In brief U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs added $2.6 billion in net inflows for the week ending August 21, their best week since October 2025, while total assets under management jumped roughly $23 billion. Bitcoin ETF assets rose 25.4% to $96.1 billion and Ethereum ETF assets rose 35.9% to $14.3 billion, according to SoSoValue data. Bitcoin gained about 24% and Ethereum about 30% during the week after the Treasury doubled a bond-buyback program and a short squeeze wiped out billions in bearish bets. U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs picked up roughly $23 billion in total value last week. Only $2.6 billion of that came from new money. Everything else came from Bitcoin and Ethereum simply getting more expensive.
That distinction may get lost in the euphoria of a market rally. A crypto fund's total value—what's called assets under management, or AUM—grows for two separate reasons: fresh cash coming in the door, or the coins already sitting inside becoming worth more. Last week, almost all of the growth was the second kind.
Myriad: Bitcoin next price move? Click to make your prediction.Spot Bitcoin ETFs added $1.92 billion in net inflows for the week ending August 21, while Ethereum funds took in $697.2 million. Combined, that $2.6 billion was the strongest week for both fund categories since October 2025, when Bitcoin was closing in on its all-time high.
The AUM side moved much further. Bitcoin ETF assets climbed 25.4% to $96.1 billion from $76.6 billion. Ethereum ETF assets jumped 35.9% to $14.3 billion from $10.5 billion.
Add those together and total assets rose about $23.3 billion for the week. Strip out the $2.6 billion investors actually put in, and roughly $20.7 billion of that increase was pure price appreciation—Bitcoin and Ethereum becoming worth more while sitting exactly where they already were.
Why the coins got more valuableBitcoin ran from around $62,000 to briefly above $79,000, a roughly 24% weekly gain and its best week since 2023. Ethereum climbed from under $1,900 to above $2,500, up about 30%.
Three separate forces pushed prices that hard. The clearest was the U.S. Treasury's move to double its long-bond buyback program—purchases of the government's own debt meant to support demand and lower borrowing costs—which weakened the dollar and pushed investors toward assets often used as inflation hedges, Bitcoin included.
Myriad: Ethereum next price move? Click to make your prediction.President Donald Trump also met crypto executives at the White House and pressed Congress on the Clarity Act, a bill meant to settle which regulator oversees which crypto assets. The third force did the most damage to skeptics: as prices broke through resistance, traders who had bet on Bitcoin falling got forced to buy back in at a loss to close those bets, a short squeeze that wiped out roughly $3 billion in bearish positions within 24 hours, with another $1 billion liquidated the day after. Each forced purchase pushed the price higher and triggered the next round of liquidations.
BlackRock's IBIT captured the largest share of the new money, at one point taking in 83 cents of every dollar that flowed into Bitcoin funds in a single day. XRP funds also drew fresh demand, pulling in $39.78 million and setting a record weekly volume of $271.74 million.
The rally hasn't erased 2026's damage. Bitcoin ETFs are still down in net outflows for the year, and Ethereum ETFs remain negative, narrowing the combined year-to-date deficit from $5.7 billion to $3.1 billion.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
In brief U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs added $2.6 billion in net inflows for the week ending August 21, their best week since October 2025, while total assets under management jumped roughly $23 billion. Bitcoin ETF assets rose 25.4% to $96.1 billion and Ethereum ETF assets rose 35.9% to $14.3 billion, according to SoSoValue data. Bitcoin gained about 24% and Ethereum about 30% during the week after the Treasury doubled a bond-buyback program and a short squeeze wiped out billions in bearish bets. U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs picked up roughly $23 billion in total value last week. Only $2.6 billion of that came from new money. Everything else came from Bitcoin and Ethereum simply getting more expensive.
That distinction may get lost in the euphoria of a market rally. A crypto fund's total value—what's called assets under management, or AUM—grows for two separate reasons: fresh cash coming in the door, or the coins already sitting inside becoming worth more. Last week, almost all of the growth was the second kind.
Myriad: Bitcoin next price move? Click to make your prediction.Spot Bitcoin ETFs added $1.92 billion in net inflows for the week ending August 21, while Ethereum funds took in $697.2 million. Combined, that $2.6 billion was the strongest week for both fund categories since October 2025, when Bitcoin was closing in on its all-time high.
The AUM side moved much further. Bitcoin ETF assets climbed 25.4% to $96.1 billion from $76.6 billion. Ethereum ETF assets jumped 35.9% to $14.3 billion from $10.5 billion.
Add those together and total assets rose about $23.3 billion for the week. Strip out the $2.6 billion investors actually put in, and roughly $20.7 billion of that increase was pure price appreciation—Bitcoin and Ethereum becoming worth more while sitting exactly where they already were.
Why the coins got more valuableBitcoin ran from around $62,000 to briefly above $79,000, a roughly 24% weekly gain and its best week since 2023. Ethereum climbed from under $1,900 to above $2,500, up about 30%.
Three separate forces pushed prices that hard. The clearest was the U.S. Treasury's move to double its long-bond buyback program—purchases of the government's own debt meant to support demand and lower borrowing costs—which weakened the dollar and pushed investors toward assets often used as inflation hedges, Bitcoin included.
Myriad: Ethereum next price move? Click to make your prediction.President Donald Trump also met crypto executives at the White House and pressed Congress on the Clarity Act, a bill meant to settle which regulator oversees which crypto assets. The third force did the most damage to skeptics: as prices broke through resistance, traders who had bet on Bitcoin falling got forced to buy back in at a loss to close those bets, a short squeeze that wiped out roughly $3 billion in bearish positions within 24 hours, with another $1 billion liquidated the day after. Each forced purchase pushed the price higher and triggered the next round of liquidations.
BlackRock's IBIT captured the largest share of the new money, at one point taking in 83 cents of every dollar that flowed into Bitcoin funds in a single day. XRP funds also drew fresh demand, pulling in $39.78 million and setting a record weekly volume of $271.74 million.
The rally hasn't erased 2026's damage. Bitcoin ETFs are still down in net outflows for the year, and Ethereum ETFs remain negative, narrowing the combined year-to-date deficit from $5.7 billion to $3.1 billion.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
Crypto prices are pausing today after a powerful week of gains, and the timing lines up with a major geopolitical announcement out of Washington.
XRP is up 49.5% this past week, but remains nearly flat over the last 24 hours, trading near $1.48. Bitcoin is trading near $78,738 today, up 23.4% over the past week overall, while Ethereum climbed 29.8% over the past week, and now trades near $2,468 currently. Solana and Hyperliquid also posted strong weekly gains of 26.6% and roughly 13% respectively.
The pattern across the board is the same. Big weekly gains, but a quieter 24 hours, suggesting the market may be pausing to digest fresh news rather than continuing its climb.
Bessent Announces a New Campaign Against Iran
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a new global economic offensive targeting Iran’s financial networks, framing it in stark terms. “Iran now faces a very clear choice, with only two paths before them,” Bessent said. “Complete global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a path back to normalcy with an opportunity to rejoin the global economy.”
He named the effort Operation Economic Outcast, describing it as an attempt to close off every remaining option available to Tehran. “Today, we are launching Operation Economic Outcast to foreclose every other option available to the Iranian regime,” Bessent said, drawing a historical comparison to the D-Day campaign.
“D-Day marked the historic beginning of a campaign with our allies to target and drive the enemy from its positions, including those in third countries,” he said. “Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around the globe.”
What the Campaign Actually Targets
Bessent said the Treasury has mapped every node Iran uses to evade global sanctions, including the networks the regime relies on to smuggle oil and move money internationally. He described the approach as “zero leakage,” aimed at leaving the regime “no minimal breathing space” to rebuild funding sources tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to Bessent, coordinated actions from the Treasury and other federal agencies are intended to block every remaining revenue stream connected to the IRGC.
Why Markets Might Be Reacting Cautiously
Announcements involving Iran sanctions and geopolitical escalation have repeatedly injected volatility into both traditional and crypto markets throughout the year, often triggering short-term risk-off behavior even when the news itself doesn’t directly target financial markets.
Today’s relatively flat 24-hour price action across major cryptocurrencies, despite a strong week overall, may mean traders taking a more careful stance while assessing how this new sanctions campaign could ripple into broader market sentiment in the days ahead.
Story Ends Here
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Stablecoin issuer Tether has halted a nearly $120 million project in Uruguay as part of its plans to expand Bitcoin mining operations in South America. The project was cancelled due to a contract dispute between Tether and Uruguay’s state-owned electricity company, UTE.
The project was seen as one of the first steps in Tether’s strategy to expand its presence in South America. The company planned to operate two separate Bitcoin mining facilities in Uruguay, but the parties disagreed on the amount of electricity to be supplied to the facilities.
At the heart of the dispute was how the electricity capacity specified in the contract should be interpreted. Tether considered the agreed amount of electricity as the minimum capacity to be supplied initially. According to the company’s interpretation, a higher amount of electricity could be supplied if demand increased.
UTE, however, interpreted the amount of electricity in question as an upper limit and argued that the capacity specified in the contract could not be exceeded. The parties subsequently held negotiations to modify the contract terms in order to resolve the resulting disagreement.
However, because Tether representatives were not present at the meeting held to sign the amended contract, no agreement could be reached on the new terms. As a result, the Bitcoin mining project, worth approximately $120 million, was halted.
The termination of the project is considered a significant development in terms of Tether’s plans to expand its energy infrastructure-based Bitcoin mining investments globally. While the company has recently taken steps to diversify its Bitcoin mining and energy investments, the suspension of the Uruguay project stands out as a major obstacle to its expansion plans in South America.
It remains unclear whether Tether will develop a new project or alternative energy agreement related to its operations in Uruguay.
*This is not investment advice.
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Bitcoin rose nearly 22% over the past week, trading near the $78,000 mark on Monday, as the US Treasury’s bond-buying plan boosted market sentiment. The cryptocurrency was last trading at $76,896.
Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum gained 0.90% and 1.37%, respectively. Among major altcoins, BNB, Solana, Tron and Cardano rose by up to 0.90%, while XRP, Hyperliquid and Dogecoin advanced by up to 1.96%.
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CoinSwitch Markets Desk said the key catalyst was the US Treasury’s plan to at least double purchases of long-term government bonds. The move helped ease pressure in the bond market and weakened the dollar, reviving the “debasement trade”, where investors turn to scarce assets such as Bitcoin and gold as a hedge against currency weakness.
The gains were further supported by short covering, improving liquidity expectations, regulatory optimism and strength across ETH, SOL and XRP, CoinSwitch Markets Desk said.
Global crypto market capitalisation rose 1.6% to $2.62 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap. The crypto Fear and Greed Index surged to 78, indicating “greed” among investors, CoinDCX Research said.
Popular in Markets
Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO of Pi42, said institutional participation, ETF activity and expectations of greater regulatory clarity in the US continue to support the market. However, after the sharp rally, technical indicators across major assets are showing stretched conditions, which could lead to some consolidation before the next directional move.
Investors should remain disciplined rather than chase prices after a strong rally. Staggered entries, selective profit-booking and careful position sizing can help navigate periods of heightened volatility, Shekhar said.
Over the past week, Ethereum rose 29.11%. Among major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Hyperliquid, Dogecoin and Cardano rallied by up to 45.74%.
Nischal Shetty, Founder of WazirX, said crypto markets are entering a macro-sensitive phase, with central-bank communication and long-term bond yields likely to determine the near-term direction. Based on current prices and nearby psychological levels, immediate support lies around 76,000-76,500.
The overall price action signals a cautious market, with investors limiting risk exposure and maintaining a more defensive stance, Shetty added.
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Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus: The market is consolidating after last week’s sharp breakout rather than extending the rally immediately. Investors should avoid chasing the surge. Staggered entries and disciplined position sizing remain preferable, with 75,500-76,000 the immediate zone to watch for signs that Bitcoin can sustain its new range.
Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange: The crypto rally has entered a consolidation phase after last week’s vertical breakout. Overall, the trend remains bullish, but the market is now digesting a very fast move. The next major signal will be whether BTC can decisively break and hold above the 80,000-82,000 region while institutional demand continues to absorb profit-taking from existing holders.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Bitcoin’s price surged further on Monday, flirting with $80,000 after U.S. exchange-traded funds had their best week since October.
The leading cryptocurrency was recently trading more than 2% higher over a 24-hour period after flying past $79,155. It earlier on Monday morning in New York reached as high as $79,954.
Over the past week, the coin has risen 25%. Its rise comes after a sluggish June and July when it mostly traded below $65,000.
Last week, U.S. investors reversed course and bought up shares in the Bitcoin ETFs, which had their best week since October, when bitcoin notched its record of $126,080. Data from Farside Investors shows that the funds — managed by the likes of BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, and Morgan Stanley — received $1.9 billion in new cash.
“This is one of the benefits of a commodity in a constant state of supply shock,” Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote on X on Monday.
Bitcoin ETFs took just about $2b last week- their best week since the Good Ol Days of Oct 2025 as price went from $64k to $77k in a New York minute (that counts as God candle yeah?). Anyway, this is one of the benefits of a commodity in a constant state of supply shock. pic.twitter.com/B63AUp3G8k
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) August 24, 2026 The surge in interest in bitcoin’s was triggered by the Treasury Department’s announcement last week to at least double the size of its long-dated bond buybacks.
Since the Treasury made the announcement, yields have gone down, while bitcoin and gold have shot up. The dollar last week was trading at a three-month low and on track for its worst week of August. Bitcoin, on the other hand, had its best week since 2023.
Positive regulatory news coming out of the White House also helped: President Donald Trump held a meeting with crypto executives earlier last week, and urged lawmakers to get the Clarity Act over the line.
Lawmakers will vote on the long-awaited crypto legislation, which the digital asset industry has long called for, in September. The proposed law will establish a framework for distinguishing between digital assets that are securities, commodities or payment stablecoins.
Bitcoin notched an all-time high in October but was hurt later that month after the biggest liquidation event in crypto history saw over $19 billion in bets closed. The coin continued its plunge after the Federal Reserve made it clear it was in no hurry to lower interest rates and investors increasingly threw money at artificial intelligence-related stocks.
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.
U.S. Treasury: Sanctions Imposed on Nearly 60 Iran-Related Entities, Individuals and Vessels
U.S. Treasury Department: Sanctions nearly 60 Iran-related entities, individuals, and vessels, covering nuclear, missile, cyber, and oil networks. The action imposes potential secondary sanctions on five sectors—including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping—and suspends general licenses for certain remittances to Iran.
16 minutes ago
Multicoin Capital-associated address transferred 1,061,100 HYPE tokens to Coinbase.
According to monitoring by OnchainLens, a wallet linked to Multicoin Capital transferred 1,061,100 HYPE tokens (valued at around $8.41 million) to Coinbase Prime minutes ago, potentially indicating an imminent sell-off.
16 minutes ago
ZEC hits an approximately 8-year high, briefly touching $888; the NU7 network upgrade snapshot is imminent.
According to HTX market data, ZEC hit an approximately 8-year high today, touching its highest price since 2018 at $888 with a weekly gain of over 70%. It is currently holding steady near the $844 level. The Zcash community will launch an 18-day token holder vote starting on the 24th (Beijing time: early morning of the 25th) to determine the scope of the upcoming NU7 upgrade. The minimum voting participation threshold is 1 million ZEC. Voting rights are based on spendable, shielded ZEC held in the Ironwood pool at the snapshot time (estimated 19:00 UTC on the 24th, mainnet block height approx. 3,459,350). The vote opens August 25 and closes at 19:00 UTC on September 14. Votes are cast privately via supported wallets, including Zodl, Vizor, Zkool, and Keystone hardware wallets; only aggregated data will be released, with no individual voting details disclosed. The initiative aims to gather holders’ feedback on the upgrade scope for reference by the community and developers.
16 minutes ago
Whale’s short positions, which first set 10 major price targets, may see their unrealized losses expand to $6.88 million.
As Bitcoin rebounds to hit the $80,000 mark, the massive short positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum held by the whale codenamed "Set 10 Big Goals First" may return to loss if they retain their original positions. The open positions are as follows: - BTC short positions: 1,830.724 BTC, worth approximately $139 million, average entry price $76,397.56 - ETH short positions: 12,756.739 ETH, worth approximately $30.25 million, average entry price $2,371.57 Based on current BTC price of $79,300 and ETH price of $2,499, the total unrealized loss on the whale's address could reach $6.88 million. The whale has previously resumed live trading on Binance but is currently in an invisible status, making it impossible to confirm whether the trader has closed positions to stop loss.
16 minutes ago
Scott Bessent plans to take aggressive measures to push the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to 5%.
According to Fox Business News, Wall Street executives stated that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is preparing to take aggressive measures to push the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to around 5%. The Trump administration is not expected to pursue fiscal austerity policies, but instead aims to reduce debt via tax increases. Earlier reports noted that Bessent is eyeing the trillion-dollar "emergency fund pool" to cover U.S. Treasury obligations, leveraging the powerful tool of the Treasury General Account (TGA) to influence long-term bond yields.
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Coinbase will list spot trading for BASECAT and DRB.
Coinbase to Launch Spot Trading for Basecat (BASECAT) and DebtReliefBot (DRB). If liquidity conditions are met and trading is supported in relevant regions, the BASECAT-USD and DRB-USD trading pairs will open today.
Bitcoin sahipleri açısından gündeme gelen eCash fork süreci, 23 Ağustos’ta kalıcı ağ ayrışması yerine test aşamasıyla devam etti. eCash projesi, Bitcoin sahipleri için 1:1 oranında ayrı bir ECX varlığı oluşturmayı planlıyor. Ancak 23 Ağustos’taki Alpha zinciri kalıcı ECX dağıtımını başlatmadı; asıl Mainnet hedefi Bitcoin 973.728 numaralı blok civarında, 31 Ekim olarak belirlendi.
Bu nedenle 23 Ağustos tarihi yatırımcılar için bir dağıtım gününden çok teknik prova niteliği taşıdı. Bitcoin sahipliği değişmedi ve test amacıyla üretilen pECX, kalıcı ECX ile aynı varlık olarak değerlendirilmedi.
Alpha Zinciri Ne Gösterdi? eCash Alpha ağı, 23 Ağustos’ta 963.648 blok yüksekliğinden itibaren blok üretmeye başladı. Explorer verileri zincirin en az 963.650 seviyesine ilerlediğini gösterirken, başlangıç noktasında eski bir rakip blok da görüldü. Bu durum, ağın henüz üretim aşamasına geçmemiş genç bir test ortamı olduğunu ortaya koydu.
Bitcoin ağı ise aynı blok numarası nedeniyle farklı bir kayda sahipti. Mempool.space, Bitcoin’in 963.648 numaralı bloğunu … hash’iyle ve 23 Ağustos 2026 01:48:47 zaman damgasıyla gösterdi.
Dolayısıyla iki zincirin aynı blok yüksekliğinde bulunması, Bitcoin’in yerini alan kalıcı bir fork gerçekleştiği anlamına gelmiyor. Burada paralel çalışan bir Alpha test ağı söz konusu.
Bitcoin Forkunda Sıradaki Tarihler Hangileri? Projenin güncellenen takvimi üç farklı aşamadan oluşuyor. Alpha aşaması yaklaşık 963.648 blokta 23 Ağustos’ta başladı; Beta aşamasının 967.680 civarında 20 Eylül’de, kalıcı Mainnet’in ise yaklaşık 973.728 blokta 31 Ekim’de devreye girmesi planlanıyor.
Alpha ve Beta dönemlerinde ortaya çıkan pECX birimleri, kalıcı ECX tahsisiyle karıştırılmamalı. Proje, test birimlerinin Mainnet başladığında gerçek ECX ile değiştirilebileceğini belirtiyor. Kurucu Paul Sztorc’un verdiği örneğe göre 1.000 pECX, 10 ECX karşılığında kullanılabilecek.
Ancak mevcut bilgiler, Alpha bakiyelerinin veya işlem geçmişinin otomatik olarak Beta ya da Mainnet’e taşınacağını kanıtlamıyor. Bu nedenle kullanıcıların pECX’i erken dönemde alınmış kesin bir ECX tahsisi olarak görmemesi gerekiyor.
Borsa Ve Blok Zinciri Entegrasyonu Hazır Mı? Forkun teknik tarafında da tamamlanması gereken noktalar bulunuyor. 11 Ağustos’ta güncellenen entegrasyon rehberi hâlâ ön lansman durumunda ve 963.648’i üretim fork noktası olarak gösteriyor. Ayrıca bazı kritik değerler drynet4 parametreleri olarak işaretlenirken nihai fork hash’i, kullanılacak yazılım dalı veya etiketi ve replay mekanizmasının daha sonra açıklanacağı belirtiliyor.
Mevcut coin-splitting yaklaşımında ECX işlemleri için isteğe bağlı nLockTime değeri 499999999 olarak kullanılıyor. Bununla birlikte entegrasyon yapan tarafların lansmandan önce nihai yöntemi doğrulaması gerekiyor.
Borsalar tarafında ise 23 Ağustos öncesindeki duyurular Bitcoin hizmetlerinin genel olarak devam edeceğine işaret etti. GMO Coin, Coincheck, SBI VC Trade ve Zaif benzer şekilde Bitcoin işlemlerinde süreklilik planlarını açıkladı.
Buna karşılık yeni dijital varlık konusunda yaklaşım daha temkinli. GMO Coin, Alpha ve Beta dönemlerinde pECX veya ECX işlemlerini desteklemeyeceğini duyurdu. Coincheck, SBI VC Trade ve Zaif ise ECX’in ileride hesaba geçirilmesi, listelenmesi veya işlenmesi konusunda kesin bir karar açıklamadı.
23 Ağustos’taki Alpha süreci Bitcoin sahipleri açısından düşük etkili olsa da geliştiriciler, madenciler, cüzdan sağlayıcıları ve kripto borsaları için önemli bir test fırsatı sundu. Asıl kritik eşik ise 31 Ekim’deki Mainnet hedefi olacak.
Özellikle nihai yazılım sürümü, fork hash’i ve replay koruması açıklanmadan kesin işlem planı yapmak risk taşıyor. Bitcoin kullanıcıları, ECX dağıtımının koşullarını ve destekleyen platformların resmi duyurularını takip etmeli.
Bu içerik kesinlikle yatırım tavsiyesi niteliği taşımamaktadır. Piyasalar yüksek risk içermektedir ve yatırım kararlarınızı almadan önce kendi araştırmanızı yapmanız önemlidir.
Son Dakika kripto para haberleri için hemen tıkla.
Konu ile ilgili yorumlarınızı bize yazabilirsiniz. Ayrıca, bu tarz bilgilendirici içeriklerin devamının gelmesini isterseniz, bizleri Telegram, Youtube ve Twitter kanallarımızdan takip edebilirsiniz.
Bitcoin has just seen a new parallel chain appear. eCash launched its Alpha phase on August 23 at block 963,648. Not yet real ECX for BTC holders: the units currently produced are used for testing. The final hard fork is still scheduled around October 31, at block 973,728. Until then, several technical questions remain open.
In brief eCash launched its Alpha chain on August 23 at block 963,648. The true Bitcoin hard fork is still planned around October 31. The true Bitcoin hard fork is still planned around October 31. Bitcoin sees the first eCash chain appear The August 23 launch does not yet correspond to the final fork. eCash was already presented as one of the two major bifurcations planned around Bitcoin in 2026. The Alpha phase began at block 963,648. The chain produced its own blocks in parallel with Bitcoin. BTC itself continued to operate normally.
Coins created during this period are called pECX. These are practice units intended to test the network before its official launch. Not yet permanent ECX. The schedule plans a second rehearsal on September 20, around block 967,680. The transition to the Mainnet is then expected around October 31 at block 973,728.
At that time, Bitcoin addresses are expected to receive ECX at a 1-to-1 ratio. The project is led by Paul Sztorc, known for his work on Drivechain and BIP-300 and BIP-301. His idea is not to replace Bitcoin. eCash aims to start from its history then continue with its own rules.
The test has not yet solved all the problems Alpha at least showed that the new chain could produce blocks. The initial start, however, is not yet a network that is stable. A competing block that became obsolete was notably observed around the activation height.
For a test chain, nothing extraordinary. There is still September to try again. The issue of replay attacks is more relevant for Bitcoin holders. eCash uses address formats close to those of BTC and replay protection does not yet seem to be enforced everywhere.
A transaction broadcast on one chain could therefore, under certain conditions, cause problems on the other if the coins have not been properly separated. Exchanges are already watching the situation. Coincheck indicated it might temporarily suspend BTC deposits and withdrawals around the fork if security requires it. Other platforms have not yet announced whether they will distribute ECX to their clients.
Bitcoin has just come out of another division episode. The fork linked to BIP-110 produced only two blocks during its first eight hours. eCash is trying another method. Alpha first. Beta next. The real fork at the end.
October 31 remains the real date to watch For BTC holders, nothing has changed yet. Bitcoins remain on Bitcoin. pECX produced today do not yet represent the permanent balance promised at Mainnet.
October 31 should change the situation. From the expected block, eCash wants to take over the state of Bitcoin addresses and credit holders with ECX. Users who keep their keys themselves will theoretically have the means to access coins present on both chains.
For BTC kept on an exchange, it will be different. The platform will control the keys and decide whether it supports the new asset. The project must also convince miners. A chain derived from Bitcoin with little computing power can operate, but it starts with far less security than the main network.
The community already knows the problem. The eCash project had already sparked criticism since its presentation, notably about its technical and economic choices. The Alpha launch does not settle this debate. It simply shows that the rehearsal has begun. September will bring the second. On October 31, eCash will have to play for real.
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Evans S.
Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.
US crypto-related stocks show mixed performance in pre-market trading, with PURR rising over 3%.
According to market data from BIT (bit.com), U.S. pre-market crypto-related stocks were mixed, with: CRCL down 1.59%, MSTR down 0.36%, MARA down 1.15%, COIN down 1.37%, RIOT down 0.66%, BMNR up 0.51%, and PURR up 3.12%.
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Bitcoin has posted its largest dollar-denominated weekly gain on record, adding $14,264 to close at $77,387 as Strive CEO Matt Cole predicts the next Bitcoin cycle could be its strongest yet.
Summary
Bitcoin gained a record $14,264 last week to close at $77,387, up 22.7%. Strive CEO Matt Cole expects the next Bitcoin cycle to be the strongest yet as BTC breaks out against both the dollar and gold. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.92 billion in weekly net inflows, their highest since October 2025. Cole expects dollar weakness and rising demand for scarce assets to support Bitcoin over the next 12 to 18 months. Bitcoin has gained roughly 22.7% over seven days, according to crypto.news price data, with the rally accelerating after the U.S. Treasury Department expanded its government bond buyback program and spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded their strongest weekly inflows since October 2025.
Cole, chairman and CEO of Bitcoin treasury company Strive, said Bitcoin’s recent performance against both the U.S. dollar and gold has strengthened his view that the cryptocurrency is entering a new cycle backed by macro conditions it has not experienced before.
Bitcoin priced in gold is reinforcing my view that the next Bitcoin cycle will be the strongest we have ever seen. The dollar thesis I wrote about below and the growing hunt for scarcity in an AI-driven world of abundance both point toward a powerful structural tailwind for… https://t.co/ZbGsWawGCw pic.twitter.com/4Y5WZhpANP
— Matt Cole (@ColeMacro) August 24, 2026 “Bitcoin priced in gold is reinforcing my view that the next Bitcoin cycle will be the strongest we have ever seen,” Cole wrote in an X post.
His forecast follows a sharp change in market sentiment. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index climbed to 78, putting it close to the “extreme greed” category and at its highest level since December 2024.
Bitcoin ETF inflows add to renewed demand Institutional demand returned alongside the price recovery, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recording $1.92 billion in total net inflows during the trading week ended Aug. 21, according to SoSoValue data.
The weekly total was the highest since October 2025, when Bitcoin was still trading around the peak of its previous bull cycle.
Bitcoin’s latest move began after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Aug. 19 that the Treasury would increase the maximum size of its liquidity-support bond buybacks for longer-dated securities from $2 billion to at least $4 billion per operation.
The expanded program, covering parts of the 10-to-30-year maturity range, is scheduled to begin in September. Long-term Treasury yields initially fell following the announcement, while the dollar weakened and Bitcoin, gold and equities moved higher.
For Cole, dollar weakness forms one part of his longer-term Bitcoin forecast. He expects the U.S. dollar to enter a sustained period of weakness and argues that Bitcoin has never operated through such a macro environment.
A second factor comes from what he described as a “growing hunt for scarcity in an AI-driven world of abundance.”
As artificial intelligence makes intelligence, software and other capabilities cheaper and easier to reproduce, Cole expects investors to place a higher premium on assets whose supply cannot be easily expanded. He placed Bitcoin alongside gold and silver within that category.
“Capital will increasingly place a premium on forms of scarcity that cannot be manufactured away,” Cole said.
Bitcoin-gold breakout strengthens Cole’s cycle call Bitcoin’s performance against gold forms another part of Cole’s argument. The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has risen to 16.73 ounces of gold per Bitcoin, its highest level since May, according to Longtermtrends data cited by The Block.
Cole said the ratio has previously provided an earlier signal of changes in Bitcoin’s market cycle than its dollar price.
Bitcoin peaked against gold in December 2024, almost a year before its dollar-denominated peak in October 2025, according to his analysis. While BTC continued setting new highs against the dollar during that period, its relative performance against gold had already weakened.
A similar sequence occurred around the latest lows. Cole said Bitcoin bottomed against gold in February 2026, about five months before BTC reached its dollar-denominated bottom in July.
“What makes this week particularly interesting is that Bitcoin has now broken out against both the dollar and gold. The breakout has been explosive,” he said.
Cole expects relative performance to play an important role in deciding where new capital enters the scarcity trade. If Bitcoin continues outperforming gold while investment into scarce assets increases, he believes BTC could take a larger portion of those flows.
“When Bitcoin is the fastest horse, it will attract a disproportionate share of that capital,” he added.
Bitcoin’s store-of-value role has also remained part of institutional research despite weaker conditions earlier this year. In June, Bernstein said Bitcoin had attracted roughly $12 billion in combined ETF and corporate treasury inflows during 2026, even as spot ETF investors had withdrawn a net $2.6 billion at the time.
Bernstein attributed much of that demand to corporate treasury buyers and said institutional ownership continued to support Bitcoin’s long-term store-of-value case.
Strive has kept adding Bitcoin during the downturn Cole’s bullish forecast comes after Strive continued accumulating Bitcoin while prices were under pressure earlier this year.
As crypto.news previously reported in June, Strive purchased 2,500 BTC between May 23 and June 1 for approximately $185.2 million, paying an average of about $74,092 per coin.
The purchase lifted its holdings to 19,000 BTC at the time, while cash and cash equivalents increased to $137.3 million from $93.3 million. The company also reported no short-term or long-term debt.
Later that month, Strive added another 759 BTC for roughly $50 million, raising its holdings to 19,864 BTC. The coins were purchased between June 15 and June 21 at an average price of approximately $65,850, including fees and expenses.
Cole said in his latest post that Strive continued buying Bitcoin during the bear market, including purchases made almost every week during the months before the latest breakout.
The company has structured its balance sheet around what it calls Bitcoin amplification, seeking to increase Bitcoin exposure per share while avoiding debt, margin requirements and financing arrangements that could trigger forced liquidations.
Earlier in June, Strive expanded its fundraising plans by $4.2 billion through proposed increases to its ASST and SATA at-the-market programs, with $2.1 billion allocated to each program for additional capital capacity.
Cole said the company considers being too conservative a potential risk if Bitcoin performs as expected, arguing that waiting for future business cash flows to purchase BTC could result in acquiring fewer coins at higher prices.
Cole expects dips to attract aggressive buying Despite his longer-term forecast, Cole acknowledged that Bitcoin could retrace after its rapid weekly advance.
“A meaningful retracement from here would not surprise me, but it may not happen at all,” he said.
If a pullback develops, Cole expects buyers to enter aggressively and said his conviction that Bitcoin’s bear market has ended remains “very strong.”
His outlook covers the next 12 to 18 months while extending the underlying scarcity thesis over several years. Cole expects a weaker dollar, continued monetary debasement and demand for assets with fixed or difficult-to-expand supplies to direct more capital toward scarce monetary assets.
Strive’s CEO said Bitcoin’s combination of absolute scarcity, global liquidity, portability and around-the-clock settlement gives it characteristics that differ from gold, which has thousands of years of monetary history.
“That setup has me more bullish on Bitcoin today than I have ever been,” Cole said.
The Treasury just doubled its bond buyback program while national debt crossed $40 trillion. Bitcoin responded with its best week since March 2024, gaining 27% as institutional money poured into spot ETFs at a record pace.
Summary
Bitcoin surged from $62,679 to $79,500 between Aug. 17 and Aug. 21, a 27% gain that coincided with U.S. national debt crossing $40 trillion for the first time. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent doubled the maximum per-operation buyback size from $2 billion to $4 billion for 10-to-30-year securities, effective Sept. 9, and hinted the ceiling could rise further. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) pulled in $606 million in a single session on Aug. 20, capturing 82% of all spot Bitcoin ETF inflows that day. Short liquidations across crypto derivatives exchanges totaled $3 billion in 24 hours, affecting more than 170,000 traders in the largest squeeze since November 2021. Ray Dalio warned that a U.S. debt crisis could arrive “in three years, give or take two” and recommended investors hold gold and “a bit” of bitcoin as hedges against fiscal deterioration. On the morning of Aug. 19, 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would at least double the size of its long-end liquidity support buyback operations. Within 12 hours, bitcoin had gained 8.2%, blowing through its 200-day moving average for the first time in nine months. By Friday, it was knocking on $80,000.
The surface narrative is simple: falling yields make non-yielding assets more attractive. But the rally that followed was not just a rate-trade reaction. It was a statement about what investors now believe the United States government will do when its borrowing costs become unmanageable. And the answer, delivered by the Treasury itself, was: print more liquidity.
That interpretation turned bitcoin from a speculative risk asset into a fiscal-fear trade, a bet that the world’s reserve currency issuer has entered a debt spiral it cannot exit through austerity alone. The mechanism connecting Treasury buybacks to bitcoin’s price is more direct than most investors realize.
What the Treasury actually did On Aug. 19, the Treasury Department raised the maximum per-operation size for its liquidity support buybacks from $2 billion to at least $4 billion. The change applied to securities in the 10-to-20-year and 20-to-30-year maturity sectors. The number of long-end operations also increased from two to four per quarter, with the new schedule taking effect on Sept. 9.
Bessent told CNBC on Aug. 20 that “there is every indication that the buybacks could exceed” the $4 billion ceiling. The phrasing was deliberate. The Treasury secretary was signaling that bond market intervention would scale as needed, with no preset upper bound.
This is not quantitative easing in the formal sense. The Treasury is not creating new reserves or expanding its balance sheet the way the Federal Reserve did between 2020 and 2022. Instead, it is buying back older, less liquid bonds and replacing them with newly issued debt. The mechanical effect, however, is similar: long-term yields fall, the dollar weakens, and risk assets rally.
The 30-year Treasury yield dropped 9 basis points in the hours following the announcement. The dollar index fell to its lowest level since June. Gold climbed 2.1%. Bitcoin did all of that and more.
The $40 trillion backdrop The timing of the buyback expansion was not coincidental. U.S. national debt crossed $40,047,425,768,420.22 on Aug. 18, 2026, one day before the announcement. That milestone arrived just five months after the debt passed $39 trillion in March, making it the fastest trillion-dollar increase in the country’s history.
The numbers paint a picture of structural deterioration. The federal government is spending roughly 40% more than it collects in revenue, with annual income near $5.5 trillion and expenses near $7.5 trillion. Interest payments on the debt have surpassed Medicare to become the second-largest line item in the federal budget, trailing only Social Security.
Total debt has more than doubled from the approximately $19.95 trillion outstanding when President Trump first took office in January 2017. The Congressional Budget Office projects annual deficits exceeding $2 trillion through at least 2034, assuming no recession intervenes. Each trillion now arrives faster than the last, a compounding dynamic that bond markets have begun to price with increasing urgency.
The day the debt clock ticked past $40 trillion, the Treasury held its regularly scheduled 20-year bond auction. Demand was tepid. The bid-to-cover ratio fell to its lowest level since February, forcing a higher yield to clear the sale. One day later, the buyback announcement arrived. The sequence was not subtle: the government struggled to sell new debt on Monday, then announced it would buy back old debt on Tuesday. The market drew its own conclusions.
For bitcoin holders, this arithmetic is the thesis. A government that cannot balance its books and cannot politically tolerate the austerity required to do so will eventually monetize its obligations. Whether that monetization arrives through formal quantitative easing, yield-curve control, or the quiet expansion of buyback programs does not change the destination. It only changes the pace.
How buybacks became a bitcoin catalyst The transmission mechanism from Treasury buybacks to bitcoin runs through three channels.
First, when the Treasury buys back older bonds, it compresses long-term yields. Lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold and bitcoin. Before the buyback announcement, the 30-year Treasury was offering 5.12%. After it, 5.03%. That 9-basis-point move may sound trivial, but in a market where trillions of dollars in capital allocation are benchmarked against the risk-free rate, it shifts the entire cost-of-capital equation.
Second, the buyback program injects liquidity into the bond market. Dealers who sell older bonds to the Treasury receive cash, which they redeploy into other assets. Some of that cash flows into equities. Some flows into crypto. The pathway is indirect but measurable: on the same day as the buyback announcement, spot bitcoin ETFs absorbed $517 million in net inflows, their strongest daily result since May.
Third, and most importantly, the buyback expansion signals a policy preference. The Treasury is telling the market that it will intervene to prevent long-term yields from rising to levels that threaten fiscal sustainability. That signal, more than any single operation, is what reprices bitcoin. It tells investors that the government will choose inflation over austerity when forced to pick.
The ETF plumbing underneath the rally The week of Aug. 17 to 21 produced one of the most concentrated bursts of institutional bitcoin buying since spot ETFs launched in January 2024.
On Aug. 20 alone, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $606 million in net inflows. BlackRock’s IBIT captured $497 million of that total, an 82% market share that underscores its dominance as the vehicle of choice for institutional allocation. IBIT’s cumulative net inflows reached $62.43 billion, and total spot bitcoin ETF assets climbed above $90 billion.
The four-day stretch from Monday through Thursday saw approximately $1.9 billion flow into spot bitcoin funds. Eight of 12 listed products attracted positive flows, suggesting the buying was broad-based rather than concentrated in a single fund.
21Shares senior strategist Matt Mena argued that expectations of a weaker dollar helped drive institutional capital toward scarce assets. The framing is significant. When an ETF strategist at a major issuer describes bitcoin as a “scarce asset” in the same sentence as dollar depreciation, the narrative has shifted from speculation to macro allocation.
Tudor Investment disclosed an additional 109,446 shares of IBIT during the same period. UBS raised its IBIT position to $90 million. These are not retail traders chasing momentum. They are multi-billion-dollar allocators repositioning around a fiscal thesis.
The composition of the buying matters as much as its volume. When ETF inflows are dominated by a single product and concentrated in a two-day window, the pattern often reflects a macro catalyst triggering allocation model changes at large institutions. A retail-driven rally tends to spread across smaller funds and arrive over weeks, not hours. The Aug. 19-20 pattern looked institutional from the first print.
Sizing the buyback against bitcoin’s market Here is arithmetic that most coverage of the rally has overlooked.
The Treasury plans to execute at least four long-end buyback operations per quarter at $4 billion each, for a minimum quarterly volume of $16 billion. Annualized, that is $64 billion in long-end bond purchases.
Bitcoin’s total market capitalization at $78,000 is approximately $1.55 trillion. The $64 billion in annual buyback volume represents 4.1% of bitcoin’s entire market cap. That does not mean 4.1% of buyback proceeds flow into bitcoin. But it does mean the liquidity injection from this single program is large enough to move bitcoin’s price if even a small fraction of the freed-up capital rotates into crypto.
Compare that to spot bitcoin ETF inflows. In the 12 months through July 2026, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs absorbed approximately $28 billion in net inflows. The Treasury’s buyback program is injecting 2.3 times that amount into the broader financial system every year. If just 5% of buyback-related liquidity ultimately reaches bitcoin markets, through ETFs, futures, or direct spot purchases, that would equal $3.2 billion per year in incremental demand, roughly equivalent to a full month of average ETF inflows.
This is a back-of-the-envelope calculation, not a precise forecast. But it illustrates why the market’s reaction was so violent. The buyback program is not a one-time event. It is a recurring liquidity injection that compounds over time, and its scale is large relative to bitcoin’s absorptive capacity.
Consider the comparison from the other direction. Bitcoin’s daily spot volume averaged roughly $35 billion during the rally week. The Treasury’s $4 billion per operation is 11.4% of a single day’s trading volume. Spread across a quarter with four operations, that is $16 billion in fresh liquidity entering a system where marginal price is set by a much thinner order book than headline volume suggests. The effective float, the coins actually available for sale at any given price, is a fraction of total supply. Most bitcoin sits in long-term holder wallets and does not move.
The Dalio endorsement and what it signals On Friday, Aug. 21, Ray Dalio published a LinkedIn post that amounted to the most explicit bitcoin endorsement of his career. The Bridgewater Associates founder warned that the U.S. government’s financial condition had reached “an inflection point” and recommended investors reduce bond exposure while holding 10% to 15% of their portfolios in gold and “a bit” of bitcoin.
Dalio’s framing was specific. He linked the Treasury’s buyback expansion directly to the broader debt trajectory, arguing that Bessent’s move was “a sign that a debt crisis is getting closer.” If the U.S. government were a business, Dalio noted, its debt service payments would total approximately $11 trillion, roughly 200% of annual revenue.
JUST IN: Coldcard wallets affected by security issue with reported losses
Roughly 594 $BTC valued at $38 million has been stolen from certain dormant single sig wallets pic.twitter.com/f3fk7kYXzM
— crypto.news (@cryptodotnews) August 1, 2026 The significance is not that Dalio likes bitcoin. It is that the most prominent macro investor of the past four decades now treats bitcoin and gold as complements in the same hedge. When Dalio says sell bonds and buy scarce assets, the audience is not retail. It is sovereign wealth funds, pension allocators, and family offices managing multi-generational capital.
The bitcoin-gold correlation rose to approximately +0.7 during the rally week, a level described by analysts as a return to “digital-gold-era” pricing. Both assets rose together because both were responding to the same signal: the United States government will choose monetary expansion over fiscal discipline.
The White House factor The Treasury buyback was not the only policy catalyst that week. On Aug. 19, the same day as the buyback announcement, President Trump convened a White House meeting with crypto executives and regulators to discuss the CLARITY Act, the most ambitious attempt at comprehensive crypto legislation in U.S. history.
The meeting produced no binding commitments, but it sent a signal that the administration views crypto as a policy priority. Bitcoin jumped more than 5% to trade above $68,600 within hours of the meeting’s conclusion. By Thursday, BTC had cleared $72,000 for the first time since early June.
The SEC added its own accelerant. On Aug. 18, the commission published its Regulation Crypto Assets notice of proposed rulemaking, offering the first formal framework for token offerings under existing securities law. The CFTC opened its inaugural Innovation Advisory Committee session on Aug. 20. Three regulatory bodies, all moving in the same direction during the same week, created a policy convergence that the market had not seen before.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture on the CLARITY Act before the August recess, setting up a procedural vote for Sept. 15. If the bill clears that hurdle, it would create the first statutory line between digital commodities overseen by the CFTC and investment contract assets under the SEC. Bitcoin, along with ether, XRP, SOL, and DOGE, would be permanently classified as non-securities under the bill’s ETP grandfather clause.
The opposing case: why this rally could reverse Not everyone agrees that bitcoin has become a fiscal hedge. Several structural risks could undermine the thesis.
The CLARITY Act faces long odds despite the White House push. Polymarket traders give the bill only a 16% chance of becoming law in 2026, down from an 82% peak in February. The core sticking point is an ethics provision targeting presidential crypto income. If the September 15 cloture vote fails, analysts have warned of a 15% to 30% market correction as the industry faces another year of regulation by enforcement.
The rally itself was heavily amplified by leverage. More than $3 billion in short positions were liquidated across crypto derivatives exchanges, affecting 170,237 traders. Binance alone processed over $1 billion in liquidations. When that much of a move is driven by forced buying from liquidated shorts rather than organic demand, the price can reverse just as violently.
Bitcoin also remains 37% below its all-time high of $126,198 set on Oct. 6, 2025. The rally brought BTC back to levels last seen in May, but it has not yet proven it can sustain prices above $75,000 during a period of thinner weekend liquidity.
There is also the question of bitcoin’s own supply dynamics. The 2024 halving reduced block rewards to 3.125 BTC, tightening new issuance. But Strategy, the largest corporate bitcoin holder, has been a net seller in recent months. If large holders use the rally as an exit opportunity, supply could overwhelm the ETF bid.
Finally, the fiscal-hedge narrative requires bitcoin to behave differently than it has during prior stress events. In the first half of 2026, gold outperformed bitcoin by a wide margin, gaining roughly 32% while bitcoin fell nearly 46% from its August 2025 levels. Central banks continued to accumulate gold, not bitcoin, as their reserve hedge of choice. No central bank has added bitcoin to its official reserves. The correlation may be rising, but the track record is still mixed.
The week’s real lesson The most revealing aspect of this week was not bitcoin’s price. It was the market’s interpretation of why it moved.
In 2020, bitcoin rallied on stimulus checks and retail euphoria. In 2024, it rallied on ETF approval and halving-cycle anticipation. In August 2026, it rallied because the U.S. Treasury signaled it would absorb long-duration bond risk to keep yields from spiraling, and the market read that as a confession that the fiscal trajectory is unsustainable.
That is a different kind of rally. It suggests that bitcoin is beginning to price not as a technology bet or a speculative vehicle but as an instrument of fiscal dissent, a way for capital to express the view that sovereign debt is no longer risk-free.
Whether that view proves correct depends on variables that no one can forecast with precision: the path of interest rates, the outcome of the CLARITY Act vote, the willingness of Congress to address structural deficits, and the Federal Reserve’s response at Jackson Hole and beyond. But the fact that $1.9 billion in ETF inflows arrived in four days tells you something about where institutional conviction is landing.
The bitcoin price prediction models that project a base-case target of $75,929 by year-end now look conservative. If the buyback program expands further, if the CLARITY Act clears its September vote, and if the Fed signals rate cuts at Jackson Hole, the conditions for a sustained rally above $80,000 are in place.
The conditions for a reversal are also in place. That tension is what makes this a trade, not a certainty.
What to watch Sept. 9 buyback launch: The expanded Treasury buyback schedule takes effect. Watch whether the Treasury increases operation sizes beyond $4 billion, which would confirm Bessent’s hint and likely push yields lower.
Sept. 15 CLARITY Act cloture vote: A successful vote would remove the largest regulatory overhang on crypto markets. A failure would likely trigger the 15% to 30% correction analysts have warned about.
Jackson Hole commentary: The Federal Reserve’s annual symposium in late August will signal whether rate cuts are on the table for Q4. A dovish tilt would reinforce the fiscal-fear trade.
Weekly ETF flow data: Sustained inflows above $500 million per day would indicate the institutional bid is structural, not reactive. A sharp reversal in flows would suggest the rally was leverage-driven and vulnerable.
30-year Treasury yield: If yields fall below 4.90%, the opportunity cost of holding bitcoin drops further and the fiscal-hedge narrative strengthens. If yields climb back above 5.20%, the buyback program is failing to contain the bond market and risk assets face pressure.
Why is bitcoin rallying in August 2026? Bitcoin gained 27% between Aug. 17 and Aug. 21 after the U.S. Treasury doubled its long-term bond buyback program from $2 billion to $4 billion per operation. The move compressed yields, weakened the dollar, and triggered $3 billion in short liquidations across crypto derivatives exchanges. Spot bitcoin ETFs absorbed $1.9 billion in four days.
What is the Treasury buyback program? The Treasury’s liquidity support buyback program involves purchasing older, less liquid government bonds and replacing them with newly issued debt. On Aug. 19, 2026, the Treasury doubled the maximum per-operation size to $4 billion for 10-to-30-year securities and increased the number of quarterly operations from two to four.
How much money flowed into bitcoin ETFs during the rally? U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded approximately $1.9 billion in net inflows from Aug. 18 through Aug. 21. BlackRock’s IBIT captured the largest share, pulling in $606 million on Aug. 20 alone, an 82% market share. IBIT’s cumulative net inflows reached $62.43 billion.
What did Ray Dalio say about bitcoin and the debt crisis? On Aug. 21, 2026, Ray Dalio warned that a U.S. debt crisis could arrive “in three years, give or take two.” He recommended investors hold 10% to 15% of their portfolios in gold and “a bit” of bitcoin, calling the government’s financial condition “at an inflection point.”
How large is the U.S. national debt? U.S. national debt crossed $40 trillion on Aug. 18, 2026, just five months after passing $39 trillion. Interest payments have surpassed Medicare as the second-largest federal budget item. The government spends approximately 40% more than it collects in revenue.
Is bitcoin a better hedge than gold? Bitcoin and gold rose together during the August rally, with their correlation reaching approximately +0.7. However, gold has outperformed bitcoin over the trailing 12 months by a significant margin, and central banks continue to favor gold for reserve allocations. The two assets serve complementary roles in a fiscal-hedge portfolio.
What is the CLARITY Act and why does it matter for bitcoin? The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act would create the first comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto in the United States, dividing oversight between the SEC and CFTC. A cloture vote is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2026. Passage would remove a major regulatory overhang; failure could trigger a 15% to 30% market correction.
How many traders were liquidated during the bitcoin rally? More than 170,000 traders were liquidated across crypto derivatives exchanges during the Aug. 19-20 rally, with total liquidations exceeding $3 billion. Short-position holders accounted for $2.74 billion in losses. Binance led with over $1 billion in liquidations, followed by Hyperliquid at $701 million. This is educational analysis, not investment advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions. Published Aug. 23, 2026.
UK tax authorities are nearly tripling warnings sent to cryptocurrency investors suspected of owing unpaid capital gains tax.
The tax office says it issued 81,172 letters, emails and text messages in the 2025-26 financial year, reports the BBC.
That figure almost tripled the 27,714 warnings sent in 2023 through 2024.
Warnings target profits from selling crypto or swapping one cryptocurrency for another, with investors risking fines or prosecution for failing to declare such gains.
The surge follows sharp rises in crypto values in the bull run from December 2022 to October 2025, which witnessed BTC climb from around $16,500 to a peak of roughly $126,000.
Bitcoin usage in El Zonte, El Salvador, known as a hub for Bitcoin adoption, has reportedly declined significantly, according to a social media post. The report suggests that Bitcoin payments have become rare in the area, with most transactions now being conducted via card. Merchants in El Zonte are reportedly describing Bitcoin as “dead,” reflecting a shift away from the cryptocurrency despite its legal tender status in the country since 2021. This trend appears consistent with recent legal changes allowing merchants to opt out of Bitcoin acceptance, which aligns with the nation’s 2025 agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Key Takeaways Recent reports from El Zonte suggest a marked decline in Bitcoin transactions, with card payments becoming more prevalent. The shift away from Bitcoin usage in a key adoption area may indicate limited real-world application, despite its legal tender status. Market pricing suggests this development could contribute to a less favorable outlook for Bitcoin reaching high price targets. What to Watch Market participants are likely to monitor how this trend affects the broader perception of Bitcoin’s utility in other regions. Attention will also be on how further regulatory developments in El Salvador and internationally might influence Bitcoin’s adoption and price movements. Observers may watch for any significant policy changes from the Salvadoran government or announcements from major financial institutions that could sway market sentiment.
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Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31 1.9% — — View market → December 31 2% — — View market → December 31 3.2% — — View market → December 31 4% — — View market → December 31 8.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 24.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 9.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.3% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 14.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 21.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 6.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.8% — — View market → January 1 2027 12.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 6.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.2% — — View market → January 1 2027 0.8% — — View market → January 1 2027 35% — — View market → January 1 2027 67.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 87.5% — — View market →
TLDR Bitcoin starts the week near $77,000 after gaining about 23% over the previous seven days. U.S. PCE inflation and Q2 GDP data arrive Wednesday, giving markets fresh signals on inflation and economic growth. Nvidia reports fiscal Q2 earnings on August 26, with investors watching its data-center outlook and broader risk-market reaction. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaks at Jackson Hole on Friday, with traders focused on inflation, interest rates and the September policy outlook. Crypto-specific events add to the packed calendar, including BNB Chain’s Pasteur hard fork, BitMart withdrawal deadlines and Bitcoin Asia 2026. Bitcoin starts the August 24–30 crypto week ahead near $77,000 after gaining about 23% over seven days. Treasury buybacks, ETF demand, regulatory optimism and short covering supported the rebound. Attention now shifts to inflation data, Nvidia earnings, Jackson Hole and crypto events that could shape trading before September.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will release July personal income and spending data on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET. The report includes the PCE index, an inflation measure watched by the Federal Reserve. The second estimate of second-quarter GDP arrives at the same time.
Nvidia will report fiscal second-quarter results after Wednesday’s market close. The company previously guided for about $91 billion in revenue. Its earnings call starts at 5:00 p.m. ET. Traders will watch data-center demand because technology shares and crypto have responded to shifts in risk appetite.
Jackson Hole Puts Fed Policy in Focus The Kansas City Fed will hold its Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium from August 27 to 29. This year’s theme covers financial innovation, payments and policy. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will deliver keynote remarks on Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Markets will watch his comments on inflation, interest rates and the policy outlook before the next FOMC meeting. Bitcoin’s recent rally followed improving liquidity expectations. Any change in rate expectations could therefore directly affect the dollar, Treasury yields and demand for risk assets.
BNB Chain and BitMart Deadlines Arrive BNB Chain will activate the Pasteur hard fork on BNB Smart Chain at 02:30 UTC on August 25. Mainnet node operators must upgrade to client version v1.7.7. The changes strengthen bridge checks, improve validator key handling, and increase transaction capacity.
BitMart will stop trading services at 01:00 UTC on August 26. The exchange recommends users submit withdrawal requests before 05:00 UTC that day. BitMart has discussed a possible restructuring, but its published wind-down schedule remains in place.
Bitcoin Asia Adds Another Market Event Bitcoin Asia 2026 runs August 27–28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event includes sessions on Bitcoin businesses, mining, policy and corporate adoption.
LayerZero is reducing support for several low-activity chains. LayerZero advises users on affected routes to move or redeem supported assets before service ends. Token unlocks scheduled during the week may add asset-specific volatility.
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.
TLDR The “Rich Dad Poor Dad” author issued a fresh recommendation to accumulate Bitcoin, precious metals, and select property Kiyosaki characterized the Treasury’s enhanced bond repurchase initiative as money creation and “fake dollars” Treasury representatives clarify the initiative serves liquidity purposes and differs fundamentally from Federal Reserve QE operations Bitcoin hovered around $76,000 following a substantial 20% weekly surge fueled by exchange-traded fund capital and forced position closures American spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds attracted approximately $1.92 billion in aggregate inflows over a five-day period The prominent financial educator Robert Kiyosaki has issued another recommendation for Bitcoin accumulation. On August 22, the author of the bestselling personal finance book posted on X, encouraging his audience to safeguard their financial positions through strategic purchases of Bitcoin, gold, silver, and carefully chosen real estate investments.
PRINTING MORE FAKE $
US Treasury announces another round of QE (Quantatative Easing) aka printing fake $.
DXY (index of purchasing power of dollars) CRASHES, which means INFLATION Booms….which means savers of fake $ are the biggest losers.
Don’t be a Loser.
As stated in my…
— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) August 22, 2026
His reasoning centered on the behavior of sophisticated investors who shift capital toward limited-supply assets while those holding fiat currency experience erosion of buying power through inflationary pressures.
Additionally, Kiyosaki asserted that the United States Treasury Department was engaged in creating “fake dollars” through the expansion of its bond repurchase program. His assessment framed the development as another iteration of quantitative easing policy.
The Reality of the Treasury’s Policy Shift This interpretation doesn’t align with official facts. The Treasury Department disclosed on August 19 that it would increase the ceiling for its longer-maturity bond repurchase operations from $2 billion to a minimum of $4 billion per transaction, effective September 9.
Treasury officials framed this adjustment as a mechanism to enhance market liquidity for securities spanning 10 to 30 years in maturity, explicitly stating it was not monetary expansion. The Federal Reserve holds exclusive authority to implement quantitative easing, which involves growing the money supply through asset acquisitions.
Bond buyback programs from the Treasury constitute debt management strategy. These operations swap existing obligations through standard government financing channels without increasing the overall monetary base.
Kiyosaki’s framing of this initiative as manufacturing “fake dollars” reflects ideological positioning rather than an accurate technical interpretation of the policy announcement.
This Week’s Bitcoin Price Movement Bitcoin experienced significant appreciation during this timeframe. The cryptocurrency advanced over 20% throughout the week, approaching $79,500 before retreating to approximately $76,000 by August 23.
Multiple catalysts powered this upward movement: declining yields on long-duration Treasury securities, depreciation of the U.S. dollar, and cascading liquidations of bearish positions. American spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds subsequently amplified the momentum.
These investment vehicles accumulated nearly $1.92 billion in net positive flows across five trading sessions, demonstrating genuine buying interest beyond the mechanics of short covering.
While the timing coincides with the Treasury’s announcement and bond market dynamics, it doesn’t necessarily validate Kiyosaki’s comprehensive inflation thesis.
Examining Kiyosaki’s Forecasting History His Bitcoin price projections have consistently proven inaccurate. During June 2024, he forecast Bitcoin would reach $350,000 by August of the same year. That prediction failed to materialize. Subsequently, he has suggested price objectives of $500,000 and $1 million without supplying supporting analytical frameworks.
Notably, Kiyosaki has liquidated Bitcoin holdings while maintaining public optimism. In November 2025, he divested $2.25 million worth at approximately $90,000 per unit, redirecting the capital toward medical facility investments and outdoor advertising ventures.
He has cautioned investors against purchasing Bitcoin purely based on market enthusiasm, which provides context to his current acquisition recommendation.
Bitcoin’s upcoming challenge involves determining whether sustained institutional demand through ETF channels can maintain current valuations after short-squeeze dynamics subside. The Treasury’s revised buyback parameters become operational on September 9.
A carbon quota rising on one side and machines turning off in Europe and turning on in Russia on the other… Three Vietnamese researchers have just put numbers on a phenomenon we already suspected. The European carbon tax would have an unexpected side effect on the geography of Bitcoin mining.
In Brief The price of carbon in the EU is linked to carbon emissions in Russia, a signal of Bitcoin mining migration. Companies reportedly turn off their European machines to turn on their Russian machines based on the current cost. Russia will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum futures in September as part of its new digital currency law. A study documenting the carbon leakage for Bitcoin Mining The three Vietnamese researchers Pham Ngoc Toan, Le Tran Trung Hieu, and Nguyen Vu Trung Nguyen examined daily emissions from the electric sector between 2019 and 2025. The European Union, Russia, and the rest of the world were scrutinized. The purpose is to combine these data with Bitcoin closing prices, to verify if the carbon price in Europe really influences the location of mining. A statistical correlation emerges between the price of European carbon allowances and carbon emissions in Russia. In other words, when paying to pollute becomes more expensive in Europe, Bitcoin mining migrates eastward at the hours when doing so becomes most profitable.
This correlation does not appear when comparing the EU to the rest of the world, because Russia stands out. Companies owning Bitcoin mining equipment on both sides reportedly turn off their European machines to turn on their Russian machines depending on the cost of energy and carbon. For now, Russia has no carbon pricing structure. Mining there is therefore structurally cheaper, without a single server needing to be physically moved. So can a climate policy, unintentionally, shift pollution rather than reduce it?
Russia Become a Crypto Financial Center? Russia is not content with hosting low-carbon-cost Bitcoin mining because in parallel, it is building a genuine financial infrastructure around crypto. The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) plans to launch as early as September 2026 its first perpetual futures contracts on Bitcoin and Ethereum:
Settled in rubles; Reserved for qualified investors; No fixed expiration date. The timing is no coincidence because this launch coincides with the entry into force, on September 1, of a new Russian law regulating digital currency. Moscow does not legalize the free purchase of Bitcoin for its citizens… far from it. Instead, it builds a framework where exposure to crypto circulates only through financial channels strictly supervised by the State. MOEX even plans to extend its offer to ten digital assets futures.
Russia quietly attracts part of the Bitcoin (BTC) mining that Europe makes too costly, while patiently building financial tools to turn this energy raw material into a domestic investment product. This, under the full control of its regulators. Except that since 2025, Russia itself has started banning mining in some regions. The door that the European carbon price seems to slightly open might well close.
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Eddy S.
The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.
Cryptocurrency holders anticipated 22% yearly gains compared to non-holders’ 7% projection in 2021 research Displaying Bitcoin’s trailing 12-month performance increased desired cryptocurrency holdings by approximately 2 percentage points Real cryptocurrency acquisitions climbed about 2.5 percentage points when participants received Bitcoin performance information Return expectations proved more predictive of crypto ownership than demographic factors including age, earnings, or sex Bitcoin appreciation may drive household expenditures on durable items such as electronics and home appliances Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland demonstrates that exposing individuals to historical Bitcoin performance data can significantly alter their cryptocurrency investment preferences and purchasing behavior.
JUST IN: Fed study finds crypto investors swayed by returns, with beliefs diverging on risk; mention of Bitcoin’s past gains can lift both desired allocations and actual purchases. $BTC pic.twitter.com/CgQqKGMzPF
— Bpay News (@bpaynews) August 23, 2026
Released on July 14, 2026, the research was conducted by Michael Weber, Bernardo Candia, Olivier Coibion, and Yuriy Gorodnichenko. The analysis examined repeated survey responses from as many as 25,000 American households during each survey cycle.
A randomized trial was conducted during the second quarter of 2025. Survey participants received information regarding Bitcoin, the S&P 500 index, GameStop stock, or inflation projections.
Participants who viewed Bitcoin’s prior 12-month gain of 14.3% raised their preferred cryptocurrency allocation by approximately 2 percentage points. This represented a 47% increase relative to the control group’s baseline desired allocation of 4.3%.
Tangible purchasing activity confirmed the shift. Genuine cryptocurrency acquisitions increased by roughly 2.5 percentage points among households exposed to Bitcoin performance metrics.
Prior to the trial, approximately 11% of survey respondents owned cryptocurrency. The study authors determined the information treatment elevated the probability of cryptocurrency purchase by roughly 23%.
The effect was most pronounced among individuals who cited insufficient information as their reason for avoiding crypto. Those who already held negative views about cryptocurrency as an investment demonstrated minimal behavioral changes.
Divergent Return Expectations Between Owners and Non-Owners The analysis revealed substantial disparities in expected returns between cryptocurrency holders and non-holders.
In 2021 survey data, cryptocurrency owners who provided projections anticipated average annual returns of 22%. Non-owners forecast merely 7%.
Both cohorts exhibited considerable uncertainty. Approximately 87% of non-holders reported they could not estimate expected returns. Among holders, 54% expressed similar uncertainty.
By 2025, expectations declined in both categories. Owners projected 13.8%, whereas non-owners anticipated 4.7%.
Expected returns emerged as a more powerful ownership predictor than demographic variables like age, income, gender, or total wealth. Every additional percentage point in expected returns correlated with a 0.8 percentage point rise in cryptocurrency ownership probability.
This distinguishes cryptocurrency from traditional stocks and bonds, where demographic characteristics typically explain ownership patterns more effectively than return expectations.
Price Appreciation and Potential Feedback Dynamics The study authors outlined a potential cycle whereby robust historical performance elevates future expectations, stimulates buying activity, and attracts additional investors.
“Positive returns attract new participants, which raises the price further,” the researchers noted. They characterized this as a theoretical bubble mechanism rather than a definitive forecast.
Cryptocurrency Appreciation and Consumer Spending Patterns The research also examined whether Bitcoin price increases influenced household consumption decisions.
A doubling of Bitcoin’s value increased the probability that a household with complete cryptocurrency exposure would purchase a durable good by approximately 1.4 percentage points. This translates to roughly a 7% rise in the likelihood of such acquisitions. The impact was most significant for purchases like computers and major appliances.
The study found minimal impact on routine expenditures. The authors proposed that cryptocurrency gains might be perceived similarly to windfall income rather than permanent wealth increases.
The research indicates that cryptocurrency volatility may result partially from investor disagreement and information updating processes, beyond purely fundamental market factors.
Key Highlights Bitcoin maintains trading levels near $77,100, registering a 20%+ weekly increase — the strongest performance in three and a half years Former President Trump urged Congress to advance the Clarity Act, fueling regulatory confidence in crypto markets U.S. Treasury expanded its debt repurchase program, potentially injecting additional liquidity into financial systems Secretary Bessent unveiled comprehensive Iran sanctions strategy, dubbed an “economic D-Day” initiative Market forecasters assign 68% probability to BTC hitting $85,000 before the end of 2026 Bitcoin continues to demonstrate resilience above the $77,000 threshold this Monday, supported by a combination of favorable regulatory developments, strategic Treasury decisions, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price The leading cryptocurrency advanced 1.3% to approximately $77,091 during early Monday trading sessions, following an impressive weekly performance that marked its strongest seven-day stretch in three and a half years — climbing beyond 20% throughout the period.
Part of the momentum stemmed from former President Donald Trump’s public appeal to legislators, urging them to advance the Clarity Act through Congress. This proposed legislation seeks to establish comprehensive regulatory guidelines for digital currencies within the United States, specifically addressing classification protocols for securities versus commodities designations.
The proposed legislation has faced Congressional gridlock exceeding twelve months. Key disagreements persist regarding stablecoin yield classifications and provisions that would prohibit government personnel from engaging in cryptocurrency transactions — an especially contentious element considering Trump’s documented profits from digital asset holdings.
The timeline for potential Clarity Act passage remains uncertain at this juncture.
Treasury Strategy Provides Additional Momentum The United States Treasury revealed plans to expand its repurchase operations for extended-maturity government securities. Market observers anticipate this maneuver will inject increased liquidity throughout financial ecosystems, typically creating favorable conditions for speculative assets including Bitcoin.
🇺🇸U.S. BOND MARKET IS HEADING INTO ANOTHER CRITICAL WEEK
Last Wednesday, Treasury yields dropped sharply after the government announced larger bond buybacks.
This week, three major events could determine where yields go next:
This strategy aligns with what market professionals reference as the “currency devaluation playbook” — a theory suggesting expanding government deficits erode dollar purchasing power, subsequently driving capital allocation toward alternative value preservation mechanisms such as digital currencies and precious metals. Gold advanced beyond $4,645 while the dollar index declined toward 98.80.
Iranian Sanctions Introduce Market Variables Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent unveiled plans for what he characterized as an “economic D-Day” targeting Iran, describing the initiative as “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary.” Official announcement of the comprehensive sanctions framework is scheduled for August 24.
The proposed measures may encompass secondary enforcement mechanisms affecting international financial institutions and commercial entities maintaining Iranian business relationships. Iranian leadership has issued counter-threats regarding potential disruption of petroleum transit through the Strait of Hormuz corridor. Crude oil valuations subsequently declined to approximately $85 per barrel.
Digital asset strategist Ted identified substantial accumulation activity within the $74,000–$75,000 price range and emphasized robust momentum indicators appearing on Bitcoin’s daily MACD technical charts.
BTC is trading beyond its upper Bollinger Band positioned near $76,905, accompanied by an RSI reading of 80.35 — surpassing the conventional 70 benchmark typically associated with overbought market conditions.
Aggregate Bitcoin futures open interest expanded 0.70% to reach $55.37 billion during the previous 24-hour period, according to CoinGlass tracking data.
Forecasting platform analytics currently indicate a 68% likelihood of Bitcoin achieving $85,000 valuation by December 31, 2026.
US crypto-related stocks show mixed performance in pre-market trading, with PURR rising over 3%.
According to market data from BIT (bit.com), U.S. pre-market crypto-related stocks were mixed, with: CRCL down 1.59%, MSTR down 0.36%, MARA down 1.15%, COIN down 1.37%, RIOT down 0.66%, BMNR up 0.51%, and PURR up 3.12%.
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He Yi Reminds: CZ Does Not Use WeChat, Beware of Scams
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Analysis: Bull-Bear Indicator Reaches Bullish Inflection Point, Signals of Market Recovery Strengthen
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Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Has Not Yet Received an Invitation to Join the Mecca Agreement
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Hong Kong-listed large language model concept stocks continue to decline, with Zhipu AI falling more than 11%.
According to Bitget market data, Hong Kong-listed large language model concept stocks have continued to slump. Zhipu fell over 11% intraday, while MINIMAX dropped more than 10%.
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Unitree Robotics has over 20 billion yuan wiped off its market cap in a single day.
C Yushu-W opened lower and trended downward today. By the close of trading, it was priced at 603.08 yuan, down over 10%, with a total market capitalization of 243.9 billion yuan. Calculated based on the previous trading day's closing price, Yushu Technology's market cap evaporated by more than 20 billion yuan intraday, and by over 200 billion yuan compared to its opening on the first day of listing.
Bitcoin began the last week of August trading around $77,000, showing a seven-day rise of 23%. This resurgence followed increased demand for US exchange-traded funds, supportive regulatory signals, and short covering on global exchanges. The market now looks to key economic indicators and industry events that could set the tone leading into September.
Inflation and Nvidia earnings highlight key risk eventsThe Bureau of Economic Analysis in the United States will publish July’s personal income, spending, and PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) index figures on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET. The PCE is the US Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation, and results will be released alongside the second estimate for Q2 GDP.
On the same day, Nvidia is scheduled to report fiscal second-quarter earnings after the market closes. The company, a leader in graphics processing technology and artificial intelligence chips, previously forecast roughly $91 billion in revenue for the quarter. Its earnings call will focus on data-center demand, given the relationship between technology stocks and broader investor risk appetite, which often influences cryptocurrency market sentiment.
Mini dictionary: PCE Index, a key measure of personal consumption expenditure inflation used by the Federal Reserve to guide monetary policy decisions.
PCE and GDP data on Wednesday, coupled with Nvidia’s earnings, are expected to provide critical market direction, especially as crypto and tech stocks often react to shifts in risk appetite and macroeconomic trends.
Jackson Hole symposium draws central bank attentionThe annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, starts August 27 and runs through August 29. This year, the focus will be on financial innovation, with special emphasis on payments and policy.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is set to deliver the keynote address on Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET. Investors and traders are expected to pay close attention to his remarks regarding inflation trends, the outlook for interest rates, and broader economic policy, particularly with the next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting approaching.
Bitcoin’s recent gains have tracked improvements in overall liquidity and investor sentiment. However, any shift in expectations about interest rate adjustments could impact demand for high-risk assets, affect Treasury yields, and influence the trajectory of the US dollar.
Network upgrades and exchange developmentsOn August 25 at 02:30 UTC, BNB Chain plans to implement the Pasteur hard fork on BNB Smart Chain. Node operators must update to the designated v1.7.7 client software. Network upgrades target enhanced bridge security, more robust validator key management, and improved transaction processing capability.
Mini dictionary: BNB Chain, a blockchain ecosystem backed by Binance, offers smart contract functionality and runs decentralized applications through its BNB Smart Chain network.
BitMart, a global cryptocurrency exchange, will halt trading at 01:00 UTC on August 26. The platform has advised customers to submit withdrawal requests before 05:00 UTC that same day. While BitMart leadership has mentioned potential restructuring, the published timeline for suspended operations remains in effect.
Platform/EventKey DateAction/UpdateBNB Chain Pasteur Hard ForkAugust 25, 02:30 UTCMainnet node upgrade to v1.7.7BitMart ExchangeAugust 26, 01:00 UTC (trading stops) / 05:00 UTC (withdrawal requests)Users advised to withdraw fundsBitcoin Asia 2026 and industry activityBitcoin Asia 2026 will be held August 27–28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will feature panels, presentations, and networking focused on Bitcoin-related business, mining, regulatory policies, and growing corporate adoption across Asia.
Interoperability protocol LayerZero has begun reducing support for several blockchains with limited activity. LayerZero has encouraged users to transfer or redeem assets on impacted networks before the service is discontinued. The coming week may also see token unlocks, potentially introducing additional asset-specific volatility.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
The National Bureau of Economic Research has just published a new paper that uses on-chain bitcoin transactions, wallet creation and off-exchange records around the time of World Bank aid disbursals to estimate how much aid money is embezzled in the recipient countries and laundered through bitcoin.
As Sumit Agarwal, Peiyi Jin, Eswar Prasad and Daniel Rabetti write:
Good question! So what is the answer? The paper studied crypto flows around the time of 328 aid tranches paid by the World Bank totalling $238bn across 93 countries in 2018-24. From this, the authors estimated that the “leakage” amounted to about 2-6 cents per aid dollar.
As they concluded:
Depending on your priors, this is either a surprisingly small or surprisingly large proportion.
It’s actually a smidgen lower than the 7.5 cent-per-aid-dollar that a 2022 World Bank paper estimated based on offshore banking data. But Agarwal, Jin, Prasad and Rabetti note that their estimate is only derived from bitcoin, and stablecoins have become an increasingly popular tool for money-laundering. The real sum is therefore probably larger.
The details are quite fun, if you’re into these things. Alphaville’s emphasis in bold below.
The leakage isn’t uniform across aid flows though. Money that went into transportation was particularly prone to seeping out, while aid for healthcare “produces no detectable on-chain response”.
For the World Bank — which gave almost half its money to the four most leakage-prone sectors even after the period studied in the paper — this seems like pertinent information when it next designs an aid package.
For the rest of us, maybe the fact that we are blithely tolerating and in some cases even embracing a technology that enables many of the worst forms of crime should also be pertinent?
The $71,000 level remains crucial for Bitcoin, while $78,500 stands between the current market and a possible move toward $82,000.
Bitcoin had a huge week, finally. The crypto asset jumped by 25% and neared $80,000 as the rally gathered serious momentum.
One analyst now believes that the bear market has ended and BTC has entered a “Soft Bull Market,” following its recent breakout above several important resistance levels.
Bears Get Squeezed Doctor Profit identified $71,000 as extremely strong support and $78,500 as the next major resistance, while explaining that everything between those levels is “noise.” While the analyst is not ruling out a retest of the $71,000 region, he does not expect it to be necessary. According to his analysis, it is the lowest meaningful region Bitcoin could revisit before moving higher.
Meanwhile, a break above $78,500 could help the asset make a run toward approximately $82,000. He expects the “Soft Bull Market” to turn into a full bull market escalation once Bitcoin breaks $82,000 with strength. Doctor Profit also points to BTC’s reaction around $60,000 as evidence that significant capital is ready to enter when fear returns.
“Bulls showed that they are ready to deploy size when fear appears, while everyone waiting for $50K, $40K or some magical four-year-cycle bottom was left watching the market move without them. And personally, I doubt the market will now be generous enough to give the majority another clean opportunity below $71K.”
Addressing concerns about Bitcoin being in an overbought zone, Doctor Profit said the weekly and monthly RSI remain in neutral regions. While the analyst considers the daily RSI important for short-term movements, he does not see it as a major risk at the current price area. Much of the recent move came from shorts being forced to close rather than an overload of new leveraged longs or massive spot purchases, which means that “bears became buyers against their will.”
A similar pattern played out in 2023, when BTC climbed from around $16,000 to $25,000, gaining approximately 56%, before correcting roughly 22% toward $19,000. Fear and Greed then reached extreme fear levels, and many holders who had survived the bear market panic sold as they feared another major collapse.
Instead, Bitcoin quickly reversed and surged from approximately $19,000 to $30,000, a move of almost 60%. The comparison is less about repeating the exact price pattern and more about recurring psychology: fear, disbelief, short squeezes, corrections, panic, capitulation, and eventual expansion, Doctor Profit explained.
You may also like: Crypto Market Went From ‘Frozen’ to Chaos in Days: What Is Really Happening? BTC, ETH, XRP Tumble as Wintermute Builds Heavy Short Positions Bitcoin’s Rally to $80K Sends Investor Greed to Highest Level Since the October 2025 Crash Powerful Weekly Reversal For Ali Martinez, Bitcoin’s latest weekly surge could be an early sign of a new bull market. Back in 2019, the crypto gained almost 32% in one week, while in January 2023, BTC jumped 25% after the FTX collapse, despite deeply bearish sentiment.
Martinez is now seeing a similar setup. The move also came as many traders were expecting a market bottom in October based on the four-year-cycle theory.
24 August 2026 | 11:08 eCash block production has begun, but Bitcoin holders haven't received permanent ECX. The August 23 launch generated temporary test coins ahead of the planned Mainnet split in late October.
Key Takeaways The live Alpha chain produces practice tokens (pECX), not permanent ECX. Mainnet splits at Bitcoin block 973,728 (estimated around October 31). Real-world dates will shift depending on Bitcoin’s hash rate. Replay protection and ticker confusion (XEC vs. ECX) remain unresolved. Custodial users won’t see split coins unless their platform explicitly supports the fork. The August 23 Launch Created Test Coins The eCash chain kicked off its Alpha phase at Bitcoin block 963,648 on August 23. While the network is running, this is not the permanent hard fork being marketed to Bitcoin holders. Alpha generates practice tokens (pECX). The actual one-for-one allocation happens during Mainnet.
According to the eCash roadmap, the deployment covers three phases: Alpha (block 963,648), Beta (near block 967,680), and Mainnet (near block 973,728). The targeted finale date is October 31.
Bitcoin itself is completely unaffected. The Alpha chain functions as a testbed for developers, miners, and early adopters to stress-test code before the official balance allocation.
Track Block Heights over Calendar Dates The October 31 date depends entirely on block production speeds. Because Bitcoin block generation varies with network hash rate, the actual calendar timing will shift.
This timing impacts infrastructure readiness across the market. Wallet developers require verified code before block 973,728 hits, exchanges must decide on customer credits, and custodians need operational freezes ready for execution.
The accurate metric to watch is Bitcoin block height 973,728.
Running a Test Chain Does Not Guarantee Safety pECX reflects planned ECX functionality, but it carries no market value and will not transfer to the final chain. Active mining activity proves block creation, but it does not evaluate software reliability.
An operational test chain leaves core operational questions open, including whether client software is secure, split documentation is complete, or transactions can execute without exposing underlying funds.
Until final production code and verification tools publish, pECX remains an isolated testing environment.
Unresolved Replay Vulnerabilities Because the new network copies Bitcoin’s transaction history, it introduces transaction replay risks. Without dedicated protection mechanisms, a transaction signed on the BTC chain could execute on the ECX chain.
Recent technical examinations by CryptoSlate identify replay security as a key open issue. Mainnet deployment requires proving that users can move BTC without broadcasting identical signatures to eCash.
Self-Custody vs. Exchange Holdings A chain split does not translate to immediate access across all platforms. Holders controlling their private keys can claim ECX directly once allocation software releases. Exchange accounts depend entirely on third-party platform policy.
Key operational decisions pending from major exchanges include:
Deposit and withdrawal freeze windows around block 973,728. Direct support for 1:1 token distribution credits. Address separation protocols to prevent accidental cross-deposits between BTC and ECX. Access to forked tokens ultimately depends on who holds the private keys and whether individual custodians integrate the new network.
Ticker Confusion and Phishing Risks The fork uses the ticker ECX while marketing under “eCash”, a brand already used by an existing cryptocurrency trading as XEC. This naming collision increases the risk of user confusion, fake wallet releases, and malicious claim portals.
Never enter a Bitcoin recovery phrase into unverified fork-claiming software. Legitimate network splits do not require exposing private keys to third-party web forms.
Pre-Mainnet Requirements Open-Source Production Code: Fully audited software ready for public verification. Enforced Replay Protection: Protocol-level safeguards to block cross-chain transaction mirror attacks. Testnet Transition Rules: Clear procedures detailing how pECX environments sunset. Exchange Integration Schedules: Clear statements from major custodians regarding credit distribution and trading pairs. Key Management Documentation: Verified guidelines for claiming split balances without exposing BTC keys. A fork is not complete when it begins producing blocks; it is complete when users can safely separate, custody, and spend both assets independently.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
Author
Alexander Zdravkov is a market analyst and crypto journalist with interests in economics, broader financial markets and digital assets. His journey into crypto began more than four years ago, driven by a fascination with the rapid evolution of blockchain technology and the transformative potential of decentralized finance. He began analyzing market cycles and identifying emerging trends before they reach the mainstream. He holds a degree in International Relations - a background that helped shape his broader perspective on global economics, geopolitics, and the interconnected nature of modern financial markets. Whether covering the latest developments in the crypto sector or exploring broader macroeconomic themes, Alexander focuses on giving readers context rather than simply repeating headlines. During his career, he has authored more than 5,000 articles covering cryptocurrencies, traditional finance, and global market developments. His work spans everything from Bitcoin and altcoins to macroeconomic trends influencing risk assets worldwide.
US crypto-related stocks show mixed performance in pre-market trading, with PURR rising over 3%.
According to market data from BIT (bit.com), U.S. pre-market crypto-related stocks were mixed, with: CRCL down 1.59%, MSTR down 0.36%, MARA down 1.15%, COIN down 1.37%, RIOT down 0.66%, BMNR up 0.51%, and PURR up 3.12%.
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He Yi Reminds: CZ Does Not Use WeChat, Beware of Scams
Binance co-founder He Yi has issued a statement noting that CZ does not use WeChat. The highly active "Binance Mall" WeChat groups and the fake CZ accounts within them are run by scammers promoting pyramid schemes. Please alert one another to guard against fraud.
6 minutes ago
Analysis: Bull-Bear Indicator Reaches Bullish Inflection Point, Signals of Market Recovery Strengthen
CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost has published a post noting that the bull-bear market indicator has just shifted into the early phase of a bull market. Though the indicator is not a flawless market signal, this shift confirms that market conditions have improved notably. This trend warrants close monitoring in the weeks ahead.
6 minutes ago
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Hong Kong-listed large language model concept stocks continue to decline, with Zhipu AI falling more than 11%.
According to Bitget market data, Hong Kong-listed large language model concept stocks have continued to slump. Zhipu fell over 11% intraday, while MINIMAX dropped more than 10%.
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Unitree Robotics has over 20 billion yuan wiped off its market cap in a single day.
C Yushu-W opened lower and trended downward today. By the close of trading, it was priced at 603.08 yuan, down over 10%, with a total market capitalization of 243.9 billion yuan. Calculated based on the previous trading day's closing price, Yushu Technology's market cap evaporated by more than 20 billion yuan intraday, and by over 200 billion yuan compared to its opening on the first day of listing.
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) hover around key levels on Monday, with a bullish bias but appearing stretched after surging over 23%, 31% and 53% in the previous week. Such a massive rally suggests the top three cryptocurrencies could consolidate or pull back in the short term as traders take profits.
Bitcoin’s risk of a corrective pause is risingBitcoin price trades at $77,150, extending its advance well above key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) and leaving the near-term bias bullish but stretched after a 23.58% surge last week. The 50-day EMA at $66,773, the 100-day EMA at $67,408 and the 200-day EMA at $71,834 now sit well below spot, suggesting a strongly supported uptrend, while the horizontal level at $80,000 acts as the next topside resistance reference above the market in this accelerated phase.
Momentum is overheated, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) holding in overbought territory at 78 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) deeply positive, hinting that while buyers remain in control, the risk of a corrective pause is rising.
On the downside, any pullback is likely to first eye the 200-day EMA near $71,834, with additional EMA cushions at $67,408 and $66,774.
On the topside, a sustained push toward the $80,000 area would keep the uptrend intact despite the overbought momentum backdrop.
BTC/USDT daily chartEthereum trades at $2,415, holding a bullish near-term bias as price remains comfortably above the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day EMAs. The clustering of the short- and medium-term EMAs below the market suggests a well-supported uptrend, while the RSI near 76 hints at overbought conditions. The MACD is firmly positive, reinforcing strong upside momentum, though the elevated readings suggest a corrective pause is possible.
On the topside, immediate resistance is seen at the horizontal barrier around $2,500, followed by a more significant cap near $3,000.
On the downside, the first layer of support is the current trading area, with deeper protection from the 200-day EMA near $2,142 and the psychological $2,000 level. Below there, the 50- and 100-day EMAs around $1,984 and $1,973, respectively, should offer additional demand before any move toward the distant structural floor at $1,385.
ETH/USDT daily chartXRP surges over 50%XRP price trades at $1.467 on Monday, extending its strong upswing after surging over 50% in the previous week. Moreover, XRP is above the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs at $1.141, $1.181, and $1.350, respectively, which now underpin a clear bullish near-term bias.
The move has been fueled by heavy participation, with recent volume well above prior weeks. At the same time, the RSI at 78 sits in overbought territory, hinting that the rally is stretched even as the MACD remains firmly positive, reinforcing upward momentum.
On the downside, initial demand is expected around $1.350, where the 200-day EMA clusters with prior price action, ahead of horizontal support at $1.300; deeper pullbacks would expose the 100-day EMA at $1.181 and the 50-day EMA near $1.141, with $1.000 marking a more distant structural floor.
On the topside, the next notable resistance is the horizontal barrier at $1.900, and with momentum already overheated, any test of this level could trigger profit-taking and a corrective phase toward the underlying EMA supports.
XRP/USDT daily chart(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
(This story was corrected on August 24 at 05:13 GMT to say, in the second paragraph, that the horizontal level at $80,000 acts as the next topside resistance, not support.)
Cryptocurrency prices FAQs Token launches influence demand and adoption among market participants. Listings on crypto exchanges deepen the liquidity for an asset and add new participants to an asset’s network. This is typically bullish for a digital asset.
A hack is an event in which an attacker captures a large volume of the asset from a DeFi bridge or hot wallet of an exchange or any other crypto platform via exploits, bugs or other methods. The exploiter then transfers these tokens out of the exchange platforms to ultimately sell or swap the assets for other cryptocurrencies or stablecoins. Such events often involve an en masse panic triggering a sell-off in the affected assets.
Macroeconomic events like the US Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates influence crypto assets mainly through the direct impact they have on the US Dollar. An increase in interest rate typically negatively influences Bitcoin and altcoin prices, and vice versa. If the US Dollar index declines, risk assets and associated leverage for trading gets cheaper, in turn driving crypto prices higher.
Halvings are typically considered bullish events as they slash the block reward in half for miners, constricting the supply of the asset. At consistent demand if the supply reduces, the asset’s price climbs.
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.
Leading cryptocurrencies pulled back on Sunday after a sharp rally earlier in the week as geopolitical tensions tempered risk appetite.
Crypto Market Cools DownBitcoin climbed to $78,000, faced resistance, and then began consolidating. The apex cryptocurrency has jumped 22% over the week to hit levels last seen more than three months ago.
Ethereum’s trading volume fell 17% over the last 24 hours as it traded between $2,357 and $2,483. XRP and Dogecoin recorded notable declines.
Nearly $400 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $220 million in bullish long positions erased, according to Coinglass data.
Open interest in Bitcoin futures fell marginally by 0.02% over the last day but remained 17% higher over the week. Retail and whale derivatives traders on Binance remained in a “Neutral” position.
“Greed” sentiment persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.
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The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.63 trillion, following a modest increase of 0.18% over the last 24 hours.
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Stocks Futures SlideStock futures ticked lower overnight on Sunday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 48 points, or 0.09%, as of 8:41 p.m. EDT. Futures tied to the S&P 500 dipped 0.03%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slid 0.06%.
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Geopolitical tensions continued to weigh on investor sentiment as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will impose the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, with more details expected Monday.
Meanwhile, investors will be watching Wednesday’s release of the July personal consumption expenditures price index for new clues on inflation.
Bitcoin Headed to $82,000?Michaël van de Poppe, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, predicted a “little dip” for Bitcoin on Sunday evening, followed by a continuation higher to break $82,700, while viewing $74,000 as a “massive area” to buy if tested.
Van De Poppe also weighed in on Ethereum’s potential, stating that ETH is more likely to make another run toward the highs in the coming days.
On the other hand, the analyst identified $2,200 as a potential entry point on any retest of lows.
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.
Bitwise Asset Management took in more than $1.8 billion of new money in the first half of 2026, chief executive Hunter Horsley said Sunday. Crypto prices fell through most of it.
Tom Lee called the result outstanding. However, the money did not chase prices, as three of the four Bitwise product lines behind that total pay investors an income instead.
Why Lee Called It OutstandingHorsley posted the figure on Sunday. Net inflows measure new money in, minus money pulled out.
In H1 of this year, amidst a bear market, investors put over $1,800,000,000 into Bitwise products (“net inflows”),” the Bitwise executive shared.
Tom Lee, co-founder and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, commented, lauding the team for growing significantly despite bearing market conditions.
— Thomas (Tom) Lee (not drummer) FundstratDirect.com (@fundstrat) August 23, 2026
Lee has stayed bullish through the slump. He ranked 17 crypto stocks earlier this week. Bitcoin (BTC) traded near $77,403 on Sunday, little changed.
What the Money Actually BoughtHorsley said four franchises each drew over $100 million. They were:
ETFs and ETPs (exchange-traded funds and products)
Private strategies
Staking, and
Vaults.
Three of them pay a yield. Bitwise numbers show how much.
Its vault, opened in January with the onchain lender Morpho, targets about 6% a year on stablecoins. Its tokenized Crypto Carry Fund held $259 million by late May and yielded 4%.
Carry sounds complex but is simple. The fund buys crypto, sells futures against it, and keeps the gap.
Staking drew the fastest money. Bitwise’s Solana staking fund passed $500 million just 18 days after listing last November. Rivals now rush to put Ethereum yield in ETPs.
The Fund That Sells Price Alone ShrankOne Bitwise product pays nothing. The Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW) holds a basket of large tokens. Bitcoin and ether are about 91% of it.
Its filings tell the story. Net assets fell from $1.03 billion on December 31 to $678 million on March 31. That is 34% gone in three months.
Two forces did it. Price per share dropped 24%. Investors also cashed out 2.25 million shares, about 13% of the fund.
Cost was not the reason. Bitwise had just cut the fee from 2.50% to 0.75% when the fund joined NYSE Arca in December. The same fund gained 94.8% in 2024.
Staff felt it too. A Bitwise workforce reduction on August 12 cut headcount from roughly 180 to 155.
Net inflows count deposits, not gains. Inside Bitwise, investors paid for yield and walked away from price.
Following one of its biggest daily movements of the year, XRP has completely altered its short-term technical structure. After briefly rising to about $1.70, the asset is currently trading at about $1.49. The breakout was accompanied by a significant increase in trading volume.
XRP's fundamental improvements Most significantly, the whole cluster of major moving averages has been cleared by XRP. The shorter averages are located much lower at about $1.10-$1.18, while the long-term moving average near $1.35 served as the last significant dynamic resistance. Therefore, holding above $1.35 would indicate a significant structural improvement as opposed to a brief spike in volatility.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewBut the rally has grown incredibly long. With a daily RSI of about 86, XRP is extremely overbought. Additionally, the lengthy upper wick at $1.70 indicates that sellers have already reacted forcefully at higher prices. The $1. 50-$1. 55 area is the immediate problem. The route toward $1.60 and ultimately the most recent intraday peak of $1.70 could be reopened by a daily close above this area.
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XRP would have comparatively little visible resistance before the $1.80-$2.00 range if it broke $1.70. A correction wouldn't always render the breakout invalid. The long-term moving average and the breakout area are located at $1.35, which is the first significant support.
The larger recovery structure is maintained if XRP is able to establish that level as support. However, a decline below $1. 35 would increase the likelihood that the explosive move was an exhaustion event rather than the start of a long-term trend reversal.
Shiba Inu building recovery structureAfter months of consistent downward pressure, Shiba Inu is trying to build a recovery structure, but the most recent rejection indicates that bulls have not yet achieved a complete trend reversal. Following an explosive move that momentarily raised the token above $0.00000600, SHIB is currently trading around $0.00000544.
SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe long-term moving average, which is currently at $0.000574, was the most significant technical barrier in the current setup since that rally was promptly rejected close to it. The fact that SHIB is still higher than its shorter moving averages is a positive development. The token has recovered the orange average at $0.00000493, and there is more support at $0.00000480 and $0. 00000457.
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As a result, the short-term structure is significantly healthier than it was in June and July. It has also gained momentum. After the rejection, RSI is now close to 64, above its signal line but not overbought. During the breakout attempt, trading volume increased significantly, indicating real market participation as opposed to a low-liquidity drift higher.
Now, SHIB must convert $0. 00000550-$0. 00000575 into support. The former March-May consolidation zone, which is located between $0. 00000620 and $0. 00000660, would be exposed after a clear break above the long-term moving average at roughly $0.00000600.
SHIB would remain susceptible to another retracement if that obstacle was not overcome. The current recovery would be weakened if the token lost $0. 00000490, and it would revert to its previous bearish structure if it moved below roughly $0. 00000455. The long-term resistance directly overhead continues to be the crucial test, but for now, SHIB has momentum.
Hyperliquid's skyrocketing continuesAfter momentarily reaching about $82.50, Hyperliquid has continued its breakout and is currently trading around $80. The move confirms that the August recovery has grown into a much larger bullish impulse and places HYPE firmly above its prior June-July peaks around $75–$77, giving the token a new local high.
HYPE/USDT Chart by TradingViewTechnically, the structure is very robust. With dynamic support presently concentrated around $63. 21, $61.10, and $58.56, HYPE trades significantly above all major moving averages. Near $52.42, the long-term average is still significantly lower. The distance between price and these averages illustrates both the strength of the move and the length of HYPE.
The biggest immediate risk is now that extension. At 80. 55, the daily RSI is clearly in overbought territory. Additionally, volume has increased significantly during the breakout, bolstering the move's legitimacy and raising the likelihood of profit-taking following such quick appreciation.
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Keeping the price between $75 and $77 is now crucial for bulls. The first significant area of support ought to be this former resistance zone. A path toward $82. 50 and possibly $85-$87.50 would be preserved if it were held. While HYPE's overall structure is still bullish while it remains significantly above the $60-$63 region, a decline below $75 would instead raise the likelihood of a deeper retest toward $70.
Bitcoin's breakout might slow downBitcoin has experienced a significant technical breakout, rising from the consolidation range of $63,000 to $65,000 to roughly $77,000 in a few daily sessions. More significantly, one of the strongest technical barriers that had kept the price contained since the start of the wider downtrend has been removed as Bitcoin has crossed its long-term moving average at roughly $71,689.
The move's credibility was increased by the breakout's significant volume expansion. Additionally, Bitcoin trades well above its shorter moving averages, which are currently centered between $65,100 and $67,500. Momentum, however, is now severely stretched. The daily RSI is at about 80, while its moving average is at about 58 points.
BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewThat does not necessarily mean a quick reversal, but it does make further upside more reliant on consistent buying as opposed to just momentum continuation. The May peak is located between $82,000 and $82,500, and the first resistance is located around $80,000. The $85,000 region might become visible if that area were cleared, which would be another significant structural improvement.
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On a pullback, the more crucial test might occur. Because it includes the recently reclaimed long-term moving average and breakout region, the $71,500–$72,500 area now serves as the crucial support zone.
The claim that Bitcoin has moved out of its prior bearish structure would be strengthened by a successful retest. That thesis would be undermined if $71,500 were lost, exposing $67,000 to $68,000. Although BTC has currently reached the necessary breakout bulls, consolidation would be preferable to another quick vertical advance due to its overbought momentum.
XRP, Shiba Inu, Hyperliquid, and Bitcoin have all made notable technical advances, with each asset climbing past crucial resistance zones. The most significant of these moves came from XRP, which surged to $1.70 before settling near $1.49, marking one of its largest intraday swings this year. This rally was underpinned by a sharp rise in volume, indicating strengthened buyer activity.
XRP clears major resistance, but faces overbought conditionsXRP has successfully moved above a dense cluster of major moving averages, with the key long-term average at $1.35. Shorter-term averages remain between $1.10 and $1.18, highlighting the extent of the breakout. The ability to hold above $1.35 now distinguishes a sustained trend reversal from a short-lived price spike.
With the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) now at 86, XRP appears extremely overbought, and a long upper wick at $1.70 suggests significant selling pressure at higher price levels. Immediate resistance is now seen in the $1.50 to $1.55 range. If XRP closes above this zone, it could open a path toward $1.60 and potentially a retest of the recent $1.70 high.
If XRP breaks $1.70, visible technical resistance would not emerge before the $1.80 to $2.00 range. Even if a correction follows, the breakout remains valid as long as the price stays above $1.35. A decline below this support could indicate the rally was a temporary burst of volatility rather than a full reversal.
XRP’s ability to maintain support above the $1.35 breakout level is vital for the broader recovery structure. Failure to hold this level would increase the likelihood that recent gains represented an exhaustion move rather than a bullish long-term shift.
Shiba Inu seeks to build recovery momentumAfter sustained downward pressure, Shiba Inu is attempting to establish a recovery trend. The token briefly rose above $0.00000600, but now trades near $0.00000544 after encountering resistance. Its most significant technical obstacle is the long-term moving average, now at $0.00000574, where the recent rally was quickly rejected.
On a positive note, Shiba Inu remains above its shorter-term moving averages. The token recently reclaimed the orange average at $0.00000493 and finds support near $0.00000480 and $0.00000457. The recent rejection brought the RSI to around 64—above its signal line but not yet overbought—which, combined with strong trading volume, suggests real market interest during the attempted breakout.
For a sustained uptrend, Shiba Inu needs to establish the band between $0.00000550 and $0.00000575 as support. A decisive move above the long-term average at $0.00000600 would target the next resistance, connected to the March to May consolidation zone near $0.00000620 to $0.00000660.
If Shiba Inu cannot overcome resistance near $0.00000600, the risk of retracement remains. Fall below $0.00000490 would weaken its current structure, while a drop under $0.00000455 would mark a return to its earlier bearish trend.
Hyperliquid maintains rally, but caution growsHyperliquid, a decentralized perpetuals protocol token, extended its surge, reaching $82.50 before consolidating around $80. This breakout places HYPE above its earlier summer highs of $75 to $77, setting a new local peak. The token remains well above major moving averages, with dynamic support found between $58.56 and $63.21. The long-term average sits much lower at $52.42.
The swift rally brings risk of overextension, with the daily RSI at 80.55, deep in overbought territory. Trading volume has increased substantially during this move, confirming active participation and raising the prospect of profit-taking as the asset appreciates quickly.
Holding the former resistance zone at $75 to $77 is now crucial for bulls. If maintained, a further push toward $82.50 and possibly $85 to $87.50 remains possible. However, a drop below $75 could lead to a retest of support around $70, even as the broader structure stays positive above the $60 to $63 region.
Mini dictionary: Hyperliquid is a decentralized on-chain derivatives exchange known for offering perpetual contracts and high leverage trading directly on the blockchain, without the need for a centralized intermediary.
Bitcoin shatters key resistance, enters extended trendBitcoin has staged a strong technical breakout, climbing from consolidation around $63,000–$65,000 to a recent high of nearly $77,000. The move lifted Bitcoin above its long-term moving average near $71,689—seen as a critical resistance level since the start of the broader downturn.
Significant expansion in trading volume accompanied the breakout, while Bitcoin trades well above its shorter moving averages, which cluster between $65,100 and $67,500. The daily RSI now sits at 80, signaling overbought conditions as momentum stretches higher.
Further upside is now closely tied to sustained buying rather than pure momentum. Key resistance lies at $80,000, with the May high zones around $82,000 to $82,500 marking the next major hurdle. Clearing that area could pave the way to the $85,000 region and signal a major structural improvement.
On any pullback, the $71,500 to $72,500 region will be critical for support, incorporating both the recently reclaimed long-term average and the breakout zone. A successful defense here would reinforce Bitcoin’s new positive structure, while a fall below $71,500 could expose the market to another test of $67,000–$68,000 levels.
Despite the latest overbought readings, Bitcoin’s market structure has shifted in favor of the bulls after breaking through multi-month resistance. However, sustained consolidation may be more sustainable than another rapid climb.
AssetPrice (approx.)Key ResistanceKey SupportDaily RSIXRP$1.49$1.70 / $2.00$1.3586Shiba Inu$0.00000544$0.00000600 / $0.00000660$0.00000480 / $0.0000045764Hyperliquid (HYPE)$80$82.50 / $87.50$75 / $7080.55Bitcoin (BTC)$77,000$80,000 / $82,500 / $85,000$71,500 / $67,00080Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Bitcoin owners are getting ready to claim an equivalent amount of a new cryptocurrency known as eCash, or ECX, as a planned hard fork of the Bitcoin blockchain moves into its initial phase.
The project, developed by LayerTwo Labs under the leadership of longtime Bitcoin contributor Paul Sztorc, aims to create an independent network that mirrors Bitcoin’s transaction history at specific points without altering the original Bitcoin chain in any way.
Rather than launching as a single event, the ECX hard fork is proceeding through three deliberate stages to allow testing, infrastructure preparation, and community familiarization.
The alpha phase activates around Bitcoin block height 963,648, corresponding roughly to August 23, 2026.
During this period, participants can experiment with software, mining, wallet functionality, and trading of temporary practice tokens referred to as pECX or alpha ECX.
These practice units carry no permanent value on their own but can later be burned and redeemed for a portion of the official coins once the full network is live.
A beta stage follows around September 20 at block height approximately 967,680.
This intermediate step is expected to involve greater participation from exchanges, custodians, wallet providers, and miners, providing a more realistic environment for testing operational readiness.
The permanent mainnet release is scheduled for around October 31 at block height near 973,728.
That date coincides with the 18th anniversary of the publication of Satoshi Nakamoto’s original Bitcoin white paper, adding symbolic weight to the full launch.
At the mainnet snapshot, permanent ECX balances will be assigned on a one-to-one basis with Bitcoin holdings at that time for nearly all addresses.
Bitcoin itself remains completely unaffected; holders simply gain an additional asset on the new chain.
The core purpose of ECX is to enable drivechains—opt-in sidechains that support features such as enhanced scalability, privacy, and experimentation—while leaving Bitcoin’s base-layer rules intact.
The new network uses the same SHA-256 proof-of-work mechanism as Bitcoin, with a temporary difficulty reset at activation to facilitate early mining.
Replay protection is available on an opt-in basis through official software, which warns users before transactions; without intentional separation of assets, movements of Bitcoin could affect corresponding ECX holdings.
Most Bitcoin holders who control their private keys at the relevant snapshot heights will automatically receive matching ECX without needing to register or file claims.
A portion of early Satoshi-era coins on the new chain is handled differently to support development, but this applies only to ECX and leaves actual Bitcoin balances untouched.
Holders keeping assets on exchanges should monitor those platforms’ policies, as some may implement temporary freezes or decide independently whether and how to credit the new tokens.
The phased approach gives the ecosystem roughly twelve weeks between the alpha start and the permanent release to identify issues, build support, and prepare tools.
Practice coins earned in the earlier stages can be exchanged for official ECX after mainnet activation, creating incentives for early testing.
While adoption by major infrastructure providers remains an open question and community support has been limited so far, the project positions itself as a way to expand Bitcoin’s capabilities through a separate, compatible ledger.
As the alpha phase begins, attention turns to practical steps: verifying self-custody of keys, reviewing wallet compatibility, and watching for official software releases. The original Bitcoin network continues operating without interruption, and the success of ECX will ultimately depend on participation, liquidity, and the usefulness of its planned sidechains.
Bitcoin surged past its previous trading range, hitting $79,400 as it broke out of a six-week consolidation between $62,000 and $67,000. The cryptocurrency traded at $77,161.80 after rising 0.30% in the last 24 hours. Weekly gains reached 22%, with daily trading volume up to $27 billion.
ETF inflows and spot demand increaseAs Bitcoin rallied, spot and perpetual futures markets saw increased activity, especially on major cryptocurrency exchanges. This rise in demand from spot buying built confidence among traders and reduced concerns about the rally depending solely on derivatives-driven trading.
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted $1.92 billion in net inflows over just five trading sessions. These inflows indicated substantial institutional buying, signaling that large investors supported the latest price move.
Net inflows to spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States totaled $1.92 billion across five trading days, pointing to increased institutional demand and a key driver for the recent price strength.
Institutional participation through these products has played a crucial role in supporting the current uptrend. Consistency in ETF inflows reassured market analysts regarding the rally’s underlying strength.
On-chain data provided by CryptoQuant, a blockchain analytics platform, showed a sharp improvement in recent weeks. The cost basis for short-term holders stood at close to $68,500 as of August 19, and the True Market Mean was around $75,800.
Mini dictionary: CryptoQuant – A blockchain data analytics company providing on-chain metrics and market insights for digital assets, widely used by institutional investors and analysts.
Recovering above both levels typically signals improving confidence among short-term traders and is considered an early indicator of market structure reversal.
Support/Resistance LevelStatus as of August 21Short-term holder cost basis$68,500 (recovered)True Market Mean$75,800 (recovered)Prior resistance zone$82,000–$83,000 (not cleared yet)Short squeeze and resistance remain in focusThe price breakout above $67,000 ignited a major short squeeze across the crypto derivatives market, resulting in about $3 billion in liquidated short positions. This intensified the price rally and pushed Bitcoin further upward than spot demand alone would have allowed.
The large-scale liquidation of roughly $3 billion in short positions contributed to the intensity of the rally, highlighting the power of forced buybacks in driving price volatility during trending markets.
Analysts compared the move to a previous rapid rebound earlier this year, when Bitcoin rallied from $60,000 to $82,000, ultimately failing to establish a sustained reversal. This historical context led many to remain cautious, noting that strong rallies do not always confirm lasting market shifts.
CryptoQuant’s team stressed the importance of holding support between $75,000 and $76,000 for a continued bullish outlook. Confirmation of a trend change would require a clear break above $80,000, while the next major test lies at the key resistance between $82,000 and $83,000.
According to CryptoQuant CEO Joo Ki-young, such rallies occurring near market lows may mark the end of a bear cycle. However, he warned that confirmation still relies on sustained demand and stability above critical cost basis levels. Previously, Joo had maintained a bearish stance until persistent positive data shifted his outlook.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Robert Kiyosaki has intensified his warnings about the US dollar following the Treasury Department’s decision to significantly increase its buybacks of longer-dated government bonds. This move, Kiyosaki argued on X, reflects a renewed phase of monetary expansion and adds pressure to inflation and the value of cash.
Treasury boosts long-term bond buybacksOn June 26, the US Treasury announced that it will double the size of liquidity-support buyback operations for 10- to 20-year and 20- to 30-year securities. The maximum size for each buyback will climb from $2 billion to at least $4 billion per operation, starting September 9 and remaining in effect through the current refunding quarter, which ends November 4.
Authorities said the expansion aims to improve liquidity in less-traded pockets of the Treasury market, where officials have observed high participation from market makers. Importantly, the Treasury noted that these buybacks exchange current government debt and do not directly expand the money supply, unlike the quantitative easing programs administered by the Federal Reserve.
Still, the timing has focused attention on the health of US government finances. Long-term Treasury yields have touched levels last seen in 2007, while total US federal debt has surged past $40 trillion. Coinpaper reported that debt held by the public stands at approximately $32.27 trillion, as rising refinancing costs threaten to escalate fiscal risks further.
Kiyosaki urges investors to shift away from cashAgainst this backdrop, Kiyosaki continues to caution followers against holding US dollars and instead advocates for real assets like gold, silver, Bitcoin, and real estate. He contends that inflation and repeated interventions in debt markets undermine the dollar’s purchasing power over time.
Kiyosaki has maintained that ongoing efforts to absorb government debt amount to creating more “fake dollars,” ultimately decreasing the value of the currency and making alternative assets a safer store of value.
This view has gained momentum, particularly as bond yields retreated and the dollar weakened in response to the Treasury’s announcement. Bitcoin reversed recent losses and surged, approaching $79,000 after dropping near $65,000 earlier in the week. Analysis from Coinpaper connected this rally to falling Treasury yields, inflows into exchange-traded funds, and short liquidations.
Kiyosaki does not claim that Treasury buybacks and quantitative easing are identical, but he argues that ongoing measures to stabilize the debt market drive demand for hard assets with limited supply. Bitcoin’s supply, capped at 21 million coins, has fueled arguments that it can serve as an inflation hedge, even as its price remains highly volatile over time.
Real-world assets and evolving investor toolsAs traditional markets continue to evolve, broader trends have caught the attention of both institutional and retail investors. With increasing concern over monetary expansion and asset debasement, Wall Street is beginning to embrace Web3 technologies. Platforms such as 1stepSwap allow investors to hold tokenized shares of leading US corporations, gold, and silver directly in their crypto wallets, removing reliance on complex brokers. These solutions let users tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) while automatically seeking optimal market prices within seconds, thereby eliminating intermediaries from the process.
For investors, the Treasury’s latest initiative raises questions about future government borrowing needs and the stability of traditional fiat assets. The core debate remains whether persistent debt-linked pressures and high yields will continue to steer capital toward Bitcoin and other hard assets, as Kiyosaki contends.
The recent policy adjustment is small in relation to the $40 trillion Treasury market, but recurring fiscal challenges could sustain demand for alternative assets historically promoted as hedges against currency debasement.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) executives moved to reassure an investor whose stake lost significant value during the current bear market.
Investor Accuses Strategy of Ignoring MSTR holdersDuring Monday’s Q&A with Strategy shareholders, a person named Rob said he invested $73,000 in MSTR for each of his three children, believing in the stock’s long-term potential.
That $73,000 figure he quoted is now only $20,000, bringing the total amount he set aside for his kids from $219,000 down to $60,000.
“The term potential is now a function of getting back to breakeven,” Rob said. “MSTR common shareholders seem to be your lowest priority.”
Strategy CEO Says Common Stockholders Are Top PriorityStrategy CEO Phong Le said that Strategy’s common shareholders remain the company’s top priority but stressed that MSTR is deliberately designed to provide amplified Bitcoin exposure.
That means it can outperform Bitcoin during bull markets while experiencing steeper losses during downturns.
Bitcoin is down 40% from its all-time highs set in October 2025, while MSTR has plunged 79% from its record high in November 2024.
Le told the investor to stay confident in the underlying asset; when Bitcoin bounces back, MSTR will follow and rise over time.
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Saylor Says He Feels Investors’ Pain But…Strategy Chair Michael Saylor also weighed in, stating that MSTR investments require a time horizon of at least 4 years, with 7–10 years being ideal.
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Saylor said that buying MSTR means getting amplified Bitcoin, and you’re signing up for a “roller-coaster” ride.
“I feel your pain, but I think we have to be prepared to have difficult years,” the Bitcoin bull said. “We might have to actually ride through some number of months or a year or 2 in order to get to the point where things start to work to the benefit of the equity.”
Strategy’s Bitcoin acquisition has been on hold for seven weeks, despite the company raising $333.7 million through stock sales. The funds have been used to repurchase $132.2 million of STRC preferred shares, fund $52.4 million in STRC dividends, and add roughly $150 million to its dollar reserve.
Notably, Saylor said earlier this month that Bitcoin would gain 30% annually for 20 years and potentially outperform the S&P 500 by roughly 1.5 to two times over the long term.
Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $74,648.68, up 7.98% over the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Strategy shares rose 1.35% in after-hours trading. The MSTR stock closed 7.81% higher at $112.39 during Thursday’s regular session.
Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings show that Strategy stock has underperformed with weaker medium- and long-term price trends, while delivering strong short-term performance.
Crypto’s true believers suddenly have a spring in their step again.
Just days ago, Bitcoin still looked trapped in a market that had spent months grinding lower. Then, almost out of nowhere, it ripped toward $80,000, notching its best weekly gain in years and reviving the memes, the HODL chants and the conviction that momentum itself can pull crypto higher.
Rocket-ship emojis returned to X, bear-market obituaries resurfaced and Michael Saylor posted an AI-generated nightclub meme urging followers to “buy Bitcoin, hold 10 years, ignore the noise, survive the fears.”
The spark came partly from the bond market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s plan to at least double long-dated Treasury buybacks initially pulled yields lower and weakened the dollar while gold surged.
That combination revived the so-called debasement trade: the idea that mounting fiscal strains and easier financial conditions strengthen the case for scarce assets outside the government monetary system. For Bitcoin bulls, it was fresh macro ammunition arriving just as bearish positioning was stretched.
Even Ray Dalio, hardly a crypto evangelist, touted Bitcoin, citing an “unsustainable” debt spiral.
It’s “very nice to see some signs of life in the crypto market. And this rally feels different from other tenuous sparks over the past few months,” said Noelle Acheson, author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” newsletter.
Crypto’s great hope has always been that momentum can create more momentum.
That is how the last boom fed on itself. Rising prices forced short sellers to cover, drew more money into spot ETFs, lifted crypto-linked stocks and digital-asset treasury companies, and gave some of those firms more capacity to raise money and buy still more Bitcoin. Higher prices then pulled sidelined investors back in, adding another layer of demand.
This past week offered the first real glimpse of that machinery trying to restart. A record wave of bearish bets was wiped out, spot-trading volumes jumped and Bitcoin ETFs drew fresh inflows. The policy backdrop helped too: President Donald Trump again pressed Congress to pass the Clarity Act, reinforcing an administration stance that has been broadly supportive of digital assets throughout this cycle.
“The regulatory risk premium is being repriced lower after Trump again urged Congress to pass crypto market structure legislation, which matters because clearer rules make it easier for institutions to underwrite exposure,” said Lacie Zhang, research analyst at Bitget Wallet.
The rise was so swift that Bitcoin broke above its 100- and 200-day moving averages, widely watched technical gauges, while its 14-day relative strength index pushed into what traders consider overbought territory.
Over at Standard Chartered, Geoffrey Kendrick sees scope for the rally to feed on itself. He pointed to record short liquidations in data going back to 2021 and more than $1 billion of weekly spot-Bitcoin ETF inflows, arguing that stronger prices could attract further flows and eventually draw leveraged traders back into the market.
“For the first time this year there is now a risk my end-year forecast (of USD100k) is too low,” he wrote in a note. “Once investors remember how quickly prices can accelerate to the topside, and we get past the 6 October date (12 months after the all-time high) an overshoot towards the all-time high (USD126k) before year-end may be possible.”
But one big week does not prove the flywheel is running again. The world’s largest cryptocurrency has merely clawed back to levels last seen in May and remains roughly 43% below its October record, still well short of establishing a new trading range.
Much of the initial surge came from forced short covering, many ETF investors are still underwater, and the digital-asset treasury companies that helped amplify earlier rallies remain diminished. Bitcoin has also staged rebounds this year that fizzled when fresh buyers failed to follow.
Establishing a new trading range will require something the squeeze alone cannot provide: sustained demand.
“There are some encouraging signs: as prices continued higher, we saw fresh buying come into the market rather than traders simply closing short positions,” said Tanay Ved, senior analyst at Talos.
The implementation of the “Regulation Crypto Assets” framework has been announced, marking a significant shift in the U.S. regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. This new regulation, proposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), introduces tailored offering exemptions and a conditional safe harbor, which could prevent certain crypto assets from being classified as securities. The move is part of a broader regulatory overhaul in 2026, which includes joint guidance from the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and follows the enactment of federal stablecoin rules under the GENIUS Act. Market participants appear to be assessing the implications of these regulatory changes on the future price of Bitcoin.
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Key Takeaways The implementation of new crypto regulations suggests a potential increase in market uncertainty, with implications for Bitcoin’s price trajectory. Market pricing implies that participants view the likelihood of Bitcoin reaching $200,000 by the end of 2026 as low, with current odds at 2% YES. Recent regulatory changes, including the SEC’s framework, appear consistent with scenarios where Bitcoin’s price faces downward pressure. What to Watch The market’s response to the SEC’s new regulation will be crucial in the coming months, as it may influence investor sentiment and Bitcoin’s price direction. Key indicators to monitor include any further regulatory actions by the SEC or CFTC, as well as potential changes in institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, developments in U.S. legislative actions regarding cryptocurrency could significantly impact market expectations and pricing. Watch for any significant announcements from major financial institutions or technology advancements that could alter Bitcoin’s price trajectory.
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What Price Will Bitcoin Hit Before 2027
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31 2.1% — — View market → December 31 1.9% — — View market → December 31 2.6% — — View market → December 31 4.2% — — View market → December 31 8.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 25% — — View market → January 1 2027 7.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.2% — — View market → January 1 2027 3.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 5.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 14.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 21.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 6.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.8% — — View market → January 1 2027 11.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 6.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.4% — — View market → January 1 2027 1.2% — — View market → January 1 2027 0.8% — — View market → January 1 2027 34.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 67.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 88% — — View market → When Will Bitcoin Hit 150k
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 3.7% — — View market →
A crypto bull market is typically defined by a prolonged period of rising prices, increased liquidity, and higher investor demand spanning much of the digital asset landscape. However, market analysts emphasize that isolated gains in Bitcoin do not alone signal the beginning of such a cycle.
Key features of a genuine bull runSustained rallies usually feature multiple converging signals: Bitcoin must hold above significant long-term support levels, new capital consistently flows into cryptocurrency markets, and on-chain profitability metrics improve. As momentum grows, participation also broadens beyond Bitcoin, reaching Ethereum and various altcoins.
Bitcoin continues to serve as the central benchmark in determining overall market direction. Analysts point out that a persistent move above major resistance points and average investor cost-basis levels is far more meaningful than temporary spikes in price.
Glassnode, a leading blockchain data analytics firm, has long monitored indicators such as Bitcoin’s short-term holder cost basis, realized profit and loss, and realized capitalization to assess investor sentiment. Research from the company confirms that ongoing positive capital inflows are more reliable than price movements alone when judging if new growth phases are beginning.
Glassnode’s analysts conclude that “no single metric can confirm a bull market. The strongest signal is alignment: rising prices supported by real capital inflows, improving on-chain data and broader market participation.”
Institutional interest has gained importance as a market driver. US spot Bitcoin ETFs are now viewed as a gauge of large-scale demand, given their capacity to absorb considerable volumes of BTC. In May 2026, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded six consecutive weeks of inflows totaling approximately $3.4 billion, reflecting how quickly institutional participation can amplify a rally.
A lasting crypto bull market is generally characterized by expansion beyond Bitcoin. With Ethereum strengthening and overall trading volumes rising, investors tend to shift toward higher-risk cryptocurrencies as sentiment improves.
From Bitcoin to altcoins: key market transitionsAnalysts observe that a decline in Bitcoin dominance—the metric tracking Bitcoin’s share of the overall crypto market—may indicate capital moving into alternative assets. Still, they advise that this shift alone does not definitively mark the start of a broad-based bull market. A true altcoin season usually requires sustained outperformance across a wide array of digital tokens, rather than rallies in just a handful.
The traditional market cycle remains closely tied to Bitcoin’s fixed issuance schedule. The next halving event, projected for April or May 2028, will reduce the block reward from 3.125 BTC to 1.5625 BTC. While past halvings have often preceded significant market uptrends, analyst caution that the timing and duration of these cycles are not consistent.
Investors are encouraged to watch for several concurrent indicators before confirming a new bull run:
Bitcoin forms higher highs and higher lows over a sustained interval.ETF and spot inflows remain positive, signaling new capital rather than speculative leverage.Trading activity and volumes rise along with prices.On-chain profits improve without overwhelming sales from long-term holders.Altcoins begin to outperform, usually as Bitcoin dominance falls.Glassnode maintains that true bull markets arise when these factors appear together. Price rallies unsupported by new capital or improving fundamentals are more susceptible to abrupt reversals, highlighting the need for caution among investors.
Mini dictionary: Glassnode, a blockchain analytics firm, provides data and insights about on-chain activity, offering metrics like realized capitalization and holder-based statistics to help investors interpret market movements.
SignalCautionConfirmationBitcoin price spikesBrief, isolated moves not enoughLasting moves above key levelsETF inflowsShort bursts may fadeSix weeks, $3.4 billion sustained inflowsAltcoin ralliesFew tokens outperformingBroad-based outperformanceOn-chain profitabilityMixed signals or high sell-pressureImproves with low long-term holder sellingDisclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink speaks during a panel at the BlackRock Infrastructure Summit on March 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The global investment management company held the summit consisting of leaders from government, business, and labor to address expanding U.S. infrastructure. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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"Bitcoin got rejected at $79,500, we almost hit $80,000," the analyst account darlene.net posted on X on August 22, as a five-day run from under $63,000 stalled and the price drifted back toward $76,000. "There was a large volume of sell orders sitting there, but the market will gradually eat through them and push higher."
"ETFs bought $1,920,000,000 in $BTC this week. Biggest weekly inflow since October 2025," the analyst Ted Pillows posted the same day, a week Farside Investors' tally shows peaked Thursday at $606 million, $503 million of it BlackRock's IBIT.
'Institutions Aren't Waiting'"BlackRock's clients just stacked over $500,000,000 worth of Bitcoin in a single day," the account @nikonchain posted, days after mid-August sessions had bled a net $385 million from the funds. "Institutions aren't waiting."
"Asset managers and ETF issuers have existed for a while," Bruno Caratori, co-founder of ETF issuer Hashdex, said on the On The Margin podcast. "All the folks here in the US know very well the names such as Fidelity, Vanguard, BlackRock, and there's a lot more."
"Spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in 517.19 million dollars on Wednesday, the largest single day inflow in three and a half months. Eight of twelve ETFs were positive, led by 284.7 million dollars into BlackRock's IBIT alone," the account @IgnacioAFCMO wrote, three days after the short squeeze that had Anthony Scaramucci eyeing $100,000. "Real money showed up right as the short side got forced out. That timing is rarely a coincidence."
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'The Support Is Now At The $75,000 Level'"Roughly $550 million worth of leveraged crypto positions was liquidated in just 60 minutes as Bitcoin fell from $79,500 to around $77,000," the tracker account Alerting.Guru counted, putting the 24-hour total at $1.8 billion across more than 286,000 traders. "This is already the third major liquidation wave," darlene.net added.
"Some profit booking has happened, and this is good, as we may see accumulation before the next leg up," the swing trading account CRYPTID.Crypto posted, days after Polymarket traders put 85% odds on $80,000. "The support is now at the $75,000 level."
'Exit Liquidity At $79K'"Everyone is celebrating $79K. I'm doing the opposite," the pseudonymous trader Simba posted, pushing back on the retail rush that has some eyeing $126,000. "The second retail turns bullish again, I start paying attention," the post continued. "I'm not bearish on Bitcoin long term. I'm bearish on becoming exit liquidity at $79K." Then: "Let everyone else FOMO into the pump. I'm waiting for the real blood before I start loading longs."
"And they tend to buy back late," Michael Terpin, founder of Transform Group, said of bitcoin's biggest holders on the On The Margin podcast. "They tend to buy back about four to six weeks after the bottom because they're hoping it goes lower. And they don't want to get dumped on."
'I'd Be Happy With 80,000'"They do not want to go and be exit liquidity for the panicked newbies that bought at the top," Terpin said, voicing the investor who buys a top and then bargains with every round number on the way down: "I'd be happy with 80,000 and all of sudden it goes down to 60 and it recovers up to 70. They're like, oh my god, I got out at 70. Thank God. I lost 30%."
"At the height of prices, we had close to one point seven billion dollars, I believe. And of course our assets under management fluctuate with prices," Caratori said of his own firm's funds. His measure of the buying is not the dollar figure: "we're still at our all-time high in terms of bitcoins under management."
"Above $80,000 there are still many billions of dollars in shorts waiting to be liquidated," darlene.net posted, the fuel bulls are counting on if the ETF bid chews through the wall at $79,500.
