade period. Binance stated that the upgrade is scheduled outside regular U.S. stock trading hours, and the service is expected to automatically resume after the upgrade is completed. The exact resumption time may be earlier or later than the planned window, so users are advised to arrange their relevant trading activities in advance.

1 seconds ago

Yesterday, Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $69.1 million, while Ethereum spot ETFs saw a net inflow of $72.7 million.

According to data from Farside Investors, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged a total net inflow of $69.1 million yesterday. BlackRock’s IBIT led with a $38.8 million net inflow, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $21.5 million, Bitwise’s BITB at $5.4 million, and MSBT at $3.8 million. Grayscale’s GBTC, however, saw a net outflow of $38.3 million, while all other products had zero net flow. In the same period, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs posted a total net inflow of $72.7 million: BlackRock’s ETHA took in $53.5 million, Fidelity’s FETH added $19.2 million, and all other products recorded no net flow.

1 seconds ago

A big crypto bill just cleared another step. It’s called the Clarity Act, and it’s now ready for a vote in front of the whole Senate. The Clarity Act is 616 pages long. It sets rules for digital assets like Bitcoin and other crypto tokens. Right now, the U.S. has no clear federal rulebook for crypto and this bill would create one.

Under the bill, the CFTC would oversee most crypto tokens. The SEC would still handle tokens that act more like securities, such as company stock. The bill also adds rules to fight money laundering, protect everyday users, and set clear steps for what happens if a crypto company goes bankrupt.

The bill already passed the House back in July 2025. It passed the Senate Banking Committee in May 2026. Now it’s waiting for a vote from the full Senate.

Why Supporters Want It Passed

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said the bill is the result of thousands of hours of work from both political parties. He said the current lack of rules lets bad actors, like the collapsed exchange FTX, hurt everyday customers. Without clear laws, he said, much of the crypto industry has moved offshore, outside U.S. oversight.

Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, called the bill a consumer protection measure. He said it adds real tools for law enforcement and state officials to go after bad actors. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse backed the bill too, saying it doesn’t need to be perfect to be worth passing.

The Clarity Act is ready for a full Senate floor vote.

The bill represents a true bipartisan compromise with thousands of hours of work on both sides, and it couldn't come at a better time. The status quo in the U.S. isn't working. There's no federal framework, so bad actors… pic.twitter.com/8HQvp8iSrw

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) July 22, 2026 Supporters also point to public opinion. They cite polling showing most American voters think Congress should have passed crypto rules by now.

Where the Pushback Is Coming From

Not everyone is on board. Some Democrats in the Senate say they oppose the current draft. Reports indicate they are still negotiating with Republicans to try to reach a deal that can pass.

Some critics say the bill’s ethics rules don’t go far enough, since they aren’t enforceable by state attorneys general. Others argue the ethics provisions should have addressed past crypto activity by officials, not just future conduct. Supporters of the bill respond that neither complaint holds up. They say no current federal ethics law is enforced by state attorneys general, and that penalizing past conduct would raise constitutional problems.

What Happens Next

Backers of the bill are pushing to get a vote done before Congress leaves for its August recess. Whether that timeline holds depends on whether Senate Democrats and Republicans can agree on a final version soon.

Story Ends Here

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Table of contents

Public financial companies are significantly adopting Bitcoin ($BTC), with 1,201,521 $BTC (nearly $79.02B) in total holdings of the top 151 firms. This marks a notable landmark in the inclusion of digital assets within conventional finance, as Bitcoin dominates 5.72% of public companies’ holdings.

As per the data from Phoenix Group, Strategy, Twenty One Capital, and Marathon Digital Holdings are the top public entities in line with Bitcoin ($BTC) holdings. Additionally, the other names on the list include Metaplanet, Bullish, Strive, Galaxy Digital Holdings, Hut 8 Corp, Riot Platforms, and Coinbase.

BITCOIN HOLDINGS BY PUBLIC COMPANIES

Public companies continue to expand their Bitcoin holdings, solidifying cryptocurrency's role in traditional financial markets. With industry leaders like #Strategy holding substantial amounts, the total $BTC reserved by these firms now… pic.twitter.com/hr3PZffEWh

— PHOENIX – Crypto News & Analytics (@pnxgrp) July 22, 2026 Strategy ($MSTR) Dominates Public Companies in Terms of Bitcoin Holdings with $55.49B The top name on the list of prominent public companies based on Bitcoin ($BTC) holdings is Strategy ($MSTR). The company accounts for up to 843,775 $BTC, denoting $55.49B in total value. After that, Twenty One Capital ($XXI) has become the 2nd biggest platform among the public platforms. Specifically, it has a total of 37,229 $BTC, equaling $2.45B.

Apart from that, Marathon Digital Holdings ($MARA) is the 3rd top public company when it comes to Bitcoin ($BTC) holdings. Thus, it has a cumulative amount of nearly 35,303 $BTC, accounting for $2.32B. In addition to this, Metaplanet ($3350) is another notable name on the list, occupying 35,102 $BTC (almost $2.31B).

Galaxy Digital Holdings ($GLXY), Hut 8 Corp ($HUT), Riot Platforms ($RIOT), and Coinbase ($COIN) Bottom List Bullish ($BLSH) is another renowned public entity when it comes to Bitcoin ($BTC) holdings. Particularly, it has a total of 24,340 $BTC in its Bitcoin holdings, reaching $1.60B. Then comes Strive ($ASST), which has 19,864 $BTC. This figure is reportedly equivalent to $1.31B. Additionally, Galaxy Digital Holdings ($GLXY) holds 17,102 $BTC in its holdings, hitting $1.12B.

According to Phoenix Group, the next public company on the list is Hut 8 Corp ($HUT). Its overall Bitcoin holdings include 15,679 $BTC (nearly $1.03B). Moving on, the 9th top public firm in terms of Bitcoin ($BTC) holdings is Riot Platforms ($RIOT) with 15, 679 $BTC, reaching $1.03B. Ultimately, Coinbase ($COIN) concludes the list with its Bitcoin holdings reaching 14,458 ($950.86M).

AUTHOR

Crypto journalist with years of experience providing in-depth analysis and news on blockchain and decentralized finance. With a keen eye for detail, Shahzaib delivers insightful articles that explore the latest trends, market movements, and innovations within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. His work focuses on educating readers while offering expert commentary on the evolving landscape of digital assets, DeFi protocols, and the broader impact of blockchain technology.

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.

Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

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XRP price has climbed nearly 4% to a two-week high of $1.1574 as Bitcoin’s return above $65,000, whale accumulation and fresh ETF inflows have supported its latest recovery.

Summary

XRP price reached $1.1574 after breaking above a daily symmetrical triangle. Whale wallets raised their holdings by 2.8% as smaller balances declined. XRP ETFs added $5.66 million while XRPL agentic transactions crossed 1 million. According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price was trading near $1.14 at the time of writing, up about 2% over the past seven days, with its market value standing above $71 billion. The token had eased from its session high after sellers returned around $1.16, but prices remained above a recently broken daily resistance line.

Alongside the improvement in crypto sentiment, activity tied to artificial intelligence has supplied a network-level catalyst. XRP Ledger has processed more than 1 million agentic transactions, according to RippleX engineering head J. Ayo Akinyele, as developers test autonomous payments for data, application programming interfaces and computing services.

Agentic payments allow AI-powered software to complete transactions based on programmed instructions without requiring a person to approve each transfer. XRP Ledger can settle these payments in three to five seconds while offering predictable transaction costs, Akinyele told FinanceFeeds.

Commenting on the milestone, Akinyele projected that the transaction count could rise considerably as developers improve the tools available to autonomous agents.

“I think we’ll blast through 10 million and may even get to 100 million within the next couple of years.”

The forecast remains a projection rather than a measure of future XRP demand. Investors would still need to assess whether developers continue building agent-based services, whether those applications attract regular users and how much XRP or Ripple USD they use for settlement.

Whale buying and ETF inflows support the recovery Santiment data showed that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP increased their combined balances by 2.8% during the past five weeks. Over the same period, balances held by wallets containing less than 0.1 XRP fell by 5.2%.

🚨 XRP Whales Accumulate 3% Supply in 5 Weeks! 👁️💎
​On-chain data from Santiment shows wallets (100K-100M $XRP) hoarding supply while retail dumps. Price rebounds to $1.16! 🧠⚡️
​Trading whale momentum with funded size on EVEDEX, I am!
​#XRP #EVEDEX pic.twitter.com/BOv9aMdt43

— Pavel-Crypto_𝔉𝔒ℜℭ𝔈 (@fragoreeez) July 22, 2026 According to Santiment, the opposing trends indicate that whale and shark wallets accumulated tokens while very small holders reduced their exposure. The analytics firm linked the change in holdings to XRP’s rebound toward $1.16, although its data does not establish that large-wallet buying alone caused the price increase.

Demand has also continued through U.S.-listed spot XRP exchange-traded funds. SoSoValue data showed the products attracted $5.66 million in net inflows on July 21, lifting their cumulative intake to about $1.49 billion.

Franklin Templeton’s XRPZ accounted for the entire daily addition, while the other listed products reported no net movement. Trading value across the funds reached $19.16 million during the session, and their combined net assets stood at approximately $1.06 billion, equal to about 1.48% of XRP’s market capitalization.

Among individual products, Bitwise managed the largest pool of assets at $333.50 million, according to the same dataset. The figures show that regulated funds continued receiving capital during XRP’s recovery, but daily flows can vary and do not guarantee sustained price gains.

Daily breakout keeps $1.20 within reach On the daily chart, XRP has broken above the upper boundary of a symmetrical triangle that formed after its June decline. Price also moved through the descending trendline connecting the June and July swing highs before reaching $1.1574.

XRP price daily chart — July 23 | Source: crypto.news Daily momentum has improved with the breakout. The chart’s relative strength index stood at 55.77, above its moving average of 47.38 and below the overbought threshold of 70. Its moving average convergence divergence histogram had turned positive at 0.0077, while the MACD line was rising toward a possible move above the signal line.

The 4-hour chart, however, showed momentum cooling after XRP’s rejection from $1.1574. The latest candle traded near $1.1385, placing the token just above the Murrey Math trading-range ceiling at $1.1353 and the major support and resistance pivot at $1.123.

XRP price 4-hour chart — July 23 | Source: crypto.news A recovery above the 4-hour strong pivot at $1.1475 would give buyers another chance to challenge $1.1597. The supplied chart places the following resistance levels at $1.1719 and $1.1841, with $1.1963 sitting just below the psychological $1.20 barrier.

4-hour MACD readings remained positive, although the shrinking histogram showed that upward momentum had slowed after the latest advance. This setup leaves buyers needing to defend the breakout instead of relying solely on the earlier impulse.

If XRP closes back below $1.123, the 4-hour chart identifies $1.1106 and $1.0986 as the next support levels. A deeper decline could expose $1.0864 and the ultimate support line at $1.0742, weakening the daily triangle breakout despite continued whale accumulation and ETF demand.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

According to data from Farside Investors, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged a total net inflow of $69.1 million yesterday. BlackRock’s IBIT led with a $38.8 million net inflow, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $21.5 million, Bitwise’s BITB at $5.4 million, and MSBT at $3.8 million. Grayscale’s GBTC, however, saw a net outflow of $38.3 million, while all other products had zero net flow. In the same period, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs posted a total net inflow of $72.7 million: BlackRock’s ETHA took in $53.5 million, Fidelity’s FETH added $19.2 million, and all other products recorded no net flow.

Relevant content

F2Pool co-founder Chun Wang has deposited ETH and WBTC worth approximately $15.6 million to Binance.

Per Onchain Lens monitoring, Chun Wang (@satofishi), co-founder of F2Pool, deposited 6,009 ETH (valued at approximately $11.56 million) and 62.31 WBTC (worth around $4.09 million) into Binance, with a total value of roughly $15.6 million. The assets were sourced from withdrawals from Spark Fi, unstaking ETH from Lido Finance, and converting WETH to WBTC via CoW Swap.

17 minutes ago

Intel and AMD are reportedly signing long-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese clients, with some products seeing price hikes of over 40% this year.

According to Reuters, driven by the boom in AI data center construction, Intel and AMD are signing longer-term server CPU procurement agreements with Chinese server clients, with some terms exceeding two years to lock in purchasing volumes, though prices are generally not fixed. The report notes that demand for AI infrastructure has expanded from GPUs to areas including server CPUs, storage, networking equipment and memory. Some Chinese server CPU products have seen prices rise by over 40% year-to-date, with monthly increases for certain products exceeding 10%. Earlier, Reuters reported that the delivery cycle for some of Intel’s Xeon server CPUs has extended to up to six months.

17 minutes ago

Binance will suspend trading on July 25 for system upgrades.

According to an official announcement, Binance will support its partner brokers in carrying out a scheduled system upgrade, during which its stock trading service will be suspended from 10:50 to 14:00 UTC on July 25. Users will not be able to submit stock trading orders during the upgrade period. Binance stated that the upgrade is scheduled outside regular U.S. stock trading hours, and the service is expected to automatically resume after the upgrade is completed. The exact resumption time may be earlier or later than the planned window, so users are advised to arrange their relevant trading activities in advance.

17 minutes ago

Bithumb will list the CHECK/KRW trading pair.

According to official announcements, Bithumb will list the CHECK/KRW trading pair.

17 minutes ago

The on-chain tokenized GME stock on Robinhood Crypto once traded at a significant premium, as market makers engaged in continuous mint arbitrage.

According to market data, trading activity in GME meme tokens and GME tokenized stocks on Robinhood Crypto has driven a rapid rise in the prices of their underlying liquidity pools. The on-chain price of GME tokenized stocks once traded at a roughly 10x premium over the actual underlying stock price. Given the relevant trading pools hold only around $200,000 in liquidity, heavy buying pressure pushed prices to deviate sharply from the spot level. Currently, mint and burn permissions for GME tokenized stocks are restricted to Authorized Participants (APs) and market makers that have completed Know Your Business (KYB) verification. On-chain data shows the official mint address is continuously issuing additional tokens to inject market liquidity; the latest records indicate new mint transactions occur nearly every minute, aimed at easing the premium and guiding prices back to their fair value.

17 minutes ago

Kazakhstan will incorporate strategic digital mining into the development of its national cryptocurrency reserve, requiring mining firms to surrender a portion of their mining assets.

Kazakhstan’s government has approved the "Implementation Rules for Strategic Digital Mining", allowing eligible enterprises to secure power quotas for up to 10 years at a capped electricity price. In exchange, participating firms must transfer a portion of their mined crypto assets to the Astana Hub Autonomous Cluster Fund, which is managed by the National Investment Company under Kazakhstan’s National Bank to bolster the country’s strategic crypto reserves. Under the new regulations, digital mining operators must submit applications via the E-licensing system, gain approval from a special committee, sign an agreement with Astana Hub within 5 working days, and finalize a power purchase contract with a power generation company to participate in the strategic digital mining program.

17 minutes ago

Bitcoin held near the $66,000 mark on Wednesday as crypto market sentiment remained in the neutral zone and spot ETF inflows turned positive.

Senate Republicans unveiled an updated CLARITY Act draft featuring a ban on senior U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, from sponsoring crypto for compensation until January 2029.

Notable Statistics:

Coinglass data shows 63,900 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $161.26 million.        SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $203.1 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $37.5 million. In the past 24 hours, top losers include DeXe, Stable and Midnight. Notable Developments:

Trader Notes:

Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez highlighted $70,920 as Bitcoin’s key resistance level, based on the MVRV Pricing Bands. He said this level could trigger selling pressure as it aligns with the aggregate investor cost basis.

A sustained close above $70,920 would be needed to absorb overhead supply and confirm the continuation of Bitcoin’s rebound.

Trader KillaXBT believes Bitcoin has already formed its cycle bottom. He expects a liquidity sweep above the current range highs, followed by a false breakout and a drop below $62,000 to establish a higher low.

The anticipated correction is expected to be driven by weakness in traditional financial markets rather than crypto-specific factors.

Grayscale highlighted that, "The CLARITY Act can do for the industry what crypto ETFs did: unlock the next wave of adoption."

Photo: Sebastian Duda on Shutterstock.com

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital have introduced a new digital asset index focused on tracking blockchain networks and protocols based on protocol revenue. This approach marks a shift from traditional crypto benchmarks that rely on market capitalization or token prices.

Protocol revenue as the key metricThe index is derived from the S&P Cryptocurrency Broad Digital Asset Index and screens assets for minimum levels of protocol revenue, market capitalization, and liquidity. Once assets meet these requirements, eligible networks are ranked by their total protocol revenue over the previous two quarters. The final composition is then weighted by adjusted market capitalization, with a maximum allocation of 35% for the largest holding and up to 20% for most other constituents. The index undergoes quarterly rebalancing.

S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital stated that the benchmark targets institutional investors and could be utilized as the basis for investment products or as a reference point for actively managed portfolios. According to S&P, the index’s rules-based structure is designed to differentiate established blockchain activity from more speculative digital assets.

The index’s methodology prioritizes blockchain networks with substantial protocol revenue, aiming to give investors exposure to projects generating meaningful economic activity rather than just speculative value.

Constituents and methodologyAt launch, the index consisted of 18 digital assets, with Ether (ETH), BNB (BNB), Solana (SOL), TRON (TRX), and Hyperliquid (HYPE) as the largest holdings. Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP (XRP), which rank prominently in the broader S&P Cryptocurrency Broad Digital Asset Index, were excluded due to the protocol revenue selection criteria.

Mini dictionary: S&P Dow Jones Indices is a major global index provider, best known for benchmarks like the S&P 500, while Pantera Capital is a prominent blockchain investment firm focused on crypto startups and digital asset strategies.

IndexConstituentsLargest HoldingsWeighting MethodS&P Digital Asset Index18 tokensETH, BNB, SOL, TRX, HYPEAdjusted market cap, max 35%S&P Cryptocurrency Broad Digital Asset IndexWider selectionIncludes BTC, XRPMarket capitalizationRecent trends in digital asset benchmarksThe launch expands S&P Dow Jones Indices’ broader efforts in the crypto space. In October, the index provider rolled out the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index, which blends 15 cryptocurrencies with 35 public companies involved in the crypto sector.

This latest index is part of a growing movement in the industry to create institutional-grade benchmarks for digital assets. As traditional financial institutions continue to expand their crypto offerings and tokenized assets become more popular, demand for reliable metrics has increased.

Earlier this year, Hashdex introduced the Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF, the country’s first multi-asset spot crypto ETF. Franklin Templeton followed with its own index fund, providing exposure to Bitcoin and Ether through a capitalization-weighted approach.

In April, MarketVector Indexes and Coinbase Asset Management released the Coinbase Store of Value Index. This new benchmark combines Bitcoin and tokenized gold, using an inverse-volatility weighting to capture diversified exposure.

Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, highlighted in December that crypto index funds are expected to see significant growth in 2026. Hougan argued that as the asset class matures and becomes more complex, diversified index offerings are likely to become more attractive for investors who want exposure to digital assets without attempting to pick individual winners.

With the fast-paced evolution of blockchain networks and uncertainty over long-term leaders, diversified index products may appeal to investors seeking broader market exposure.

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.

Balance Coin, an algorithmic stablecoin designed to maintain a fixed value of $1, plummeted by approximately 99% on Wednesday after a major security breach. The attack resulted in the loss of $912,000 from the project’s treasury, wiping out nearly its entire $3.5 million nominal value.

Algorithmic stablecoin loses peg after exploitBalance Coin (BLC) is a stablecoin built on an algorithmic model and aimed at consistently trading close to the US dollar. Before the incident, BLC was trading at around $0.9954. However, by early Wednesday, its price had plunged to between $0.0014 and $0.0025, according to several tracking services.

This sharp decline followed a targeted exploit that manipulated the project’s BTCB price oracle. By late Wednesday, BLC had lost nearly all of its market value.

Security flaw exploited via distorted oracleThe Balance Protocol operates a lending and minting system reminiscent of MakerDAO, allowing users to lock up assets such as Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Binance-pegged Bitcoin (BTCB), and USDT in order to mint new BLC tokens. When collateral falls below a required threshold, the protocol automatically liquidates the position and sells the collateral.

SlowMist, a blockchain security firm, traced the exploit to the protocol’s Median Oracle, which supplies BTCB price data. The attacker set an abnormally low price for BTCB using the Spotter contract’s ‘poke’ function, then triggered liquidations through the Dog module. SlowMist noted the Spotter module lacked safeguards such as a time-weighted average price, deviation bounds checking, or a liquidation delay.

SlowMist observed that the protocol’s absence of critical security features allowed an attacker to liquidate secure vaults by submitting a manipulated price, collecting the collateral in a single transaction.

Without these protections, the system quickly became vulnerable, making previously safe vaults suddenly appear insolvent and allowing the thief to claim the locked assets.

Mini dictionary: Oracle, a mechanism that provides external data (such as asset prices) to smart contracts, playing a crucial role in decentralized finance platforms’ operations.

Attacker mints tokens and converts to real assetsThe exploitation did not stop with liquidations. Using a compromised GemJoin contract, the attacker minted around 4.5 million BLC tokens from a null address and promptly swapped them on PancakeSwap V2 for BSC-USD and BTCB, turning freshly created BLC into tangible cryptocurrencies.

A second similar transaction occurred two hours later, minting an additional 5,900 BLC. The sudden influx of unbacked tokens disrupted BLC’s peg in real time, as the mechanism intended to hold its dollar value was turned against the system itself.

Mini dictionary: PancakeSwap, a decentralized exchange protocol on the BNB Chain that allows swapping of BEP-20 tokens without intermediaries.

Security audit limitations and repeated BNB Chain attacks42DAO, the team behind Balance Coin, had previously relied on a CertiK audit of its minting contract as a symbol of security. CertiK is a well-known blockchain security auditor. However, these audits generally focus on bugs such as coding or access control issues, and often treat oracle-price feeds as trusted inputs, overlooking the risk of manipulated data feeds.

Despite Oracle manipulation being highlighted by OWASP’s 2026 Smart Contract Top 10, such attacks typically fall outside standard audit scopes. Balance Coin’s system lacked a time-weighted average price feed, deviation bounds checking, and did not implement a liquidation delay similar to the one-hour Oracle Safety Module used by MakerDAO.

While the system underwent a legitimate audit, its lack of key security measures made it vulnerable to manipulation through the price oracle, which was not considered within the standard audit’s scope.

Security FeatureImplemented by Balance CoinImplemented by MakerDAOTime-weighted average price feedNoYesDeviation bounds checkingNoYesLiquidation delay (Oracle Safety Module)NoYes (1 hour)The Balance Coin incident is the third significant DeFi exploit on BNB Chain in the past two months. In late May, around $7.3 million was stolen from DxScale’s legacy liquidity lockers, and in early June, TesseraDAO suffered a $2.5 million loss due to an admin-key compromise. In all three incidents, affected teams remained silent following the attacks.

Recent analyst commentary points out that attackers are increasingly targeting vulnerabilities in governance structures and data oracles, rather than searching for coding bugs.

Growing instability in algorithmic stablecoins has become more evident after prominent failures including the collapse of Terra’s UST in 2022, as well as repeated depegs affecting Ethena’s USDe and Abracadabra’s MIM.

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.

Dogecoin price trades near $0.073, its lowest area since November 2023, days after a whale bought 200 million DOGE worth $14 million. Elon Musk added fuel by liking a Doge meme for the first time in months.

The Dogecoin price has fallen about 90% from its 2021 record and has spent 19 months in a downtrend. Derivatives traders now position for a reversal, while ETF investors stay on the sidelines.

Dogecoin 1-Year Price Chart. Source: BeInCryptoWhales Accumulate as Musk Breaks His SilenceOn July 19, an unidentified whale purchased 200 million DOGE, worth roughly $14 million, through Robinhood. Futures volume jumped 114% to about $740 million, and open interest climbed above $1.1 billion.

Moreover, the weekly TD Sequential indicator has flashed consecutive buy signals. Historically, this setup has appeared near major bottoms across crypto assets, though it does not guarantee a reversal.

Speculation about the buyer intensified after Elon Musk liked a reply featuring the Swole Doge meme. According to Whale Insider, it was his first Doge-related like in months.

However, no wallet data links Musk to the purchase, and the claim remains unverified.

The accumulation stands out because meme coin dominance recently fell to a two-year low, with capital rotating into utility tokens.

Dogecoin Price: Sport ETF Flows Have FlatlinedThe institutional side tells a different story. Glassnode data shows US spot Dogecoin ETF inflows peaked near $2.5 million per day in early January, when DOGE traded around $0.15.

Since then, inflows have shrunk and become sporadic. Early July brought an outflow of roughly $871,000, the second largest in the products’ history. In contrast to the whale activity, net flows have sat at zero for about two weeks.

DOGE US spot ETF net flows. Source: GlassnodeThe two funds hold a combined $20 million in assets, barely above their launch levels. Therefore, the current bid comes from whales and leveraged traders rather than regulated funds. Meme coins have also absorbed heavy selling on Binance since Bitcoin’s October peak.

A Full Retrace to November 2023 LevelsThe weekly chart shows how deep the reset runs. DOGE has retraced the entire rally from its December 2024 cycle top at $0.485, returning to its November 2023 base.

Price is now testing the $0.056 to $0.07 support zone that launched the previous bull run. Meanwhile, DOGE presses against the descending trendline drawn from the cycle high. A weekly close above it would mark the first trendline break in 19 months.

DOGE weekly chart. Source: TradingviewIf buyers reclaim momentum, the 0.786 Fibonacci retracement at $0.1476 becomes the first major target. The golden pocket near $0.2197 follows. Weekly volume keeps contracting, a pattern also visible in SHIB and other meme coins at multi-year lows.

Dogecoin Price Prediction and the $0.07 Line in the SandThe daily chart confirms stabilization rather than reversal. DOGE has traded between $0.070 and $0.075 since late June, sitting on the top of the weekly support band.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has recovered to the neutral zone after deeply oversold readings in June. However, declining volume shows low participation, so any breakout attempt needs a clear volume expansion to be credible.

DOGE daily chart. Source: TradingviewThe resistance ladder starts at $0.082, about 12% above the current price. The $0.089 to $0.09 zone follows, then the psychological $0.10 level, roughly 37% higher.

Reclaiming the $0.1154 swing high, a 58% move, would signal a genuine trend reversal, as noted in a previous DOGE analysis.

On the downside, losing $0.07 could open a slide toward the 1.0 Fibonacci level at $0.0556, about 24% below. Whale accumulation and rising open interest could accelerate either move. Either the trendline finally breaks, or DOGE revisits prices last seen in 2023.

Tesla Q2 Earnings Beat Revenue, Miss Profits: Stock Set to Swing?

If algorithmic stablecoins were ever akin to financial blockbusters, Balance Coin (BLC) just became the cautionary tale every producer dreads. On July 22, 2026, the stablecoin saw a dramatic collapse, dropping over 99% to $0.0014 after hackers exploited its governance structure.

The Collapse The attack focused on the Balance Protocol’s Median Oracle, a critical mechanism feeding Bitcoin price data into the system. When the oracle was manipulated, it fed an artificially low Bitcoin price, which triggered unwarranted liquidations of collateralized vaults. Think of it as setting all the mousetraps in a house using wrong coordinates—the results were swift and costly.

This exploit drained approximately $912,000 to $915,000 from 42DAO, the governance entity responsible for Balance Coin. To put it into context, that’s almost the entire nominal market value of $3.5 million wiped out quicker than you can say “liquidation.”

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The Bigger Picture For anyone cheering for decentralization, this incident shouts “watch your back.” Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear that vulnerabilities in decentralized finance, especially regarding price oracle security, can be massive pitfalls. It’s not the first time oracles have been the weak link. In English: it’s like forgetting to secure the backdoor after locking the front.

The Balance Coin debacle underlines one perennial truth: no matter how small or large, projects in the DeFi space are susceptible to these sophisticated attacks. Even comparisons to established platforms like MakerDAO failed to safeguard Balance Coin from this harsh reality.

Implications for the Crypto Market Investors haven’t exactly been jumping for joy since. The incident has turned the spotlight on the fragility and complexity of DeFi platforms. Algorithmic stablecoins offer remarkable innovation but can easily fall prey to vulnerabilities, especially in their pricing structures.

This episode serves as a warning for stakeholders who might now favor stability and proven security track records over high returns. In essence, due diligence in assessing DeFi projects has never been more paramount.

The situation also invites regulatory scrutiny as crypto enthusiasts and market players alike ponder over ways to shore up security. It’s a chance—or perhaps a necessity—for DeFi to mature with better safety features and more reliable prevention mechanisms.

The Ripple Effects Considering BLC operated on the BNB Chain, the ripple effects could concern adoption rates. While the BNB Chain itself is not directly implicated, market perception can take a hit, affecting investor confidence in not just BLC but other algorithmic stablecoins unless substantial and demonstrable improvements in security are achieved.

One doesn’t have to squint to see the big picture implications for risk management strategies across the DeFi landscape. The incident reinforces the risks of protocols heavily reliant on collateralization and price oracles, causing many to rethink their involvement in similar structured protocols.

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

As geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran escalate, Bitcoin has proven to be as unyielding as a 90s action hero surviving explosions. Despite threats of US strikes on Iranian infrastructure, Bitcoin’s price held its ground, only seeing a minor dip of around 1% to trade at approximately $65,975. This minimal reaction is all the more notable given the major fluctuations seen in traditional markets.

In contrast, the broader financial landscape seemed less phased, with US stocks remaining relatively stable. However, the rising oil prices, with WTI hitting $88.60 and Brent climbing to $95.50, suggest the economic ripples of geopolitical developments. Yet, it’s Bitcoin that’s really catching analysts’ attention for its ability to stand under such scrutiny.

S&P 500 short interest sparks potential upheaval If movies have taught us anything, it’s that betting against the hero rarely ends well. Right now, the S&P 500 is playing out its own dramatic storyline. Short interest has climbed to levels not seen since 2011, ranging between 3.0% and 3.7%, according to analysts from The Kobeissi Letter and Bloomberg. This surge suggests investors are betting against US equities, setting the scene for a potential short squeeze.

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A short squeeze occurs when investors who bet against a stock have to cover their positions, often driving prices up sharply. If this squeeze takes place, it could elevate stocks, and by association, risk assets like Bitcoin could follow the upward motion.

Bitcoin’s bullish signals Analysts have spotted bullish divergence signals in Bitcoin compared to the S&P 500. In simpler terms, while equities are facing high-pressure situations, Bitcoin is sending signals that might just say, “I’ve got this.” This pattern makes a case for Bitcoin outperforming traditional US stocks, a trend that has appeared sporadically throughout various episodes of geopolitical unrest.

Bitcoin’s resilience wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it rose approximately 7% at the onset of the US-Iran tensions flaring up in February 2026, even as traditional stock markets and safe havens like gold danced to a more erratic tune.

Implications for the crypto market Here’s why it matters: Bitcoin’s ability to remain resilient could make it the eye of the storm for investors seeking stability. In the face of market volatility, alternatives like Bitcoin often shine brighter, potentially serving as a safe haven or hedge. This highlights a growing perception that crypto is not just for speculative thrills but could be a serious contender for investment strategies against the backdrop of global uncertainty.

Furthermore, if Bitcoin continues to withstand market volatility and geopolitical undercurrents, it could attract increased interest from institutional investors. These bigger players could be hunting for diversification away from the often unpredictable actions of traditional markets. However, caution remains crucial as the level of short interest in the S&P 500 still suggests bumpy roads ahead.

Traders and investors should keep an eye on Bitcoin’s technical signals and the impending turmoil surrounding S&P 500 positions. The dynamic between the potential short squeeze in equities and Bitcoin’s bullish patterns may present lucrative opportunities, allowing crypto to claim its place in diversified portfolios amid the current volatile climate.

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

Senate Republicans released an updated version of the Clarity Act on Wednesday, a draft that for the first time carries a crypto ethics agreement barring the president, vice president, members of Congress, federal judges, and other covered officials from issuing or sponsoring digital assets.

The new Clarity Act text, posted after morning briefing calls with stakeholders, adds a section titled “Ban on certain digital asset transactions.” It states that a covered individual “shall not, in exchange for consideration,” issue or sponsor a digital asset, a prohibition that reaches public officials and employees during their service, and their spouses. 

A companion clause bars the listing of any digital asset found to be issued or sponsored by a covered individual in violation of the ban.

The bill offers a safe harbor. A covered individual would avoid violation by placing a direct interest in a digital asset in a qualified blind trust, divesting it, or both, along procedures that track the ethics-agreement rules under section 208 of title 18. 

A separate carve-out protects continued use of a covered individual’s name, image, or likeness when an issuer or intermediary used it before the person entered covered status.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Senate Republicans release updated Clarity Act text that bans the President and covered officials from issuing digital assets and requires them to sell their crypto holdings or put them in a blind trust. pic.twitter.com/v7UDXGI45B

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) July 22, 2026 The ethics package carries an expiration date. Under the draft, the provisions have no force after noon on January 20, 2029, and no person faces penalty after that sunset for conduct on or before it. The timing lines up with the end of the current presidential term.

Clarity Act dispute over President Trump’s crypto efforts The ethics language answers a months-long Clarity Act dispute over President Trump’s crypto ventures, which a July financial disclosure tied to about $1.4 billion in 2025 income through the $TRUMP token and World Liberty Financial. 

Eleanor Terrett reported the package was negotiated between the White House and Republican Senators Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno, and that it does not carry Democratic sign-off. 

Democrats on the Banking Committee had pressed for enforceable conflict-of-interest rules, and an amendment to bar officials from crypto ties failed during the May markup of the Clarity Act.

Beyond ethics, industry sources say the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act stays intact from the committee version. The BRCA holds that non-custodial developers and infrastructure providers are not money transmitters for building or maintaining decentralized networks, a protection the industry has pushed to preserve. 

Further amendment details The Lummis-Grassley amendment keeps criminal liability for anyone who “knowingly” facilitates illicit transactions, and the Keep Your Coins Act preserves the right to self-custody.

The stablecoin-yield section holds the Tillis-Alsobrooks compromise: a ban on interest paid on idle payment-stablecoin balances, with room for rewards tied to activity such as transactions or staking, as long as those rewards do not function as interest on a bank deposit.

A new section of the Clarity Act builds out law enforcement tools. It raises funding for state and local crypto investigations and blockchain analytics, sets up training for police and prosecutors, creates a “cyber center” against nation-state actors such as North Korea and Iran, and forms a public-private task force on fraud. 

It also requires stablecoin issuers to comply with lawful orders to freeze, seize, burn, and reissue tokens.

The text carries bankruptcy protections that treat customer digital assets as property of the customer rather than part of a failed company’s estate, a rule meant to head off another FTX-style loss.

The 616-page draft came from Republicans, and it lacks Democratic support for the moment. 

Senator Lummis thanked her “Democratic colleagues for their important contributions” and voiced a commitment to “reaching a deal in the coming days that will allow this legislation to become law.” Majority Leader John Thune plans a floor vote in the coming weeks.

The release caps a stretch of pressure to move the Clarity Act. The House passed its version in July 2025 on a 294-134 vote, and the measure has waited in the Senate since. 

The Senate Banking Committee advanced its text in a 15-9 vote in May. Coinbase and other firms have pushed for passage before the August recess, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put the effort at the “1-yard line,” and Trump has pressed the chamber to act.

Micah Zimmerman

Micah first discovered Bitcoin in 2018 but remained a skeptic on the sidelines for too long. Since 2021, he has covered crypto and business and now works as a news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine, based in North Carolina.

Bitcoin is growing up—from rebellious digital currency to serious asset class. The Bitcoin Yield Summit, organized by the Stacks ecosystem, marks a turning point in how institutional investors manage their Bitcoin holdings. Instead of letting their BTC nap in cold storage, institutions are now exploring ways to make it work for its keep.

Shifting gears to productive Bitcoin The Bitcoin Yield Summit is a virtual gathering planned for March 11 and March 31, 2026. It’s not just another Zoom meeting; it’s where the brains behind Bitcoin yield strategies come together. The event promises to explore sustainable, risk-adjusted yield opportunities for Bitcoin while preserving those precious custody rights.

Attendees include a mix of builders, researchers, and heavy-hitters like Bitwise, Grayscale, and UTXO Management. They’re all in for a single mission: to make Bitcoin more than just a buy-and-hold asset through innovative, Bitcoin-native yield strategies.

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UTXO Management’s recent move into participating in Stacks’ Bitcoin Staking program in May 2026 is a significant milestone. They’re looking at a healthy 3% annual yield from their Bitcoin holdings. This shift reflects a broader move towards self-custodial approaches, allowing institutions to generate returns without giving up control over their assets.

Why institutional involvement matters Currently, institutions hold about 18.5% of Bitcoin’s total supply, a testament to their growing clout in the crypto space. This isn’t just about adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets anymore. These institutions are playing a different game: finding ways to make Bitcoin work harder through yield strategies.

Enter Stacks’ integration with Fireblocks. Announced in July 2026, this integration allows institutions to access Bitcoin-native yield opportunities in a framework that respects custodial ownership. Essentially, it adds a layer of trust and security, making yield generation more attractive to cautious institutional investors.

Implications for the Bitcoin market The developments highlighted at the Bitcoin Yield Summit underscore a significant shift not just for institutions but for the entire Bitcoin market. As institutions adopt these yield strategies, they can enhance their investment portfolios, potentially leading to increased demand for Bitcoin.

This demand could buoy Bitcoin prices, driving them upwards as more institutions integrate these yield strategies. More deposits in Bitcoin-related products mean a more stable market, which could also snare the interest of retail investors keen to ride the wave of institutional activity.

Moreover, mechanisms such as Proof-of-Transfer (PoX) and forthcoming protocols for staking are redefining Bitcoin’s role. These innovations are paving the way for Bitcoin to be more than a passive asset, which aligns with upcoming whitepaper proposals looking to provide BTC yield through protocol bonds.

The transition from passive holding to active yield generation demonstrates Bitcoin’s evolution as an asset class. The Bitcoin Yield Summit signals a productive era where Bitcoin is not just a cryptocurrency but a full-fledged member of the financial world, promising a reshaped landscape for crypto investors.

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

Bitcoin’s price surged from $64,000 to $66,000 over two days, propelled by a spike in leveraged trading rather than a renewed wave of spot buying, according to on-chain data platform CryptoQuant. Analyst Sunny Mom indicated that this recent climb appears fragile, citing a lack of significant spot volume behind the move.

Leverage-backed surge raises concernsOpen interest in Bitcoin futures jumped from $21.2 billion to $23 billion as prices rose, marking a new all-time high. This increase in open interest suggests that traders added new leveraged positions instead of simply closing shorts.

At the same time, spot volume has remained subdued since April, failing to signal genuine buying activity in the spot market. Despite the apparent momentum, Bitcoin’s actual support from direct purchases of the asset remains weak.

As of the latest data, Bitcoin trades at $65,725.07, reflecting a 0.95% dip over the last 24 hours but a 1.89% gain for the week, according to CoinGecko.

Funding rates briefly turned negative on July 18 and July 19, fueling a short squeeze that helped power the rebound toward $66,000. Open interest continued to climb throughout the rally, reinforcing the idea that additional leverage, rather than short covering alone, was at play.

Funding has not reached overheated levels, but the rally lacks robust support. Spot volume needs to strengthen before bulls can feel confident in further upside, suggested the analysis by Sunny Mom.

CryptoQuant’s data shows futures volume in a neutral zone, with no major spike accompanying the rally. This further indicates that the current market conditions are not at an extreme, but a convincing breakout remains elusive without spot activity picking up.

Spot demand remains mutedTrading activity in the spot market has yet to reflect the excitement seen in derivatives. Since April, spot volume has been in a cooling phase, signaling that volatility is largely being driven by traders in the futures market and not by widespread buying on exchanges.

Stablecoin netflows on exchanges turned negative during the rally. While the overall stablecoin market cap has only slowed, capital is moving away from exchanges to the sidelines instead of exiting crypto entirely.

United States spot bitcoin ETFs recorded their second straight week of inflows, with $271 million added on July 20. BlackRock’s IBIT saw the largest single-day inflow, attracting $116.5 million. These figures suggest institutional interest is returning, albeit at a gradual pace. Regardless, these flows have not been strong enough to change the spot market’s subdued state.

DateBitcoin PriceOpen InterestSpot Volume TrendNotable ETF InflowJuly 17$64,000$21.2BCooling–July 20$66,000$23BCoolingIBIT $116.5MMini dictionary: CryptoQuant is a blockchain analytics platform that provides on-chain data and insights for cryptocurrency traders and investors, helping them track important market signals such as open interest, volume, and investor behavior across exchanges.

Traders eye FOMC reversal as Fed meeting nearsTrader Astronomer initiated a countertrend short position after Bitcoin surpassed $66,000, pointing to a recurring price pattern ahead of Federal Reserve policy meetings. This so-called “FOMC reversal” refers to a trend where Bitcoin’s price tends to change direction a few days prior to an official Fed announcement.

Past cycles have shown this pattern to be highly reliable, with the next Fed meeting scheduled for July 29. The trader includes it as one factor among several within a larger trading strategy.

Market participants frequently reduce risk before major Federal Reserve statements, anticipating price swings. This behavior has historically aligned with early reversals, rather than reactions immediately following the announcement.

The recent rally, therefore, combines a leveraged short squeeze, steadily rising open interest, and modest ETF inflows while spot demand remains weak. Analysts at CryptoQuant caution that, while the market does not appear overheated, the price could swiftly correct if leveraged positions unwind in the coming days.

With the Federal Reserve meeting set for July 29, traders are expected to monitor spot volume for signs of genuine buying interest and to gauge if the recent upward move can sustain its momentum beyond leveraged speculation.

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.

Crypto entrepreneurs Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have donated over $10 million from the sale of Bitcoin to the US political action committee MAGA Inc., which supports President Donald Trump. Public filings from Tuesday show that each twin, who co-founded the crypto exchange Gemini, contributed more than $5 million to the Super PAC.

Gemini founders increase political engagementThe latest donation follows their previous contribution of 30.94 Bitcoin—worth over $2 million at the time—to President Trump’s campaign earlier in 2024. At the time, they stated that this move aimed to help end what they described as the Biden Administration’s “war on crypto.”

Regulatory scrutiny increased during President Joe Biden’s term, with multiple agencies intensifying enforcement actions against cryptocurrency companies, including Gemini. However, after Trump took office, several lawsuits against these firms, reportedly including Gemini, were dropped.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently requested a judge to vacate a $5 million penalty imposed on Gemini, further reflecting the shifting regulatory environment.

MAGA Inc. has reportedly raised more than $400 million in new funds ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections, positioning it as a significant force among US Super PACs.

DonorAmount (USD)RecipientTyler Winklevoss$5 million+MAGA Inc.Cameron Winklevoss$5 million+MAGA Inc.Mini dictionary: MAGA Inc. is a political action committee that channels financial support in favor of President Donald Trump and related conservative candidates during US elections.

The Winklevoss twins: Early Bitcoin backers and Gemini foundersTyler and Cameron Winklevoss emerged as prominent figures in the crypto industry after their legal dispute with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. Since founding Gemini in 2014, they have played a key role in expanding cryptocurrency adoption and have often been regarded as major Bitcoin holders.

Throughout the years, the twins have publicly supported Donald Trump’s approach to cryptocurrency policy, stating that his pro-Bitcoin and pro-business agenda is vital for the future of the industry in the US. Tyler Winklevoss in particular stressed the need for a political transition to secure an environment favorable to innovation and economic growth.

Tyler Winklevoss stated in 2024 that President Donald J. Trump is “the pro-Bitcoin, pro-crypto, and pro-business choice,” and argued that this assessment is not open for debate. He further described any alternative viewpoint as misinformed or untruthful.

Observers in the crypto space have long speculated that Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are among the largest individual holders of Bitcoin.

Gemini’s 2024 performance and market challengesIn May, shares of Gemini rose by more than 20% in after-hours trading following the twins’ announcement of a $100 million Bitcoin-funded investment in the company. The same quarter, Gemini reported a 42% increase in year-over-year revenue and managed to narrow its net loss to $109 million.

Despite these positive developments, Gemini faced difficulties over the past year, including falling trading volumes as Bitcoin prices retreated from their October highs. The company also navigated internal challenges such as staffing reductions, executive departures, legal disputes among shareholders, and a share price decline exceeding 89% from the IPO peak.

Some of these struggles were partially mitigated after Gemini obtained a CFTC derivatives license in April, allowing for expanded trading offerings amid an evolving US regulatory framework.

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 world of tech has long been the Wild West of innovation, but recent data about off-balance-sheet debts in AI infrastructure investments suggests the saloon doors are swinging a bit too wildly. A recent study by Nikkei unveils the hidden financial risks lurking in the books of major U.S. tech players. And spoiler alert: it looks like a blockbuster thriller with a plot twist nobody saw coming.

As of July 2026, five leading tech companies have amassed approximately $1.65 trillion in off-balance-sheet liabilities. In English, that means they owe more money than they’ve publicly admitted, and it dwarfs their on-balance-sheet debts of about $1.35 trillion. Think of it like discovering your favorite restaurant has a secret back room filled with IOUs.

The details So, what’s causing this mountain of hidden debt? It primarily stems from hefty investments in AI data centers. Picture the tech industry’s version of the gold rush, with companies investing in AI infrastructure like it’s the second coming of sliced bread. But these ambitious pursuits come with financial engineering that hides debt in places typical balance sheets don’t reveal.

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Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, is a case in point. The company’s off-balance-sheet liabilities have ballooned to about $420 billion, nearly three times its stated liabilities. These figures are mostly tied to investments in AI via private credit structures and special purpose vehicles, which are just fancy ways of saying ‘financial mazes.’

Meanwhile, Bitcoin miners such as Cango and TeraWulf are pivoting to AI, selling off portions of their Bitcoin holdings to fund their transformation into AI-driven computing hubs. Cango, for instance, unloaded 4,451 BTC in February 2026, essentially changing lanes on the information superhighway without quite knowing if the bridge is finished.

Background Historically, tech companies have played with their financials like a kid with a new set of LEGO bricks—constructing, deconstructing, and rebuilding visions of what could be. However, the AI-driven future is demanding investments at a scale that even these giants haven’t dealt with before. Offloading debt while stacking up on unseen liabilities is not entirely new, but the degree to which it’s happening now is what’s troubling experts.

As the projected annual debt issuance for AI infrastructure races towards an eye-watering $570 billion, this reveals not just a thirst for advancement but a potential Achilles’ heel for these otherwise impervious titans.

What this means for investors For investors, this sudden spotlight on massive hidden liabilities is akin to hearing a loud creak in a supposedly unsinkable ship. Confidence might be shaken, and rightfully so. If the anticipated demand for AI capabilities stumbles, the financial recoil could be damaging, affecting stock valuations and triggering broader credit market disruptions.

The cryptocurrency market isn’t immune either. Bitcoin miners shifting gears towards AI infrastructure is a powerful indicator of how tech trends can tilt entire segments of the market. But while the integration of AI and crypto might read as the perfect match, the financial strains could tip this venture towards instability. If miners continue to sell off Bitcoin to service debt and retrofit operations, Bitcoin’s price could face increased bouts of volatility, a rollercoaster ride none of us signed up for.

The crux of the matter is clear: tech and crypto investors need to keep a watchful eye on these hidden debts, as they might just be the canaries in the coal mine heralding larger economic shifts in the landscape of modern technology.

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

In brief Bitcoin is trading at $66,208 after the daily 200 EMA held as a floor following a crash to the $53K–$54K range. The death cross—50 EMA below 200 EMA—is still active on the daily chart. On Myriad, 64.6% of traders bet Bitcoin hits $55K before $84K—consistent with the technical picture and a 900-hour negative Coinbase Premium streak. The crypto market has been watching Bitcoin very carefully this week, and for once, what it found on the chart was at least partly reassuring.

Bitcoin has clawed back to $66,347 as of Wednesday afternoon after testing lows near $58,000 in recent weeks. The 200-period exponential moving average held as support and the so-called death cross on the chart that traders have been watching seems to be getting just a bit thinner, sparking hopes of a crossover into a golden cross in the upcoming months.

The macro backdrop, however, isn't helping clarity.

U.S. stocks opened with a mixed bag on Wednesday as investors braced for major tech earnings from Alphabet and Tesla. The S&P 500 dipped 0.16% at the bell while the Nasdaq fell 0.56%, as caution built across Wall Street ahead of the AI-spending results that could define the market's next move. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 33—cautious, not panicked, which is its own kind of impasse.

Two forces are pulling Bitcoin in opposite directions right now. On the bullish side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers the Clarity Act is at the "1-yard line"—the long-stalled crypto market structure bill that would resolve the SEC vs. CFTC jurisdiction fight—and urged Congress to pass it before the August 7 recess.

On the bearish side, the Coinbase Premium Index—which tracks whether U.S. institutional buyers are paying a premium over global retail prices—has been negative since May. As Decrypt reported last week, Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com, reads that kind of persistent institutional caution as "a broader bout of risk aversion rather than a deterioration in crypto-specific fundamentals." Macro-driven, in other words. Not panic. But also not buyers.

Bitcoin price: The 200 EMA earned its keep

Bitcoin's daily candle on July 22 opened at $66,520, hit a high of $66,698, dipped to $65,488, and is printing near $66,208—down 0.47% on the day. The 24-hour range is tight, but a strong support around the $65,000 held strong.

The coin bounced near that area to its current prices.

Bitcoin price data. Image: TradingviewThe EMA is a moving average that weighs recent prices more heavily. The 200-day version is basically the big-picture trend. When Bitcoin crashes toward this line and buyers step in, it tells you there's real demand at that floor. That's what happened here. The 200 EMA held, and Bitcoin recovered. For long-term holders who were watching the chart go vertical-down, that's a signal to consider.

But the EMA structure is still structurally bearish. The chart shows the 50-day EMA sitting below the 200-day EMA—the formation traders call a death cross. A death cross means the shorter-term average trend is weaker than the longer-term trend. Another way to put it is long-term holders are losing more money than shorter-term holders, because they bought the asset earlier at higher prices.

The Average Directional Index, or ADX, is at 19.5. ADX measures the strength of a trend on a scale of 0 to 100—it says nothing about direction, only conviction. Readings below 25 are typically classified as "no trend" territory. At 19.5, Bitcoin is firmly in that zone. There's movement, but no momentum. But this is actually not bad news for traders: Considering the coin is in a bearish trend, a low ADX means the crash is losing strength.

The RSI at 59.9 is the clearest positive signal on the dashboard. The Relative Strength Index measures buying momentum from 0 to 100. Below 30 is oversold; above 70 is overbought. At 59.9, Bitcoin is in bullish territory—above the neutral 50 line—without being stretched enough to trigger automatic selling by momentum traders. There's still room to run before the chart starts flashing red on the upside.

On Myriad, the prediction market built by Decrypt's parent company Dastan, traders are drawing a precise line for this Sunday. The market prices just 19% odds that Bitcoin clears $68,000 by July 26 at 4PM UTC. The $66,000 market is basically a coin flip, with traders leaning slightly bullish at 55%. Traders, at least right now, think the current range holds. That tracks with the low-ADX, squeeze-forming technical picture: something is coming, but maybe not by this weekend.

On the longer-term Bitcoin market on Myriad,, the picture is still skeptical with traders pricing in 64.6% odds on a dump to $55K before a pump to $84K. That's a meaningful majority calling the bear case. It's consistent with the negative Coinbase Premium, the death cross still printing on the daily, and the weak ADX reading that says this rally hasn't earned conviction yet.

The bullish argument rests on three things: the 200 EMA held its support, RSI is above 50 with room to run, and the Clarity Act is closer to becoming law than at any point this year.

A favorable Senate vote could be the catalyst that finally breaks Bitcoin with enough momentum to trigger a short-liquidation cascade toward $70,000. Bernstein analysts still have a $150K year-end target in play, acknowledging the current level is "ambitious in context of the market correction" but maintaining the thesis.

The bearish argument has more technical weight right now. The death cross is still active. ADX at 19.5 means no real trend momentum is behind this bounce. Nine hundred-plus hours of negative Coinbase Premium signals institutions aren't accumulating. And the squeeze, statistically, may resolve in the direction of the prior trend—which is down.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by the author are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or other advice.

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government

The U.S. Senate is reviewing updated legislation that would prohibit presidents and other federal officials from issuing or sponsoring cryptocurrencies and digital assets. This legislative move is part of the CLARITY Act, aimed at introducing ethical guidelines for federal officials’ involvement in the crypto market. The provision seeks to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that policymakers’ financial interests do not influence their regulatory decisions. This bill is part of a broader initiative to integrate anti-corruption measures into crypto regulation, reflecting a shift in Congressional focus from solely market structure and disclosure to include ethics and conduct.

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This legislative development has had a notable impact on prediction markets, particularly those speculating on the future price of Bitcoin. Current market pricing suggests a decrease in optimism regarding Bitcoin reaching $200,000 by the end of 2026. The potential for increased regulatory scrutiny and uncertainty appears to weigh on market sentiment, with a range of active sub-markets reflecting low confidence in high price targets for Bitcoin.

Key Takeaways The proposed legislation appears to introduce new ethical guidelines for federal officials, consistent with a decrease in bitcoin optimism. Market pricing suggests that the regulatory uncertainty could impact Bitcoin’s price trajectory, with lower probabilities assigned to high-end price targets. The CLARITY Act’s integration of ethics into crypto regulation indicates a broader regulatory shift in the U.S. Congress. What to Watch The Senate’s decision on the CLARITY Act will be a key indicator of future regulatory landscapes. Should the bill pass, it may further solidify market perceptions of increased oversight in the crypto space, potentially affecting Bitcoin’s price trajectory. Watch for statements from key political figures such as President Trump and Senate Banking Committee members, which could provide additional direction on the likelihood of the bill’s passage and its implications for the crypto market.

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What Price Will Bitcoin Hit Before 2027

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31 2.1% — — View market → December 31 2.2% — — View market → December 31 2.9% — — View market → December 31 3.7% — — View market → December 31 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 10.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 20.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 3.3% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 6.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 43.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 10% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 29.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 15.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 8.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 5% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 0.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 15.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 23.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 32.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 60.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 77.5% — — View market → Clarity Act Signed Into Law In 2026

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31 35.5% — — View market → When Will Bitcoin Hit 150k

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 3.8% — — View market →

A new cryptocurrency index from S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital is taking a distinctly Wall Street approach to digital assets—and that means leaving Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) out.

Cathy Clay, CEO of S&P Dow Jones Indices, told CNBC on Wednesday that the company is applying the same broad principles used in its equity benchmarks to digital assets. Operating history, revenue generation, liquidity and listing status are some key criteria for index inclusion.

Why Didn’t Bitcoin Make The Cut?While Bitcoin met many of the index’s broader eligibility standards, Clay said it is not considered a revenue-generating protocol.

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), another major cryptocurrency by market capitalization, also did not make the index, likely for the same reason, although Clay did not explicitly address its exclusion.

The benchmark focuses on networks that earn fees or other revenue through actual protocol usage.

Clay distinguished those economics from yield-bearing investments, saying the selected protocols generate utility-driven revenue from users interacting with their networks.

S&P developed the methodology alongside Pantera, one of the longest-running digital-asset investment firms, with data provided by blockchain analytics platform Artemis. The largest constituent cannot exceed 35% of the benchmark, while no other individual token can represent more than 20%.

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