The final of the US-Canada-Mexico co-hosted World Cup will kick off at 3:00 AM on July 20 at New Jersey Stadium in the New York metropolitan area. US President Donald Trump has confirmed his attendance. The US has launched a "Level 1" special security operation for the event. Deployments at the venue include F-16 fighter jets, military snipers, and thousands of FBI agents, with temporary flight restrictions and no-fly zones implemented across New York and New Jersey. On match day, roads around the stadium will be under traffic control; fans are required to arrive at least four hours before kickoff, while media must complete check-in and security screening by 12:30 PM Eastern Time on July 19.
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Circle's CEO responds to the roughly 76% plunge in the company's stock price: Executing long-term plans such as Arc properly will naturally make the stock price take care of itself.
Circle CEO Heath Tarbert recently admitted in an interview with Fox Business that the company’s stock price has plunged roughly 76% from around $260 in June last year to approximately $62. He responded that if the company executes its long-term plans well—including the Arc blockchain infrastructure project—"the stock price will take care of itself," and stressed that "Circle is in it for the long haul." However, analysts have grown cautious about Circle’s outlook. Mizuho cut its rating on CRCL from "Neutral" to "Underperform," slashing the target price from $85 to $50, implying roughly 21% downside potential. Mizuho noted that even if interest rates stay high through 2027, this will not offset pricing pressure and profit erosion from intensifying competition. Retail investor sentiment on Stocktwits remains in "bullish" territory, while discussion volume stays elevated. Regarding the emerging stablecoin Open USD—backed by around 140 companies and planned to return reserve profits to partners and waive minting fees—Tarbert said Circle welcomes competition, adding that rival consortium models are extremely hard to sustain long-term. He emphasized USDC remains the world’s leading stablecoin, with its core moat built on scale advantages: roughly $73 billion in current circulating supply and native support for 34 blockchains. Meanwhile, Circle is actively expanding its global payment footprint, having signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s JCB to explore USDC use cases in merchant payments and cross-border treasury management, including enabling overseas tourists to use stablecoins for in-person payments in Japan.
35 minutes ago
Updated predictions for NBA star LeBron James' next team: Miami Heat lead with 47% market support.
Latest data from prediction market platform Predict.fun shows that, as of press time, in forecasts for NBA star LeBron James’ next team, the Miami Heat lead with a 47% probability, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers (23%), Golden State Warriors (10%), Philadelphia 76ers (7%), and Minnesota Timberwolves (2%). Discussions surrounding James’ future destination have been heating up recently. The 41-year-old James told attendees at the July 17 Fanatics Fest event that he “won’t keep everyone waiting long,” adding that his decision on a new team is significant and he will not rush into it. Meanwhile, Miami Heat president Pat Riley publicly extended an olive branch to James, revealing he has held talks with James’ agent Rich Paul, describing the discussions as “very smooth.” Riley also cited Florida’s lack of state income tax, pleasant climate, and high-quality living environment as major draws for players, adding with a meaningful note: “We’ve successfully landed one plane, and now there’s another plane that needs to land.”
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US and South Korean stock market price preview for Monday: SK Hynix and Samsung are expected to open slightly lower, while US stocks are set to edge higher in pre-market trading.
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Viewpoint: 50% of BTC’s total circulating supply has changed hands above $59,000, and a bottom structure is currently forming.
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A certain address plans to short Changxin worth $2.155 million, with an intended average short price of $7.1825.
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South Korean government: Will explore ways to minimize the market impact of leveraged products during specific periods and reduce the deviation rate between ETF net asset value and actual closing price.
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AUD/USD enters the week with bulls retaining a slight edge, despite mixed signals across the charts and increasingly bearish futures positioning. Australia's employment report is the standout event on an otherwise quiet calendar, with traders watching to see whether it can provide the catalyst for the pair's next move.
View related analysis:
Nasdaq 100 Signals Deeper Pullback, Chipmakers Lead Selloff into Earnings Gold Outlook: XAU/USD Closes Below 4,000 for the First Time Since October Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD Bounce Losing Steam Ahead of US CPI Yen Bears Capitulate, US Dollar Nearing Sentiment Extreme? | COT report
Australia This Week: Economic Data and Events for AUD/USD Traders It is a good job we have the employment report on Thursday, otherwise the domestic calendar would officially be dead. Though it runs the risk of being a non-event if it continues to chug along with decent-ish figures.
Any concerns that Australia's labour market was beginning to roll over were put on the backburner after May's figures. Unemployment edged down to 4.4% from the 4½-year high of 4.5%, while employment rose by 40.3k, even if most of the gains came from part-time jobs. The figures should allow the RBA to retain a mildly hawkish bias, although they are unlikely to strengthen the case for another rate hike in the near term.
Source: ABS, LSEG
Unless the US flash PMIs deliver a meaningful surprise in either direction on Friday, or an unexpected catalyst emerges, it could prove to be another relatively quiet week for AUD/USD volatility from the economic calendar.
Appetite for risk may weigh on AUD/USD sentiment slightly should Wall Street earnings surprise to the downside, and traders will also keep an ear out for the latest saga of the US-Iran war.
Australian Dollar Performance Against Major Currencies Another mixed performance from the Aussie dollar last week, rising against safe-havens Japanese yen and Swiss franc, the US dollar and euro. AUD was effectively flat against the British pound, and lost ground to the Canadian dollar and New Zealand dollar.
Source: LSEG
AUD/USD rose for a third week, though only just managed to recoup its losses sustained during the week it fell below 70c AUD/CAD remains within its choppy sideways range, holding above the April high and 20-week EMA for now AUD/CHF increased for a second week, though handed back gains on Friday around the 2015 SNB-spike low AUD/EUR tracked AUD/USD higher for a third week, though last week’s doji warns of weakness to the underlying move AUD/GBP snapped a 3-week losing streak with a marginal gain of 0.04%, showing neither bulls or bears are in control for now AUD/JPY enjoyed its best week in 8 with its 0.9% gain, with bulls potentially eyeing another attempt at breaking above 115 should sentiment allow AUD/NZD suffered its worst 3-week run in 15 months and closed below 1.20
AUD/USD Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar vs US Dollar AUD/USD Correlations The inverse relationship between AUD/USD and the US dollar index remains consistently strong across the 10, 20 and 60-day timeframes. Positive correlations with the offshore yuan and NZD also remain firm, while links with equities are generally weak, suggesting broader risk sentiment is playing a smaller role in driving the Australian dollar.
Source: LSEG
AUD/USD Futures Positioning | COT Report Futures traders continued to turn more bearish on the Australian dollar last week, with gross longs declining and short positions increasing. Large speculators lifted net-short exposure for a fifth consecutive week to a 31-week high of 30.4k contracts. Asset managers were more measured, increasing net-short exposure by 3.2k contracts after adding 5.2k shorts while also increasing long positions by 1.9k contracts.
There is little in this dataset to suggest anything beyond a modest deterioration in sentiment towards the Australian dollar, with positioning still well short of bearish extremes. If anything, it suggests AUD/USD could remain rangebound, with rallies likely to be capped unless a fresh catalyst emerges.
Source: CFTC (COT) CME, LSEG
For traders wanting a deeper understanding of futures positioning, I’ve also published a guide on how to read and interpret weekly COT data in forex markets.
AUD/USD Technical Analysis There are a few mixed signals, although the bias may be tilted slightly to the upside this week. While AUD/USD advanced for a third consecutive week, it formed a wide-bodied, long-legged doji, highlighting indecision. Looking beyond the five-week rally at the end of February, the Australian dollar has generally seen winning streaks end after the third week over the past 15 months.
The daily chart, however, remains constructively bullish. A higher low and bullish engulfing candle formed above the 200-day EMA last week. While resistance emerged at the 50-day EMA, the narrow two-day pullback suggests bears lack conviction. With the AU–US two-year yield spread rebounding from multi-month lows, bulls may instead look to buy dips this week, even as implied volatility trends lower.
Volatility remains below its 20-week average, although it has begun to edge higher, as shown by the high-to-low percentage range indicator in the lower-right panel.
The 70c level remains the main hurdle for bulls. A sustained break above it would bring the one-week implied volatility range into focus, with the upper band pointing towards 0.7050. Beyond that, I suspect bears may still be seeking another crack at the March low.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Agreement supports the evaluation of tourism, airport connectivity and future advanced air mobility use cases across key islands.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Eve Air Mobility ("Eve") (NYSE: EVEX, EVEXW; B3: EVEB31) and Moov have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for up to 30 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, supporting the companies' joint exploration of advanced air mobility (AAM) opportunities in Cabo Verde and Europe. The initiative will evaluate how eVTOLs can expand tourism and regional mobility offerings across the African archipelago.
Eve and Moov will explore use cases including sightseeing and shuttle services between airports, ports and resorts, as well as regional mobility across São Vicente, Santo Antão, Sal, Praia and Boa Vista. The companies have also identified potential in medical transport services and infrastructure inspections.
According to the World Bank[1], Cabo Verde's tourism sector continued to expand in 2024, with tourist arrivals reaching an estimated 1.18 million, up 16.5% year over year, marking tourism's role as one of the country's key economic drivers. As the archipelago continues to invest in connectivity and visitor infrastructure, companies see an opportunity to explore how eVTOLs can complement existing transportation networks and enhance mobility offerings.
"This LOI with Moov reflects Eve's continued commitment to working with customers and partners that are building practical, high-value advanced air mobility use cases," said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. "Cabo Verde offers a compelling combination of tourism demand growth, geographic diversity and infrastructure investment momentum, making it an exciting market to explore how eVTOLs can complement existing transportation networks and develop new segments."
Moov is a Switzerland-incorporated aviation company based in Lugano, building the Atlantic Gateway: a new intercontinental aviation network connecting Europe, Africa and Latin America. As part of its broader vision, the company is also assessing how AAM technologies may support local connectivity and premium travel experiences within its network ecosystem.
"We believe Cabo Verde is uniquely positioned to benefit from innovative mobility solutions that enhance the visitor experience while supporting long-term connectivity and economic development," said Captain Alvaro N. de Oliveira, Founder and CEO of Moov. "By working with Eve, we are exploring how eVTOL aircraft could complement our broader vision for aviation in the mid-Atlantic and open new possibilities for premium, efficient and sustainable transportation."
Moov's leadership team brings decades of aviation and business leadership experience, including airline launch expertise and senior roles across global carriers, air cargo operators, procurement, finance, operations and strategy. The founding and advisory team includes executives with experience at companies such as Azul, Modern Logistics, Swiss International Air Lines, Etihad Airways, FedEx and ASL Aviation Group.
The LOI comes at a time of continued investment in Cabo Verde's transport, tourism and strategic infrastructure. Recent airport modernization programs and broader public-private sector investments are reinforcing the country's long-term growth outlook and strengthening the case for new mobility solutions to support tourism, connectivity and sustainable development.
Eve Air Mobility is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer's 56-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to advancing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network, and a unique air traffic management solution. Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (EVEX; EVEXW) and the São Paulo Stock Exchange (EVEB31), where its shares of common stock, public warrants and Brazilian Depository Receipts are traded. For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
About Moov Airways AG
Moov Airways AG is a Swiss-governed aviation platform building the Atlantic Gateway—a new architecture for intercontinental connectivity linking Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Focused on underserved markets, Moov combines aviation expertise, strategic partnerships, and innovative operating models to unlock new opportunities for travel, tourism, trade, and economic development across the Atlantic Basin. The company's leadership team brings more than 150 years of combined business and aviation experience, including four successful airline and air cargo launches. For more information, visit: moov.aero.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "could," "should," "would," "continue," "seek," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "if current trends continue," "optimistic," "forecast" and other similar words or expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the company's plans, objectives, expectations, outlooks, projections, intentions, estimates, and other statements of future events or conditions, including with respect to all companies or entities named within. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth herein as well as in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, there may be other factors of which the company is not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. The company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements. other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statement.
[1] Source: World Bank, Cabo Verde Economic Update 2025: Unlocking Inclusive Growth through Increased Resilience and Equal Opportunities.
The agreement demonstrates growing demand for advanced air mobility and leasing solutions for eVTOLs.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX, EVEXW; B3: EVEB31), a leader in advanced air mobility solutions, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Shearwater Global Capital ("Shearwater"), the aviation finance company of Bay Point is a specialist aviation lender providing asset-based financing to borrowers globally, for up to 16 vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement supports Shearwater's strategy to broaden its aviation finance platform to include emerging asset classes such as advanced air mobility (AAM), reflecting its continued focus on financing solutions for the evolving aviation sector.
The order marks a step in Shearwater's strategy since joining Bay Point in April 2026 as a lessor to invest in transformative aviation technologies, expand its business aviation portfolio, and align with the future of sustainable transportation. As a financial institution focused on aviation investments, Shearwater and Bay Point intend to leverage Eve's industry-leading backlog to offer leasing solutions that will advance air mobility operators access aircraft and accelerate fleet deployment. The companies will also explore additional financing opportunities as demand grows for advanced air mobility and efficient, lower-emissions transportation solutions.
"We are pleased to welcome Shearwater to Eve's growing network of customers and partners," said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility. "We believe advanced air mobility will play an important role in shaping the future of transportation, and we look forward to supporting Shearwater as it offers leasing solutions to the market."
Eve's eVTOL aircraft is designed to deliver an efficient, sustainable, and customer-centric transportation experience. Backed by more than five decades of Embraer's aerospace expertise, Eve's aircraft and service ecosystem are positioned to support operators seeking to introduce advanced air mobility services safely and efficiently.
"This order reflects our confidence in Eve's technology, leadership team, and vision for advanced air mobility," said Chris Miller, managing director – Aviation, Shearwater Global Capital, a Bay Point company. "We believe advanced air mobility will become a global market, and Shearwater intends to play a leading role in supporting that growth through innovative leasing solutions. By leveraging Eve's industry-leading backlog and integrated ecosystem of aircraft and services, we see a compelling opportunity to help operators expand and create long-term value."
The agreement adds to Eve's industry-leading backlog of aircraft commitments from customers and investors worldwide and highlights continued momentum in the advanced air mobility sector and the growing commercial value of its ecosystem.
As the AAM industry advances toward commercialization, Eve continues to work with operators, investors, lessors, and infrastructure partners worldwide to develop practical, scalable use cases that enable safe, efficient, and sustainable air transportation.
Images: Bay Point eVTOL
About Shearwater Global Capital
Shearwater Global Capital, the aviation finance company of Bay Point, is a specialist aviation lender providing asset-based financing to borrowers globally. The firm, founded in 2014 by Chris Miller, focuses on non-bank clients across commercial and private aviation, with deep expertise in pre-delivery financings, special mission aircraft, and older-vintage assets. Shearwater joined Bay Point, an Atlanta-based private credit firm specializing in asset-backed lending across niche markets underserved by traditional lenders, in 2026 to establish a dedicated aviation finance vertical. For more information about Shearwater Global Capital visit www.shearwaterglobal.com and for more information about Bay Point visit www.baypointadvisors.com.
About Eve Air Mobility
Eve Air Mobility is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer's 56-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to advancing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network, and a unique air traffic management solution. Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (EVEX; EVEXW) and the São Paulo Stock Exchange (EVEB31), where its shares of common stock, public warrants and Brazilian Depository Receipts are traded. For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "could," "should," "would," "continue," "seek," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "if current trends continue," "optimistic," "forecast" and other similar words or expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the company's plans, objectives, expectations, outlooks, projections, intentions, estimates, and other statements of future events or conditions, including with respect to all companies or entities named within. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth herein as well as in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, there may be other factors of which the company is not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. The company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements. other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statement.
Publication marks a significant milestone in establishing the environmental certification framework for eVTOLs.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Eve Air Mobility ("Eve" or "the Company") (NYSE: EVEX, EVEXW; B3: EVEB31) welcomes the publication by Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) of the Proposed Noise Certification Criteria for Eve 100, the Company's electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The proposal is open for consultation until August 08 and represents a major step toward establishing the environmental certification framework for eVTOLs. The publication is a key milestone in the Eve 100 certification process and demonstrates continued progress toward type certification.
"ANAC's publication of the proposed noise certification criteria is an important milestone in the development and certification of Eve 100," said Johann Bordais, CEO at Eve. "We appreciate ANAC's leadership and collaborative approach in developing a framework tailored to this emerging technology aircraft. This initiative supports the safe and responsible introduction of eVTOL operations for urban mobility while promoting international regulatory alignment."
As the aviation industry introduces innovative technologies that differ from conventional aircraft, dedicated certification criteria are necessary to address the unique operational and acoustic characteristics of these vehicles. The proposed criteria are the result of extensive engagement between Eve and ANAC and draw on existing aviation noise regulations, adapting them to the specific characteristics of Eve 100 and its future operations.
The consultation also reflects broader international efforts led by aviation authorities and industry stakeholders to develop harmonized approaches to emerging technologies. Eve continues to actively participate in global regulatory discussions, helping support the development of future noise standards for advanced air mobility.
"Aircraft noise is a critical component of aviation environmental certification and an important factor in public acceptance of urban air mobility," said Isabel Lima, Head of Noise and Vibration at Eve. "Noise certification establishes measurement methodologies and compliance criteria, ensuring that new aircraft are introduced with appropriate environmental protection and consideration for surrounding communities."
As part of the certification process, the proposed criteria are intended to evaluate the acoustic characteristics of Eve 100 throughout phases of flight, supporting a comprehensive understanding of the aircraft's environmental footprint before commercial operations begin.
Noise reduction has been a key consideration throughout the development of Eve's eVTOL. Drawing on a lift-plus-cruise architecture, the aircraft has been designed to deliver a quieter experience than conventional helicopters. Eve's approach to community acceptance is also supported by insights from its Visual & Sound Perception Study, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). Using virtual reality and sound simulations, the study engaged more than 100 participants across New York, Orlando and San Francisco to better understand how communities perceive the sights and sounds of eVTOL operations in different urban and suburban settings. Alongside acoustic modeling assessments, engineering prototype flight testing continues to support Eve's efforts to better understand and optimize Eve 100's noise characteristics as the program advances.
Following completion of the consultation period, ANAC will review stakeholder contributions and continue work toward finalizing the applicable certification requirements. Eve continues to work closely with ANAC as the primary certification authority, while pursuing international validation activities that support the future global deployment of Eve 100.
Eve Air Mobility is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer's 56-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to advancing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network, and a unique air traffic management solution. Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (EVEX; EVEXW) and the São Paulo Stock Exchange (EVEB31), where its shares of common stock, public warrants and Brazilian Depository Receipts are traded. For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "could," "should," "would," "continue," "seek," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "if current trends continue," "optimistic," "forecast" and other similar words or expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the company's plans, objectives, expectations, outlooks, projections, intentions, estimates, and other statements of future events or conditions, including with respect to all companies or entities named within. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current objectives, beliefs and expectations, and they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and financial position and timing of certain events to differ materially from the information in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth herein as well as in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, there may be other factors of which the company is not currently aware that may affect matters discussed in the forward-looking statements and may also cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. The company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or supplement any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statement.
We take a look at the action in business development companies through the second week of July and highlight some of the key themes we are watching. Business Development Companies (BDCs) showed resilience, bouncing from recent lows and signaling a strong Q2, with sector returns estimated at +3% to 4% valuation-adjusted. Market fears over the 'SaaSpocalypse' are moderating, with investors recognizing the durable moats of incumbent software firms, especially those managing critical systems of record.
Conagra Brands (CAG 1.31%) reported fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 earnings on July 15. Newly appointed CEO John Brase, who took the helm on June 1, wasted no time announcing a 50% cut to the dividend, reducing the quarterly payout from $0.35 per share to $0.175, or $0.70 per year. The dividend cut will reduce Conagra's yield from 10% to 5%, which is still high-yield territory and significantly higher than the S&P 500's dividend yield of 1%.
With Conagra stock down more than 50% in the last two years and its market cap falling to $6.7 billion, Conagra was kicked out of the S&P 500 on June 29.
Despite the massive dividend cut, Conagra Brands fell just 0.4% on July 15. Here's why the dividend cut could signal the right move for long-term investors. Is the value stock a good buy now?
Image source: Getty Images.
The good and the bad from Conagra's results Conagra reported a 2.9% decrease in net sales for fiscal 2026 and a 0.4% decline in organic net sales. The company is guiding for a 1% to 3% decline in fiscal 2027 organic net sales compared to fiscal 2026 as the industrywide slowdown drags on.
Conagra took a $2 billion goodwill and brand impairment charge in its latest quarter, which it attributed to a sustained decline in its share price and market capitalization. The impairment charge led to a hefty $3.37 in negative earnings per share (EPS). But excluding that charge, Conagra earned $0.47 in EPS and is guiding for adjusted fiscal 2027 EPS of $1.40 to $1.50 and adjusted operating margins of 10% to 10.5%.
While impairment charges affect the income statement and earnings, they don't affect cash inflows and outflows. In fact, Conagra raked in $979 million in free cash flow (FCF) in fiscal year 2026, which was less than the $1.3 billion from the prior fiscal year but was still enough to cover $670 million in dividends. With dividend expense cut in half and growth basically stalling, Conagra should have more cash to work with in fiscal 2027 to try to turn its business around.
Conagra exited fiscal 2026 with $7.1 billion in net debt, a 11.9% reduction from the prior year, but still a significant amount of debt for a company of its size. With more FCF to work with, Conagra should be able to reduce its leverage further in fiscal 2027.
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A dividend cut was the right move While no investor wants to see their quarterly dividend checks shrink, the trade-off is worth it if the underlying business improves. After all, a dividend is only as reliable as the company paying it. And if the dividend is soaking up much-needed cash or adding to the company's debt, it's unstable.
If you had invested $1,000 in Conagra stock 10 years ago, you'd have $554 today -- even when factoring in dividends. You can think of collecting high-yield dividends from a struggling company like plugging holes in a sinking ship. It would be far more useful to fix the underlying problem causing the ship to sink than to appease shareholders with a short-term solution like a high dividend.
However, the challenge with Conagra is that extra cash alone won't solve its problems. The company doesn't have an exciting new business idea with a good chance of generating a high return on capital. Rather, it has a portfolio anchored in frozen foods, snacks, treats, and processed foods.
Conagra has made a concerted effort to fine-tune its healthier brands by reducing its product count, removing artificial colors, and offering more nutritious versions of some products. But there's no denying Conagra is operating in the most challenging part of the food industry -- which is North American processed foods.
For context, PepsiCo (PEP 1.66%) is hovering around a multiyear low because its North American snack business (PepsiCo owns Frito-Lay) is dragging down what has otherwise been a solid performance from its North American beverage portfolio and excellent international results. Conagra doesn't benefit from diversification, as the vast majority of its sales come from North America.
Conagra is dirt cheap for good reasons Even after its dividend cut, Conagra will still yield around 5%. Its FCF should be more than enough to cover its dividend. And the stock trades at just 9.7 times the midpoint of its adjusted earnings forecast. But Conagra has a lot of debt. And the company's pivot toward healthier options has yet to translate to meaningful results. So investors should consider the consumer staples stock only if they believe the company's portfolio of brands is strong enough to adapt to changing consumer preferences. If that happens, Conagra could look dirt cheap in hindsight. But a safer bet is to go with a stock like Pepsi that isn't solely dependent on the North American packaged food industry.
Like Conagra, Pepsi's valuation has compressed down to multiyear lows. Pepsi trades at just 15.8 times forward earnings, has a solid balance sheet, yields 4.4%, and has 54 consecutive years of increasing its dividend -- making it a Dividend King (a company that has raised its dividend for 50 or more consecutive years).
So while investors could reach all the way to the bottom of the bargain bin and scoop up shares of Conagra, a far less risky way to bet on a recovery in the North American packaged food industry is to go with Pepsi.
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Tesla (TSLA 2.47%) has slipped below $400, and plenty of investors see the pullback as a bargain on a future robotaxi empire. I understand the appeal, but with July cash to put to work, I would rather own a consumer growth story I have far more conviction in: Cava Group (CAVA +1.10%).
Image source: Getty Images.
The Tesla sell-off, briefly Tesla's recent drop is worth understanding before moving on. The company actually delivered a strong quarter on volume, beating expectations, yet the stock sank anyway. Investors zeroed in on the less flattering details: shrinking profit margins as Tesla leaned on discounts and inventory to move cars, months of declining sales in its home North American market, and heavy spending on autonomy and robotics that is squeezing cash flow.
On top of that, the stock still trades at an extraordinarily high valuation that assumes self-driving success no one can yet guarantee. That is a lot of hope baked into one price, and it is why I would rather look elsewhere.
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Why I would rather buy Cava Cava runs a fast-growing chain of Mediterranean restaurants, and its momentum has been remarkable. In its most recent quarter, sales at established locations jumped nearly 10%, driven more by more people walking through the doors than by higher prices. That is the healthiest kind of growth a restaurant can post, because it shows customers genuinely love the concept and keep coming back.
Just as important is the runway ahead. Cava is opening restaurants at a rapid clip, recently raised its opening target for the year, and is pushing into new markets across the Midwest on its way toward a goal of 1,000 locations by 2032. Because the company is already profitable while it expands, each new restaurant tends to strengthen the business rather than drain it.
To me, a beloved brand with a long, self-funding growth path is a more dependable place to compound money than a car company betting its valuation on technology that keeps slipping.
Today's Change
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68.85
Beware, though, Cava is not cheap. After a big run, a lot of its future growth is already reflected in the stock, so any slowdown in traffic or a stumble in new-market openings could hit the shares hard. A weaker consumer could also pressure restaurant spending. This is a growth stock, with the volatility that label implies.
Tesla priced at less than $400 may tempt bargain hunters, but the stock is really a bet on an uncertain autonomous future. Cava offers something I find easier to underwrite: a proven, profitable concept with years of expansion ahead. For July, I would rather buy the restaurant chain that is quietly filling its dining rooms than the automaker still trying to prove its next act. Just size it as the growth stock it is.
Facebook app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
SINGAPORE, July 19 (Reuters) - Meta's (META.O), opens new tab Instagram and Facebook social networks appeared to suffer some outages on Sunday, with users reporting issues with the app and website. Here are the details:
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According to Downdetector, there were 4,808 reports filed by Facebook users in the United States as of 0746 GMT, with 63% of users facing issues accessing the website.
Another 2,829 reports were filed by Instagram users in the U.S. who faced issues with the app as of 0818 GMT on Sunday.
Checks by Reuters also found that access to Facebook and Instagram was intermittent in Singapore.
Meta did not immediately reply to a request for comment sent by email.
Reporting by Jun Yuan Yong; Editing by Christian Schmollinger
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Coca-Cola (KO 4.02%) stock has been having an exceptional rise this year. As of this writing, it's up almost 20% year to date, versus 11% for the S&P 500.
It's not a growth stock, and it's not releasing revolutionary technology. It has other features, though, that the market loves right now. However, the stock's rise might be coming to an end soon. Here's why.
Image source: Getty Images.
Safe stocks and Dividend Kings Coca-Cola is a Dividend King, which means that it has raised its dividend annually for at least 50 years. It has one of the best track records of any Dividend King, having raised its dividend for the 64th time straight in February.
It's considered a safe stock because it's so reliable for strong sales in any environment and has increased the dividend under all kinds of adverse circumstances. Fans love its beverages and will buy them even when there's economic pressure, and they can't be easily replaced by competitors; enough have tried over the years.
In general, though, Coca-Cola stock doesn't beat the market. It tends to demonstrate steady, although slow, sales increases, and it's prized for passive income, not growth.
This year, the market is appreciating these features in the face of economic volatility. The company has also been reporting strong performance, and its model of localized production protected it as tariffs were increased. It's also staying on top of new technology to boost sales.
Coca-Cola has about 200 brands, and it's leaning into artificial intelligence (AI) to gain insight into what products work best in each global region. It's a large and complex business, and the company can continue to capture market share as it reaches new consumers and gives existing ones more of what they want.
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-3.41
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$
81.51
In the 2026 first quarter, organic revenue increased 10% year over year, and total revenue was up 12%. Comparable operating margin expanded from 33.8% to 34.5%, and comparable earnings per share (EPS) rose 18% to $0.86. These were solid results against a challenging backdrop.
Coca-Cola reports second-quarter earnings on July 28. Management is guiding for full-year organic revenue growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted comparable EPS growth of 8% to 9%. Those are lower rates than the first quarter, implying a slowdown later this year.
If the company beats Wall Street's expectations, the stock could gain some more in the short term. But there's only so high a low-growth stock like Coca-Cola can rise. It's already become fairly expensive, trading at 24 times next year's earnings.
Coca-Cola can be a valuable addition to a dividend-centered portfolio, but I wouldn't expect the stock to keep outperforming.
In the third quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA 0.34%) (BRKB 0.42%) bought shares of Alphabet (GOOG 2.17%) (GOOGL 2.05%) for the first time. Some thought the position may have been initiated by Warren Buffett's investing lieutenants, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler (the former has since left the conglomerate). That wasn't a bad guess. After all, Buffett has historically avoided tech stocks and has entrusted Combs and Weschler with about 10% of Berkshire's portfolio.
They were responsible for the company's investment in Apple (AAPL +0.26%), which has been its biggest holding for years. Recent developments led others to point the finger at Greg Abel, the man who took the helm at Berkshire Hathaway after Buffett stepped down at the end of 2025, as the person responsible for initiating a position in Alphabet. After all, Berkshire has doubled down on this investment this year, pouring more funds into the tech leader in the first quarter before adding an additional $10 billion recently in a private placement.
Perhaps that was Abel's way of stamping his fingerprints on Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, some thought. However, in a recent interview, Buffett said something about Berkshire's decision to buy shares in Alphabet that investors should take note of. Read on to find out more.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The true mastermind behind the move In an interview with CNBC, Buffett let out three words that ended all the speculation. The Oracle of Omaha said about Berkshire's initial decision to buy Alphabet stock in the third quarter of last year: "I initiated it." That may come as a surprise, given Buffett's track record and reputation for avoiding tech stocks. But the only regret he has, as he said in the same interview, is not getting in sooner.
Still, the fact that Berkshire Hathaway now owns Alphabet's shares -- and that Buffett himself engineered the stock purchase -- should have the company's shareholders excited. One of the fundamental hallmarks of Buffett's philosophy is long-term investing. As he once said, his favorite holding period is "forever." And Buffett apparently expects Alphabet to compound wealth over the long haul -- that's a bullish sign for the company from one of the greatest investors of all time.
Today's Change
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-7.26
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$
347.20
Of course, Buffett isn't infallible. He could be wrong. He has been before. But a quick look at Alphabet's business suggests this isn't one of those times. Alphabet leads several industries, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence, where there is still massive long-term potential. The company's core advertising business remains strong, and it is also working on other opportunities, such as robotaxis, that could be highly lucrative in the future. Lastly, Alphabet boasts a wide moat from multiple sources, including network effects, high switching costs, and a strong brand name.
All of these factors paint a bright picture for the company's future. So, my view is that investors should follow Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway's lead and double down on the stock.
Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Alphabet and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Warren Buffett's successor is putting his own stamp on Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB 0.42%), and it looks a lot more like an artificial intelligence bet than the value portfolio that investors are used to. Nearly 30% of Berkshire's roughly $348 billion stock portfolio is now tied to just two semi-AI-linked names: Apple (AAPL +0.26%) and Alphabet (GOOG 2.17%) (GOOGL 2.05%). Here is why CEO Greg Abel has leaned in.
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The numbers behind the concentration Apple remains the conglomerate's single largest equity holding, accounting for about 20.6% of the stock portfolio. Alphabet has surged into the top five, with its Class A shares making up roughly 7% of the portfolio and its Class C shares another 1.8%. That combined weight is striking for a company that has long been known for spreading its bets heavily across banks, insurers, and consumer staples. Abel has also narrowed the portfolio overall, closing 16 positions and trimming the number of companies Berkshire owns stakes in to 29.
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0.88
Current Price
$
334.14
Why Abel loaded up on Alphabet The Apple stake is a Buffett-era inheritance, but the Alphabet position is very much Abel's doing. Berkshire first disclosed a stake in Alphabet in the third quarter of 2025 and has since tripled it. Abel bought 36.4 million Alphabet shares in the first quarter, then signed off on a $10 billion private placement purchase in June. That deal involved buying $5 billion of Class A shares at $351.81 each and another $5 billion of Class C shares at $348.20 each. The deal was structured to help Alphabet fund an $80 billion push to build out AI infrastructure. Berkshire's Alphabet holding has swelled to roughly $41 billion, pushing it past the iconic Coca-Cola stake to be the portfolio's fourth-largest position.
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The thesis behind the AI tilt This new concentration in tech reflects a genuine shift in philosophy at Berkshire. Abel appears far more comfortable than Buffett was with holding large technology companies sitting at the center of the AI transformation. Even so, Alphabet also meets the classic Berkshire criteria: It possesses a durable competitive moat built on network effects, enormous free cash flow, and a valuation that can be viewed as fair for a wonderful business. Berkshire now views Alphabet as a potential "forever holding" alongside Apple and American Express (AXP 1.70%).
Image source: Getty Images.
With Apple, Berkshire owns a stake in a company that's weaving AI features across the world's most valuable device ecosystem, while Alphabet pairs Google's search dominance with its own leading AI models and cloud business. The Alphabet purchase was made at a price the company itself set for its capital raise, meaning Berkshire effectively bought in as an anchor investor, helping to fund the build-out rather than chasing the stock in the open market. Given that the conglomerate has historically sought out opportunities to invest in assets at less than their intrinsic value, its decision to participate directly in a company's AI expansion reflects a notable evolution of its playbook. Taken together, the two positions show Abel is willing to concentrate Berkshire's capital among the companies he foresees as being the most durable long-term winners of the AI era.
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The risks worth naming Concentration cuts both ways. Tying nearly a third of the stock portfolio to two stocks means a stumble at either one would hit Berkshire hard. Both companies also trade at richer valuations than the deep-value bargains Buffett built his reputation on, and the AI infrastructure build-out is an expensive race toward a technology that's unproven at this scale. Investors following Berkshire's lead into Apple and Alphabet should understand they are buying growth-tinged tech, not traditional value.
Greg Abel is signaling that Berkshire intends to participate in the AI era rather than watch it from the sidelines. Putting nearly 30% of a $348 billion portfolio into Apple and Alphabet is a bold statement of conviction in two businesses with wide moats and real AI upsides. I think the move is worth studying, but I would treat it as a starting point for research rather than a suggestion that you should match Berkshire's concentrations in your own portfolio.
Elon Musk doesn't hand out compliments to rivals often, which is why his recent about-face turned heads. After dismissing the AI start-up Anthropic last year, Musk posted that he "was clearly wrong" and now considers it "obviously currently the leader in AI," praising its latest Claude models as the strongest yet. That is a striking admission from a competitor. But the investors who should really pay attention are not watching Musk. They are shareholders of Amazon (AMZN 0.91%) and Alphabet (GOOGL 2.05%).
Musk had written a year ago that "winning was never in the set of possible outcomes for Anthropic." Reversing that in public, and calling Anthropic the outright leader, is the kind of validation money can't easily buy. It came after Anthropic raised an enormous funding round and shipped models that impressed even skeptics. When the person running a competing AI lab concedes your product is the best, the market listens.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Image source: The White House.
Why Amazon and Alphabet are the real winners Here's the connection most headlines miss: Amazon and Alphabet are two of Anthropic's largest backers. Alphabet owns roughly 14% of the company, and Amazon holds a stake in the mid- to high teens, positions each worth well over $100 billion at Anthropic's latest valuation near $965 billion. Amazon alone had committed around $33 billion, with a pledge to invest tens of billions more as milestones are hit. If Anthropic is truly the AI leader, those stakes could swell further, especially with the company reportedly heading toward a blockbuster IPO.
The equity is only half the story, though. Anthropic has committed to spending more than $100 billion on Amazon Web Services over the next decade, including heavy use of Amazon's custom Trainium chips, and roughly $200 billion on Google Cloud over five years, potentially leaning on Alphabet's own AI accelerators. So both giants win twice: their investment appreciates, and the AI leader becomes an anchor customer funneling tens of billions into their cloud businesses. That is a rare double benefit, and Musk's endorsement only strengthens the case that Anthropic will keep growing into those commitments.
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The catch investors should weigh I wouldn't get carried away, though, because there's a real wrinkle here. A large chunk of the eye-popping "AI profits" Amazon and Alphabet have reported recently came from marking up the value of their Anthropic stakes, not from selling more products. Amazon booked billions in pretax gains in a single quarter simply because Anthropic's paper valuation rose. Paper gains are nice, but they aren't the same as durable operating earnings, and they can reverse just as quickly if the AI mood sours.
There's also a whiff of circularity worth acknowledging. Amazon and Alphabet invest in Anthropic, and Anthropic turns around and spends that money on their cloud services and chips. That can inflate everyone's numbers in the good times, but it also means the whole arrangement leans on a continuation of the AI boom. Anthropic itself is still spending enormously and is not a mature, profitable business. And its nearly $1 trillion private valuation leaves little room for disappointment.
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The takeaway for investors Musk's admission is more than a bit of tech-world drama. It's a high-profile confirmation that Anthropic, a company quietly underpinning two of the market's biggest stocks, is winning. For Amazon and Alphabet shareholders, that means their exposure to the AI race runs deeper than the chatbots and cloud tools you can see, extending into a stake that could be worth hundreds of billions and a customer relationship worth hundreds of billions more.
My honest take is that this is a genuine, underappreciated strength for both companies, but investors should hold it in perspective. Enjoy the upside from owning a piece of the AI leader, while remembering that a big slice of the recent gains are marks on paper, not cash in the bank. The businesses underneath still have to deliver.
Nvidia (NVDA 1.97%) stock hasn't been an incredible performer this year, but it is slightly edging out the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.01%), with both up around 11% year to date.
It's still the most valuable company in the world with a $5 trillion valuation, so reaching $10 trillion by 2030 would imply doubling. It looks like a distinct possibility. Here's why.
Image source: Nvidia.
Nvidia isn't slowing down Sales growth has been accelerating. Revenue increased 85% year over year in the 2027 fiscal first quarter (ended April 26), and Wall Street is looking for even higher growth in the second quarter: a whopping 96%, with a forecast of 82% for the full year. That's quite a feat for a company as big as Nvidia.
The positive signs abound. On Tuesday, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he thinks artificial intelligence (AI) spending will reach $1 trillion in 2027, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which makes Nvidia's chips, is investing $100 billion in its new Arizona facility.
The chip market is heating up The AI chip races are only getting faster. Nvidia accounts for 80% to 90% of the market, according to Silicon Analysts, a level of absolute dominance. That lead is projected to decline to 75% as competitors like Advanced Micro Devices gain traction and many top AI players compete with other chip types, such as Broadcom's Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Alphabet's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). However, even a 75% lead is fortress-level.
Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang doesn't seem fussed by the competition; he sees more AI development as a good thing for the company, which underpins much of the AI infrastructure. Whether or not the competition advances, Nvidia should keep growing and remain the leader.
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More concerning, from an investing standpoint, might be whether Nvidia can continue to demonstrate accelerating growth or even maintain current growth rates. As the base gets bigger, that isn't likely to last much longer. For example, if it were to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 80% over the next four years, it would have $2.7 trillion in sales, easily becoming the largest company in the world.
It's more likely that growth will slow over the next four years, and as it does, the stock will reflect that. It trades at a premium price-to-sales ratio of 20 right now, but that would likely decline as growth decelerates.
To see how it could play out, a CAGR of 40% to 50% would result in somewhere around $1 trillion in sales in 2030, or about four times today's trailing-12-month revenue. At the current price-to-sales ratio, the stock would quadruple. But at half the ratio, or 10 times trailing-12-month sales, the stock would double and reach $10 trillion.
That's just one possibility, but it's rooted in reality and is a potential scenario for where Nvidia stock could be by 2030.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jennifer Saibil has positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Over the last few years, Nvidia (NVDA 1.97%) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 0.66%) have traded higher, primarily due to successes in the AI accelerator market. Over that time, Nvidia has dramatically outperformed AMD as it pioneered this market, while AMD has worked to close that gap.
Nonetheless, that stronger performance goes well beyond the AI accelerator industry. It also relates closely to the surprising differences between the two companies, and that divergence may also explain the differing value propositions between the two semiconductor stocks.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Nvidia's dominance in AI accelerators Admittedly, many of the differences relate to recent changes at Nvidia. As recently as four years ago, when it reported its numbers for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 (ended May 1, 2022), Nvidia was a more diverse company.
At that time, its data center segment, which now designs AI accelerators, had just become the company's largest business segment. The other large segment was gaming, which had traditionally been Nvidia's strength due to its specialty in producing GPUs. Professional visualization and its automotive and robotics segment were also smaller but significant parts of the business.
Fast-forward to the company's first quarter of fiscal 2027 (ended April 26, 2026), and the data center segment now makes up 92% of the company's revenue. Consequently, it no longer breaks out revenue for the other three segments that had existed four years ago, including gaming. Instead, the other 8% of its revenue comes from a segment focused on edge computing, which now includes its gaming products.
Fortunately, with the massive demand for AI chips, this approach has worked out well. Revenue rose by 85% in fiscal Q1 and 65% in fiscal 2026. Considering that the stock trades at just 31 times earnings, it has arguably become too cheap to ignore.
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How AMD differs In contrast, instead of focusing heavily on one business, AMD has more explicitly maintained the distinction of its primary business segments. That began when Lisa Su became AMD's CEO in 2014, and she shifted the company's emphasis to CPUs and GPUs.
Hence, when going back four years to the first quarter of 2022, computing and graphics, plus an enterprise, embedded, and semi-custom division, made up nearly all of its revenue.
Those segments changed to their present form one quarter later. However, the data center business, which designs its AI accelerators, is not dominant in the way Nvidia's is. Instead, it made up around 56% of revenue in the first quarter of 2026, with the client and gaming segment claiming 35% of AMD's revenue.
Its embedded segment claims the remaining 9% of revenue. This is not far below where it was when it first purchased Xilinx, indicating it has not abandoned this business.
Nonetheless, the data center business makes one wonder about AMD's direction. Is it going to become primarily focused on AI accelerators like Nvidia, or will it maintain more diversity?
The diversity strategy may be more likely. Since the embedded segment focuses on edge computing and physical AI, the company has good reason to maintain that segment. Additionally, investors should remember that AMD also focuses heavily on CPUs. These have become more critical to data center build-outs and are not a specialty for Nvidia.
That approach paved the way for AMD's 38% annual revenue growth in Q1 and a 34% annual gain in 2025. Indeed, its 161 P/E ratio may deter new investors. Still, even if it does not close the competitive gap with AI accelerators, AMD's diverse approach puts it in a strong position to remain competitive in the AI market.
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497.63
When comparing Nvidia and AMD, it seems industry dominance, specifically when it comes to AI accelerators, has made Nvidia the standout between the two stocks.
Admittedly, AMD's diverse approach of CPUs, GPUs, and embedded chips that can support AI data centers should serve it well and is arguably the right approach as it seeks to catch up to Nvidia. Also, AMD's revenue growth is such that investors are unlikely to turn against the stock long-term.
However, that does not appear to be enough to overcome Nvidia's first-mover advantage in AI accelerators. Moreover, Nvidia offers faster growth and a much lower valuation, which appears to make the stock a better buy at this time.
After years of decline, Intel (INTC 2.00%) has seemingly revived its fortunes under the leadership of CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The successful adoption of the 18A process, rising demand for CPUs, and increased customer commitments in its foundry business helped the stock rise by 278% in the first half of 2026.
Unfortunately, the stock's fortunes began to reverse course in July, leading to daily drops of as much as 10%. Amid that downtrend, one might wonder whether to buy the dip or run for the hills. Interestingly, the answer may be simply to hold off on any decisions on the chip stock, and here's why.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Without a doubt, Tan has transformed Intel from a former industry leader in decline to a vibrant competitor.
Its success with the 18A process node means that it could potentially challenge Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) in the production of the world's most advanced chips. Also, as CPUs become more critical to data centers, Intel has an incentive to try to take its technical lead back from AMD, whose CPUs surpassed Intel's in terms of performance.
Reports surfaced that Intel's foundry business has begun to win business. Tesla and Apple have signed production agreements with Intel, and other industry giants considered shifting production to Intel as well. This is a massive win for the U.S. as Intel works to shift more production away from the geopolitically contentious Taiwan region.
Today's Change
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-2.00
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-1.94
Current Price
$
95.04
Nonetheless, Intel's financial metrics indicate that investors got ahead of themselves in bidding up the stock price. In the first quarter of 2026, Intel's revenue of $13.6 billion rose by 7% compared to year-ago levels. Although that improved over the flat revenue performance during 2025, it is far below other tech giants, which reported revenue growth in the double-digit percentage range.
Additionally, it was a $4.1 billion restructuring charge in Q1 that contributed heavily to its $3.7 billion net loss. Still, when considering the $26 million in net income for 2025 and the $1.5 billion in non-GAAP net income for Q1, investors can at least know that Intel has become profitable again from an operational standpoint.
Furthermore, the aforementioned $26 million profit is too small to offer a meaningful P/E ratio. When looking at the forward P/E ratio, it comes in at 127, and the forward one-year earnings multiple is at 89. Thus, even with Intel on a likely recovery path, the stock price is likely years ahead of the company's anticipated growth.
Intel stock is a likely hold Intel's stock probably fell in recent days due to the stock price moving ahead of fundamentals. Hence, when also considering its forecasted growth, the stock is likely a hold.
Thanks to Intel's technical breakthroughs and recent contract wins, the company again emerged as a competitor in the chip industry. Assuming it stays on that path, it may eventually justify the stock's massive AI rally.
Unfortunately, the high forward multiples imply that the selling trend could continue over the near term. Until that decline stops (or the valuation becomes more reasonable), investors should probably refrain from buying more Intel shares.
Will Healy has positions in Advanced Micro Devices. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Apple, Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have been on fire in recent years, leading the S&P 500 higher in this bull market. Investors rushed to get in on these players early in their growth stories, and this move paid off: Companies such as Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Alphabet have seen revenue climb thanks to their AI businesses, and their stock prices have followed.
But, over the past few months, investors have thought twice before picking up AI stocks -- even as messages from the biggest players remain positive. The latest example unfolded last week, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM 2.96%) and ASML (ASML 2.06%) reported earnings that beat estimates and spoke of soaring demand. Yet their shares, as well as shares of other AI players, fell.
Why are AI stocks declining? And should we buy on the dip or stay away? Let's find out.
Image source: Getty Images.
From the early AI boom to now First, a quick look at the general AI story. In the earliest stages of this boom, AI customers focused on training models, and this resulted in growth for chip designers and manufacturers and other infrastructure players. These companies, such as TSMC, Nvidia, and ASML, generated significant earnings growth, making them early winners of the AI revolution.
Training remains an ongoing task in AI, but it's now joined by others, such as the actual application of AI to problems and the expansion and development of AI across various fields, such as telecom and robotics. And this means a broader range of companies -- and investors -- could benefit. Analysts forecast that the AI market will reach beyond $3 trillion by early next decade, suggesting this could continue to be a major growth space for quite some time.
Now, let's consider what's unfolded in recent times and this week. Though the AI story looks promising, general uncertainties such as conflict in Iran and higher prices in the U.S. have weighed on investor appetite for stocks seen as "risky" due to their reliance on a growth environment. This has prompted investors to rotate, at least partially, into "safer" companies -- such as pharmaceutical players that maintain a certain steadiness in sales due to the essential nature of their products.
On top of this, the enormous spending on the AI build-out has worried some investors -- the concern is that the revenue opportunity may disappoint. Tech giants have said they aim to spend almost $700 billion this year on AI infrastructure.
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%) $
-12.12
Current Price
$
397.62
The messages of TSMC and ASML Still, the message from AI players remains bright. As mentioned, last week, TSMC and ASML each reported earnings that surpassed estimates. TSMC spoke of strong demand from its customers -- chip designers -- as well as their customers, cloud service providers. The company even announced an additional $100 billion investment in Arizona to build out operations there. ASML, the maker of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines for the production of advanced semiconductors, lifted its annual guidance for the second time this year amid "extremely strong" order momentum.
In spite of these positive reports, TSMC, ASML, and the general AI sector saw their shares fall.
Why such a reaction? A few factors come into play. The geopolitical and economic backdrop remains uncertain as turmoil in Iran continues. And as companies continue to pour investment into AI, investors are still questioning whether such levels are necessary -- even amid high demand. This is also happening at a time when AI stocks have already climbed in the double, triple, and quadruple digits in recent years, and investors understand that stocks don't advance in one straight line upward forever. Meanwhile, overall valuations have increased, suggesting a major pullback may be ahead.
What should you, as an investor, do in such an environment? As always, investors should focus on each stock individually. While some AI stocks may be overvalued and high risk, others today may trade at bargain levels and have fantastic long-term prospects. It's important to remember that, even if AI stocks fall, this doesn't mean the AI story is over. The technology has proven its strengths, and we're in the early days of actually applying it in the real world.
What this means is now is the time to bargain-hunt for quality tech stocks with solid AI prospects, add them to a well-diversified portfolio, and hold on for the long term.
Key Points:Strong credit growth and higher energy prices may keep inflation risks elevated and delay any dovish shift from the Fed.The US Dollar Index could extend its short-term rise if rate hike expectations remain firm.EURUSD may stay under pressure and could move toward 1.12 if key support levels fail.
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The US interest rate outlook remains uncertain despite the softer inflation report for June. Strong credit growth and rising energy prices could keep inflation risks elevated and the Fed hawkish. The central bank may keep rates unchanged in the near term and use other tools to limit the liquidity. This cautious policy outlook could support the US dollar index in the short term while keeping EURUSD under pressure.
Credit Growth Raises US Inflation and Fed Rate Risks Credit Growth Points to Longer-Term Inflation Risks The drop in US CPI in June does not eliminate the broader inflation risk. Consumer price data is volatile and can change monthly due to the instability of energy prices. Inflation may again turn positive in the near future due to the recent increase in oil and fuel prices. This makes it difficult for Fed to view pricing pressures as under control based on one soft inflation report.
Credit growth gives a better picture of the long term inflation risks. The 12-month change in domestic debt was 5.7% as compared to the 2.7% increase in real GDP over the same period. This 3% gap indicates that the credit grew at a higher rate than the real economy. This implies that the additional borrowing could be a source of persistent inflationary pressure if the increase in spending is not matched by an increase in output of goods and services.
The inflation may be growing beneath the surface in the second quarter. Bank credit growth picked up to 7.4% for the 12 months ending in June before a drop to 7.0%. But the real GDP growth was at 2.7%. This means that the credit was growing 4.7 percentage point faster than the real output. This would make it more difficult for the Fed to get inflation down to the 2% target, despite more stable energy prices.
The chart below shows the historical data for credit growth and real GDP. It is found that bank credit has often grown faster than the economy. This does not always lead to higher inflation but it can raise inflation risks when extra borrowing increases spending faster than the production.
Fed May Keep Rates Steady for Now Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said that the current policy rate is suitable for the time being. He also said that the Fed may have to change its stance if inflationary pressure does not cool down soon. That means the Fed may not hike rates at its July 28-29 meeting but will leave the door open. Higher energy prices, tariff impacts and higher demand associated with AI investments may make a case for tighter policy later.
Fed Could Tighten Liquidity Without Raising Its Main Rate Chair Kevin Warsh may also prefer to keep rates unchanged over the coming months while he assesses inflation, economic growth and the effects of earlier policy decisions. This means that the Fed could resort to other policy measures to reduce credit growth without raising its primary rate.
One possibility would be to shrink the Fed’s balance sheet. The central bank could allow more Treasury securities to mature without replacing them. It may also be able to reverse some of the $200 billion that it added to its balance sheet since December. This would drain liquidity out of the financial system and reduce the reserves of commercial banks.
But there would be significant risks if the balance sheets were reduced aggressively. Bank reserves might drop below US$3 trillion and stress short term funding markets.
This issue took the form of a spike in the Repo rates in 2019 which necessitated the Fed to alter its course. Hedge funds also hold large leveraged Treasury positions funded through the repo market. A sharp increase in repo rates could force them to sell bonds and increase volatility in Treasury market.
The Fed’s reverse repo balance is now almost back to zero. The Fed might offer a higher rate in order to draw some cash back from money market funds. This may reduce liquidity in private markets. But the effect could be small as facility now holds very little money.
US Dollar Index Forecast: Fed Rate Risks Support the Dollar Fed Policy and Inflation Risks Support the US Dollar The US Dollar Index could still find some support in the short term as investors are looking for the Fed to maintain its restrictive policy stance. The prospect of a future rate hike could also drive Treasury yields and demand for the dollar. Meanwhile, markets will likely continue to graze on the notion that the higher interest rates could persist for longer as U.S. credit growth strengthened and energy inflation increased.
But the long term outlook for the dollar is less positive if the Fed hikes yields to protect the Treasury market. In the first quarter, nominal GDP expanded at an annual rate of 6.1%. This is well above the 10-year Treasury yield. If the bond yield is lower than nominal growth, it could result in negative interest rates. This may make the dollar less valuable and force investors to turn to gold, stocks and other tangible assets.
US Dollar Index Technical Outlook Points to 104 The weekly chart for the US dollar index shows that the index broke the key 100.50 level in June 2026 and triggered a rally to a high of 101.80. After encountering short-term resistance at 101.80, the US dollar Index corrected back toward the 100.50 level last week and marked a low.
The formation of a rounding bottom since June 2025 and the breakout above 100.50 indicate that the short-term direction for the US dollar is higher. A break above 101.80 may push the US dollar Index toward 104 in the short term.
But a break above the 104 level may push the index toward the 106–107 zone, which is the overall resistance marked by the descending trendline extending from the October 2022 highs. But the overall long term trend for the US dollar Index remains bearish.
The importance of the current support zone is also seen on the monthly chart which shows that June closed above the key resistance level of 100.50. This suggests that a break above June highs may push the index toward the resistance levels of 104 and 106 in the short term.
But a break below the 96 level may break the ascending channel pattern and push the index toward the 90 level.
EURUSD Forecast: Fed and ECB Policies Drive the Next Move Fed and ECB Rate Outlook Keeps EURUSD Under Pressure EURUSD may remain under pressure in the near term as the ECB expects to hold rates on July 23 and the Fed continues to signal a hawkish stance on rate hikes in September.
Eurozone inflation slowed to 2.8% in June, but still remains above the ECB’s 2% target rate. The chances of an imminent rate hike could be low due to weak economic growth, but rising oil, gas and electricity prices could keep eurozone inflation prospects high.
The pair could recover from the grounds if the ECB hikes rates in September, while the Fed holds. The latest surge in energy prices has led markets to factor in two more rate hikes by the ECB this year. The ECB would have to deliver a more robust policy response to move the eurozone closer towards the U.S. interest rate. But if eurozone growth is weak, EURUSD may struggle to rally significantly.
EURUSD Technical Outlook Points to 1.12 Support The strong rally in the US dollar index since January 2026 has pushed EURUSD down toward support at 1.1375. EURUSD has been consolidating around this support level since the June 2026 lows and is looking for its next direction.
If EURUSD breaks below this support level, it may put further pressure on the pair and push it toward 1.1260. The 1.1260 level remains the key support, defined by support line of the broadening wedge pattern. This support line extends from the May 2025 low.
The EURUSD direction remains bullish in the long term as the US dollar Index remains bearish. A break below 96 in the US dollar Index will likely push EURUSD higher in the long term.
The importance of the current support zone in EURUSD is also highlighted on the daily chart. The chart shows that 1.1360 to 1.1470 remains the critical support zone where the pair is currently consolidating. The 50-day and 200-day SMAs also remain in negative territory.
But the RSI has rebounded from oversold levels and moved toward the midpoint. This indicates that a break below 1.1350 may push EURUSD further down to the 1.12 zone.
Bottom Line Credit growth and higher energy prices may keep US inflation risks elevated in the short term. The Fed may leave rates unchanged in the near term but it is unlikely to turn dovish while the inflation risks persist. It may instead use its balance sheet or other liquidity tools to slow credit growth. But the Fed must avoid tightening too quickly because stress in funding markets could raise bond volatility.
The US Dollar Index may stay strong above 100.50 and could test 101.80 and 104 if rate expectations remain high. EURUSD may remain weak as long as it remains below the 1.1645. A break below 1.1320 could push the pair toward 1.12. But the long term outlook for EURUSD may improve if the dollar breaks the long term support of the 96 level.
Read more: BOJ Rate Hike Risk Builds as USDJPY Eyes 175
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Muhammad Umair is a finance MBA and engineering PhD. As a seasoned financial analyst specializing in currencies and precious metals, he combines his multidisciplinary academic background to deliver a data-driven, contrarian perspective. As founder of Gold Predictors, he leads a team providing advanced market analytics, quantitative research, and refined precious metals trading strategies.
According to a report by The Information, Oracle’s $16.5 billion AI super campus Project Jupiter in New Mexico has encountered environmental approval hurdles, forcing adjustments to its power supply plan and adding an estimated billions of dollars in extra costs. The 1,400-acre campus is primarily built to provide computing power for OpenAI, with a designed installed capacity exceeding 2 gigawatts. Oracle originally planned to construct its own natural gas power plant, but related permits have been stalled due to concerns over air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In April this year, the company switched to Bloom Energy’s natural gas fuel cells and adjusted its microgrid capacity to 2.45 gigawatts. Analysts estimate this plan will cost around $8 billion, billions more than the natural gas turbine alternative. New Mexico last week again rejected the proposed fuel pipeline route, and the state’s environmental department will hold a public hearing on the air permit on October 19. The local attorney general is also investigating allegations that residents’ names were used without their consent in project support letters. Oracle’s data center project in Wisconsin is also facing additional expenses. Local regulatory rulings may require Oracle, OpenAI, and Vantage Data Centers to bear the full cost of transmission line construction individually; Oracle says another financial guarantee requirement will add roughly $100 million in annual costs.
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Ansem bullish on ZEC’s upside potential after breakout, sets price alert at $750
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Predict.fun World Cup Final: European Champion to Clash with South American Champion, Spain’s Win Probability Hits 58%
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SK Group Chairman: Demand for storage chips is projected to grow by at least 50% to 60% next year, with the supply-demand gap likely to further widen.
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AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
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Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
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U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida allegedly tipped off a MAGA influencer in 2024 that Donald Trump would choose JD Vance as his running mate, teeing up a winning bet on Polymarket, the latest in a string of allegations of insider political betting sweeping Washington, D.C.
Luna allegedly described knowing Trump would choose Vance during a summer 2024 lunch at Stovall House, a social club in Tampa, and said she had tipped off Rogan O’Handley, known online as DC Draino, teasing him for not putting more money behind the bet, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The alleged tip inspired an investigation from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, according to the paper.
The Independent has contacted Luna, O’Handley, Polymarket and the commission for comment.
Both Luna and O’Handley strongly denied the allegations of being involved in an insider trade.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, center, allegedly tipped off an influencer that Donald Trump would choose JD Vance as his vice president, allowing the influencer to place a winning bet on Polymarket. Luna and the influencer deny the allegations (Reuters)“l am honored the WSJ thinks I am telepathic but unfortunately I am not,” the Republican congresswoman told the paper, vowing to “continue to champion the fight against insider trading.”
A spokesperson for the congresswoman told the Journal she initiated a criminal complaint with the commission alleging someone knowingly made a false report to the agency.
“Any suggestion that I traded on confidential information or discussed doing so is inaccurate,” O’Handley told the Journal. He added that he was unaware of any federal investigation.
News of the alleged Vance tip follows the White House’s announcement that one of President Donald Trump’s teleprompter operators was put on unpaid administrative leave after being accused of winning more than $100,000 from betting on the content of the president’s speeches.
Gabriel Perez is currently complying with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday.
The White House has reportedly warned staffers against using inside info to make political bets, after a series of unknown traders made hundreds of thousands of dollars guessing the timing of a ceasefire in the Iran war (Getty Images)Leavitt added that the president found the situation “deeply unfortunate and frankly a disgrace.”’
In March, the White House reportedly warned staffers against using nonpublic information to make political bets, after a trio of Polymarket accounts made more than $600,000 accurately predicting the timing of a ceasefire in the Iran war.
Polymarket says it vigorously prosecutes any unusual and illegal activity on its platform, where betters can open accounts anonymously.
Critics of online prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi have long warned such forums could inspire corruption.
The president’s son Donald Trump Jr. advises both Polymarket and Kalshi. His venture capital firm is also an investor in Polymarket. He is not accused of wrongdoing regard the above alleged trades.
SummaryYum China is rated Hold, with valuation upside limited to ~5% and a fair 13–15x forward earnings multiple.The PHC (Pizza Hut China) acquisition is strategically positive, enabling menu localization, cost synergies, and improved margins by eliminating royalty fees.Macro headwinds in China—weak consumption, layoffs, and cautious consumer sentiment—may constrain SSS growth and pricing power for KFC and PHC brands.YUMC’s valuation premium to domestic peers appears justified, but further upside is capped without new catalysts amid ongoing macro uncertainty. Wirestock/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
We are previewing YUM China’s (YUMC) upcoming Q2 results, which are scheduled for July 30th. Heading into the print, the consensus is largely bullish with a BUY rating and average target price of $61/share.
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
SK Group Chairman: Demand for storage chips is projected to grow by at least 50% to 60% next year, with the supply-demand gap likely to further widen.
According to South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper, SK Group Chairman and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Choi Tae-won stated that driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), demand for AI semiconductors is projected to rise by at least 60% to 100% next year compared to this year, while overall memory chip demand will also grow by at least 50% to 60%. Choi noted that the additional supply each company can increase next year is very limited, so the supply-demand gap may widen further, with global firms currently scrambling for memory chip supplies. He added that existing expansion plans are still insufficient to meet the rapidly growing demand; SK’s current strategy is “build wherever possible”, but equipment, personnel and construction timelines continue to restrict capacity release. Choi also pointed out that current memory chip prices have deviated from normal ranges, and PC and smartphone manufacturers cannot keep passing cost increases to consumers. Semiconductor enterprises should not limit supply to maintain high prices; even if their profit margins decline, they should expand output and grow the market. Otherwise, excessive prices may attract new competitors and trigger government interventions. He further stated that the AI industry is facing shortages of infrastructure such as GPUs, storage and power, and new bottlenecks may emerge in the future. Regarding the possibility of a stock split for SK Hynix, Choi said the plan has not been fully studied, and adjustments for Korean domestic stocks and American depositary receipts (ADRs) need to be evaluated together.
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Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
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Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
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8 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
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Every Virtuals Protocol agent deployed on Robinhood Chain is now discoverable inside Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush feature. Binance Wallet added filters for Robinhood Chain projects, including Virtuals Protocol, on July 18 and 19, 2026, roughly two and a half weeks after Robinhood Chain’s mainnet went live on July 1.
What Robinhood Chain actually is, and why it matters here Robinhood Chain is an AI-native Layer 2 blockchain built on Arbitrum infrastructure, oriented around financial services and tokenized real-world assets.
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Virtuals Protocol plugged its AI agent framework into Robinhood Chain around the mainnet launch date. Between 2,100 and 2,400 individual AI agents went live on the chain within roughly two weeks of that integration, generating trading volume in the range of $77 million to $100 million.
The VIRTUAL token saw a roughly 20% price increase tied to the Robinhood Chain integration milestones.
Meme Rush, explained without the hype Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush is a token discovery feature focused on emerging and early-stage tokens. The feature recently expanded to support multi-chain browsing, which opened the door for Robinhood Chain projects to appear alongside assets from other networks. Virtuals Protocol is not the only project benefiting. Meme Rush’s Robinhood Chain filter sits alongside filters for other launchpads including Flap and Bankr.
What investors should actually watch The numbers from the first two weeks, between 2,100 and 2,400 agents live and $77 million to $100 million in trading volume, suggest genuine traction rather than a soft launch. Early volume can be inflated by wash trading, incentive farming, or bot activity. The more durable signal will come from whether that volume holds or grows in the weeks after the Meme Rush integration.
The VIRTUAL token’s 20% move is worth contextualizing carefully. A price increase tied to a specific integration event can reflect genuine demand, but it can also reflect traders front-running anticipated retail flows.
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Hyperliquid is having a rough start to Q3, with fundamentals dropping to levels last seen in April. After a strong jump in perpetual volume in early July to $84B, the decentralized exchange’s activity has now dropped to $43B. That’s a 2x decline in traction in less than three weeks.
Similarly, the overall total Open Interest (OI), measuring the capital inflows of open contracts, slipped from $75B to $65B. That’s a $10B drop in OI in July, further underscoring the slowing traction.
Amid the cool-off, revenue has decreased by 3x from a weekly average of $23M to $7.5M this week.
Source: DeFiLlama As illustrated on the chart, the declining revenue (red) and perp volume (purple) have dragged HYPE token’s price (green) lower. This may be connected to the pace of buybacks amid dropping revenue.
HYPE buyback drops by half In June, HYPE buybacks rose by 4x from a daily average of 14K tokens to over 44K. The strong buyback and positive ecosystem catalysts and ETF flows boosted the token to a new record high of $76.9 on the Binance platform.
However, the pace of buybacks has since dropped to around 22K HYPE, marking a sharp decline by half from its mid-June levels.
Source: Coinglass And the U.S Spot HYPE ETF demand has not made the situation any better over the last few days. Since 9th July, the products have seen zero demand or outflows, with 15th July being the exception.
Source: SoSo Value With declining fundamentals, easing buybacks, a16z’s $30M sell-off, and lack of interest from institutional investors, HYPE’s price pullback did not come as a surprise.
HYPE’s price drops 19% as traction slows down At the time of writing, HYPE was valued at $58, down 19% from a high of $73 in July. Still, the price action was around $60, which acted as a previous price peak last year and a key support in 2026.
It is still unclear if the $60-support would hold after being tested three times since May.
A decisive weekly candlestick close below the crucial support would reinforce Hyperliquid [HYPE]’s weakening momentum.
Source: HYPE/USDT, TradingView In case of an extended decline, $48-$54 could be the next key support zone. Even so, Hyperliquid became an outlier in 2026 and outperformed several tokens in investor returns. Whether it will bounce back strongly if risk appetite improves remains to be seen.
Final Summary Hyperliquid’s perpetual volume and revenue have dropped by 2x and 3x, respectively. The slowing fundamentals have weighed on HYPE’s price, triggering nearly 20% in losses
AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
The Kobeissi Letter stated in a post that the three-week volatility of U.S. momentum stocks relative to the S&P 500 index has surged to four times, hitting an all-time high. This ratio has more than quadrupled over the past several weeks. The momentum stock group includes high-growth tech stocks at the center of the AI boom, such as NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir, D-Wave Quantum, and CoreWeave. By comparison, the ratio peaked at around 2 times during the 2020 COVID-19 market crash and roughly 1.8 times during the dot-com bubble burst. The current level is significantly higher than those periods. Meanwhile, the U.S. momentum stock index has dropped 24% since July, marking its largest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The stocks that previously performed the strongest are quickly losing market favor.
9 minutes ago
Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
According to an announcement by Changxin Technology, the company’s initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the STAR Market has released its offline preliminary placement results and online lottery results. The offering price is RMB 8.66 per share, with an initial share offering size of approximately 6.688 billion shares. A total of 7,702,207 winning lottery numbers have been issued, and each winning number entitles holders to subscribe for 500 Changxin Technology A-shares.
9 minutes ago
Renowned trader closes all crypto short positions, resumes buying Bitcoin spot
Renowned crypto trader Doctor Profit announced in a post that he has closed all his cryptocurrency short positions, including Bitcoin shorts established in the $115,000–$125,000 range, another Bitcoin short in the $79,000–$82,000 range, and over 100 altcoin shorts opened in recent months, noting that all these positions have generated significant profits. He also said he has repurchased Bitcoin spot at $64,000, marking his first long-term allocation since September 2025. His plan is to invest 5% of his planned capital daily in spot Bitcoin purchases when the price is in the $54,000–$64,000 range, for up to 20 days total; if the price approaches $54,000, he will increase his buying activity. Doctor Profit pointed out that the current market is showing clear "herd behavior": investors who were previously bullish on Bitcoin up to $150,000 at high levels are now widely waiting for the cryptocurrency to drop to $40,000–$50,000, and are targeting September or October as the bottom of the four-year cycle. When a large number of investors are waiting for the same price level and time point, the market may not move as expected, so he chose to build positions in advance and judges that this cycle’s bottom may arrive earlier than the market’s general expectation. He also cited regulatory clarity, asset tokenization infrastructure, and progress in institutional adoption as the structural reasons for his shift to buying, and retracted his previous prediction that Bitcoin would fall to $40,000–$50,000. However, he still holds all his S&P 500 short positions, arguing that the crypto market has completed a large repricing, while U.S. stock valuations remain elevated.
9 minutes ago
Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush adds new launchpad filter options for Robinhood Chain-based projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr.
According to official announcements, Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush has added new launchpad filter options for Robinhood chain projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr, helping users discover more on-chain token opportunities. Users can now track tokens across BSC, Solana, ETH, Base, and Robinhood chains via Meme Rush, with a single feed to stay updated on multi-chain hotspots.
9 minutes ago
Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
Zcash has launched its new full-node client Zakura 1.0.0, the first implementation component aimed at scaling its private transaction throughput from the current ~1 transaction per second (TPS) to payment-network-level capacity. Maintained by Sean Bowe, an early Zcash zero-knowledge cryptography contributor, and Dev Ojha, head of Valar Group, the client operates independently of the Zcash Foundation and is funded via private ZEC donations. Built on the Zcash Foundation’s Zebra client, the team provides an ~11GB blockchain snapshot, allowing new nodes to sync up in two minutes—an approximately 680x speed improvement. Its compatibility mode also replicates the legacy zcashd interface, enabling wallets and exchanges to continue operating after the original client’s maintenance ends on July 18. The team notes that Visa and Mastercard process over 50,000 transactions per second, a benchmark it has set as its minimum target. To reduce the verification burden of large-scale private transactions, Bowe’s Tachyon project is developing recursive proofs, which let nodes validate thousands of proofs with a single proof. Valar Group is building private information retrieval (PIR) technology, allowing wallets to access relevant transaction data without exposing their query content. Zakura is also testing a fast block propagation system that delivers new blocks to all nodes in half a second. Its upcoming testnet is the Ironwood upgrade, set to activate on the mainnet on July 28. Ironwood will use a "rotating door" mechanism to restrict inflows and outflows of the Orchard privacy pool, mitigating risks of fake ZEC entering circulation due to prior zero-knowledge proof vulnerabilities.
9 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese AI startup Moonshot has achieved an unexpected technological breakthrough, triggering sharp declines in global AI and semiconductor stocks on Friday and prompting markets to once again reference the 2025 "DeepSeek Moment". The semiconductor benchmark index has fallen roughly 20% from its June peak, entering a bear market; the triple-leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL has dropped more than 50% over the same period. This sell-off demonstrates that when rapid advances in AI technology reshape market perceptions of winners and losers, leveraged ETFs, options, single-stock funds, and crypto-related products may be liquidated simultaneously. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows leveraged ETFs make up around 13% of U.S. ETF trading volume but only 1.2% of industry assets. When accounting for embedded leverage, their share of the U.S. stock market remains less than 1%. While these products are generally small in overall size, their holdings are concentrated in AI chips, volatile stocks, and newly listed firms. When leverage, concentration, and volatility rise at the same time, the funds' daily rebalancing turns them into active trading forces that further amplify existing market trends. The South Korean market offers a clear recent case: local retail investors have heavily purchased leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and as market sentiment turned weak, the related funds were forced to sell an estimated tens of billions of dollars worth of SK Hynix positions.
US warplanes struck Iran’s Qeshm Island in mid-July 2026, hitting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military installations and triggering multiple explosions near one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints. US Central Command confirmed the operation, which also involved naval vessels and drones targeting facilities in the broader Bandar Abbas area.
Qeshm Island sits at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes.
What happened and why it matters The strikes, which took place between July 13 and July 16, 2026, targeted IRGC assets that US officials said were being used to threaten commercial shipping lanes. Iranian sources reported damage to military installations, though casualty figures were not immediately confirmed.
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The IRGC presence on Qeshm is not incidental. The island hosts what Iranian state media has previously described as an underground missile city, making it a high-value target from a military degradation standpoint.
Crypto’s muted response, and one very loud exception Bitcoin dipped to approximately $99,500 in the immediate aftermath of the news before recovering to over $102,000. That is roughly a 2.5% swing on one of the more dramatic geopolitical events of the year.
The louder story came from the US Treasury, which froze over $130 million in crypto assets connected to Iranian central bank wallets as part of the broader economic campaign against Tehran. Stablecoins and Bitcoin were the primary assets referenced in connection with the Iranian wallet freezes. No major DeFi protocols or altcoin ecosystems were directly implicated.
What investors should be watching Exchanges and custodians with any exposure to counterparties in sanctioned jurisdictions are going to be reviewing their compliance infrastructure after this. The operational and legal risk of being on the wrong side of a Treasury designation is now demonstrated at scale.
Bitcoin’s ability to recover above $102,000 after the initial dip is a data point worth noting. The question for traders is not whether crypto survived the first week of the Qeshm strikes. It is whether the market has properly priced the tail risks of a sustained conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
The Kobeissi Letter stated in a post that the three-week volatility of U.S. momentum stocks relative to the S&P 500 index has surged to four times, hitting an all-time high. This ratio has more than quadrupled over the past several weeks. The momentum stock group includes high-growth tech stocks at the center of the AI boom, such as NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir, D-Wave Quantum, and CoreWeave. By comparison, the ratio peaked at around 2 times during the 2020 COVID-19 market crash and roughly 1.8 times during the dot-com bubble burst. The current level is significantly higher than those periods. Meanwhile, the U.S. momentum stock index has dropped 24% since July, marking its largest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The stocks that previously performed the strongest are quickly losing market favor.
9 minutes ago
Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
According to an announcement by Changxin Technology, the company’s initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the STAR Market has released its offline preliminary placement results and online lottery results. The offering price is RMB 8.66 per share, with an initial share offering size of approximately 6.688 billion shares. A total of 7,702,207 winning lottery numbers have been issued, and each winning number entitles holders to subscribe for 500 Changxin Technology A-shares.
9 minutes ago
Renowned trader closes all crypto short positions, resumes buying Bitcoin spot
Renowned crypto trader Doctor Profit announced in a post that he has closed all his cryptocurrency short positions, including Bitcoin shorts established in the $115,000–$125,000 range, another Bitcoin short in the $79,000–$82,000 range, and over 100 altcoin shorts opened in recent months, noting that all these positions have generated significant profits. He also said he has repurchased Bitcoin spot at $64,000, marking his first long-term allocation since September 2025. His plan is to invest 5% of his planned capital daily in spot Bitcoin purchases when the price is in the $54,000–$64,000 range, for up to 20 days total; if the price approaches $54,000, he will increase his buying activity. Doctor Profit pointed out that the current market is showing clear "herd behavior": investors who were previously bullish on Bitcoin up to $150,000 at high levels are now widely waiting for the cryptocurrency to drop to $40,000–$50,000, and are targeting September or October as the bottom of the four-year cycle. When a large number of investors are waiting for the same price level and time point, the market may not move as expected, so he chose to build positions in advance and judges that this cycle’s bottom may arrive earlier than the market’s general expectation. He also cited regulatory clarity, asset tokenization infrastructure, and progress in institutional adoption as the structural reasons for his shift to buying, and retracted his previous prediction that Bitcoin would fall to $40,000–$50,000. However, he still holds all his S&P 500 short positions, arguing that the crypto market has completed a large repricing, while U.S. stock valuations remain elevated.
9 minutes ago
Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush adds new launchpad filter options for Robinhood Chain-based projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr.
According to official announcements, Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush has added new launchpad filter options for Robinhood chain projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr, helping users discover more on-chain token opportunities. Users can now track tokens across BSC, Solana, ETH, Base, and Robinhood chains via Meme Rush, with a single feed to stay updated on multi-chain hotspots.
9 minutes ago
Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
Zcash has launched its new full-node client Zakura 1.0.0, the first implementation component aimed at scaling its private transaction throughput from the current ~1 transaction per second (TPS) to payment-network-level capacity. Maintained by Sean Bowe, an early Zcash zero-knowledge cryptography contributor, and Dev Ojha, head of Valar Group, the client operates independently of the Zcash Foundation and is funded via private ZEC donations. Built on the Zcash Foundation’s Zebra client, the team provides an ~11GB blockchain snapshot, allowing new nodes to sync up in two minutes—an approximately 680x speed improvement. Its compatibility mode also replicates the legacy zcashd interface, enabling wallets and exchanges to continue operating after the original client’s maintenance ends on July 18. The team notes that Visa and Mastercard process over 50,000 transactions per second, a benchmark it has set as its minimum target. To reduce the verification burden of large-scale private transactions, Bowe’s Tachyon project is developing recursive proofs, which let nodes validate thousands of proofs with a single proof. Valar Group is building private information retrieval (PIR) technology, allowing wallets to access relevant transaction data without exposing their query content. Zakura is also testing a fast block propagation system that delivers new blocks to all nodes in half a second. Its upcoming testnet is the Ironwood upgrade, set to activate on the mainnet on July 28. Ironwood will use a "rotating door" mechanism to restrict inflows and outflows of the Orchard privacy pool, mitigating risks of fake ZEC entering circulation due to prior zero-knowledge proof vulnerabilities.
9 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese AI startup Moonshot has achieved an unexpected technological breakthrough, triggering sharp declines in global AI and semiconductor stocks on Friday and prompting markets to once again reference the 2025 "DeepSeek Moment". The semiconductor benchmark index has fallen roughly 20% from its June peak, entering a bear market; the triple-leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL has dropped more than 50% over the same period. This sell-off demonstrates that when rapid advances in AI technology reshape market perceptions of winners and losers, leveraged ETFs, options, single-stock funds, and crypto-related products may be liquidated simultaneously. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows leveraged ETFs make up around 13% of U.S. ETF trading volume but only 1.2% of industry assets. When accounting for embedded leverage, their share of the U.S. stock market remains less than 1%. While these products are generally small in overall size, their holdings are concentrated in AI chips, volatile stocks, and newly listed firms. When leverage, concentration, and volatility rise at the same time, the funds' daily rebalancing turns them into active trading forces that further amplify existing market trends. The South Korean market offers a clear recent case: local retail investors have heavily purchased leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and as market sentiment turned weak, the related funds were forced to sell an estimated tens of billions of dollars worth of SK Hynix positions.
Bitcoin options desks picked up a telling signal this week — a surge in call spread activity that pins a $72,000 price target to the final days of July, coinciding with the Federal Reserve’s next policy announcement. Data from the options market, as reported in the original CoinDesk report, shows large traders paying a premium for a structure that profits if BTC rallies toward $72,000 but caps gains above that level. The timing is not accidental.
How the $72,000 Call Spread Works A call spread involves buying a call option at one strike price and selling another at a higher strike. The sold call reduces the upfront cost but limits the maximum profit. In this case, the bought call likely sits just below $72,000, while the sold call may be slightly above it. The trade’s maximum payoff occurs if Bitcoin settles exactly at or between the two strikes at expiration. By choosing $72,000 as the target, the trader is signaling a precise directional view rather than a broad bullish bet. The notional size behind the flow points to institutional desks, not retail punters.
Option structures like this thrive on event-driven repricing. They demand not just a move, but a move that lands on schedule. The July expiry window gives the trade roughly two weeks to play out, and that window closes right after the Fed meeting ends. If Bitcoin drifts sideways, time decay erodes the position. The premium paid reflects a calculated risk that the macro catalyst will trigger the needed volatility.
Fed Decision as a Catalyst The Federal Open Market Committee meeting in late July is the obvious anchor for this positioning. Markets currently anticipate a pause in rate hikes, with some participants pricing in dovish language that opens the door to cuts later in the year. For Bitcoin, a clear signal that the tightening cycle is over would likely lift risk appetite. The call spread trade is a levered way to capture that move without committing to an outright long. By paying a fraction of the notional exposure, the trader can book substantial gains if BTC spikes into the $72,000 zone.
The bet is not unique in its structure, but the scale and timing set it apart. Buying volatility into a known macro event is a classic trade, and the cryptocurrency options market has matured enough to handle flows that once would have moved spot prices. This trade likely sat on one or two desks capable of absorbing the risk without destabilizing the book.
What the Flow Doesn’t Tell Us Options flow is opaque by design. A large call spread can be a standalone directional bet, but it can also be part of a more complex hedge. A trader short Bitcoin futures, for instance, might buy call spreads to cap losses if the market rallies. Without knowing the full portfolio, it’s impossible to say whether this positioning is net bullish or a sophisticated defense against an unpleasant surprise. The options market shows positioning, not intent.
The trade arrives in a market where institutional capital is increasingly active across the crypto landscape. Recently, SUI surged 18% to $1.24 as institutional staking and a partnership with Paga drove demand, illustrating how large players are now shaping liquidity across multiple protocols. Meanwhile, the broader tokenization space hit a milestone this week, with real-world assets on-chain crossing $20 billion for the first time. That level of commitment signals a structural shift in how institutions interact with digital assets.
Yet the regulatory backdrop remains unsettled. As the options trade was being placed, banks were trying to kill the biggest crypto bill in US history just days before a Senate vote. Legislative uncertainty of that magnitude can upend any macro thesis, making the call spread as much a volatility bet as a directional one. For now, the $72,000 target will act as a bellwether. If the price drifts higher in the days before the Fed speaks, the trade could become a self-fulfilling catalyst. If not, it’s a reminder that options positioning can vanish as fast as it appeared.
AUTHOR
Max delves deep into the cryptocurrency realm, with a passion for altcoins and NFTs. Convinced of crypto's transformative potential, he envisions a decentralized financial future. Max's background in the financial sector grants him unique insights into global monetary systems. In his leisure, Max embraces the thrill of adventures and is an avid sports enthusiast, finding balance and rejuvenation away from work.
Bitcoin [BTC] climbed above $65,000 during the week beginning the 12th of July. A cooler Consumer Price Index reading supported the move by easing inflation concerns.
However, BTC later retreated toward $64,000. Beneath this volatility, miners continued sending fewer coins to exchanges despite worsening financial conditions.
Why are Bitcoin miners struggling? CryptoQuant data showed that miners faced significant pressure, based on its Miners’ Financial Health Index. The index combines mining revenue, fees, issuance, and other inputs to measure the industry’s overall financial health.
Source: CryptoQuant Based on its seven-day Moving Average, the index stood near 29% at press time. Readings between 10% and 30% have historically aligned with bear-market conditions.
Such conditions can pressure miners’ income and increase their need to sell reserves. However, exchange-flow data showed that selling pressure had eased.
Are miners sending less BTC? CryptoQuant’s Miner to Exchange Flow showed that miners transferred less Bitcoin to exchanges despite their financial strain. Based on the seven-day SMA, exchange flows fell from 1,825.86 BTC on the 1st of July to 1,173.66 BTC.
Source: CryptoQuant This represented a decline of nearly 36%, suggesting that miners reduced their immediately available exchange supply.
However, lower exchange flows did not necessarily confirm accumulation. Miners could also have moved coins through untracked venues or held them elsewhere.
The dollar value of Bitcoin in miner wallets increased by $4.7 billion, from $71.5 billion to roughly $76.2 billion.
Much of this increase could reflect Bitcoin’s price appreciation rather than growth in miners’ BTC holdings. Bitcoin rose from $58,624 on the 1st of July to $63,999 at press time.
Why are mining stocks falling? Publicly listed Bitcoin mining stocks lost 12% collectively over the past month, according to Artemis.
The decline highlighted the financial pressure facing mining companies, even as Bitcoin’s price recovered.
Over five days, Cipher Mining [CIFR] dropped 20.3%, while Iris Energy [IREN] fell 18.3%. TeraWulf [WULF] declined 17.3%. By contrast, Bitcoin added more than $42 billion in market capitalization during the same period.
This divergence suggested that investors remained concerned about miners’ operating costs and profitability despite BTC’s recovery.
Lower miner exchange flows could reduce one source of immediate selling pressure. However, the data did not prove that miners were accumulating Bitcoin.
For now, miners’ reluctance to transfer BTC to exchanges may support supply conditions as Bitcoin attempts to reclaim $65,000.
Final Summary Miner exchange flows fell nearly 36% despite worsening financial conditions across the industry. Mining stocks declined sharply, while lower exchange transfers may ease immediate Bitcoin selling pressure.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong thinks Bitcoin’s floor is in. On June 15, Armstrong stated his belief that Bitcoin likely bottomed around $60,000, leaning on the cryptocurrency’s well-documented four-year halving cycle as his compass. The call came just ten days after BTC touched approximately $59,743 on June 5, its lowest level since October 2024.
The case Armstrong is making Bitcoin recovered from roughly $59,743 to over $66,000 in the days that followed, suggesting at least some buyers agreed the price was attractive at those levels.
Armstrong also characterized the recent decline as relatively mild compared to previous crypto winters. Bitcoin’s June low sat approximately 50% below its October 2025 record high of $126,000. The 2022 collapse wiped out roughly 75% of BTC’s value from peak to trough.
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The market isn’t so sure Armstrong himself seemed to acknowledge the uncertainty when he ran a poll on X in mid-July. The results were not exactly a ringing endorsement of his bottom call. Out of more than 20,000 respondents, 56% said they did not believe the bottom was in. Only 44% sided with Armstrong’s view.
On-chain metrics offer some support for the cautious camp. Bitcoin was recently trading near its realized price of about $53,600. The realized price represents the average cost basis of all Bitcoin in circulation, essentially what the average holder paid for their coins.
ETF flows have also been unstable. The spot Bitcoin ETFs that launched in early 2024 were supposed to provide a steady institutional bid for BTC. Instead, flows have been choppy, oscillating between inflows and outflows without establishing a clear trend during the recent downturn.
Armstrong’s longer game Armstrong co-founded Coinbase with Fred Ehrsam back in 2012, and the company’s revenue is directly tied to crypto trading volumes and asset prices.
The halving cycle framework he’s referencing does have historical precedent on its side. Previous cycles saw Bitcoin bottom roughly 12-18 months after a peak, followed by a prolonged recovery that eventually produced new all-time highs. If that pattern holds, the $60,000 zone would be roughly consistent with where prior cycle bottoms have landed relative to their peaks.
What this means for investors The realized price of $53,600 is the number worth watching. If Bitcoin holds above that level through the summer, Armstrong’s bottom call gains credibility. If it breaks below, the conversation shifts from “is the bottom in” to “how much further down do we go.”
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
The Kobeissi Letter stated in a post that the three-week volatility of U.S. momentum stocks relative to the S&P 500 index has surged to four times, hitting an all-time high. This ratio has more than quadrupled over the past several weeks. The momentum stock group includes high-growth tech stocks at the center of the AI boom, such as NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir, D-Wave Quantum, and CoreWeave. By comparison, the ratio peaked at around 2 times during the 2020 COVID-19 market crash and roughly 1.8 times during the dot-com bubble burst. The current level is significantly higher than those periods. Meanwhile, the U.S. momentum stock index has dropped 24% since July, marking its largest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The stocks that previously performed the strongest are quickly losing market favor.
9 minutes ago
Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
According to an announcement by Changxin Technology, the company’s initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the STAR Market has released its offline preliminary placement results and online lottery results. The offering price is RMB 8.66 per share, with an initial share offering size of approximately 6.688 billion shares. A total of 7,702,207 winning lottery numbers have been issued, and each winning number entitles holders to subscribe for 500 Changxin Technology A-shares.
9 minutes ago
Renowned trader closes all crypto short positions, resumes buying Bitcoin spot
Renowned crypto trader Doctor Profit announced in a post that he has closed all his cryptocurrency short positions, including Bitcoin shorts established in the $115,000–$125,000 range, another Bitcoin short in the $79,000–$82,000 range, and over 100 altcoin shorts opened in recent months, noting that all these positions have generated significant profits. He also said he has repurchased Bitcoin spot at $64,000, marking his first long-term allocation since September 2025. His plan is to invest 5% of his planned capital daily in spot Bitcoin purchases when the price is in the $54,000–$64,000 range, for up to 20 days total; if the price approaches $54,000, he will increase his buying activity. Doctor Profit pointed out that the current market is showing clear "herd behavior": investors who were previously bullish on Bitcoin up to $150,000 at high levels are now widely waiting for the cryptocurrency to drop to $40,000–$50,000, and are targeting September or October as the bottom of the four-year cycle. When a large number of investors are waiting for the same price level and time point, the market may not move as expected, so he chose to build positions in advance and judges that this cycle’s bottom may arrive earlier than the market’s general expectation. He also cited regulatory clarity, asset tokenization infrastructure, and progress in institutional adoption as the structural reasons for his shift to buying, and retracted his previous prediction that Bitcoin would fall to $40,000–$50,000. However, he still holds all his S&P 500 short positions, arguing that the crypto market has completed a large repricing, while U.S. stock valuations remain elevated.
9 minutes ago
Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush adds new launchpad filter options for Robinhood Chain-based projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr.
According to official announcements, Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush has added new launchpad filter options for Robinhood chain projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr, helping users discover more on-chain token opportunities. Users can now track tokens across BSC, Solana, ETH, Base, and Robinhood chains via Meme Rush, with a single feed to stay updated on multi-chain hotspots.
9 minutes ago
Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
Zcash has launched its new full-node client Zakura 1.0.0, the first implementation component aimed at scaling its private transaction throughput from the current ~1 transaction per second (TPS) to payment-network-level capacity. Maintained by Sean Bowe, an early Zcash zero-knowledge cryptography contributor, and Dev Ojha, head of Valar Group, the client operates independently of the Zcash Foundation and is funded via private ZEC donations. Built on the Zcash Foundation’s Zebra client, the team provides an ~11GB blockchain snapshot, allowing new nodes to sync up in two minutes—an approximately 680x speed improvement. Its compatibility mode also replicates the legacy zcashd interface, enabling wallets and exchanges to continue operating after the original client’s maintenance ends on July 18. The team notes that Visa and Mastercard process over 50,000 transactions per second, a benchmark it has set as its minimum target. To reduce the verification burden of large-scale private transactions, Bowe’s Tachyon project is developing recursive proofs, which let nodes validate thousands of proofs with a single proof. Valar Group is building private information retrieval (PIR) technology, allowing wallets to access relevant transaction data without exposing their query content. Zakura is also testing a fast block propagation system that delivers new blocks to all nodes in half a second. Its upcoming testnet is the Ironwood upgrade, set to activate on the mainnet on July 28. Ironwood will use a "rotating door" mechanism to restrict inflows and outflows of the Orchard privacy pool, mitigating risks of fake ZEC entering circulation due to prior zero-knowledge proof vulnerabilities.
9 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese AI startup Moonshot has achieved an unexpected technological breakthrough, triggering sharp declines in global AI and semiconductor stocks on Friday and prompting markets to once again reference the 2025 "DeepSeek Moment". The semiconductor benchmark index has fallen roughly 20% from its June peak, entering a bear market; the triple-leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL has dropped more than 50% over the same period. This sell-off demonstrates that when rapid advances in AI technology reshape market perceptions of winners and losers, leveraged ETFs, options, single-stock funds, and crypto-related products may be liquidated simultaneously. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows leveraged ETFs make up around 13% of U.S. ETF trading volume but only 1.2% of industry assets. When accounting for embedded leverage, their share of the U.S. stock market remains less than 1%. While these products are generally small in overall size, their holdings are concentrated in AI chips, volatile stocks, and newly listed firms. When leverage, concentration, and volatility rise at the same time, the funds' daily rebalancing turns them into active trading forces that further amplify existing market trends. The South Korean market offers a clear recent case: local retail investors have heavily purchased leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and as market sentiment turned weak, the related funds were forced to sell an estimated tens of billions of dollars worth of SK Hynix positions.
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.
AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
The Kobeissi Letter stated in a post that the three-week volatility of U.S. momentum stocks relative to the S&P 500 index has surged to four times, hitting an all-time high. This ratio has more than quadrupled over the past several weeks. The momentum stock group includes high-growth tech stocks at the center of the AI boom, such as NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir, D-Wave Quantum, and CoreWeave. By comparison, the ratio peaked at around 2 times during the 2020 COVID-19 market crash and roughly 1.8 times during the dot-com bubble burst. The current level is significantly higher than those periods. Meanwhile, the U.S. momentum stock index has dropped 24% since July, marking its largest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The stocks that previously performed the strongest are quickly losing market favor.
9 minutes ago
Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
According to an announcement by Changxin Technology, the company’s initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the STAR Market has released its offline preliminary placement results and online lottery results. The offering price is RMB 8.66 per share, with an initial share offering size of approximately 6.688 billion shares. A total of 7,702,207 winning lottery numbers have been issued, and each winning number entitles holders to subscribe for 500 Changxin Technology A-shares.
9 minutes ago
Renowned trader closes all crypto short positions, resumes buying Bitcoin spot
Renowned crypto trader Doctor Profit announced in a post that he has closed all his cryptocurrency short positions, including Bitcoin shorts established in the $115,000–$125,000 range, another Bitcoin short in the $79,000–$82,000 range, and over 100 altcoin shorts opened in recent months, noting that all these positions have generated significant profits. He also said he has repurchased Bitcoin spot at $64,000, marking his first long-term allocation since September 2025. His plan is to invest 5% of his planned capital daily in spot Bitcoin purchases when the price is in the $54,000–$64,000 range, for up to 20 days total; if the price approaches $54,000, he will increase his buying activity. Doctor Profit pointed out that the current market is showing clear "herd behavior": investors who were previously bullish on Bitcoin up to $150,000 at high levels are now widely waiting for the cryptocurrency to drop to $40,000–$50,000, and are targeting September or October as the bottom of the four-year cycle. When a large number of investors are waiting for the same price level and time point, the market may not move as expected, so he chose to build positions in advance and judges that this cycle’s bottom may arrive earlier than the market’s general expectation. He also cited regulatory clarity, asset tokenization infrastructure, and progress in institutional adoption as the structural reasons for his shift to buying, and retracted his previous prediction that Bitcoin would fall to $40,000–$50,000. However, he still holds all his S&P 500 short positions, arguing that the crypto market has completed a large repricing, while U.S. stock valuations remain elevated.
9 minutes ago
Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush adds new launchpad filter options for Robinhood Chain-based projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr.
According to official announcements, Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush has added new launchpad filter options for Robinhood chain projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr, helping users discover more on-chain token opportunities. Users can now track tokens across BSC, Solana, ETH, Base, and Robinhood chains via Meme Rush, with a single feed to stay updated on multi-chain hotspots.
9 minutes ago
Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
Zcash has launched its new full-node client Zakura 1.0.0, the first implementation component aimed at scaling its private transaction throughput from the current ~1 transaction per second (TPS) to payment-network-level capacity. Maintained by Sean Bowe, an early Zcash zero-knowledge cryptography contributor, and Dev Ojha, head of Valar Group, the client operates independently of the Zcash Foundation and is funded via private ZEC donations. Built on the Zcash Foundation’s Zebra client, the team provides an ~11GB blockchain snapshot, allowing new nodes to sync up in two minutes—an approximately 680x speed improvement. Its compatibility mode also replicates the legacy zcashd interface, enabling wallets and exchanges to continue operating after the original client’s maintenance ends on July 18. The team notes that Visa and Mastercard process over 50,000 transactions per second, a benchmark it has set as its minimum target. To reduce the verification burden of large-scale private transactions, Bowe’s Tachyon project is developing recursive proofs, which let nodes validate thousands of proofs with a single proof. Valar Group is building private information retrieval (PIR) technology, allowing wallets to access relevant transaction data without exposing their query content. Zakura is also testing a fast block propagation system that delivers new blocks to all nodes in half a second. Its upcoming testnet is the Ironwood upgrade, set to activate on the mainnet on July 28. Ironwood will use a "rotating door" mechanism to restrict inflows and outflows of the Orchard privacy pool, mitigating risks of fake ZEC entering circulation due to prior zero-knowledge proof vulnerabilities.
9 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese AI startup Moonshot has achieved an unexpected technological breakthrough, triggering sharp declines in global AI and semiconductor stocks on Friday and prompting markets to once again reference the 2025 "DeepSeek Moment". The semiconductor benchmark index has fallen roughly 20% from its June peak, entering a bear market; the triple-leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL has dropped more than 50% over the same period. This sell-off demonstrates that when rapid advances in AI technology reshape market perceptions of winners and losers, leveraged ETFs, options, single-stock funds, and crypto-related products may be liquidated simultaneously. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows leveraged ETFs make up around 13% of U.S. ETF trading volume but only 1.2% of industry assets. When accounting for embedded leverage, their share of the U.S. stock market remains less than 1%. While these products are generally small in overall size, their holdings are concentrated in AI chips, volatile stocks, and newly listed firms. When leverage, concentration, and volatility rise at the same time, the funds' daily rebalancing turns them into active trading forces that further amplify existing market trends. The South Korean market offers a clear recent case: local retail investors have heavily purchased leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and as market sentiment turned weak, the related funds were forced to sell an estimated tens of billions of dollars worth of SK Hynix positions.
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.
Leonidas’ DOG Mode client has thrust Bitcoin’s long-running governance tussle back into the conversation, explicitly challenging default relay policies that determine which transactions get passed along the network. The move reopens a philosophical wound that never fully healed: does the network run on a free market, or does it operate under a set of enforced, community-chosen standards? According to the original report, DOG Mode refuses to play by the existing relay rulebook, a choice that could splinter mempool behavior and unsettle the assumptions miners and full nodes rely on every day.
Default relay policies are the unsung gatekeepers of Bitcoin’s transaction flow. They decide what gets propagated and what sits idle. Core client defaults filter out transactions that are too big, too dusty, or too non-standard. They also shape the fee market and influence miner extractable value. DOG Mode appears to strip away some of these filters, treating the mempool as an entirely open space. The implication is immediate: transactions that Core nodes would reject as spam or low-value would flow freely through DOG Mode peers, potentially forcing miners to consider them if economic incentives align.
The timing is notable. Bitcoin’s fee environment has become more volatile as institutional activity and on-chain assets like Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens compete for block space. A client that relaxes relay rules arrives just as some users feel squeezed out by high fees or arbitrary policy enforcement. Developer activity across blockchains remains high, yet debates about what constitutes valid transaction inclusion rarely reach protocol level. DOG Mode changes that, pushing the argument from social media threads to live node configuration.
The Philosophy Underneath Code At its core, DOG Mode isn’t just a software tweak. It’s a statement about who governs Bitcoin. Protocol defaults have always encoded norms, from block size limits to the shape of script validation. When a single client, Core, dominates 98% of nodes, its policies become the network’s policies by default. DOG Mode introduces client pluralism as a deliberate challenge, tapping into the older, libertarian strain of Bitcoin thought that fears invisible policy-setting as a form of censorship. Dropping relay filters resumes the argument that the network should transmit everything and let miners decide, not pre-screen based on taste.
Critics will note that open relay policies aren’t free of consequence. They can bloat mempools, increase orphan rates, and impose higher costs on nodes. Yet those costs might be worth bearing if the alternative is a permissioned transaction pipeline. The debate mirrors earlier fights over full-RBF and the use of replace-by-fee. In each case, a minority client forced the majority to confront whether defaults were features or accidents of history. Regulatory scrambles remind us that governance is fought on multiple fronts, but code-based governance bypasses legislative halls entirely.
What Remains Unclear The market doesn’t yet know whether miners will adopt DOG Mode or ignore it. A client is only as influential as the nodes and hashrate that run it. If a handful of non-mining nodes alter relay rules, the impact may be trivial. If mining pools adopt it, transaction selection could bifurcate quickly. A splintered mempool creates informational asymmetry, where different miners build on different transaction sets, potentially raising the risk of stale blocks and complicating fee estimation for users.
There’s also the question of economic nodes. Exchanges, payment processors, and custodians running Core defaults may not accept transactions that only propagate through DOG Mode peers, leaving some users in a confirmation limbo. That real-world friction would test whether the free-market argument holds up when money is on the line. Meanwhile, the narrative itself is a force. DOG Mode reminds the broader ecosystem that Bitcoin’s supposed ossification is always under tension, and new client experiments can emerge from anyone willing to write the code. Market infrastructure innovations elsewhere show that protocol rules are constantly being tested, but Bitcoin’s scale means even small policy shifts have outsized consequences.
For now, Leonidas’ move is a provocation in code form. It doesn’t attack the network; it simply refuses to enforce filters that many node operators didn’t actively choose. The debate it triggers will play out on mailing lists, in mining pools’ configuration files, and across block templates. Bitcoin’s governance has always been a messy, slow-motion affair. DOG Mode ensures it won’t be ignored.
AUTHOR
Kester is an experienced freelance content writer. His focus is primarily on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. One might even refer to him as a "blockchain enthusiast." He has been following advancements in the crypto and blockchain area for several years, researching and writing his insights in the media. In addition to being a skilled content writer, Mushumir is also knowledgeable in SEO and digital marketing. He aspires to succeed as a content creator in the digital realm, dealing with customers in the finance and tech industries to generate traffic through engaging taglines and content. Mushumir enjoys traveling, reading, and playing cricket when he is not writing. He now works as a news and article writer for BlockchainReporter.
For more than fifteen years, a question has continued to fuel discussions in the cryptocurrency ecosystem: what really happened with Bitcoin and its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto? While debates around the BIP-110 proposal still divide the community, Adam Back revisited this enigma during an exchange on X. The Blockstream CEO believes that no conclusion can be drawn about the fate of Satoshi Nakamoto, recalling that the circulating hypotheses rely solely on speculation.
In brief Adam Back states that there is no evidence to confirm whether Satoshi Nakamoto is alive or deceased. The last known public message from Satoshi Nakamoto dates back to April 23, 2011, before his complete disappearance. Adam Back’s statements come as the controversial BIP-110 proposal divides the Bitcoin community. Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity and the fate of his bitcoins remain among the greatest mysteries of the crypto ecosystem. Bitcoin Is Still Tied to the Greatest Mystery Surrounding Its Creator At the time when discussions on Bitcoin network security intensify around the BIP-110 proposal, another historical question resurfaces: that of the fate of its creator. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, recently reacted to a post published on X about Satoshi Nakamoto. After supporting the project’s early stages, he abruptly left the public scene in April 2011. In his last known email, sent to developer Mike Hearn, he explained that he was dedicating himself to other projects and stated that Bitcoin’s development was in good hands.
Since that final message, no communication officially attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto has been made public. This absence has fueled numerous theories about his identity and fate. Some suggest that he has died, while others believe he simply chose to disappear permanently from public life. Adam Back reminds, however, that no concrete element today allows confirming either of these hypotheses.
Adam Back Dismisses Claims About Satoshi Nakamoto The discussion arose after a post by Matteo Pellegrini, CEO of Club Orange, who stated that “Satoshi Nakamoto would support the BIP-110 proposal today if he were still alive.” Adam Back immediately challenged this claim by replying that there is no evidence to assert that Bitcoin’s creator is deceased:
What makes you think he’s dead? unlikely, but possible; either way, pure speculation.
Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream. Source: X / @adam3us He even pointed out that this possibility remains conceivable, but impossible to prove with the available information.
Thus, the Blockstream leader summarized his position by explaining that “all hypotheses about the survival or death of Satoshi Nakamoto are solely speculation.” This stance comes as Back had already rejected the BIP-110 proposal, intended to temporarily limit non-financial data recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. The proposal is to be examined before early August but currently enjoys limited support from miners.
Theories Persist Despite a Lack of Evidence Satoshi Nakamoto’s silence has now lasted about fifteen years. During this period, no transactions from addresses attributed to him have been identified. This situation fuels several scenarios, none of which can be confirmed. Some believe he destroyed the private keys granting access to his assets.
Another theory suggests that these bitcoins are still under his control, having not been moved since the network’s beginnings. Meanwhile, the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains unknown. Adam Back himself is sometimes cited as a potential candidate, notably because he was, along with Hal Finney, one of the first recipients of an email sent by Satoshi Nakamoto. His work on Hashcash, developed in 1997, is also mentioned due to its link to the proof-of-work mechanism used by Bitcoin.
The mystery surrounding Bitcoin and its creator therefore continues to fuel debates without providing a definitive answer. As long as no new evidence arises, different hypotheses should continue to coexist, while discussions about the legacy left by Satoshi Nakamoto will remain at the heart of the ecosystem’s news.
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If BTC is to mimic its previous surge, it would rise above $500,000.
Bitcoin has managed to recover some ground from the early July drop to a multi-year low and now fights for $65,000. On the more macro scale, though, the asset has flashed a signal that preceded one of the most impressive rallies in its recent history.
Can it do it again now?
BTC to $500K and Beyond? The signal in question was the formation of a bullish RSI divergence on the weekly chart, as outlined by popular analyst Ali Martinez. It emerges when the asset’s price and its 14-period Relative Strength Index on a weekly chart move in the opposite direction, suggesting that the underlying trend is losing momentum.
According to Martinez, the last time this happened was four years ago during the 2022 bear cycle. At the time, BTC bottomed at around $16,000 before the next expansion phase began, culminating three years later in a new peak of over $126,000.
The subsequent correction since that October peak has driven the cryptocurrency south to around $60,000, where the bullish RSI divergence appeared. History is no indicator of future price performance, but it’s still fun to speculate that if bitcoin were to mimic its 2022-2025 rally precisely, it would skyrocket to over half a million dollars per unit.
The Right and Wrong Strategies Fellow analyst Altcoin Sherpa noted that the 200-EMA on the 4-hour chart had flipped for the first time in months, but BTC still needs to reclaim $65,000 to signal that the dip and bottom are in during this cycle.
Michaël van de Poppe spoke about when and how investors should consider (re-)entering the bitcoin ecosystem. He argued that many expect another leg down and a drop to $40,000 in the next few months and want to buy there. However, he asked what their plan B would be if that didn’t happen.
You may also like: Bitcoin’s Coinbase Premium Has Been Negative for 60 Days – Why It Matters Bitcoin’s Surprising Reaction to Trump’s Iran Threats and Rising US Margin Debt Will Crypto Markets Move When $1.2B Bitcoin Options Expire Today? “Most of those people will then be buying back at $90,000 per bitcoin. That, to me, is a stupid strategy to go for.”
Instead, he believes buying at current levels is such a “phenomenal opportunity” that investors should take advantage of and wait 2-5 years to fully enjoy the potential price appreciation. And, if BTC indeed dips to $40,000, that would be an “even extra opportunity,” but he wouldn’t rely blindly on such a scenario.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz expects BTC to consolidate between $60,000 and $80,000 for the remainder of the year, but a perfect storm of rate cuts, regulatory clarity, and renewed retail enthusiasm could change this.
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz believes Bitcoin could climb to $100,000 if three key catalysts fall into place: the passage of U.S. crypto legislation, Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, and a revival in investor demand.
During his appearance on the "Prof G Markets" podcast, the billionaire investor said he expects Bitcoin to remain in a relatively narrow trading range unless macroeconomic conditions improve.
"I think 60 is going to hold, and I think 80 is going to be a top. And if we can get through 80, then 100 is going to be a top," Novogratz said.
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He added that a move to six figures would require three specific developments.
"We would need [the] Clarity Act. We would need the Fed to cut rates. And we would need some buyer base to get reignited," he said.
Rising US debt and the Bitcoin thesis Recently, the U.S. national debt has climbed above $39.5 trillion, which is yet another rather grim milestone for fiscally conservative Americans.
The Galaxy Digital CEO reiterated his long-term conviction in the cryptocurrency in response to the aforementioned development.
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"This is why all portfolios still need some BTC," he wrote. "It really is inevitable."
Retail speculators are busy elsewhereNovogratz has acknowledged that the crypto market is currently experiencing a period of subdued enthusiasm.
He argued that much of its explosive growth used to be fueled by retail investors chasing life-changing returns instead of traditional investment performance.
"Crypto was a storytelling business," Novogratz said. "We told the story of how this is an important technology. It's going to change the way the world processes information, moves value around."
According to Novogratz, that speculative capital has since migrated into other fast-moving sectors, including artificial intelligence and high-growth tech.
"We've got sports betting and same-day options... Every young kid who used to buy Solana is buying Hynix or some memory company," he said.
This echoes recent comments made by Fidelity's Jurrien Timmer, who recently stated that fast money has essentially abandoned both Bitcoin and gold.
An established store of value Still, Novogratz believes Bitcoin has successfully transitioned into a recognized store-of-value asset with growing institutional adoption.
"Bitcoin is a story. It's if you trust me and I trust you; we trust this ecosystem. We're going to store our wealth there," he said.
The asset's investor base has become too large for its long-term thesis to unravel.
"I think Bitcoin probably holds 60,000. There's too many people who have bought into the Bitcoin story as its own store of value for it to go away," Novogratz said.
"The infrastructure of crypto is going to survive, be hardened, and thrive," he concluded.
Bitcoin continues with its gradual weekend climb and has neared $65,000 after bouncing from $63,700 yesterday.
Most larger-cap alts have remained still over the past 24 hours, which is why we will focus on their weekly moves, where ZEC, CRO, LTC, and ONDO stand out.
Can BTC Reclaim $65K? The previous weekend was also quite sluggish but slightly positive for BTC, as it stood at around $64,000 for 48 hours straight despite the new attacks between the US and Iran. However, the market finally priced in the skyrocketing tension on Monday morning with a painful dip to $61,800.
The softer-than-expected CPI numbers for June announced on Tuesday, though, were well received by BTC as the asset flew by several grand to $65,600 on Wednesday. This became its highest price tag in about three weeks.
However, it couldn’t keep the momentum going and crashed toward $62,000 once again on Thursday and Friday. Nevertheless, the bulls intercepted the move and didn’t allow another leg down. Instead, BTC recovered some ground to $64,000 yesterday and climbed to almost $65,000 earlier today. It still remains below that level, which has been categorized as key for its short-term price performance.
Bitcoin’s market capitalization has risen to almost $1.3 trillion on CG, while its dominance over the altcoins has rocketed to over 57%.
BTCUSD July 19. Source: TradingView Weekly Gainers and Losers Ethereum jumped to almost $1,950 earlier this week, and even though it has dropped by nearly $100 since then, it’s still 4.2% up since last Sunday. ZEC is the biggest gainer from the larger caps, gaining 9% to $560. LTC, ONDO, and CRO have posted impressive increases as well, up to 8% in the case of Crypto.com’s native token.
In contrast, HYPE has plunged by more than 9%. Nevertheless, it has defended the $60 support and now sits inches above it. BCH, CC, TAO, and AAVE have marked significant losses since last Sunday as well.
The total crypto market cap, though, has increased by approximately $60 billion since this time a week ago and now sits above $2.270 trillion on CG.
Cryptocurrency Market Overview July 19. Source: QuantifyCrypto
Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor has stepped up his opposition to Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 110, arguing that the temporary soft fork could weaken Bitcoin’s neutral base rules.
Summary
Saylor says BIP 110 risks Bitcoin neutrality by restricting transactions through new consensus-level protocol rules. BIP 110 would temporarily limit data-heavy transactions while leaving outputs created before activation entirely unaffected. Miner support remains near zero, while Saylor and Back warn disputed rules could divide Bitcoin. In an article titled “110 Reasons BIP 110 Is a Bad Idea,” Saylor said the network should not use consensus changes to decide which valid transactions deserve access to block space.
In Saylor’s article, he argued that Bitcoin cannot reliably determine why transaction data exists. He closed with the line: “Bitcoin does not need guardians of purity. It needs guardians of neutrality.”
Saylor challenges consensus restrictions on transaction data BIP 110, formally called the Reduced Data Temporary Softfork, would apply consensus rules for about one year. The official BIP 110 specification would restrict large data fields, limit OP_RETURN outputs to 83 bytes and cap payloads at 256 bytes. Outputs created before activation would remain exempt.
Supporters say the proposal would reduce arbitrary data storage and lower burdens on node operators. Saylor accepts that some inscriptions, tokens and files may have value or may be linked to harmful activity. However, he questions whether those concerns justify changing Bitcoin’s consensus rules to block transaction structures the network currently accepts.
Neutrality becomes the center of the BIP 110 debate Saylor’s argument focuses on the difference between transaction intent and transaction structure. He said the protocol cannot know whether data represents an image, proof, authentication record, contract or another future use. Under his view, miners, node operators and fee markets should handle disputed activity without imposing new base-layer restrictions.
The position follows an earlier clash over the proposal. Saylor and Blockstream co-founder Adam Back opposed BIP 110 and warned that enforcing disputed rules without broad support could create fork risks. Saylor previously called the proposal’s consensus precedent “extremely dangerous.”
Miner support remains a key test for BIP 110 BIP 110 uses a modified activation process that seeks support from 1,109 of 2,016 mined blocks, equal to 55%. Crypto.news reported on July 12 that miner signaling remained near zero, far below the threshold needed to lock in the proposed rules.
Bitcoin developer Luke Dashjr continues to support the proposal. As reported by crypto.news, Dashjr rejected calls to withdraw BIP 110 as debate grew over Ordinals, Runes and other data-heavy uses. Supporters argue that such activity increases storage demands and moves Bitcoin away from peer-to-peer money.
Saylor calls for slower change at Bitcoin’s base layer Saylor’s latest comments fit his broader view that Bitcoin should change cautiously. He has argued that the network’s value comes from predictable rules rather than frequent feature changes. His BIP 110 critique says policy tools, pruning, fee pricing and second-layer development offer alternatives for managing resource use without changing consensus.
The dispute also tests how Bitcoin reaches agreement when developers, miners, node operators and users disagree. As reported by crypto.news, Saylor described Bitcoin as a network where capital, node activity and mining power remain in balance. His latest position places neutrality at the center of that debate while BIP 110 moves toward its activation window.
AI hot stocks like NVIDIA have seen increased volatility, with their relative volatility standing at 4 times that of the S&P 500 index.
The Kobeissi Letter stated in a post that the three-week volatility of U.S. momentum stocks relative to the S&P 500 index has surged to four times, hitting an all-time high. This ratio has more than quadrupled over the past several weeks. The momentum stock group includes high-growth tech stocks at the center of the AI boom, such as NVIDIA, AMD, Palantir, D-Wave Quantum, and CoreWeave. By comparison, the ratio peaked at around 2 times during the 2020 COVID-19 market crash and roughly 1.8 times during the dot-com bubble burst. The current level is significantly higher than those periods. Meanwhile, the U.S. momentum stock index has dropped 24% since July, marking its largest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The stocks that previously performed the strongest are quickly losing market favor.
9 minutes ago
Changxin Technology's IPO winning numbers have been released, totaling 7,702,207.
According to an announcement by Changxin Technology, the company’s initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the STAR Market has released its offline preliminary placement results and online lottery results. The offering price is RMB 8.66 per share, with an initial share offering size of approximately 6.688 billion shares. A total of 7,702,207 winning lottery numbers have been issued, and each winning number entitles holders to subscribe for 500 Changxin Technology A-shares.
9 minutes ago
Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush adds new launchpad filter options for Robinhood Chain-based projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr.
According to official announcements, Binance Wallet’s Meme Rush has added new launchpad filter options for Robinhood chain projects including Virtuals Protocol, Flap, and Bankr, helping users discover more on-chain token opportunities. Users can now track tokens across BSC, Solana, ETH, Base, and Robinhood chains via Meme Rush, with a single feed to stay updated on multi-chain hotspots.
9 minutes ago
Zcash launches Zakura full node, aiming to boost its privacy transaction throughput to 50,000 per second.
Zcash has launched its new full-node client Zakura 1.0.0, the first implementation component aimed at scaling its private transaction throughput from the current ~1 transaction per second (TPS) to payment-network-level capacity. Maintained by Sean Bowe, an early Zcash zero-knowledge cryptography contributor, and Dev Ojha, head of Valar Group, the client operates independently of the Zcash Foundation and is funded via private ZEC donations. Built on the Zcash Foundation’s Zebra client, the team provides an ~11GB blockchain snapshot, allowing new nodes to sync up in two minutes—an approximately 680x speed improvement. Its compatibility mode also replicates the legacy zcashd interface, enabling wallets and exchanges to continue operating after the original client’s maintenance ends on July 18. The team notes that Visa and Mastercard process over 50,000 transactions per second, a benchmark it has set as its minimum target. To reduce the verification burden of large-scale private transactions, Bowe’s Tachyon project is developing recursive proofs, which let nodes validate thousands of proofs with a single proof. Valar Group is building private information retrieval (PIR) technology, allowing wallets to access relevant transaction data without exposing their query content. Zakura is also testing a fast block propagation system that delivers new blocks to all nodes in half a second. Its upcoming testnet is the Ironwood upgrade, set to activate on the mainnet on July 28. Ironwood will use a "rotating door" mechanism to restrict inflows and outflows of the Orchard privacy pool, mitigating risks of fake ZEC entering circulation due to prior zero-knowledge proof vulnerabilities.
9 minutes ago
Moonshot (Kimi)’s technological breakthrough triggers sell-offs in AI stocks, with leveraged products amplifying market volatility.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese AI startup Moonshot has achieved an unexpected technological breakthrough, triggering sharp declines in global AI and semiconductor stocks on Friday and prompting markets to once again reference the 2025 "DeepSeek Moment". The semiconductor benchmark index has fallen roughly 20% from its June peak, entering a bear market; the triple-leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL has dropped more than 50% over the same period. This sell-off demonstrates that when rapid advances in AI technology reshape market perceptions of winners and losers, leveraged ETFs, options, single-stock funds, and crypto-related products may be liquidated simultaneously. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows leveraged ETFs make up around 13% of U.S. ETF trading volume but only 1.2% of industry assets. When accounting for embedded leverage, their share of the U.S. stock market remains less than 1%. While these products are generally small in overall size, their holdings are concentrated in AI chips, volatile stocks, and newly listed firms. When leverage, concentration, and volatility rise at the same time, the funds' daily rebalancing turns them into active trading forces that further amplify existing market trends. The South Korean market offers a clear recent case: local retail investors have heavily purchased leveraged products tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and as market sentiment turned weak, the related funds were forced to sell an estimated tens of billions of dollars worth of SK Hynix positions.
9 minutes ago
Mizuho downgrades Circle to Underperform, cuts its target price to $50
According to Bloomberg, Circle’s stock price has fallen more than 75% from its post-IPO high last year. Dan Dolev, an analyst at Mizuho Securities USA, downgraded Circle this week from "Neutral" to "Underperform", setting a Wall Street-low target price of $50, which implies roughly 18% downside from Thursday’s closing price, well below the average analyst target of $123 tracked by Bloomberg. Dolev argues Circle faces rising competition risks in the stablecoin space. Over 100 fintech firms, payment networks, crypto companies and banks, including Visa, Stripe, Coinbase and BlackRock, are backing the Open Standard project, which will issue OUSD. Circle’s stock fell 7.7% on Thursday, the same day Visa launched a stablecoin issuance, transfer and management platform for financial institutions. Circle generates most of its revenue from interest on USDC’s reserve assets, while new stablecoin initiatives like OUSD plan to share reserve returns with partners and charge lower management fees. Dolev says this business model could draw partners away from Circle, intensifying pricing and margin pressure on the firm. He projects Circle’s adjusted EBITDA for 2027 will hit $699 million, below the consensus market estimate of $907 million. He also noted that Circle and Coinbase’s USDC distribution agreement is set to be renegotiated in August, with Coinbase likely to leverage competitive pressure from OUSD to secure a higher revenue split.
PANews July 19 news, crypto trader Doctor Profit posted that he has closed all cryptocurrency short positions. Including Bitcoin shorts established in the $115,000–$125,000 range, another Bitcoin short established in the $79,000–$82,000 range, and over 100 altcoin shorts opened over the past few months, stating that all the above positions were profitable. At the same time, he has re-entered spot Bitcoin at $64,000. As long as BTC remains within the $54,000–$64,000 range, he will buy spot daily with 5% of allocated funds (executed for up to 20 days); if the price approaches $54,000, he will increase buying intensity.
Doctor Profit believes that the behavior of most people waiting for September–October as the bottom of the four-year cycle is “herd behavior,” and the bottom may arrive early and will not give those waiting a perfect low. Furthermore, the Clarity Act, tokenization infrastructure, institutional adoption, large institutional capital inflows, and so on—the macro environment has fundamentally changed. Regarding U.S. stocks, Doctor Profit has retained all short positions in the S&P 500 index. He believes that Bitcoin and the stock market are not the same trade, and they are in different cycle phases. The crypto bear market began in October 2025 and lasted nine months, while the stock market remained firm throughout. Cryptocurrency prices have been repriced, while the stock market remains overvalued.
XRP stands next to BTC in this very prestigious list.
A recent report by CoinGecko found that Ripple’s cross-border token is the only cryptocurrency besides the market leader to remain among the largest 10 cryptocurrencies every year for a decade.
This came despite the asset’s ups and downs, some of which pushed it to new lows.
XRP Remains in Top 10 Before we delved deeper into the report, we have a confession to make. It’s not really a new report. It actually came out over a month ago, but we somehow missed it. Nevertheless, we still think it’s a fun Sunday morning read, so here we go.
CoinGecko outlined that the cryptocurrency market has changed almost beyond recognition since 2014. Hundreds of projects entered and fell out of the spotlight, as former industry heavyweights, such as Peercoin, Namecoin, NXT, Dash, EOS, and Litecoin, all spent years among the top 10 elite before eventually falling out.
This is not the case with Ripple’s XRP, though. The report analyzed annual market-cap snapshots between 2014 and 2026 and found that XRP is the only cryptocurrency (besides Bitcoin) to remain inside the industry’s top 10 every single year. This streak spans 13 consecutive years and, unless there’s a major collapse in 2026, is likely to close its 14th year soon.
Ripple (XRP) Inside Top 10 Alts for 13+ Years. Source: CoinGecko The asset managed to remain in the top through the painful 2018 bear market, the COVID-19 crash, the Terra collapse, the FTX bankruptcy, and perhaps most impressively, Ripple’s years-long battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This was particularly threatening as XRP was delisted from countless exchanges after the SEC’s offensive began, and it tumbled hard immediately.
Meanwhile, Ripple’s token recently celebrated a one-year anniversary since its all-time high of $3.65 was marked last July. However, it has dumped by 70% since then.
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Stablecoins have become a permanent fixture within the top 10 and 20 alts, while exchange tokens like BNB have established themselves alongside traditional layer-1 networks.
This year also marked another milestone when Hyperliquid’s HYPE became only the second DeFi project ever to enter the top 10, overtaking Dogecoin.
Since falling below $1,900, Ethereum has faced rising bearish pressure. The altcoin extended its decline to $1,800.
At press time, ETH traded around $1,843 after gaining 0.35% over 24 hours. It remained up 2% weekly.
With Ethereum struggling to maintain upward momentum, some whales appeared to be reducing their exposure.
Why did this whale sell 30K ETH? Ethereum [ETH] whales showed signs of increased distribution amid prolonged market weakness.
Onchain Lens reported that one whale sold 30,000 ETH worth $55 million through Galaxy Digital’s over-the-counter desk. The wallet exchanged the ETH for USDC before depositing the funds into Coinbase.
The transaction indicated that this wallet exited its ETH position. However, one sale could not define wider market confidence.
Source: Swiss whale intelligence Interestingly, this whale was not alone. Over the past week, 188 Ethereum whales shifted toward distribution, offloading 462,631 ETH.
By contrast, 167 whales moved toward accumulation and purchased 448,638 ETH, according to Swiss Whale Intelligence.
Therefore, distribution exceeded accumulation by 13,993 ETH, revealing a modest imbalance rather than aggressive whale capitulation.
Over 30 days, 661 Ethereum whales reportedly shifted toward selling. However, the dataset lacked a comparable accumulation figure.
Source: CryptoQuant That selling also appeared in exchange activity, as Exchange Netflow turned positive after remaining negative for three days.
Exchange Netflow reached 3,100 ETH at press time, indicating that inflows exceeded outflows. Higher exchange inflows could increase the supply available for immediate sale, adding pressure to ETH’s recovery.
Can ETH withstand whale pressure? Ethereum struggled to maintain upward momentum as whale distribution increased.
Even so, technical indicators retained a bullish bias despite ETH’s weak price action. The Aroon Up stood at 78, above the Aroon Down reading of 28. This indicated that ETH had recorded a recent high more recently than its latest low.
Source: TradingView The MACD also maintained an upward trajectory and reached 35, supporting the remaining bullish momentum.
Together, these indicators suggested that sellers had not secured complete control despite rising whale distribution. If selling intensifies, ETH could fall toward $1,700. However, absorbing that supply may help bulls reclaim $1,900.
Final Summary One whale sold 30,000 ETH worth $55 million through Galaxy Digital’s over-the-counter desk. Whale distribution narrowly exceeded accumulation, while technical indicators retained a bullish bias.
Someone with very deep pockets just made a very loud bet on Ethereum. Whale wallets sold 72 Bitcoin and immediately plowed into a 20x leveraged long position on 12,000 ETH, a trade that screams conviction about where they think ETH is headed relative to BTC.
The activity, flagged on Hypurrscan, points to Hyperliquid as the likely venue for these trades. For a platform that has become the go-to destination for high-leverage perpetual futures, this kind of size is notable but not entirely surprising. What makes it interesting is the directional clarity: this isn’t a hedge. It’s a rotation.
Breaking down the trade A whale, or possibly a cluster of related wallets, liquidated 72 BTC and redeployed that capital into a 20x leveraged long position on 12,000 ETH. For every dollar of actual collateral they put up, they’re controlling twenty dollars’ worth of Ethereum exposure.
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A 20x position means the liquidation threshold sits somewhere around a 3-5% adverse price move. If ETH drops by that margin from the entry price, the entire position gets wiped.
The size matters too. 12,000 ETH worth of exposure at 20x leverage represents a notional position that could meaningfully shift open interest in ETH perpetual futures on Hyperliquid. When positions this large enter the market, they tend to influence funding rates, which in turn can create incentive structures that pull other traders in the same direction.
The BTC-to-ETH rotation playbook On-chain analytics firms like Lookonchain have been tracking similar rotations throughout 2025, where large holders dump BTC to finance leveraged ETH positions, or occasionally do the reverse.
The pattern typically emerges when whale traders believe the ETH/BTC ratio is about to shift. Rather than simply going long on Ethereum, they actively sell Bitcoin to fund the trade, which creates selling pressure on BTC while simultaneously adding buying pressure (via leverage) on ETH.
What this means for investors The immediate impact is on funding rates. When large leveraged longs enter the perpetual futures market, they push funding rates positive, meaning long holders pay short holders to maintain their positions.
The second-order effect is on liquidation cascades. A 20x leveraged position on 12,000 ETH is a big target. If the price moves against the whale, the forced liquidation would dump a substantial amount of sell pressure into the market all at once, potentially triggering a chain reaction that catches other leveraged longs in the blast radius.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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