U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds attracted a combined $1.20 billion during the trading week ending Sept. 4, with Bitcoin products accounting for more than 80% of the total.
Summary
Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $986.7 million in weekly net inflows. Ethereum ETFs added $215.3 million, down sharply from the previous week. BlackRock’s Bitcoin funds attracted $691.5 million across the five sessions. The largest combined inflows arrived on Sept. 3 as crypto prices rebounded. Bitcoin ETF inflows approach $1 billion According to data from Farside Investors, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $986.7 million in net inflows between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. The weekly intake increased about 6.7% from the $924.5 million added during the previous five trading sessions.
The funds opened the week with $216.7 million in net inflows on Aug. 31 before recording $236.5 million in withdrawals on Sept. 1. Demand returned over the following three sessions, producing inflows of $101.1 million, $730.8 million, and $174.6 million.
Sept. 3 accounted for roughly 74% of the entire weekly total. BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin products attracted $454 million that day, while ARK Invest and 21Shares’ ARKB added $137.7 million. Fidelity’s FBTC and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust recorded $74.4 million and $48.8 million, respectively.
BlackRock’s products led the full week with about $691.5 million in net inflows. ARKB followed with $137.7 million, while Fidelity’s fund added $94.8 million.
Bitwise’s BITB received $41.7 million during the period. VanEck’s HODL posted approximately $33 million in net withdrawals, while Grayscale’s converted GBTC fund recorded a modest $18.6 million inflow.
The five-day result brought cumulative net inflows across the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market to approximately $55.69 billion, according to Farside’s data.
Ethereum ETF demand slows from the previous week U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $215.3 million in net inflows over the same period, Farside data showed. Although the funds remained net positive, weekly inflows fell by around 73.6% from $815.7 million during the previous week.
Ethereum products started the period with an $87.6 million inflow on Aug. 31 and added another $8.6 million on Sept. 1. The group then recorded $48.2 million in net outflows on Sept. 2 before attracting $141.4 million on Sept. 3 and $25.9 million on Sept. 4.
BlackRock’s ETHA brought in $136.4 million during the week, while its staked Ethereum product ETHB added $81.8 million. The two BlackRock funds therefore received a combined $218.2 million, slightly more than the category’s total net inflow after withdrawals from competing products were included.
Fidelity’s FETH ended the week with only $4.7 million in net inflows. The fund attracted $65.1 million on Sept. 3 but lost $48.3 million the following session.
Grayscale’s higher-fee ETHE recorded $37 million in weekly net outflows. Grayscale’s lower-cost Ethereum Mini Trust partly offset those withdrawals with $17.1 million in inflows.
Cumulative net inflows into U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs reached approximately $13.19 billion by the end of the week.
Crypto ETF inflows diverge from wider U.S. funds The $1.20 billion combined inflow into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs came during a cautious period for conventional U.S. investment funds.
Investors withdrew $11.12 billion from U.S. equity funds during the week ending Sept. 2, according to LSEG Lipper data reported by Reuters. Large-cap funds accounted for $7.52 billion of those withdrawals, while money market funds attracted $48.76 billion.
Reuters tied the broader caution to rising bond yields, higher oil prices and tensions in the Middle East. Those factors weighed on risk assets earlier in the week, but sentiment improved on Sept. 3 after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he could support keeping interest rates unchanged if inflation continued to ease.
The shift coincided with the largest daily crypto ETF inflows of the week. Bitcoin and Ethereum funds collectively attracted about $872.2 million on Sept. 3, while Bitcoin climbed above $81,000 and Ethereum moved back toward $2,500.
The subsequent reversal showed that ETF inflows did not remove short-term macro risks. Bitcoin was trading near $79,664 at the time of writing, down about 1.8% over the latest session, while Ethereum traded around $2,458 after a 2.8% decline.
U.S. data keeps rate expectations in focus The next test for ETF demand could come from changing expectations for U.S. interest rates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000 in August, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%.
The stronger labor data reduced some of the optimism created by Waller’s comments because a resilient economy could give the Federal Reserve more room to keep borrowing costs elevated.
Investors will now focus on the Sept. 11 U.S. consumer price index report and the Federal Reserve’s Sept. 16 policy decision. Further evidence of persistent inflation could pressure crypto prices and ETF demand, while softer inflation would support the case for stable or lower interest rates.
Despite those risks, the weekly figures showed that U.S. investors remained net buyers of both major crypto ETF categories. Bitcoin products maintained their momentum from the previous week, while Ethereum funds stayed positive even as their weekly intake slowed.
In this week’s edition of the weekly recap, Polymarket pursued a $1 billion funding round at a proposed $21 billion valuation, while Cronos reversed its blockchain after a $75 million exploit. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs also posted their strongest daily inflow since January as BTC briefly crossed $82,000.
Summary
Polymarket’s planned $1 billion round would value the prediction market platform at $21 billion. Cronos validators reversed the blockchain after a Tectonic exploit affected about $75 million in assets. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $730.8 million in net inflows on Sept. 3. FinCEN linked $12.7 billion in transactions to Southeast Asian crypto investment scams. The National Sheriffs’ Association withdrew its opposition to the CLARITY Act before a Senate vote. Polymarket seeks $1 billion at $21 billion valuation Donald Trump Jr.’s 1789 Capital agreed to lead a planned $1 billion Polymarket funding round with an investment of roughly $300 million. The transaction would value the prediction market platform at $21 billion, up from nearly $15 billion. The planned investment would bring 1789 Capital’s disclosed Polymarket commitments to about $500 million. Polymarket returned to the U.S. through its $112 million acquisition of CFTC-licensed QCEX after restricting American users under a 2022 settlement. Cronos reverses chain after $75 million exploit Cronos rolled back its blockchain following an exploit involving the Tectonic lending protocol and about $75 million in assets. Validators reverted the network to a point before the attack after initially halting block production. RedStone said the incident did not result from an oracle failure, challenging early claims about the exploit’s cause. The rollback restored the earlier network state but also raised questions about transaction finality and validator control. Bitcoin ETFs draw $731 million as BTC reverses U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $730.8 million in net inflows on Sept. 3, their strongest daily result since January. The inflow followed renewed institutional demand after an earlier period of withdrawals. Bitcoin briefly climbed above $82,000 before stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data lifted Treasury yields and reduced expectations for easier Federal Reserve policy. BTC subsequently erased its daily gains and returned to the $79,000 range. FinCEN traces $12.7 billion to crypto scams The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network linked about $12.7 billion in transactions to suspected Southeast Asian crypto investment scams between 2020 and 2025. FinCEN said criminal networks used fraudulent investment platforms, social engineering, and forced-labor compounds to target victims. The agency asked U.S. financial institutions to monitor shell companies, rapid stablecoin transfers, and payments to platforms introduced through unsolicited online relationships. CLARITY Act loses law enforcement opponent The National Sheriffs’ Association withdrew its opposition to the CLARITY Act and adopted a neutral position before the Senate’s scheduled Sept. 15 procedural vote. The group had raised concerns about anti-money laundering rules covering DeFi platforms and non-custodial software. Neutrality does not amount to endorsement, but the change removes an active source of law enforcement opposition as supporters seek the 60 votes needed to advance the bill. Strategy buys 4,603 Bitcoin Strategy purchased 4,603 BTC for $369.7 million between Aug. 24 and Aug. 30, returning to accumulation after more than two months without a confirmed purchase. The company paid an average of $80,318 per Bitcoin and raised the acquisition funds through sales of MSTR shares. Its total holdings reached 845,050 BTC, acquired for approximately $63.73 billion at an average cost of $75,412 per coin. Banks commit to joint stablecoin company Bank of America, Citi, Goldman Sachs and 18 other financial institutions committed to forming a stablecoin company during the second half of 2026, subject to closing conditions. The consortium plans to launch a U.S. dollar stablecoin in the first half of 2027 and may later issue tokens tied to other G7 currencies. The group has not disclosed the token’s name, blockchain, reserve custodian or final redemption model. SEC proposes tokenized securities recordkeeping rules The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed its first major transfer-agent rule overhaul in more than four decades as tokenized securities enter regulated U.S. markets. The proposal would update registration, recordkeeping, transfer processing, and asset-protection requirements. Blockchain-based transfer agents would face controls covering digital records, cybersecurity, audit trails, and business continuity. Public comments will remain open for 60 days after Federal Register publication. ICE taps tZERO for NYSE tokenization platform Intercontinental Exchange agreed to invest in tZERO and license its blockchain patents as the companies develop infrastructure for a planned NYSE-affiliated tokenized securities platform. tZERO will assist with transfer-agent and broker-dealer systems intended to support onchain issuance, trading, and settlement. ICE did not disclose its investment, while the proposed round-the-clock trading platform still requires regulatory approval. Fairshake retains $122 million for U.S. elections Crypto industry-backed super PAC Fairshake entered the final stage of the 2026 U.S. election cycle with $122 million available after supporting nearly 50 successful primary candidates. Fairshake and its affiliates have backed candidates from both parties, including several lawmakers who supported digital asset legislation. The group’s largest primary defeat followed more than $10 million in spending against Illinois candidate Juliana Stratton. Coinbase files for U.S. stock perpetuals Coinbase filed two SEC notices as it works with U.S. regulators to introduce perpetual futures tied to individual public companies. The planned contracts would offer continuous stock-price exposure without giving traders ownership of the underlying shares. The filings do not constitute regulatory approval, and Coinbase has not announced a launch date or list of supported companies. Revolut receives conditional U.S. bank approval Revolut secured conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a national bank in Stamford, Connecticut. The fintech plans to contribute about $95 million in initial capital and aims to open the bank in the first half of 2027. Planned products include deposits, cards, loans, foreign exchange, and a stablecoin, although FDIC, Federal Reserve, and final OCC approvals remain outstanding. Chainlink takes U.S. economic data onchain Chainlink introduced U.S. economic data feeds on 10 blockchains through the Department of Commerce’s blockchain data program. The feeds distribute Bureau of Economic Analysis indicators for use in smart contracts and financial applications. The rollout followed an earlier initiative that published U.S. gross domestic product data across nine networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Russia opens regulated crypto trading Russia’s comprehensive framework for crypto trading, custody and cross-border settlements took effect on Sept. 1 under Bank of Russia supervision. Non-qualified investors can purchase up to 300,000 rubles of eligible crypto annually through each intermediary after passing a test. Qualified investors face no equivalent purchase cap. Crypto remains prohibited for domestic payments but can be used for foreign trade settlements. Robinhood and AMC clash over stock tokens AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron objected to Robinhood’s token linked to AMC shares, arguing that the company had not authorized the product. The dispute later escalated into a legal threat after Robinhood refused to withdraw it. Robinhood’s stock tokens target eligible customers outside the United States and do not carry the same ownership or voting rights as registered shares. The conflict added pressure for clearer rules governing tokenized equity products.
Strategy Inc. is sitting on roughly $52.5 billion in net Bitcoin reserves after subtracting what it owes to preferred shareholders and convertible debt holders.
The gross number is substantially larger. Strategy holds approximately 845,050 BTC valued at around $74 billion, which represents about 4.02% of Bitcoin’s entire circulating supply. But after accounting for roughly $14.8 to $15.5 billion in preferred stock obligations and $6.7 to $6.8 billion in out-of-the-money convertible debt, the net figure lands at $52.5 billion.
A new way of counting The shift in reporting methodology traces back to July 2026, when Strategy introduced a revised metrics framework that prioritizes net exposure for common shareholders. Previously, the company simply trumpeted its total Bitcoin stack. Now it’s voluntarily showing its work, deducting the claims that sit above common equity in the capital structure.
Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has been the loudest champion of this approach. The framework is designed to give shareholders a clearer picture of what actually belongs to them after everyone else in line gets paid first.
The company has also introduced a market net asset value metric, referred to as mNAV, which has consistently registered above the 1.0x threshold since the revised framework went into effect. Strategy has permanently anchored its equity issuance threshold at that level, meaning it won’t dilute shareholders by selling stock below the net asset value of its Bitcoin holdings.
Cash reserves and strategic positioning Beyond the Bitcoin pile, Strategy’s liquidity position is substantial. The company reports a USD reserve of $5.1 billion alongside an additional cash pool of approximately $1.6 billion. Combined, that’s enough to cover preferred dividends and interest obligations for several years without touching the Bitcoin stash.
During recent weeks, the company has refrained from purchasing or selling any Bitcoin. Instead, it has raised capital through MSTR share sales and conducted limited preferred stock buybacks. The decision to pause Bitcoin acquisitions while repurchasing preferred stock serves a dual purpose: it reduces the senior claims sitting ahead of common shareholders while maintaining the existing Bitcoin position intact.
What the net reserve framework means for markets The distinction between $74 billion gross and $52.5 billion net is roughly $21.5 billion. It represents the total value of claims that would need to be satisfied before common shareholders see a penny in a theoretical liquidation scenario.
For investors evaluating MSTR stock, the mNAV metric hovering above 1.0x suggests the market is assigning at least full value to Strategy’s net Bitcoin position.
The approximately $6.7 billion in convertible debt is described as out-of-the-money, meaning the conversion prices sit above where MSTR shares currently trade. If those converts were to swing into the money, the dilution math would change, potentially shifting the net reserve calculation in ways that affect common shareholder value.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Bitcoin experienced a quick, notable drop on September 4 and then failed to recover most of its losses.
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Bitcoin prices declined on Friday, September 4, falling after climbing to their highest since May the day before.
The digital currency dropped from roughly $81,400 to $79,700 around 8:30 a.m. EST, according to Coinbase data from Trading view.
This happened right around the time the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a jobs report showing that nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000 in August. This greatly surpassed the 53,000 consensus figure provided by economists polled by Dow Jones.
A few hours later, the cryptocurrency dropped further, reaching roughly $78,600, before mounting a modest comeback, additional Coinbase data from TradingView shows. At the time of this writing, the digital currency was trading around $79,700.
Analysts mostly attributed the cryptocurrency’s quick decline to the payroll figures, but some emphasized other factors.
“The cause for the (perhaps short-term) drop this morning was quite clear: strong payroll numbers for August out of the US,” Psalion managing partner Tim Enneking stated via email.
“Like roughly one year ago, we’re back in a ‘good news is bad news’ paradigm,” he continued. “Strong economic news (such as good payroll numbers) means that the US central bank (the Fed) has more room to raise interest rates to fight persistent inflation in the US.”
“Of course, this is simply an (over)reaction to news leading up to the next Fed (FOMC) announcement on Sept 16. Traders are placing bets as to whether the Fed will raise rates on any news tidbits they have.”
Luke Davis, founder and chief market strategist at Bull Market Blueprint, offered a similar take.
“Bitcoin’s selloff was a direct reversal of the rate-sensitive rally sparked on Thursday, when Fed Governor Christopher Waller said he would support holding rates steady in September if inflation continued to improve,” he said in emailed commentary.
“Friday’s payroll report then showed 162,000 jobs added against expectations of roughly 55,000, while unemployment held at 4.1%, shifting the implied probability of a September hike from roughly 50% to 60%,” said Davis. “That repricing strengthened the dollar and pushed Treasury yields higher, sending Bitcoin from an intraday high of $81,400 to a low near $78,700.”
“The key variable now is next week’s inflation data, as any surprise to the upside would give the Fed greater confidence to hike and could extend the pressure across rate-sensitive assets such as Bitcoin and Gold,” he stated.
“Bitcoin is still holding $77,000 as support, an area that proved to be resistance in the spring. For now, this looks like a repricing of Fed risk rather than a break in the market’s newly regained bullish structure.”
Anthony Anzalone, founder & CEO of decentralized information network Verona, took a different tack, focusing on leverage.
“It was probably more of a quick leverage flush,” he said through emailed input. “BTC was at a four month high with a ton of leveraged longs stacked up, and the print just knocked them over.”
“Hike odds barely moved, Dow only down ~200 points and the price was back above $81k a few hours later, so nobody actually changed their mind, it was just a leverage flush with a convenient headline attached," stated Anzalone.
Paul Howard, senior director at crypto trading firm Wincent, offered a short-term outlook for the digital asset.
“The $80k level is expected to be choppy so a breakback below this wasn’t a surprise,” he said via email. “The current setup of low volatility and low albeit rising trading volumes favours those day trading these ranges.”
“The consensus seems to be that rates will stay as they are the next 2 months and so my expectation would be for range bound trading between $77k-81k next 10 days especially as liquidity is thinner over the weekend, our desk remains axed 24/7 for any outsized moves.”
Bitcoin’s institutional demand has become one of the strongest signals behind September’s crypto market. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $3 billion in net inflows across a nine-day streak before a brief outflow interrupted the run.
This matters for crypto presale news because stronger Bitcoin demand can improve market confidence and liquidity. MemeToro enters that environment in Stage 7, but high Bitcoin dominance suggests any move into smaller projects may remain selective rather than market-wide.
Bitcoin ETF Demand Supports the Crypto Presale Outlook The roughly $3 billion ETF streak was the strongest run reported during 2026. After a $202 million outflow interrupted the sequence, inflows returned with roughly $217 million on August 31.
Bitcoin has since pushed toward $81,000 to $81,200. It is holding above its EMA20, EMA50, and EMA200, while Strategy has resumed corporate Bitcoin purchases with a roughly $370 million investment.
These signals suggest large investors remain interested in BTC.
For a crypto presale update, the link is indirect but important. When Bitcoin rises on strong institutional demand, traders can become more willing to consider higher-risk opportunities elsewhere in the market.
However, the current environment is not a confirmed altcoin season.
Bitcoin dominance remains around 59%, while earlier Altcoin Season Index readings stayed below the 75 level normally used to declare broad altcoin leadership.
This suggests liquidity may move selectively into certain narratives rather than lifting every presale equally.
MemeToro Enters Stage 7 During Stronger Sentiment MemeToro’s latest presale dashboard shows $118,562.95 raised toward a $156,312.74 Stage 7 target. The current $MT price is $0.00430.
That timing could help MemeToro if stronger Bitcoin conditions encourage investors to explore smaller assets.
The project is also positioned within two narratives that could attract selective capital: AI and memecoins.
Rather than launching only a standalone meme token, MemeToro is developing an AI-powered launch system on BNB Chain. Its agent is designed to scan trends, generate memecoin concepts, and move validated ideas toward structured launches.
Its wider process follows Propose, Verify, Fund, and Launch.
That creates a product-led argument for considering MemeToro a best crypto presale to watch, particularly if the 2026 market continues rotating toward AI-integrated projects rather than entering a broad altcoin rally.
Bitcoin Greed Could Also Create Short-Term Risk ETF inflows do not mean Bitcoin will rise in a straight line. BTC’s daily RSI has reached about 72.4, placing the market in overbought territory.
The Fear & Greed Index is also at 74, or Greed.
Both indicators show strong demand, but they also suggest traders have become increasingly optimistic. A Bitcoin pullback could reduce appetite for speculative presales, especially if investors move back toward larger assets.
That makes risk management important when reading crypto presale news.
MemeToro does have several project-specific factors that could help separate it from general market momentum:
Three displayed security reviews from Coinsult, BlockSAFU, and SOLIDProof give buyers additional sources for contract due diligence. Fixed-rate funding gives participants the same round price without separate insider tiers. Launch manifests publish supply, price, caps, reasoning, and evidence before funding begins. Deterministic validation checks allocation and funding rules before proposals move forward. These features cannot protect $MT from broader market volatility.
Still, if Bitcoin’s institutional demand continues and liquidity begins rotating selectively toward AI and memecoin infrastructure, MemeToro enters September with a clearer catalyst than Bitcoin momentum alone.
FAQs How much entered Bitcoin ETFs during the streak? US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $3 billion in net inflows over nine consecutive days before the streak was interrupted.
Could Bitcoin ETF inflows help MemeToro? They could improve overall risk appetite, but there is no direct link guaranteeing that Bitcoin ETF money will flow into MemeToro.
What is MemeToro’s latest Stage 7 data? The latest dashboard shows $118,562.95 raised toward $156,312.74, with $MT priced at $0.00430 and a displayed launch price of $0.05186.
British financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown is letting retail investors buy bitcoin — nearly one year after it said the cryptocurrency was “not an asset class.”
The Bristol, UK-based investment firm’s website said it was offering bitcoin and other crypto exchange-traded notes to investors. ETNs are investment funds which trade on stock exchanges and track the prices of digital assets.
It comes after the firm, which manages nearly £173 billion (over $233 billion) in assets, last year warned customers about buying bitcoin.
“While longer-term returns of Bitcoin have been positive, Bitcoin has experienced several periods of extreme losses and is a highly volatile investment — much riskier than stocks or bonds,” the firm said at the time.
“The HL Investment view is that Bitcoin is not an asset class, and we do not think cryptocurrency has characteristics that mean it should be included in portfolios for growth or income and shouldn’t be relied upon to help clients meet their financial goals.”
Now, a number of ETNs tracking the price of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are available. The firm warns users that “crypto ETNs are considered high-risk and may be volatile.”
U.S. regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2024 approved bitcoin exchange-traded funds for investors after a decade of saying no to the products.
The funds had the most successful debut in the history of ETFs as investors previously unable to buy exposure to the asset class rushed in to buy the products.
Run by top asset managers and banks like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Morgan Stanley, the investment vehicles now collectively manage over $100 billion in assets.
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.
A data extortion crisis in Berlin has escalated after the Rhysida ransomware group published approximately 1.4 million files stolen from the city’s network, following Berlin’s refusal to pay a demand of 30 bitcoin—valued at around €2 million. The files were made available for download on the group’s leak site after the authorities let the auction deadline expire without payment.
Berlin’s Refusal and the Public Data DumpAuthorities in Berlin confirmed they would not pay the ransom, despite heavy pressure created by Rhysida’s public countdown and subsequent public posting of government data. Initial links to the leak site were unavailable, but German media outlets reported that downloads became accessible within an hour after the auction ended.
The dump consisted of files organized in several packages, containing what appeared to be personnel records, reports, and administrative documents. The content included staff evaluations, job references, tender-related documents, and other sensitive office records. While officials had not confirmed the authenticity of every file, reporting suggested the material was substantial and live for browsing.
Berlin Senate officials stated, “Security staff and IT forensic teams are now reviewing the released data packages, and anyone identified as affected will be notified according to legal requirements.”
Residents who feared their information might be misused were urged to contact police. The ongoing investigation is led by the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, state criminal police (LKA), and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
Details of the Rhysida Attack and DemandsRhysida claimed to have exfiltrated nearly 5.8 terabytes of data from Berlin’s systems during an attack in August. Ransomware groups like Rhysida typically operate by encrypting and stealing data, then threatening to leak it if their demands are not met. In this case, 30 bitcoin was set as the unlocking price, and failure to pay culminated in a public leak.
The files reportedly included city contracts, fine records, login credentials, and documents relating to court cases and critical systems. Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner stressed the city’s refusal to accept blackmail, while authorities highlighted the group’s prior attacks in Europe and the United States and raised—but did not confirm—the possibility of Russian involvement.
Ransomware incidents such as this, with massive data exposure following refusal to negotiate, represent a common strategy among professional ransomware organizations operating under affiliate models.
Mini dictionary: Rhysida — A ransomware group known for high-profile cyberattacks against government and institutional networks, employing tactics such as public auctions and large-scale data leaks to pressure victims into paying cryptocurrency ransoms.
Risks and Security WarningsJoachim Selzer, spokesperson for the technology advocacy group Chaos Computer Club, warned that the breach could lead to identity theft, as small administrative details can be exploited for impersonation. The widespread availability of the files means that even individuals with basic technical skills could access personal or official data, increasing the risk of fraud and phishing.
The exposure of internal memos, payroll records, and cleartext passwords could make it significantly easier for malicious actors to steal identities or launch targeted attacks, according to Selzer.
Security specialists in Germany have generally supported the city’s decision not to pay the ransom. They argued that refusing payment discourages further attempts by ransomware groups, but also acknowledged the resulting harm to those whose sensitive data is compromised.
DetailBefore LeakAfter LeakRansom Demand30 BTC (€2 million)UnpaidFile AccessPrivate auctionPublic downloadFiles ReleasedSecured by city~1.4 million files leakedOngoing Investigation and Broader ImplicationsThe breach has prompted an extensive digital forensic review, with teams working to identify those affected, assess the scope of the leak, and mitigate potential misuse of the information. Authorities advised public vigilance and instructed anyone noticing fraudulent activity related to their data to file a police report.
For cybersecurity experts, the episode highlights the operational shift enabled by cryptocurrencies, making ransom payments more accessible, while public leak sites allow threat actors to escalate pressure on victims and maximize exposure after negotiations fail.
Berlin now faces the complex task of addressing the consequences of this leak—verifying the contents, resetting compromised credentials, tracking misuse, and supporting affected individuals—against a backdrop where refusal to pay has immediate and widespread repercussions.
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has defended Americans’ ability to advocate for Bitcoin without a license, while separating public recommendations from fraud and market manipulation.
Summary
Saylor said Americans do not need a license to discuss or publicly recommend Bitcoin. The Strategy chairman described Bitcoin as a commodity rather than a security. The CLARITY Act faces a 60-vote procedural test in the Senate on Sept. 15. Strategy recently bought 4,603 BTC for $369.7 million after pausing purchases for about 10 weeks. According to a Sept. 4 X post, Saylor argued that discussing Bitcoin, advocating for its adoption, and recommending ownership are permitted activities in the United States.
Michael Saylor separates Bitcoin advocacy from fraud “In America, you don’t need a license to discuss Bitcoin, advocate for it, or publicly recommend owning it,” Saylor wrote.
The Strategy chairman then drew a line between promoting the asset and engaging in illegal trading practices.
“Bitcoin is a commodity, not a security. Fraud and manipulation are illegal,” he added.
Saylor did not point to a specific enforcement case, regulatory proposal, or dispute in his post. Instead, his statement presented public Bitcoin advocacy as separate from conduct that can trigger action under existing fraud and market-manipulation laws.
His description of Bitcoin as a commodity also follows the position long taken by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The agency has asserted authority over fraud and manipulation involving Bitcoin in interstate commerce, while its direct regulatory powers are more extensive in derivatives markets.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has separately allowed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products to trade on U.S. exchanges. Approval of those products gave American investors access to Bitcoin exposure through regulated brokerage accounts, although the SEC has said approving an exchange-traded product does not amount to endorsing its underlying asset.
Saylor’s statement concerns public discussion rather than the legal duties that may apply when a person sells securities, manages money, provides personalized investment advice or makes misleading claims. His post did not claim that free speech protections exempt fraud, manipulation, or other prohibited conduct.
Public promotion can also carry disclosure duties in certain circumstances. The SEC has previously brought cases against celebrities who promoted tokens treated as securities without revealing compensation, but Saylor’s post dealt specifically with Bitcoin, which he described as a commodity.
Bitcoin classification remains part of the CLARITY Act debate In Washington, lawmakers are still considering legislation that would define how the SEC and CFTC divide responsibility for digital assets.
The Senate is scheduled to hold an upcoming procedural vote on the CLARITY Act at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 15. The motion to proceed requires support from at least 60 senators and would open the bill to debate and amendments rather than send it directly to the president.
Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, leaving the measure dependent on Democratic support even if every Republican votes to advance it. Internal Republican objections could increase the number of opposition votes needed, according to recent reporting on the negotiations.
Under the proposed framework, digital commodities would generally fall under the CFTC’s spot-market authority, while assets offered as investment contracts would remain within the SEC’s securities jurisdiction. Registered digital commodity exchanges, brokers, and dealers would also face federal operating and compliance requirements.
Bitcoin is the clearest asset expected to fall within the commodity category. Saylor’s classification claim therefore aligns with a central part of the policy framework, although his brief post did not mention the CLARITY Act or call for any specific language in the bill.
Lawmakers continue to negotiate ethics provisions, stablecoin rewards, and protections for developers who do not control customer assets. Supporters say a federal statute would replace regulatory uncertainty with written divisions of authority, while critics have raised questions about consumer protection, illicit finance and the reach of exemptions for decentralized software.
Sheriffs withdraw opposition before the Senate vote The National Sheriffs’ Association has changed its position on the CLARITY Act from opposition to neutral, removing one source of resistance less than two weeks before the scheduled vote.
As crypto.news reported on Sept. 4, NSA President Sheriff Troy Wellman and Executive Director Justin Smith disclosed the new position in a Sept. 3 letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The organization previously objected to protections for noncontrolling developers and software providers, arguing that parts of the legislation could hinder investigations into illicit activity conducted through decentralized finance systems. Its neutral position allows Congress to continue working on the bill without formal opposition from the group, but it does not amount to an endorsement.
Senator Cynthia Lummis welcomed the decision in a post on X and urged the Senate to advance the measure. Lummis has argued that the legislation would give law enforcement more resources to pursue crypto-related crime while imposing anti-money laundering duties on covered intermediaries.
Section 10604 of the Senate text would prevent a developer from being treated as a money-transmitting business solely for creating certain software or infrastructure, provided that the developer lacks the legal right and unilateral ability to control users’ transactions.
Supporters of the provision say existing laws against money laundering, wire fraud, sanctions violations, and terrorist financing would remain in effect. Several law-enforcement organizations have supported the bill or adopted neutral positions, while other groups have sought narrower protections and more authority for investigators.
Even if the Senate clears the Sept. 15 motion, senators would still have to debate amendments and vote on final passage. Any changes to the House-approved text would also require action by the House before the legislation could reach the president.
Strategy resumes Bitcoin purchases with 4,603 BTC Alongside Saylor’s public advocacy, Strategy has returned to the Bitcoin market after going roughly 10 weeks without a net purchase.
An Aug. 31 filing with the SEC showed that Strategy bought 4,603 BTC between Aug. 24 and Aug. 30. The company spent about $369.7 million at an average price of $80,318 per Bitcoin, including fees and expenses.
The acquisition raised Strategy’s holdings from 840,447 BTC to 845,050 BTC. According to the filing, the company paid an aggregate $63.73 billion for the position, producing an average purchase price of $75,412 per coin.
Strategy financed the latest acquisition through sales of its MSTR common stock, which generated approximately $602.8 million in net proceeds during the reporting period. The company also spent $151.8 million repurchasing STRC preferred shares and increased its unrestricted U.S. dollar reserve by $30 million.
Chief Executive Phong Le later said the company evaluates Bitcoin transactions according to its cost of capital rather than the cryptocurrency’s price alone. Explaining Strategy’s capital-cost approach, Le said financing conditions can make a purchase at $80,000 appropriate even after sales closer to $60,000.
MSTR traded at $142.80 late on Sept. 4, down about 1.5% from its previous close. The U.S.-listed stock moved between an intraday low of $135.41 and a high of $144.39, with approximately 26.3 million shares changing hands.
Bitcoin’s move above $81,000 has created a stronger setting for early-stage crypto projects, but the rally is starting to look stretched. BTC’s daily RSI has reached 72.4, placing it in overbought territory.
Against this backdrop, MemeToro has moved beyond $118,500 in Stage 7. That combination makes it a best crypto presale to watch as investors balance rising market confidence against the possibility of short-term Bitcoin volatility.
Bitcoin Greed Creates Opportunity and Risk Bitcoin is trading around $81,000 to $81,200 after climbing from roughly $76,000 to $78,000 earlier in September. BTC is also trading above its EMA20, EMA50, and EMA200, keeping the wider trend in buyers’ control.
The problem is momentum. An RSI reading above 70 often signals that an asset has risen quickly and could need time to cool down.
The Fear & Greed Index tells a similar story. Its reading of 74 places the market firmly in Greed, showing that traders have become more willing to take risks.
That can support crypto presale news because investors often explore smaller assets when confidence improves. However, greed can also lead to fast corrections when traders become too aggressive.
Institutional demand provides a stronger foundation. Strategy recently resumed Bitcoin purchases after a two-month pause with roughly $370 million deployed.
For anyone searching for the best crypto presale to watch, the market setup is therefore positive but not risk-free.
MemeToro Crosses $118.5K in Stage 7 MemeToro’s latest official dashboard shows $118,562.95 raised toward a Stage 7 target of $156,312.74. The current $MT price is $0.00430.
This crypto presale update also comes with a clear supply model. MemeToro has a total supply of 1.2 billion $MT, with about 857.9 million tokens, or 71%, assigned to the public sale.
The public allocation has no vesting and can be claimed at launch. Marketing-partner tokens, by comparison, vest over 24 months.
This creates two important points:
The large public allocation limits the share reserved for insiders and operational categories, supporting broader token distribution. No public-sale vesting gives buyers immediate access, but it may also increase selling pressure when claims open. A fixed supply makes the maximum number of $MT tokens known rather than allowing ongoing inflation. These details matter more than the headline fundraising figure when judging a best crypto presale to watch.
AI Infrastructure Gives MemeToro a Different Angle MemeToro’s main distinction is its AI-powered memecoin launch process. Rather than focusing only on one meme, the project aims to create infrastructure for finding, checking, funding, and launching future meme assets.
Its workflow is built around Propose, Verify, Fund, and Launch.
The AI agent creates launch concepts using reasoning and evidence. A full manifest then lets users check supply, price, funding caps, and other launch terms before funding begins.
MemeToro uses fixed-rate funding, meaning participants in a round receive the same price without separate insider tiers. Public smart contracts are then designed to enforce the rules published before funding.
Its validation system also rejects proposals when allocations fail to total 100%, insider allocations exceed zero, or funding information is inconsistent.
For the latest crypto presale news, this provides a clearer product story than fundraising alone. MemeToro is attempting to use AI as a decision and validation layer rather than simply adding AI branding to a token.
FAQs Why is Bitcoin considered overbought? Bitcoin’s daily RSI is around 72.4. Readings above 70 commonly indicate strong momentum that may be stretched in the short term.
How much has MemeToro raised? The latest MemeToro dashboard shows $118,562.95 raised in Stage 7 toward a $156,312.74 round target.
Is MemeToro the best crypto presale to watch? It is one candidate based on its Stage 7 progress and AI launch infrastructure, but presales remain speculative and investors should compare risks before buying.
Bitcoin BTC news today shows a market moving deeper into risk-on territory. Bitcoin is holding above $80K as strong ETF inflows support demand, while BTC dominance has reached 59.3%. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is also showing Greed.
This combination matters for MemeToro because stronger Bitcoin momentum can bring more attention and liquidity into smaller crypto assets and presales.
Bitcoin BTC News Today: ETF Inflows Drive Fresh Demand The main Bitcoin BTC News Today story is the continued strength of institutional ETF demand. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have created a direct path for traditional investors to gain exposure to BTC, and strong inflows can add meaningful buying pressure.
Bitcoin has moved above $80K during the September rally. This is important because the market had spent time trading at lower levels before the latest move. Holding the new range can help build confidence among traders.
ETF inflows also matter because they show that large investors are participating in the rally. Retail traders can influence short-term moves, but institutional capital can provide stronger and more consistent demand.
The latest market signals include:
Bitcoin above $80K. 59.3% BTC market dominance. Strong spot ETF inflows. Crypto Fear & Greed showing Greed. Increased risk appetite across crypto. The Bitcoin BTC News Today picture is therefore more than a single price move. It shows stronger participation from investors who are watching Bitcoin as a major macro asset.
What 59.3% Dominance and Greed Mean Bitcoin dominance measures Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market capitalization. At 59.3%, BTC represents a large portion of the market’s total value.
High dominance can have different meanings. It can show that investors prefer Bitcoin over riskier altcoins, especially during uncertain periods. But if Bitcoin continues rising while confidence improves, capital can later rotate into smaller assets.
The Greed reading adds another layer. The Fear & Greed Index is designed to show whether market participants are becoming more fearful or more willing to take risk. A Greed reading means investors are generally more optimistic.
However, Greed can also mean the market is becoming crowded. When too many traders expect prices to keep rising, sudden corrections can become more likely.
That is why the Bitcoin BTC News Today outlook needs balance. Strong ETF inflows and high BTC dominance are positive signals, but they do not remove volatility.
For MemeToro, this environment can still be useful. Investors often look beyond Bitcoin when the market becomes more confident. Early-stage projects with clear development milestones may receive additional attention.
Why MemeToro Is Gaining Presale Attention The Bitcoin BTC News Today trend creates a stronger backdrop for MemeToro’s Stage 7 presale. The project is currently priced at $0.00430 in Stage 7 and is approaching $118.5K in total funding, with hundreds of new buyers reported on BNB Chain.
MemeToro is not positioned only as a meme coin. Its ecosystem includes an AI-powered memecoin launchpad, decentralized prediction markets, staking, and automated tools.
Its AI agent is designed to scan trends and create memecoin concepts, while its open-source approach gives users more visibility into the system. The project has also reported three independent smart contract audits.
These milestones help explain why MemeToro is appearing on presale watchlists during the current market rally. Still, Bitcoin momentum cannot guarantee $MT performance.
The Bitcoin BTC News Today story is useful mainly because it shows the market backdrop. If BTC stays strong, ETF inflows remain positive, and investor confidence continues rising, smaller projects may have a better environment for attracting attention.
FAQs What is Bitcoin dominance? Bitcoin dominance is Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market capitalization. The latest update places it at 59.3%.
What does Greed mean in crypto? It means investors are showing stronger willingness to take risk and buy assets. It can support rallies but may also signal increased correction risk.
Why is MemeToro gaining attention? MemeToro is progressing through Stage 7 while showing development milestones, including reported audits and an open-source AI architecture.
Last week, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish speech at the Jackson Hole event led to a Bitcoin [BTC] price drop to $77k. The Fed was not yet done fighting inflation, and this news raised the odds of a rate hike to 57%.
On Thursday, the 3rd of September, Bitcoin rallied 5% in a day following Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s comments. Speaking at a Reuters event, Waller indicated that he would be inclined to support keeping interest rates unchanged during the September meeting.
The same day also saw $730.8 million net flows into spot BTC ETFs, highlighting strong demand.
This Bitcoin price move led to an uptick across the crypto market. It also slashed the odds of a rate hike from 57% to closer to 50%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Source: FedWatch Tool It is now a coin toss whether interest rates remain unchanged or face a hike. Any event from now to the announcement that gives some certainty to an outcome will be likely to move markets to a greater extent.
The impact of the Fed’s decision on crypto In 2026, the days around the FOMC rate decision have tended to be clear price pivot points. For example, the decisions in January, March, and June saw a bearish reaction from Bitcoin, with heightened liquidation numbers.
Even if the Fed’s September decision is to hold interest rates steady, it could have a bearish impact on crypto.
In 2022, to fight high inflation rates, the Fed raised interest rates from 0.25% to 4.50%. The swift tightening cycle sucked capital out of crypto and accelerated the BTC bear market.
A decision to increase interest rates would signal that the trend has changed. The cost of capital would be rising once again and could force Bitcoin to reprice accordingly.
On the other hand, dovish signals from the Fed would increase the chances of a bullish scenario for crypto. If spot ETF flows keep up the inflow streak, and BTC demand accelerates, it could bode well for a true bull market shift.
Final Summary Comments from Warsh and Waller have led to sizeable intraday Bitcoin price moves. The 2026 track record for decisions to hold interest rates has been bearish, with just one bullish BTC price reaction in April.
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.
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.
Trump says Iran conflict 'not a major issue for the US': Current situation is not a state of war.
US President Donald Trump said on local time September 4 that the more than six-month US-Iran conflict is "small potatoes" for the US, adding that it is more appropriate to define it as a "military conflict" rather than a war. Trump noted that the US is currently only conducting "intermittent strikes" with no sustained fighting between the two sides, and he expressed understanding for Vice President JD Vance’s earlier remark that "it should not be called a war". Trump also stated that the conflict has killed 18 US service members, but its scale is "not large" compared to conflicts like the Vietnam War that claimed tens of thousands of US troops, while emphasizing that "losing even one person is too many". Trump further claimed that the US has achieved "significant results" on the Iran issue, with its core goal being to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to reports, the conflict has driven up energy prices and brought domestic political pressure to the Trump administration. US public approval of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict is low, and the Republican Party faces pressure to retain its congressional majority in the November midterm elections.
9 minutes ago
A $70 million Bitcoin movie has entered post-production, with its plot suspected to portray Craig Wright as Satoshi Nakamoto.
The film *Bitcoin*, directed by Doug Liman and starring Gal Gadot, Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, and others, has a budget of approximately $70 million and is currently in post-production. Reportedly centered on Bitcoin’s origins and the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the movie leans toward portraying Craig Wright—who claims to be Bitcoin’s inventor—as Satoshi Nakamoto, a premise that has sparked controversy in the crypto community. Content creator Terence Michael noted that the film may push the narrative that "Craig Wright is Satoshi Nakamoto" to mainstream audiences, further intensifying the debate over Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity. Earlier, a UK court ruled that Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, and the related controversy had cooled down for a time. The film is written by Nick Schenk, produced by Ryan Kavanaugh and Lawrence Grey, with Wright supporter Calvin Ayre also involved; no major US distributor has been confirmed for the project yet.
9 minutes ago
Over the past 24 hours, the Ethereum network recorded a net inflow of $46.47 million, while Robinhood Chain saw a net outflow of $21.07 million.
According to Defillama data, on-chain funds over the past day have clearly concentrated on the Ethereum mainnet and a small number of legacy Layer 1s. Ethereum saw a net inflow of $46.47 million, roughly 4.5 times that of second-place Solana. On the flip side, Robinhood Chain, Arbitrum, Hyperliquid and other platforms combined for a net outflow of over $100 million, reflecting a rebalancing trend of "flowing back to Ethereum, exiting Layer 2s". Robinhood Chain, the day’s largest net outflow source, is a broker-led Layer 2 launched in July 2026 based on Arbitrum Orbit. In the past two months, it has ranked among the top in Meme and tokenized stock trading volume, with its on-chain fees once even surpassing those of Ethereum, Solana and Base; however, its daily bridged funds have turned net outflow. Arbitrum, Base and Polygon also saw net outflows, bringing the total net outflow of the four major Layer 2s (including Robinhood) to around $69.55 million. Perpetual contract public chain Hyperliquid recorded a net outflow of $18.34 million, nearly on par with Arbitrum. New stablecoin settlement chains are also experiencing capital outflows: Tether’s Plasma saw an outflow of $13.27 million, Stripe-incubated Tempo and Tether ecosystem’s Stable registered outflows of $3.45 million and $2.99 million respectively.
9 minutes ago
A mysterious crypto whale has bought another 343,000 HYPE tokens, bringing its total holdings to 3.24 million HYPE, all of which are staked.
According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, the mysterious whale address 0x6436 has purchased an additional 343,000 HYPE tokens, valued at approximately $29.09 million. As of now, the address has accumulated a total of around 3.24 million HYPE tokens, with a total value of roughly $252 million, and has staked all of its HYPE holdings.
9 minutes ago
The "stock market version of Pokémon GO" meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market capitalization this morning, hitting a new all-time high.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood ecosystem meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market cap early this morning, hitting an all-time high, and has since pulled back to $8.3 million. It has recorded a 111% 24-hour price increase and a $8.7 million 24-hour trading volume. GRASS combines the internet meme "Touch Grass" with the gameplay of a stock-themed Pokémon GO. The project is officially positioned as a game, where tokenized fractional shares of real stocks (including AAPL, NVDA, TSLA, GME, etc., on Robinhood Chain) "spawn" at the physical locations of their respective companies—such as Apple Stores, GameStop outlets, Tesla showrooms, etc. Users can claim these tokenized stock fractions to their wallets by tapping on them when nearby. BlockBeats reminds users that most meme coins lack practical use cases and are highly volatile; please protect your assets and avoid FOMO.
9 minutes ago
Circle Details cirBTC Reserve Mechanism, Emphasizing 1:1 BTC Backing, Segregated Custody and On-Chain Reserve Verification
Circle recently released details on the reserve mechanism for its wrapped Bitcoin product cirBTC, emphasizing that cirBTC is backed 1:1 by native BTC, with segregated asset custody and an on-chain verifiable reserve model. According to Circle, cirBTC is now live on Ethereum; it will offer native support after the Arc mainnet launches, and plans to gradually expand to more blockchains. Each cirBTC is 1:1 backed by one native BTC and can be redeemed for native BTC at a 1:1 ratio. For reserve management, the relevant BTC is held by a Circle affiliate and custodied by Circle National Trust, which is regulated by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Reserve assets are segregated from Circle’s corporate assets and used exclusively to protect cirBTC holders’ rights and interests. Furthermore, Circle enables on-chain reserve verification via public BTC reserve addresses and the Chainlink Proof of Reserve mechanism. Market participants can monitor the size of reserve BTC and compare it with cirBTC circulating supply on each supported chain to confirm that cirBTC circulation does not exceed the underlying BTC reserve. Circle noted that this model is designed to provide institutions with a more transparent wrapped BTC reserve standard, and to support BTC as collateral for on-chain smart contract use cases including lending, trading, and settlement.
Trump says Iran conflict 'not a major issue for the US': Current situation is not a state of war.
US President Donald Trump said on local time September 4 that the more than six-month US-Iran conflict is "small potatoes" for the US, adding that it is more appropriate to define it as a "military conflict" rather than a war. Trump noted that the US is currently only conducting "intermittent strikes" with no sustained fighting between the two sides, and he expressed understanding for Vice President JD Vance’s earlier remark that "it should not be called a war". Trump also stated that the conflict has killed 18 US service members, but its scale is "not large" compared to conflicts like the Vietnam War that claimed tens of thousands of US troops, while emphasizing that "losing even one person is too many". Trump further claimed that the US has achieved "significant results" on the Iran issue, with its core goal being to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to reports, the conflict has driven up energy prices and brought domestic political pressure to the Trump administration. US public approval of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict is low, and the Republican Party faces pressure to retain its congressional majority in the November midterm elections.
9 minutes ago
Over the past 24 hours, the Ethereum network recorded a net inflow of $46.47 million, while Robinhood Chain saw a net outflow of $21.07 million.
According to Defillama data, on-chain funds over the past day have clearly concentrated on the Ethereum mainnet and a small number of legacy Layer 1s. Ethereum saw a net inflow of $46.47 million, roughly 4.5 times that of second-place Solana. On the flip side, Robinhood Chain, Arbitrum, Hyperliquid and other platforms combined for a net outflow of over $100 million, reflecting a rebalancing trend of "flowing back to Ethereum, exiting Layer 2s". Robinhood Chain, the day’s largest net outflow source, is a broker-led Layer 2 launched in July 2026 based on Arbitrum Orbit. In the past two months, it has ranked among the top in Meme and tokenized stock trading volume, with its on-chain fees once even surpassing those of Ethereum, Solana and Base; however, its daily bridged funds have turned net outflow. Arbitrum, Base and Polygon also saw net outflows, bringing the total net outflow of the four major Layer 2s (including Robinhood) to around $69.55 million. Perpetual contract public chain Hyperliquid recorded a net outflow of $18.34 million, nearly on par with Arbitrum. New stablecoin settlement chains are also experiencing capital outflows: Tether’s Plasma saw an outflow of $13.27 million, Stripe-incubated Tempo and Tether ecosystem’s Stable registered outflows of $3.45 million and $2.99 million respectively.
9 minutes ago
A mysterious crypto whale has bought another 343,000 HYPE tokens, bringing its total holdings to 3.24 million HYPE, all of which are staked.
According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, the mysterious whale address 0x6436 has purchased an additional 343,000 HYPE tokens, valued at approximately $29.09 million. As of now, the address has accumulated a total of around 3.24 million HYPE tokens, with a total value of roughly $252 million, and has staked all of its HYPE holdings.
9 minutes ago
The "stock market version of Pokémon GO" meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market capitalization this morning, hitting a new all-time high.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood ecosystem meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market cap early this morning, hitting an all-time high, and has since pulled back to $8.3 million. It has recorded a 111% 24-hour price increase and a $8.7 million 24-hour trading volume. GRASS combines the internet meme "Touch Grass" with the gameplay of a stock-themed Pokémon GO. The project is officially positioned as a game, where tokenized fractional shares of real stocks (including AAPL, NVDA, TSLA, GME, etc., on Robinhood Chain) "spawn" at the physical locations of their respective companies—such as Apple Stores, GameStop outlets, Tesla showrooms, etc. Users can claim these tokenized stock fractions to their wallets by tapping on them when nearby. BlockBeats reminds users that most meme coins lack practical use cases and are highly volatile; please protect your assets and avoid FOMO.
9 minutes ago
Bitcoin is once again exhibiting characteristics of an "amplified version of gold", though the four-year cycle theory warns that the market still faces downside risks ahead.
Bitcoin has recently re-emerged as a safe-haven asset, hitting a four-month high of $82,262 this week before pulling back to around $79,800. André Dragosch, head of European research at Bitwise, said that amid rising macroeconomic uncertainty and currency devaluation risks, investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin less as a high-risk tech asset and more as a store of value. Dragosch noted that Bitcoin’s 90-day price correlation with gold is near its highest level in six years. He argued that as macro forces strengthen and currency devaluation risks rise, investors are blurring the lines between Bitcoin and gold, with the cryptocurrency recently acting as an “amplified version of gold”. However, the four-year cycle theory remains a headwind for Bitcoin’s outlook. The theory links Bitcoin’s bull-bear cycles to its halving events. Fidelity projects that if historical cycle patterns hold, Bitcoin’s next bear market bottom could land around November 2026. Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy, previously estimated that the baseline scenario for this correction would bottom in the $40,000 to $46,000 range. Chris Kuiper, vice president of research at Fidelity Digital Assets, argued that the four-year cycle is not an exact timing rule, meaning it does not guarantee Bitcoin will decline later this year, and a long-term perspective and holding period have historically been more beneficial for investors.
9 minutes ago
Circle Details cirBTC Reserve Mechanism, Emphasizing 1:1 BTC Backing, Segregated Custody and On-Chain Reserve Verification
Circle recently released details on the reserve mechanism for its wrapped Bitcoin product cirBTC, emphasizing that cirBTC is backed 1:1 by native BTC, with segregated asset custody and an on-chain verifiable reserve model. According to Circle, cirBTC is now live on Ethereum; it will offer native support after the Arc mainnet launches, and plans to gradually expand to more blockchains. Each cirBTC is 1:1 backed by one native BTC and can be redeemed for native BTC at a 1:1 ratio. For reserve management, the relevant BTC is held by a Circle affiliate and custodied by Circle National Trust, which is regulated by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Reserve assets are segregated from Circle’s corporate assets and used exclusively to protect cirBTC holders’ rights and interests. Furthermore, Circle enables on-chain reserve verification via public BTC reserve addresses and the Chainlink Proof of Reserve mechanism. Market participants can monitor the size of reserve BTC and compare it with cirBTC circulating supply on each supported chain to confirm that cirBTC circulation does not exceed the underlying BTC reserve. Circle noted that this model is designed to provide institutions with a more transparent wrapped BTC reserve standard, and to support BTC as collateral for on-chain smart contract use cases including lending, trading, and settlement.
Crypto influencer Amelie, known on X as @_Crypto_Barbie, has sparked renewed debate after sharing a video of Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen discussing the early vision behind XRP. The video, which quickly circulated across cryptocurrency circles, revisits XRP’s origins and the intention to improve on Bitcoin’s design.
The original vision for XRPChris Larsen, a pivotal figure in digital payments and co-founder of Ripple, described the atmosphere following Bitcoin’s creation as a time full of new possibilities. In the video, Larsen explained that he and a group of skilled developers sought to address what they saw as Bitcoin’s technical and environmental limitations.
Larsen stated that the team aimed to launch a non-governmental electronic currency that offered higher speed and lower energy consumption compared to Bitcoin. He emphasized that XRP was not conceived as a reaction to Bitcoin’s popularity but formed from careful engineering focused on greater utility and efficiency.
He clarified, “We set out to engineer a digital asset that was faster, more scalable, and remarkably less resource-intensive than the pioneering cryptocurrency.”
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen detailed his intent to create a digital asset purpose-built to overcome Bitcoin’s inefficiencies in transaction speed, scalability, and energy use.
As one of the founders, Larsen’s view provides direct insight into Ripple, a blockchain-based payments company. Ripple uses XRP to facilitate cross-border transactions for major banks and financial institutions worldwide.
Mini dictionary: Ripple, founded in 2012, is a technology company that developed the XRP Ledger and uses its native asset, XRP, to enable fast and cost-effective global payments for financial institutions.
XRP versus BitcoinAmelie, who posted the clip, made a bold statement that XRP could become “bigger than Bitcoin ever was,” pointing to perceived technical advantages in the cryptocurrency’s design. She highlighted Larsen’s remarks as evidence that XRP was intentionally engineered to improve upon Bitcoin’s concept.
Market participants have revisited XRP’s potential as the conversation gains momentum, especially in the context of its original development goals. According to Larsen’s remarks, XRP was designed for higher throughput and faster transaction times, in contrast to Bitcoin’s prioritization of decentralization and mining-based security.
Some analysts have underscored the importance of this distinction, observing that XRP’s structure appeals to institutions looking for scalable, real-world solutions.
AspectXRPBitcoinTransaction speedSecondsSeveral minutesEnergy consumptionLowHighThroughput~1,500 TPS~7 TPSMain use casePayments/settlementsStore of valueShifting narratives in digital assetsOne member of the crypto community, while acknowledging holding Bitcoin, argued online that the asset serves primarily as a store of value and struggles to deliver practical daily utility. For this reason, he compared its role in the market to gold, noting that Bitcoin lacks the technical capacity for large-scale payment adoption.
Such perspectives have sharpened the ongoing debate and buttress Amelie’s argument about XRP’s future potential. With Bitcoin now widely regarded as a digital store of value, XRP’s original mission around practical, institutional payments may resonate with a new generation of investors.
Lasting impact of XRP’s founding missionLarsen’s personal account of XRP’s founding goals has received renewed attention amid shifting market dynamics. While the story itself is not new, hearing it directly from one of the architects has fueled investor interest in XRP’s real-world use cases and future trajectory. Supporters point to XRP’s efficiency and scalability as core features for the asset’s ongoing relevance.
Larsen’s narrative about XRP’s purpose-built technology continues to shape how investors assess the asset’s prospects in payments and financial infrastructure.
The conversation about utility versus store of value remains central to the story of both digital assets. For now, XRP’s role as a fast, efficient payments solution stands in contrast to Bitcoin’s established identity as a hedge or value reserve.
August transformed crypto’s low-volatility environment into a sharp breakout for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), but September has started with the market searching for its next catalyst.
Is SOL’s Good News Already Priced In?Bitcoin and Ethereum pulled back below $80,000 and $2,500, respectively, signaling consolidation after recent gains.
Institutional demand remained strong, with Bitcoin funds topping $3 billion in August inflows and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) products posting their strongest month of 2026.
Santiment data on Friday showed that SOL emerged as the week’s standout anomaly after its social trend signal fired four times. This makes it the only cryptocurrency to trigger the metric during the period.
Trending
However, attention peaked after price did.
SOL hit a 2026 high of $110.38 on Aug. 27 before falling about 10% to $98.35 by Sept. 2. Trading volume also cooled sharply from $7.16 billion to as low as $2.05 billion.
In August, SOL gained about 46% snapping a nine-month losing streak as its first binding governance vote passed, 300-millisecond slot times launched and DEX volume hit $7.94 billion.
With those catalysts now priced in, SOL could consolidate or fall further without broader support from Bitcoin and Ethereum.
ETH Whales Retreat, XRP Dormant Supply MovesEthereum whale selling slowed sharply, with just 2,040 ETH worth about $5 million sold during the period marking it the lowest in five weeks.
Exchange balances also fell by a net 166,000 ETH, potentially easing near-term selling pressure.
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) showed the opposite trend. About 4.9% of its supply moved after sitting dormant for an average of 542 days, triggering the signal for the second time in three weeks.
XRP fell 6.4% during the period, with repeated dormant supply movements raising the risk of further distribution.
About 1% of Shiba Inu’s (CRYPTO: SHIB) supply moved on Aug. 27 after sitting dormant for an average of 865 days, the oldest coins among the assets triggering the signal.
The move coincided with the broader market peak. SHIB has since fallen about 4.8%.
BTC, ETH, and XRP prices are showing a fragile recovery after Thursday’s broad market rally lost momentum on Friday.
Bitcoin price trades near $79,463, Ethereum changes hands around $2,451.72, while XRP holds at $1.40.
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stands near $2.77 trillion, down 1.11% daily. Traders now face two major catalysts involving monetary policy and cryptocurrency regulation before another directional move.
Bitcoin Price Holds $79k as BTC Recovery Requires Stronger Buying Momentum Bitcoin climbed above $82,000, reaching its highest intraday level since May. On September 3 ET, spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $731 million, led by BlackRock’s IBIT with $454 million. Friday’s retreat below $80,000 shows sellers defending the $82,000 resistance zone.
A sustained close above $82,000 could open a path toward $85,000 and strengthen the recovery. Another rejection could send BTC toward Friday’s $78,700 intraday low. Bitcoin holds a $1.59 trillion market value and roughly 57.6% cryptocurrency dominance.
Bitcoin Spot ETFs Saw Total Net Inflows of $731 Million on September 3
On September 3 (ET), Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded total net inflows of $731 million, led by BlackRock’s IBIT with $454 million. Ethereum spot ETFs saw total net inflows of $141 million, with BlackRock’s ETHA… pic.twitter.com/AZ9LGWSmqO
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 4, 2026
That dominance makes BTC crucial for determining whether ETH and XRP can preserve gains. Trading volume and daily closes should provide confirmation beyond intraday moves.
ETH and XRP Test Crucial Resistance Ethereum price trades around $2,451 after touching $2,542.40 earlier, showing that buyers failed to protect the session’s strongest gains. Ethereum funds added $141 million, while BlackRock’s ETHA secured $72.0685 million.
ETH must reclaim $2,500 convincingly before traders can consider the recovery established. Holding above $2,436 would protect the immediate structure, while a breakdown could revive selling pressure.
Ethereum’s market capitalization remains near $299 billion, supporting its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.
XRP price has weakened sharply, falling toward $1.40 after reaching an intraday high near $1.48. The token needs to recover $1.45, then challenge $1.48, to restore short-term momentum. Support around $1.39 remains crucial because a break could expose lower levels and weaken the altcoin recovery.
CLARITY Act and FOMC Shape Next Move Washington could determine the next direction for BTC, ETH and XRP. The Senate has scheduled a September 15 cloture vote on the CLARITY Act, requiring 60 votes to advance debate.
The legislation seeks clearer federal oversight of digital commodities and securities, making the outcome particularly important for XRP. A successful vote would not complete passage, but it could improve regulatory confidence across United States cryptocurrency markets.
The Federal Reserve meets September 15–16, creating another volatility trigger. August payrolls increased by 162,000, compared with approximately 55,000 expected, while unemployment held at 4.1%. That rate matched forecasts and equaled its lowest reading in 14 months.
🇺🇸 FED RATE HIKE IS ALMOST CONFIRMED NOW.
Just now, the US unemployment data came in at 4.1% vs. 4.1% expected, equalling its lowest level in 14 months.
On top of that, the US economy added 162,000 jobs in August vs. 55,000 expected.
This means the job market is getting… https://t.co/QpDYQzIQfC pic.twitter.com/5igLmWVsDl
— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) September 4, 2026
Strong employment gives policymakers more room to raise rates if upcoming inflation data remains elevated. Higher rates could strengthen the dollar and restrict speculative demand, while a pause could support another cryptocurrency advance.
Late August’s crypto market rebound has driven enterprises to increase their crypto asset allocations. As Bitcoin’s price rose, Bitcoin mining firms that had previously pivoted aggressively to AI businesses have reemerged as high-beta plays in BTC’s market, while corporate balance sheet strategies involving direct Bitcoin holdings have once again drawn market attention. Data shows Bitcoin climbed around 23% in late August, with some mining stocks surging 41% to 67%—outperforming multiple AI infrastructure companies. The market attributes the rally to three key factors: the U.S. Treasury expanding Treasury repurchase operations, the White House issuing positive signals on crypto regulation, and over $1.6 billion in short positions being liquidated. In terms of corporate buying activity, Strive purchased 1,800 BTC in the final week of August for roughly $143 million, lifting its total holdings to 23,156 BTC and making it the fifth-largest public company holder of Bitcoin. Strategy added 4,603 BTC over the same period, bringing its total holdings to more than 845,000 BTC. Separately, 21 major financial institutions including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup plan to set up a new entity and launch a U.S. dollar stablecoin in the first half of 2027, with plans to expand to other G7 currencies for cross-border payments and digital asset settlements. For Ethereum, Bitmine has been accumulating ETH for 65 consecutive weeks, with its latest position exceeding 5.9 million ETH—accounting for 4.9% of Ethereum’s roughly 120.7 million circulating supply, just short of its 5% holding target. Despite the ongoing accumulation, the company’s current ETH holdings still carry approximately $5.1 billion in unrealized losses.
Relevant content
Trump says Iran conflict 'not a major issue for the US': Current situation is not a state of war.
US President Donald Trump said on local time September 4 that the more than six-month US-Iran conflict is "small potatoes" for the US, adding that it is more appropriate to define it as a "military conflict" rather than a war. Trump noted that the US is currently only conducting "intermittent strikes" with no sustained fighting between the two sides, and he expressed understanding for Vice President JD Vance’s earlier remark that "it should not be called a war". Trump also stated that the conflict has killed 18 US service members, but its scale is "not large" compared to conflicts like the Vietnam War that claimed tens of thousands of US troops, while emphasizing that "losing even one person is too many". Trump further claimed that the US has achieved "significant results" on the Iran issue, with its core goal being to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to reports, the conflict has driven up energy prices and brought domestic political pressure to the Trump administration. US public approval of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict is low, and the Republican Party faces pressure to retain its congressional majority in the November midterm elections.
8 minutes ago
A $70 million Bitcoin movie has entered post-production, with its plot suspected to portray Craig Wright as Satoshi Nakamoto.
The film *Bitcoin*, directed by Doug Liman and starring Gal Gadot, Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, and others, has a budget of approximately $70 million and is currently in post-production. Reportedly centered on Bitcoin’s origins and the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the movie leans toward portraying Craig Wright—who claims to be Bitcoin’s inventor—as Satoshi Nakamoto, a premise that has sparked controversy in the crypto community. Content creator Terence Michael noted that the film may push the narrative that "Craig Wright is Satoshi Nakamoto" to mainstream audiences, further intensifying the debate over Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity. Earlier, a UK court ruled that Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, and the related controversy had cooled down for a time. The film is written by Nick Schenk, produced by Ryan Kavanaugh and Lawrence Grey, with Wright supporter Calvin Ayre also involved; no major US distributor has been confirmed for the project yet.
8 minutes ago
Over the past 24 hours, the Ethereum network recorded a net inflow of $46.47 million, while Robinhood Chain saw a net outflow of $21.07 million.
According to Defillama data, on-chain funds over the past day have clearly concentrated on the Ethereum mainnet and a small number of legacy Layer 1s. Ethereum saw a net inflow of $46.47 million, roughly 4.5 times that of second-place Solana. On the flip side, Robinhood Chain, Arbitrum, Hyperliquid and other platforms combined for a net outflow of over $100 million, reflecting a rebalancing trend of "flowing back to Ethereum, exiting Layer 2s". Robinhood Chain, the day’s largest net outflow source, is a broker-led Layer 2 launched in July 2026 based on Arbitrum Orbit. In the past two months, it has ranked among the top in Meme and tokenized stock trading volume, with its on-chain fees once even surpassing those of Ethereum, Solana and Base; however, its daily bridged funds have turned net outflow. Arbitrum, Base and Polygon also saw net outflows, bringing the total net outflow of the four major Layer 2s (including Robinhood) to around $69.55 million. Perpetual contract public chain Hyperliquid recorded a net outflow of $18.34 million, nearly on par with Arbitrum. New stablecoin settlement chains are also experiencing capital outflows: Tether’s Plasma saw an outflow of $13.27 million, Stripe-incubated Tempo and Tether ecosystem’s Stable registered outflows of $3.45 million and $2.99 million respectively.
8 minutes ago
A mysterious crypto whale has bought another 343,000 HYPE tokens, bringing its total holdings to 3.24 million HYPE, all of which are staked.
According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, the mysterious whale address 0x6436 has purchased an additional 343,000 HYPE tokens, valued at approximately $29.09 million. As of now, the address has accumulated a total of around 3.24 million HYPE tokens, with a total value of roughly $252 million, and has staked all of its HYPE holdings.
8 minutes ago
The "stock market version of Pokémon GO" meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market capitalization this morning, hitting a new all-time high.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood ecosystem meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market cap early this morning, hitting an all-time high, and has since pulled back to $8.3 million. It has recorded a 111% 24-hour price increase and a $8.7 million 24-hour trading volume. GRASS combines the internet meme "Touch Grass" with the gameplay of a stock-themed Pokémon GO. The project is officially positioned as a game, where tokenized fractional shares of real stocks (including AAPL, NVDA, TSLA, GME, etc., on Robinhood Chain) "spawn" at the physical locations of their respective companies—such as Apple Stores, GameStop outlets, Tesla showrooms, etc. Users can claim these tokenized stock fractions to their wallets by tapping on them when nearby. BlockBeats reminds users that most meme coins lack practical use cases and are highly volatile; please protect your assets and avoid FOMO.
8 minutes ago
Bitcoin is once again exhibiting characteristics of an "amplified version of gold", though the four-year cycle theory warns that the market still faces downside risks ahead.
Bitcoin has recently re-emerged as a safe-haven asset, hitting a four-month high of $82,262 this week before pulling back to around $79,800. André Dragosch, head of European research at Bitwise, said that amid rising macroeconomic uncertainty and currency devaluation risks, investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin less as a high-risk tech asset and more as a store of value. Dragosch noted that Bitcoin’s 90-day price correlation with gold is near its highest level in six years. He argued that as macro forces strengthen and currency devaluation risks rise, investors are blurring the lines between Bitcoin and gold, with the cryptocurrency recently acting as an “amplified version of gold”. However, the four-year cycle theory remains a headwind for Bitcoin’s outlook. The theory links Bitcoin’s bull-bear cycles to its halving events. Fidelity projects that if historical cycle patterns hold, Bitcoin’s next bear market bottom could land around November 2026. Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy, previously estimated that the baseline scenario for this correction would bottom in the $40,000 to $46,000 range. Chris Kuiper, vice president of research at Fidelity Digital Assets, argued that the four-year cycle is not an exact timing rule, meaning it does not guarantee Bitcoin will decline later this year, and a long-term perspective and holding period have historically been more beneficial for investors.
Bitcoin continues to strengthen its upward trajectory, supported by surging institutional demand and renewed trading activity. Despite some signals of cooling momentum, the recent spike in Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows and recovering market sentiment are fueling optimism for a continuation of the current bull run.
Rally Targets Set Amid Institutional DemandAt the latest check, Bitcoin traded at $79,310.83, recording a 24-hour increase of 1.10%. The total trading volume reached $48.11 billion, while market capitalization stood at $1.59 trillion, reflecting Bitcoin’s status as the leading cryptocurrency by value.
Crypto analyst Wealthmanager observed that Bitcoin recently defended the $61,000 support twice, forming a robust base for further gains. Following this confirmation, Bitcoin moved above $80,000 and regained its place within a broad ascending channel. Should buyers decisively seize control between $80,000 and $81,000, analysts believe the price could approach the next major resistance near $97,000.
Clearing the $97,000 barrier with strong momentum may pave the way for an advance toward prior record levels near $125,000, according to Wealthmanager’s outlook.
Wealthmanager highlighted that “Bitcoin reclaimed its broader bullish structure after holding the $61,000 region, and a decisive move above resistance could open the route toward $125,000.”
The long-term chart continues to suggest accumulation, typically seen in periods preceding major uptrends in cryptocurrency markets.
Mini dictionary: Wealthmanager is a pseudonymous analyst who shares technical analysis and market outlooks on social media platforms, focusing primarily on cryptocurrency trends and price movements.
Indicators Show Short-Term Pause as Activity RisesTechnical analysis posted on TradingView showed that Bitcoin rallied sharply after hitting a July low around $58,000, then stabilized near $64,000 before pushing past $81,400 in recent trading. Currently, the price has slightly retreated as it hovers near key psychological levels, suggesting buyers are testing resistance zones.
Momentum indicators signal a possible pause. The relative strength index (RSI) declined from overbought territory at 74 to 67.61, and the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) histogram turned negative at -32.75. Such signals often hint at short-term consolidation despite a positive longer-term trend.
MACD lines indicate a potential bearish crossover, which could lead to a temporary retracement. Even so, the overall sentiment remains bullish, reflecting the broader market structure.
Recent data from Coinglass underscored rising market engagement, with Bitcoin’s trading volume surging 82.98% to $109.11 billion. The open interest also climbed 1.52% to $55.59 billion, highlighting increased trader participation.
MetricPreviousCurrentChangeBTC trading volume$59.63 billion$109.11 billion+82.98%Open interest$54.77 billion$55.59 billion+1.52%ETF Inflows Highlight Strong Institutional InterestPlatform Wu Blockchain reported that spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $731 million on September 3, attributing much of this demand to heightened interest among institutional investors. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the segment, drawing $454 million in net inflows, which reflected ongoing appetite for regulated Bitcoin products among large investors.
Ethereum spot ETFs also attracted new capital. The total net inflow to Ethereum-based funds reached $141 million within the period. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF contributed the largest share, totaling $72.07 million in net investments. These inflows suggest that institutional sentiment remains constructive for the two largest cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin’s direction going forward may depend on buyers’ ability to sustain momentum and break higher resistance levels. Persistent interest could trigger additional breakouts, while waning enthusiasm might delay the next leg upward or prompt short-term consolidation.
BlackRock’s IBIT set the pace in Bitcoin ETF inflows, confirming continued institutional preference for exposure to Bitcoin through traditional financial products.
Bitcoin is back below $80,000 after a surprisingly strong jobs report reignited the prospects of the Federal Reserve raising rates at its upcoming meeting.
Notable Statistics:
Coinglass data shows 101,330 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $523.10 million. SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $730.87 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Thursday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $141.4 million. In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Lighter, Dash and Zcash. Notable Developments:
Bitcoin ETFs Pull In $730 Million for the First Time Since January Bitcoin Could Go to $232,000 or Even Higher, Advocate Touts: ‘Welcome to the Bull Market’ Ripple CEO Is ‘Proud’ About White House Crypto Meeting: What’s Next for XRP? Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP Retreat but September Could Hold a Surprise, Data Shows Bitcoin Has No Label but Its Closest Rival Is Gold, BlackRock Exec Says Trader Notes:
Trader Jelle said Bitcoin is nearing a key market structure break. Clearing previous highs would flip the higher time frame structure bullish, with the weekly close crucial for confirmation.
Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez highlighted Bitcoin is retesting the $80,600 breakout level after reaching $82,280. Holding that support could open the door to $85,000.
Image: Shutterstock
Trending
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
A mysterious crypto whale has bought another 343,000 HYPE tokens, bringing its total holdings to 3.24 million HYPE, all of which are staked.
According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, the mysterious whale address 0x6436 has purchased an additional 343,000 HYPE tokens, valued at approximately $29.09 million. As of now, the address has accumulated a total of around 3.24 million HYPE tokens, with a total value of roughly $252 million, and has staked all of its HYPE holdings.
9 minutes ago
The "stock market version of Pokémon GO" meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market capitalization this morning, hitting a new all-time high.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood ecosystem meme coin GRASS briefly surged past $13.6 million in market cap early this morning, hitting an all-time high, and has since pulled back to $8.3 million. It has recorded a 111% 24-hour price increase and a $8.7 million 24-hour trading volume. GRASS combines the internet meme "Touch Grass" with the gameplay of a stock-themed Pokémon GO. The project is officially positioned as a game, where tokenized fractional shares of real stocks (including AAPL, NVDA, TSLA, GME, etc., on Robinhood Chain) "spawn" at the physical locations of their respective companies—such as Apple Stores, GameStop outlets, Tesla showrooms, etc. Users can claim these tokenized stock fractions to their wallets by tapping on them when nearby. BlockBeats reminds users that most meme coins lack practical use cases and are highly volatile; please protect your assets and avoid FOMO.
9 minutes ago
Bitcoin is once again exhibiting characteristics of an "amplified version of gold", though the four-year cycle theory warns that the market still faces downside risks ahead.
Bitcoin has recently re-emerged as a safe-haven asset, hitting a four-month high of $82,262 this week before pulling back to around $79,800. André Dragosch, head of European research at Bitwise, said that amid rising macroeconomic uncertainty and currency devaluation risks, investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin less as a high-risk tech asset and more as a store of value. Dragosch noted that Bitcoin’s 90-day price correlation with gold is near its highest level in six years. He argued that as macro forces strengthen and currency devaluation risks rise, investors are blurring the lines between Bitcoin and gold, with the cryptocurrency recently acting as an “amplified version of gold”. However, the four-year cycle theory remains a headwind for Bitcoin’s outlook. The theory links Bitcoin’s bull-bear cycles to its halving events. Fidelity projects that if historical cycle patterns hold, Bitcoin’s next bear market bottom could land around November 2026. Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy, previously estimated that the baseline scenario for this correction would bottom in the $40,000 to $46,000 range. Chris Kuiper, vice president of research at Fidelity Digital Assets, argued that the four-year cycle is not an exact timing rule, meaning it does not guarantee Bitcoin will decline later this year, and a long-term perspective and holding period have historically been more beneficial for investors.
9 minutes ago
Elon Musk apparently mistakenly assumed an account was hacked. After replying to the post, the token deployed by the hacker plunged to zero.
According to Arkham, Elon Musk reportedly mistakenly replied to a hacked X account. The compromised @shivon account had earlier posted two consecutive posts about the SLINK project, after which Musk responded with a "100" emoji, sparking market speculation that he was backing the token. SLINK’s market cap briefly surged past $40 million before plummeting and gradually "going to zero". The @shivon account has since deleted the related posts, and it is confirmed to have been hacked. Trader Aurelius0121 stated that upon seeing Musk interacting with the @shivon account, he mistakenly believed Musk was supporting a project linked to Musk’s partner, so he bought approximately $250,000 worth of SLINK tokens. However, the token’s price subsequently crashed to zero, resulting in a total loss of his funds. Shivon Zilis (@shivon) is a Canadian tech executive and venture capitalist, currently serving as Director of Operations and Special Projects at Musk’s brain-computer interface firm Neuralink, and is also the mother of multiple of Musk’s children.
9 minutes ago
WSJ: U.S. leverages Nvidia chip commitments to broker a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, people familiar with the negotiations said U.S. negotiators leveraged promises of access to NVIDIA (NVDA.O) artificial intelligence (AI) chips to help broker a preliminary peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan last year. A previously unreported detail is that, to encourage Armenia’s participation in the talks, the U.S. specifically expanded chip procurement approval authority for Armenia’s data center projects. This move stands as one of the most notable cases to date, embodying what U.S. officials term “chip diplomacy”. While the Trump administration had previously used AI hardware in negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, the Armenia deal marked the first time the administration publicly deployed such a tactic to facilitate a peace accord. The agreement further deepened the White House’s ties with the world’s largest chipmaker.
9 minutes ago
Galaxy and Wintermute are heavily net-short on Hyperliquid, with their combined short positions exceeding $126 million.
According to monitoring by OnchainLens, two cryptocurrency market-making firms, Galaxy Digital and Wintermute, currently hold significantly bearish positions on Hyperliquid. Wintermute holds approximately $99.82 million in short positions and $5.12 million in long positions, while Galaxy Digital holds around $26.41 million in short positions and $6.21 million in long positions. Combined, the two firms hold roughly $126.23 million in total short positions, compared to just about $11.33 million in long positions. Over the past 30 days, addresses associated with both firms have posted losses: Wintermute lost approximately $15.3 million, and Galaxy Digital lost around $5.96 million.
Bitcoin dropped below $80,000, falling $1,600 in just three minutes, after August jobs data came in far stronger than economists expected, raising the odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike rather than a cut. Bitcoin is now trading at $79,763.95, down 1.4% over 24 hours, while Ethereum sits at $2,461.41 and XRP at $1.41, both negative on the day.
Why Strong Jobs Data Hit Crypto Hard
The US economy added 162,000 jobs in August, nearly tripling the 55,000 expected. Unemployment held steady at 4.1%, in line with forecasts, and July’s job figure was revised up by 43,000, turning that month positive as well.
Normally strong economic data would be welcome news. But in this case, it worked against risk assets. Stronger job growth reduces pressure on the Fed to cut rates, and markets quickly priced in a higher probability of a hike instead, according to Bull Theory. The reaction was swift as $835 billion was wiped out from gold, silver and crypto combined within 25 minutes of the data release.
Trump Calls the Reaction “Crazy”
President Trump weighed in directly on the market’s response, calling it “crazy” that stocks fell after a stronger-than-expected jobs report and describing the reaction as living in a “false reality.”
Trump also called on the Fed to cut interest rates regardless of the strong jobs data, and threatened to “stop trading with countries with which we have a deficit” if the central bank doesn’t act. “The Fed must get smart,” Trump said.
Zcash Bucks the Trend
While most of the market retreated, Zcash stood out with a 13% gain, pushing its price to $1,034.80, making it one of the few major tokens moving higher through the selloff.
Other Pressures Building
The jobs shock lands alongside separate inflationary pressure from energy markets. US national diesel prices hit a record $5.62 per gallon, surpassing the previous high from June 2022, with diesel inventories at a record low for this time of year amid the ongoing Iran war, according to Kobeissi.
What It Means
With the total crypto market cap still sitting at $2.75 trillion despite the pullback, today’s move shows how sensitive risk assets remain to Fed rate expectations, even when the underlying economic news is objectively strong. Whether this proves a short-lived reaction or the start of a deeper repricing may depend on how the Fed responds to both the stronger labor data and mounting political pressure from the White House.
Story Ends Here
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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given approval to a rule modification on the Nasdaq that pertains to investment products involving cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP were designated as digital commodities by the order that have the exchange’s current eligibility requirements.
The action was made in accordance with SEC Order No. 34-106268. It also provides accelerated approval for Nasdaq Texas, LLC to amend Rule 5711(d). Commodity Based Trust Shares traded on the exchange are subject to the rule.
SEC Expands Crypto Product Framework The adjusted framework introduces an official definition of “digital commodity” in Nasdaq Texas rules. It also allows for some active management techniques involving cryptocurrencies.
The approved changes provide fund managers with additional flexibility, per the latest filing. Products that are eligible for listing may include assets that at the point of listing do not meet all the requirements. The allowance is not more than 15% of a fund’s net asset value.
In the SEC’s order, the agency offered as an example a multi-asset trust. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP are included in the example. All four assets are digital commodities that meet the current relevant criteria, the regulator said.
The transfer may provide asset managers with greater flexibility in their approach to crypto investment products. It also provides a better structure for investors who want to gain exposure to several digital assets.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP Gain Regulatory Recognition The SEC order comes on the heels of a number of regulatory developments concerning crypto assets. The U.S. regulators have been gradually moving toward a clearer classification of digital assets with the CLARITY Act in focus.
Earlier, a March interpretation from the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission classified Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP as crypto commodities. Other tokens in the larger list were Cardano, Avalanche, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Chainlink.
The recent approval by the NASDAQ in Texas is not a new federal commodity law. It applies to the listing structure of the exchange. Changing the classification might still affect investment firms’ handling of crypto-based products.
The framework comes on the heels of surging demand for regulated crypto investment products. Spot crypto ETFs have opened up institutional access to digital assets.
There is also increased exposure of XRP via ETFs. The Nasdaq Texas listing puts its trust along with Bitcoin, Ether and Solana in a commodity-based trust framework.
This regulatory change comes ahead of a key period for U.S. crypto legislation. The CLARITY Act will be up for consideration in the Senate later in September. The bill proposes to create a more comprehensive regulatory regime for digital assets.
For regulatory compliant crypto trading, visit our page on Best Regulated Crypto Exchanges in the USA.
Bitcoin mining as a profitable business model is becoming harder to justify at the biggest, most expensive sites.
Network hashrate, which measures the total computing power securing Bitcoin, climbed above 1.1 ZH/s in October 2025 but has since fallen toward 900 EH/s several times. Mining difficulty also dropped 11.16% in February 2026 and another 10.09% in June.
In simple terms, enough miners switched off that the Bitcoin network had to make mining easier for those still operating.
At the same time, some of the largest mining companies are finding better returns elsewhere. Core Scientific reported a negative 56% gross margin from self-mining in the second quarter, while its data-center colocation business generated nearly $80 million in gross profit.
At TeraWulf, HPC leasing produced about 71% of quarterly revenue. So, renting out high-powered computing infrastructure for AI and cloud computing is returning more profits.
So, is AI pushing out Bitcoin miners, and what happens to mining if it does?
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Over the Past Year. Source: Blockchain.com The Competition for Premium Power AI hardware and Bitcoin mining machines are not interchangeable. Graphics processors used for AI are generally uneconomical for Bitcoin mining, while Bitcoin ASICs cannot run large AI models. The competition instead concerns chip-production capacity, capital, land, infrastructure and, most importantly, reliable electricity.
For AI operators, a site with existing substations, grid capacity and fiber connections is considerably more valuable than undeveloped land near a power plant. AI infrastructure must be deployed quickly, but major power projects often take years to complete.
Many mining companies secured suitable land and grid connections before AI intensified competition for them. These sites can now be more valuable as AI data centers than as mining facilities. The industry’s pivot is therefore not simply about selling electricity. It is about monetizing power access that is already available.
That advantage does not apply to every energy source.
📊 Miner Poll
What’s the biggest challenge for Bitcoin miners right now?
Vote below and tell us why you chose your answer. Your insights help the entire mining community learn from each other. 👇
— ViaBTC (@ViaBTC) July 30, 2026 AI training and inference generally require stable, highly available electricity. Bitcoin mining can operate more flexibly. Mining machines can switch on when surplus power is available, reduce consumption when supply falls and shut down when the grid is under pressure.
A factory with rooftop solar, for example, can use excess midday generation to operate a small group of mining machines after its normal production needs have been met. The machines do not need to run continuously. Their purpose is to generate value from electricity that might otherwise be curtailed or sold back to the grid at a low price.
The same principle applies on a larger scale. Energy group ENGIE has said it is evaluating battery storage or Bitcoin mining at its Assú Sol solar project in Brazil, where transmission constraints prevent all available generation from being absorbed.
Intermittent solar and wind power can support AI, but usually only when combined with storage, grid electricity or another stable source. That additional infrastructure raises costs.
Mining is better positioned to consume electricity that is cheap precisely because it is intermittent, remote, or difficult to transmit.
Bitcoin mining is seeing declining profits, per Wintermute.
Many miners have moved into AI hosting or begun using their Bitcoin reserves as working capital just to keep operations running. pic.twitter.com/vPD56FlTkm
— BeInCrypto (@beincrypto) March 14, 2026 Hashrate Will Move, Not Disappear As large mining companies convert premium sites to AI, some of their machines are likely to enter the secondary market. A rig that is unprofitable in a high-cost data center may remain viable at a site with inexpensive hydropower, surplus solar or stranded energy.
Lower equipment prices cannot compensate for expensive electricity, but they reduce upfront capital requirements and shorten payback periods. Older, less efficient machines may still be economical where power is exceptionally cheap and continuous operation is unnecessary.
This could alter the structure of the mining industry. Publicly listed companies will remain important, but future hashrate growth may increasingly come from private operators, smaller miners and energy producers with direct access to underutilized power.
Bitcoin’s difficulty adjustment also helps the network respond. When miners shut down, blocks initially arrive more slowly. Difficulty subsequently falls, allowing the remaining machines to earn more Bitcoin for the same amount of computing work. Some previously unprofitable equipment may then return to operation.
Lower hashrate still matters because it reduces the cost of attacking the network. However, a temporary decline does not automatically signal a security crisis. The system continually moves toward a new equilibrium shaped by Bitcoin’s price, electricity costs, and machine efficiency.
Bitcoin Miners in Zambia using Excess Electricity from Renewable Energy Plants. Source: BBC AI will make premium power sites more expensive and render some mining models uneconomical. It is unlikely, however, to eliminate Bitcoin mining.
Instead, it is separating two markets: reliable, infrastructure-rich power will increasingly flow toward AI, while mining will migrate toward cheaper and less conventional energy.
As long as underutilized electricity exists, miners will continue looking for ways to use it.
Morning Minute is a daily newsletter written by Tyler Warner. The analysis and opinions expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Decrypt.
GM!
Today’s top news:
Crypto majors stage huge rally as rate hike odds cool; BTC +5% to $81.3k HYPE, ZEC, and LIT all hit new ATHs as alts soar BTC ETFs see $730M in net inflows, biggest since January AMC CEO calls out Robinhood tokenized stocks, Vlad replies and MEME soars PONS hits $500M on new daily high in revenue 📈 Crypto Stages Major Rally on Rate Hopes and Weaker DollarBitcoin reclaimed $80,000 and pushed past $81,100, the Dow added 453 points, and more than 119,000 traders got liquidated for more than $500M. The BTC ETFs took in $731M in net inflows, their biggest day since January.
And where Bitcion led, everything else followed. XRP led the majors at 7.8%, BNB and Solana each added roughly 5%, and Ethereum climbed 4.7% to $2,497. Zcash jumped 18% to $1,000 and a new ATH.
Down the risk curve, things were even crazier. PONS ran 56% and is up 3,001% over 30 days. Lighter added 16.8% (also new ATH), Ethena 13.6%, Arbitrum 12%, SPX6900 13.2%.
Twenty-four hours of gains erased a week of damage. Now we certainly aren’t out of the woods yet. Waller is one governor giving a conditional answer on data that hasn’t printed yet, and hike odds are still a coin flip at 50.4%. The August jobs report lands this morning, the last major release before the September 15-16 meeting, and its results will likely dictate if this rally continues the next few weeks.
But if today’s jobs report doesn’t hold any bad surprises, we should be in for smooth sailing for at least the next two weeks. The bulls are saying we are set up for a potential risk-on rally into November. We will find out very soon…
🌎 Macro Crypto and Markets Crypto majors were very green up 4-6%; BTC +4% at $81.3; ETH +5% at $2,526; SOL +4% at $104; HYPE +7% at $87 Top alt movers include PONS (+35%), DASH (+24%) and SPX (+23%) Hype hit a new ATH at $87, LIT hit a new ATH at $4.70 and ZEC hit a new ATH over $1,000 as alts had a massive day Oil -2% at $91; Gold +1 at $4,510 Stock futures are mixed ahead of this morning’s jobs report; DOW -0.1%, Nasdaq +0.5% The CFTC asked a judge to toss CME’s lawsuit over its approval of Kalshi’s Bitcoin perpetual contract, calling it “much ado about nothing” and arguing CME can list the same product itself Polymarket launched Polymarket Perps with up to 20x leverage on crypto, stock, commodities and more Coinbase filed two SEC notice registrations to bring single-stock perpetual futures to US traders Standard Chartered began offering institutional Bitcoin and Ethereum spot trading through its Dubai branch SoFi and Kraken parent Payward linked up to put Kraken on SoFi’s round-the-clock dollar settlement network, list SoFiUSD on the exchange, and route SoFi crypto trades through Kraken Prime Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said she’s in talks with BlackRock and other Wall Street firms about distributing tokenized ETFs across Asia, where roughly half of the exchange’s 125 million users sit Corporate Treasuries & ETFs
The Bitcoin ETFs saw $730M in net inflows on Thursday; the ETH ETFs saw $141M in inflows, breaking a 3-week green streak Meme Coin Tracker
Meme leaders were green up 2-7%; DOGE +6%, SHIB +3%, PEPE +6%, PENGU +7%, TRUMP +6%, SPX +22% AMC CEO Adam Aron called Robinhood's stock tokens contemptible, outrageous, and vile, saying the theater chain has no connection to tokens tracking its share price and is putting outside securities counsel on it which led to a Vlad Tenev response “What’s the concern?” which sparked a massive meme rally Robinhood chain leaders were very green as Pons soared 30% to $500M but pulled back as new runner MEME ran 260x to $100M in just a few hours; Cinema +13x, Fatcoin +37x and Concern +15x other movers Solana was led by Useless +70%, Troll +80% and ZCAT +500%; Ansem +5% at $250M Binance listed Marscoin for spot trading, which led to it jumping 60% to $180M with several other BSC tokens soaring in the wake 💰 Token, Airdrop & Protocol Tracker Uniswap announced its purchase of PONS tokens to “deepen alignment” which led to PONS soaring to $500M Hyperliquid is testing HIP-3, an optional layer letting market deployers run onchain whitelists that restrict who can trade specific markets Robinhood Chain did $4M in chain revenue again on Thursday Pons hit new another new ATH in daily revenue with $1.26M 🚚 What is happening in NFTs? NFT leaders were mixed; Punks -1% at 30.8 ETH, BAYC +2% at 7.57 ETH, Pudgy -2% at 3.8 ETH Argonauts (+25%), Identity MD (+20%) and Chubbicorns (+50%) led top movers Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
The most consequential device in cryptography does not exist yet. Quantum memory, an Oxford lecturer argues, will decide whether Bitcoin (BTC) breaks or gets replaced by something better.
Stefano Gogioso published that argument on Tuesday. He says the promise of quantum cryptography now rests on building a single piece of hardware.
“The development of portable long-term quantum memory will be one of the most consequential milestones of quantum technology. These devices will power an entirely new class of applications, such as quantum money, the ultimate incarnation of a digital store of value.”
Gogioso, a quantum computing lecturer at the University of Oxford and co-founder of quantum security firm Spooqy, told BeInCrypto.
The Bottleneck Quantum Money Never ClearedAn earlier report from the BeInCrypto Experts Council ended on an unsolved problem. Quantum money cannot be forged, because quantum states cannot be copied.
Nobody, however, can hold those states for long. The best laboratory systems keep one alive for seconds, which is why the case for quantum money has stayed theoretical.
Gogioso’s post sets out what a usable device would actually need. Stability measured in months, or ideally forever. Portability, first inside a shipping crate and later inside a pocket. Capacity running to billions of separate states.
He also rules out the more familiar idea of quantum RAM. Nothing in his design needs random access or in-place editing. States are drawn in order and spent once.
The distance between seconds and months is the entire problem.
Why Gogioso Calls Quantum Memory InevitableHis answer arrives in two steps, and the first one is categorical.
A fault-tolerant quantum computer must keep fragile states alive at scale, against noise, for as long as a calculation runs. That requirement is what fault tolerance means.
Remove the computing, Gogioso argues, and a quantum memory device is what remains. Denying one therefore means denying the other.
The reframing matters commercially. Billions of dollars are already committed to fault-tolerant machines. The memory sits inside those roadmaps as an unavoidable step.
His second step concerns portability. Machines running at cryogenic temperatures will keep their states at the bottom of a refrigerator for years to come.
Atom-based designs are different. They store information in properties that nature already keeps isolated. That turns the problem into hard engineering rather than physics.
Gogioso also lowers the bar in a way the debate has mostly ignored. A memory does not have to survive decades. A sealed single-use cartridge, filled at a facility and spent state by state, would serve every application he describes.
The Same Machine Breaks Bitcoin and Builds Its ReplacementFollow that argument into crypto and it produces an awkward symmetry.
In March, Google Quantum AI worked with the Ethereum Foundation and Stanford on the cost of attacking Bitcoin. The team put the requirement at fewer than 500,000 physical qubits.
Such a machine only works if it is fault tolerant. And fault tolerance, by Gogioso’s own definition, is quantum memory.
The conclusion is uncomfortable for both camps. The hardware that would expose Bitcoin’s signatures would also fuel quantum money.
Every dollar chasing fault tolerance therefore funds both futures at once. No version of this story exists where quantum computers break Bitcoin and the alternative stays impossible.
Gogioso and Daniela Herrmann, chief executive of quantum firm Dynex, made the wider case on the panel above.
Why a Stolen Shipment Would Not MatterThe security model behind all of this inverts an old assumption.
Classical key material is dangerous in transit. Whoever copies it owns it, and leaves no trace of having done so.
An entangled pair carries no information at all while it sits in storage. The randomness that becomes a key appears only at the moment of measurement.
A hijacked crate would therefore cost a supplier its stock rather than its secrets. Gogioso writes that the worst a corrupt supplier can deliver is a tank of useless gas.
A second consequence is stranger. These resources burn. A key consumes entangled pairs, and a banknote gets spent across its own verifications.
Gogioso calls the effect cryptography by combustion. Money built this way would arrive with a fuel gauge.
Q-Day Has a Calendar. Quantum Money Does Not.The two halves of this story move at very different speeds.
The attack side is full of dates. IBM expects quantum computing to move its earnings by 2028 or 2029. Hong Kong has set its banks a quantum readiness deadline of 2030.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology plans to retire current elliptic-curve signatures by 2030. It would disallow them outright by 2035.
The replacement side has no calendar whatsoever. Gogioso declines to supply one. His post argues for the inevitability of the resource, not the imminence of a product.
He was more forward-looking on the panel, suggesting provably impossible applications within five to seven years. That estimate covered quantum resources broadly, not a memory small enough for a wallet.
Herrmann drew the same boundary during the discussion.
“Quantum money is the vision, once this all plays out. Right now, quantum money as such isn’t available yet. But as soon as the chips advance, these things have to be handled with real responsibility.”
What the Argument Leaves OpenTwo questions survive it.
Somebody still has to fill the memories. That leaves an issuer inside a system advertised as having no custodian.
A bearer instrument with no ledger also has no recovery. A note that is lost, stolen, or simply left to decay takes its value with it.
The industry is building the machine regardless. It has not yet decided which of the two things it wants.
In brief The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, nearly triple the 53,000 economists expected, while unemployment held at 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bitcoin fell back below $80,000 after touching a four-month high of $82,240 earlier Friday, as fed funds futures pushed September rate-hike odds to 58% from 49.4% a day earlier. The Dow fell 226 points and gold sank to $4,419 an ounce, while President Trump demanded lower rates on Truth Social hours after the report landed. The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, nearly triple the 53,000 gain economists polled by Dow Jones had forecast, according to the BLS report released Friday.
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, matching expectations, and both June and July payrolls were revised higher.
Myriad: What will the Fed do in September? Click to make your prediction.Traders read the beat as fuel for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 226 points, or 0.4%, while the S&P 500 slid 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.1%.
Fed funds futures traders are now pricing a 58% chance of a hike at the central bank's Sept. 15-16 meeting, up from 49.4% the day before, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Treasury yields rose across the curve, with the two-year note touching its highest level since January 2025.
"Great jobs number just announced, breaking all estimates," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday. He renewed his demand that the Fed cut rates and threatened to halt trade with countries running a surplus against the U.S. if it doesn't.
Gold gave up ground too, falling to a session low of $4,380 an ounce, on pace for a second straight weekly loss.
Crypto felt the same jolt. Bitcoin had climbed as high as $82,240 earlier Friday—a four-month high—after Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled Thursday he'd be "inclined to support" holding rates steady, then gave the gain back once the payrolls number hit. The coin fell more than 2% to trade near $79,300 within minutes of the release.
Higher rates make risk-free assets more attractive, so a hike raises the bar for what stocks and crypto need to return to justify holding them over U.S. treasuries. It also tends to strengthen the dollar, which weighs on dollar-priced assets like Bitcoin the same way it weighs on gold. That's the mechanical link between a stronger jobs number and a weaker Bitcoin price.
It's the mirror image of what happened after July's jobs miss, when a soft print cut rate-hike odds and gave crypto room to run. A beat this large closes off the case Waller made a day earlier for standing pat.
Bitcoin opened September near $77,500, a month crypto traders have nicknamed Red September—the token has closed lower in eight of the last 13 Septembers. Friday's reversal fits the script, even after Thursday's short squeeze wiped out more than $415 million in bearish bets.
Crypto market snapshotOverall, crypto sentiment cooled but stayed bullish. CoinMarketCap's Fear and Greed Index read 75, still within "greed" territory, while total crypto market capitalization held near $2.67 trillion, up 0.11% on the day. It’s worth noting, though, bullish sentiment has receded some from last week’s “extreme greed” readings.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $730.8 million in net inflows, extending the buying that started with Thursday's rate-pause optimism. CoinMarketCap's Altcoin Season Index sat at 38, still favoring Bitcoin over the broader field.
Bitcoin ETF Net Flows. Image: DecryptThe Fed's rate decision lands September 15-16, the first hike under consideration since the tightening cycle that ended in July 2023. The next jobs report, covering September payrolls, is due October 2.
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Bitcoin (BTC) is back below $80,000 at the time of writing on Friday, after an earlier rejection near $81,500. The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization aims for short-term support at $79,000, which could encourage dip buying.
Gold (XAU/USD), meanwhile, is trading amid growing headwinds, with the price now testing support at $4,400. The metal surged to $4,511 on Thursday, aligning with positive market sentiment as the United States (US) Services PMI improved to 55.4 in August from 54.1 in July.
US Nonfarm Payrolls rise in AugustUS Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) surged by 162K in August, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This robust gain not only marks a significant acceleration from July’s modest 21K increase, but also broadly beats consensus forecasts of 56K, signaling unexpected labor market resilience.
Additional report metrics reveal the Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.1%, in line with expectations, while Labor Force Participation edged higher to 61.6%. Meanwhile, annual wage inflation, tracked by Average Hourly Earnings, eased to 3.1%, down slightly from 3.2%, reflecting a modest cooling in wage growth.
Bitcoin and Gold shed gains after the NFP report, as investors price in a 60% probability that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will raise interest rates to the 3.75%-4.00% range from 49% a day earlier, according to the FedWatch tool
FedWatch tool | Source: CME GroupTechnical analysis: Bitcoin slides amid broader bullish biasBitcoin trades at $79,450 with a constructive bullish bias as price holds well above key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), providing a rising trend backdrop. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers near 66 on the daily chart, suggesting firm but not extreme buying pressure, while the latest downtick in the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram hints at some loss of upside momentum rather than a confirmed reversal.
BTC/USDT daily chartInitial support is seen at the 200-day EMA around $72,553, with the shorter-term 50-day EMA at $71,071 acting as secondary dynamic support. A deeper pullback would expose the 100-day EMA near $69,668 as the next key demand area that would need to hold to preserve the broader uptrend. With no nearby measured resistance on the daily chart, price action will likely remain driven by how well these EMA supports absorb corrective dips.
Gold technical analysis: XAU trims gains testing $4,400 supportGold trades above $4,400 after correcting from the daily high of $4,491. The metal holds above the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), keeping the broader backdrop mildly constructive despite the recent pullback from this week’s highs.
Momentum, however, has cooled, with the RSI hovering near 52 and the MACD deep in negative territory, suggesting upside attempts could be labored rather than impulsive as the market digests prior gains.
XAU/USDT daily chartInitial resistance is aligned with the downward resistance trendline around $4,536, and a daily close above this barrier would reopen the path toward the next psychological level at $4,600. On the downside, immediate support lies at the 100-day EMA near $4,367, followed by the 50-day EMA around $4,346 and the 200-day EMA close to $4,319, where buyers would be expected to defend the prevailing uptrend as long as these layers hold.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
The US economy added 162,000 jobs in August, roughly triple what economists had penciled in. Wall Street expected something in the range of 53,000 to 56,000. What it got instead was the strongest monthly gain since March, and a clear signal that the labor market isn’t slowing down the way the Federal Reserve might have hoped.
Bitcoin responded the way risk assets tend to respond when rate hikes suddenly look more likely: it fell. The largest cryptocurrency dropped nearly 2-3% to trade as low as $79,197, slipping below the psychologically important $80K level. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed roughly 226 points.
The numbers behind the selloff July’s initial reading of a 23,000-job loss was revised upward to a 21,000-job gain. Combined upward revisions across previous months added another 55,000 jobs to the running total.
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. Labor force participation ticked up to 61.6%, meaning more Americans are actively looking for and finding work.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month-over-month and 3.1% year-over-year.
The CME FedWatch tool showed the odds of a 25 basis-point rate hike at the September 15-16 meeting jumping to approximately 58-60%. Before the jobs data landed, those odds were considerably lower.
What comes next The jobs report is one input in the Fed’s decision-making process, not the only one. Upcoming Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index readings will be critical in determining whether the central bank actually pulls the trigger on a September hike. A hot inflation print on top of strong employment data would make the case nearly airtight. A cool one could give the Fed cover to hold steady despite the labor market strength.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has defended public Bitcoin advocacy in the United States as protected free speech. He has also called Bitcoin a commodity rather than a security, while stressing that fraud remains illegal.
Michael Saylor Backs Public Bitcoin Advocacy Saylor has argued that Americans do not need a license to discuss Bitcoin or publicly recommend owning the asset. His comments are drawing attention as Washington continues working on broader rules for the cryptocurrency market.
“In America, you don’t need a license to discuss Bitcoin, advocate for it, or publicly recommend owning it,” Saylor wrote.
He added, “Bitcoin is a commodity, not a security,” while separating Bitcoin advocacy from illegal market conduct. Saylor also stated that fraud and manipulation remain prohibited under existing laws.
The Strategy chairman has repeatedly supported wider Bitcoin adoption through public comments and his company’s treasury strategy. His latest remarks are focusing specifically on public discussion and recommendations involving BTC.
CLARITY Act Debate Continues in Washington Saylor’s comments are arriving as lawmakers continue preparing for a September 15 procedural vote on the CLARITY Act.
The National Sheriffs’ Association has now shifted its position on the legislation from opposition to neutral. The group had previously raised concerns about illicit finance enforcement under the proposed regulatory framework.
Senator Cynthia Lummis has welcomed the change while calling for lawmakers to advance the legislation. She has argued that the bill would provide law enforcement with additional tools against illicit crypto finance.
The CLARITY Act is seeking clearer divisions between federal agencies overseeing digital asset markets. However, lawmakers are still negotiating several provisions before the legislation can complete the Senate process.
However, the September 15 vote is procedural and would allow the Senate to advance consideration of the legislation, but it would not represent final passage of the bill.
MSTR Still Falling Despite Resumed Bitcoin Purchases Saylor’s latest remarks are also following Strategy’s return to Bitcoin purchases after a roughly 10-week buying pause.
As we reported, Strategy has acquired 4,603 BTC for approximately $369.7 million at an average price of $80,318 per Bitcoin, increasing the holdings to 845,050 BTC.
Despite the buys, Strategy shares are trading lower, even as Saylor maintains his public support for Bitcoin and the company resumes BTC purchases.
At press time, the MSTR stock had fallen by about 4.2% to $138.74 as Bitcoin faced renewed volatility following the latest U.S. employment data. Despite recent multi-week momentum fueled by stabilizing macroeconomic updates, the MSTR stock remains down 56% over the last 12 months.
Prominent crypto analyst Rekt Capital notes that Bitcoin has successfully retested its macro downtrend line as support, with this line aligning closely with the highs from April-May 2026. Current price levels indicate the retest is initially valid. Rekt Capital also states that to avoid a shift into a downtrend, BTC must prevent its monthly closing price from falling below the downtrend line (approximately $761.87 million), as this could form an upper wick and weaken its breakout potential.
Bitcoin’s recent price action increasingly resembles gold as investors respond to renewed concerns over US fiscal sustainability, CoinShares said in its latest market update.
The crypto asset rose from above $60,000 to the upper-$70,000s, briefly touching $82,000 after Fed Governor Christopher Waller delivered more dovish comments on monetary policy.
However, CoinShares said the ongoing US-Iran war and monetary policy could cap the rally. Kevin Warsh’s recent remarks at Jackson Hole were seen as hawkish and prompted markets to price roughly a 66% chance of a September rate hike.
Still, Waller later countered that recent inflation data showed encouraging disinflation and said he would favor holding rates steady if the August data confirms the improvement.
According to CoinShares, the market’s rate-hike expectations appear too aggressive in light of labor market data and growing disagreement among Fed officials over whether inflation or employment should carry more weight.
The shifting outlook has also influenced crypto investment flows. About $100 million flowed out of digital asset products following Warsh’s comments, while inflows have since returned to roughly $1 billion this week, after $2 billion last week and $2.9 billion the week before.
Oil and Iran represent another major variable. CoinShares expects a potential resolution to the conflict, as political pressure builds ahead of the US midterms. But if Chinese oil demand returns to normal while supplies remain disrupted, oil prices could rise sharply again, pushing inflation higher and strengthening expectations for tighter monetary policy, which would be a near-term negative for Bitcoin.
The US bond market is the other major catalyst. The 10-year Treasury yield remains around 4.7%, reflecting investor concerns over US debt at approximately 122% of GDP and the volume of government debt still to be issued. Treasury efforts to reduce long-term yields have so far had limited impact.
A full-blown Treasury confidence crisis remains a tail risk, but such a scenario could strongly benefit Bitcoin and gold as investors seek stores of value outside government securities. Blockchain stocks are also attracting capital, with roughly $27 million of inflows this week and more than $100 million over the past month, pointing to a rotation within the digital asset sector toward infrastructure and tokenization businesses.
CoinShares expects Bitcoin to remain within its current range unless either Iran is resolved in a way that reduces inflation and rate expectations or confidence in US Treasuries deteriorates further. Until one occurs, Bitcoin is likely to remain range-bound, with August inflation and the September Fed meeting as the two key dates, the firm stated.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
The cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp decline following the release of US non-farm payroll figures for August. Accordingly, Bitcoin, which was above $80,000 earlier in the day, retreated to $79,200 after the data was released.
This situation was also reflected in altcoins, with Ethereum falling to $2,450, XRP dropping to $1.4, and Solana falling to $101.
While it remains to be seen whether BTC will rise above $80,000 again, Jiang Zhuoer, the Chinese founder of the BTC.top mining pool, announced that he has taken a short position in BTC following the recent price increase.
Jiang Zhuoer stated in a post on X that he took a 100% short position on Bitcoin at approximately $82,050.
The Chinese founder cited weakening money flows in spot BTC ETFs as a key reason for taking a short position on Bitcoin. He stated that despite seeing the first net outflow from ETF funds, he viewed Bitcoin’s rise to around $81,500, reaching the upper end of its trading range, as a selling opportunity.
What Scenario is He Expecting for Bitcoin? According to Jiang, Bitcoin is likely to first retreat to the $70,000-$72,000 range. Jiang adds that he considers this region to be the last buying opportunity for Bitcoin.
Following this, he expects BTC to trade sideways between $76,000 and $82,000, with investors looking for profit-taking opportunities during this period.
On the other hand, Jiang states that if Bitcoin rises towards the $83,000-$84,000 region, he will cut his losses at $82,300.
However, these levels reflect Jiang’s personal trading plan and do not necessarily mean that the Bitcoin price will follow this scenario.
Besides Jiang, cryptocurrency analyst Murphy also shared his expectations for BTC. At this point, the analyst stated that a return to the $63,000-$65,000 range for Bitcoin is unlikely. Arguing that this region is used as a strong accumulation area by large investors, Murphy specifically noted that new cost floors were concentrated in the $63,000-$65,000 range between August 4th and August 18th.
The analyst noted that this pattern did not emerge in June and July when BTC remained within this range, suggesting that large investors rapidly accumulated BTC there before the recent surge. Conversely, the analyst pointed out that a similar pattern emerged in January 2022, recalling that a sharp price increase followed by a concentration of BTC within a specific price range.
At this point, the analyst added that the average acquisition cost for wallets holding 100 to 1,000 BTC is approximately $67,087, while the average cost for wallets holding 1,000 to 10,000 BTC is approximately $61,107, which coincides with the previous accumulation zone and indicates that these levels are significant support areas.
*This is not investment advice.
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The National Sheriffs’ Association this week dropped its opposition to the crypto Clarity Act, after having previously warned that the proposed bill could help criminals.
Writing Thursday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the association said it was changing its stance to neutral given how complex the issue is.
A number of lawmakers were hoping to vote on the Clarity Act in August. After a delay, a vote will now go ahead this month. The bill will establish a framework for distinguishing between digital assets that are securities, commodities or payment stablecoins — legislation that the crypto industry has long called for.
“Given the complexity of the legislation and the number of important details that remain under consideration, the NSA is changing its position on the Clarity Act to neutral,” the letter from NSA President Sheriff Troy Wellman and Executive Director Justin Smith read.
JUST IN: Major U.S. law enforcement organization National Sheriffs’ Association no longer opposes The Clarity Act 👀
“We believe the most appropriate course is to step back and allow the legislative process to proceed to establish a…much needed regulatory framework.” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NBpKlrUsUj
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 4, 2026 “At this time, we believe the most appropriate course is to step back and allow the legislative process to proceed to establish a clear, effective, and much needed regulatory framework.”
The NSA had previously warned that the bill could create regulatory and anti-money laundering loopholes by exempting certain crypto developers and infrastructure providers from money transmitter rules.
Despite being passed in the house of representatives last year with strong bipartisan support, the Clarity Act has been in a deadlock for much of 2026. The banking lobby raised concerns over stablecoin yield and some lawmakers have said improvements need to be made surrounding ethics.
An updated bill of the Clarity Act was introduced in July that addressed some of these concerns — banning government officials and their families from issuing or promoting crypto.
Pro-crypto senator Cynthia Lummis wrote on Friday that the “bipartisan bill” gives “law enforcement real tools to fight the illicit finance crimes hurting hard working Americans.”
Major financial institutions, lawmakers and companies have said they support the latest draft of the new bill, but some Republicans have accused Democratic lawmakers of deliberately playing politics and holding the bill back.
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.
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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Buying a coffee with Bitcoin currently requires you to calculate the capital gain or loss on the fraction of a coin you spent, report it to the IRS, and pray you didn’t mess up the cost basis. Cornell research suggests there’s a better way, and it would actually make the government money.
The study finds that a $300 de minimis tax exemption on personal crypto transactions could generate roughly $860 million in additional revenue for the US Treasury. The logic is counterintuitive but straightforward: remove the compliance headache on small purchases, more people actually spend crypto, and the resulting economic activity creates a larger tax base overall.
How losing revenue generates revenue Under current IRS rules, digital assets are classified as property. Every single transaction, whether it’s a $5 energy drink or a $50K car, triggers a capital gains calculation. You need to know what you paid for that slice of Bitcoin, what it was worth when you spent it, and the difference between the two.
The proposed exemption, championed by Senator Cynthia Lummis, would let individuals skip the capital gains reporting on personal crypto transactions of $300 or less. Her bill also includes a $5,000 annual cap on total exempt transactions, keeping the provision targeted at everyday spending rather than opening a loophole for traders.
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Stablecoins and business-related transactions would be excluded from the exemption. The focus is squarely on personal-use cases where Bitcoin and similar volatile assets are spent on goods and services.
The Joint Committee on Taxation, Congress’s nonpartisan scorekeeper on tax legislation, estimated that the Lummis bill would generate approximately $600 million in net revenue over the 2025 to 2034 window. The Cornell research builds on this analysis and arrives at the higher $860 million figure, factoring in the cascade of economic activity that simpler compliance would unlock.
The compliance nightmare killing crypto payments If you bought BTC at $30K and spent $10 of it when Bitcoin was at $60K, you technically realized a $5 capital gain on that purchase. You’re supposed to report that. Most people don’t, which creates an enforcement gap that costs the Treasury money and turns millions of Americans into accidental tax evaders.
The proposed exemption draws directly from an existing framework in US tax law. Foreign currency transactions already benefit from a de minimis exemption that spares travelers and businesses from reporting small gains on currency conversions. Advocates argue that applying similar logic to digital assets isn’t radical policy.
In the House, parallel efforts have emerged. The PARITY Act takes a narrower approach, focusing primarily on stablecoins. Bitcoin advocates have pushed back against the limited scope, arguing that Bitcoin’s higher volatility is exactly why it needs the exemption more than stablecoins, which by design maintain a near-constant dollar value and generate minimal capital gains on everyday purchases anyway.
What stands between the proposal and law No final legislation has passed as of late 2026. The proposals remain in congressional committees, where the usual gravitational forces of Washington, competing priorities, lobbying, and election cycles, determine whether promising ideas become actual law.
The revenue projections give the bill a significant legislative advantage. A bill that the JCT says will generate $600 million in net revenue, with independent research suggesting the figure could be even higher, doesn’t carry that burden.
The debate over which tokens qualify remains a sticking point. The Lummis bill targets personal-use digital assets broadly but excludes stablecoins, while the PARITY Act does nearly the opposite. Reconciling these approaches will likely require some compromise that satisfies both the Bitcoin maximalists who want BTC included and the stablecoin issuers who see payments as their core use case.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump increased the pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates on Friday amid fresh data that employers created 162,000 jobs in August. Trump also threatened to cut off trade with nations with large trade surpluses against the U.S.
Trump Pushes Fed For Lower Interest Rates The latest U.S. jobs data showed that the economy was very strong, Trump said. He expects the numbers to help bring down borrowing costs. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Lower the interest rates because the U.S.A. is a much stronger credit than it was just a short time ago!”
He also claimed that interest rates in the U.S. should be notably lower than those in other economies. “We should have the lowest rate of any country in the World, like ‘the old days,’” Trump declared.
The remarks are part of the Federal Reserve’s deliberations on its next policy move. A better labor market would give the Fed less impetus to keep pushing interest rates even lower, and Trump is arguing that they’ve got to lower even further.
Trump Vows To Place Trade Barriers Trump also linked the Fed’s monetary policy to the United States’ trade deficit, stating that he would halt trade with countries that run a huge surplus with the United States. “Lower the rate or I’ll stop trading with countries with which we have a deficit,” he wrote.
He said that lower interest rates would give the United States an edge and that interest rates were better than tariffs. Trump also urged the Fed to “be patriots for a change,” noting that high interest rates give an unfair advantage to the United States.
Bitcoin Drops Below $80K After Jobs Data Bitcoin rallied off the charts in response to the positive employment data. BTC opened at $82,262.21 before reversing direction after the payrolls release, eventually hitting an intraday high of $82,262.21. The BTC price dropped from approximately $81,600 to almost $79,800 and is still below $80,000.
Bitcoin price chart today. Source: TradingView The decline resulted in a number of leveraged liquidations. Over the course of four hours around the release, over $251 million in crypto positions lost their value, with around $216 million in long and $35.14 million in short positions going belly up.
If traders lower their expectations for rate cuts by the Fed, the robust jobs report might continue to put pressure on Bitcoin. Now, prediction markets show 54% odds of Fed rate hike in the September 15-16 FOMC meeting.
Bitcoin traded near $79,000 on September 4 following a turbulent 24-hour period in which the leading cryptocurrency briefly surpassed $81,000 but failed to maintain its gains. The price retreat came after US employment figures for August surprised analysts, bolstering expectations of a stricter interest rate stance from the Federal Reserve.
US jobs data impacts Bitcoin volatilityThe August payroll report showed the US economy added 162,000 jobs, almost triple the 56,000 forecast by economists. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, while average hourly earnings increased by 0.3% from July and were up 3.1% year-over-year. Notably, July payrolls were also revised upwards from a previous decline to a 21,000 job gain.
Following the jobs release, the probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike at the September 16 policy meeting climbed to 62%, as stronger hiring data provided policymakers more room to maintain current restrictive monetary policy. As a result, Bitcoin, which had rallied from below $78,000 to briefly trade near $82,000, dropped back below $80,000. Over the past week, the coin’s performance has stayed roughly flat.
Recent jobs data raised speculation that the Federal Reserve might increase rates in September, putting pressure on Bitcoin after its failed attempt to hold above $80,000.
Market drivers: Fed speculation and ETF inflowsBitcoin’s initial move above $80,000 was partially fueled by comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who signaled that he may support holding rates steady at the central bank’s next meeting if inflation figures show improvement. His remarks briefly increased expectations that rates would remain unchanged, helping cryptocurrencies and other risk assets recover.
Another strong factor supporting Bitcoin prices came from spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) demand. On September 3, US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw record net inflows of $731 million, the largest daily intake since January, according to data from SoSoValue. BlackRock’s IBIT contributed $454 million of the total.
However, after the positive employment report, macroeconomic sentiment quickly shifted again, weighing on risk assets. Bitcoin’s ability to maintain $80,000 has been challenged by these opposing forces: robust ETF buying on one hand, and renewed interest-rate risk on the other ahead of the Fed’s policy decision.
Investors are now closely watching upcoming economic data, particularly the US inflation reading scheduled for September 11. Waller has indicated in previous remarks that further improvement in inflation data would support his case for keeping rates unchanged, giving additional importance to the next consumer price index release.
Regulatory developments could also drive market sentiment. The US Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act, a proposed bill affecting crypto regulation, on September 15. The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and Chair Kevin Warsh’s comments are expected to follow on September 16.
ETF flows are likely to remain an influential market driver in the days ahead. Sustained inflows could help Bitcoin regain ground, while renewed outflows may hinder its ability to establish meaningful support above $80,000.
BTC price analysis: Technical outlookBitcoin’s daily chart shows the price hovering near $79,000 after reaching an intraday high above $81,400. This level remains significant, as the $80,000 region has not yet been clearly established as support. Despite the recent rejection, Bitcoin retains gains made during its August breakout from the $63,000–$65,000 zone.
Moving AverageCurrent Level50-day SMA$68,759100-day SMA$66,330200-day SMA$69,621BTC Price$79,000All major simple moving averages (SMAs) remain well below the current price, with Bitcoin roughly 13% above the highest SMA, leaving the daily trend positive but also without substantial short-term support below.
Momentum indicators reinforce the mixed picture. The Aroon Up indicator stands at 92.86%, and Aroon Down has dropped to 0%. This suggests that the uptrend remains intact, even as momentum has cooled—evidenced by the Commodity Channel Index, which has fallen to 63.51 after peaking above 300 during the initial breakout.
The Chaikin Money Flow remains positive at 0.31, pointing to ongoing accumulation. If Bitcoin holds the $78,000–$79,000 area, another attempt to break above $80,000 is possible. Conversely, a drop below $78,000 could bring $76,000–$77,000 into play as the next area of support.
Mini dictionary: Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is a technical analysis indicator that measures the volume-weighted average of accumulation and distribution over a set period, helping traders assess buying and selling pressure in an asset.
According to the latest liquidity heatmaps, concentrations of leveraged positions are clustered between $78,000 and $78,700, and a larger pocket is present between $76,000 and $77,000. On the upside, the main concentration of liquidity sits around $81,700–$82,300, near Friday’s price peak.
A recovery above $80,000 could trigger short liquidations and push Bitcoin towards $82,000. Failure to hold current support levels may increase the risk of a deeper pullback, with $78,000 and $77,000 identified as possible downside targets.
If Bitcoin closes the day above $80,000, attention could quickly shift to the $81,400–$82,000 region, with $84,000 emerging as the next probable upside target.
Bitcoin closed August with a roughly 24% gain, landing between $78,000 and $79,000 after spending the early part of the month languishing near $62,000 to $64,000. The rally briefly pushed BTC above $81,000, making it the cryptocurrency’s strongest August since 2017 and its best monthly performance since November 2024.
Social volume around Bitcoin ticked up about 6% over the month, according to Santiment data. But the real story wasn’t happening on social media. It was happening in ETF flows, derivatives liquidations, and the wallets of the market’s biggest players.
Institutional money did the heavy lifting US spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in approximately $1.92B during the week ending August 21 alone. For the full month, total inflows landed somewhere in the range of $2.7B to $3B, a torrent of capital that provided steady buying pressure throughout the rally.
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Meanwhile, large wallet holders accumulated roughly 60,000 BTC over the course of the month. Smaller holders, by contrast, trimmed their positions.
Short sellers got obliterated Short liquidations across the derivatives market totaled approximately $6.55B over a two-week stretch, with single-day liquidation figures reaching between $2.75B and $3B at their peak.
Macro backdrop: complicated but supportive US Treasury plans to double bond buybacks provided a liquidity tailwind. Rising oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions added to the general sense of uncertainty, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy kept traders guessing.
Still, one data point deserves scrutiny. Spot trading volumes on major centralized exchanges remained near lows last seen in September 2023. That’s a meaningful disconnect: prices surging while trading activity stays subdued suggests this rally was driven by conviction among a relatively small group of large buyers rather than broad-based enthusiasm.
Bitcoin’s historical August performance has been, charitably, mediocre. The median return for the month sits around negative 7%. So a 24% gain doesn’t just beat expectations — it demolishes them.
Bitcoin remains well below its October 2025 peak of nearly $126,000. The August rally reversed some of the weakness that characterized earlier months of 2026, but BTC is still roughly 38% below its all-time high.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
The correlation between Bitcoin and gold has surged to its highest level in six years, reflecting mounting concerns over currency debasement. This development, reported by Zero Hedge, highlights a significant move in financial markets as both assets are seen as hedges against declining fiat currency value. Data from Bitwise indicates that Bitcoin’s 90-day rolling correlation with spot gold exceeded 0.5 by the end of August 2026, a level not seen since 2020. This shift suggests market participants are increasingly viewing Bitcoin alongside gold as a store of value amidst macroeconomic uncertainties.
Current market data shows gold around $4,540 per ounce, while Bitcoin fluctuates between $78,500 and $80,800. As Bitcoin shows a stronger correlation with gold, its correlation with equities, such as the Nasdaq 100, has decreased significantly, down to approximately 33% from 60% earlier in the year. This trend is consistent with a broader market sentiment that favors hard assets over traditional equities amid fears of inflation and economic instability.
The market for gold to hit $15,000 by the end of December 2026 currently reflects low odds, with YES shares priced between 1.5% and 10.5% across different sub-markets. This pricing suggests that while there is some expectation of a rise in gold prices, significant hurdles remain for reaching such a high target by year-end.
Key Takeaways The increased Bitcoin-gold correlation appears consistent with heightened concerns over currency debasement, reflecting a shift in how these assets are viewed as hedges. Gold’s correlation with equities like the Nasdaq 100 has decreased, suggesting a market preference for hard assets amid economic uncertainty. Current market odds for gold reaching $15,000 by December are low, indicating skepticism about such a significant increase within the year. What to Watch Monitor geopolitical developments and central bank policies, as these could influence the trajectory of gold prices. Key indicators include potential interest rate adjustments by the U.S. Federal Reserve and gold purchasing trends by central banks such as the PBOC. Additionally, any significant changes in ETF flows or macroeconomic indicators like U.S. CPI could impact market sentiment towards gold. The sustained correlation between Bitcoin and gold will also be a crucial factor to watch for potential shifts in market dynamics.
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Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Bitcoin [BTC] rallied past $82k briefly on Thursday, the 3rd of September. The uptick was a result of two developments.
The first was Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller’s comments indicating his support for keeping interest rates steady. Meanwhile, spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $730.8 million in net inflows on Thursday.
Despite reduced expectations of a September rate hike, the 15th of September could see high volatility. Both the FOMC meeting and the U.S. Senate vote regarding the CLARITY Act are scheduled for mid-September.
Heading into a historically bearish month, onchain metrics showed signs that the Bitcoin rally might be cooling.
Worrisome news for Bitcoin bulls Source: CryptoQuant Bitcoin encountered selling pressure around its 365-Day Moving Average [MA], positioned at $82,268. Thursday’s rally stalled near that exact level before BTC recorded a minor pullback.
A CryptoQuant report noted that, historically, bull runs have begun once the 365DMA is breached.
Source: CryptoQuant The Apparent Demand metric tracks the difference between newly-mined BTC issuance and the change in the supply inactive for over a year. A reduction in the metric showed less demand, reflecting stalling accumulation near key swing resistance levels.
Source: CryptoQuant A positive Coinbase Premium Index shows increased demand from U.S.-based investors. The metric briefly climbed into positive territory in late August but has slumped once again.
Together, the metrics reflected soft demand conditions that might cap the current rally beneath key overhead supply zones.
Could Bitcoin fall toward $66.9k? Source: Axel Adler Jr The Bitcoin Capital and Flow Regime Index has been at its maximum level for six consecutive days, pointed out crypto analyst Axel Adler Jr. In this bear market regime, this signal has been followed by a price decline.
Source: BTC/USDT on TradingView Meanwhile, May’s $82,850 swing high remained another obstacle for bulls.
August’s gains improved Bitcoin’s price structure, but weakening demand around $82k could trigger a deeper retracement. A break below $75.5k could expose $70.2k, followed by $66.9k.
Bitcoin therefore faces an unusual disconnect: ETF capital is returning, while broader demand indicators continue to retreat.
Final Summary Bitcoin was unable to flip the 365-day moving average to support. In the past, breaking this resistance has been a bull market signal. Onchain signs of slowing demand added to the fear that the recent rally beyond $80k might face a severe correction.
Cover image via depositphotos.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
American technology microcap AIxCrypto Holdings (AIXC) is fully liquidating its digital asset portfolio and winding down its crypto treasury strategy.
The company filed the corresponding amendment to its Form S-1 with the SEC on Sept. 4, 2026. The asset sell-off comes amid heavy financial losses, with management recording an unrealized loss of around 50%.
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According to its reporting as of Aug. 31, 33.49 BTC, 497.56 ETH and 6,325.92 SOL went under the knife, along with smaller positions in LINK, BNB and ADA. Notably, in its regulatory filings, AIXC separately described its XRP holdings as "immaterial" — management is clearly trying to shift investors' focus toward the fact that the main losses came from the decline of market heavyweights Bitcoin and Ethereum.
SEC filing highlighting AIxCrypto's $4.82 million digital asset liquidation, Source: US SECAfter disposing of the depreciated assets, the former pharmaceutical company plans to relaunch its business and fully pivot to the robotics market through the RoboShare platform.
This is not the first case of small-cap corporate players capitulating and realizing losses on altcoins to save their core business.
While some dismiss XRP as an "immaterial" asset, others are preparing for a Nasdaq listingTokyo-based Remixpoint previously made a similar move in the Asian market, completely clearing out its altcoin holdings — ETH, SOL, DOGE and 1.19 million XRP — to purchase energy storage systems, while retaining only Bitcoin on its balance sheet.
However, this series of isolated sell-offs reflects not panic, but a simple replacement of accidental investors with pragmatic players. While small businesses cut losses to survive operationally, institutions are changing their tactics.
During the same period, Kinetics funds disclosed direct positions in Ripple Labs' Class A preferred shares in SEC filings. Major Wall Street capital is entering the XRP ecosystem not through volatile tokens traded on exchanges, but by acquiring stakes in the issuer's business.
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Meanwhile, the leading XRP-focused treasury holding company, Evernorth (XRPN), continues to calmly hold a monumental ~473 million XRP on its balance sheet as it prepares for a Nasdaq listing through a SPAC.
In this context, it would be wrong to claim that the corporate sector has become disillusioned with digital assets. It is simply carrying out a strict optimization and getting rid of unnecessary passengers.
AIxCrypto Holdings (AIXC), a US-based technology microcap, has decided to fully liquidate its digital asset portfolio and end its cryptocurrency treasury strategy.
Asset liquidation and SEC filingThe company submitted an amended Form S-1 to the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2026, revealing plans to sell its remaining cryptocurrency holdings. This decision follows sustained financial losses, including approximately a 50% unrealized decline in the value of its digital asset portfolio.
As of August 31, AIXC reported that it had liquidated 33.49 Bitcoin (BTC), 497.56 Ethereum (ETH), and 6,325.92 Solana (SOL). The firm also sold smaller allocations of Chainlink (LINK), Binance Coin (BNB), and Cardano (ADA).
In a notable detail from its regulatory disclosures, the company classified its XRP position as “immaterial.” By emphasizing this, AIXC’s management appeared to direct shareholders’ attention toward losses centered on major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, rather than on XRP.
After disposing of its depreciated assets, the company intends to relaunch and pivot fully to the robotics sector by developing its RoboShare platform, ending its previous focus as a pharmaceutical business.
AIxCrypto Holdings, once primarily focused on pharmaceuticals, is now shifting its strategy to concentrate on robotics, facilitated by the RoboShare platform, after closing out its digital asset exposure.
Mini dictionary: RoboShare, a platform being developed by AIxCrypto Holdings to enter the robotics industry, represents the company’s new direction after exiting its pharmaceutical and crypto treasury activities.
Changing approaches across companiesThis move by AIXC follows similar trends among small-cap companies reevaluating digital asset strategies. Tokyo-based Remixpoint previously cleared its altcoin holdings — including Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, and 1.19 million XRP — to fund investment in energy storage systems, yet retained Bitcoin as a treasury asset.
These developments suggest a shift in the approach of small corporates, prioritizing operational stability over speculative crypto investments. Rather than widespread panic, the selloffs point toward a transfer from accidental or opportunistic investors to more pragmatic market participants.
XRP ecosystem sees institutional investment despite small-cap retreatsWhile some companies downplay their exposure to XRP by labeling holdings as immaterial, institutional interest in the XRP ecosystem is evolving. Kinetics funds, a well-known asset management group, disclosed recent direct investments in Ripple Labs’ Class A preferred shares, according to SEC records. This strategy demonstrates that some institutional capital is gaining exposure to XRP through equity positions in Ripple, rather than solely holding tokens traded on exchanges.
Evernorth (XRPN), a leading XRP-focused treasury holding company, currently maintains about 473 million XRP in its reserves and is preparing for a public offering via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) structure on Nasdaq.
Mini dictionary: Evernorth (XRPN) is a treasury holding company specializing in XRP, notable for its large balance of XRP and its ongoing preparations for a Nasdaq listing through a SPAC arrangement.
Despite a number of smaller firms exiting the crypto market and labelling certain positions as negligible, other entities are taking calculated steps to strengthen their presence in the sector.
The current pattern reflects not a loss of confidence among corporate players in digital assets, but rather a more selective and strategic approach to managing risk and focusing on core operations.
CompanyCrypto assets soldAssets retainedNew focusRemarksAIxCrypto Holdings (AIXC)BTC, ETH, SOL, LINK, BNB, ADANoneRobotics (RoboShare)50% loss on portfolioRemixpointETH, SOL, DOGE, XRPBTCEnergy storage systemsCleared all but BitcoinEvernorth (XRPN)None~473 million XRPPreparing for Nasdaq via SPACMaintains large XRP holding
Circle Internet Group Inc (CRCL stock) surged more than 15% to hover above $103 ahead of today’s US jobs data release.
The crypto capitalization rose 4.15% in 24 hours, topping at 2.73 trillion early Friday.
Bitcoin price surged to over $81,000, Ethereum price stood at around $2,524, and XRP price at $1.45. Those gains added force to the demand from companies that are connected to the adoption of digital assets, one of them being the USDC issuer Circle.
US Jobs Data Drops Today; What’s Next for CRCL Stock The August employment report is released at 8.30 a.m. ET, preceding usual US equity markets.
Economists expect 56,000 payrolls, reversing July’s unexpected 23,000 decline. Unemployment level must be at 4.1, with not much momentum in hiring.
🇺🇸US JOBS DATA DROPS TODAY
The Non-Farm Employment Change drops at 8:30 AM ET.
Previous: -23K
Forecast: +56K
After a surprisingly weak July, markets are expecting a rebound in hiring.
This is one of the biggest macro releases for Bitcoin today.
A major miss could strengthen… pic.twitter.com/OoEKBdFqqv
— That Martini Guy ₿ (@MartiniGuyYT) September 4, 2026
Any payroll miss would rekindle expectations of rate cuts and undermine Treasury yields or the dollar.
Nonetheless, a robust reading may boost yields and the dollar, straining speculative assets.
Unemployment of less than 4.0% to some traders is considered bullish, whereas 4.1% can receive a weak response.
REMINDER:
🇺🇸 Unemployment Rate will be released at 8:30 AM ET, right before the U.S. market opens:
If Rate < 4.0% → bullish for markets
If Rate = 4.1% → markets will stay flat
If Rate > 4.2% → bearish for markets
All eyes are on the release today!! pic.twitter.com/2NnO2Z6NDj
— ᴛʀᴀᴄᴇʀ (@DeFiTracer) September 4, 2026
A reading of above 4.2% can provoke growth worries, but less virulent policy anticipations can ameliorate losses.
CLARITY Act Boosts Sentiment Crypto strength favoring Circle is that the USDC activity and reserve economics have a bearing on the earnings.
Circle makes significant profits through interest on reserves in support of USDC, which connects outcomes to rates and circulations.
Greater activity can lead to a greater use of networks and strengthening distribution alliances with the company.
The increased market will enhance transactions, liquidity, and institutional demand of regulated stablecoins.
Another stimulus came in the form of regulatory expectations with the CLARITY Act coming before a Senate vote. A cloture vote is scheduled for September 15 and needs 60 votes.
The bill would not pass the vote, but it would be possible to approve federal market-structure rules.
Better defined SEC and CFTC roles can lead to less uncertainty among exchanges, issuers, and blockchain enterprises.
In the case of Circle, broader regulatory assurance would favor USDC adoption, but distinct regulations currently govern stablecoins. The measure can still be held up by congressional scheduling and policy wrangles.
CRCL Stock Price Outlook: Will Bulls Push Higher? The CRCL stock is being resisted at around $105 and profit taking may commence just after the quick upsurge.
A confirmed break above $105 might reveal $110 and $120 in case the crypto momentum and volume are good.
To maintain the breakout and constructive short-term structure, bulls would need to defend $100.
CRCL stock The next support is around $95 below $100, which also precedes the $88.60 closing area on Thursday.
A drop in volume or rejection that could be below $100 would undermine the setup and promote caution.
