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Soft US jobs market data triggered a rotation of capital from overheated AI stocks into Bitcoin and gold.Bitcoin onchain indicators hint at seller exhaustion while the decline in oil prices opens room for monetary expansion.Bitcoin reclaimed the $61,000 mark following a disappointing US job market report. Traders grew less certain of a near-term interest rate hike from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) given the worsening labor data. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index sold off, fueling hopes of a capital rotation favoring Bitcoin.
Nasdaq 100 Index futures (blue) vs. Bitcoin/USD (orange). Source: TradingView
The Nasdaq 100 Index erased gains from the three prior days, while Bitcoin distanced itself from Wednesday’s $57,750 low. US non-farm payrolls increased by only 57,000 in June, missing the 113,000 expected, according to Yahoo Finance. The US Labor Department also revised data for April and May downward by 74,000 jobs.
Gold prices reacted positively on Thursday, hinting at potential bullish momentum for scarce assets. The weak economic data prompted investors to cut odds of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes by September to 54% from 64% the prior day, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Meanwhile, crude WTI oil prices stabilized below $70, opening the door for possible economic stimulus measures
Gold/USD (red) vs. Crude WTI oil (teal). Source: TradingView
Oil prices dropped after the Qatar Foreign Ministry cited “positive progress” in the latest round of discussions between US and Iranian representatives on Wednesday. Gold recovered some of the 8% losses accumulated over the prior two weeks, a possible sign that investors anticipate a less tight monetary policy and further FED balance sheet expansion.
US Federal Reserve total assets, USD millions. Source: FED St Louis
The Federal Reserve balance sheet stagnated at $6.73 trillion, although its mandate allows for $40 billion monthly purchases in short-term Treasuries and bonds. Weak job market data and reduced inflationary pressure are widely seen as catalysts for accelerated liquidity injection, creating incentives to invest in scarce assets, including gold and Bitcoin.
Overheated AI stocks clash with Bitcoin flashing a bottomWeakness in the AI sector, especially among chipmakers, has led traders to anticipate capital shifting toward alternative assets. Shares of SanDisk, Seagate, Western Digital, and Applied Materials saw intraday losses of 9% or higher on Thursday. In contrast, Bitcoin is showing signs of seller exhaustion two months after rejection at $82,500.
Source: X/gaah_im
Onchain analyst and CryptoQuant author gaah_im said that Bitcoin’s realized profit-to-loss ratio has hit its lowest level since 2022. The net percentage of supply in profit relative to the total supply has turned negative, which historically has marked cycle bottoms with “extreme precision,” according to the analyst. In essence, onchain data hints at further Bitcoin upside.
Part of Bitcoin’s recent weakness stems from traders’ disappointment with Strategy. Despite a healthy 8% net leverage and $56.8 billion in enterprise value, holders faced dilution from accelerated MSTR share issuance used to buy back some debt and cover dividends on preferred stocks.
If weakness in the AI sector accelerates, some of that money will likely rotate into gold and Bitcoin, making a near-term recovery to $70,000 possible.
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.
Bitcoin (BTC) nearly topped $62,000 on Thursday after US payrolls grew by just 57,000 in June, roughly half of what economists expected. The miss revived Federal Reserve rate cut hopes and forced bearish traders to exit crowded short positions.
The rebound arrived days after Bitcoin closed its worst month since June 2022, a 20.5% drop. Whether the bounce extends to $70,000 now hinges on Fed policy, ETF flows, and whale activity on exchanges.
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoWeak Jobs Data Explains Why Bitcoin Jumped towards $62,000The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 57,000 new jobs for June, far below the 113,000 consensus. According to the report, April and May payrolls were also revised down by a combined 74,000, while labor force participation slid from 61.8% to 61.5%.
US LABOR JUN NONFARM PAYROLLS +57K; CONSENSUS +115K
US JUN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 4.2%; CONSENSUS 4.3%
US JUN AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS +0.35%, OR +$0.13 TO $37.64; OVER YEAR +3.52%
US JUN PRIVATE SECTOR PAYROLLS +49K AND GOVERNMENT PAYROLLS +8K
US JUN AVERAGE WORKWEEK UNCHANGED AT…
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) July 2, 2026 Consequently, traders cut the odds of further Fed rate hikes and rotated back into risk assets. The data also landed a day after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation risks had eased, remarks that helped Bitcoin reclaim the $60,000 level on Wednesday.
Derivatives amplified the move. Roughly $450 million in crypto short positions were liquidated within 24 hours, CoinGlass data shows, as bears rushed to cover.
Bitcoin now trades near $61,465, up 1.18% over 24 hours, but even so, BTC sits 51% below its October 2025 record of $126,080 and down 44% over the past year.
ETF Outflows and Whale Deposits Cloud the Road to $70,000Institutional demand has not confirmed the bounce. Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $294 million in net outflows on Wednesday, market data shows, even as prices climbed. The redemptions extended June’s record $4.5 billion exit, the products’ worst month on record.
Bitcoin ETF Flows. Source: SoSoValueSentiment is thawing nonetheless. CoinMarketCap’s Fear and Greed Index improved from Extreme Fear to Fear.
CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index. Source: CoinMarketCapSimilarly, Tiger Research said it has turned more constructive, arguing the market is likely in the final stage of its bear cycle.
TIGER RESEARCH TURNS MORE BULLISH ON BITCOIN
Tiger Research says it is becoming more constructive on Bitcoin, arguing the market is likely in the final stage of its bear cycle.
The firm believes most of the selloff has already occurred, with any further weakness likely limited.…
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) July 2, 2026 In contrast, however, CryptoQuant flagged fresh warning signs on exchanges.
“Bitcoin is testing $60K support, and exchange deposits are flashing warning signs. BTC inflows jumped above 50K/day, ETH inflows spiked above 1.25M, and altcoin deposits hit a two-month high. Whales appear to be leading the move. Incoming volatility,” the analysts wrote in a post.
The firm added that the average deposit size doubled from 1 BTC to 2 BTC, a pattern driven by whales rather than retail. Its warning follows deepening capitulation signals tracked across on-chain data this week.
Historically, similar deposit spikes preceded sharp moves, including June’s slide when Bitcoin fell to $58,000. A failure to hold $60,000 could expose the realized price near $53,000, which CryptoQuant calls the key on-chain valuation floor.
Bitcoin Exchange Flows. Source: CryptoQuantA sustained push to $70,000 likely requires ETF flows to turn positive and July’s FOMC meeting to validate rate cut bets.
Until then, reclaiming the 20-day EMA remains the first test for bulls, while $60,000 stays the line the whole market is watching.
RSI Rebound Suggests Selling Pressure Is FadingThe daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) has climbed to 43.76, holding above its signal line at 35.59. The indicator bottomed near oversold territory in mid-June, and its recovery suggests bears are losing control.
A push above 50 would confirm the shift, especially if the broader market keeps climbing.
BTC faces a resistance cluster at $62,000, reinforced by the 20-day EMA at $62,148 and Parabolic SAR at $62,523. A daily close above it could send the price toward the 50-day EMA near $66,200, a 7.7% gain.
Bitcoin Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewHowever, record ETF outflows may cap demand, even as long-term models point higher. Rejection here risks a retest of $58,115, and losing that floor would invalidate the recovery.
Bitcoin (BTC) is facing renewed downside risks after exchange inflows surged to levels rarely seen this year, signaling the market could be entering another period of heightened volatility, according to a report by CryptoQuant on Thursday.
The report noted that the $60,000 level remains a decisive support zone despite Bitcoin establishing a fresh bear market low below $58,000 earlier in the week. A sustained decline below the support could trigger a move toward Bitcoin's realized price at $53,000.
Bitcoin exchange inflows surge to 49,000 BTC, mark yearly extremesCryptoQuant analysts highlighted that Bitcoin exchange inflows surged to 49,000 BTC on June 30, an unusually high level recorded only four other times this year.
Bitcoin: Exchange Inflow (Total). Source: CryptoQuantThe firm noted that previous inflow spikes of similar magnitude were consistently followed by periods of elevated price volatility, suggesting the latest increase could signal a market shift as large amounts of Bitcoin are transferred to exchanges.
Beyond the high deposit volume, CryptoQuant noted that the composition of exchange inflows has also shifted, indicating that larger market participants are becoming increasingly active.
"Bitcoin inflow surge is being driven by large-holder deposits, with the average Bitcoin exchange deposit spiking from approximately 1 BTC to 2 BTC," CryptoQuant wrote.
The report stated that rising average deposit sizes have historically been a stronger bearish signal than elevated inflow volumes alone. The rise indicates deliberate positioning by whales and institutional investors rather than routine retail activity.
Similar patterns in previous market cycles have frequently preceded periods of sustained selling pressure.
Ethereum, altcoins see similar rise in exchange inflows, reinforcing bearish sentimentCryptoQuant also highlighted that the increase in exchange deposits is not limited to Bitcoin, suggesting broader weakness across the digital asset market.
"Ethereum exchange inflows also surged sharply in late June, breaching the 1.25 million ETH daily level, an elevated reading consistent with heightened selling pressure,” the report noted.
Ethereum: Exchange Inflow (Total). Source: CryptoQuantThe firm shared that concurrent spikes in Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits have historically coincided with elevated volatility across the broader crypto market.
Rather than reflecting isolated weakness in a single asset, the pattern suggests investors are repositioning portfolios more defensively as macro uncertainty and bearish sentiment weigh on digital assets.
CryptoQuant also pointed to growing activity across altcoins, noting that exchange deposit transactions climbed to nearly 45,000 per day, their highest level in almost two months.
"Historically, surges in altcoin deposit transactions have marked inflection points for crypto prices and signaled increased volatility ahead," the firm stated.
A similar surge in altcoin deposits occurred during Bitcoin's earlier decline from around $82,000 in early May to below $58,000 in late June.
The report suggests that repeated spikes above this threshold have historically marked inflection points for crypto prices and signaled periods of elevated market volatility. This adds to growing risk-off sentiment among market participants.
Bitcoin is trading at $61,340, up 2.5% over the past 24 hours at the time of writing.
For readers tracking where the market is actually changing, this is the part that matters. US Accounts for 96% of Global Bitcoin ATM Reductions in First Half of 2026 gives NewsBTC readers a clean angle on Bitcoin at a point where the market is trying to separate durable signals from short-lived noise.
According to the source material reviewed for this report, the story turns on a few concrete details rather than vague sentiment. That matters because crypto headlines can move quickly, but the pieces that tend to last are the ones backed by filings, official releases, data dashboards, or protocol-level records.
TL;DR
The total number of active Bitcoin ATMs worldwide declined in H1 2026. The United States accounted for 96% of the global reduction in active machines. Regulatory pressures, compliance overhead, and scam-reduction policies are cited as factors in the decline. The Bigger Picture The immediate relevance is that this development fits into one of the market’s main themes for the day: institutional positioning, network usage, regulatory pressure, protocol development, or asset-specific rotation. In this case, the key topic is Bitcoin, which is why it deserves a dedicated read rather than being buried inside a broader market recap.
For traders, the useful part is not simply that the headline exists. It is the way the facts line up with the current market backdrop. When official sources, market data, or protocol records show a fresh shift, readers get a better sense of whether the move is just a one-day reaction or part of something more structural.
What The Source Material Shows The core source for this story is coinatmradar.com with supporting data from coinatmradar.com. That source trail is important because the final article should not rely on discovery-only media links or second-hand summaries.
The total number of active Bitcoin ATMs worldwide declined in H1 2026.
The United States accounted for 96% of the global reduction in active machines.
Regulatory pressures, compliance overhead, and scam-reduction policies are cited as factors in the decline.
The numerical claims in the pack were tied back to specific source material before writing. '96%' sourced from Coin ATM Radar global net installation reduction charts (H1 2026)
Where The Story Goes Next The caution is just as important as the headline. Do not suggest that the ATM drop indicates lower overall Bitcoin usage; it is a change in physical distribution hardware.
That means the cleaner read is to treat this as a confirmed development with a defined scope, not as proof of a guaranteed price move or a sweeping market shift. In crypto, the difference matters. A verified data point can strengthen a thesis, but it does not remove execution risk, liquidity risk, regulatory uncertainty, or the possibility that traders fade the initial reaction.
For now, the story gives the market another piece of evidence to weigh. If follow-up filings, dashboard updates, protocol records, or official statements confirm further momentum, the angle can develop into something larger. If not, it still stands as a useful snapshot of where activity is concentrating today.
This report is based on information from coinatmradar.com and coinatmradar.com.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
TLDR;Trump Crypto Earnings Driven by Memecoin and Financial VenturesTrump Crypto Earnings Fuel Ethics Debate Over Policy DecisionsGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Trump crypto earnings exceeded $1.4 billion, according to federal financial disclosures, with most income linked to World Liberty Financial and the TRUMP memecoin licensing business. Donald Trump said he does not actively manage his investments, explaining that external funds and blind trust arrangements oversee his personal finances rather than himself. Financial filings reveal more than $600 million came from TRUMP memecoin royalties and over $500 million originated from World Liberty Financial operations. Ethics experts continue debating whether blind trust protections remain effective when policies affecting digital assets overlap with businesses carrying the president’s own brand. Trump crypto earnings have become a major talking point after newly released federal financial disclosures showed more than $1.4 billion in digital asset-related income. Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump said he does not oversee his personal investments and relies on professional fund managers and blind trusts to manage his assets.
The disclosures indicate that most of the reported income came from businesses connected to the Trump family, including World Liberty Financial and licensing revenue tied to the TRUMP memecoin. The filings have renewed debate over ethics, financial transparency and potential conflicts involving cryptocurrency ventures.
Trump Crypto Earnings Driven by Memecoin and Financial Ventures Federal financial disclosures filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics show that Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in digital asset income. According to the filing, over $600 million came from licensing and royalty agreements connected to the TRUMP memecoin.
🇺🇸 PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST SAID:
1) HE WAS IN CRYPTO BUSINESS BEFORE HE BECAME PRESIDENT.
2) “CRYPTO IS A BIG DEAL”
3) “USA IS NO.1 IN CRYPTO AND AI” pic.twitter.com/O5h73vW8mX
— Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) July 2, 2026
World Liberty Financial generated more than $500 million of the reported income. The crypto project focuses on governance tokens and stablecoin products. Together, these businesses accounted for nearly all of the disclosed digital asset earnings.
Responding to questions, Trump said he does not actively monitor his investment portfolio. He explained that outside funds manage his assets and that he was not personally involved in day-to-day financial decisions. His remarks have become central to the discussion surrounding the latest disclosures.
Trump Crypto Earnings Fuel Ethics Debate Over Policy Decisions The disclosures have intensified scrutiny from ethics experts and Democratic lawmakers. Critics argue that a blind trust is only effective if the beneficiary has no meaningful knowledge or influence over assets held within it. They also point to administration policies supporting digital asset innovation while businesses linked to Trump operate in the same industry.
The TRUMP memecoin illustrates the divide between project revenue and investor outcomes. After reaching prices above $74 following its launch, the token later traded near $1.68. Market analysts estimate retail investors collectively lost billions during the decline, while Trump-linked businesses reported substantial earnings from licensing activity.
Source: Coingecko World Liberty Financial also experienced sharp price declines after its governance tokens entered the market. Additionally, a $500 million investment from a UAE-linked entity near Trump’s inauguration has drawn additional attention from ethics watchdogs.
The administration has defended its digital asset agenda, including support for stablecoin legislation through the proposed GENIUS Act. Opponents argue the overlap between crypto policymaking and family-linked business interests deserves closer examination, even though no official findings have alleged unlawful conduct.
Bitcoin recently closed at $58,500, its lowest point of the quarter, and the explanation most analysts reached for was macro pressure, ETF outflows and institutional fear. Gareth Soloway, Chief Market Strategist at Verified Investing, has a different read that most people have not considered. A significant portion of last week’s selling had nothing to do with Bitcoin’s fundamentals and everything to do with fund managers cleaning up their quarterly statements.
The Window Undressing Nobody Talked About
At the end of every quarter, institutional money managers make their portfolios look presentable before sending statements to clients. They buy what worked and quietly dump what did not. Bitcoin ETFs, sitting on painful quarterly losses, became an obvious candidate for removal from those statements before clients got to see them.
Bitcoin fell while AI-related stocks like SanDisk surged nearly 11% in a single day. The first day of Q3 told the same story in reverse. SanDisk began selling off immediately as the new quarter opened, while Bitcoin held flat despite a stock market pointing lower. The institutional selling pressure that weighed on Bitcoin through the final days of June may already be clearing.
Bitcoin is currently up by more than 5%.
A Technical Milestone Most Are Missing
Beyond the quarter-end mechanics, Soloway identified something more structurally significant on the chart that has gone largely unnoticed in mainstream coverage.
Bitcoin has officially moved into what he calls Stage Two of the bear market, and that is actually a more positive development than it sounds.
Stage One of a bear market is the period spent below the primary downtrend line connecting lower highs from the all-time high. Bitcoin spent months trapped in that phase. Stage Two begins when the price breaks above that trend line, even if it subsequently continues lower. That transition signals the bear market is no longer in its early phase. The market is in the back half, closer to the end than the beginning.
The Head and Shoulders Question
Many technical analysts looking at Bitcoin’s current chart are flagging a head and shoulders pattern, a formation typically associated with further downside. Soloway offered a nuance worth understanding before drawing conclusions from that setup.
The most reliable head and shoulders patterns have horizontal or slightly upward-sloping necklines. Bitcoin’s current formation has a downward-sloping neckline, which historically reduces the probability of the pattern completing successfully to roughly 50/50 at best, compared to the 65% to 70% probability that horizontal or upward-sloping versions carry. It may still work out. It is simply not the high-conviction bearish signal it is being treated as.
Where Does Bitcoin Go From Here
A relief rally is possible and the clearing of quarter-end selling pressure gives that scenario more room to develop. However, if Bitcoin breaks decisively below current support, the next meaningful flush could target the low $50,000 range, a level that aligns with broader technical support on higher timeframes.
The more important takeaway for anyone tracking this market is that the relentless institutional selling that characterised the final weeks of Q2 may now be behind us. Whether that is enough to generate a genuine July rally, as seasonal patterns suggest is likely, or whether one more leg lower arrives first, is the question Q3 will answer.
Story Ends Here
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US spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded another $296 million in net outflows over the past 24 hours, equal to roughly 5,050 BTC. BlackRock led the redemptions, with Grayscale, Fidelity, and ARK Invest also posting losses.
Glassnode data shows the sell-off has now reached $8.95 billion since May 7. Bitcoin trades near $61,600, up 2.4% in 24 hours, but flow data suggests the bounce rests on fragile ground.
ETF Outflows Total $8.95 Billion Across 34 Negative DaysGlassnode’s US spot ETF net flow data shows demand weakening since late September 2025. Daily inflows peaked above $1.2 billion back then. Since then, positive days have grown smaller and less frequent.
The decisive shift arrived on May 7. Since that date, the funds have posted only five positive sessions. The remaining 34 trading days were negative, draining $8.95 billion in total.
BTC US Spot ETF Net Flows / Source: GlassnodeJune alone accounted for $4.5 billion, the worst monthly outflow since the products launched in January 2024. Meanwhile, bitcoin fell 20.48% over the month, its steepest drop since June 2022.
In an X post, analyst That Martini Guy argued that the latest rebound changes little.
“Everyone got excited by yesterday’s bounce. But ETF selling hasn’t stopped. Funding is starting to shift, sentiment still looks fragile, and I don’t think the market structure has changed just yet.”
For the pressure to ease, the ETFs would need a sustained run of net inflows rather than isolated green days. So far, no such streak has appeared.
Bitcoin ETFs just recorded another -$296 million day.
That's around 5,050 BTC leaving the ETFs in the last 24 hours.
BlackRock led the outflows once again, with Grayscale, Fidelity and ARK Invest also seeing redemptions.
Everyone got excited by yesterday's bounce.
But ETF… pic.twitter.com/KyKqNfuDit
— That Martini Guy ₿ (@MartiniGuyYT) July 2, 2026 Coins Leave Exchanges, Yet Bitcoin Keeps FallingExchange balance data complicates the bearish picture. Glassnode’s net position change metric shows coins flowing out of exchanges since late May. Traders usually read such withdrawals as accumulation, because coins move into long-term storage.
However, history offers a warning. The current move is the third deep negative stretch since bitcoin’s all-time high in late 2025. The first ran from late October through December 2025. The second lasted from late January to early March 2026, when the metric dipped near minus $100 billion.
BTC Exchange Net Position Change / Source: GlassnodeEach episode coincided with a continuation of the downtrend rather than a reversal (blue boxes). In contrast to the usual bullish reading, apparent accumulation has repeatedly failed to stop the decline. Deepening capitulation signals elsewhere on-chain tell a similar story.
Moreover, part of the withdrawal may reflect mechanics rather than fresh buying. Coins redeemed from ETFs can move between custody wallets and cold storage without touching order books. Weak US demand readings support that interpretation.
BTC Price Outlook Hinges on Slowing ETF RedemptionsThe two datasets point to one conclusion. ETF flows, not exchange balances, currently set the marginal price of Bitcoin. Until redemptions slow, on-chain accumulation looks unable to absorb the selling.
BTC trades near $61,600 after a 2.4% daily gain. Nevertheless, the price has hovered just above $60,000 since mid-June. A decisive close below that area would confirm that redemption pressure still dominates the market.
Conversely, a sustained flip to net inflows could mark the first structural change since early May. Historically, flow reversals of that kind have preceded durable bottoms rather than followed them.
Until either signal appears, caution remains the sober reading of the data. The next leg depends on whether ETF holders stop selling before spot buyers give up.
Strategy’s era as the dominant Bitcoin buyer may have come to an end following last week’s STRC turmoil, which cast doubt on the company’s Bitcoin-buying strategy and sent the cryptocurrency to a nearly two-year low, according to Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan.
“For years, Strategy has been the most dominant Bitcoin buyer in the world and a one-way source of Bitcoin demand. Those days are likely over,” Hougan said Thursday.
“I just expect it to be a less important figure in Bitcoin in the next cycle than it was in the last,” Hougan said, adding that investment banks, asset managers, pensions, endowments and sovereign wealth funds will likely replace Strategy as Bitcoin’s primary demand driver.
Confidence in Strategy’s Bitcoin-buying model weakened late last month when its main perpetual preferred stock offering — Stretch (STRC) — broke sharply from its $100 par value to below $75, raising fears that its dividend model was unsustainable.
The STRC incident coincided with Bitcoin (BTC) falling to a 21-month low of $58,190 on June 25, further rattling confidence across the crypto market.
Strategy responded by committing to sell Bitcoin where necessary to fund dividends and by expanding its US dollar reserve to $2.55 billion — easing immediate concerns but weakening its position as the industry’s most aggressive Bitcoin buyer, Hougan said.
Hougan said he still expects Strategy to be a “net buyer” in the next bull run, however.
Bitwise portfolio manager Gordon Grant (left) speaks with Hougan (right) about Strategy’s future outlook with STRC. Source: Bitwise
STRC example of “financial engineering” gone wrongHougan described the STRC incident as “classic end-of-cycle dynamics” and likened its collapse to a similar case of “financial engineering” in 2021, when Grayscale’s GBTC premium imploded.
“Money searching for high yields and low volatility was used to buy Bitcoin, which offers neither,” Hougan said. “This money never really fit Bitcoin. And so, it needs to be cleared out before we can find a bottom. That's what's happening today.”
Strategy’s issue with STRC overblown: Strive CEOStrive CEO Matt Cole, however, said Strategy’s incident with STRC has drawn too much media attention and pushed down Bitcoin’s price more than it should have.
Speaking with NovaDius Wealth Management president Nate Geraci on Thursday, Cole noted that Strategy's 847,363 Bitcoin represents just 4% of the total supply, and while Bitcoin isn’t a public company, by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s standards, a 4% stake wouldn't be considered material.
“If one person owned 4%, you don't even have to report that publicly to the SEC because the SEC deems 4% to be immaterial. They start to view a position to be material at 5%.”Strategy isn’t facing liquidity risk: HouganDespite concern over STRC, Hougan said Strategy has $52 billion worth of liquid assets marked against $7 billion of debt, and that Bitcoin would need to drop another 70% (about $18,500) for the company to be put at risk.
Hougan also noted that if Strategy were to start selling its Bitcoin today, it could cover dividends from STRC and its other perpetual preferred stock offerings for the next 28 years.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Strategy’s era as the dominant Bitcoin buyer may have come to an end following last week’s STRC turmoil, which cast doubt on the company’s Bitcoin-buying strategy and sent the cryptocurrency to a nearly two-year low, according to Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan.
“For years, Strategy has been the most dominant Bitcoin buyer in the world and a one-way source of Bitcoin demand. Those days are likely over,” Hougan said Thursday.
“I just expect it to be a less important figure in Bitcoin in the next cycle than it was in the last,” Hougan said, adding that investment banks, asset managers, pensions, endowments and sovereign wealth funds will likely replace Strategy as Bitcoin’s primary demand driver.
Confidence in Strategy’s Bitcoin-buying model weakened late last month when its main perpetual preferred stock offering — Stretch (STRC) — broke sharply from its $100 par value to below $75, raising fears that its dividend model was unsustainable.
The STRC incident coincided with Bitcoin (BTC) falling to a 21-month low of $58,190 on June 25, further rattling confidence across the crypto market.
Strategy responded by committing to sell Bitcoin where necessary to fund dividends and by expanding its US dollar reserve to $2.55 billion — easing immediate concerns but weakening its position as the industry’s most aggressive Bitcoin buyer, Hougan said.
Hougan said he still expects Strategy to be a “net buyer” in the next bull run, however.
Bitwise portfolio manager Gordon Grant (left) speaks with Hougan (right) about Strategy’s future outlook with STRC. Source: Bitwise
STRC example of “financial engineering” gone wrongHougan described the STRC incident as “classic end-of-cycle dynamics” and likened its collapse to a similar case of “financial engineering” in 2021, when Grayscale’s GBTC premium imploded.
“Money searching for high yields and low volatility was used to buy Bitcoin, which offers neither,” Hougan said. “This money never really fit Bitcoin. And so, it needs to be cleared out before we can find a bottom. That's what's happening today.”
Strategy’s issue with STRC overblown: Strive CEOStrive CEO Matt Cole, however, said Strategy’s incident with STRC has drawn too much media attention and pushed down Bitcoin’s price more than it should have.
Speaking with NovaDius Wealth Management president Nate Geraci on Thursday, Cole noted that Strategy's 847,363 Bitcoin represents just 4% of the total supply, and while Bitcoin isn’t a public company, by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s standards, a 4% stake wouldn't be considered material.
“If one person owned 4%, you don't even have to report that publicly to the SEC because the SEC deems 4% to be immaterial. They start to view a position to be material at 5%.”Strategy isn’t facing liquidity risk: HouganDespite concern over STRC, Hougan said Strategy has $52 billion worth of liquid assets marked against $7 billion of debt, and that Bitcoin would need to drop another 70% (about $18,500) for the company to be put at risk.
Hougan also noted that if Strategy were to start selling its Bitcoin today, it could cover dividends from STRC and its other perpetual preferred stock offerings for the next 28 years.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Bitcoin (BTC) price holds above $61,000 on Friday, maintaining a steady stand during early Asian hours after a two-day recovery of nearly 5%. The risk-off market sentiment eases with the Fear and Greed Index rising to 23 on Friday, indicating a gradual increase in buying pressure. Worldcoin (WLD) and Uniswap (UNI) emerge as preferred tokens over the last 24 hours, outperforming other assets by a significant margin.
Bitcoin’s recovery lacks firm momentumBitcoin keeps steady above $61,000 at press time on Friday. BTC maintains a mild near-term recovery tone amid a broader bearish bias, with prices well below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $66,015 and the 200-day EMA near $77,159.
The two-day rebound in BTC reflects renewed bullish support near the $60,000 support level, with investors likely buying the dip. Although institutional outflows continue, corporate demand holds with Metaplanet acquiring 2,823 Bitcoins for $225 million in the second quarter of 2026, expanding its holding to 43,000 BTC.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers just below the neutral 50 line, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) holds above its signal line, suggesting that any rebounds could still face strong overhead supply.
On the topside, initial resistance emerges at the 50-day EMA around $66,015, with a subsequent barrier at the 200-day EMA near $77,159; a break would be needed to ease broader bearish pressure.
BTC/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, the main support sits around the $60,000 zone, reinforced by both the prior horizontal floor and an upward-sloping trendline, and a clear drop below this area would expose the pair to deeper declines in the coming sessions.
Worldcoin and Uniswap rebound to the upsideWorldcoin is up 7% at press time on Friday, extending the 12% gains from the previous day. WLD tests the 50-day EMA at $0.4428, close to the 200-day EMA at $0.4755.
A decisive close above the moving averages could extend the recovery to the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.5640, measured over the upswing from $0.2267 to $0.7299.
The MACD and signal line ease the downward trend as the negative histogram contracts, while the RSI reaches 45 with an uptick, suggesting downside momentum is losing its aggression.
WLD/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, immediate support is seen at the 50% retracement at $0.4048, with deeper demand zones emerging near the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.2980.
Uniswap rises above $3.00 at press time on Friday, following a 14% jump the previous day. The DeFi token maintains a near-term bullish bias, with price above the 50-day EMA at $3.02 but below the 200-day EMA at $4.09, which serves as the overhead target.
The MACD rises above its signal line into positive territory, and the RSI around 62 reinforces constructive momentum, suggesting buyers retain control in the short term despite a broader downtrend.
UNI/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, the 50-day EMA at $3.02 provides immediate support, and a break back below this level would signal fading bullish pressure and expose the recent lows for a deeper correction.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Capital movements within the blockchain very often precede the price dynamics visible on trading terminals. While the crypto market is going through a phase of uncertainty and successive corrections, a major divergence is emerging on the Ripple network. This phenomenon of complete disconnection between different categories of investors raises questions about the medium-term trajectory of the token. Far from the emotional reactions that often characterize the general public, on-chain data reveals large-scale institutional activity of rare intensity. Understanding this strategic positioning is crucial to anticipate the structure of upcoming market cycles.
In Brief Whales take advantage of the XRP drop to quietly strengthen their positions, while many retail investors succumb to panic. On-chain data shows growing concentration of XRP reserves in the hands of large holders, accompanied by a sharp increase in withdrawals from exchanges. This accumulation strategy could reduce the available supply on the market and encourage a rebound in XRP, even though such concentration also increases volatility risks. The Opportunism of XRP Whales : The Market Rift The behavior of retail investors facing the recent fluctuations of XRP perfectly illustrates the psychological mechanisms governing market turning points. According to recent data, the drop of Ripple’s crypto has intensified to reach a local bottom, profoundly altering the distribution of forces at play :
The decline of XRP’s price down to the threshold of $1.04 “may have triggered fear among smaller traders, but large investors saw this as a buying opportunity,” according to market analyst Xaif Crypto ; The altcoin initiated a technical rebound to settle at $1.06 ; The underlying blockchain activity indicates growing accumulation by whales rather than a true wave of widespread selling. This configuration reveals a massive value transfer from the less capitalized wallets to the most influential entities in the ecosystem. In behavioral finance, these periods of strong correction are called capitulation phases for the general public, which tends to sell at a loss triggered by anxiety. Historic whales, drawing on their experience of previous cycles, precisely exploit these moments of collective panic to build or reinforce their positions at heavily discounted prices.
The history of global financial markets, and more specifically cryptos, shows that these phases of discreet accumulation, conducted away from public view, very often precede a sustained trend reversal as soon as the retail selling pressure is completely exhausted.
Control Over Centralized Platforms and the Explosion of Outflows Beyond a simple assessment of buying dynamics, on-chain analysis tools reveal a structural change in XRP distribution on the main global exchanges. A technical indicator proves particularly revealing of this trend: “the All CEX whale spread,” which measures the holding gap between investor categories on centralized platforms. This indicator has risen to 50.9%, indicating factually that whales now control a significantly larger share of XRP reserves held on exchanges.
This phenomenon is not limited to a single platform, as Binance is also approaching the critical threshold of 50% dominance by whales, confirming that large holders continuously increase their influence over the liquidity available on the world’s largest exchanges.
Such supply concentration is accompanied by another major trend: a spectacular increase in token withdrawals to external custody solutions. Data from the Coinbase platform show that outflows initiated by very large wallets have accelerated sharply. Transfers involving volumes greater than 1 million XRP have jumped, rising from 10% to 25.7% of the total activity on this exchange within just two weeks.
Thus, these waves of massive withdrawals constitute fundamentally bullish signals. They indicate that these large-scale investors choose to secure their assets in private wallets for long-term holding rather than leaving them on exchanges where they might be liquidated at the slightest market disturbance.
Between Historic Seasonality and Risks of Supply Centralization To complete this analysis of the XRP ecosystem, it is important to consider a temporal dimension specific to the crypto’s history. Market cycles often follow recurring seasonal trends that overlay the movements of large investors. Historically, the month of July has established itself as one of the most favorable periods for XRP.
This historic seasonal strength triggers many speculations among observers, who believe that this favorable calendar could opportunely align with the current wave of accumulation by whales. While past data do not guarantee future performance, they provide a framework frequently integrated by fund managers into their predictive models to anticipate the end of latent consolidation phases.
The impact of these coordinated moves could redefine the balance of supply and demand in the coming weeks, opening the way to contrasting market prospects. By appropriating a predominant share of liquidity and moving these tokens off the circuit, whales are causing a progressive drying up of the available supply.
In the short term, if this accumulation phase continues and the general sentiment of the crypto market improves, even a slight return of demand from retail buyers could cause a rapid price appreciation, amplified by the scarcity of tokens available for sale on exchanges.
However, such volume concentration in the hands of a small circle of actors also carries risks of manipulation or increased volatility, as the future decisions of these few large holders will have a disproportionate influence on the price of XRP.
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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 cryptocurrency market saw sharp price movements over the past 24 hours, with XRP at center stage. A rapid upward breakout in XRP led to major liquidations among leveraged traders who had positioned for a decline. According to data from CoinGlass, forced closures of margin positions across the market exceeded $634 million within the same period.
Short positions faced heavy pressureRoughly 73% of total losses came from short positions, highlighting how many investors betting against the market were caught off guard by the sudden rally. For XRP, the imbalance was even greater: about 80.6% of all liquidations in the token were on short trades, reflecting the heightened vulnerability among those who predicted further downside.
The latest rally in XRP followed a relatively calm period between $1.02 and $1.06, placing significant stress on bearish leveraged trades.
After trading sideways in the $1.02 to $1.06 range, XRP broke through resistance at $1.0525 and surged to $1.0829. This sharp move triggered a series of stop-loss orders positioned at key intermediate levels, intensifying liquidations for those on the wrong side of the trade.
$1.30953 emerges as a critical thresholdDespite recent volatility, the area of greatest selling pressure for major XRP holders remains higher up. On-chain data reveals that $5.79 million in capital is concentrated around the $1.30953 mark. The current price still sits 20.93% below this pivotal resistance level, indicating substantial room for further upward tests if momentum persists.
CoinGlass has established itself as a key analytics platform for monitoring liquidations and open interest trends in cryptocurrency derivatives markets, making it a reliable reference for the latest market dynamics.
Short-term pullback and support test in focusFrom a technical perspective, XRP’s move above $1.0525 paved the way for the most recent upswing. However, overbought signals have started to emerge, suggesting that the pace of gains may be slowing in the near term. Analysts point out that this may temporarily cool further advances as the market digests the move.
Following the first wave of liquidations, the market is expected to seek short-term equilibrium, with XRP likely to retest its former resistance as new support.
Looking ahead, a moderate pullback towards the $1.065 level appears likely in the coming hours. Maintaining this support could provide buyers with a stronger foundation for potential medium-term moves toward the $1.30953 resistance zone.
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.
Ripple’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD has made a significant shift towards the XRP Ledger network in recent months. On-chain data reveal that RLUSD circulation on XRP Ledger soared 40-fold over the past six months. This dramatic increase has pushed the XRP Ledger’s share of RLUSD supply past the halfway mark for the first time ever.
Major shift in supply distributionUntil recently, the majority of RLUSD’s supply was hosted on the Ethereum network. In April, only 17% of the total circulating RLUSD supply was on XRP Ledger, with the bulk held on Ethereum. The situation has reversed in the last few months, with XRP Ledger’s share rising to 52% of total supply.
With the XRP Ledger surpassing 52% share of RLUSD supply for the first time, and a 40-fold increase in network circulation within six months, the balance of RLUSD distribution has shifted decisively.
This shift means the XRP Ledger has achieved a majority share of RLUSD supply for the first time. As a result, what was once an Ethereum-dominated distribution is now leaning more heavily toward Ripple’s own ecosystem. The data highlight accelerating RLUSD usage on XRP Ledger.
Ripple’s role in the stablecoin landscapeRecently, Ripple joined a coalition of more than 140 members—including major finance and technology companies like Mastercard and BlackRock—to support an emerging stablecoin initiative. The group aims to promote Open USD, a new stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, as a common and efficient instrument for global payments.
Ripple’s participation in this initiative stands out, particularly given its own regulated RLUSD product. For Ripple, joining this coalition signals a strategic push to remain at the center of global liquidity flows. At the same time, the introduction of Open USD could reshape the competitive landscape for RLUSD.
Mini glossary: Open USD is a new stablecoin backed by multiple major companies and pegged to the US dollar. Stablecoins are digital assets that typically maintain a fixed value by tying themselves to a fiat currency.
Competition intensifies in the stablecoin marketThe movement of RLUSD onto XRP Ledger is being tracked as an important sign of network adoption within the Ripple ecosystem. The rapid jump in local supply share from 17% to 52% reflects a significant shift in network preference for RLUSD holders.
However, competition in the stablecoin market remains fierce. According to CoinGecko data, Tether retains its position as the largest stablecoin, with a market capitalization of $184 billion. Whether RLUSD can sustain its growth and how it will compete with new projects like Open USD will become clearer in the coming period.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
The launch of the Ripple-backed Open USD (OUSD) stablecoin has been overshadowed by a suspected fake issuer account that XRP Ledger validators have warned users not to trust.
Summary
XRP Ledger validators have warned users about a suspected fake OUSD issuer posing as the newly launched stablecoin. Validator Vet said the issuer lacks the official two-way verification needed to confirm its legitimacy. The warning follows Open USD’s launch by a consortium backed by Ripple, BlackRock, Visa, Coinbase, and more than 140 companies. Validators say the listed OUSD issuer cannot be verified According to XRP Ledger validator operator GrimmReaper, a transaction-monitoring tool connected to his validator recently detected a newly activated issuer using the “Open Standard” name on the XRP Ledger, prompting him to investigate whether it was linked to the newly launched OUSD stablecoin.
GrimmReaper shared a screenshot from Bithomp showing the account, which included the website joinopenstandard.netlify.app and a recently activated XRP Ledger address.
We might have our answer about OUSD being on the xrpl if this is legit. What do you guys think @krippenreiter and @Vet_X0 ? I have an app that watched my transactions coming into my validator and made it very able to watch for any issuer for a token name so this came up today. pic.twitter.com/tdxgl6KHsq
— GrimmReaper (@jgrimm5) July 2, 2026 Posting the image on X, he asked fellow XRPL validators Krippenreiter and Vet whether the issuer appeared legitimate. He later explained that his monitoring software tracks incoming validator transactions and automatically flags newly created token issuers using specific names.
The account also displayed advertisements such as “Earn 12% on XRP” and “Play Slots and win 70,000 XRP.” While those ads are not issued by the account itself, they appeared alongside the Bithomp page shown in GrimmReaper’s screenshot and were highlighted as common themes frequently associated with cryptocurrency scams.
Responding to the post, XRPL dUNL validator Vet urged users to assume the issuer was fraudulent until official confirmation was provided by the Open USD project.
According to Vet, a legitimate token issuer should provide what he described as a “2 way pointer,” where the issuer address links to the project’s official website and the project independently publishes the same issuer address. Vet said those verification steps were absent in this case, adding that users should not trust any issuer without confirmation from both sides.
The warning comes as the XRP Ledger community is already discussing issues reported after the rollout of the network’s v3.2.0 upgrade, with validators continuing to monitor suspicious activity across the ecosystem.
OUSD enters a competitive stablecoin market Open Standard officially launched the OUSD stablecoin on June 30, introducing a revenue-sharing model backed by more than 140 companies. The consortium includes Ripple, Visa, Mastercard, BNY, Standard Chartered, BlackRock, Google, Shopify, Coinbase and Solana.
According to the consortium, OUSD allows businesses to mint and redeem the stablecoin without fees or minimum volume requirements. It also plans to distribute reserve-generated income to participating partners after deducting a management fee, while governance responsibilities will be shared across consortium members.
Ripple’s participation as a founding member has drawn attention from the XRP community, making the project a high-profile target for impersonation attempts shortly after launch.
The stablecoin’s debut has also influenced financial markets. Circle Internet Group shares fell more than 17% on July 1 after investors reacted to the launch of OUSD and its revenue-sharing model, which introduces another institutional-focused competitor in the stablecoin sector.
Circle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Allaire dismissed suggestions that OUSD poses a major threat to USDC, saying the stablecoin market is large enough to support multiple successful issuers. Still, the decline in Circle’s share price indicated that investors are closely watching how new distribution and revenue-sharing structures could affect competition as stablecoin adoption continues to expand.
While the price of $XRP remains in a period of sideways consolidation, market commentators believe that a breakout above a critical resistance level could further strengthen its bullish momentum. On the institutional side, consistent inflows into XRP-focused exchange-traded products signal that investor interest remains resilient, even as the broader crypto market faces continued weakness.
A technical turning point in XRP price actionAt the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.05. The asset recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $1.6 billion and a total market capitalization of $65.72 billion. The 1.25% gain observed in the past day has revived expectations among technical analysts for a possible recovery in price.
Crypto analyst EGRAG CRYPTO pointed out that XRP entered July below its 50-month simple moving average, a scenario reminiscent of previous market cycles. EGRAG CRYPTO, well-known for technical chart commentary and boasting a broad social media following, notes that this similarity is fueling speculation about possible trend shifts.
According to market participants, $1.65 serves as the main macro resistance for XRP. Should this level be breached, analysts believe it could trigger a fresh rally phase.
Analysts recall that, in each of the previous two cycles, XRP formed a bottom near the 88-month simple moving average before staging strong upward moves. As a result, traders are closely watching whether the price will retest the 88-month average or quickly reclaim the 50-month level this time around.
Discussions consistently highlight $1.65 as the key macro barrier. Sustained trading above this threshold could further fuel expectations for targets around $7.50 and even higher. For now, however, XRP continues to move within a zone of macro compression, with a clear breakout seen as essential for establishing a definitive direction.
ETF inflows sustain institutional demandOn the institutional front, capital continues to pour into XRP-based exchange-traded funds. Despite prevailing selling pressure across the cryptocurrency market, new funds are consistently entering these backing products. This trend suggests that some major players are holding on to their positions in XRP, undeterred by short-term volatility.
The Bitwise XRP ETF has attracted an impressive $11.94 million in fresh daily inflows, ranking as the top performer in this category. Since its launch in November, the fund’s total net inflow has crossed $505 million—an indicator of robust and growing institutional involvement.
Quick definition: An ETF is an investment tool that tracks the price of an asset or basket of assets and can be traded on an exchange. Crypto-focused ETFs let investors gain price exposure to an asset without directly holding the tokens.
IndicatorValueXRP price$1.0524-hour change1.25% increase24-hour volume$1.6 billionMarket cap$65.72 billionBitwise XRP ETF daily inflow$11.94 millionBitwise XRP ETF total net inflowOver $505 millionBitwise’s $11.94 million inflow into its XRP ETF underscores ongoing institutional demand despite overall market sluggishness.
Wider market trends ripple into XRPWhen considering XRP’s technical outlook in tandem with consistent ETF growth, many market participants believe the case for a bullish trend is gaining strength. Recent mild gains in Bitcoin, for example, have boosted risk appetite not only across the altcoin market but also for investors focused on XRP.
Analysts emphasize, however, that these bullish targets remain market expectations rather than guarantees. The $1.65 resistance area is set to remain pivotal in determining the cryptocurrency’s near-term direction.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Every crypto market cycle creates the same debate. Should investors continue buying established altcoins with proven track records, or look at earlier-stage projects that still have room to grow before reaching major exchanges? The answer often depends on investment goals rather than choosing one category over the other.
In 2026, that comparison has become even more relevant. Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano continue defending important support levels while waiting for stronger market momentum.
At the same time, AI-powered presales like MemeToro ($MT) are attracting investors looking for exposure to blockchain projects still in their early stages of development.
Established Altcoins Continue Facing Market Pressure Several of the market’s biggest cryptocurrencies remain under pressure despite continued ecosystem growth.
Ethereum entered July trading near $1,570, completing its first-ever stretch of three consecutive negative quarters. Although developers continue building across its ecosystem, price recovery has been slower than many investors expected.
Solana has experienced a similar story.
The network continues processing strong blockchain activity, but SOL remains approximately 54% below its January high of $150, trading around the $75 level while attempting to stabilize after months of correction.
Cardano also continues struggling to reverse its broader trend.
The token remains below both its 50-day and 200-day exponential moving averages, highlighting how difficult it has been for buyers to regain sustained momentum.
These projects remain among crypto’s most established ecosystems, but near-term price action has reflected the cautious mood affecting the wider market.
XRP Continues Waiting for Its Next Catalyst XRP remains one of the most closely watched large-cap cryptocurrencies.
The token is currently trading near $1.05, holding above an important support zone between $1.00 and $1.06. Analysts continue warning that losing this range could expose XRP to a deeper correction toward $0.80.
Regulatory uncertainty has also slowed momentum.
Expectations surrounding the CLARITY Act have been pushed further into the second half of the year, delaying one of the catalysts many investors had been anticipating.
Meanwhile, newly launched spot XRP ETFs recorded their first period of net outflows at the end of the second quarter, reflecting broader institutional caution across the digital asset market.
Despite these challenges, XRP continues maintaining one of the largest communities in crypto.
MemeToro Is Following a Different Path Unlike established cryptocurrencies already trading on major exchanges, MemeToro ($MT) remains focused on ecosystem development before public trading begins.
The platform combines artificial intelligence with several blockchain products rather than concentrating on one use case.
Its AI Agent continuously analyzes market narratives, social conversations, online trends, and cultural developments before autonomously supporting fair no-code memecoin launches.
The ecosystem extends beyond AI automation.
Users can participate in decentralized prediction markets covering cryptocurrencies, politics, sports, entertainment, and global events using $MT and BNB. SocialFi participation, behavioral finance tools, and staking rewards of up to 35% APR provide additional utility throughout the platform.
Instead of relying solely on market speculation, MemeToro is building multiple products before exchange listings arrive.
Different Risk Profiles Appeal to Different Investors Comparing established cryptocurrencies with early-stage presales is not simply a question of potential returns.
Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano already have mature ecosystems, large communities, and established trading markets. Their future growth depends largely on continued adoption, improving market sentiment, and broader macroeconomic conditions.
Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe recently suggested that bearish sentiment across major assets has reached levels often associated with long-term accumulation phases before stronger recoveries emerge.
Presales operate differently. Projects like MemeToro are still completing roadmap milestones, meaning investors evaluate development progress alongside future market potential rather than existing trading history.
For many portfolios, both approaches can complement one another.
MemeToro Presale Update: Stage 3 Presale Moving Steady The MemeToro Stage 3 presale has reached 35% of its target, having raised $46,284.54 of the allocation’s $80,644.11 goal. Upon completion of this round, the $MT token price will transition from the current rate of $0.00154 to the Stage 4 rate of $0.00171.
Operating on the BNB Chain, the MemeToro platform integrates four core functionalities under a single ecosystem:
An AI agent that creates memecoins based on live trending data. Prediction markets for wagering on real-world events. An online casino that utilizes $MT tokens natively. A staking system offering up to 35% APR. The $MT token has a fixed total supply of 1.2 billion, with 71% assigned to the presale with no vesting restrictions. The platform currently accepts payments via credit/debit card, ETH, BNB, USDT, and USDC at memetoro.com.
More Information on MemeToro ($MT) Presale Here:
Website: https://memetoro.com/
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Chris Larsen, Ripple Labs’ co-founder and chairman, has been named among the investors backing a financial startup founded by the son of US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The disclosure comes at a pivotal moment, as the Senate continues its deliberations over the CLARITY Act, a bill that could significantly reshape the regulatory landscape for the entire US crypto sector.
Derivatives platform takes center stage in investmentAccording to a Thursday report from Politico, Larsen is one of a handful of investors who provided funding to American Perpetuals Exchange Corp. (APEC), a company founded by Theodore Gillibrand. While the report does not specify Larsen’s exact contribution, it notes that most investors in the derivatives platform committed between $5,000 and $10,000 each, with APEC raising a total of $30 million to date.
American Perpetuals Exchange Corp, or APEC, aims to establish itself as a player in the field of financial derivatives. Derivatives allow investors to take positions based on the projected price movements of an underlying asset, using contracts rather than actually holding the asset itself.
Mini glossary: Perpetuals are derivatives contracts that do not have a set expiration date. These instruments are especially popular among crypto traders looking to take short-term positions on price movements.
Ethics become main focus in CLARITY Act discussionsThe timing of Larsen’s investment has sparked additional interest because Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is directly involved in negotiating the ethical framework of the Digital Asset Market Structure and Investor Protection Act, widely known as the CLARITY Act. The outcome of these ethics debates is expected to have far-reaching consequences for US-based crypto firms, Ripple included.
In May, Senator Gillibrand stated that no senator would support the bill unless its ethical issues were fully addressed.
According to a spokesperson for Senator Gillibrand, referencing a statement dated June 18, the senator’s son is an independent adult who founded his own business and that Gillibrand herself has no involvement with APEC. Representatives for the company were not available for immediate comment on the matter.
Tight Senate calendar narrows legislative windowDemocratic senators are pushing for the inclusion of stronger ethical provisions in the CLARITY Act, and they want Republican lawmakers—who currently hold the majority in Congress—to support these additions. Among the reasons cited for these requests is former President Donald Trump’s known connections to the cryptocurrency sector. Meanwhile, Republicans anticipate that the bill could pass the Senate in July.
Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said in June that ongoing negotiations have focused on ethics rules, decentralized finance, and measures to combat illicit activity. However, with Republicans holding only a slim Senate majority, passing the bill will require support from Democrats to cross the critical 60-vote threshold.
The US Senate is currently in recess for Independence Day, with lawmakers set to reconvene on July 13. A further month-long break is planned for August, meaning there is only a narrow window to pass regulations impacting the crypto market structure before the legislative agenda is further delayed by the election season.
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.
This is not just another ticker-level move. It points to a deeper shift in how capital, infrastructure, or regulation is moving through crypto. XRP Price Faces Stubborn $1.07 Barrier After Repeated June Rejections gives NewsBTC readers a clean angle on XRP Price at a point where the market is trying to separate durable signals from short-lived noise.
According to the source material reviewed for this report, the story turns on a few concrete details rather than vague sentiment. That matters because crypto headlines can move quickly, but the pieces that tend to last are the ones backed by filings, official releases, data dashboards, or protocol-level records.
TL;DR
XRP price has bounced back toward the key resistance level of $1.07. This resistance zone rejected multiple bullish breakout attempts throughout June 2026. Trading volume remains average, leaving the breakout path dependent on broader market momentum. Why This Matters Now The immediate relevance is that this development fits into one of the market’s main themes for the day: institutional positioning, network usage, regulatory pressure, protocol development, or asset-specific rotation. In this case, the key topic is XRP Price, which is why it deserves a dedicated read rather than being buried inside a broader market recap.
For traders, the useful part is not simply that the headline exists. It is the way the facts line up with the current market backdrop. When official sources, market data, or protocol records show a fresh shift, readers get a better sense of whether the move is just a one-day reaction or part of something more structural.
The Details Behind The Move The core source for this story is tradingview.com with supporting data from tradingview.com. That source trail is important because the final article should not rely on discovery-only media links or second-hand summaries.
XRP price has bounced back toward the key resistance level of $1.07.
This resistance zone rejected multiple bullish breakout attempts throughout June 2026.
Trading volume remains average, leaving the breakout path dependent on broader market momentum.
The numerical claims in the pack were tied back to specific source material before writing. '$1.07' sourced from TradingView spot market exchange feed (June/July 2026 resistance)
What Traders And Investors Should Watch The caution is just as important as the headline. Do not guarantee a breakout; present the level as a key historical hurdle.
That means the cleaner read is to treat this as a confirmed development with a defined scope, not as proof of a guaranteed price move or a sweeping market shift. In crypto, the difference matters. A verified data point can strengthen a thesis, but it does not remove execution risk, liquidity risk, regulatory uncertainty, or the possibility that traders fade the initial reaction.
For now, the story gives the market another piece of evidence to weigh. If follow-up filings, dashboard updates, protocol records, or official statements confirm further momentum, the angle can develop into something larger. If not, it still stands as a useful snapshot of where activity is concentrating today.
This report is based on information from tradingview.com and tradingview.com.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
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.
XRP is at risk of tumbling under $0.90, one analyst claimed.
Ripple’s cross-border token has enjoyed robust institutional demand, standing in stark contrast to spot BTC and ETH ETFs, which have been suffering heavy outflows lately.
However, that trend appears to have reversed over the past few days, putting XRP at risk of falling below the psychological $1 barrier.
First Time Since March It was last November that Canary Capital launched the first spot XRP ETF in the US, with 100% exposure to the asset. Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, and Grayscale then followed suit, and since day 1, these products have generated a cumulative total net inflow of almost $1.5 billion.
Interest in the ETFs has remained solid even during the bear market that ultimately impacted Ripple’s native token. In the past two days, though, outflows have exceeded inflows, marking the first pair of consecutive days since March.
Spot XRP ETFs, Source: SoSoValue This development suggests that pension funds, hedge funds, and other conservative investors have reduced their exposure to XRP, prompting issuers of these products to sell holdings and further putting downward pressure on the token.
A few days ago, the asset’s price fell to nearly $1, and many feared that the bears would gain full control and suppress it below that crucial zone for the first time since late 2024. The bulls, though, stepped in and reclaimed some of the lost ground, and currently XRP trades at around $1.11 (per CoinGecko).
X user Diana remains cautious and predicted a potential downfall to as low as $0.87 if the asset breaks under $1.08 again. On the other hand, staying above that zone could pave the way for an increase to $1,30, she added.
You may also like: Is XRP Ready for a Reversal? Wallets Surge as FOMO Hits 3-Month Peak Crypto Analyst Challenges Ripple’s CEO Take on Strategy: ‘Two Giants, Same Model’ XRP Whales Are Moving On, and Binance Is No Longer Their Top Choice The Bullish Signals Despite recent ETF outflows, some factors suggest an upcoming upswing is more likely. The amount of XRP stored on Binance, for instance, recently dropped to a four-month low, resulting in reduced selling pressure.
XRP Reserve on Binance, Source: CryptoQuant Meanwhile, the popular analyst Ali Martinez revealed that the Tom DeMark (TD) Sequential Indicator (on a monthly scale) has flashed a buy signal on XRP (as well as other cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, and SOL).
“On high-timeframe charts like the monthly, these trend-exhaustion setups carry significant weight. Historically, when multiple assets lock in concurrent monthly buy signals, it indicates seller fatigue and a high probability of a long-term market bottom,” he explained.
Short-term traders and long-term holders of XRP are now deeper underwater than at any time in the token’s roughly 12-year trading history. According to the Santiment update, XRP’s 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) has dropped to -45% and the 365-day MVRV stands at -47%. When both timeframes are combined, the average returns are the lowest XRP has ever recorded.
MVRV measures the unrealized profit or loss of holders by comparing the current market price to the average price at which coins last moved. Negative readings signal that a large portion of the market is in a loss position. At these levels, the data indicates capitulation-like conditions where fear and frustration dominate on-chain behavior. Santiment noted that such extreme distress has historically marked low-risk entry zones for contrarian positions, even if price can dip further in the short term.
Risk-Reward Flips as Maximum Pain Sets In The 30-day and 365-day MVRV metrics both deep in the red suggest that downside absorption has been extensive. Traders who bought in the last month are sitting on average losses of 45%, while those who entered over the past year are down 47%. The synchronized pain across cohorts often emerges near local bottoms. Santiment’s historical data suggests that the best risk-reward setups tend to appear when crowd sentiment and on-chain metrics signal maximum pain rather than confidence.
This does not guarantee an immediate bounce. The broader crypto market remains under pressure from regulatory headwinds, with banks pushing to derail a landmark crypto bill just days before a Senate vote. Such macro uncertainty can keep risk assets like XRP under water for longer. Still, from a statistical standpoint, the depth of unrealized losses makes further steep declines in XRP less probable without a final washout first.
What Remains Uncertain One risk is that MVRV can stay negative for extended periods if fresh selling emerges. The Santiment note acknowledges that price “can dip a bit more if crypto markets keep struggling.” Extreme negative MVRV is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a reversal. The timing of any relief rally depends on a shift in market structure—shorts getting squeezed, exchange outflows, or a spark from a catalyst that reverses sentiment.
For now, the data tells one clear story: the average XRP holder is nursing historic losses, and historically, that kind of pain has preceded sharp recoveries. The question is whether the macro picture will cooperate this time around.
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.
Cover image via depositphotos.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Shiba Inu remains under heavy pressure despite showing some signs of stabilization near local lows. After losing a number of significant support levels during the overall market decline, the asset is currently trading at $0.0000043. The 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day trend lines on the chart continue to point downward, indicating that bears are still in control of the market. SHIB is clearly below all major moving averages.
The recent rebound from June lows has been modest at best. Another rejection and continuation lower resulted from SHIB's short-lived formation of a small ascending structure that was unable to maintain momentum.
SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewPositively, the RSI is trying to form a higher low after recovering from extremely oversold territory, indicating that selling pressure is progressively lessening. The first significant obstacle for bulls is still the $0.0000046 region, which is followed by more robust resistance close to $0.0000050-$0.0000055, where a number of moving averages converge.
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A breakout above those levels could trigger a more meaningful recovery. Any upward movement should be seen as a relief rally within a broader downtrend, though, as long as SHIB stays below them.
Should XRP Rival SHIB?Technically, XRP is outperforming SHIB by a small margin. The asset has held above the psychologically significant $1 level after a protracted decline, and it has recently recovered toward $1.09. XRP is still trading below the 100-day and 200-day trend indicators, but the recovery has forced it back toward its short-term moving average.
The completed breakdown from a multi-month consolidation range is the chart's most prominent feature. That breakdown accelerated selling pressure throughout June, but XRP appears to be attempting to establish a local bottom above the $1 support zone.
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Momentum is improving, as seen by the RSI's recovery toward neutral territory. If buyers keep things under control, XRP may face resistance at $1.12 and then $1.21, which is where the 100-day moving average is currently located. The asset's outlook would be greatly enhanced by a successful move above those levels.
Although XRP is still in a bearish long-term structure for the time being, it is exhibiting relative resilience in comparison to many significant altcoins. While holding above $1 is still crucial, a recovery above $1.21 would be the first clear sign of a more significant reversal.
Hyperliquid Makes HasteDespite the recent decline, Hyperliquid is still one of the market's top large-cap performers. HYPE is currently consolidating around $66 after surging to new all-time highs close to $76, returning some of its gains while preserving a strong bullish structure.
In contrast to the majority of altcoins, HYPE is still trading well above its upward-sloping 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages. The wider uptrend is confirmed to be intact by that alignment. The price has returned to the 50-day moving average at $63.9 as a result of the recent correction, and this is serving as the first significant dynamic support.
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After spending weeks close to overbought territory, the RSI has retreated to the neutral 53 area, indicating a significant cooling of momentum. That is a healthy development rather than a bearish one, as it reduces the risk of an overheated market. Another attempt to recover the $70 level is more likely if buyers hold onto the $63–$64 support zone.
Although the long-term outlook would remain bullish unless that level also fails, losing that support would expose HYPE to a deeper correction toward the 100-day moving average near $61.5.
Synapse's Unexpected RecoveryIn just a few weeks, Synapse went from below $0.05 to above $0.50, making it one of the market's most explosive performers. The rally was propelled by multiple events that reinforced one another rather than a single catalyst. After Binance placed SYN under its Monitoring Tag, the action started as an aggressive short squeeze. As the price recovered from extremely oversold levels, heavily shorted positions were compelled to cover rather than causing capitulation.
SYN/USDT Chart by TradingViewAfter the Synapse team shifted the project's narrative from its legacy bridge business to Hypercall, an options exchange based on Hyperliquid, the rally picked up speed. There was a resurgence of speculative interest in that new direction. The last significant boost came when Arthur Hayes, a co-founder of BitMEX, revealed an OTC purchase of over six million SYN tokens for about $2.2 million.
He described this as asymmetric exposure to the Hypercall ecosystem. His support raised market awareness considerably. Technically, however, caution is warranted. SYN is trading well inside overbought territory, with an RSI close to 88. The unusually long wicks of daily candles indicate significant profit-taking and high volatility.
The price is currently trading several hundred percent above the long-term moving averages, even though they have turned bullish. This leaves ample opportunity for significant retracements. Bulls continue to have momentum as long as SYN stays above the psychological $0.50 area. But after such a vertical move, volatility should be expected, and another 20–40 percent correction would not necessarily invalidate the broader uptrend.
The crypto market has staged a tentative recovery, with the broader market climbing 2.2% to $2.12 trillion over the past 24 hours, and Ethereum [ETH] joining the move higher. Ethereum’s market capitalization rose 4% to $203.84 billion during the period, with its price hovering around $1,689. Yet while the tape looks like it has stabilized, the chart structure tells a different story, one that points to a fractal pattern placing the asset at real risk of another decline.
Key Takeaways Ethereum [ETH] climbed alongside a 2.2% broader market recovery to $2.12 trillion, with its own market cap up 4% to $203.84 billion and price near $1,689. A fractal pattern on the ETH chart mirrors two prior setups that both resolved as distribution, each ending in a double-digit percentage drop. Price is consolidating between support and resistance, and a decisive break in either direction will set the next trend. A fresh MACD golden cross points to building buying momentum, though the January 14 to 15 sequence shows momentum alone does not rule out a reversal. A rising Money Flow Index signals renewed capital inflows, leaving the outlook split between the bearish fractal and the bullish indicators. Ethereum’s Fractal Pattern Warns of Another Breakdown The Ethereum chart is printing a clear fractality. That fractal pattern stems from price oscillating between a defined support and resistance line, a hallmark of consolidation where investors are either distributing or accumulating the asset. In Ethereum’s case, the last two instances of this setup resolved as distribution. The asset broke down hard after an extended stretch of trading inside the consolidation range, deepening the losses already on the board.
Source: TradingView A similar outlook is forming now. At the time of writing, and as seen in the area marked with the orange circle, price is carving out the same consolidation pattern. There is no guarantee the phase has run its course, but it raises the question of whether another leg lower is coming. On the previous two occasions this pattern played out, it led to a double-digit percentage loss, with Ethereum first surrendering $3,400 before slipping well below $2,380 and now trading around $1,680.
At press time, candlestick momentum reads positive and price is pushing toward the channel’s resistance. A breakout above that resistance would tilt the outcome bullish, and any follow-through gains could confirm price has entered a bullish phase. A breakdown, by contrast, would raise the odds that the consolidation either extends or resolves lower.
Ethereum Indicators Hint This Rally Could Hold While the fractal pattern warns of a potential decline, Ethereum’s indicators suggest this rally may break the mold. The first clue comes from the Moving Average Convergence Divergence, which has just formed a golden cross. A golden cross prints when the blue MACD line crosses above the orange signal line, signaling that buying momentum is quietly building again. These crossovers often precede major rallies, and in this case one could help power an ETH advance.
Source: TradingView Weighed against prior instances, the January 14 move looks closest to the current formation. Back then the MACD was already bullish, stretching higher with a rising histogram, and price briefly breached the upper resistance. By January 15, though, the asset rolled over into a meltdown, a reminder that momentum alone does not rule out a breakdown. The Money Flow Index adds a more constructive read, pointing to high and rising capital inflows as investors rotate money back into the asset. The MFI is trending firmly upward, a sign of renewed capital and interest in Ethereum.
Conclusion Multiple factors will play a decisive role in swinging Ethereum’s price into its next phase, bullish or bearish, depending on how the current setup resolves. At the time of this analysis, sentiment remains mixed, and it is unclear whether an extended run follows. The fractal pattern’s warning still stands, yet the indicators and capital flows lean the other way, suggesting the market is still leaning bullish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is the fractal pattern warning on Ethereum’s chart?
It is price oscillating between fixed support and resistance, a consolidation phase that resolved as distribution on the last two occasions and preceded sharp declines.
What does the MACD golden cross mean for ETH?
It forms when the MACD line crosses above the signal line, signaling that buying momentum is building. The pattern often precedes a rally, though it can still fail.
Why does the Money Flow Index matter here?
A rising MFI shows capital flowing into the asset, indicating that investors are accumulating and adding weight to the bullish case.
What price levels should traders watch?
The channel’s resistance is the immediate level to watch. A breakout would favor more upside, while a breakdown risks a retest of the $1,700 area and below.
Is Ethereum bullish or bearish right now?
Sentiment is mixed. The fractal pattern warns of downside while indicators and capital flows lean bullish, so a confirmed break of the channel is needed for clarity.
The ENS DAO’s Public Goods Working Group officially closed its doors on July 2, after four and a half years of channeling funds into Ethereum’s open-source infrastructure. Working group lead Simona Pop confirmed the sunsetting in a thread on X, marking the end of one of crypto’s longer-running experiments in decentralized grant-making.
The closure also means the group’s grants platform, builder.ensgrants.xyz, is no longer accepting applications. For builders who had grown accustomed to rolling open grant submissions, the window is now shut.
What the working group actually did The Public Goods Working Group launched in early 2022, not long after ENS completed its high-profile token airdrop and formalized its DAO structure. Its mandate was broad but focused: fund projects that benefited Ethereum and the wider web3 ecosystem without expecting direct financial returns.
Over its lifespan, the PGWG funded initiatives spanning developer tooling, privacy solutions, education programs, policy research, and builder support. The grants model featured small allocations of up to 2 ETH for individual projects alongside larger funding pools. For context, a 300,000 USDC pool was planned for Q3 2024 to support more ambitious grant rounds.
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Pop’s announcement highlighted the group’s achievements without dwelling on why it was being wound down. The tone was celebratory rather than elegiac, framing the closure as a completed mission rather than a failure.
Why it’s happening now The timing is not coincidental. The PGWG’s sunsetting aligns with a broader governance restructuring inside ENS DAO that has been brewing for months.
A proposal surfaced in June 2026 that would empower the ENS Foundation with management of the treasury, grants programs, and long-term strategic planning.
It’s worth remembering where ENS itself came from. The Ethereum Name Service was initially funded by a $1 million public goods grant from the Ethereum Foundation back in 2018. The fact that a project born from public goods funding went on to create its own public goods funding apparatus, which operated for over four years, is a small vindication of the model itself.
What this means for builders and investors For Ethereum developers who relied on PGWG grants, the immediate question is where to go next. If the ENS Foundation absorbs the grants function, the funding may continue under a different structure with different application processes.
The broader Ethereum public goods funding landscape is not exactly barren. Gitcoin, Optimism’s RetroPGF rounds, and various protocol-level grant programs still operate. But the loss of any dedicated funding source matters at the margin, especially for the kinds of unglamorous infrastructure work that rarely attracts venture capital.
From a market perspective, ENS sits in an interesting position. The protocol generates real revenue from domain registrations and renewals, giving it a fundamentally different economic profile than many governance tokens. How the DAO manages its treasury and funds ecosystem development is directly relevant to the token’s long-term value proposition.
The more consequential development is the June proposal to reshape the Foundation’s mandate, which could redefine how ENS allocates resources for years to come. Investors should watch how that proposal progresses through governance and whether tokenholders push back on the scope of authority being transferred.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Crypto markets have had plenty to digest today, and this development adds another layer to the picture. Ethereum Institutional Backers Launch Independent Non-Profit to Target Wall Street Wealth gives NewsBTC readers a clean angle on Ethereum at a point where the market is trying to separate durable signals from short-lived noise.
According to the source material reviewed for this report, the story turns on a few concrete details rather than vague sentiment. That matters because crypto headlines can move quickly, but the pieces that tend to last are the ones backed by filings, official releases, data dashboards, or protocol-level records.
TL;DR
Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, alongside ETH treasury firms BitMine and SharpLink, backed the launch of 'Ethereum Institutional'. The new group is an independent non-profit designed to serve as a 'front door' for Wall Street banks and asset managers on tokenization and stablecoins. This organization aims to take over business development roles from the Ethereum Foundation, which is focusing more on core research. A Fresh Signal For The Market The immediate relevance is that this development fits into one of the market’s main themes for the day: institutional positioning, network usage, regulatory pressure, protocol development, or asset-specific rotation. In this case, the key topic is Ethereum, which is why it deserves a dedicated read rather than being buried inside a broader market recap.
For traders, the useful part is not simply that the headline exists. It is the way the facts line up with the current market backdrop. When official sources, market data, or protocol records show a fresh shift, readers get a better sense of whether the move is just a one-day reaction or part of something more structural.
The Numbers That Matter The core source for this story is prnewswire.com with supporting data from globenewswire.com. That source trail is important because the final article should not rely on discovery-only media links or second-hand summaries.
Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, alongside ETH treasury firms BitMine and SharpLink, backed the launch of 'Ethereum Institutional'.
The new group is an independent non-profit designed to serve as a 'front door' for Wall Street banks and asset managers on tokenization and stablecoins.
This organization aims to take over business development roles from the Ethereum Foundation, which is focusing more on core research.
The numerical claims in the pack were tied back to specific source material before writing. 'July 1, 2026' sourced from Ethereum Institutional official launch release date
The Important Caveat The caution is just as important as the headline. Do not state this is an official Ethereum Foundation spin-off; it is a separate non-profit.
That means the cleaner read is to treat this as a confirmed development with a defined scope, not as proof of a guaranteed price move or a sweeping market shift. In crypto, the difference matters. A verified data point can strengthen a thesis, but it does not remove execution risk, liquidity risk, regulatory uncertainty, or the possibility that traders fade the initial reaction.
For now, the story gives the market another piece of evidence to weigh. If follow-up filings, dashboard updates, protocol records, or official statements confirm further momentum, the angle can develop into something larger. If not, it still stands as a useful snapshot of where activity is concentrating today.
This report is based on information from prnewswire.com and globenewswire.com.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Quick OverviewOndo deploys tokenized S&P 500 ETF within U.S. regulatory frameworkMicron stock joins Ondo’s tokenized equity portfolioBroadridge enables shareholder voting for tokenized equity owners Ondo introduces blockchain versions of IVV ETF and Micron stock following SEC guidelines.
Each digital token maintains 1:1 correspondence with traditionally custodied U.S. securities.
Broadridge integration enables proxy voting capabilities for token holders.
Platform leverages Ethereum infrastructure while maintaining regulated asset custody.
Initiative represents significant expansion of Ondo’s U.S. tokenized securities operations.
Ondo has introduced blockchain-based representations of BlackRock’s iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and Micron Technology stock for U.S. investors. The offering operates within a third-party custodial framework outlined by the SEC in January 2026. This development integrates tokenized U.S. securities into established regulatory and market infrastructure.
Ondo deploys tokenized S&P 500 ETF within U.S. regulatory framework Ondo has released an Ethereum-based tokenized product tracking BlackRock’s iShares Core S&P 500 ETF. This offering mirrors IVV, a major exchange-traded fund benchmarked against the S&P 500 index. The actual ETF shares continue residing within conventional U.S. custodial arrangements.
Oasis Pro TA, operating as Ondo’s SEC-registered transfer agent subsidiary, creates the corresponding digital tokens. Every token maintains complete 1:1 correspondence with its underlying ETF shares. Qualified custodians secure the tokens, while traditional financial custodians safeguard the physical securities.
This architecture aligns with the SEC’s January 2026 guidance regarding tokenized securities. That guidance outlined an approach where third parties maintain securities while issuing associated crypto instruments. Ondo applied this regulatory blueprint to deliver an operational U.S. tokenized ETF offering.
Micron stock joins Ondo’s tokenized equity portfolio Ondo has simultaneously introduced a tokenized representation of Micron Technology stock using identical structural principles. Micron shares remain within standard U.S. custody infrastructure. Token holders gain exposure through Ethereum-recorded ownership positions.
The Micron offering advances Ondo’s broader initiative into tokenized equities with full regulatory compliance. This approach eliminates offshore issuance requirements and functions independently of individual issuer sponsorship. Implementation occurs through pre-existing broker-dealer, transfer agent, and custody relationships.
Transfer restrictions operate via participating broker-dealers, custodians, and the transfer agent network. These mechanisms ensure token transactions align with prevailing regulatory standards. Consequently, Ondo bridges blockchain settlement capabilities with traditional U.S. securities frameworks.
Broadridge enables shareholder voting for tokenized equity owners Broadridge facilitates the rollout by delivering governance infrastructure for tokenized equity participants. Token holders gain access to issuer communications and regulatory filings through conventional distribution channels. Additionally, they can exercise voting rights via ProxyVote.com for blockchain-recorded proxy votes.
Ondo indicates token holders obtain shareholder rights and safeguards comparable to traditional brokerage account owners. These privileges encompass issuer notifications and voting participation linked to underlying securities. This configuration strengthens tokenized securities’ integration with public market governance structures.
The initiative also provides context for Ondo’s comprehensive real-world asset approach. Beyond U.S. borders, its Global Markets infrastructure handles over $1 billion in tokenized securities. That platform encompasses more than 430 equities and ETFs across various supported jurisdictions.
Ondo has simultaneously grown through strategic collaborations in recent periods. In June, the company partnered with Exodus to establish Exodus Markets on Solana. This platform provides qualified users with tokenized stock, ETF, and real-world asset access.
This recent product launch positions Ondo more prominently within U.S. tokenization markets. The implementation merges Ethereum-based issuance with conventional custody, voting mechanisms, and compliance frameworks. This integration creates a more defined pathway for tokenized securities under current U.S. market regulations.
Oliver Dale
Editor-in-Chief of Blockonomi and founder of Kooc Media, A UK-Based Online Media Company. Believer in Open-Source Software, Blockchain Technology & a Free and Fair Internet for all. His writing has been quoted by Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Investopedia, The New Yorker, Forbes, Techcrunch & More. Contact [email protected]
The Ethereum Foundation published a policy guide on July 1, positioning Ethereum as neutral public infrastructure for governments and institutions. The document, prepared by the foundation’s Global Policy Strategy Team, frames Ethereum as a decentralized alternative to the centralized digital systems that many governments currently rely on for payments, identity verification, and record-keeping.
$76 Billion in Staked ETH as a Security Argument The guide cites an OpenZeppelin analysis showing approximately $76 billion in staked ETH securing the Ethereum network as of March 2026.
It would cost roughly $50.7 billion to finalize a fraudulent transaction on the network, excluding automatic slashing penalties, according to a Cryptopolitan report. The foundation contrasts Ethereum’s continuous uptime since its 2015 launch with that of other layer-1 blockchains reviewed in the OpenZeppelin analysis.
Binance Smart Chain, XRP Ledger, Tron, Solana, and Canton each experienced between one and seven outages and had comparatively few economic deterrents to attack, the report found. Ethereum’s validator set is globally distributed across nations and legal systems, with no single country controlling a majority share.
“Ethereum is a decentralized ecosystem that functions through the activity of a large, diverse, and global group of stakeholders,” the guide stated. “That breadth of participation is one of the things that makes Ethereum so secure, which in turn is what makes it the top choice for institutions, enterprises, and the public sector.”
From Investment Asset to Digital Infrastructure Ethereum has historically been discussed as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The foundation is now framing it as foundational digital infrastructure comparable to the internet’s base protocols.
That rebranding could influence how regulators worldwide classify public blockchains and the tokens that operate on them. The guide highlights sovereign governments already using Ethereum-based solutions. Argentina and Bhutan have built decentralized identity systems on the network.
Indian authorities are testing Ethereum-based land registries to reduce property fraud in title transfers. The foundation encourages lawmakers to define a clear distinction between public blockchains open to anyone and those controlled by a single organization or foundation.
Timed With a Foundation Restructuring The policy guide arrives alongside a structural overhaul at the Ethereum Foundation. The organization cut roughly 20% of its workforce and created an “institutional layer” cluster focused specifically on government and enterprise engagement. A separate nonprofit, Ethereum Institutional, also launched this week with backing from key ecosystem participants.
If governments begin adopting Ethereum as public infrastructure, the regulatory clarity it would generate would extend well beyond Ethereum itself. The precedent would shape how all public blockchains are classified, potentially accelerating institutional investment across the broader digital asset market.
The guide cites independent security audits and uptime data while noting that one unnamed layer-1 blockchain had an organization controlling about 42% of the token supply, a trait that institutions would typically need to disclose and mitigate.
The foundation’s next test is whether this guide moves from policy paper to government procurement shortlist, a process that typically takes years rather than months.
This is not just another ticker-level move. It points to a deeper shift in how capital, infrastructure, or regulation is moving through crypto. Ethlabs Launches with Five Former Ethereum Foundation Researchers to Speed Up Settlement gives NewsBTC readers a clean angle on Ethereum at a point where the market is trying to separate durable signals from short-lived noise.
According to the source material reviewed for this report, the story turns on a few concrete details rather than vague sentiment. That matters because crypto headlines can move quickly, but the pieces that tend to last are the ones backed by filings, official releases, data dashboards, or protocol-level records.
TL;DR
Ethlabs has launched, founded by five former senior Ethereum Foundation researchers. The new entity aims to focus on improving transaction settlement speeds and strengthening ETH's monetary value case. The development highlights a shifting structure where specialized research groups take on execution duties. What Changed The immediate relevance is that this development fits into one of the market’s main themes for the day: institutional positioning, network usage, regulatory pressure, protocol development, or asset-specific rotation. In this case, the key topic is Ethereum, which is why it deserves a dedicated read rather than being buried inside a broader market recap.
For traders, the useful part is not simply that the headline exists. It is the way the facts line up with the current market backdrop. When official sources, market data, or protocol records show a fresh shift, readers get a better sense of whether the move is just a one-day reaction or part of something more structural.
Why It Stands Out The core source for this story is ethlabs.org with supporting data from globenewswire.com. That source trail is important because the final article should not rely on discovery-only media links or second-hand summaries.
Ethlabs has launched, founded by five former senior Ethereum Foundation researchers.
The new entity aims to focus on improving transaction settlement speeds and strengthening ETH's monetary value case.
The development highlights a shifting structure where specialized research groups take on execution duties.
The numerical claims in the pack were tied back to specific source material before writing. 'Five former researchers' sourced from Ethlabs official announcement co-founder list; 'June 22, 2026' sourced from Ethlabs official launch release date
What Comes Next The caution is just as important as the headline. Do not claim Ethlabs is funded directly by the EF without verification.
That means the cleaner read is to treat this as a confirmed development with a defined scope, not as proof of a guaranteed price move or a sweeping market shift. In crypto, the difference matters. A verified data point can strengthen a thesis, but it does not remove execution risk, liquidity risk, regulatory uncertainty, or the possibility that traders fade the initial reaction.
For now, the story gives the market another piece of evidence to weigh. If follow-up filings, dashboard updates, protocol records, or official statements confirm further momentum, the angle can develop into something larger. If not, it still stands as a useful snapshot of where activity is concentrating today.
This report is based on information from ethlabs.org and globenewswire.com.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Why Does Ondo’s New Launch Matter? Ondo Finance expanded its U.S. tokenized securities business on Thursday with the launch of tokenized versions of BlackRock’s iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and Micron shares under a third-party custodial framework described by the Securities and Exchange Commission in January.
The launch gives Ondo a larger U.S. footprint in the market for tokenized real-world assets, a category that has grown as asset managers, brokers, and blockchain firms test ways to move conventional financial products onto public networks without moving outside existing securities rules.
According to Ondo, the products mark the first time a third party has tokenized U.S.-listed securities on a public blockchain while operating within the existing U.S. regulatory and market infrastructure. The company said earlier tokenized securities models were generally built offshore or relied on issuer-by-issuer sponsorship.
The distinction is important. Tokenized stocks and ETFs have often been treated as a regulatory gray area when they sit outside the U.S. framework or rely on synthetic structures. Ondo is trying to place the product inside the conventional custody and transfer-agent model while using blockchain rails for token issuance and ownership records.
How Does The Custodial Model Work? The SEC’s January guidance described a structure in which a third party holds the underlying securities and issues crypto assets representing an investor’s entitlement to those holdings. Ondo said its tokenized IVV and Micron products are built around that model.
Under the structure, the underlying shares remain inside the standard U.S. custody chain. Oasis Pro TA, Ondo’s SEC-registered transfer agent subsidiary, mints corresponding tokens backed 1:1 by the securities. The tokens are issued on Ethereum and held by regulated custodians, according to the company.
That design keeps the legal and custody layer close to existing market plumbing. Investors are not simply receiving an offshore token that tracks a stock price. They are receiving a blockchain-based representation tied to securities held through regulated infrastructure.
Ondo said token holders receive the same shareholder rights and protections available through traditional brokerage accounts, including issuer communications and onchain proxy voting through Broadridge’s ProxyVote.com platform. Transfer restrictions are handled by participating broker-dealers, transfer agents, and custodians in line with existing regulatory requirements.
Investor Takeaway Ondo’s launch is not only a product rollout. It is a test of whether tokenized equities can be structured inside U.S. custody, transfer-agent, and shareholder-rights systems instead of relying on offshore wrappers or looser synthetic exposure.
Why Are IVV and Micron Useful Test Assets? The choice of BlackRock’s IVV ETF and Micron shares gives Ondo 2 different use cases. IVV is a broad-market ETF tied to the S&P 500, making it a natural test for tokenized exposure to diversified U.S. equity markets. Micron offers a single-stock example in a sector closely watched by investors because of artificial intelligence, memory chips, and semiconductor cycle exposure.
By launching both an ETF and an individual stock, Ondo can show how the same infrastructure may apply across different types of listed securities. That matters for brokers and custodians because tokenized securities will need consistent controls around eligibility, settlement, shareholder communications, restrictions, and corporate actions.
The structure also gives institutional users a clearer framework for assessing risk. A 1:1 backing model tied to conventional custody may be easier to review than offshore tokenized stock products, especially for firms that need to document custody treatment, investor rights, and regulatory controls before offering access to clients.
“Today’s milestone shows we can tokenize securities in ways that meet both market and regulatory requirements, for U.S. and global investors and provides a strong foundation for our expanding access to onchain investments for more U.S. investors,” Ondo Finance CEO Ian De Bode said.
What Does This Mean For Tokenized Equities? Ondo’s launch comes as tokenized equities are becoming a larger part of the real-world asset market. The company’s Global Markets platform outside the U.S. supports more than $1 billion in tokenized securities across more than 430 stocks and ETFs, according to Ondo.
The firm has also expanded distribution. In June, Ondo partnered with Exodus to launch Exodus Markets, giving eligible users access to more than 200 tokenized stocks, ETFs, and real-world assets through the Exodus app on Solana.
The broader tokenized equities sector reached a market capitalization of $5.5 billion as of June 8, up roughly 147% from $2.23 billion at the start of the year. That makes tokenized equities the fourth-largest segment within the real-world asset market.
The next test is whether U.S.-compliant tokenized securities can move beyond pilot-style launches and attract meaningful usage from brokers, advisers, custodians, and institutional investors. The market already has demand for onchain exposure to traditional assets. The harder part is building products that regulators, transfer agents, and market intermediaries can support without weakening investor protections.
Ondo’s launch does not settle every question around tokenized equities. Liquidity, distribution, trading access, tax treatment, and platform eligibility still matter. But by using a third-party custodial model tied to U.S.-listed securities, the company is pushing tokenized equities closer to regulated market infrastructure rather than treating them as a separate offshore product category.
The Ethereum [ETH] price action was in a longer-term downtrend, but has rallied 8.05% in the past week and 4.9% in the past 24 hours alone. Yet, according to data from Farside Investors, the Ethereum spot ETF flows since June 17, 2026, measured a negative $358.3 million.
These persistent outflows underlined the bearish market sentiment behind the leading crypto altcoin. It has lost two major support levels in 2026: the $3.2k and $2.0k levels.
AMBCrypto reported that Ethereum, trading at $1.5k, witnessed strong bearish positioning, but also warned of a possible short squeeze.
Source: CryptoQuant The taker buy-sell ratio jumped back above 1 in the past couple of days of trading. The metric’s 7-day moving average also rose back above 1. This showed that the recent gains were partially driven by aggressive buyer orders in the perpetual swap markets.
Source: CryptoQuant The Open Interest also picked up slightly. Increased speculative interest and buyer aggression could help drive a short squeeze in the coming days. However, if the Open Interest begins to slow down again, it would indicate the bounce was driven by short positions unwinding rather than sustained demand.
The dilemma for long-term Ethereum investors Source: Glassnode The Ethereum MVRV extreme deviation pricing bands use the all-time MVRV mean and degrees of deviation from it to form bands. These bands act as dynamic support/resistance levels.
Right now, the extreme low of the band, the -1.0σ, or one standard deviation below the mean, at $1,549, was acting as support.
Crypto analyst Ali Martinez pointed out in a post on X that July has kicked off with a buy signal on the monthly timeframe from the TD Sequential indicator.
In September 2022 and March 2025, when the same monthly buy signal flashed, Ethereum rallied 235% and 182%, respectively.
The ETF flows and wider market sentiment did not make it seem like a major market bottom was forming. Only time will confirm whether a deeper drawdown is lying in wait.
Final Summary The increased Ethereum taker buy ratio in perpetual markets and Open Interest signaled increased short-term speculative interest. ETH’s spot ETF flows were negative over the past two weeks, underlining weak investor conviction.
The firm used the SEC’s January custodial model to put a BlackRock S&P 500 ETF and Micron shares on Ethereum, though the tokens are not yet available to US investors.
Posted July 2, 2026 at 8:12 pm EST.
Ondo Finance on Thursday launched what it billed as the first live tokenized U.S. securities operating entirely within the country’s existing regulatory perimeter, putting BlackRock’s iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and Micron shares onchain on Ethereum.
Tokenized versions of American stocks have circulated for a while, but they have typically traded offshore or leaned on the security’s own issuer to sponsor the token, leaving compliant U.S. products thin on the ground. Ondo instead follows a custodial model the SEC laid out in a January statement: a regulated third party holds the underlying shares in the traditional U.S. custody chain, while a registered transfer agent issues blockchain tokens representing a holder’s entitlement to them.
Ondo mints those tokens through Oasis Pro TA, an SEC-registered transfer agent and Ondo subsidiary, backing each one-for-one with the custodied securities. Its partner Broadridge Financial Solutions supplies proxy voting, issuer communications, and regulatory disclosures, so holders get governance rights rather than bare price exposure.
Ian De Bode, CEO of Ondo Finance, said in the announcement: “Tokenized Securities in the U.S. are too often framed as a binary choice between competing models and tokenization providers. This is a false premise. Ondo has built the regulatory, product, and service infrastructure to support all major models within the United States.”
One notable limit sits under the milestone: the product is not yet available to U.S. investors, despite being built around the U.S. framework.
Ondo already runs one of the larger tokenization operations outside the country. Its Ondo Global Markets platform holds more than $1 billion in tokenized stocks and ETFs across 430-plus securities and recently expanded to BNB Chain for non-U.S. users. Separately, the SEC earlier dropped a Biden-era investigation into the firm.
Doug DeSchutter, president of Broadridge’s Investor Communication Solutions business, said in the announcement: “Tokenization will only scale when it delivers both innovation and investor confidence.”
Related Listen: Why Authorities Can’t Freeze Crypto Fast Enough: DEX in the City
AI-assisted content: This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by a member of the Unchained editorial team before publication.
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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.
Since falling to $1,510, Ethereum has traded within a narrow range. Over the past week, the altcoin has hovered around $1,600.
At the time of writing, Ethereum [ETH] traded at $1,622, up 2.8% over the past 24 hours. The muted price action prompted some investors to reduce exposure, while others waited for a clearer trend.
Why did an Ethereum whale move $26 million? Ethereum has barely moved over the past week, leaving whales that accumulated in May and June sitting on unrealized losses.
As market weakness persisted, some investors became more cautious. One example was Satofashi [Chun Wang], who accumulated 91,945 ETH worth $159.9 million during late May and June.
Source: Arkham When Satofashi accumulated ETH, the asset traded around $2,100, with an average purchase price of $1,749.
According to Lookonchain, the whale later deposited 16,842 ETH worth $26.87 million.
A transfer to an exchange does not necessarily indicate an imminent sale. The funds could also be used for collateral or capital rotation.
If the holdings were sold, the whale would realize a loss of about $2.66 million. However, most of the wallet’s ETH remained untouched, suggesting repositioning rather than a full exit.
Source: CryptoQuant That move coincided with broader exchange inflows.
According to CryptoQuant, Exchange Netflow remained positive over the past two days. At press time, Exchange Netflow stood at 14,000, indicating more ETH moved onto exchanges than left them.
Is ETH finding stability, though? Despite persistent market weakness, Ethereum continued holding around the $1,600 level. Notably, the reported whale transfer had little immediate impact on price.
Meanwhile, the MACD remained below zero but formed a bullish crossover, rising to -64.
Source: TradingView The improving MACD suggested bearish momentum continued easing. The BvB indicator also turned positive for two consecutive days after remaining negative for seven straight sessions.
Together, those indicators pointed to gradually improving momentum rather than a confirmed bullish reversal.
If that trend continues, Ethereum could extend its recovery toward $1,777.
Even so, sustained exchange inflows, particularly from large holders, could increase selling pressure and expose the $1,500 support again.
Final Summary A $26.87 million whale transfer failed to trigger immediate weakness in Ethereum’s price. Improving momentum indicators contrasted with rising exchange inflows, leaving ETH at a key decision point.
Bitcoin held above the $61,000 level on Thursday as investor sentiment improved following a more dovish tone from the Federal Reserve that eased pressure on risk assets.
Notable Statistics:
Coinglass data shows 131,062 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $598.92 million. SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $294.6 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $14.9 million. In the past 24 hours, top gainers include MemeCore, Uniswap and Lighter. Notable Developments:
Trader Notes:
Bitcoin OG Lucky noted Bitcoin is staging a strong recovery toward a key breakout level, with elevated leverage adding to market risk. Analysts say the next move could be decisive if BTC sustains its current momentum.
Trader Jelle highlighted Bitcoin bulls are defending key support, with a three-day bullish divergence helping price rebound toward the previous trading range.
Analysts say a move back above $65,000 would strengthen the near-term outlook, while gradual accumulation remains the preferred strategy.
CryptosBatman pointed out Bitcoin flashing a bullish divergence, with price making lower lows while the RSI posting higher lows. Analysts say BTC is now testing its 100-day EMA, a key technical level that could determine whether the next major move is a breakout or another rejection.
Image: Shutterstock
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Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has chosen a hill to die on, and it happens to be the entire European Union’s crypto regulatory framework. On July 2, Ardoino confirmed that Tether deliberately did not apply for a MiCA license for USDT, calling the EU’s stablecoin reserve rules “dangerous” and “ill-conceived.”
The timing is not subtle. His statement landed one day after MiCA’s transitional period officially ended on July 1, triggering the delisting and geofencing of USDT across major EU-regulated platforms including Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, and Binance in the European Economic Area.
The reserve rule Tether won’t touch At the heart of the dispute is a single requirement: MiCA mandates that significant stablecoin issuers, defined as those with over 5 billion euros in circulation or more than 10 million users, must hold at least 60% of their reserves in cash deposits at European banks.
Tether, with a market cap of approximately $184B and a user base Ardoino claims exceeds 400 million, would comfortably qualify as “significant” under those thresholds. Which is precisely the problem, from his perspective.
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Ardoino’s argument boils down to concentration risk. Parking tens of billions of dollars in European bank accounts means Tether’s reserves are only as safe as those banks. If a bank fails, a chunk of the reserves backing the world’s largest stablecoin could evaporate overnight.
It’s not a purely hypothetical concern. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023 briefly caused Circle’s USDC to depeg when $3.3 billion of its reserves were trapped at the failing institution. Ardoino appears to be pointing at that exact scenario and saying, “Now imagine that, but mandated by law.”
Tether’s current strategy favors higher-yielding, more liquid assets, particularly US Treasuries. The company has repeatedly argued that short-dated government securities are safer and more transparent than fractional-reserve bank deposits.
What this means for European crypto traders The practical fallout is already here. European users of USDT are now locked out of trading pairs on several of the continent’s largest exchanges. Circle’s USDC and its euro-denominated EURC are fully authorized under MiCA and remain freely available on European platforms, while USDT is now effectively persona non grata in a market of 450 million people.
The competitive landscape shifts Circle is the obvious winner of this regulatory split, at least on paper. With USDC as the only major dollar-denominated stablecoin fully compliant with MiCA, the company has a clear runway to capture European market share that USDT is voluntarily surrendering.
That said, USDT’s $184B market cap dwarfs USDC by a significant margin. Tether’s dominance in global markets, particularly across Asia, Latin America, and emerging economies, remains largely untouched by European regulations. Ardoino has repeatedly framed Tether’s mission around serving the unbanked and underbanked, populations that are decidedly not the EU’s primary demographic.
The 400 million user figure Ardoino cited underscores this point. The vast majority of those users are outside Europe, and Tether’s growth strategy has long prioritized regions where access to stable dollar-denominated assets is a genuine lifeline rather than a trading convenience.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
In brief The Treasury Department sanctioned 134 crypto wallets tied to ISIS-K, including 131 on Tron. Chainalysis said the sanctioned Tron wallets received over $1.4 million since 2023. The sanctions come as Tron founder Justin Sun remains embroiled in a legal battle with the Trump family's World Liberty Financial. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned more than 130 cryptocurrency wallet addresses this week tied to ISIS, with the overwhelming majority operating on the Tron blockchain.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added 134 crypto wallets to existing sanctions on ISIS-K, the Islamic State's affiliate operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia. Of those addresses, 131 were on Tron and three on Monero.
The sanctioned Tron addresses have received more than $1.4 million since 2023 and sent over $880,000 during that period, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. The firm noted that stablecoin issuer Tether has frozen balances affiliated with all 131 sanctioned Tron wallets.
ISIS-K's media arm, the al-Azaim Media Foundation, has historically solicited cryptocurrency donations through websites and messaging platforms. Several of the newly sanctioned wallets sent crypto to Syria-based exchanges, Chainalysis said.
Tron, founded by crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, has a long history of usage by entities sanctioned or otherwise targeted by the U.S. government. Earlier this year, Tether froze $344 million worth of USDT in Tron wallets flagged by federal authorities as having connections to illicit activity.
This week’s new ISIS-related Tron sanctions come as Sun's relationship with President Donald Trump’s family—once rosy—has sharply deteriorated. Once among the largest financial backers of the Trump family's crypto ambitions, Sun sued the family’s crypto platform World Liberty Financial in April, alleging the company unlawfully froze his tokens and stripped him of governance rights.
World Liberty has since countersued for defamation, accusing Sun of orchestrating a campaign to suppress the token's price and then defaming the company after his assets were frozen.
In a separate action Wednesday, OFAC also sanctioned two Brazilian nationals and four companies tied to the criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), alleging they used crypto to move more than $30 million in drug trafficking proceeds, generated in the United States, back to Brazil.
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This is a general announcement and marketing communication. Products and services referred to here may not be available in your region. Fellow Binancians, Binance is thrilled to launch a Stellar (XLM) Trading Tournament where eligible users will have a chance to share a total prize pool of 500 BNB in token vouchers! In addition, Binance is introducing an “Sprint Reward” for a limited period – the more you trade, the higher your extra rewards! Promotion Period: 2026-07-02 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-09 10:00 (UTC) Join Now Eligibility: All verified new, regular users and all Binance VIP users can participate.Liquidity providers in the Binance Spot Liquidity Provider Program and Binance Brokers are not eligible to participate. 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Main Reward Structure: Statistical Period: 2026-07-02 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-09 10:00 (UTC)Rankings Based on the Cumulative Trading VolumeReward per Eligible Participant (in BNB Token Vouchers)1st Place15 BNB2nd Place12.5 BNB3rd Place10 BNB4th Place7.5 BNB5th Place5 BNB6th - 20th PlacesAn equal split of 50 BNB21st - 50th PlacesAn equal split of 50 BNB51st - 200th PlacesAn equal split of 80 BNB201st - 1,000th PlacesAn equal split of 70 BNBAll Remaining Eligible ParticipantsAn equal split of 100 BNB, capped at 0.01 BNB per user Sprint Reward Structure: Binance is introducing a “Sprint Reward”. For a limited period, users will receive extra rewards based on their ranking by cumulative trading volume. The more one trades during the respective Statistical Periods, the higher the extra rewards can be. Please note that users can earn from both the "Sprint Reward" and the "Main Reward" pools at the same time. Rankings Based on the Cumulative Trading VolumeRound 1 Statistical Period: 2026-07-02 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-04 10:00 (UTC)Round 2 Statistical Period: 2026-07-04 10:01 (UTC) to 2026-07-06 10:00 (UTC)Reward per Eligible Participant (in BNB Token Vouchers)1st Place15 BNB15 BNB2nd Place12.5 BNB12.5 BNB3rd Place10 BNB10 BNB4th Place7.5 BNB7.5 BNB5th Place5 BNB5 BNB Promotion Rules: Trading volume of any zero-fee trading pairs is excluded from the final trading volume calculation.Transaction or gas fees will be excluded from the final trading volume calculation for the tournament.All eligible buy and sell orders will be counted towards the cumulative total trading volume.Token vouchers will be distributed to winners by 2026-07-23, and will expire within 21 days after distribution. Users will be able to login and redeem their token voucher rewards via Profile > Rewards Hub.The Spot Trading Volume leaderboard is updated at least once every 24 hours. The Main Reward leaderboard and Sprint Reward leaderboard will be displayed on the separate Sub-Spot landing page respectively. Data sync times vary daily but will always be completed by the end of the day.Only users who have met the minimum qualifying trading volume threshold will be displayed on the leaderboard along with their trading volume. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and share in the rewards now! To view more promotions for new listings on Binance, stay tuned to this page for the latest updates and exclusive opportunities. Guides & Related Materials: How to Spot Trade (App / Web) Terms & Conditions: These terms and conditions (“Activity Terms”) govern users’ participation in the activity above (“Activity”). By participating in this Activity, users agree to these Activity Terms, and the following additional terms: (a) Binance Terms and Conditions for Prize Promotions; (b) Binance Terms of Use; and (c) Binance Privacy Notice; all of which are incorporated by reference into these terms and conditions. In the case of any inconsistency or conflict between these Activity Terms, and any other incorporated terms, the provisions of these Activity Terms shall prevail, followed by the following in this order of precedence, and to the extent of such conflict: (a) Binance Terms and Conditions for Prize Promotions; (b) Binance Terms of Use; and (c) Binance Privacy Notice.Only verified users who complete the aforementioned criteria for the tournament by the end of the Promotion Period may receive rewards.This Trading Volume Tournament is available to verified new, regular and VIP users enabled for Binance Spot Trading, subject to product (and where relevant, deposit methods’) availability in users’ regions, and may be restricted in certain jurisdictions or regions, or to certain users, due to legal and regulatory requirements.Reward Distribution:All token voucher rewards will be distributed to eligible, winning users by 2026-07-23.Users will be able to login and redeem their token voucher rewards via Profile > Rewards Hub. All token voucher rewards will expire within 21 days after distribution. Winning users should claim their vouchers before the expiration date, and no replacement reward will be provided. Learn how to redeem a Binance voucher.Please note that the actual value of rewards received by a user is subject to change due to market fluctuation.Token voucher rewards are subject to additional terms and conditions.Rewards are not negotiable nor transferable.Once the available rewards have been allocated to users, no further rewards will be provided notwithstanding that an eligible user may have completed the missions.A user’s trading volume in this Trading Volume Tournament will be calculated after the user has opted-in and will be based on the trading volume (i) in their master and sub-accounts, and (ii) on all Spot products, including Spot Trading, Spot Copy Trading and Trading Bots. API trades are allowed. Binance’s calculation of a user’s trading volume is final.Binance reserves the right to disqualify a user’s reward eligibility if the account is involved in any dishonest behavior (e.g., wash trading, illegally bulk account registrations/logins, self dealing, or market manipulation). Binance further reserves the right to disqualify any participants who tamper with Binance program code, or interfere with the operation of Binance program code with other software. Rewards that have already been disqualified will not be returned to the prize pool.Binance reserves the right at any time in its sole and absolute discretion to determine and/or amend or vary these terms and conditions without prior notice, including but not limited to canceling, extending, terminating, or suspending these activities, the eligibility terms and criteria, the selection and number of reward recipients, and the timing of any act to be done, and all participants shall be bound by these amendments.The commencement and operation of the campaign (including the commencement of the Promotion Period) are subject to the successful listing of the relevant token on Binance Spot. If the listing is postponed or cancelled for any reason, the campaign (including the Promotion Period and reward distribution) may be delayed, amended or withdrawn at Binance’s discretion. Binance will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience caused by such changes.There may be discrepancies between this original content in English and any translated versions. Please refer to the original English version for the most accurate information, in case any discrepancies arise. Thank you for your support! Binance Team 2026-07-02 Disclaimer: USDC is an e-money token issued by Circle Internet Financial Europe SAS (https://www.circle.com/). USDC’s whitepaper is available here. You may contact Circle using the following contact information: +33(1)59000130 and [email protected]. Holders of USDC have a legal claim against Circle SAS as the EU issuer of USDC. These holders are entitled to request redemption of their USDC from Circle SAS. Such redemption will be made at any time and at par value.
