Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Altcoins

21 July 2026 | 11:00 Ethereum is approaching the psychologically important $2,000 level after extending its recovery from the June low near $1,505. The altcoin trades around $1,930 at the time of writing after 2% daily gains, while continuing to form higher lows inside an ascending channel.

The level ahead is more than a round-number barrier. Three separate technical resistances converge in the same area, making the next reaction particularly important for the short-term structure.

Institutional demand also remained supportive. After two consecutive weeks of net inflows, US spot Ethereum ETFs opened the new week with another $38.09 million on Monday, July 20, led by BlackRock’s ETHA with approximately $34.31 million, per SoSoValue. The continued inflows strengthen the recovery backdrop, although one positive day does not confirm a lasting trend.

Ethereum is not advancing alone. According to CoinMarketCap, over the past 24 hours, HYPE gained approximately 2%, Solana rose 2.3% and XRP added 1.8%, showing that the move forms part of a broader recovery across major altcoins rather than an ETH-only breakout.

Three Resistance Levels Meet Near $2,000 The first obstacle is the 100-day simple moving average, currently positioned near $1,985. ETH remains below this longer-term trend measure despite already reclaiming the faster 50-day average.

The same area also contains the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement of the wider decline and the upper boundary of the rising channel that has guided the recovery since early July.

When several technical levels overlap, traders often treat the zone as stronger resistance than any individual indicator would provide on its own. A temporary rejection or consolidation near $2,000 would therefore not immediately invalidate the recovery.

Momentum remains constructive, with the daily Relative Strength Index near 65. That shows improving demand without placing ETH clearly above the traditional overbought threshold of 70.

Daily Ethereum price chart / Source: TradingView What Happens if Ethereum Is Rejected? The first support to monitor sits around $1,920, close to the recently reclaimed horizontal resistance and the lower half of the rising channel.

If buyers defend that area, ETH could consolidate before attempting another move through $2,000. Holding $1,920 would also preserve the current sequence of higher lows.

A daily break below that level and the channel support would weaken the immediate bullish setup. Attention would then shift toward the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement near $1,870, which previously acted as resistance before the latest advance.

The next major support below that area is near $1,730, where the 50-day moving average currently sits. A move that deep would represent a more substantial deterioration in the recovery structure.

A Breakout Still Needs Confirmation A move above $2,000 alone would not fully confirm the breakout. ETH would need to remain above the resistance cluster and successfully retest it as support.

That sequence would show that sellers around the 100-day average and the Fibonacci level had been absorbed. It would also move Ethereum outside the current ascending channel, increasing the possibility of a broader advance toward the next horizontal resistance near $2,100.

Until that confirmation appears, $2,000 remains the main decision area. A rejection would keep the recovery intact as long as $1,920 holds, while a confirmed breakout would mark a stronger shift in Ethereum’s medium-term structure.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

Author

Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work at Coindoo has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.

After weeks of steady decline, Shiba Inu has shown a slight but noteworthy recovery, with the well-known meme asset rising by about 1.7% during the most recent trading session. The move is notable because it came after a protracted period of diminishing momentum and almost constant selling pressure, even though it is insufficient to change SHIB's overall bearish trend. 

SHIB has recovered from local lows set earlier in July and is currently trading at about $0.0000114. The rebound occurs as the token makes an effort to hold steady above a crucial support area that has drawn buyers on multiple occasions over the previous few weeks. Technically speaking, the shift seems to be motivated more by seller fatigue than by aggressive new purchases. 

SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewSHIB is still below all significant moving averages, according to the chart. The long-term market structure is still bearish because the 50-day EMA is close to $0.0000118 and the 100-day and 200-day trend indicators are still significantly higher. Nonetheless, a number of indicators suggest that the downward momentum has started to wane. The RSI is now getting close to the 42 level after recovering from oversold territory. 

HOT Stories

This shows that selling pressure is no longer controlling the market to the same extent as it was in June and early July, even though it is still below neutral. The concept of stabilization is also supported by volume dynamics. Speculative mania is not driving the current rebound because trading activity has not skyrocketed. Rather, SHIB seems to be establishing a short-term base following a protracted decline. Overhead resistance continues to be the largest obstacle for bulls. 

You Might Also Like

The $0.0000118 and $0.0000120 resistance levels have now turned into resistance zones. A successful move above those levels could pave the way for the 100-day moving average and would be buyers' first significant technical victory in months. 

On the downside, SHIB would soon be vulnerable to another test of recent lows if support were not maintained at current levels. Traders should not assume that a single green session signals the start of a more significant trend reversal, due to the asset's propensity for extreme volatility. 

Ethereum Yet to Be TestedAs the second-largest cryptocurrency continues to recover from the severe June sell-off, Ethereum is getting close to what might be its most significant resistance test in recent months. ETH has risen back toward the $1,900 area after recovering from lows close to $1,550, putting it squarely below a significant technical barrier that may decide whether a move toward $2,000 materializes. 

Ethereum is currently trading at about $1,870 and has established a series of higher highs and higher lows throughout July. Growing momentum and a successful recovery of the 50-day and 100-day moving averages have bolstered this comeback. Bulls now have a stronger base than they did a few weeks ago because the 50-day EMA around $1,796 and the 100-day EMA around $1,732 have moved into support. The most significant obstacle is still ahead. 

ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe 200-day moving average for Ethereum is currently being tested close to $1,936, a level that has frequently served as resistance throughout 2025. This region is more significant than just a moving average. Additionally, ETH would return above a crucial psychological threshold and greatly improve market sentiment if it broke above the 200-day trend line. The current price structure indicates a rise in buyer aggression.

 Despite sporadic profit-taking, Ethereum formed a robust V-shaped recovery after the capitulation event in June and has continued to push higher. Throughout the advance, trading volume has stayed high, suggesting real participation as opposed to a purely speculative bounce. 

You Might Also Like

Momentum metrics lend credence to the bullish argument. The RSI has increased to about 60, indicating that demand is getting stronger, while it is still below overbought territory. In the event that resistance starts to wane, this allows for another leg higher.

The $2,000 level, which is still the next important psychological and technical target, would probably be reached with a clear close above $1,936. If the price breaks above $2,000, more momentum buying may occur, forcing sidelined investors to return to the market. Failure at current levels, though, might cause a brief decline toward support at $1,800. Such a move would postpone Ethereum's attempt to recover one of the most significant price levels in the market, even though it would not necessarily invalidate the recovery.

Bitcoin's Momentum Is ThereAfter recovering from its dramatic June correction, Bitcoin is quietly gaining momentum. The current technical structure indicates that the market still has room to rise before running into significant resistance. As buyers continue to defend higher lows, the path toward $68,000 seems more plausible, with Bitcoin currently trading at $64,600. 

Bitcoin's successful comeback above the 50-day and 100-day moving averages is the chart's most significant development. In contrast to the market structure observed only a few weeks ago, the 50-day EMA near $63,700 and the 100-day EMA around $63,100 are now functioning as support rather than resistance. 

BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewAfter Bitcoin briefly fell below $60,000 due to a sharp sell-off, buyers intervened forcefully, setting off a series of higher lows. The recovery has been gradual rather than rapid, which frequently provides a stronger basis for long-term upward movement. Technically speaking, the next major barrier does not appear until the $68,000 range. 

This region is in line with the 200-day moving average, which is currently close to $68,100. Traders are likely to see this zone as the first significant test for the continuing recovery, since long-term trend indicators frequently attract significant selling activity. The bullish argument is still supported by momentum indicators. 

You Might Also Like

The RSI has increased above 54, indicating that demand is improving without entering overbought territory. This is significant because it implies that Bitcoin still has potential to grow before its momentum becomes stretched. 

Following the June panic, volume has also stabilized, suggesting that the market is no longer going through the aggressive liquidation phase that defined the previous decline. Rather, as confidence reappears, participants seem to be progressively rebuilding their positions. But the overall trend is still uneven.

Even though the short-term outlook has significantly improved, Bitcoin is still far from the highs set earlier in the year and is still trading below its 200-day moving average. Bulls must demonstrate that the current comeback is more than just a passing rally. Technically, a move toward $68,000 seems warranted if the current support levels hold. 

Reclaiming the 200-day trend line could significantly boost market sentiment and bolster the case for a more significant recovery during the second half of the year, making such a rally a crucial turning point. With $68,000 emerging as the next significant target, Bitcoin's chart currently indicates that the market still has unresolved business to the upside.

Major cryptocurrencies are beginning to show signs of recovery after a challenging stretch marked by consistent selling and heightened volatility. Shiba Inu, Ethereum, and Bitcoin have each rebounded from their July lows, testing important resistance zones that could determine the direction of the broader market in the coming weeks.

Shiba Inu holds support, buyers show cautionShiba Inu, a well-known meme-based cryptocurrency, rose by 1.7% in the most recent session, marking a pause in its earlier slide. SHIB recovered from local lows reached earlier in July and is now trading around $0.0000114, attempting to stabilize above a key support area that has previously attracted buyer interest.

Technical analysis indicates that the move is propelled largely by a slowdown in selling pressure, rather than the emergence of significant new buying. With the price still below all major moving averages, including the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $0.0000118, SHIB maintains a bearish long-term structure.

Momentum indicators provide mixed signals. The relative strength index (RSI) has improved from oversold territory, now approaching 42, reflecting a reduction in selling momentum compared with June and early July. Trading volume remains subdued, indicating that speculative fervor is not driving the recent rebound.

For the market to shift decisively, SHIB must overcome resistance at $0.0000118 and $0.0000120. A move above those barriers may enable the price to target the 100-day moving average, which would represent a meaningful technical achievement for buyers.

Overhead resistance at $0.0000118 and $0.0000120 has become the most significant challenge facing bulls; only a successful breakout above these levels could turn market sentiment in their favor.

Should SHIB fail to maintain support at current prices, the token could be exposed to another test of recent lows.

Ethereum targets key resistance after V-shaped recoveryEthereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, is approaching a major technical milestone after rebounding from sharp June declines. ETH is currently trading near $1,870, having climbed from lows close to $1,550 this month.

Throughout July, Ethereum established a sequence of higher highs and higher lows, reclaiming its 50-day and 100-day moving averages. These short-term averages, now at $1,796 and $1,732, have shifted from resistance to support, strengthening the bullish case.

The main obstacle for Ethereum is the 200-day moving average, positioned close to $1,936. This level has frequently acted as resistance so far in 2025, and a breakout would not only shift the technical outlook, but could also restore positive sentiment among investors.

Momentum signals are improving. The RSI has climbed to around 60, remaining below overbought territory but highlighting renewed demand. Also, sustained trading volume underscores that participation is broad-based and not limited to speculative traders.

A confirmed break above $1,936 could open the way to the next psychological target at $2,000, potentially attracting more buyers and further momentum. However, failure to surpass resistance might see ETH revisit the $1,800 support zone, which could delay its recovery.

Ethereum LevelCurrent Price / IndicatorStatus50-day EMA$1,796Support100-day EMA$1,732Support200-day EMA$1,936Key ResistancePsychological Resistance$2,000Potential TargetMini dictionary: Exponential Moving Average (EMA), a type of moving average that gives more weight to recent prices, providing a more responsive indicator of trend direction compared to simple moving averages.

Bitcoin sets sights on $68,000 resistanceBitcoin has gradually rebounded from its steep June correction, regaining strength as buyers step in to defend higher lows. The largest cryptocurrency currently trades at $64,600, showing continued recovery momentum ahead of the key $68,000 resistance zone.

BTC’s return above its 50-day EMA at $63,700 and 100-day EMA at $63,100 marks a transition where former resistance levels now provide new support. This technical structure suggests improved confidence compared with recent weeks.

Buyers responded decisively after Bitcoin briefly dipped below $60,000, resulting in a steady, rather than rapid, climb. The next significant resistance is the 200-day EMA, located near $68,100, which has historically generated notable selling activity.

Momentum indicators continue to favor an upward move. The RSI has risen above 54, implying healthier demand without nearing the overbought threshold. Stability in trading volume further signals a gradual return of market participants following June’s sell-off.

The $68,000 region represents both a technical and psychological target for Bitcoin; if sustained support holds and the price reclaims the 200-day average, the rally could accelerate and meaningfully boost sentiment for the second half of the year.

Despite the positive short-term signals, Bitcoin remains well below its peak from earlier in 2025. Investors are watching closely to determine whether the recovery can maintain its momentum and break through key resistance levels, setting the stage for further gains.

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.

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.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

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.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has admitted that he regrets selling some of his early cryptocurrency holdings, including XRP at $0.10 and Ethereum at around $1. 

He says his decision was driven mainly by his aversion to risk, which he "really, really" hates. 

"Obviously, I wish I hadn't done those things," Schwartz replied.

HOT Stories

The Ripple veteran explained that the sales were part of an agreement he had made with his wife to gradually reduce exposure whenever his holdings reached new all-time highs.

“But I agreed with my wife to sell at every new ATH and I really, really hate risk,” Schwartz said. “I wish I was more comfortable with risk, but I'm just not that person.”

Unlikely price predictions Schwartz previously revealed that he sold his Ethereum because he viewed extreme price predictions as unlikely

Addressing criticism over the early sale, Schwartz said that his decision was based on probability rather than a lack of belief in crypto’s long-term potential.

“If I had thought there was a 1% chance of it hitting $2,368, I would not have sold it for $1.05,” Schwartz previously stated.

Ripple veteran no longer holds much XRPDespite once owning a significant amount of XRP, Schwartz has said that he has largely reduced his cryptocurrency exposure and "does not have much left anymore."

In April, Schwartz revealed that most of his remaining crypto holdings had been sold.

"I don't have that much left anymore," Schwartz said. "I've tried to get most of my assets (other than Ripple stock) away from crypto exposure."

You Might Also Like

He explained that his preference for lower volatility outweighed the possibility of future crypto gains.

The Ripple executive acknowledged that his decision could cause him to miss out on potentially historic returns but said he was comfortable with the tradeoff.

“I fully recognize that crypto may be a once-in-a-generation chance to get rich that we have not missed yet and that may mean that I miss a lot of it,” Schwartz said. 

Schwartz's early XRP position in the token was substantial. At the peak, he held approximately 26 million XRP.

"Me? At my peak holding, I had about 26 million XRP," Schwartz said.

He also explained that his early crypto strategy involved moving into XRP and Ethereum after selling Bitcoin.

He added that his personality played a major role in his approach. The Ripple veteran has repeatedly said that maintaining peace of mind is more important than attempting to capture every possible market gain.

"I don't really feel my wins and my losses really sting. I still have more risk left than I'm comfortable with. But, obviously, I can't really complain,” he said. 

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has admitted that he regrets selling some of his early XRP and Ethereum holdings, while explaining that risk management drove the decisions rather than a loss of confidence in cryptocurrency.

Summary

David Schwartz says risk aversion drove early XRP and Ethereum sales despite later price gains. Schwartz followed a family agreement to sell at new highs, reducing long-term crypto exposure substantially. The XRP Ledger co-creator once held about 26 million XRP before steadily cutting holdings down. Schwartz addressed the sales in a July 20 post on X after another user raised his history of selling XRP at $0.10 and Ethereum near $1. “Obviously, I wish I hadn’t done those things,” he said. 

However, he added that he had agreed with his wife to reduce exposure whenever his holdings reached new highs because he strongly disliked financial risk.

Obviously, I wish I hadn't done those things. But I agreed with my wife to sell at every new ATH and I really, really hate risk. I wish I was more comfortable with risk, but I'm just not that person.

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 20, 2026 Risk aversion drove Schwartz’s early crypto sales Schwartz has discussed his early exits several times in recent months. In January, he said he started selling XRP when the token reached $0.10 because that price appeared extremely high at the time. He also recalled believing that XRP reaching $0.25 was unlikely, showing how different market expectations were during the asset’s early years.

His Ethereum sale followed a similar pattern. Schwartz has previously said he sold 40,000 ETH at about $1.05 each. In May, he explained that he would have held the tokens if he had believed there was even a small chance that Ethereum could later reach thousands of dollars. 

“If I had thought there was a 1% chance of it hitting $2,368, I would not have sold it for $1.05,” he wrote.

If I had thought there was a 1% chance of it hitting $2,368, I would not have sold it for $1.05. I'm still not sure the odds of that happening really were more than 1% at the time. 😉

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 4, 2026 The latest comments make clear that Schwartz now regrets the missed returns. However, his explanation centers on his personal approach to risk. Selling at new highs allowed him to reduce exposure to assets whose future prices remained highly uncertain at the time.

His decisions also covered Bitcoin. Schwartz has previously acknowledged selling much of his early Bitcoin holdings at prices far below later market levels. His comments have repeatedly presented those sales as part of a broader effort to manage volatility rather than a specific judgment that the underlying networks would fail.

Former Ripple CTO has reduced his personal crypto exposure Schwartz once held a much larger XRP position than he does. As previously reported, his historical XRP holdings peaked at about 26 million tokens. He has since reduced that exposure and said in May that he had moved much of his wealth outside cryptocurrencies, apart from his Ripple equity.

That approach means Schwartz still has financial exposure to the digital asset industry through Ripple while holding fewer cryptocurrencies directly. He has not provided a complete public breakdown of his current portfolio, making it difficult to determine exactly how much XRP, Bitcoin or Ethereum he still owns. His recent statements instead focus on the broader shift toward lower personal crypto exposure.

The strategy also explains why his early sales continued even as cryptocurrency prices moved higher. Schwartz said his agreement with his wife called for selling at every new all-time high. Such sales locked in gains while gradually lowering the share of the household’s wealth tied to volatile digital assets.

His latest remarks do not present that approach as the best strategy for other investors. Rather, Schwartz described a personal preference that favored lower risk, even when that choice meant giving up the possibility of much larger returns.

Early XRP sales return to a wider price debate Schwartz’s comments come months after his previous statements about XRP price forecasts drew attention from the community. In January, he said that selling XRP at $0.10 once seemed reasonable because even $0.25 appeared unlikely to him. The example formed part of his response to claims that XRP could eventually reach much higher price targets.

The discussion also followed renewed attention around one of his older XRP posts. As crypto.news reported in April, Schwartz rejected claims that a 2017 discussion about XRP liquidity represented a guaranteed price prediction. He said the comments explained the relationship between asset value, liquidity and transaction size rather than promising holders a specific future price.

His latest admission does not introduce a new XRP forecast. Instead, it adds personal context to his earlier trading decisions. Schwartz has repeatedly acknowledged that he underestimated how high several cryptocurrencies could rise while also maintaining a cautious approach toward extreme future price targets.

The distinction has remained central to his recent comments. His regret concerns the returns he missed by selling early, while his explanation focuses on the information and probability estimates available to him when he made those decisions.

Schwartz remains active around XRP after leaving daily leadership Schwartz stepped away from Ripple’s day-to-day chief technology officer duties at the end of 2025 and became CTO Emeritus. However, he has remained involved with the company and the XRP Ledger community. As previously reported, he said he planned to continue coding, running independent XRPL infrastructure and researching new uses for XRP.

His involvement has continued through 2026. In June, Schwartz backed the XRP Ledger 3.2.0 upgrade by updating his independent hub server. The release included changes affecting XRPL infrastructure and tools connected with decentralized finance, lending and tokenized assets.

More recently, as crypto.news reported, Schwartz continued discussing the long-running legal debate surrounding XRP and Ripple’s case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He argued that the regulator had originally used broader language about XRP before the court later separated the token itself from the circumstances surrounding particular sales.

Schwartz’s latest comments remain focused on his own financial decisions. His early XRP and Ethereum sales produced returns at the time but left him without much of the later upside. More than a decade later, he continues to describe those decisions through the same framework: he accepts that reducing risk can also mean selling an asset long before it reaches its eventual peak.

8h17 ▪ 6 min read ▪ by Ariela R.

Summarize this article with:

This Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Russia is about to take a new step in the regulation of digital assets. The State Duma is indeed beginning the final reading of a bill that will regulate investors, crypto platforms, as well as cross-border payments. Analysts already see it as a double-edged strategy: attracting foreign capital without relaxing control over the domestic market.

In Brief The State Duma of the Russian Federation will examine bill no. 1194918-8 in second and third readings. The text creates the first comprehensive legal framework for digital assets in Russia, under the supervision of the Bank of Russia. If adopted, the main provisions will come into effect as of September 1, 2026. A Reform That Promises Legal Status for Crypto Assets Submitted by the Russian government on April 1, 2026, bill no. 1194918-8 is titled “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights.” It passed its first reading on April 21, 2026, with 327 votes in favor out of 340 voters. This was followed by approval by the State Duma’s financial markets committee, chaired by Anatoly Aksakov in early July. This Tuesday, July 21, it will move to second and third readings for a final vote.

Already, crypto analysts highlight two key points:

The new law legally classifies cryptocurrency as a property asset and not as legal tender. It also officially recognizes crypto-assets as property rights while entrusting supervision of the sector to the Bank of Russia. In other words, the ruble remains the only currency having legal tender in Russia. Furthermore, it is entirely possible (and legal!) to hold bitcoin, Ether, or any other crypto asset. Russians will even be able to buy or sell digital assets. However, they will not be allowed to use them to pay for everyday purchases.

For some crypto experts, the reading of this bill is thus clear: Russia considers digital assets as financial instruments rather than as currency.

Is the Russian Crypto Market on the Brink of Change? Bill no. 1194918-8 classifies crypto investors into two categories:

qualified; non-qualified. The first is a status regulated by Article 51.2 of the federal law “On the Securities Market” (law no. 39-FZ). To obtain it, at least one of the following criteria must be met:

assets or financial holdings exceeding a certain threshold (in the order of several million rubles, the threshold raised by the Bank of Russia in 2025); proven professional experience in financial markets; a diploma or specific certification recognized by the Bank of Russia; or, for legal entities, size criteria (equity, turnover) that effectively make them institutional players (insurers, management companies, investment funds…). The second group covers the vast majority of individuals. If the new crypto law is passed, they will see their investments capped at 300,000 rubles per year when purchasing crypto assets through a regulated intermediary. This represents between $3,800 and $4,000. For international transfers, the annual cap is 100,000 rubles.

Qualified investors will benefit from a more flexible regime. According to RBC, they will be able to:

acquire up to 3 million rubles worth of cryptocurrencies per year; transfer up to 1 million rubles abroad. Another key element: no purchase limit.

The Crypto Law Also Provides Enhanced Control Over Intermediaries The reform requires a license from the Bank of Russia for all crypto exchanges. The same applies to brokers, custodians, and other intermediaries. Licensed platforms could even act as tax agents. In other words, they will be authorized to directly collect income tax from crypto investors. Unauthorized exchanges could be banned starting July 2027. This date corresponds to the entry into force of the new crypto law if approved by the Duma.

As for mining, it remains under the supervision of the Federal Tax Service, not the Bank of Russia. This distinction reflects the legalization of mining by a law signed by Vladimir Putin in 2024.

An important technical detail: the bill dropped an initial requirement to disclose individual wallet addresses. Reporting will focus on balances and transaction flows.

Decrypting: private crypto wallets could interact with the licensed Russian infrastructure. However, enforcement rules remain to be clarified. The text does not name any specific crypto (neither Bitcoin, nor Ethereum, nor stablecoins). This leaves the door open to any digital currency deemed useful for foreign trade.

A Fully Assumed Crypto Strategy Analysts agree on one point: the timing of the Russian Parliament is no accident. Since 2022, Western sanctions have systematically cut Russia off from the traditional financial infrastructure. This notably includes the exclusion of certain Russian institutions from the SWIFT network. The bill thus constitutes a response to a structural constraint: making cross-border payments when conventional channels are locked.

That’s not all! The Duma vote also comes at a moment of global regulatory convergence. In the United States, the CLARITY Act is gaining ground in Congress. In Europe, the MiCA regulation is being implemented. In Asia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan are refining their frameworks. Russia, for its part, chooses a distinct path: not integrating crypto into an existing financial market, but transforming it into a monetary sovereignty infrastructure.

For investors, this implies two things:

On one hand, cross-border legalization strengthens bitcoin’s status as a neutral and borderless asset. On the other hand, liquidity concentration in state operators’ hands and sanction risks limit immediate appeal. One thing is certain: through its approach, Russia reaffirms its desire to integrate crypto-assets into its financial architecture. The next closely watched step: the publication of implementing regulations by the Bank of Russia.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Join the program

A

A

Lien copié

Ariela R.

My name is Ariela, and I am 31 years old. I have been working in the field of web writing for 7 years now. I only discovered trading and cryptocurrency a few years ago, but it is a universe that greatly interests me. The topics covered on the platform allow me to learn more. A singer in my spare time, I also cultivate a great passion for music and reading (and animals!)

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.

Ethereum Could Lead the Next Bull Market: Is Hayes Preparing with More Buys?

Table of contents

Wrapped Ethereum’s whale transaction count has just breached a level untouched for half a decade. According to the Santiment update, the WETH network recorded 113,000 transactions exceeding $100,000 in the past seven days—the highest since May 2021. The number is not just a statistical curiosity. WETH functions as the plumbing for Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, and a spike of this magnitude suggests serious capital is moving through trading, lending, and liquidity rails, not parking idly in cold storage.

The market backdrop makes the signal even harder to dismiss. U.S. spot Ether ETFs have been absorbing accelerated inflows, with BlackRock’s ETH products among the beneficiaries. Over on the L2 frontier, Robinhood Chain launched on July 1 and has been processing substantial DEX volume, using ETH for gas fees. That kind of utility-driven consumption feeds directly into WETH demand, since the wrapped asset is the standard for most DeFi interactions. It is a different kind of demand than the retail-driven mania of 2021.

Institutional and Treasury Activity Aligns Corporates are adding their own weight. Bitmine lifted its Ethereum stack to around 5.8 million ETH, a figure that places it among the protocol’s largest known holders. Bitmine, SharpLink, and Joe Lubin also threw their support behind Ethlabs, a project designed to make Ethereum more palatable for institutional participants. These moves line up with the broader reawakening tracked in on-chain metrics. It is the kind of coordinated signal that makes developer activity leaderboards worth monitoring alongside capital flows—both point toward where conviction is building.

Treasury accumulation, ETF inflows, and L2 gas demand create a multi-layered demand base that was absent during the last WETH whale spike. Back then, euphoric DeFi speculation and NFT minting fueled transaction bursts. Now the driver set includes regulated products, corporate treasuries, and high-throughput L2s. While that doesn’t guarantee price appreciation, it does shift the risk profile of Ethereum’s demand from purely speculative to partially structural.

Uncertainty and What to Watch Whale activity alone is not a buy signal. Santiment itself cautions that none of this “proves a straight-line rally.” Large transaction counts can spike during distribution phases or exchange movements just as easily as during accumulation. The current data does not break down direction—whether whales are moving into DeFi to deploy or moving onto exchanges to reduce exposure is not clear from the top-line metric. Traders should watch for confirmation in exchange netflows and stablecoin movement on Ethereum.

Still, the fact that the spike is occurring alongside growing institutional infrastructure—a trend echoed by recent tokenization milestones—gives the signal more weight than a random outlier. If subsequent weeks show the elevated transaction level holding, it would mark a genuine structural change in how capital flows through Ethereum’s ecosystem, one that has until now been masked by lower activity periods.

AUTHOR

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

Allbridge Core, a cross-chain protocol that facilitates stablecoin transfers across different blockchains, experienced a security breach that resulted in a loss of $1.65 million from its Solana deployment. The incident led to an immediate halt of all protocol operations as teams began an investigation into the cause and scope of the exploit.

Flash loan exploit hits Solana poolsThe attack took place on Allbridge’s Solana-based stablecoin bridge and was quickly confirmed by the project team. Allbridge paused activity as security teams and independent blockchain investigators began reviewing the incident’s impact.

According to research from blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, the attacker bridged all stolen assets to Ethereum at high speed before converting them into ETH. These rapid transfers complicated fund recovery and underscored the fast-moving nature of cross-chain exploits.

Allbridge halted operations after a $1.65 million exploit targeted its Solana pools, with the attacker immediately moving the stolen funds to Ethereum and converting them into ETH, raising concerns about ongoing security risks in cross-chain protocols.

Further blockchain analysis revealed that the attacker initiated the exploit by using a flash loan of $1.12 million in USDC, borrowed from Kamino, a Solana liquidity protocol. By carrying out several transactions within a single block, the attacker temporarily swapped USDC and USDT tokens, manipulating the exchange rate within Allbridge Core’s stablecoin pool.

This price manipulation allowed the attacker to withdraw more stablecoins than were initially supplied, generating significant profits without retaining the borrowed funds for long. After the flash loan was repaid, the attacker kept the proceeds, which investigators estimate at around $1.65 million. The attacker then attempted to conceal the funds via Ethereum-based privacy channels.

Allbridge urged liquidity providers in affected pools to withdraw their funds while investigations continue. The protocol also called on users who profited from temporary arbitrage opportunities related to the attack to voluntarily return the funds, aiming to compensate liquidity providers who sustained losses.

Mini dictionary: Flash loan — a type of uncollateralized loan that allows users to borrow large amounts of funds within a single blockchain transaction, often used for arbitrage or, in some cases, to exploit vulnerabilities in protocols.

Security concerns for cross-chain bridges intensifyThis exploit is not the first security incident for Allbridge. The protocol previously experienced a flash loan attack in 2023, which resulted in losses surpassing $573,000, this time on its BNB Chain deployment. Both episodes involved attackers manipulating swap prices within liquidity pools.

Cross-chain bridges like Allbridge remain attractive targets due to the large sums of liquidity they handle to facilitate asset transfers between independent blockchains. Successful attacks often cause major financial damage in a short amount of time and across multiple networks.

Bridge projectYear of major breachReported lossAllbridge (Solana)2026$1.65 millionAllbridge (BNB Chain)2023$573,000Taiko2026Not disclosedIn recent months, additional bridge platforms such as Taiko, Secret Network, Gravity Bridge, Verus Bridge, and Butter Network have faced similar security breaches. These incidents have put a spotlight on the importance of thorough smart contract audits, robust monitoring mechanisms, and improved liquidity protection for decentralized finance systems.

Blockchain security groups, including PeckShield and CertiK, quickly identified the Allbridge exploit just after abnormal on-chain activity was detected. Investigators are still analyzing transaction histories to fully map the attack and support possible fund recovery.

The investigation continues as Allbridge assesses potential security upgrades and seeks to address potential reimbursement for those affected. The repeated incidents underline the persistent challenges faced by cross-chain infrastructure despite advances in decentralized finance platform security.

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 crypto market overview for Monday shows cautious stability as Bitcoin price remains above $64,000. Ethereum price holds near $1,882, while XRP price struggles below the $1.10 resistance level.

Pi Network leads the market with a 15% jump. Pump.fun also extends its rebound. Traders are watching geopolitical tensions and the Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for July 28 and July 29 later this month.

Crypto Market Stabilizes as Bitcoin Holds Above $64k Level The wider crypto market is still pegged at around $2.2 trillion, which is indicative of minimal activity in the digital assets.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index of CoinMarketCap is 34, indicating a cautious attitude even after recent recoveries. Bitcoin price traded around $64,927 on Monday after gaining 1.45% during the previous seven days.

Source: CMC data The leading cryptocurrency is testing a bullish breakout near the $64,200 support zone. A sustained hold above $64,200 could help buyers challenge the $65,000 resistance level as per the detailed Bitcoin price analysis.

Nevertheless, a decisive drop below that level might push the Bitcoin further down, and leave it vulnerable to $60,000.

The renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran further raised market uncertainty. Investors will pay attention to the Federal Reserve meeting on July 28 and July 29.

The rate decision of the central bank may affect the liquidity expectations, risk appetite, and prices of the cryptocurrencies in the various markets.

Ethereum Price Consolidates Near $1,882 While XRP Faces Pressure Ethereum price was trading at $1,882 on Monday following a 4% increase over the past week. The ETH continues moving sideways between support near $1,820 and resistance at $1,940.

The breakout of above $1,940 may reinforce momentum and motivate buyers to seek new levels. Conversely, a drop below $1,820 may expose Ethereum to further selling pressure during the week.

Source: Tradingview XRP price is also in the weak position, and its upside has been repeatedly limited below the resistance level of $1.10. Its technical structure is weakening with the token approaching major support at $1.00.

Any recovery above $1.10 would be required to boost sentiment and rekindle short-term momentum.

Pi Network Extends Rally Ahead of Protocol v25 Upgrade Pi Network price gained more than 15% on Monday, extending its rebound for a fourth consecutive session.

The rally followed a 207% increase in daily trading volume to $40.47 million. That steep growth implies a new speculative buzz and increased purchasing dynamics around the PI token.

Pi Network’s Protocol v25 is bringing several Improvements@PiCoreTeam schedules its Protocol v25 upgrade for July 22 to optimize network stability and enhance smart contract efficiency across its global ecosystem.

The rollout introduces privacy-preserving smart contract… pic.twitter.com/Ynm1y1tadU

— BSCN (@BSCNews) July 16, 2026

Investors are preparing for the Protocol v25 upgrade, due July 22. The update will replace older Protocol v19 standards with newer features designed to improve network performance.

Pump.fun Rebounds 20% as PUMP Climbs to Two-Month High Pump.fun traded near $0.0020 on Monday after gaining 20% during the previous session. The PUMP token has gained over 35% in the last one week, which favors the positive short-term perspective.

Its price soared to a two-month high when crypto trader Ansem announced the new position in the token. The rally started on Sunday when PUMP rose by about $0.0016 to $0.0019.

A viral meme coin as well as more attention was paid to the Solana launchpad and enhanced platform activity.

Trader 0xbf73 made a 10x long trade on $1.53 million worth of 764.14 million PUMP, which was funded by $115,000 worth of SOL purchased by Ansem (@blknoiz06).

After Ansem(@blknoiz06) bought $PUMP with 1,500 $SOL($115K), trader 0xbf73 opened a 10x long on 764.14M $PUMP($1.53M).

Liquidation price: $0.0016194https://t.co/kQBbjROxl5https://t.co/80ApOhJZBQ pic.twitter.com/Q5gJLf675G

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) July 20, 2026

Nevertheless, additional returns might be pegged on the fact that Bitcoin is not going to drop and wider risk appetite is going to increase in the crypto markets.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has continued to discuss the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), arguing that the technology is steadily outperforming humans even in ways that many people do not think.

According to Buterin, people have long compared the capabilities of humans and AI using a single measure, such as intelligence or economic productivity. 

However, he believes that this single measure of comparison is misleading, suggesting that people are comparing AI to humans in the wrong way.

HOT Stories

Buterin discusses human vs AI capabilities In his latest assertions, Vitalik Buterin has suggested that both humans and AI should be viewed as possessing a broad range of capabilities.

These range from physical tasks like walking and doing things with their hands to cognitive skills such as strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and mental math.

You Might Also Like

To further support his claims, Buterin referenced the year 1500, when machines could only outperform humans in a few specialized tasks. 

He cited watermills and windmills as examples, noting that they were far better than people at utilizing natural energy, but humans remained superior across almost every other area.

Buterin says AI is expanding Nonetheless, the Ethereum founder mentioned that today's AI systems are following a similar pattern but on a much larger scale. He believes that they are surpassing humans even in ways that go beyond what we currently think.

Buterin explained that AI is gradually expanding into more domains rather than replacing humans overnight, as it is surpassing people in one capability after another as the technology improves.

As such, Buterin thinks that the evolution of AI should be measured by the growing number of tasks it can perform well, rather than by asking whether it has become "smarter" than humans overall.

Altcoins

20 July 2026 | 19:07 Ethereum is approaching a technically important area after recovering to approximately $1,885 on July 20. The price has moved back above 0.382 Fibonacci resistance level while continuing to trade within the rising channel formed during its rebound from the late-June lows.

The setup remains constructive, but the breakout has not yet been fully confirmed. ETH must hold above the reclaimed level and successfully retest it as support before the move can be treated as a stronger change in market structure.

The $2,000 Area Is the Next Major Test The chart shows ETH respecting a series of higher lows inside an ascending channel. The latest recovery pushed the price through the 0.382 Fibonacci barrier near $1,870 that had limited the previous advance, keeping the short-term bullish structure intact for now.

Daily Ethereum technical price chart. The next major resistance sits close to 0.5 Fib level near $2,000, where the 200-day simple moving average and a horizontal technical level converge. That combination could create stronger selling pressure than the resistance Ethereum has just challenged.

A sustained move above the current Fibonacci level would leave the upper part of the rising channel and the $2,000 region as the next targets. A breakout followed by a successful retest would provide stronger confirmation that buyers are maintaining control rather than producing another brief move above resistance.

The bullish interpretation would weaken if ETH falls below the lower boundary of the channel. In that scenario, the horizontal area around $1,800 would become the next visible support to monitor. Losing both the channel and that level would return the price to the wider consolidation range below.

ETF Flows Turn Positive After Eight Red Weeks The technical recovery is developing alongside an improvement in Ethereum spot ETF flows. The funds recorded $84.42 million in net inflows during the week ending July 10, followed by another $105.44 million in the week ending July 17, per SoSoValue data.

That represents two consecutive positive weeks and approximately $189.86 million in combined inflows after eight straight weeks in the red.

The reversal does not yet establish a long-term institutional accumulation trend, but it removes one source of persistent selling pressure that had accompanied Ethereum’s earlier decline. A third positive week would make the change in direction more convincing, particularly if ETH continues advancing toward the 200-day moving average.

Validator Exit Wait Falls to Zero Ethereum’s validator queue shows an even sharper imbalance according to Validatorqueue data. The exit waiting time reached effectively zero days, with only 32 ETH shown in the exit queue and an estimated wait of approximately one minute.

At the same time, the entry queue contained roughly 2.47 million ETH, producing an estimated waiting period of 42 days and 19 hours. The one-year queue chart shows entry delays remaining above 40 days while the exit wait returned to zero around July 19.

This suggests that substantially more ETH is waiting to enter the validator set than leave it. However, a zero-day exit queue does not mean withdrawn ETH becomes available immediately. The data also showed a separate sweep delay of approximately 7.7 days before exited funds could be processed fully.

The queue imbalance supports the view that demand for Ethereum staking remains strong, but it should not be treated as a direct price signal. Validator deposits can reflect long-term yield strategies and institutional staking operations rather than immediate spot-market buying.

The Bullish Structure Still Needs Confirmation Ethereum currently has three supportive developments working together: a rising technical structure, two consecutive weeks of ETF inflows and almost no validator exit backlog.

The decisive test remains near $2,000. Holding above the recently reclaimed Fibonacci level near $1,870 and the rising channel would keep that resistance in play. A rejection followed by a break below the channel would shift attention back toward $1,800 and show that the latest breakout attempt lacked enough demand to continue.

For now, the structure remains bullish, but the market still needs to confirm that the move above resistance can survive a retest.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

Author

Alex is Editor-in-Chief of Coindoo and co-founder of Millennial Media Group, with nearly a decade of experience covering financial markets - crypto first, then everything else. It started in 2016 with Bitcoin. Like most people at the time, he didn't fully understand it - so he kept digging. Blockchain, tokenomics, the projects, the cycles. That curiosity never stopped, and eventually pulled him into traditional markets too: equities, commodities, macro. Not because he left crypto behind, but because you can't properly understand one without the other. What drives him is straightforward: he wants to know why something is happening, not just that it's happening. Most market coverage stops at the headline - price up, price down, here's a chart. Alex finds that kind of reporting actively unhelpful. If you walk away from an article without understanding the mechanism behind the move, what did you actually learn? He holds a degree in Tourism from New Bulgarian University - not the most obvious path into financial markets, but markets have a way of pulling in people who are simply too curious to stay out. He has authored over 200 in-depth analyses and more than 10,000 articles across crypto and traditional finance. He still thinks every day in markets teaches him something new. That's probably why he hasn't stopped.

Ethereum price today: $1,900BitMine slowed its weekly Ethereum accumulation to 7,430 ETH after spending $85 million to repurchase 5.5 million BMNR shares.ETH ETFs recorded $105.4 million in net inflows last week, marking a second consecutive week of positive flows.ETH is retesting the $1,900 resistance ahead of a stronger cap at the 100-day EMA.Ethereum (ETH) is hovering near $1,900 following a drop in accumulation by BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) in favor of $85 million worth of share buybacks and continued recovery in ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

BitMine reduces ETH buying paceEthereum treasury firm BitMine scooped up 7,430 ETH last week, marking its lowest weekly acquisition since pivoting to a crypto treasury model.

The latest purchase has pushed BitMine's holdings of the top altcoin to 5.777 million ETH worth $10.86 billion at the time of publication. According to BitMine, that represents 4.8% of the entire ETH circulating supply and leaves it only 0.2% short of its initial goal of acquiring 5% of the top altcoin's supply.

The reduced buying pressure aligns with the company's previous statement that it will slow its pace of ETH accumulation as it approaches the 5% mark.

Instead, it has shifted capital toward stock buybacks. Last week, the Las Vegas-based firm spent roughly $85.88 million to repurchase roughly 5.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $15.61. The company said it executed the buyback under its already authorized $4 billion share repurchase program.

"We view the purchase of our common shares as accretive to shareholder value," said BitMine Chairman Thomas Lee in a Monday statement.

BitMine reiterated that it has staked 4.917 million ETH (about 85% of its holdings) via its “institutional-grade” staking platform, Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN). The tokens are projected to earn $247 million in annualized staking revenue.

The company also reported holdings of 207 Bitcoin (BTC), a $180 million stake in Beast Industries, a $58 million stake in Worldcoin (WLD) treasury, Eightco Holdings (ORBS) and total cash and marketable securities of $385 million.

ETH ETFs continue recovery, but inflows remain weakMeanwhile, US spot ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continued their recovery with $105.4 million in net inflows last week, per SoSoValue data. The move marks a second consecutive week of positive flows after eight straight weeks of outflows.

A majority of the recent flows are dominated by iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which attracted $135.31 million last week. Most of the other funds did not record any activity, while some posted net outflows.

Despite that, the funds remain deeply in negative territory, as recent flows remain low relative to the intense outflows over the past six months.

Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH retests $1,909 resistance, ahead of 100-day EMA capEthereum has recorded $73 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, led by $37.71 million in liquidated long positions, according to Coinglass data.

On the daily chart, ETH is holding a constructive near-term bias after reclaiming the short-term trend filters. Price stands above the 20 and 50-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) at $1,810 and $1,818, suggesting buyers are regaining control despite the 100-day EMA cap near $1,940.

Momentum supports this constructive tone, with the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering near 62 and the Stochastic around 80, indicating firm bullish pressure but edging into overbought territory, which could slow the advance as ETH approaches overhead levels.

ETH/USDT daily chartOn the topside, ETH is testing the immediate resistance at the nearby horizontal barrier around $1,909, followed by the 100-day EMA, which capped the price rise last week. A daily close above these would open the way toward $2,018 and $2,107, with higher bullish extension levels at $2,211 and $2,388.

On the downside, initial support aligns with the recent floor at $1,854, reinforced by the underlying 20- and 50-day EMAs clustered just above $1,810. A deeper pullback could see bids emerging at $1,741. A failure there would expose more distant supports near $1,524 and $1,404.

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

Top Ethereum treasury company Bitmine said Monday its Ether holdings had reached 5.78 million tokens, representing about 4.8% of Ethereum’s circulating supply, as the company closed in on its stated goal of accumulating 5% of all ETH.

According to Monday’s announcement, the company added 7,430 ETH (ETH) over the past week. About 4.9 million ETH, or roughly 85% of its treasury, is currently staked through its validator network and partners.

Bitmine valued its crypto, cash and marketable securities at $11.5 billion, including 207 Bitcoin and $385 million in cash and securities. The company also repurchased 5.5 million shares during the week under its previously authorized $4 billion buyback program.

Earlier this month, BitMine said its institutional staking platform, MAVAN, generated $45.7 million in staking and validation revenue during the three-month period ended May 31, accounting for 98% of the company’s total revenue.

BitMine shares were up more than 6% in Monday afternoon trading, bringing their one-month gain to around 3.3%.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Ethereum gains momentum, Strategy builds cashThe announcement comes after the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder Strategy paused Bitcoin (BTC) purchases for a second straight week, instead raising capital through stock sales and growing its cash reserve to more than $3.2 billion.

Ethereum (ETH) has also outperformed Bitcoin over both the past week and month. It has gained about 6.7% over the past seven days and 10% over the past month, compared with gains of roughly 5.8% and 2.6%, respectively, for Bitcoin (BTC), according to CoinGecko data at the time of writing.

Source: CoinGecko

Robinhood Chain fuels optimism around EthereumEarlier this month, Robinhood launched Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 network built on Arbitrum for tokenized stocks.

During its first two weeks, the blockchain attracted more than $141 million in bridged Ether and reignited debate over whether institutional adoption of Ethereum’s scaling networks ultimately drives demand for ETH.

Max Shannon, senior research analyst at Bitwise, told Cointelegraph Robinhood Chain reflects the “growth of the Ethereum ecosystem,” particularly among traditional financial institutions. 

Whether that institutional growth ultimately strengthens ETH remains an open question. ARK Invest’s Lorenzo Valente argued Robinhood Chain supports the bullish case for ETH as the ecosystem’s monetary asset, but weakens the investment thesis that Ethereum derives significant value from layer-2 fee revenue.

Bernstein analysts on Monday raised their price target on Robinhood, to $160 from $130 per share, based on their investment thesis that the online brokerage’s next phase of growth will be driven by tokenized equities and prediction markets rather than traditional crypto trading.

The firm highlighted Robinhood Chain as its proprietary infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets, enabling the platform to build on-chain financial products without relying on third-party blockchains.

The price of ETH has climbed about 20% from roughly $1,582 on July 1, when the chain launched, to around $1,900 at the time of writing.

Magazine: Strategy became a symbol of the dot-com crash: Could history repeat?

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

Bitcoin and Ethereum funds pulled in a combined $181 million over the same week as HYPE's nine-week inflow streak broke.

Spot Hyperliquid (HYPE) exchange-traded products recorded their first weekly outflow since launching in May, according to CoinShares' weekly Digital Asset Fund Flows report.

The products shed $7.26 million in the week ending July 17, ending a run of nine consecutive weeks of inflows.

The withdrawal trimmed cumulative net inflows to $301.34 million from $308.6 million. Net assets under management fell 12.7% to $306.03 million, a steeper drop than the cash outflow alone would imply, reflecting mark-to-market losses as the token's price declined over the week.

Majors Draw Inflows The week's outflow set Hyperliquid apart from the largest digital asset funds, which moved in the opposite direction over the same period.

Bitcoin (BTC) funds drew $75.67 million, a second straight positive week following eight consecutive weeks of outflows, per CoinShares. Ether (ETH) products added $105.44 million, XRP funds gained $6.78 million, and Solana (SOL) products collected close to $1 million.

Combined, the four leading fund groups pulled in more than $188 million for the week, indicating capital was rotating toward established names rather than exiting digital asset products broadly.

The fund outflow coincided with a decline in the token itself. HYPE fell more than 8% over the week, the largest drop among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, according to CoinGecko data. The token briefly slipped below $60 before recovering to the low-$60s.

Benjamin Cowen, a well-known analyst in the cryptocurrency market, evaluated the current state of Ethereum (ETH) and the possible scenarios it could follow for the remainder of the year in his new analysis video.

Cowen, noting historical cycles and macroeconomic data for Ethereum, which is trading around $1,900, warned investors that a new “window of weakness” could open in August and September following the temporary relief seen in July.

Cowen noted that, given the “midterm election years” in the US political and economic cycles, July has historically been a positive month for cryptocurrency markets.

However, looking at data from previous years, he pointed out that these increases in July were followed by sharp corrections in August and September.

“July has historically been a good month for crypto. However, looking at years like 2018 and 2022, we see that the rallies in July, following the declines in May and June, were reversed in August and September.”

Analysts comparing Ethereum’s past performance argued that the market is facing two different scenarios:

While Bitcoin is in a sideways/support-seeking phase, Ethereum and altcoins have completely lost support and fallen to their lowest levels (with drops of up to 80%).

Ethereum has proven more resilient than Bitcoin, forming a “higher low”.

Cowen stated that he doesn’t expect the current situation to bring about a catastrophic 80% drop, but a correction slightly deeper than in 2022 is possible due to social apathy and low participation. He predicted that in a potential pullback, Ethereum could experience a correction of around 40% from the approximately $1,800-$2,000 range, potentially refreshing its lows.

Cowen noted that the rate of social engagement in the market is quite low, stating that investor interest is close to 2018 levels (social risk score 0.25). He added that the expectation of a possible interest rate hike towards the fall (September-October), or the fear it creates, could trigger one last wave of selling in altcoins, which are risky assets.

Benjamin Cowen argued that the real critical test for Ethereum will occur between August and October. He stated that if Ethereum still holds the $1,800 level in September or October, confidence in the market will increase, but caution is advised until then. He added that a sustained bull momentum could be delayed until next year.

*This is not investment advice.

Follow our Telegram and Twitter account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!

https://money.com/what-is-ethereum/

Ethereum’s staking ratio has reached an unprecedented 33.9%, according to data from Token Terminal. This milestone indicates that approximately one-third of all ETH is now locked in staking contracts, reflecting increased confidence in the network’s security and potential future value. The rise in staking comes amid record-low exchange balances of liquid ETH, as institutional investors continue to channel funds into staked-ETH ETFs, such as those offered by BlackRock. With roughly 40.9 million ETH staked and valued near $74.5 billion, this development suggests a notable shift in Ethereum’s market dynamics.

Advertisement

Key Takeaways The new all-time high in Ethereum’s staking ratio suggests increased confidence in the network’s future potential. The substantial amount of ETH staked indicates a supply squeeze on liquid ETH, which could impact market liquidity. Current market pricing appears to reflect cautious optimism about Ethereum’s long-term value, with some scenarios supportive of a significant price increase. What to Watch Watch for further movements in institutional capital flows into staked-ETH ETFs, as these could indicate growing investor confidence. Additionally, developments such as Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) or regulatory changes could further influence Ethereum’s market dynamics. Market participants will likely keep a close eye on any announcements from key figures like Vitalik Buterin or major financial institutions that could impact Ethereum’s future price trajectory.

Get live prediction-market analysis, powered by Vera. Sign up for Vera.

Term Structure

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 1.9% — — View market → December 31, 2026 2.4% — — View market → December 31, 2026 2.8% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3.2% — — View market → December 31, 2026 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 9.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 12.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 3.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 7.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 45.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 7.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.6% — — View market → January 1 2027 30.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 25.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 17.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 82.5% — — View market →

An Ethereum wallet that had remained inactive since the network's pre-mine era has suddenly come back to life after more than a decade.

According to blockchain tracker Whale Alert, a dormant pre-mine address holding 2,000 ETH, worth approximately $3.79 million at current prices, was activated after 11 years of inactivity. 

The stash was worth just $620 when the wallet was first funded in 2015.

HOT Stories

Other recent activations The latest activation follows a string of similar events involving early Ethereum addresses.

In late April, a pre-mine wallet holding 10,000 ETH (worth nearly $22.9 million at the time) was reactivated after 10.8 years of dormancy. 

May then saw several more early wallets spring back to life, including addresses containing 2,000 ETH, 790 ETH, and 400 ETH, all inactive since Ethereum's launch period.

You Might Also Like

Earlier in the year, Whale Alert also detected dormant pre-mine wallets holding 401 ETH in March and 99 ETH in February becoming active after more than a decade.

Notably, no dormant Ethereum pre-mine wallet activations were reported in June, making July's latest awakening the first such event in weeks.

The trend has not been limited to Ethereum. Earlier this year, Whale Alert also tracked the reactivation of two ancient Bitcoin wallets containing 2,100 BTC and 500 BTC, which had remained untouched for more than 13 and 12 years, respectively.

Bitmine continues accumulationIn the meantime, institutional buyers continue accumulating the asset.

According to Onchain Lens, Bitmine purchased 7,430 ETH over the past week, increasing its total holdings to 5.78 million ETH. 

The company reportedly has 4.91 million ETH staked, with its Ethereum treasury valued at roughly $10.9 billion, while total crypto, cash, and other holdings stand at $11.5 billion.

At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at approximately $1,900 per ETH. 

Bitcoin climbed beyond the $65,000 mark on Monday after Senator Cynthia Lummis announced the CLARITY Act had cleared committee and advanced to the full Senate floor, marking a key step toward U.S. crypto market structure legislation.

Notable Statistics Coinglass data shows 79,479 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $245.39 million.        SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $132.3 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Friday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $36.7 million. In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Pump.fun, Virtuals Protocol and Pi. Notable DevelopmentsTrader NotesTrader KillaXBT noted Bitcoin is testing a key low-timeframe resistance after breaking above recent highs ahead of the new weekly open.

A rejection at current levels could signal a red week and reduce the chances of a move to sweep the $67,000 highs, making this area critical for maintaining bullish momentum.

Michael van de Poppe expects Bitcoin to rally toward the $80,000–$85,000 range over the next two to three months. He argued that the move would align with the 50-week moving average, which has historically acted as resistance during the first major rally after a bear market ends.

Trader and investor Virtual Bacon says the CLARITY Act’s House approval shifts the focus to a Senate floor vote before the August recess.

While its passage would be a major long-term catalyst for altcoins by enabling exchange products and new market narratives, they argue it won’t trigger an immediate rally, with Bitcoin needing to confirm the next bull market first.

Image: Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

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.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Grayscale staking ETF holders are set to receive staking rewards as direct cash payments under new SEC filings submitted by the asset manager on July 17, 2026. The amendments cover both the Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF (ETHE) and the Grayscale Solana Staking ETF (GSOL), shifting from a model where rewards only boosted net asset value (NAV) per share.

Cash Distributions Replace NAV Compounding for ETHE and GSOL Holders The shift marks a meaningful change for investors in both funds. Previously, staking rewards accumulated inside the trust and were only visible as a gradual rise in share NAV.

Earlier this year, Grayscale already tested the model for Ethereum, distributing $9.39 million ($0.083 per share) from ETHE staking rewards earned in late 2025.

That distribution, which was covered as part of the previous Ethereum staking rewards distribution and inflows, paved the way for expanding the same framework to Solana.

Under the updated structure, staking rewards will be liquidated into USD and paid out to shareholders at least once per quarter.

Grayscale retains the option to distribute more frequently. Net proceeds are calculated after deducting sponsor fees, expenses, and staking fees.
GSOL, which was launched on NYSE Arca in late October 2025 after the Grayscale Solana ETF (GSOL) launch, currently stakes nearly 100% of its SOL holdings.

As of mid-July 2026, the fund holds approximately $97 million in assets and generates roughly 6.10% gross annualized staking rewards. Net yield after fees comes in near 5.03%.

Fee reductions effective June 25, 2026, also improve shareholder economics. The sponsor fee for GSOL dropped to 0.19% from 0.35%, while the staking fee fell to 7% of gross rewards from 23%.

These cuts mean a larger share of yield reaches investors directly.

For those tracking the evolution of this product, Solana ETF options and inflows highlighted growing institutional demand for yield-enabled crypto exposure even before this distribution update.

What This Means for Investors as Grayscale Expands Its Staking ETF Strategy The quarterly cash distribution model transforms Grayscale’s staking products from pure price-exposure vehicles into yield-generating assets.

Investors now receive visible, predictable income, a feature that mirrors traditional dividend-paying funds more than typical spot ETFs.

It also raises Grayscale’s competitive profile in the Grayscale staking ETF space.

Competing products that only reinvest staking rewards into NAV lack the transparent income flow that income-focused retail and institutional investors often prefer.

Stronger demand for both funds could support underlying ETH and SOL prices through increased buying activity from authorized participants.

This move fits into a broader strategic push detailed in the background on GSOL development, which showed the product was years in the making through investor dialogue.

It also aligns with Grayscale’s wider staking ambitions, including its broader Grayscale staking ETF trend seen in its updated S-1 filing for a HYPE ETF that also incorporates staking.

Investors should note that staking yields are variable. Distribution amounts will fluctuate based on network conditions, validator performance, and ETH or SOL prices at the time of reward liquidation.

Tax treatment, likely ordinary income, should be reviewed with a professional advisor. The products are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Changes are expected to take effect around August 7, 2026, following the mandatory 20-day shareholder notice period triggered by the July 17 SEC filing.

Track active ICOs and upcoming token sales in one place.

Reference: SEC

Grayscale Staking Payout Proposal Could Reshape Ethereum And Solana Trusts Grayscale is proposing changes that would allow staking rewards from its Ethereum and Solana products to be paid out to investors in cash, a move that could make crypto staking exposure easier to understand for traditional fund holders.

The proposed amendments apply to Grayscale’s Ethereum and Solana trust structures, with cash distributions of staking proceeds expected on a quarterly basis if the changes take effect. The target date identified in the validation materials is around August 7, 2026.

That matters because staking has always been one of the awkward pieces of regulated crypto products.

Ethereum and Solana are both proof-of-stake networks, meaning holders can earn rewards for helping secure the network. But once those assets sit inside trust or ETF-style products, the question becomes more complicated: who earns the staking rewards, how are they handled, and can investors receive them without breaking the structure of the product?

Grayscale’s proposal is an attempt to answer that question in a more investor-friendly way.

TL;DR Grayscale has proposed staking reward cash payouts for Ethereum and Solana products. The plan would distribute staking proceeds quarterly if implemented. The change could make ETH and SOL trust products more attractive, but payouts are not guaranteed. Why Staking Rewards Matter Staking is not a side feature for Ethereum or Solana. It is part of how the networks operate.

Validators lock tokens, participate in consensus, and earn rewards for helping secure the chain. For direct holders, staking can be a way to generate native yield. For institutional products, the situation is more complicated.

A trust or ETF-like vehicle may hold ETH or SOL on behalf of investors, but that does not automatically mean investors receive staking rewards. Custody rules, tax treatment, product documents, liquidity needs, and regulatory expectations all affect what a sponsor can do.

That is why Grayscale’s proposed change is important.

If staking proceeds can be distributed in cash, investors may get a cleaner way to benefit from network rewards without needing to manage validators, wallets, slashing risk, or direct staking operations themselves.

That could make the products easier to explain to advisers and institutions.

Instead of saying the fund holds a proof-of-stake asset but does not pass through staking economics, the structure could offer a more visible link between the underlying asset and its yield potential.

Ethereum And Solana Are Different Staking Stories The proposal also matters because Ethereum and Solana do not carry identical staking narratives.

Ethereum is the deeper institutional asset, with larger validator infrastructure, more established custody integrations, and a broader ETF conversation. Solana is faster-moving, more retail-heavy, and often trades as a high-beta layer-1 asset with strong ecosystem activity.

Both networks offer staking rewards, but investors may interpret those rewards differently.

For Ethereum, staking payouts could strengthen the argument that ETH is not just a price-exposure asset but also a productive network asset. That has been central to the institutional case for ETH for years.

For Solana, staking payouts could make regulated exposure more competitive by showing that SOL products can also capture network-level economics. If traditional investors are looking at Solana as a major layer-1 allocation, staking distributions may make the product structure more appealing.

Still, the details matter.

Cash payouts depend on actual rewards, expenses, timing, and product terms. They should not be treated as fixed-income payments or guaranteed dividends.

The Regulatory Angle Is The Real Test The staking debate has always had a regulatory shadow.

US regulators have spent years scrutinizing staking services, especially when they involve intermediaries pooling assets or offering yield-like products. For fund sponsors, the challenge is to capture staking rewards without creating a product structure that regulators view as problematic.

That is why formal amendments matter.

Grayscale is not simply adding staking casually. It is proposing changes through product documents and SEC-facing processes. That gives investors a clearer paper trail and gives regulators a chance to assess the structure.

If approved or allowed to proceed, the move could influence how other crypto product sponsors think about staking.

Ethereum and Solana products that pass through rewards could become more attractive than products that simply hold the asset without capturing yield. That may create pressure across the market for staking-enabled structures.

But the outcome is not automatic.

The proposal still depends on implementation, product approvals, operational execution, and whether the final terms are acceptable to regulators and investors.

Payouts Are Useful, But Not Guaranteed Investors should treat the proposal carefully.

Quarterly cash distributions sound appealing, but staking rewards vary. Network reward rates can change. Validator performance matters. Fees and expenses reduce proceeds. Tax treatment can affect what is distributed and when.

There is also slashing and operational risk, even if professional custodians and validators reduce that risk.

So the correct framing is not that Grayscale is creating a guaranteed yield product. It is that the firm is trying to pass through staking economics in a regulated wrapper.

That is still significant.

Crypto investment products are becoming more sophisticated. The first generation focused on access: can investors get exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana through familiar channels? The next generation is about whether those products can reflect more of the underlying network economics.

Grayscale’s proposal sits inside that second phase.

If it works, staking-enabled crypto products could become a larger part of institutional portfolios. If it runs into regulatory or operational friction, the market will learn where the limits are.

Either way, the proposal shows that staking is moving deeper into the regulated investment-product conversation.

This article is based on Grayscale SEC filing materials.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

Sneha Agrawal

With over four years of experience in covering and tracking the financial markets, Sneha Agrawal is a dedicated Crypto Journalist and Editor with passion for researching and writing the crypto pieces. She is currently leading the Block of Fame, here at CoinGape. She likes to keep track of political, legal and financial happenings all around the world - without which she deems her day incomplete. Apart from her Journalistic endeavours, she is a solo traveler, museum goer, and a keen reader of books.