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COINDESK: Live updates: Bitcoin holds $62,600 as the Iran conflict reignites and CPI looms

Key Highlights Table of Contents

Key HighlightsSemiconductor Sector Reels Following Korean Market TurmoilDigital Assets Retreat as Federal Reserve Tightening Expectations SurgeGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Semiconductor stocks plummeted 4.8%, sending the Nasdaq down 1.5% in Monday’s trading session South Korea’s KOSPI index crashed nearly 9%, triggering a ripple effect across U.S. chip manufacturers SK Hynix’s American Depositary Receipt debut stumbled, declining more than 9% in its inaugural U.S. trading session Bitcoin tumbled over 2% to approximately $62,380 as market participants increased July Fed rate hike probability to 50% Escalating oil costs and heightened U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions are fueling renewed inflation anxieties before Tuesday’s CPI data Major U.S. stock indices experienced significant losses on Monday as semiconductor equities led a broad technology sector retreat. Digital currencies also faced downward pressure as market participants recalibrated their Federal Reserve policy outlook.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 1.5% by the closing bell. The broader S&P 500 shed 0.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated 138 points, translating to a 0.3% loss. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index bore the brunt of selling pressure, plummeting 4.8%.

E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 26 (ES=F) Excluding technology equities from the equation, however, reveals a considerably more stable market environment. The ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Technology ETF concluded trading essentially unchanged.

Semiconductor Sector Reels Following Korean Market Turmoil The sharp decline in chip stocks followed an exceptionally volatile trading day in Asian markets. South Korea’s KOSPI benchmark index closed Monday’s session down nearly 9%, transmitting shock waves throughout international financial markets.

SK Hynix, the prominent memory chip manufacturer, commenced U.S. trading on Monday through American Depositary Receipts. The debut proved inauspicious, with shares declining over 9%, echoing the company’s substantial intraday collapse on the Seoul exchange.

Memory semiconductor producers had ranked among 2026’s top-performing equities. Monday’s trading session abruptly erased a portion of those impressive gains.

Other chip-sector companies experienced sympathetic declines. The industry-wide downturn underscored the depth of interconnection between American investors and international semiconductor supply networks.

Digital Assets Retreat as Federal Reserve Tightening Expectations Surge Bitcoin declined more than 2% over a 24-hour period, trading around $62,380. Ether, XRP, and additional prominent digital tokens recorded comparable losses.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price The cryptocurrency selloff materialized as money market instruments began pricing approximately a 50% probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase in July. This figure represented a dramatic shift from the roughly 10% probability observed just days earlier.

The adjustment followed public remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who indicated policymakers might need to implement rate increases to contain inflationary pressures.

The two-year U.S. Treasury yield advanced to 4.29%, reaching its highest level since early in the previous year. This segment of the yield curve typically tracks closely with near-term monetary policy expectations.

Accelerating petroleum prices are compounding inflation concerns. West Texas Intermediate crude has surged to nearly $80 per barrel from $67 at the month’s beginning.

The oil price spike stems from intensifying U.S.-Iran geopolitical friction. President Trump reestablished a naval blockade targeting Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and instituted a 20% transit fee on additional cargo traversing the strategic waterway.

Market participants are now directing attention toward Tuesday’s Consumer Price Index release. Economic forecasters anticipate headline CPI will register below 4% on an annual basis, potentially marking the first simultaneous decline in both headline and core inflation measurements since January.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is additionally scheduled to deliver testimony before Congress. Financial markets will be scrutinizing his statements for any indications regarding the monetary policy trajectory.

Analysts at ING observed that Warsh maintains flexibility to keep rates unchanged despite external pressures, and that any implemented rate increase could subsequently be reversed through more substantial rate reductions.

Iran’s parliament has passed a bill claiming sovereign control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that handles roughly 20% of global oil trade. The legislation bans “hostile ships” from passage and codifies a toll system that accepts payment in yuan, Bitcoin, and stablecoins.

The crisis timeline The roots of this legislation trace back to late February 2026, when Iran imposed a blockade on the strait. That move kicked off what’s now being called the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis. A ceasefire in June offered a brief reprieve. By early July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps resumed aggressive operations in the waterway, targeting commercial vessels on what Tehran deemed “unapproved” routes.

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On July 13, Iranian forces attacked commercial tankers, including UAE-owned vessels, killing at least one crew member.

During ceasefire periods reported in April 2026, Iran had already been extracting transit tolls of approximately $1 per barrel from passing vessels, accepted in yuan, Bitcoin, or stablecoins.

Why crypto is the real story here Iran’s adoption of Bitcoin and stablecoins for sovereign transactions is unprecedented. Traditional banking channels are walled off by sanctions. By accepting digital currencies for maritime tolls, Tehran has built a sanctions-evasion mechanism into its sovereignty claims. Tether has historically frozen wallets associated with sanctioned entities, but the scale and state-backed nature of this use case is entirely different from previous incidents.

Competing tolls, competing claims Former President Trump has proposed his own 20% toll on vessels transiting the strait, coinciding with re-imposed blockades as of July 2026. The competing toll proposals from Washington and Tehran over the same body of water underscore how contested this waterway has become.

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

Bitcoin (BTC) fell further into Monday’s Wall Street open as markets reacted to the US-Iran escalation.

Key points:

Bitcoin falls toward $62,000 as losses intensify on nerves over the US-Iran war.President Donald Trump says that the US should "run" the Strait of Hormuz as a tug-of-war with Iran continues.BTC price action is described as "very weak", but a $70,000 rebound prediction remains in place.Oil rises amid "aggressive" BTC shortingData from TradingView showed BTC/USD edging closer to $62,000 amid what a trader described as “massive” short trading.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

US stocks were broadly in the red at the open, with the Nasdaq Composite Index down 1% at the time of writing.

Speaking to Fox on the day, US President Donald Trump said that the US would be taking over the Strait of Hormuz, a key international oil route, which Iran closed at the weekend.

“We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it. ‌We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the ‘guardian angel’ of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that,” he said.

Oil prices stayed higher, with WTI crude circling $75 per barrel.

CFDs on US WTI crude oil one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Bitcoin saw pressure, with sellers firmly in control after an initial drop following the weekly close.

“Massive shorting into this pre NY-open drop. Price is now sitting directly at mVWAP, a key level bulls need to defend!” analytics account JDK Analysis wrote in a post on X.

The post referred to the volume-weighted average price across exchanges, warning that $60,000 could reappear.

“With spot also selling, this still looks very weak. But if New York brings real spot demand and mVWAP holds, a bounce could trap a large number of sellers,” JDK added.

BTC/USD chart with order-book data. Source: JDK Analysis/X

Others also noticed the downward trend, with commentator Exitpump earlier reporting a “crazy amount of aggressive shorting” while open interest continued to rise.

Bitcoin upside targets still see $70,000 returningThose making the case for a rebound on the day included trader Roman, who retained his new bullish bias.

In an X post, Roman highlighted several price metrics, including the relative strength index (RSI) and volume, showing downside exhaustion.

“I believe a move higher is coming it all just comes down to formation and how we get there,” he wrote. 

“Lots of HTF & LTF indications for 70-75k area + exchange data is showing that more spot is being bought than sold. It’s a matter of when not if.”BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Roman/X

Earlier, Cointelegraph reported on various expectations of continued BTC price upside this month before bearish continuation, ultimately ending in a Q3 macro bottom.

This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research.

9h30 ▪ 6 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

On July 13, the United States transferred nearly 4,000 bitcoins (approximately 250 million dollars) to Coinbase Prime. While overall liquidity remains extremely sensitive to movements by state whales, this major on-chain activity, stemming from judicial seizures, acts as a powerful catalyst of volatility. Is this a simple logistical reorganization or the beginnings of a massive sale?

In brief The US government transferred 3,941 BTC (around 250 million dollars) to Coinbase Prime on July 13, 2026. These Bitcoins originate from historic judicial seizures, mainly linked to the Ryan Farace drug case and the fallen BTC-e platform. This transfer finalizes a confiscation procedure initiated in January 2024, setting the stage for an official liquidation. The operation is part of the custody partnership signed in July 2024 between the US Marshals Service and Coinbase Prime. Historic seizures Blockchain records logged on Monday the transfer of 3,941 bitcoins, representing a value of about 250 million dollars, to the institutional brokerage infrastructure Coinbase Prime, while the crypto price is still below $64,000. According to data aggregated by the on-chain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence, this consolidation activity was split into several specific flows :

The Ryan Farace envelope : a major transfer of about 2,875 BTC identified under the label “Ryan Farace Seized Funds”. This amount corresponds to the historically seized volume by federal agents in 2021 during the investigation against this trafficker convicted of money laundering ; The BTC-e share : a batch of 926 BTC labeled “BTC-e Seized Funds”, originating from cryptocurrencies seized by US authorities during the shutdown of this illicit exchange platform in 2017 ; The complementary transaction : a final flow of about 140 BTC transferred directly to the broker’s accounts to complete the day’s overall movement. The origin of these funds reveals the purely judicial dimension of the management of these assets by the US Department of Justice. The 2,875 BTC from the Farace case represent almost all of the 2,874.90419597 BTC confiscated during the original investigation, with an additional related seizure of 58.742155166 BTC.

As for the envelope from BTC-e, it recalls the ramifications of the closure of this platform which, according to the federal prosecutor, handled more than 9 billion dollars in illicit transactions related to ransomware, hacks, and various traffics. One of its main managers, Alexander Vinnik, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in 2024. These on-chain movements therefore do not reflect an active monetary policy, but the methodical execution of final judicial decisions.

Between institutional logistics and liquidation : the pivotal role of Coinbase Prime The analysis of these transfers must be based on the contractual framework uniting federal agencies with their private providers, thus ruling out the idea of a wild and immediate sale on the market. In July 2024, the US Marshals Service (USMS), the agency responsible for custody and alienation of assets seized by justice, officially selected Coinbase Prime to provide “advanced custody and trading services” for its major cryptocurrencies. From then on, the physical transfer of bitcoins to Coinbase Prime constitutes a standard logistical step integrated into this management mandate.

Moreover, the US administration had already laid the legal groundwork by publishing, as early as January 2024, a formal notice of confiscation expressing its “intent to dispose” of a total of 2,933.64 BTC from the Farace case. This notice opened the legal period during which third parties could claim ownership rights, confirming that the fund transfer to the broker constitutes the technical completion of a long-started administrative process.

Such an operational reorganization was also accompanied by transfers of stablecoins and other leading assets, notably an envelope of 30,007 ethers labeled “Brian Krewson Confiscated Funds”. Procedural documents reveal that Brian Krewson was not subject to any direct criminal prosecution, but a civil lawsuit by the Department of Justice targeted the confiscation of these ethers.

According to the complaint, these assets were acquired for only 9,000 dollars by Christopher Castelluzzo and Luke Atwell using revenues from illicit activities, with Krewson simply ensuring technical management of the wallets during his associates’ incarceration. The grouping of these various seizures under the aegis of Coinbase Prime demonstrates a clear intention of logistical centralization by federal agencies, which now rely on a single infrastructure to manage a global portfolio estimated at over 328,225 BTC, a public treasury valued at more than 20 billion dollars.

Outlook for the Bitcoin Market In the long term, the arrival of these massive volumes on an institutional brokerage platform raises the question of the impact on the overall liquidity of the bitcoin market.

Although the presence of these funds at Coinbase Prime does not prove that a sale has already been executed, it provides authorities with the necessary flexibility to carry out over-the-counter (OTC) liquidations, thus limiting the direct impact on public order books.

For observers and professionals of decentralized finance, these movements reflect a professionalization of the management of state seizures, which moves away from old public auctions to adopt market finance standards. Caution remains necessary, because while these progressive sales reduce the risk of a sudden price drop, they maintain latent selling pressure that market makers will have to absorb throughout the coming quarters.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

The much awaited U.S. CPI report will be released today, and crypto traders are preparing for a volatile session. With the crypto market already down 0.3% to $2.16 trillion and Bitcoin trading near $62,400, today’s inflation data could decide whether the next move is a rally or another sell off.

June CPI Report According to Polymarket, June CPI is expected to increase 0.2% from the previous month, lower than the 0.5% rise recorded in May. On a yearly basis, inflation is expected to ease to 3.8%, down from 4.2% in the previous reading.

Investors will also closely watch the Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, as it is one of the Federal Reserve’s key inflation measures.

If inflation comes in lower than expected, it could ease pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates again. That would likely improve investor confidence and support Bitcoin and the broader crypto market. 

However, a higher-than-expected reading could increase fears of another rate hike and put pressure on crypto prices.

Fed Officials Are Watching Inflation CloselyFederal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller recently warned that another strong inflation report would be taken seriously.

“If I get another higher one, I’m going to treat that as a signal, not noise.” 

He also stressed that inflation has remained above the Fed’s 2% target for several months and cannot simply be ignored.

Following his comments, the CME FedWatch Tool now shows a 51.6% probability of another Fed rate hike in September, adding more uncertainty to financial markets.

Crypto Market Awaits a Volatile SessionMajor cryptocurrencies have dropped ahead of today’s report. As of now, Bitcoin is trading near $62,400, while Ethereum, XRP, and several other large-cap tokens have also posted losses over the past 24 hours.

Apart from inflation, investors are also keeping an eye on rising U.S.-Iran tensions, which could keep inflation elevated and influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

Story Ends Here

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Read the Next News

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) trades higher against its major currency peers, except antipodeans, during the European trading session on Tuesday. The USD/CAD pair declines 0.25% to near 1.4120 at the time of writing as the Loonie gains amid improvement in the appeal of currencies from economies, such as Canada, which are net Oil exporters.

The United States (US) economy is also a net energy exporter, but the US Dollar faces selling pressure ahead of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for June release at 12:30 GMT.

At press time, the WTI Oil price trades 2.73% higher to near $80.00, the highest level seen in almost a month. Oil prices have increased significantly as US President Donald Trump claims that Washington is the rightful recipient of toll fees near the Strait of Hormuz.

On the domestic front, investors await the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) monetary policy announcement due on Wednesday, in which it is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at 2.25%. Investors will pay attention to comments regarding the outlook on inflation and the economy.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades 0.1% lower to near 101.18.

USD/CAD technical analysis

Bias: USD/CAD trades lower at around 1.4120, retaining a mildly bearish near-term bias as it remains capped by the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at 1.4136.

Momentum: Price action sits just under this dynamic resistance, hinting at a consolidation phase after the recent pullback, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 52 on the daily chart suggests neutral momentum rather than strong directional conviction.

Resistance: On the topside, immediate resistance is located at the 20-day EMA at 1.4136, and a daily close above this barrier would ease current downside pressure and open the way for a more constructive recovery. Looking up, the major barrier would be the yearly high at around 1.4248.

Support: On the downside, the pair could extend its decline towards the June 18 low at 1.4095; below that, the downside momentum could accelerate, and the pair could fall towards the psychological level of 1.4000.

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

Economic Indicator BoC Interest Rate Decision The Bank of Canada (BoC) announces its interest rate decision at the end of its eight scheduled meetings per year. If the BoC believes inflation will be above target (hawkish), it will raise interest rates in order to bring it down. This is bullish for the CAD since higher interest rates attract greater inflows of foreign capital. Likewise, if the BoC sees inflation falling below target (dovish) it will lower interest rates in order to give the Canadian economy a boost in the hope inflation will rise back up. This is bearish for CAD since it detracts from foreign capital flowing into the country.

Read more.

Next release: Wed Jul 15, 2026 13:45

Frequency: Irregular

Consensus: 2.25%

Previous: 2.25%

Source: Bank of Canada

Bulls have been waiting for Ethereum to deliver a bullish technical signal for a long time. ETH has successfully broken out of a declining trendline that had capped every attempt at recovery since May after spending weeks stuck beneath short-term resistance. The move is one of the most significant technical advancements Ethereum has seen in recent months, even though it is not yet sufficient to signal the beginning of a full-scale bull market.

 In the vicinity of the $1,750–$1,800 range, Ethereum was able to break above the declining resistance line that connected a string of lower highs. This is noteworthy because, ever since the rejection from the $2,400 area earlier in the year, the pattern has been strengthening bearish momentum. Ethereum is currently holding above its 50-day EMA at $1,740, and price action is stabilizing around $1,790. 

ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewAdditionally, the 100-day EMA at $1,755 has been reclaimed, forming a supportive cluster below current price levels. The market structure observed throughout June, when ETH remained in the downtrend, is noticeably different from this. The improving outlook is reinforced by momentum indicators.

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The RSI has risen above 53, indicating increasing buying pressure and firmly entering bullish territory. In contrast to earlier attempts at a rebound, the current move has not caused the RSI to enter an overbought state, allowing for further upside if buyers continue to be active. The next challenge is just around the corner. 

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The psychologically significant $1,800-$1,850 range, which has frequently served as resistance over the past few months, is drawing closer to Ethereum. The bullish case would be strengthened by a clear move above that area, which might also lead to an advance toward the 200-day EMA at $2,220. It is still important to keep an eye on volume. 

Although the breakout is technically sound, increased trading activity would provide more evidence that larger market players and institutions, as opposed to just short-term traders, are backing the move. 

There has been no complete reversal of the general trend. Ethereum is still trading beneath the long-term resistance structure set earlier this year and remains far below its 200-day moving average. However, the short-term picture is significantly altered by the successful trendline breakout. 

Confidence in XRPXRP's wider recovery attempt might not be finished despite recent weakness and another rejection close to local resistance. Even though the asset is still stuck below important moving averages and is trading close to the $1.07 mark, there are a number of indicators suggesting that the market has not completely given up on the possibility of a bigger recovery. The chart doesn't appear very confident at first glance. 

At $1.11 for the 50-day EMA, $1.15 for the 100-day EMA, and $1.26 for the 200-day EMA, XRP is still below these benchmarks. Such a configuration usually indicates that sellers are still in control of the longer-term trend and reflects a bearish market structure. However, the moving averages alone don't fully capture the complexity of the current situation. 

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe psychologically significant $1.00 area has been consistently defended by XRP since the sharp drop in June. Bears' attempts to force a clear breakdown have all been thwarted by buying activity, resulting in a comparatively stable support zone. Despite weeks of pressure, XRP has avoided hitting new lows, which suggests that selling momentum is gradually waning. 

A fascinating tale is also told by volume. Selling volume has been continuously dropping, but buying activity is still insufficient to cause a breakout. This frequently occurs during accumulation phases, when market participants are less inclined to sell at low prices. The RSI is currently in the neutral 40-45 range. 

This indicates that XRP is far from overheated and has potential for a recovery move if overall market conditions improve, even though it does not indicate bullish momentum. Reclaiming the 50-day EMA remains the bulls' primary goal. A successful move above $1.11 would probably draw in more momentum traders and open the door to the resistance zone between $1.15 and $1.20. 

After that, the 200-day EMA at around $1.26 emerges as the primary technical obstacle. The current setup is notable because, despite trading below significant resistance levels, XRP is not accelerating downward. Rather, price action has begun a period of consolidation above support. 

Bitcoin makes it back for nowBTC has risen back toward the $63,000-$64,000 range after rising from lows close to $58,000. This puts it directly below a significant resistance cluster that may dictate the market's next big move. The 50-day exponential moving average, which is currently close to $64,600, is the most immediate challenge. 

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin has tested this level several times but has been unable to produce a clear breakout. Sellers have been drawn in at each rejection, highlighting the significance of this area. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why the likelihood of a resistance break is rising. 

First, since the June bottom, Bitcoin has been able to set a string of higher lows. Instead of retreating to the $58,000 support area, buyers have continuously intervened at increasingly higher prices. This behavior frequently indicates growing confidence and accumulation beneath resistance. 

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Second, momentum indicators are improving over time. The daily RSI is approaching the neutral 50 level after recovering from oversold territory. It shows that the bearish momentum that dominated June has significantly decreased, even though it is not yet a fully bullish signal.

The broader market structure also supports a breakout. Bitcoin spent a few weeks consolidating after the sharp drop from the $82,000 area. Before making another directional move, markets usually need to go through these stages of consolidation. The longer Bitcoin stays above important support levels without hitting new lows, the more pressure builds against surrounding resistance. 

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Traders should not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, however. Even if Bitcoin surpasses the 50-day EMA, there will be more resistance near the 100-day EMA, which is located at $68,600. Above that, the 200-day EMA at approximately $74,700 remains the final line separating the market from a complete trend reversal. 

Volume continues to be an issue. In contrast to the significant selling volume observed during the June crash, recent recovery attempts have involved comparatively low trading activity. During any breakout attempt, bulls would prefer to see a discernible increase in participation. 

For the time being, Bitcoin does not appear to be actively rejected by resistance; instead, it seems to be coiling beneath it. A close above the $64,500–$65,000 range would greatly boost sentiment and might lead to a move toward $68,000. The technical setup indicates that Bitcoin's chances of breaking resistance are improving every day, even though confirmation is still required.

Ripple Chief Technology Officer Emeritus David Schwartz has argued that the regulator repeatedly portrayed XRP itself as a security before courts rejected that position.

The discussion unfolded on X in response to former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, who argued that the agency's legal case centered on Ripple's sales of XRP rather than on the token itself.

"To prove a violation of Sec. 5, they needed to establish Ripple sold XRP as a security; and they say exactly that," Fagel wrote. "They might have to take that on when suing exchanges, but not here." 

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Schwartz disagreed, accusing Fagel of oversimplifying the SEC's position.

"I agree. The problem is that you are falsely characterizing the argument they are making as a different argument they are not making."

He specifically challenged Fagel's assertion that "their only legal argument was that Ripple sold it as a security." "But that's not true," Schwartz said. "You are ignoring the entire thrust of their argument, their statements around it, and the pushback they got from the court. This is an attempt at completely rewriting history."

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According to Schwartz, the SEC's public messaging and legal filings went well beyond alleging that Ripple conducted unregistered securities offerings.

"The complaint itself frequently refers to XRP itself as the security. The SEC's press release frequently refers to XRP itself as the security," he wrote.

Fagel acknowledged that the SEC's messaging may not have always reflected the nuances of its legal arguments.

"I'm not defending what I think was a lack of nuance in how the SEC framed its legal theories; it certainly felt like their points evolved over time," Fagel said. "But ultimately the Ripple case came down to whether it sold XRP as securities."

Schwartz countered that this framing overlooks what he considers one of Ripple's biggest courtroom victories.

"Right, but let's not forget that's because the courts soundly rejected the SEC's arguments (both to the courts and to the public) to the contrary," he wrote. "That was, correctly, understood to be a substantial victory at the time."

 A three-year anniversary The exchange revisits one of the central issues surrounding the SEC's 2020 lawsuit against Ripple. Three years ago, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions, while institutional sales of XRP to sophisticated investors did violate federal securities laws. 

The mixed ruling was widely viewed as a partial victory for Ripple.

The decision held that XRP itself is not a security and found that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. Judge Torres reasoned that retail buyers on secondary markets could not have known they were purchasing tokens from Ripple and therefore lacked a reasonable expectation of profits based on Ripple's efforts under the Howey Test.

Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance have formed a strategic partnership to expand institutional XRP finance in Japan. 

Summary

Doppler and SBI Digital Finance will build regulated institutional XRP infrastructure for Japan’s financial market. The partnership targets lending, liquidity, collateral management and tokenized assets rather than retail trading services. SBI’s broader crypto strategy includes exchanges, stablecoins, payments, rewards and institutional market infrastructure projects. The companies announced the agreement on July 13, saying they will work on digital asset infrastructure for professional market participants.

The partnership combines Doppler’s tokenized capital market systems with SBI Digital Finance’s institutional network and crypto lending experience. The announcement did not disclose financial terms, launch dates, named clients or a specific product ready for release.

Partnership targets institutional XRP infrastructure Doppler and SBI Digital Finance plan to support infrastructure for XRP and other digital assets in Japan. Their stated work areas include institutional solutions for XRP, tokenized assets and wider tokenized financial markets, subject to applicable Japanese rules. The services could target banks, funds and professional trading firms.

Doppler Finance X SBI Digital Finance

Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Institutional XRP Finance in Japan

The partnership brings together Doppler’s digital asset infrastructure and SBI Digital Finance’s institutional market… pic.twitter.com/pTSyxkXgYM

— Doppler Finance (@doppler_fi) July 14, 2026 The companies said institutional demand now reaches beyond custody. They expect market participants to seek systems for liquidity, financing, collateral management and better use of capital. The partnership focuses on those functions rather than retail trading or a new consumer XRP service.

SBI Digital Finance brings lending experience SBI Digital Finance operates HashHub Lending, a Japan-based service for lending crypto assets. Doppler said the company brings market relationships, risk controls and operational experience that could support products designed for institutions.

Rox, Doppler Finance’s head of institutions, said the company aims to “transform digital assets from passive holdings into productive financial capital.” The statement presents that goal as a development plan. It does not confirm that institutions can already access a new XRP lending, yield or collateral product through the partnership.

Agreement extends Doppler’s work with SBI companies The new agreement follows an earlier link between Doppler and another SBI business. In December 2025, SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler signed a memorandum to explore XRP-based yield infrastructure and real-world asset tokenization on the XRP Ledger. The partners selected SBI Digital Markets to provide institutional custody for that initiative.

The July partnership names SBI Digital Finance, a separate lending-focused company within the wider SBI network. Doppler has not explained whether the two agreements will share products, custody arrangements or customers. Both initiatives center on regulated infrastructure intended to give institutions more ways to use XRP and tokenized assets.

SBI expands Japan’s regulated digital asset network Japan already hosts a broad SBI-led XRP ecosystem. As previously reported, SBI companies have supported regulated prepaid tokens on the XRP Ledger, RLUSD distribution, tokenized bonds with XRP rewards and other payment and investment services. The latest partnership adds lending and capital-market infrastructure to that wider activity.

SBI has also expanded its exchange and institutional market reach. The group moved to acquire Bitbank after SBI VC Trade absorbed Bitpoint Japan. Separately, SBI led EDX Markets’ $76 million funding round for institutional trading, clearing and settlement infrastructure.

Related activity has also drawn XRP-focused firms toward Japan. As reported by crypto.news, Evernorth recently opened a Japanese-language presence while pursuing a planned public XRP treasury. SBI committed $200 million to the proposed transaction, although Evernorth did not announce a new Japanese license, office or product.

The Doppler partnership remains at the development stage. Neither company identified lending rates, supported assets beyond XRP, collateral terms, custody providers or an expected launch window. Future announcements will need to define the services institutions can use and the regulatory approvals required in Japan.

XRP has become the most bullish major cryptocurrency on social media, according to on-chain analytics platform Santiment.

Despite recent price weakness, retail traders are showing the highest level of fear of missing out (FOMO) in five weeks.

XRP Tops Social Sentiment Rankings Santiment Intelligence reported that XRP recorded a positive-to-negative commentary ratio of 3.02-to-1 on Monday, the highest among the three largest cryptocurrencies it tracks.

Ethereum ranked second at 2.31-to-1, while Bitcoin remained comparatively neutral at 1.40-to-1.

The firm said market sentiment has shifted away from fear, but optimism is not evenly distributed across major assets. XRP has entered what Santiment described as a “major FOMO” zone, while Ethereum shows only mild FOMO.

Bullish Sentiment Rises Despite Price Weakness The surge in bullish commentary comes even as XRP’s price and that of Ethereum have struggled to maintain recent gains. Santiment noted that Bitcoin and Ethereum started Monday’s session higher before giving back those gains. XRP also faced selling pressure despite the rise in positive social sentiment.

For context, XRP’s price reached $1.1180 three days ago but has since fallen to just above $1.05, raising the risk of dropping below $1. XRP is now down 5.56% over the past week and more than 6% over the past month.

The analytics platform warned that rising optimism during a price decline can increase short-term downside risks.

“Crypto typically moves opposite to what the crowd is loudly expecting,” Santiment said.

The firm added that excessive bullishness around XRP or Ethereum while prices are falling could delay a recovery or lead to additional selling pressure.

Unlike XRP, Ethereum’s price still maintains a positive weekly performance and is up 6.24% over the past month. However, on a year-to-date basis, ETH is down 40%, while XRP has fallen even further, declining more than 42%.

Bitcoin Cautious Mood May Be More Constructive By comparison, Santiment said Bitcoin’s more balanced sentiment could provide a healthier setup for future gains.

The firm noted that markets often have more room to rally when retail traders are not overly optimistic. Bitcoin’s lower positive-to-negative commentary ratio suggests investors remain relatively cautious, unlike the stronger retail enthusiasm surrounding XRP and Ethereum.

Santiment’s findings are based on its Positive vs. Negative Commentary Ratio, a social sentiment metric that tracks bullish and bearish discussions across major crypto-related social media platforms.

Bitcoin is currently trading at around $62,500, down 1.2% over the past week and 2.7% over the past month.

Before the latest pullback, the market had shown signs of improvement, with Bitcoin approaching $65,000. However, amid the overall cautious sentiment, the market has started to retrace once again.

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty commemorated the third anniversary of the company’s pivotal court victory, emphasizing, “Happy XRP IS NOT A SECURITY Day.” Ripple Labs, the blockchain-based payments company that created XRP, spotlighted this milestone as one of the most influential legal moments in the cryptocurrency industry.

Landmark SEC lawsuit shapes US crypto regulationThe anniversary marks three years since US District Judge Analisa Torres ruled on July 13, 2023, in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) case against Ripple. Judge Torres rejected the SEC’s broad assertion that XRP, the digital asset at the center of the dispute, was itself a security.

The court differentiated between the sale of XRP and the token itself, concluding that programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. Buyers in those transactions had no direct connection to Ripple, nor a reasonable expectation of profits based solely on Ripple’s actions.

However, Judge Torres found that Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP did violate securities laws, based on how they were marketed and sold to sophisticated buyers. Despite this, the judgment clarified that XRP itself is not, by default, a security.

This dual finding created a significant precedent in US crypto regulation, weakening the SEC’s broader strategy of treating most digital assets as securities and affecting ongoing and future regulatory cases.

The outcome also increased pressure on US lawmakers to deliver comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation, with industry voices intensifying calls for Congress to define clear rules, rather than relying on enforcement-led or litigation-based approaches.

Judge Torres specified that “Ripple’s programmatic sales of XRP did not result in an investment contract,” underscoring that the nature of the transaction, not the token itself, determines whether securities laws apply.

XRP holders and legal advocacy highlightedCrypto attorney John Deaton, known for representing digital asset investors, acknowledged the critical support over 75,000 XRP holders provided throughout the lengthy SEC case. Their advocacy aided Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen as they defended against regulatory scrutiny.

Judge Torres cited Deaton’s amicus brief and referenced nearly 4,000 affidavits submitted by XRP holders, highlighting tangible community involvement in the legal proceedings.

Deaton also noted that his arguments, previously raised in the LBRY case, were echoed by the judge. In his submission for Ripple, Deaton stressed that digital tokens such as XRP merely represent lines of code and do not, by themselves, meet the definition of a security.

Three years following the decision, the Ripple case stands as a cornerstone in US crypto legal history, heavily influencing debates about the regulatory status of digital assets across the financial sector.

Deaton emphasized that recognizing XRP as software code rather than a security set a transformative standard for how courts and regulators approach digital tokens in the US.

Mini dictionary: Amicus brief: A legal document submitted to a court by someone who is not a party to the case, offering information or expertise relevant to the issues being considered.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Geopolitical tensions have once again rattled financial markets, but institutional investors are showing signs of returning to crypto, with particular interest in Crypto ETFs as a way to gain exposure. Bitcoin held above $62,500 while Ethereum traded near $1,700 despite fresh uncertainty after U.S. strikes on Iran and Tehran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. 

The steady price action, along with improving ETF flows, suggests large investors are continuing to build positions rather than exiting the market.

Crypto ETFs End 8-Week Outflow StreakAccording to The Kobeissi Letter, crypto investment products attracted $281.8 million in net inflows last week, ending an eight-week streak of more than $7 billion in outflows.

Bitcoin funds accounted for $197.4 million, while Ethereum investment products added another $84.4 million. Even so, the recovery remains early. Total 12-month ETF inflows now stand at around $1 billion, far below the $10 billion recorded in April and the $12 billion peak seen in October 2025.

The report noted that buyers are beginning to return, but this is “buyers dipping a toe, not a full cycle turn yet.”

BlackRock Continues to Lead Bitcoin DemandInstitutional demand remained heavily concentrated in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).

According to Farside Investors, IBIT attracted $291.9 million in fresh capital last week, more than offsetting outflows from Grayscale, ARK 21Shares, and Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETFs.

Bitcoin also held above $62,000 despite oil prices climbing 4–5% following Middle East tensions, highlighting the asset’s resilience during a period of broader macro uncertainty.

XRP, SOL and HYPE ETFs See Fresh InterestInstitutional activity also extended beyond Bitcoin.

According to SoSoValue, XRP ETFs recorded $7.18 million in net inflows. Virginia-based Main Street Group disclosed holdings of 5,261 shares of the Canary XRP ETF, valued at roughly $58,292. Other institutional investors include Larson Financial Group ($1.8 million), Q3 Asset Management ($430,000), Hurley Capital ($135,000), and Flow Traders, which currently holds the largest reported XRP ETF position at $1.93 million.

Meanwhile, Solana ETFs attracted $930,430 in net inflows, while HYPE ETFs added $10.36 million, reflecting growing institutional interest across select altcoins.

Analyst Warns $61K Remains the Key LevelCrypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe said Bitcoin’s overall structure has not changed much, but short-term weakness is becoming more visible.

I don't think much has changed on #Bitcoin, yet.

However, there's clearly a lack of strength, as;
– Yields are going up.
– Oil is going up.
– Nasdaq is going down.

There's also a clear bearish divergence (and bullish divergence) at play.

Matter of question of which one is… pic.twitter.com/BxX4mKhzea

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) July 13, 2026 He pointed to rising bond yields, higher oil prices, and a weaker Nasdaq as signs that risk assets remain under pressure. Van de Poppe expects Bitcoin could briefly fall below $61,000 in July to form a triple bottom before recovering.

According to the analyst, the $61,000 level remains the most important support to hold, as losing it could trigger another wave of downside momentum. 

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The U.S. government transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime on Monday, according to blockchain data. 

Summary

U.S. government wallets transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime. The Bitcoin movement renewed questions about compliance with Trump’s strategic reserve order banning government sales. Coinbase Prime supports custody and trading, so the transfers do not prove an immediate liquidation. The move renewed questions about how federal agencies plan to handle crypto covered by President Donald Trump’s reserve policy.

The transfers included about 3,940 BTC worth roughly $244 million and around 30,000 ETH valued near $53 million at the time. Arkham’s government wallet tracker recorded the movements, although changing market prices can alter their dollar value.

Seized Bitcoin and Ether reach Coinbase Prime Galaxy Research head Alex Thorn linked the Bitcoin to seizures involving Ryan Farace, known online as “Xanaxman,” and the closed BTC-e exchange.

“These coin movements were comprised of coins seized from Ryan Farace and defunct crypto exchange BTC-e,” Thorn said.

these coin movements were comprised of coins seized from ryan farace (“xanaxman”) and defunct crypto exchange btc-e

— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) July 13, 2026 The Ether came from wallets tied to Brian Krewson, an Oracle employee connected to a federal case involving crypto storage and money laundering. The transfers brought assets from several enforcement cases into an institutional platform used by government agencies and large investors.

Transfer does not confirm a government sale A deposit to Coinbase Prime can allow trading, but it does not prove that officials plan to sell the assets. Coinbase Prime provides custody, execution, financing and staking services. Federal agencies may use the platform to consolidate wallets or move assets into managed custody.

The U.S. Marshals Service selected Coinbase Prime in 2024 to safeguard and trade certain forfeited digital assets. Government wallets have since sent funds to the platform several times. As reported by crypto.news, authorities moved nearly $984,000 in FTX and Alameda-linked crypto in June, with about $768,000 reaching Coinbase Prime.

Trump reserve order limits Bitcoin sales Trump’s March 2025 executive order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate stockpile for other digital assets. The order says Bitcoin placed in the reserve “shall not be sold” and must remain a U.S. reserve asset.

The order also allows some exceptions under existing law. Agencies may return assets to verified victims, use them for law enforcement work or follow a court order. Ether and other non-Bitcoin holdings fall under the separate digital asset stockpile, where the Treasury can set stewardship plans within its legal authority.

Reserve structure remains unsettled The latest movement comes while federal agencies still debate who should manage the Bitcoin reserve.Treasury and Commerce have discussed control of seized BTC while officials review custody, legal authority and the need for new legislation.

Government-linked wallets still hold about $20.5 billion in crypto, based on current tracker estimates. Bitcoin accounts for most of the total, with roughly 325,000 BTC. The wallets also hold Ether, Tether, wrapped Bitcoin and other seized assets, although public trackers may not identify every federal address.

The recorded balance can change quickly because crypto prices move throughout the day. It can also change when courts order restitution, agencies transfer custody, or investigators identify new wallets. Public dashboards therefore provide estimates rather than a complete official federal accounting.

The Monday transfers ranked among the largest government-linked moves to Coinbase Prime in 2026. In April,a federal wallet sent 2.438 BTC from a separate criminal case to the platform.

On-chain records show where funds moved, but they do not reveal the government’s final instructions to Coinbase Prime. A confirmed sale would require further wallet activity, trading records or an official statement. Until then, the transaction remains a custody or asset-management move rather than proof of liquidation.

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

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

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CASHCAT’s market cap briefly surpassed $200 million, rising over 20% in 24 hours.

According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood Chain meme coin CASHCAT briefly exceeded $200 million in market capitalization, and has now retreated to $192 million, posting a more than 20% 24-hour gain with a 24-hour trading volume of $40.3 million. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coins are subject to extreme price volatility, and investors should exercise caution regarding associated risks.

14 minutes ago

Global crude oil prices continue to rise, with both U.S. WTI and Brent crude up 3% on the day.

According to Bitget market data, Brent crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $85.31 per barrel. WTI crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $80.14 per barrel. Trump posted a statement yesterday saying that the US will immediately resume the blockade of Iran and impose a 20% fee on cargo transportation.

14 minutes ago

Market sources: Samsung is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the U.S.

According to market sources, Samsung is holding preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the United States.

14 minutes ago

Goldman Sachs: Hong Kong's market has entered the AI era, and equity financing volume is expected to reach a new high this year.

Wang Yajun, Head of Equity Capital Markets for Goldman Sachs Asia (ex-Japan), noted that Hong Kong’s market has entered the AI era, yet major stock indices have not fully reflected the impact of AI-related enterprises. This explains the contrast between this year’s red-hot IPO fundraising and the relatively lackluster performance of secondary market indices. Wang forecasts that Hong Kong’s total equity financing and IPO fundraising scale will both reach new highs in 2026. Since the start of this year, AI has become the most active investment theme in Hong Kong’s stock market: the most actively traded, best-performing, and largest fundraising stocks are all AI-related, though index constituent adjustments lag behind. Regarding AI industry valuations, Wang believes that sustained growth in AI demand will drive continued expansion of capital expenditures on infrastructure such as computing power, chips, and storage, and the industry still has room for growth in capital spending. As China’s AI industrial chain continues to improve, more AI enterprises are expected to list in Hong Kong or on the STAR Market in the second half of the year.

14 minutes ago

The funding rate of SK Hynix-related contracts on Hyperliquid surged more than 130% within one hour.

Hyperliquid platform’s SK Hynix-linked contracts SKHX and SKHY have seen extremely robust trading activity, with a combined 24-hour trading volume of $1.836 billion, surpassing Bitcoin (BTC) to become the platform’s most active asset by trading volume. SKHX alone notched a 24-hour volume of $1.63 billion and open interest (OI) of $635 million, while SKHY posted a 24-hour volume of $206 million and OI of $101 million. SKHY still trades at a roughly 26% premium to SKHX. Notably, SKHX’s funding rate surged sharply in just one hour: it jumped from +0.0064% to +0.0151%, a rise of over 130%. Concurrently, the contract’s trading volume dipped slightly from $1.663 billion to $1.604 billion, and its open interest fell from $638.6 million to $627.1 million. A sharp spike in funding rates typically signals a rapid rise in bullish sentiment, as long positions flood the market—traders holding long positions face higher costs to maintain their bets, reflecting intensifying long-short battles in SKHX contracts and growing speculative enthusiasm for SK Hynix’s US-listed assets.

14 minutes ago

The United States launched a five-hour continuous air raid on Iran, in retaliation for Iran's bombing of a U.S. military base in Jordan.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. military air base in Jordan and called on Jordanian citizens to resist the U.S. military presence there. Jordanian authorities said its air defense systems successfully intercepted four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, and the incident caused no casualties or property damage. In response, U.S. Central Command, with authorization from President Donald Trump, carried out approximately five hours of continuous airstrikes on targets inside Iran. This marked the third consecutive night of large-scale U.S. military strikes against Iran. According to Iranian media reports, multiple targets including the port of Bandar Abbas were struck, with some naval maintenance facilities damaged. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Trump recently proposed that the U.S. would take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and planned to impose a 20% fee on goods transiting the waterway, sparking widespread international controversy. Affected by the escalating situation in the Middle East, international oil prices rose nearly 3% at one point, as markets worry that shipping risks in the strait will further exacerbate global energy supply tensions.

14 minutes ago

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

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

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Trump Reportedly Directed Crypto Earnings Toward Stocks, Bonds, Analysis Finds

https://www.dlnews.com/articles/defi/joe-lubin-has-big-plans-for-ethereum-and-new-treasury-company/

Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin has emphasized the importance of maintaining low Layer 1 fees to drive adoption and enhance the long-term value of the Ethereum network. Lubin argued that low transaction costs, coupled with increased network activity, staking, and ETH burning, could strengthen Ethereum’s competitive position as a leading blockchain platform. This comes as Ethereum’s L1 fees have dropped to a historic low of approximately $0.09–$0.10 per transaction, partly due to the recent Glamsterdam upgrade and the shift of activity to Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Base. Lubin’s comments are seen as a strategic push to position Ethereum’s L1 as a low-cost settlement layer, supporting its deflationary potential during periods of high activity.

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Key Takeaways Lubin’s advocacy for low Ethereum L1 fees appears consistent with promoting broader network adoption. The reduction in transaction fees suggests a strategic emphasis on Ethereum’s scalability and deflationary potential. Pricing suggests market participants may view Lubin’s comments as supportive of Ethereum’s long-term value. What to Watch Markets will be observing the impact of Lubin’s comments on Ethereum’s adoption and price trajectory. Key indicators include changes in staking participation and ETH burning rates, which could influence perceptions of Ethereum’s deflationary potential. Any further upgrades or shifts in network activity to Layer 2 solutions may also provide insights into Ethereum’s scalability strategy and its implications for future price movements.

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Term Structure

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 1.7% — — View market → December 31, 2026 2.4% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3.2% — — View market → December 31, 2026 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 9.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 15.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 3.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 7% — — View market → January 1 2027 62% — — View market → January 1 2027 7.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 24.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 31.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 12.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 70.5% — — View market →

While institutional investors continue to show interest in the cryptocurrency market, there has been a noticeable decline in individual investor engagement on social media. According to recent data, the volume of posts using the keywords “Bitcoin” and “Ethereum” on X (formerly Twitter) has fallen to its lowest level in the last 12 months.

Daily posts about Bitcoin have dropped to around 130,000, while posts about Ethereum have fallen to around 40,000. These levels represent the lowest social media activity seen since 2020, when institutional interest was just beginning to emerge.

Tweet volume is considered one of the key indicators measuring the level of interest of individual investors in the market. This metric reveals not the amount of capital entering the market, but how much investors are talking about specific assets. The current situation is noteworthy because, despite social media interest falling back to 2020 levels, institutional investors’ interest in cryptocurrencies is conversely accelerating.

In 2020, Bitcoin and Ethereum hadn’t yet fully entered Wall Street’s radar, spot ETFs hadn’t been approved, and holding crypto assets on corporate balance sheets wasn’t widespread. Today, the picture has changed dramatically. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs manage billions of dollars in funds, and asset tokenization holds a significant place on the agenda of traditional finance conferences and major financial institutions.

Analysts believe this development could signal that institutional adoption may now be able to progress independently of individual investor interest. However, historical data shows that low levels of social media engagement often coincide with periods when prices are trading sideways or pulling back.

According to experts, as the crypto ecosystem matures, price movements and infrastructure investments may not require as much intense individual investor interest as in past bull cycles.

However, the renewed increase in individual investor participation remains a crucial factor in strengthening both trading volumes and market momentum. Therefore, social media data continues to be closely monitored as an indicator of market sentiment.

*This is not investment advice.

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Cardano (ADA) continues to face selling pressure, despite fresh efforts to boost its ecosystem, as technical and on-chain indicators remain weak. The cryptocurrency is trading at $0.1585, representing a 2.22% decline over the past 24 hours. This comes as traders appear focused on a bearish market structure and falling participation.

Cardano’s price struggles despite new ecosystem initiativeThe Cardano Foundation, a non-profit organization behind the Cardano blockchain, has announced an upcoming partnership event with the University of Zürich, scheduled for July 21. The Cardano x University of Zürich Meetup aims to promote blockchain education and enhance developer involvement, with a series of talks on how student ideas can evolve into shipped projects.

This initiative highlights the foundation’s investment in long-term ecosystem development and the growth of real-world adoption through academic engagement. However, it has not yet had a noticeable impact on ADA’s price, as market participants continue to react primarily to short-term technical signals.

Cardano Foundation representatives emphasized the event will showcase “Four talks on turning a student idea into a shipped project,” aiming to connect students, innovators, and professionals in the blockchain space with hands-on experience from industry founders.

Collaborations between academic institutions and blockchain networks have become increasingly essential for driving research, nurturing the next generation of developers, and supporting the creation of innovative solutions within blockchain ecosystems.

Mini dictionary: Cardano Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Cardano’s technology, adoption, and ecosystem through research, education, and public engagement.

Bears sustain control as technical and on-chain signals softenTechnical analysis indicates that ADA continues to trade below key moving averages. The 50-day moving average stands at $0.1774 and the 200-day at $0.2610, both well above current price levels, reinforcing a broad bearish trend. Strong resistance appears between $0.1726 and $0.1774, while immediate support can be found at $0.1578.

Momentum indicators also show weakness. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram is shrinking, with the MACD and signal lines converging, pointing to fading bullish momentum. Sustained price recovery would likely require a decisive move above these technical resistance levels.

Derivatives market activity highlights a decline in trader conviction. According to CoinGlass, open interest in ADA has dropped to about $390 million, down from over $500 million earlier in July. Trading volumes have also decreased since the early-month surge.

DateOpen InterestTrading VolumeEarly JulyOver $500 millionHighCurrent$390 millionModerateOn-chain activity measured by DefiLlama also underlines a drop in network participation, with active addresses and total value locked (TVL) continuing a downward trajectory. Such trends signal reduced user engagement, complicating ADA’s path to price recovery for now.

For buyers to regain control, ADA must reclaim $0.1726 and cross above the 50-day moving average. Conversely, a fall below the $0.1578 support could accelerate selling pressure.

Long-term outlook remains focused on education and adoptionWhile the University of Zürich collaboration strengthens the long-term outlook for Cardano’s ecosystem, current sentiment remains subdued. Market participants are focused on weakening technical indicators and declining on-chain activity, rather than near-term catalysts.

The Cardano Foundation continues to invest in partnerships and educational initiatives, aiming to build future developer capacity and foster real-world blockchain adoption. However, market volatility persists and traders are advised to monitor developments closely before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Cardano (ADA) continued to come under pressure on Monday, trading near $0.158 after recording a steep loss of more than 14% in just one week. The coin is still positioned below key moving averages, as technical momentum indicators suggest that bearish sentiment prevails in the short term.

Major holders accumulate as price fallsDespite the recent price drop, large ADA holders have been actively increasing their positions. Blockchain analytics firm Santiment reported that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA collectively acquired an additional 320 million tokens since July 7. As a result, this group’s total balance surpassed 25.6 billion ADA, marking its highest level since February 2023.

In contrast, smaller retail investors have trimmed their exposure. Addresses with less than 100 ADA reduced their holdings by approximately 0.7% over the past four months, reflecting a lack of confidence among retail participants as prices continue to slide.

Santiment commented that stronger hands are accumulating while the overall price chart remains challenging. The firm highlighted ongoing development activity within the Cardano ecosystem, citing the Leios testnet, Hydra scaling upgrades, and progress with Mithril.

Mini dictionary: Santiment is a blockchain analytics platform that provides data on cryptocurrency metrics, including on-chain activity, supply distribution, and investor behavior.

Holder CategoryRecent ChangeTotal HoldingsWhales (100,000–100 million ADA)+320 million ADA since July 725.6 billion ADA (highest since Feb 2023)Retail (<100 ADA)-0.7% in 4 monthsN/AFutures and technical signals remain negativeOn the derivatives front, indicators continue to reflect a bearish outlook. Open interest for ADA futures dropped to $385 million, continuing a multi-week decline. The OI-weighted funding rate turned negative Friday and reached -0.0028% by Monday, meaning traders holding short positions are paying their long counterparts—an indicator often associated with negative sentiment.

Cardano’s long-to-short ratio slipped to 0.79, marking its lowest reading in over a month. When this ratio falls below 1.0, it signals that more traders expect further downside, outweighing those who anticipate gains.

Other momentum indicators remain weak. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers near 42, a level often interpreted as neutral-to-bearish, while the MACD indicator is trending toward its zero line, suggesting a lack of clear upward momentum.

Key levels watched for potential reversalADA is consolidating around $0.16, regarded as crucial support by market participants. If this level holds, initial upside targets include $0.17 and then $0.18. A sustained move above $0.20 would provide a stronger signal that bulls are regaining the upper hand.

On the downside, $0.150 serves as immediate support, while a breach could open the path toward the $0.13 to $0.14 zone. Some analysts also monitor a descending channel pattern, viewing it as a possible base for a future reversal. Breaking out of this formation would likely reactivate resistance levels at $0.18 and then $0.20.

Cardano’s market capitalization, which currently sits below $6.8 billion, is also under scrutiny. Reclaiming this level may prove pivotal for triggering a broader recovery.

By July 14, 2026, major ADA stakeholders continued to maintain their largest combined holdings in three and a half years, defying the broader market’s negative trend.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Summary

Bolivia is evaluating a framework to integrate USDT into its national payments system as a regulated alternative to the boliviano and U.S. dollar.Crypto usage has spiked in the country, with transaction volumes hitting $430 million in the year after the central bank removed restrictions in mid-2024.Official adoption will require rigorous anti-money laundering controls because Bolivia remains on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list.Bolivia is considering adding Tether's USDT stablecoin to its national payments system, marking another step in the country's shift from banning crypto transactions to allowing regulated digital asset use.

Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza said at a press conference on Monday that the government is evaluating whether USDT could circulate alongside the boliviano, the country’s fiat currency, and the U.S. dollar.

The proposal remains under technical review and the government has not published implementation rules or granted the stablecoin legal-tender status, local news outlet La Razón reported.

Officials are developing a framework for banks, digital wallets and payment providers, according to Espinoza. Any rollout would require stronger anti-money laundering controls as Bolivia remains on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list, which subjects the country to increased monitoring over shortcomings in its financial crime regime.

The proposal comes amid a sharp rise in crypto adoption after Bolivia's central bank lifted restrictions on transactions in June 2024. Central bank data shows that crypto transaction volume climbed from $46.5 million in the first half of 2024 to $294 million during the same period last year. Total transaction volume rose 630% after restrictions were removed, the central bank has said.

Demand has increased as businesses and consumers look for alternatives to scarce U.S. dollars in the country. Bolivia ended its long-standing fixed dollar peg and moved to a floating exchange rate earlier this year.

State energy company YPFB announced plans last year to use crypto for energy imports, while Bolivia's central bank has also looked to El Salvador for help with its crypto regulatory framework.

State-controlled Banco Unión and its Yasta wallet start letting customers buy USDT through EFY Finance in April for international payments and remittances.

CASHCAT’s market cap briefly surpassed $200 million, rising over 20% in 24 hours.

According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood Chain meme coin CASHCAT briefly exceeded $200 million in market capitalization, and has now retreated to $192 million, posting a more than 20% 24-hour gain with a 24-hour trading volume of $40.3 million. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coins are subject to extreme price volatility, and investors should exercise caution regarding associated risks.

9 minutes ago

Global crude oil prices continue to rise, with both U.S. WTI and Brent crude up 3% on the day.

According to Bitget market data, Brent crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $85.31 per barrel. WTI crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $80.14 per barrel. Trump posted a statement yesterday saying that the US will immediately resume the blockade of Iran and impose a 20% fee on cargo transportation.

9 minutes ago

Market sources: Samsung is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the U.S.

According to market sources, Samsung is holding preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the United States.

9 minutes ago

Goldman Sachs: Hong Kong's market has entered the AI era, and equity financing volume is expected to reach a new high this year.

Wang Yajun, Head of Equity Capital Markets for Goldman Sachs Asia (ex-Japan), noted that Hong Kong’s market has entered the AI era, yet major stock indices have not fully reflected the impact of AI-related enterprises. This explains the contrast between this year’s red-hot IPO fundraising and the relatively lackluster performance of secondary market indices. Wang forecasts that Hong Kong’s total equity financing and IPO fundraising scale will both reach new highs in 2026. Since the start of this year, AI has become the most active investment theme in Hong Kong’s stock market: the most actively traded, best-performing, and largest fundraising stocks are all AI-related, though index constituent adjustments lag behind. Regarding AI industry valuations, Wang believes that sustained growth in AI demand will drive continued expansion of capital expenditures on infrastructure such as computing power, chips, and storage, and the industry still has room for growth in capital spending. As China’s AI industrial chain continues to improve, more AI enterprises are expected to list in Hong Kong or on the STAR Market in the second half of the year.

9 minutes ago

The funding rate of SK Hynix-related contracts on Hyperliquid surged more than 130% within one hour.

Hyperliquid platform’s SK Hynix-linked contracts SKHX and SKHY have seen extremely robust trading activity, with a combined 24-hour trading volume of $1.836 billion, surpassing Bitcoin (BTC) to become the platform’s most active asset by trading volume. SKHX alone notched a 24-hour volume of $1.63 billion and open interest (OI) of $635 million, while SKHY posted a 24-hour volume of $206 million and OI of $101 million. SKHY still trades at a roughly 26% premium to SKHX. Notably, SKHX’s funding rate surged sharply in just one hour: it jumped from +0.0064% to +0.0151%, a rise of over 130%. Concurrently, the contract’s trading volume dipped slightly from $1.663 billion to $1.604 billion, and its open interest fell from $638.6 million to $627.1 million. A sharp spike in funding rates typically signals a rapid rise in bullish sentiment, as long positions flood the market—traders holding long positions face higher costs to maintain their bets, reflecting intensifying long-short battles in SKHX contracts and growing speculative enthusiasm for SK Hynix’s US-listed assets.

9 minutes ago

The United States launched a five-hour continuous air raid on Iran, in retaliation for Iran's bombing of a U.S. military base in Jordan.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. military air base in Jordan and called on Jordanian citizens to resist the U.S. military presence there. Jordanian authorities said its air defense systems successfully intercepted four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, and the incident caused no casualties or property damage. In response, U.S. Central Command, with authorization from President Donald Trump, carried out approximately five hours of continuous airstrikes on targets inside Iran. This marked the third consecutive night of large-scale U.S. military strikes against Iran. According to Iranian media reports, multiple targets including the port of Bandar Abbas were struck, with some naval maintenance facilities damaged. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Trump recently proposed that the U.S. would take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and planned to impose a 20% fee on goods transiting the waterway, sparking widespread international controversy. Affected by the escalating situation in the Middle East, international oil prices rose nearly 3% at one point, as markets worry that shipping risks in the strait will further exacerbate global energy supply tensions.

9 minutes ago

Bolivia is considering making Bolivia USDT an official part of its national payment system, circulating the Tether stablecoin alongside the U.S. dollar and the boliviano. The move signals a dramatic policy shift as the country battles a prolonged foreign-currency shortage. Local banks Banco Unión and Banco FIE are already offering USDT-related services, suggesting the groundwork for wider adoption is firmly in place.

Bolivia’s Dollar Crisis Fuels the Case for USDT Bolivia has been under severe foreign currency pressures for the past few years. With the reduction in gas production and exports, dollar reserves have also been depleted, and businesses and importers are short of hard currency.

The first formal move by the government was in March 2025 when the state energy company YPFB was authorized to accept crypto payments for fuel imports during the severe dollar crisis.

Adoption of the USDT in Bolivia had penetrated further into daily use by June 2025. CEO of Tether Paolo Ardoino posted images of retail stores in Bolivia selling various consumer goods, including dairy products and chocolate, for USDT.

Crypto analyst CryptoPatel summed it up on X: “When your currency fails, bring in the stable one.”

When your currency fails, bring in the stable one

— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) July 13, 2026

The large number of USDT users in Bolivian retail stores demonstrated that, rather than regulation, economic necessity was driving people to opt for the digital dollar over the boliviano.

Bolivia’s current foreign currency reserves figure and the boliviano black-market premium vs. official rate Banks Already Onboard, What Official Status Would Mean Banco Unión and Banco FIE already offer services related to the USDT in Bolivia; therefore, the banking infrastructure is already well established.

Official circulation status would regularize the situation as it exists in practice, thus making remittance more rapid, transaction costs lower, and providing a tracking alternative to the black-market dollar trade.

That credibility argument is reinforced by Tether’s own push for institutional trust: in March 2026, the company engaged KPMG to conduct a full audit of its $185 billion USDT reserves.

The goal is to move beyond years of debate over its reserve support and make a statement about its efforts to construct transparency that is suitable for exactly that type of sovereign-level integration.

The strategic significance of Tether’s potential move is great for Bolivia. This would be the first Latin American nation to officially add USDT as a payment option at the same time as fiat currencies.

That focus is sharpening; Tether recently wound down its aUSDT product to concentrate resources on core USDT, underlining how central the flagship stablecoin is to its global expansion.

Other emerging-market economies with similar dollar shortages, such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, will be closely observing Bolivia’s experiment, analysts note.

DATA POINT NEEDED: USDT total market cap and circulating supply figure for context on adoption scale

There is still a big question about regulatory clarity. There are no formal terms of integration confirmed by the Central Bank of Bolivia, nor is there any legislative framework confirmed.

But the government’s desire for this change seems greater than it has ever been in the country’s brief but fast-evolving crypto history.

See our picks for newly launched cryptos worth watching this month.