Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

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U.S. spot XRP ETFs now hold a record 1.47% of total supply worth $1.04 billion, with institutions front-running the CLARITY Act's Senate deadline ahead of the Aug. 7 recessGrayscale's Zach Pandl says Bitcoin has outgrown its four-year halving cycle, pointing instead to the Fed's July 28–29 meeting as the market's next real catalystAFX Trade, Verus Bridge and B² Network lost a combined $35.56 million in three separate DeFi exploits, with Verus hit twice in three months by the same unresolved bugU.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged a seven-day, $1 billion inflow streak as Kazakhstan launches state-backed mining and Circle brings USDC to 20 million Kakao and Toss users in KoreaXRP leaves exchanges for ETF vaults ahead of decisive Senate voteU.S. spot ETFs have removed a record 1.47% of XRP's total supply from market circulation. According to the latest SoSoValue data as of July 23, 2026, the funds now hold 977.41 million tokens worth a combined $1.04 billion.

Institutional accumulation is accelerating as the deadline for the CLARITY Act approaches in the U.S. Senate. Lawmakers have about two weeks left to reach a consensus on digital asset oversight rules before Congress leaves for its traditional August recess, which begins on Aug. 7.

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Expectations of long-awaited regulatory clarity are prompting funds to methodically purchase the underlying asset on the spot market and isolate it in custodial wallets, completely removing those coins from exchange circulation.

The price context only underscores the confidence of major players. XRP is currently trapped inside a descending channel near $1.1338, hovering around local support at $1.1158 with a neutral RSI reading of 54.82.

Total inflows in US Spot XRP ETFs since the start of Q3 2026, Source: SoSoValueThe gap between the total amount historically invested in the ETFs, $1.49 billion, and their current net asset value of $1.04 billion clearly shows that the funds are sitting on unrealized losses. Nevertheless, institutional holders are not cutting their losses and continue to maintain positions primarily through Bitwise, which has recorded $501 million in net inflows, and Franklin Templeton, with $416 million.

Although daily activity within the ETFs remains moderate at around $10.9 million in trading volume, the removal of nearly 1.5% of the XRP supply is reducing the depth of exchange order books. If the Senate manages to pass the CLARITY Act before the Aug. 7 recess, a surge in buyers will encounter an obvious shortage of liquidity on the spot market.

Why Grayscale no longer believes in Bitcoin halving cyclesThe leading cryptocurrency has outgrown the training wheels of the halving cycle and now lives by the adult rules of Wall Street, according to Grayscale Research head Zach Pandl, who has urged investors to erase Bitcoin's "four-year cycle" charts from their boards.

In his view, crypto has finally transformed into a mature macroeconomic asset that listens to the Federal Reserve rather than the miners' calendar.

At this point in the cycle, crypto skeptics would usually expect a deep plunge. The traditional theory predicted that Bitcoin would fall below $25,000 by autumn following last year's record high of $126,000. Instead, the coin is currently holding firmly near $65,800, down a relatively modest 48% from its peak by crypto-winter standards.

Bitcoin macro correlation chart (2012–2026), Source: GrayscalePandl therefore believes that, provided the U.S. economy remains resilient, the market bottom may already be behind us.

The foundation of this shift can be seen in macroeconomic charts from Bloomberg and Coin Metrics. Since 2014, Bitcoin's price bottoms have closely coincided not with supply reduction dates, but with declines in the ISM Manufacturing Index and peaks in U.S. two-year Treasury real yields.

The main event of the week is now the Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for July 28–29. Interest rates are currently being held at 3.50%–3.75%. If the regulator officially confirms a pause and rules out further increases, Bitcoin will receive a clear path toward growth, further cementing its status as the leading barometer of global liquidity.

'Black Thursday' for DeFi: Three crypto protocols hacked for $35.56 millionIt was a truly stormy morning for the decentralized finance market, as three projects were targeted by hackers one after another. AFX Trade, Verus Bridge and B² Network found themselves at the center of the exploits, with total losses reaching $35.56 million.

The hackers ruthlessly targeted the industry's main weak points: cross-chain bridge vulnerabilities and compromised administrative keys. 

The largest blow hit the AFX Trade protocol on Arbitrum, where attackers drained $24.15 million in USDC stablecoins from its custodial bridge. The project team responded immediately by suspending operations, bringing cybersecurity heavyweights SlowMist and Zellic into the investigation and offering the hacker a deal. 

The attacker will be allowed to keep 30% of the stolen amount as a legitimate bounty if the remaining 70% is returned.

On-chain message from AFX Trade to the hacker, Source: ArbiscanMeanwhile, the Verus–Ethereum cross-chain bridge has fallen into the same trap again, turning its exploits into an ongoing series. The hacker used an old repeated-import vulnerability, withdrew 3,816 ETH worth around $7.55 million and is already laundering the funds through the Tornado Cash mixer.

The irony is that the project was already exploited through a similar method in May. In July, the team triumphantly returned the recovered funds to the liquidity pools, only to suffer another identical exploit by July 23 after failing to fix the critical bug in the code.

This appears related to the previous Verus Ethereum Bridge incident in May 2026: same bridge contract, same entry path, and same bug class.

However, this is a new tx with a different attacker and loot wallet.https://t.co/FWGcnHJbzP

— Blockaid (@blockaid_) July 23, 2026 The L2 project B² Network on BNB Chain suffered the smallest loss of the three, although it was still substantial. Its staking contract was targeted, allowing attackers to steal $3.86 million before developers closed the vulnerability.

To the team's credit, it quickly contained the problem and immediately promised to fully compensate affected users from its own reserve funds.

While B² Network prepares the repayments and AFX waits for the hacker's response, the day has once again demonstrated that bridges remain the weakest link in crypto. Hackers have again proved that taking millions out of code is easier than attracting those millions in the first place, while users have once more been reminded who usually pays to close such holes.

Crypto market outlook: Bitcoin ETF inflow streak reaches $1 billion amid sovereign reserve formation and expansion in AsiaInstitutional capital is stabilizing the market, as a seven-day inflow streak into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs has brought in $1 billion, offsetting recent selling pressure.

While Bitcoin remains in a range just below the key technical barrier at $65,500, the long-term trend is shifting toward the nationalization of mining and the deeper integration of stablecoins into Asian payment ecosystems.

Key checkpoints:

ETF momentum accelerates: After a prolonged period of outflows, U.S. spot Bitcoin funds have recorded a seven-day green streak, bringing around $1 billion into the market, while BlackRock and Fidelity remained the traditional leaders.Bitcoin tests a technical reversal: The leading cryptocurrency is being squeezed into a narrowing range, trading at $65,495 after encountering a long-term descending trend line. The nearest support has formed at $63,800, while a break above the $67,433 point-of-control level is required to trigger an aggressive bullish scenario.BIP-110 faces rejection from miners: The controversial proposal to temporarily restrict the Ordinals and Runes protocols by imposing an 83-byte limit on the OP_RETURN field is losing its chances of success. Despite developers' attempts to clear blocks of spam, only 1.1% of miners have expressed support for the update, effectively eliminating the risk of a hard fork.State-backed mining takes root: Kazakhstan has officially introduced fixed electricity tariffs for licensed miners for 10 years in exchange for transferring part of the mined BTC to the central bank's national reserve. The country has joined El Salvador and Bhutan in pursuing a strategy of sovereign cryptocurrency accumulation.USDC enters Korean super apps: Stablecoin issuer Circle has signed agreements with technology giants Kakao Group and Toss to deploy blockchain-based settlements. The integration will provide more than 20 million active users in South Korea with legal access to digital assets.End of an era for a legendary derivatives exchange: BitMEX, which helped pioneer leveraged cryptocurrency trading in 2014, will completely cease operations on Sept. 23, 2026. The phased closure of positions will begin on Aug. 26. You Might Also Like

XRP selling pressure is dwindling, suggesting bearish exhaustion, as prices sit at an extreme opportunity buy zone on the daily chart.

XRP has spent nearly a year moving through a deep corrective phase after reaching its cycle high in mid-July 2025. Looking at the chart structure today, recent price action suggests that the downtrend is approaching its final stages.

XRP Selling Pressure Has Faded Significantly Chart analysis suggests that XRP is no longer behaving like an asset trapped in a strong bearish trend. Instead, it appears to be building a base near historical levels for the next uptrend phase.

One of the notable confirmations of this is how selling pressure has declined through the ongoing corrective phase. Data shows that the most aggressive selling volume appeared immediately after XRP reached its all-time high of $3.66 on July 18, 2025.

The volume spike marked the beginning of the broader correction and reflected heavy distribution from market participants. However, recent market activity tells a very different story. 

As XRP approached its lowest levels in years during the June 26 drop to $1.009, bearish trading volume had fallen dramatically. The peak bearish volume recorded was 421,000 XRP. Days before the June dip, the trading volume had dropped to 105,000 XRP, which is roughly four times lower than what was seen during the initial stages of the downtrend.

Notably, this shift matters because sustained selling pressure usually accompanies strong bear markets. In XRP’s case, the opposite is happening. Prices continued to make new lows while selling momentum declined substantially, signaling gradual exhaustion.

XRP at Extreme Opportunity Buy Zone Further analysis suggests that XRP completed the steepest part of its correction months ago. Since the July 2025 peak, the coin has traded within a falling wedge, persistently making lower highs and lower lows.

XRP Accumulation Zone However, since the broader crypto market crash in February, XRP has largely consolidated, reflecting a market that is no longer dominated by aggressive sellers. Price action has remained in a range, suggesting that the earlier distribution is nearing its completion.

At current levels, XRP has entered an extreme opportunity zone from a long-term perspective. Here the risk-to-reward ratio looks very appealing, with long-term holders already taking advantage of this rare chance to buy at a very low price.

It bears mentioning that the longer XRP spends consolidating around the current levels, the more significant the eventual breakout would be once momentum returns.

Possible Recovery Targets When momentum starts to return, the result could be notable for XRP. One of the possible recovery targets is the level around $3, a 165% increase from the current price of $1.135.

A sustained hold above this level opens the path for a 224% rally to retest the all-time high of $3.66. Notably, these are long-term targets and would require broader market recovery momentum to come to fruition.

Interestingly, XRP is not moving in isolation from the broader crypto market. Comparing its current structure with other major digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum shows similar signs that the bearish phase is nearly complete. This suggests the market is simply gearing up for the next breakout to higher levels.

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

XRP and Bitcoin are left out as S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital have launched the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index, a new benchmark for institutional investors.

The index focuses on blockchain protocols that generate revenue through network activity. The benchmark tracks 18 digital assets, with Ethereum, BNB, Solana, Tron, and Hyperliquid among its largest holdings.

According to S&P Dow Jones Indices CEO Catherine Clay, the index uses principles similar to traditional equity benchmarks. It evaluates factors such as protocol revenue, liquidity, listing requirements, and operational maturity.

XRP and Bitcoin Excluded From Revenue-Based Index During an interview with CNBC, Clay said Bitcoin was excluded because it does not operate as a revenue-generating protocol, even though it meets other eligibility requirements.

While she did not specifically discuss XRP, the index methodology also leaves it out because it does not meet the revenue-generation requirement.

Rather than tracking the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, the index focuses on blockchain networks that generate revenue from actual protocol usage. It does not include returns generated through staking yields or other investment mechanisms.

New Benchmark Aims at Institutional Investors S&P said the index seeks to give institutional investors and asset managers a trusted benchmark for the digital asset market. The methodology draws inspiration from traditional equity indexes, including benchmarks such as the S&P 500.

Notably, the market-cap-weighted index will be rebalanced every quarter. To reduce concentration risk, the largest asset is limited to a 35% weighting. Other assets cannot exceed a 20% allocation.

Clay said S&P developed the methodology with Pantera Capital. The index measures how blockchain protocols generate revenue from real network activity rather than from staking rewards or investment returns.

Index Focuses on Revenue, Not Crypto Market Size The exclusion of XRP and Bitcoin reflects the index’s specific goal rather than a view on their market position or adoption.

Both assets remain among the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. However, they fall outside the benchmark’s focus on protocol-generated revenue.

The launch provides another institutional reference point for digital assets. It gives investors an alternative to broad market-cap-based crypto indexes by highlighting blockchain networks with measurable operating revenue.

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

Software developer Vincent Van Code believes the proposed CLARITY Act could have a bigger impact on XRP adoption than many people expect. 

He argues that, although XRP’s legal status is clearer today, important regulatory uncertainty still remains.

In a post on X, Van Code said the 2023 district court ruling in the SEC’s case against Ripple significantly reduced legal uncertainty. Notably, the court found that XRP sales on secondary markets are not securities.

He said the ruling has already encouraged more institutional activity. It has supported the expansion of Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) corridors, bank pilot programs, XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) filings, and broader custody support.

Court Ruling Reduced Risk, but Uncertainty Remains Van Code argued that the Ripple decision is still only a federal district court ruling, not a federal law. Because of that, he said, future legal and regulatory challenges remain possible.

He noted that the SEC could take different positions in future enforcement actions. Future court decisions or changes in administration could also narrow or revisit the ruling.

According to Van Code, this uncertainty continues to concern large financial institutions. Many of them require clear statutory guidance before committing significant capital or integrating digital assets into core financial products.

CLARITY Act Could Encourage More Institutions Van Code said the CLARITY Act is designed to address this issue by putting digital asset classifications into federal law.

He added that banks and traditional financial institutions generally follow conservative compliance standards. As a result, many remain hesitant to hold large XRP positions or build major products based only on a court ruling.

Instead, some institutions have limited their XRP involvement to lower-risk activities. These include non-custodial services, pilot programs, and experimental use cases.

If passed, the CLARITY Act could remove much of the remaining regulatory uncertainty that risk-averse institutions continue to cite. Van Code believes this could support broader institutional adoption of XRP.

However, he emphasized that this is his personal analysis. He did not suggest that the legislation would necessarily have a direct impact on XRP’s market price.

CLARITY Act Advances in Senate A new draft of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is circulating in the Senate as lawmakers make a final push to pass crypto market structure legislation before the August recess.

The latest draft includes a controversial ethics provision. It would bar the president and other senior government officials from holding direct crypto investments until 2029. The Department of Justice would be responsible for enforcing the rule.

Republicans say the provision reflects an agreement with President Donald Trump. However, many Democrats argue the restriction does not go far enough. Several have not yet committed to supporting the bill.

Beyond the ethics measure, the legislation would expand consumer protections and clarify how digital assets are regulated. It would also establish rules for crypto exchanges, support tokenized securities, and preserve protections for decentralized finance (DeFi) developers. Developers who do not control customer funds would remain exempt from money transmitter rules.

Republican leaders are expected to bring the bill to the Senate floor soon. However, it will likely need at least 10 Democratic votes to clear the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.

With Congress set to begin its summer recess in August, the coming weeks are the bill’s best opportunity to advance.

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

RedotPay’s RLUSD card lets 8 million users spend against their XRP without selling it: pledge coins at 50% loan-to-value, borrow in Ripple’s stablecoin, swipe anywhere Visa works. It is being sold as convenience. It is, mechanically, collateralized leverage on a token that fell 60% in a year, and the difference matters.

Summary

RedotPay, a stablecoin payments fintech with more than 8 million users across 100-plus countries and roughly $12 billion in annualized volume, launched an XRP Ledger-powered card that combines XRP-backed credit, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, and Visa’s network. The mechanics are a loan, not a payment: users pledge XRP as collateral at a 50% loan-to-value ratio, receive a credit line settled in RLUSD on the XRPL, and spend at any Visa merchant, keeping their XRP exposure intact. The pitch, spending without selling, is genuine and genuinely double-edged: it preserves upside and defers taxable disposals, and it converts holders into leveraged borrowers against one of the cycle’s worst-performing major assets. The launch is a real distribution event for RLUSD, routing consumer settlement through the XRP Ledger itself, and it arrives on the strength of a real trend: RedotPay reports stablecoin card volume up 80% this year and 250% year over year. The unpublished numbers are the ones that decide the product: borrowing costs, liquidation thresholds, and what happens to pledged collateral in the next 40% drawdown. The card’s true test is not adoption. It is the first liquidation cycle. The most successful trick in consumer finance is making a loan feel like something else. The credit card made borrowing feel like paying; the mortgage refinance made it feel like unlocking; buy-now-pay-later made it feel like nothing at all. This week the trick arrived for XRP holders, wearing Ripple’s stablecoin and Visa’s logo. RedotPay, a Hong Kong-grown stablecoin payments company that has quietly assembled more than 8 million users across a hundred countries, launched what it calls the RLUSD card: pledge your XRP as collateral, receive a credit line at half its value, spend that credit, settled in RLUSD on the XRP Ledger, anywhere on earth Visa is accepted. The marketing frame, spend without selling your XRP, is accurate, appealing, and incomplete, because the product it describes has an older and less romantic name. It is a securities-backed line of credit, the margin loan of the wealth-management world, ported to a volatile digital asset and distributed to a retail base of eight million. That porting is a genuine milestone for stablecoin payments, a genuine distribution win for RLUSD and the XRPL, and a genuine risk transfer whose terms nobody outside RedotPay has yet seen. All three things are true at once, and this piece takes them in order.

What the card actually is Start with the mechanics, because every claim about the product, for and against, lives inside them.

A RedotPay user with XRP does not load the card by selling coins. They pledge the XRP as collateral into RedotPay’s system, and against that pledge the platform extends a credit line at a 50% loan-to-value ratio: a thousand dollars of XRP unlocks five hundred dollars of spending power. The credit is denominated and settled in RLUSD, Ripple’s dollar stablecoin, with settlement executed on the XRP Ledger before the money reaches the Visa rails, where it spends like any card balance at any merchant. The user’s XRP position remains theirs, still exposed to every tick of the price, while the borrowed RLUSD buys groceries. When they repay, the collateral releases; while they borrow, it is encumbered.

Strip the branding and the structure is instantly recognizable from traditional finance: this is a securities-backed lending product, the same architecture private banks use when a client borrows against a stock portfolio instead of selling it. The appeal there and here is identical and real. The holder keeps upside exposure. No taxable disposal occurs at the moment of borrowing, since a loan is not a sale, which for long-term XRP holders sitting on complicated cost bases is a material feature, not a gimmick. And liquidity arrives instantly, at swipe speed, rather than through the sell-withdraw-wait cycle that still makes exiting crypto positions clumsy in much of the world.

NEW: Squid powers instant cross-chain access for RLUSD. Users can now swap and move RLUSD across XRPL, Ethereum, Base, Optimism, and more pic.twitter.com/BUjaTzwvqb

— crypto.news (@cryptodotnews) June 17, 2026 RedotPay is a credible vehicle for the port. The company’s platform numbers, 8 million-plus users, 100-plus countries, roughly $12 billion in annualized payment volume, describe its whole stablecoin card business rather than this product, a distinction worth keeping crisp, but the underlying trend is corroborated and steep: the company reports stablecoin-powered card transaction volume up 80% since January and 250% year over year, and it has an existing Ripple relationship through African remittance corridors plus a May rollout of direct XRP payment features. The RLUSD card is not a startup’s cold launch. It is a proven distribution machine adding a leverage product to its shelf, which is exactly why the product deserves the scrutiny its marketing does not invite.

The half the marketing carries The bull case for the card is worth making properly, because it is more substantial than launch-week boosterism suggests, and it rests on three distinct legs.

The first is the stablecoin-payments wave, which is real and measurable. Card products that settle in stablecoins have moved from crypto curiosity to functioning consumer infrastructure, particularly in the markets RedotPay concentrates on, where local banking friction makes a dollar-denominated spending instrument valuable in itself. An 80% year-to-date volume increase on a large existing base is not narrative; it is throughput, and every analysis of the sector points the same direction. A card that lets crypto holders join that throughput without liquidating their positions extends the product category along its natural axis.

The second leg is what the launch does for RLUSD and the XRP Ledger, and here the significance runs deeper than one fintech’s product shelf. RLUSD’s short life has been dominated by institutional settings, exchange collateral, treasury products, cross-border settlement, and its circulation has notably concentrated on Ethereum rather than the XRP Ledger it was nominally built to showcase. The RedotPay card is the first mass-market consumer product that routes RLUSD settlement through the XRPL itself, every credit draw an on-ledger transaction, which makes it a distribution event for the home chain in precisely the dimension, ordinary payment volume, where the ledger’s activity metrics have chronically underdelivered. If the card scales, it manufactures the daily, boring, non-speculative XRPL transaction flow that a decade of partnership announcements promised and rarely produced.

The third leg is the honest version of the consumer argument. For a holder who would otherwise sell XRP to fund spending, borrowing at 50% LTV is not obviously the riskier choice; it is a portfolio decision with a respectable pedigree, and the tax-deferral mechanics are the same ones wealthy households have used against equity portfolios for generations. Democratizing an instrument the private-banking class already enjoys is, on its face, exactly what crypto claimed it came to do. The case against the card is not that borrowing against assets is illegitimate. It is about what happens when the asset is this one, the borrower is retail, and the terms are unpublished, which is where the second half begins.

The half it does not Now run the same mechanics forward through a drawdown, because the product’s defining events will not happen at launch. They will happen at liquidation.

A 50% loan-to-value line against XRP is a bet, embedded in a payment card, that XRP will not fall far enough to impair the collateral, and the recent record of that bet is the uncomfortable part: the token has fallen more than 60% from its 2025 high and traded at fifteen-month lows this month. A user who pledges coins at $1.14 and borrows to the limit has no buffer question until the price falls, and then has only questions the launch coverage does not answer. At what threshold does RedotPay demand more collateral or repayment? At what threshold does it liquidate, selling the pledged XRP into a falling market to close the line? What notice does a user in one of a hundred countries get, on what timeline, in what language of what agreement? None of this is disclosed in the launch materials, and none of it is exotic pessimism; it is the operating manual of every collateralized lending product ever built, and the crypto industry has run this exact experiment before at scale.

The lesson of the 2022 lending collapses was not that crypto-backed loans cannot work; it was that retail borrowers systematically underestimate liquidation mechanics until the first cascade executes them, and that products marketed as spend without selling are experienced, in the drawdown, as sold without asking.

The structural critique goes one layer deeper. A margin loan against a portfolio is typically one instrument inside a diversified balance sheet, extended by a lender whose terms are regulated, disclosed, and court-tested for a century. This product concentrates instead of diversifying: the collateral is a single volatile asset, the borrower base is by construction the token’s most committed holders, and the leverage is being introduced near cycle lows in sentiment, when the marketing pitch, do not sell here, keep your upside, lands hardest on precisely the users least able to absorb a liquidation. There is also a reflexivity worth naming for the asset itself: if the card scales, a meaningful stock of XRP becomes pledged collateral with mechanical sell triggers below the market, which is a new, price-insensitive seller waiting inside every future drawdown, the same structure that turned miner loans and DeFi collateral into accelerants in prior cycles. Individually rational borrowing, aggregated, becomes a market feature.

And the unknowns are not neutral. Borrowing costs are unpublished; whether pledged XRP is rehypothecated, lent onward, or held bankruptcy-remote is unpublished; the custody arrangement behind the collateral is unpublished. These may all resolve benignly, and RedotPay’s operating history earns it the presumption of competence. But a leverage product for eight million retail users, on a drawdown-prone asset, whose core risk terms are absent from its launch communications, has earned exactly one sentence of verdict: the card’s success metric is not sign-ups, and everyone will learn its real design the first month the collateral falls 40%.

The precedent shelf The card did not invent its category, and its neighbors on the shelf are the fastest way to calibrate both the opportunity and the risk, because each ran a version of this experiment and left a legible result.

The closest structural relative is the crypto-backed loan book of the last cycle, and its lesson is precise, not general. Celsius, BlockFi, and their cohort did not fail because lending against crypto is impossible; they failed at the treasury layer, rehypothecating collateral, mismatching duration, running invisible leverage on the lender’s own balance sheet, while their retail borrowers discovered that liquidation clauses they had never read executed automatically in the March and June 2022 cascades. The two failure surfaces are separable, and the RedotPay product should be examined on each independently: what the borrower signs, which will surface quickly, and what happens to pledged XRP inside the company, which will not. The industry’s post-2022 vocabulary, segregated collateral, no-rehypothecation attestations, proof of reserves, exists precisely because the second surface stayed dark until it ruptured, and a launch that leads with adoption numbers while omitting collateral treatment has, knowingly or not, reproduced the sequencing of the last cycle’s marketing.

The happier precedent is the securities-backed lending business this product is modeled on, roughly a $150 billion book at the major US wirehouses, run for decades with unremarkable loss rates. Its stability rests on three legs worth naming because each is currently absent here: conservative advance rates against diversified, comparatively low-volatility collateral; regulated disclosure of every material term; and margin machinery tested through multiple market cycles with borrowers who mostly have other assets. Single-asset collateral at 50% LTV on an instrument that routinely moves 10% in a week, sold to a retail base whose crypto position may be their principal asset, is the same architecture at triple the stress with none of the disclosure. That does not doom it. It means the product’s safety is an empirical question the traditional version never had to ask, and the first drawdown will answer it in public.

And the nearest crypto-native success, the exchange-issued collateral cards and stablecoin debit products that RedotPay itself sells, offers the final calibration: those work, at scale, precisely because they carry no leverage, which is the feature this launch adds. The category’s entire history compresses into one sentence the marketing will never use: crypto payment cards succeed in proportion to how little borrowing they contain, and this is the most borrowing one has ever contained.

What to watch Credit issuance volume, when it publishes. The company has indicated reporting on credit volumes will follow. Watch the ratio of pledged collateral to platform XRP balances: a niche convenience product and a system-relevant leverage layer look identical at launch and completely different at scale.

The terms, as users surface them. Interest rates, margin-call thresholds, liquidation procedures, and rehypothecation language will emerge from user agreements even if never press-released. The gap between the marketing and the margin schedule is the product’s honest description, and it will be visible within weeks.

The first drawdown. XRP at fifteen-month lows means the collateral question is not hypothetical for long in either direction. A 30-40% decline from pledge prices is the product’s first real audit: orderly margin management, or the familiar cascade. Every future XRP-collateral product, and competitors will copy this one if it scales, inherits whatever precedent this launch sets.

RLUSD’s chain split. Each card settlement is XRPL-side RLUSD volume. Watch whether the stablecoin’s circulation begins migrating from Ethereum toward its home ledger; if it does, this unglamorous consumer product will have done more for the XRPL’s activity metrics than any institutional announcement this year, which would be its own quiet verdict on where adoption actually comes from.

The card is a genuine innovation, a genuine RLUSD milestone, and a genuine margin loan, and the industry’s habit of celebrating the first two while ignoring the third is how every crypto credit cycle has started. Eight million users are about to learn, in the product’s own language, whether spend without selling survives its first encounter with sell without asking. The answer will arrive with the next drawdown, on schedule, as it always does.

A closing note on the geography, because where this product launches shapes what it becomes. RedotPay’s hundred countries are not a uniform market; the platform’s center of gravity runs through Southeast Asia, the Gulf, Africa, and Latin America, regions where the card’s stablecoin core solves problems a US or EU user does not have: unstable local currencies, thin card penetration, expensive remittance corridors, and banking systems that make holding dollars hard. In those markets the RLUSD card’s leverage feature rides on top of a genuinely useful dollar-spending instrument, which will flatter its adoption numbers and complicate their interpretation, since sign-ups driven by the stablecoin utility will be counted as validation of the credit product. 

The regulatory map matters in the same way: crypto-collateralized consumer credit occupies wildly different legal positions across those hundred jurisdictions, from regulated lending to unlicensed gray zones, and a product distributed at this breadth will inevitably become a test case somewhere, most plausibly in whichever market first combines mass adoption with a drawdown-driven liquidation wave and an ombudsman. The US, notably, is where products like this face the sharpest scrutiny and where RedotPay’s footprint is lightest, meaning the card will scale, and its risks will surface, largely outside the regulatory perimeter American observers instinctively assume. That is not an accident of the launch. It is the strategy, and it is the same strategy every offshore crypto credit product has run: grow where the rules are unwritten, and let the first crisis write them.

Disclaimer: This article is for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Product terms described reflect launch communications and may change or be incomplete; borrowing against volatile assets carries liquidation risk up to loss of collateral. Always do your own research. Information is accurate as of July 23, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the RedotPay RLUSD card? A Visa-network payment card launched by RedotPay, a stablecoin payments fintech serving more than 8 million users in over 100 countries. Users pledge XRP as collateral at a 50% loan-to-value ratio to unlock a credit line, which is settled in Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger and spendable at any Visa merchant, allowing holders to access liquidity without selling their XRP.

How is this different from a normal crypto debit card? A debit card sells or converts your crypto at the point of purchase; you spend the asset itself. This card lends against your crypto: your XRP stays yours, remains exposed to price moves, and serves as collateral for borrowed RLUSD. Mechanically it is a collateralized credit line, the crypto equivalent of a securities-backed loan, with the corresponding benefits, retained upside, no taxable disposal at borrowing, and the corresponding risks, margin calls and liquidation.

What does the 50% loan-to-value ratio mean in practice? You can borrow up to half the market value of the XRP you pledge: $1,000 of XRP supports up to $500 of credit. The ratio is the lender’s buffer against price declines. If XRP falls substantially, the loan can approach the collateral’s value, triggering demands for repayment or additional collateral, and ultimately liquidation of the pledged XRP. The specific thresholds and procedures were not disclosed in launch materials.

Is spending without selling really tax-advantaged? Generally, borrowing against an asset is not a disposal, so drawing the credit line does not itself crystallize capital gains the way selling XRP would, a genuine feature for long-term holders, subject to local tax law. The offset is borrowing cost: interest on the credit line, whose rate RedotPay has not published, plus liquidation risk. Whether deferral beats disposal depends on those terms and the token’s subsequent path. This is not tax advice.

Why does this matter for RLUSD and the XRP Ledger? Distribution. RLUSD’s circulation has concentrated in institutional venues and largely on Ethereum, while this card routes consumer settlement through the XRP Ledger itself, every credit draw an on-ledger RLUSD transaction. At scale, it would generate the routine, non-speculative XRPL payment volume the ecosystem has long promised, and shift RLUSD activity toward its home chain, making the card a meaningful test of where the stablecoin’s real usage develops.

What are the main risks for users? Liquidation is the central one: a significant XRP price decline can force sale of pledged collateral, potentially near market lows, converting a spend-without-selling product into an involuntary sale. Undisclosed terms compound it: borrowing costs, margin thresholds, notice procedures, and whether collateral is rehypothecated are not public. Standard platform risks, custody, jurisdiction, counterparty, apply as with any centralized fintech holding user assets.

Could this product affect the XRP market itself? At scale, yes. Widely pledged collateral with mechanical liquidation triggers creates a price-insensitive seller beneath the market: drawdowns that breach margin thresholds force sales that deepen the drawdown. Similar structures, miner loans, DeFi collateral, amplified prior cycles. Whether this card reaches system-relevant size depends on issuance volumes the company has yet to report, which is why those numbers are the ones to watch.

Should XRP holders use it? That is an individual financial decision this article does not make. The honest framing: it is a leverage product with real convenience and tax-deferral features and real, partially undisclosed risks, appropriate in the way margin borrowing is appropriate, for users who understand liquidation mechanics, borrow well below limits, and can repay without selling collateral in a drawdown. Anyone for whom those conditions do not hold is the product’s risk case, not its customer. Always do your own research.

The Verus-Ethereum Bridge has been hacked… again. The latest attack reportedly exploited the same weakness used before, which raises the question: is the bridge truly safe?

Verus-Ethereum bridge drained of $7.54M  Blockchain security firm Blockaid detected a new attack on the Verus-Ethereum Bridge on the 23rd of July. According to the firm, the attacker exploited the bridge’s import process to release funds without depositing matching assets on the source chain.

Source: Blockaid On-chain data shows that the exploit occurred at 03:45 UTC. Around 1,137 Ethereum [ETH], along with tBTC, USD Coin [USDC], Tether [USDT], EURC, Maker [MKR], and Savings crvUSD [scrvUSD], were transferred to an attacker-controlled wallet. Etherscan valued the main outflows at approximately $7.54 million at the time.

Blockaid noted that although the attacker used a different wallet and transaction, they still targeted the same bridge contract, entry path, and likely bug category as in the May breach. 

Attack similar to May’s $11.58 million exploit

Cryptocurrency prices are trending lower on Thursday, pressured by renewed inflation concerns stemming from ongoing tensions between the United States (US) and Iran and persistently elevated Oil prices. Bitcoin (BTC) is approaching short-term support at $65,000, with upside resistance remaining firm at $67,000.

Meanwhile, altcoins, including Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP), mirror Bitcoin’s neutral-to-bearish tone, testing key support levels at $1,900 and $1.13, respectively.

Crypto market sentiment is in Fear territory, with a minor drawdown to 31 on Thursday from 33 the day before, according to the Fear & Greed Index. If this weakness persists, it could negatively impact appetite for risk assets, in turn reducing demand and the tail force in the broader crypto market.

Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: AlternativeBitcoin and Ethereum attract capital inflows as XRP lagsInstitutional demand for Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) remains robust, marking a seventh straight day of consistent inflows, albeit with a notable drop to $69 million on Wednesday from $203 million the previous day. SoSoValue data shows cumulative inflows approaching $52 billion, while average net assets under management hover around $80 billion. This highlights persistent long-term institutional confidence in the largest crypto asset.

Bitcoin ETF flows | Source: SoSoValueEthereum spot ETFs continue to recover, with Wednesday’s inflows reaching $73 million, almost double Tuesday’s $37 million. Cumulative inflows edged higher to $11.23 billion from $11.15 billion over the same period, while average assets under management climbed to $10.57 billion, compared to $10.48 billion on Tuesday.

Ethereum ETF flows | Source: SoSoValueAppetite for XRP ETFs has significantly lagged that for Bitcoin and Ethereum, with activity remaining muted on Wednesday. Looking back, inflows totaled $2.5 million on Monday and roughly $6 million on Tuesday. According to SoSoValue, cumulative inflows are steady at $1.49, with net assets averaging $1 billion, underscoring investors' long-term interest in XRP investment products.

XRP ETF flows | Source: SoSoValuePrice analysis: Bitcoin upside stays capped Bitcoin trades at $65,722, holding above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $65,164 but still capped well below the 100-day EMA at $68,027 and the 200-day EMA at $73,734, which keeps the broader bias bearish despite the latest rebound. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 57 and the positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram hint at improving bullish momentum, yet price remains structurally constrained under the major trend EMAs and the prevailing downward resistance trendline.

BTC/USDT daily chartOn the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 100-day EMA around $68,027, with a stronger cap at the 200-day EMA near $73,734, where sellers are likely to reassert control if the rally extends. On the downside, immediate support emerges at the 50-day EMA at $65,164, while a deeper pullback would expose the former resistance-turned-structural level around the trendline break price at $59,189, which acts as a more distant demand zone in the current configuration.

Altcoins outlook: Ethereum and XRP struggle to renew momentumEthereum trades around $1,930, keeping a capped tone as it sits above the 50-day EMA at $1,832 but remains below the 100-day EMA at $1,938 and the 200-day EMA at $2,175. The MACD histogram holds in positive territory, while the RSI hovers near 64, suggesting bullish momentum that has yet to overcome the overhead trend barriers.

ETH/USDT daily chartOn the topside, immediate resistance lies at the 100-day EMA at $1,938, with a more significant hurdle at the longer-term 200-day EMA near $2,175. On the downside, the first notable support aligns with the 50-day EMA at $1,832, where a break lower would hint at a deeper corrective phase despite the currently constructive momentum.

XRP, on the other hand, trades at $1.13, capped by a dense layer of overhead moving averages. The 50-day EMA near $1.15, the the longer-term 100-day and 200-day EMAs at $1.23 and $1.44, respectively all sit above price, keeping the near-term tone bearish despite a mildly constructive momentum backdrop.

The MACD indicator holds in positive territory with the line above the signal and a modest positive histogram, while the RSI around 55 hints at steady, but not aggressive, buying interest.

XRP/USDT daily chartOn the downside, initial support appears at the Bollinger middle layer around $1.11, with a deeper cushion at the lower band near $1.06 if selling pressure resumes. On the topside, bulls would first need to reclaim the 50-day EMA at $1.15 to ease immediate downside pressure, followed by the Bollinger upper layer at $1.16 as the next hurdle. Only a sustained break above the 100-day EMA at $1.23 would begin to challenge the broader bearish bias while the 200-day EMA at $1.44 remains a far more distant structural cap.

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

Crypto ETF FAQs An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment vehicle or an index that tracks the price of an underlying asset. ETFs can not only track a single asset, but a group of assets and sectors. For example, a Bitcoin ETF tracks Bitcoin’s price. ETF is a tool used by investors to gain exposure to a certain asset.

Yes. The first Bitcoin futures ETF in the US was approved by the US Securities & Exchange Commission in October 2021. A total of seven Bitcoin futures ETFs have been approved, with more than 20 still waiting for the regulator’s permission. The SEC says that the cryptocurrency industry is new and subject to manipulation, which is why it has been delaying crypto-related futures ETFs for the last few years.

Yes. The SEC approved in January 2024 the listing and trading of several Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds, opening the door to institutional capital and mainstream investors to trade the main crypto currency. The decision was hailed by the industry as a game changer.

The main advantage of crypto ETFs is the possibility of gaining exposure to a cryptocurrency without ownership, reducing the risk and cost of holding the asset. Other pros are a lower learning curve and higher security for investors since ETFs take charge of securing the underlying asset holdings. As for the main drawbacks, the main one is that as an investor you can’t have direct ownership of the asset, or, as they say in crypto, “not your keys, not your coins.” Other disadvantages are higher costs associated with holding crypto since ETFs charge fees for active management. Finally, even though investing in ETFs reduces the risk of holding an asset, price swings in the underlying cryptocurrency are likely to be reflected in the investment vehicle too.

Ethereum price has remained trapped below $2,000 as rising oil prices, renewed interest-rate concerns and BitMEX’s planned shutdown have tempered bullish sentiment despite continued spot ETF inflows.

Summary

Ethereum price remains below $2,000 as higher oil prices revive Federal Reserve rate-hike concerns. Spot ETF inflows and positive capital flows continue to support ETH above $1,900. A break above $1,955 could target $2,030, while losing $1,860 would weaken the recovery. According to data from crypto.news, Ethereum (ETH) price traded near $1,927 on July 23 after reaching an intraday high of $1,941. The token has recovered more than 27% from its June low near $1,514, but repeated failures around $1,955 have kept the psychological $2,000 level beyond buyers’ reach.

Oil supplied the latest macro pressure as Middle East tensions pushed crude prices higher for a fifth consecutive session. West Texas Intermediate rose above $90 a barrel after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on Saudi oil tankers raised concerns about regional supplies. Higher energy costs could feed inflation and reduce the Federal Reserve’s room to keep monetary policy unchanged.

Rate traders have already adjusted their positions. The probability of a September Fed hike rose to 79% from 68% per data from the CME FedWatch tool. Expectations for the July meeting remain centered on no change, but another oil-led inflation increase could lift Treasury yields and pressure risk assets such as Ethereum.

U.S. equities also weakened after Alphabet raised its 2026 capital-spending forecast to between $195 billion and $205 billion. The company recorded negative free cash flow of $5.9 billion as quarterly expenditure doubled to $44.9 billion, while its shares fell in premarket trading. 

A retreat across technology stocks could limit speculative demand in crypto markets because both sectors remain sensitive to interest-rate expectations.

ETF demand has kept Ethereum above its rising support structure Institutional flows have provided a counterweight to the macro uncertainty. U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $72.64 million in net inflows on July 22, according to SoSoValue. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust accounted for $53.47 million, showing that regulated products continued to attract capital even as ETH struggled below $2,000.

BitMEX added a separate source of uncertainty after announcing that it would cease operations on Sept. 23 following a strategic review by parent company HDR Global Trading. The exchange told customers to close positions and withdraw funds before the deadline. BitMEX helped popularize perpetual swaps and has served more than 2 million professional and institutional traders since its 2014 launch.

Position transfers and forced closures at BitMEX could temporarily reduce liquidity or move leverage to rival exchanges. However, the announcement does not mean Ethereum’s global perpetual market will close, because Binance, Bybit, OKX and other venues operate larger derivatives businesses.

Ethereum’s daily chart remains constructive above the Supertrend support at $1,744.73. The indicator has stayed green during the July advance, while the Chaikin Money Flow reading of 0.12 shows that buying volume has exceeded selling volume over the indicator’s measurement period. Price must still close above the nearby $1,941–$1,955 ceiling before the daily structure opens a route toward $2,000.

Ethereum price daily chart — July 23 | Source: crypto.news According to analyst Ted Pillows, spot-market demand has protected the recovery’s main support zone.

“Spot demand is strong and the key support zone hasn’t been lost. IMO, Ethereum could begin its next move up in a few days.”

Pillows placed $2,030 as the first major upside barrier, followed by $2,179 and a heavier supply zone near $2,400. His chart also identified support between roughly $1,834 and $1,897, with lower demand areas around $1,730 and $1,540.

The 4-hour chart shows ETH compressing beneath $1,955.40 while holding an ascending trendline drawn from the June 26 low. Buyers have also defended the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $1,860.86, leaving the sequence of higher lows intact. A 4-hour close above $1,955 would clear the recovery high and place $2,000–$2,030 within reach.

Ethereum price 4-hour chart — July 23 | Source: crypto.news Momentum has weakened before that test. The 4-hour Relative Strength Index has fallen to 57.46 from its recent highs and sits below its signal average of 63.30. MACD has also registered a bearish crossover, with the MACD line at 13.48 beneath the 15.94 signal line and the histogram at minus 2.46. Neither indicator confirms a trend reversal, but both show that buyers have lost speed near resistance.

Break below $1,860 would invalidate the immediate breakout setup CoinGlass’s three-day liquidation heatmap places the largest nearby short-liquidation concentration around $1,958–$1,965. A move through that band could force bearish positions to close and accelerate a test of $2,000. The strongest downside liquidity sits near $1,895–$1,905, with another dense pocket around $1,875.

Ethereum liquidation heatmap | Source: CoinGlass Failure to hold the rising 4-hour trendline would expose the $1,860 Fibonacci level first. A close below that support would weaken the higher-low structure and raise the risk of a decline toward $1,786.63, followed by daily Supertrend support near $1,745. Losses below $1,745 would invalidate the current recovery thesis and reopen $1,682.

Oil supply disruptions, a higher September rate-hike probability, and forced position reductions before BitMEX closes remain the main external risks. Ethereum needs sustained spot volume above $1,955 to confirm a breakout; without it, liquidity around $1,900 may continue to pull price back into the established range.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Swiss cantonal bank BancaStato has introduced cryptocurrency trading services for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Litecoin directly within its web and mobile banking applications. The development makes BancaStato one of the first Swiss financial institutions to offer regulated digital asset trading to its retail clients through existing banking platforms.

Full integration with Avaloq and Sygnum infrastructureThe rollout was made possible by integrating Sygnum’s business-to-business crypto infrastructure with BancaStato’s Avaloq core banking system. Clients can access digital assets, place trades, and oversee their portfolios from the same digital interfaces they use for everyday banking.

BancaStato, founded in 1915 and serving the Canton of Ticino, has aimed to position itself at the forefront of digital innovation among Swiss regional lenders. The bank’s move introduces a regulated channel for clients to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies alongside traditional financial products under a unified account.

Users can submit market orders in both crypto denominations and US dollar terms, with asset custody managed through Sygnum’s regulated platform.

Mini dictionary: Sygnum, a Swiss digital asset bank, provides regulated infrastructure for cryptocurrency custody and trading. Its API-based systems enable traditional financial institutions to offer direct digital asset services to their customers.

BancaStato offers cryptocurrency trading directly through its familiar banking channels, removing the need for separate trading platforms and simplifying access to digital assets for its account holders.

Operational benefits and regulatory safeguardsThrough this integration with Sygnum, BancaStato can provide institutional-grade custody, incorporating hardware security, software protections, governance procedures, and regular audits. Digital assets held by clients remain off the bank’s balance sheet and are segregated in compliance with Swiss financial regulations.

BancaStato is the first Avaloq software-as-a-service client to enable Sygnum-powered crypto trading directly via API. This approach reduces complexity by eliminating the need for a separate order management system while allowing the bank to adapt trading functionalities without major changes to core infrastructure.

The platform gives account holders the ability to manage both conventional and digital investments within a single online banking relationship, enhancing portfolio management and oversight capabilities.

BankLaunch DateCrypto Trading IntegrationTrading ChannelsBancaStatoJune 2026Yes (Sygnum & Avaloq)Online & Mobile BankingPostFinanceApril 2023Yes (Sygnum)Digital Banking PlatformsSygnum’s infrastructure is now used by over 25 Swiss and European banking institutions, extending digital asset access to nearly one-third of Switzerland’s population through its network of affiliated lenders.

Industry impact and regulatory evolutionBancaStato now joins a list of Swiss financial institutions, including PostFinance and Zuger Kantonalbank, that provide crypto trading and custody through Sygnum’s infrastructure. The integration expands regulated access to digital assets, addressing increasing demand among Swiss bank customers for innovative investment products.

On June 30, 2026, Sygnum Europe obtained official registration as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation through supervision from the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority. This approval is expected to further bolster the bank’s capability to offer compliant digital asset services across the EU, enhancing security and regulatory clarity for clients outside Switzerland.

With this move, BancaStato broadens its digital portfolio while maintaining its regulatory frameworks, enabling customers across Ticino and Switzerland to access cryptocurrency markets without leaving the protected environment of traditional banking applications.

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.

A Swiss cantonal bank has moved crypto trading directly into its normal banking experience, and that is the part of the story that matters most.

BancaStato, the state bank of the Canton of Ticino, has partnered with Sygnum and Avaloq to let clients buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana through its mobile and web banking channels.

This is not a crypto exchange launching another app. It is a traditional regional bank adding digital assets inside the banking platform its clients already use.

Sygnum is providing the digital asset banking and custody infrastructure, while Avaloq’s core banking environment is being used for the integration. The assets are held off-balance sheet in Sygnum’s institutional custody setup.

That is a very Swiss version of crypto adoption: regulated, integrated, custody-led, and built into the existing banking stack rather than presented as a retail trading spectacle.

TL;DR BancaStato has added Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Litecoin trading for clients. The service uses Sygnum’s B2B crypto banking API and Avaloq’s core banking environment. The move is a cantonal-bank adoption story, not a nationwide Swiss banking rollout. Why This Looks Different From A Normal Crypto Launch Most crypto access stories still have a similar shape.

An exchange adds a product. A fintech app adds a token. A wallet adds a new chain. Those launches can matter, but they usually sit outside the traditional banking relationship.

BancaStato’s move is different because it brings crypto into the bank interface itself.

For ordinary clients, that reduces friction. They do not need to open a separate exchange account or move money to a platform they may not know. They can access supported digital assets through a banking environment that already handles their financial relationship.

For institutions and conservative users, that matters even more.

The biggest barrier to crypto adoption is often not interest. It is trust, custody, compliance, and operational comfort. A cantonal bank working with Sygnum and Avaloq gives the service a more familiar structure.

That does not make crypto risk-free. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Litecoin remain volatile assets. Clients can still lose money if prices move against them. But the access model is more bank-native than the typical retail exchange route.

Sygnum’s Role Is The Key Piece Sygnum has built its position around regulated digital asset banking, and this kind of partnership is exactly where that model becomes useful.

Banks that want to offer crypto do not always want to build custody, trading infrastructure, blockchain connectivity, compliance processes, and asset operations from scratch. That is expensive, slow, and risky.

A B2B provider gives them a shortcut.

Sygnum’s infrastructure lets BancaStato offer crypto access while leaning on a specialist digital asset bank for the custody and trading stack. Avaloq’s involvement then connects that service into the bank’s existing core system.

That is the real adoption signal.

Crypto becomes another product layer inside regulated banking infrastructure, not a separate universe.

If more banks choose that path, the industry may not grow through flashy retail apps alone. It may grow quietly through integrations that make digital assets feel like part of normal financial services.

Switzerland Keeps Building The Boring Version Of Crypto Adoption Switzerland has been one of the more serious crypto jurisdictions for years.

That does not mean every Swiss financial institution is rushing into digital assets. But the country has built a clearer lane for regulated custody, tokenization, banking integrations, and institutional services than many other markets.

BancaStato’s launch fits that pattern.

It is not a claim that all Swiss banks are now adopting crypto. It is not even a national rollout. It is one cantonal bank serving Swiss residents through a specific partnership.

But that is still meaningful.

Traditional finance adoption rarely happens all at once. It usually arrives through controlled launches, limited asset lists, custody partnerships, and client-demand testing. Banks start with major assets, watch how clients use the product, and then decide whether to expand.

Here, the supported list is conservative but notable: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Litecoin. That gives clients exposure to the two largest crypto networks, one high-activity smart contract ecosystem, and one older payment-focused asset.

What To Watch Next The next question is whether this kind of integration becomes repeatable.

If Sygnum and Avaloq can help one cantonal bank bring crypto into its banking channels, the model may appeal to other banks that want to offer digital assets without becoming crypto-native operators themselves.

That would be more important than the launch size alone.

The market often gets excited about exchange volumes and ETF inflows, but bank distribution is another adoption route. It can bring crypto to clients who are interested but do not want to leave the regulated banking environment.

There are still limits. The rollout is local. The asset list is narrow. The risk remains with clients. And this should not be exaggerated into a national Swiss banking shift.

Still, BancaStato’s move shows how crypto access is becoming more embedded in traditional finance.

Not through a slogan. Through custody, APIs, core banking software, and a regulated bank willing to put the service in front of clients.

That is a quieter story than a bull-market exchange launch, but it may be more durable.

This article is based on announcements from Sygnum and BancaStato.

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

Tesla's losses widened to 12% in early trading, weighed down by negative free cash flow.

According to BIT (bit.com) market data, Tesla’s early-session losses widened to 12%, trading at $329.015 per share, with a total market capitalization of $1.24 trillion. This morning, Tesla released its second-quarter (Q2) financial results: revenue reached $28.24 billion, exceeding market expectations and rising 26% year-over-year, marking its first year-over-year revenue growth rate above 20% in three years. However, Q2 operating profit was only $398 million, far below the market consensus of $1.39 billion; adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.33, down 18% year-over-year and also missing forecasts significantly. Notably, Tesla’s Q2 free cash flow stood at -$1.09 billion, its first quarterly negative figure since Q1 2024.

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The US stock market's optical communication sector rose across the board, with Lumentum and AAOI gaining more than 7%.

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$BTC ETFs +$709.47M, $ETH ETFs +$160.63M in 7-day inflows

July 23 Update: #Bitcoin ETFs: 1D NetFlow: +1,064 $BTC(+$69.28M)?? 7D NetFlow: +10,891 $BTC(+$709.47M)?? #Ethereum ETFs: 1D NetFlow: +37,753 $ETH(+$71.88M)?? 7D NetFlow: +84,364 $ETH(+$160.63M)??

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Fourth security incident today: A PancakeSwap liquidity provider (LP) granted a malicious approval, resulting in losses of approximately $2.96 million.

According to Specter’s monitoring, a long-inactive PancakeSwap liquidity provider (LP) suffered a loss of roughly $2.96 million after signing a malicious EIP-7702 authorization. The attacker drained approximately $1.48 million in BSC-USD and $1.48 million in BUSD liquidity provided by the victim, then swapped the BUSD for ETH. To date, the attacker has deposited around $1.46 million into Tornado Cash, with the remaining roughly $1.48 million in USDT still held in the attacker’s address.

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Dogecoin (DOGE) extends its decline on Thursday, approaching its yearly low at $0.069 as bearish sentiment continues to weigh on the meme coin. Escalating US-Iran conflict and fresh Houthi threats have dampened risk appetite, weighing on speculative assets such as DOGE. Weakening derivatives metrics and a deteriorating technical outlook suggest a deeper correction if DOGE slips below $0.069.

Renewed geopolitical tensions dampen risk appetiteThe US military said it completed the 11th night of strikes on Iran early Wednesday, targeting aircraft hangars and drone storage sites. Iran, on the other hand, continued attacks across the Gulf, targeting US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. 

Adding to this, Iran said that its forces struck two Oil tankers as they attempted to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis targeted two Saudi Oil tankers in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the war and adding to fears of further disruption of energy flows.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump warned the US would target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz continued.

These renewed uncertainty has pushed Oil prices sharply higher this week, weighing on risk sentiment and reigniting inflation concerns. The shift has prompted traders to reassess the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy outlook. 

The CME FedWatch Tool chart below shows the probability of a July rate hike rising to 33.7% from around 25% a day earlier and the 12% seen a week ago. This change reflects expectations that the Fed could maintain a more hawkish stance, weighing on risk assets such as Bitcoin and exerting even greater pressure on highly speculative assets like meme coins.

Derivatives data shows bearish biasDogecoin’s derivatives metrics show weakening conditions. Coinglass’s Open Interest (OI) across exchanges chart for DOGE has been rising since mid-June, with outstanding contracts reaching 15.44 billion DOGE coins on Thursday. The increase in OI alongside falling prices suggests that new short positions are entering the market, signaling a bearish outlook and raising the risk of further correction in DOGE.

DOGE open interest chart. Source: CoinglassThe bearish thesis strengthened as the long-to-short ratio for the meme coin remained below 1, reading 0.88 on Thursday, nearing the lowest level over a month. A ratio below one, indicates that traders are betting on the asset price to fall.

Dogecoin long-to-short ratio chart. Source: CoinglassDogecoin Price Forecast: Heading towards the yearly lowDogecoin trades at $0.072 on Thursday, maintaining a bearish near-term posture as it remains well below the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), clustered between roughly $0.079 and $0.103. 

The meme coin continues to trade under the downward resistance trend line, whose break price at $0.085 reinforces the overhead supply, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart around 38 stays in mildly bearish territory and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator hovers just above the zero line with a flat profile, hinting at weak momentum rather than a decisive reversal.

On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 50-day EMA at $0.079, followed by the downtrend break level at $0.085 and the 100-day EMA at $0.087, with a nearby horizontal cap at $0.088 adding to the barrier zone. Higher up, a prior horizontal ceiling at $0.102 and the 200-day EMA at $0.103 mark a broader structural hurdle for any sustained recovery. 

On the downside, the yearly low at $0.069 provides immediate support; a close below it suggests deeper losses toward the key psychological level of $0.065.

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

Dogecoin is currently retesting a major support zone that previously coincided with significant rallies in 2017 and 2020. The meme coin, which has built a large global following and ranks among the top cryptocurrencies by market value, is once again at a crucial junction in its price history.

Critical support zone draws attentionThe DOGE price has fallen back to a rising trendline, which in the past marked the start of extended bullish runs. Analysts point to the area between $0.07 and $0.075 as a significant inflection point; holding this level could potentially establish a long-term bottom.

Trader Tardigrade noted similarities between the current price action and those earlier cycles, suggesting that sustaining above this support zone could pave the way for another strong rebound.

Analysts see the $0.07–$0.075 region as a pivotal area for DOGE, since maintaining this support could mirror previous price surges and set the stage for a longer-term recovery.

To confirm a broader bullish reversal, Dogecoin must reclaim the $0.10 and $0.13 resistance levels. Breaking above these thresholds would strengthen the case for a sustained recovery and could encourage more buyers to enter the market.

Downtrend resistance and key price targetsDespite the optimism around the historical support, Dogecoin continues to trade below a long-term descending trendline that originated from its previous all-time high. This trendline remains a critical obstacle for the bulls.

MikybullCrypto, an active trader known for charting major altcoin setups, described the current configuration as one of his strongest plays, forecasting the potential for at least a fivefold increase should a confirmed breakout occur.

Based on the technical outlook, a successful breakout above the trendline could propel DOGE towards the $0.36 area, contingent on surmounting interim resistance at $0.10, $0.13, $0.20, and $0.30.

Nonetheless, analysts caution that previous rallies do not ensure repetition. If Dogecoin fails to hold its current support and closes below the trendline on a monthly timeframe, the bullish setup would be invalidated. Such a breakdown could expose the price to further downside, particularly if DOGE slips beneath the $0.06–$0.07 band.

The situation remains speculative as long as Dogecoin trades beneath the descending trendline. Market participants will be watching for a decisive move above resistance levels to validate any larger recovery in the coming weeks.

Key LevelSignificance$0.06–$0.07Major support zone, loss risks further declines$0.07–$0.075Current base for potential reversal$0.10–$0.13Initial resistance, signals start of recovery$0.20, $0.30Next barriers on the path to $0.36$0.36Potential target if bullish structure holdsDisclaimer: 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.

Dogecoin co-founder Billy Markus, known as Shibetoshi Nakamoto on X, weighed in on the recent price action across the crypto market, characterizing the current environment as unusually calm and uneventful. His comments come as digital assets struggle to recover from a sharp decline, with most cryptocurrencies moving sideways after a significant selloff that pushed many tokens to multi-year lows.

Market stalls after heavy selloffMajor coins, including Dogecoin, have lost much of their momentum since the start of July. Dogecoin itself dropped to $0.0693 in early July, its lowest level since November 2023. Although the price rebounded slightly to $0.0723 at press time, the meme coin remains 29% lower since the beginning of the month.

Analytics platform CryptoQuant observed that around 40% of altcoins are now trading near all-time lows. This level of underperformance signals a deep slump across the altcoin sector, with investor sentiment described as subdued and cautious. Volume across exchanges has also dropped, reflecting limited interest from both traders and institutions.

Billy Markus: Crypto bear markets are “boring”Given the lack of movement in prices, Billy Markus addressed the broader mood dominating crypto traders on social media. In a post that did not name specific cryptocurrencies, he remarked, “This is what the crypto bear market always looks like. It’s not panic-inducing. It’s just so boring.”

Crypto bear markets often stretch into uneventful phases, marked by low trading volumes, muted sentiment, and sideways price action. In response to a question about how long these periods last, Markus replied, “three to four years historically, but who knows,” reflecting the uncertainty many market participants feel about the timeline for a recovery.

This phase Markus described typically follows a sharp upward or downward move, leading to an extended period of price stability known as consolidation. During such times, both rallies and declines are short lived and quickly counteracted by the opposite forces, resulting in little overall progress for prices.

Consolidation leads to defensive tradingThe current atmosphere suggests that the market is consolidating after its recent descent. Most altcoins remain within tight trading ranges, and attempts to boost prices are met with swift profit-taking. Crypto traders have notably reduced their leverage and adopted a more defensive approach, seeking to protect capital rather than chase risky opportunities.

Some analysts believe that prolonged consolidation can prime the market for the next major trend, as accumulation quietly takes place in low-volatility conditions. However, there are few signs that a new rally is imminent, and market direction remains uncertain for the time being.

For investors and traders navigating this ambiguous phase, solutions like CryptoAppsy offer potential advantages. CryptoAppsy, which requires no account creation hassle, combines your crypto investments with real-time prices, detailed charts, and multi-currency portfolio management on a single screen. With this all-in-one financial assistant, you can instantly seize opportunities by setting up smart price alerts, filter news specific to your coins, discover newly listed altcoins without missing them, and always stay one step ahead of the market with critical macroeconomic data such as Fed interest rates.

While it is difficult to predict how long the current consolidation period will last, many in the industry look to historical cycles for guidance. Until momentum returns to the market, price stability and subdued sentiment are expected to prevail as traders remain cautious and patient.

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

Cardano is trading at roughly $0.175, bouncing 27% off a June low that touched 2020-era levels at $0.138, and Crypto Banter analyst Sheldon says the altcoin is coiling inside a textbook descending wedge with a September detonation window. The price prediction: a move to $0.50–$0.60, contingent on one make-or-break level holding the key.

The central tension here is straightforward: a pattern-based bull case targets 186%–243% upside from current prices, while the wedge’s upper resistance has limited upside attempts. Something has to give, and Sheldon has a timeline for when that will happen.

ADA is up +7% over the past week, capping an impressive stretch that has seen the Charles Hoskinson-led token surge nearly +14% in July. Daily trading volume for Cardano is sitting at over $271M.

What the Descending Wedge Is Telling You A descending wedge is a chart pattern in which both the upper resistance line and the lower support line slope downward. It is generally read as a bullish continuation or reversal pattern; the narrowing range signals that selling pressure is exhausting itself, and the eventual breakout tends to be sharp and directional.

Sheldon analyzed the 1-week ADA chart and identified exactly this structure. The wedge’s lower support boundary traces back to the October 10 crash low of $0.27; the upper resistance originates from the early December high of $0.48.

Cardano has persistently slid lower within this wedge, shuffling between the descending upper and lower boundaries, most recently tagging the lower rail at $0.138 in June before bouncing.

Crucially, that lower boundary held again. The +27% rebound from June’s multi-year floor has pushed ADA toward the wedge’s upper resistance line, where the trade thesis either validates or collapses.

$ADA moves towards a key convering/breaking point and a positive response could kick start a massive run towards the $2.90 areas which we are targeting!

This target is over ~1,500% away…

(Cardano) pic.twitter.com/qvPj1K2svb

— JAVON⚡️MARKS (@JavonTM1) July 21, 2026

DISCOVER: The Next 1000x Crypto Gem Before It Lists on Binance

The $0.20 Line and the September Window Sheldon identified $0.20 as the critical breakout confirmation level. Reclaiming and sustaining price above that zone, roughly a 14% move from current levels, would constitute a structural break from the wedge and signal that the multi-month compression has resolved to the upside.

Once above $0.20, Sheldon’s measured target is in the $0.50–$0.60 range, representing 186%-243% upside from $0.175. Those price levels were last visited in November 2025, meaning the trade is essentially asking whether ADA can retrace a significant portion of last year’s decline.

According to Crypto Banter’s Sheldon, the wedge is likely to keep the altcoin range-bound until around September 2026, when he expects the breakout to materialize, a timeline that aligns with the broader market narrative of a more sustained crypto recovery in Q4 2026.

It is worth noting that Sheldon’s target is a significant departure from conservative baseline forecasts. Quantitative models from CoinCodex, for example, project ADA in a $0.16–$0.18 range across 2026 under neutral assumptions, a reminder that the wedge breakout thesis carries meaningful execution risk.

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A Shorter-Term Setup for Cardano is Also in Play

(SOURCE: TradingView)

While Sheldon’s wedge trade frames the multi-month thesis, Cardano stake pool operator Ssebi identified a separate, shorter-duration pattern on the daily chart: an inverse head-and-shoulders (IH&S) formation. In a standard IH&S, three swing lows form – and a sustained move above the neckline signals a bullish reversal.

Ssebi’s pattern has the left shoulder at the June 6 low of $0.148, the head at $0.138 on June 25, and the right shoulder at $0.155 on July 13. The measured target from that setup is $0.25, representing a 43% gain from current prices. The invalidation condition is clean: a daily close below the right shoulder at approximately $0.155 would negate the pattern.

The two analyses stack neatly; Ssebi’s $0.25 IH&S target would represent an early waypoint on the road toward Sheldon’s $0.60 wedge target, assuming the broader structure plays out. The upgrade adds context on scalability, explaining why Q3 2026 is being watched as a potential inflection point for ADA.

EXPLORE: Best Crypto Presales With Asymmetric Upside in the Current Market

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COINTELEGRAPH: TRON included in S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index as institutional benchmarking expands to blockchain networks

The US stock market's optical communication sector rose across the board, with Lumentum and AAOI gaining more than 7%.

According to market data from BIT (bit.com), the U.S. optical communication sector rallied across the board. Pure Photonics ETF FOTO and Corning advanced over 3%, Coherent and Ciena gained more than 4%, while Lumentum and AAOI jumped over 7%.

1 minutes ago

LayerZero announced a partnership with Keeta, and will support cross-public-chain transfers of tokenized commercial bank deposits.

LayerZero announced a partnership with Keeta to support the transfer of tokenized commercial bank deposits across public blockchains including Keeta Network, Ethereum, Solana, and Base, providing institutional cross-chain settlement infrastructure. The two parties will combine LayerZero’s omnichain interoperability protocol with Keeta’s compliance infrastructure to enable institutions to conduct fund management and payment operations. The newly launched Keeta Stablecoins are backed by commercial bank deposits held by U.S.-licensed fintech platform Bivo. Unlike traditional stablecoins, they are pegged to actual commercial bank deposits and allow issuing institutions to retain control over contracts via LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard. Keeta Stablecoins will launch later this month, initially supporting the U.S. dollar, with plans to expand to additional fiat currencies including the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, British pound, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, UAE dirham, and Hong Kong dollar.

1 minutes ago

$BTC ETFs +$709.47M, $ETH ETFs +$160.63M in 7-day inflows

July 23 Update: #Bitcoin ETFs: 1D NetFlow: +1,064 $BTC(+$69.28M)?? 7D NetFlow: +10,891 $BTC(+$709.47M)?? #Ethereum ETFs: 1D NetFlow: +37,753 $ETH(+$71.88M)?? 7D NetFlow: +84,364 $ETH(+$160.63M)??

1 minutes ago

Fourth security incident today: A PancakeSwap liquidity provider (LP) granted a malicious approval, resulting in losses of approximately $2.96 million.

According to Specter’s monitoring, a long-inactive PancakeSwap liquidity provider (LP) suffered a loss of roughly $2.96 million after signing a malicious EIP-7702 authorization. The attacker drained approximately $1.48 million in BSC-USD and $1.48 million in BUSD liquidity provided by the victim, then swapped the BUSD for ETH. To date, the attacker has deposited around $1.46 million into Tornado Cash, with the remaining roughly $1.48 million in USDT still held in the attacker’s address.

1 minutes ago

Arthur Hayes' BitMEX Farewell Remarks: "Fuck traditional finance, fuck banks, Satoshi Nakamoto lives on!"

Arthur Hayes delivers a farewell message as BitMEX prepares to shut down, thanking his partners, BitMEX employees, and most importantly, its clients. “It’s been an incredible journey. We did something special together. I’m incredibly proud of everything we built, and proud that we could close in our own way, responsibly. Fuck traditional finance (TradFi), fuck banks, Satoshi Nakamoto lives forever!” BitMEX, which pioneered 100x leverage crypto contracts back in 2014, announced it will officially cease operations on September 23, having already suspended new user registrations and launched an orderly liquidation process.

1 minutes ago

Viewpoint: Three macro pressures weigh on risk assets, leaving Trump in an insoluble dilemma.

Market analyst qinbafrank noted that tonight’s Brent crude contract touched $100, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield broke through 4.7%, and the U.S. Dollar Index climbed back above 101. The deteriorating macro environment will subject markets to three simultaneous pressures in the short term: rising oil prices lifting inflation expectations; higher U.S. bond yields dragging down stock valuations; and a stronger U.S. dollar tightening global liquidity. In his view, the recent market outlook is not optimistic, as deleveraging of risk assets has not yet fully cleared while macro headwinds are approaching. If Brent crude breaks above $100, WTI crude holds at $90, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield stays above 4.7%, and the U.S. dollar remains above 101, large tech stocks represented by the Nasdaq will face the greatest pressure, and gold will also be forced to continue under pressure. The failed attempt to open a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and the death of U.S. service members mean Trump is unlikely to pivot immediately in the short term; he may need to feel extreme market pessimism and pressure before backing down. “Trump may not have accepted a harsh reality: he can no longer restore the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war state, yet he still has to show toughness from time to time to appease domestic opposition voices and sentiments, and to boost his approval rating and election prospects.” For Trump, the options are either to indirectly repurchase international navigation rights in the strait, paying Iran huge sums to cede control, or to completely destroy Iran’s regime and military capabilities—but for now, it appears Trump has no intention of taking that step.

1 minutes ago

Three separate crypto protocols got carved up within a single 24-hour window, with combined losses topping $35.5 million. The victims span three different chains, three different attack vectors, and one very familiar story: bridges remain the soft underbelly of decentralized finance.

The largest hit landed on AFX, an Arbitrum-based protocol that lost approximately $24.15 million in USDC through a bridge exploit on July 22. BSquaredNetwork on BNB Chain saw $3.86 million in B2 tokens drained. And the Verus cross-chain bridge on Ethereum hemorrhaged $7.55 million, a wound made worse by the fact that Verus had already been exploited for roughly $11.58 million back in May.

How each exploit played out The AFX breach was the headliner. Attackers siphoned $24.15 million in USDC from the protocol’s bridge infrastructure on Arbitrum, then moved the funds to Ethereum and swapped them into around 12,467.5 ETH.

BSquaredNetwork’s exploit was smaller in dollar terms but arguably messier for holders. The $3.86 million in stolen B2 tokens were exchanged for more than 5,000 WBNB, which were then converted into roughly 1,128 ETH. The sell pressure from the dump sent B2’s price cratering more than 15%.

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Then there’s Verus. The $7.55 million loss on July 23 is concerning on its own, but context makes it worse. This is the same cross-chain bridge that suffered an approximately $11.58 million exploit in May 2026. That means Verus has lost north of $19 million in roughly two months to what appear to be related security vulnerabilities.

PeckShield, the blockchain security firm, was among the first to flag each incident on-chain.

A brutal quarter for crypto security These three exploits didn’t happen in a vacuum. According to data from TRM Labs, the first half of 2026 saw a record 207 security incidents. Q2 alone accounted for $764 million stolen across 67 separate incidents, with operational weaknesses cited as a primary attack surface.

Vitalik Buterin flagged bridge security risks as far back as 2022, arguing that multi-chain futures would not be secured by the same trust assumptions as single-chain applications.

What this means for investors B2’s 15%-plus price drop is the most direct example of immediate market impact. When three protocols get exploited in a single day, it puts a chill on risk appetite across the broader DeFi ecosystem.

The $764 million stolen in Q2 2026 alone represents real capital permanently removed from the ecosystem. That’s money that funded development, provided liquidity, and backed lending markets.

For individual investors, the Verus situation is particularly instructive: a protocol that gets exploited once and doesn’t fully remediate its vulnerabilities before getting hit again is broadcasting something important about its security posture. The first hack might be bad luck. The second one is information.

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

Large Cardano investors significantly increased their holdings over the past week, signaling growing confidence in ADA’s near-term outlook.

According to on-chain data from Santiment, Cardano wallets controlled by large holders accumulated more than 30 million ADA over the past seven days. The data also shows that whale holdings steadily climbed to 5.69 billion ADA, suggesting consistent accumulation rather than isolated purchases.

Whale accumulation often draws market attention because these investors have the financial resources to influence price trends. Although sustained buying does not guarantee an immediate price rally, it generally reflects growing confidence among major market participants and is often viewed as a bullish on-chain signal.

Accumulation Extends an Ongoing Trend The recent buying activity is part of a broader accumulation trend rather than a one-off event. Cardano whales have remained highly active in recent weeks as they continue to expand their exposure to ADA.

Previously, The Crypto Basic reported that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA increased their combined balance to 25.6 billion ADA, the highest level in more than three and a half years.

The addition of another 30 million ADA further strengthens the view that major holders are positioning themselves ahead of a potential market move.

Cardano Reclaims a Spot Among the Top 15 Cryptocurrencies Meanwhile, renewed whale accumulation has coincided with improving sentiment across the broader crypto market, helping Cardano regain ground in the market-cap rankings.

Notably, ADA overtook Stellar (XLM) to reclaim its position as the 15th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Cardano currently boasts a market cap of $6.39 billion, narrowly edging past Stellar’s $6.30 billion valuation.

Moreover, the gap separating Cardano from the projects immediately above it remains relatively small. Chainlink (LINK), ranked 14th, has a market capitalization of $6.43 billion, while Monero (XMR) occupies the 13th position with a valuation of $6.61 billion. If ADA maintains its current momentum, it could challenge both cryptocurrencies in the coming days. 

Cardano Re-enters Top 15 Crypto Rankings Hoskinson Still Expects a Return to the Top 10 Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has also remained optimistic about the project’s long-term prospects. He recently reiterated his belief that ADA could re-enter the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap before the end of the year.

To achieve that milestone, Cardano’s market value would need to surge 76.05% from its current level of $6.39 billion to around $11.25 billion, assuming the market cap of Dogecoin, the current 10th-largest cryptocurrency, remains unchanged. Under that scenario, ADA would surpass Dogecoin to reclaim a place among the industry’s top 10 digital assets.

At press time, ADA trades at $0.1752, up 0.97% over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency has also spiked 6.30% over the past seven days, reflecting improving market momentum alongside the latest wave of whale accumulation. 

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

Chainlink‘s (LINK) available supply on major cryptocurrency exchanges decreased by more than 15.7 million LINK over the past month, representing a 12% drop. Data from Santiment revealed that on Sunday alone, a net total of 1.04 million LINK tokens left exchanges, marking one of the largest single-day outflows during this period.

Shift from Exchanges Signals AccumulationA declining supply of LINK held on exchanges is generally interpreted as a reduction in sell pressure, as tokens are moved into private wallets for holding rather than short-term trading. This pattern is often seen as a sign of accumulation among investors, who may be positioning themselves for potential future growth.

Chainlink serves as a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, making it a crucial component for DeFi and traditional financial institutions integrating blockchain technology.

DTCC Tokenization Project Features ChainlinkRecent weeks have seen several major institutional developments tied to Chainlink’s infrastructure. On July 15, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), a leading post-trade market infrastructure for the global financial services industry, completed its first production trades using tokenized US securities. This initiative has been described as the most extensive tokenization effort to date in terms of use-case breadth, asset classes, and participant involvement.

The event involved participation from over 30 prominent financial institutions, including BlackRock, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Vanguard, NYSE, Nasdaq, and CME Group. Chainlink was among the named technology providers. The official launch of the DTCC Tokenization Service is scheduled for October 2026.

Mini dictionary: DTCC, or Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, is a prominent US-based financial services company that provides clearing and settlement services for financial markets worldwide.

At the same time, Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) expanded to connect with the Canton Network and Ethereum, extending infrastructure that now secures over $7 billion in protocol value.

Mini dictionary: CCIP, the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol, is Chainlink’s technology for securely transferring data and digital assets across different blockchain networks.

EventDateOrganizations InvolvedChainlink’s RoleDTCC Tokenized Securities TradesJuly 15BlackRock, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Vanguard, NYSE, Nasdaq, CME GroupTechnology providerDTCC Tokenization Service LaunchOctober 2026DTCC, participating financial firmsTechnology providerCCIP expansion to CantonJuly 2024Chainlink, Canton Network, EthereumSecuring protocol valueMajor Partnerships and Price MovementChainlink has also seen growing demand through new partnerships. In June, ADI Predictstreet, the official prediction market partner for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, selected Chainlink as its sole oracle provider for market resolutions and payout processing.

Additionally, digital asset technology firm United Stables chose Chainlink as the official data and cross-chain foundation for its $1 billion U stablecoin. This integration includes deploying Chainlink Data Feeds and Proof of Reserve solutions across BNB Chain, Ethereum, and TRON, with CCIP integration also planned.

Amid these developments, LINK’s price on major exchanges increased by more than $4.60 during the last 24 hours, climbing to $8.69. Over the past month, LINK posted a 9.6% gain but remains nearly 69% below its $27.80 peak achieved last August.

Recent milestones in tokenization, infrastructure expansion, and high-profile partnerships have coincided with one of the largest recent outflows of LINK from exchanges, suggesting investors are moving tokens off exchanges amid Chainlink’s growing adoption.

During a period of expanding enterprise integration, a declining exchange supply of LINK may indicate that holders are positioning around Chainlink’s broader utility rather than preparing for short-term sales.

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.

Key Highlights Table of Contents

Key HighlightsChainlink technology enhances U Stablecoin operational frameworkMulti-chain strategy outlines future developmentChainlink broadens enterprise blockchain adoptionGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks United Stables partners with Chainlink for comprehensive U Stablecoin infrastructure. Chainlink’s oracle services and Proof of Reserve go live for the stablecoin network. Cross-chain functionality via Chainlink CCIP scheduled for U Stablecoin deployment. Real-time collateral verification enabled through Proof of Reserve technology. Integration supports U Stablecoin’s multi-blockchain presence on BNB, Ethereum, and TRON. United Stables has partnered with Chainlink to provide oracle services and cross-chain capabilities for its U Stablecoin network. This strategic collaboration comes after the digital asset exceeded $1 billion in circulation and recorded over $2.5 billion in daily trading activity. The partnership enhances operational security, increases transparency, and improves interoperability as the stablecoin extends its reach across various blockchain platforms.

Chainlink technology enhances U Stablecoin operational framework United Stables has deployed Chainlink Data Feeds alongside Proof of Reserve functionality for U Stablecoin throughout its blockchain ecosystem. This implementation provides decentralized price data and ongoing collateral monitoring. The organization intends to incorporate Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol for upcoming multi-blockchain transaction capabilities.

United Stables reports that the partnership resulted from an extensive security assessment within the decentralized finance sector. This evaluation revealed vulnerabilities in traditional bridging solutions and centralized oracle frameworks. Chainlink was chosen to enhance price reliability and fortify the cross-chain architecture supporting U Stablecoin operations.

Chainlink Data Feeds currently deliver decentralized pricing information for over 20 lending platforms. The Proof of Reserve system facilitates automated cryptographic confirmation of assets backing U Stablecoin. This enables decentralized finance protocols to independently authenticate reserves using blockchain-based information.

Multi-chain strategy outlines future development United Stables introduced U Stablecoin in December 2025 as a completely collateralized dollar-equivalent digital currency. The token initially deployed on BNB Chain and Ethereum networks. The organization structured the asset to serve payment systems, decentralized finance platforms, institutional transactions, trading markets, and artificial intelligence solutions.

During the launch phase, the company disclosed that backing assets comprised cash along with verified stablecoins including USDC, USDT, and USD1. The organization maintains isolated reserve holdings and executes blockchain-based Proof of Reserve validation. Independent third-party audits conducted quarterly complement the reserve disclosure framework.

United Stables announced that Chainlink CCIP will serve as the primary interoperability solution for U Stablecoin transfers. This protocol is designed to facilitate protected asset movement between compatible blockchain ecosystems. United Stables anticipates enhanced liquidity distribution while minimizing operational challenges associated with multi-chain transactions.

Chainlink broadens enterprise blockchain adoption This recent partnership represents another enterprise-level implementation for Chainlink within decentralized finance and conventional financial systems. Earlier in the month, Aave selected CCIP as its primary cross-chain solution throughout the Aave App and Stable Vaults ecosystem. The deployment currently facilitates governance implementation, vault operations, deposits, withdrawals, token migrations, and yield strategies through a consolidated framework.

Aave additionally utilizes Chainlink CCIP for its GHO stablecoin transfers across supported blockchain environments. The protocol also executes governance decisions through the Aave Delivery Infrastructure following Ethereum confirmations. Each bridge connection maintains security through a minimum of 16 independent node operators distributed across various entities and geographical locations.

Chainlink has extended its reach beyond decentralized finance through enterprise settlement programs. In June, the organization participated in Project Pangea to evaluate stablecoin foreign exchange settlements linking Europe and South Korea. This latest collaboration positions U Stablecoin within the expanding institutional blockchain landscape while facilitating continued growth across BNB Chain, Ethereum, TRON, and other compatible networks.

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]

Chainlink whales have increased their activity as LINK attempts to recover from a broader market decline, with large holders reportedly accumulating more than 14 million tokens in less than a month.

Summary

Chainlink whales accumulated over 14 million LINK as large transactions increased sharply during recent weeks. LINK trades near $8.54, with improving RSI and MACD signals supporting its latest recovery attempt. Falling exchange reserves reduce available selling supply, though LINK must reclaim $9–$10 for stronger momentum. LINK traded near $8.54 at the time of writing, down about 0.6% over the past 24 hours. The token had a market capitalization of roughly $6.39 billion and daily trading volume of about $175.24 million. Its 24-hour trading range stood between $8.53 and $8.72, according to crypto.news market data.

Chainlink whale activity rises as large holders accumulate LINK Onchain data shared by crypto analyst Ali Martinez showed that Chainlink whale activity had increased over the past two weeks. More than 20 transactions valued above $1 million each were recorded during one recent session, which Martinez described as evidence of “growing interest from large holders.”

Separate data shared by the analyst showed that large holders accumulated more than 14 million LINK in less than a month. Their combined holdings reportedly rose from below 170 million tokens to around 182 million to 183 million LINK during the period. 

Whale accumulation can reduce available market supply when holders keep their tokens rather than moving them to exchanges, but it does not guarantee that prices will rise.

Whales have accumulated more than 14 million Chainlink $LINK over the past three weeks.

Large-scale accumulation like this often reflects growing confidence from major holders and is worth keeping an eye on. pic.twitter.com/edk7bVHsZQ

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) July 23, 2026 The latest activity follows earlier accumulation seen across the Chainlink network. Wallets holding more than 1,000 LINK recently reached their highest level of the year, while addresses controlling at least 100,000 LINK rose to a record 805, as previously reported.

LINK price shows short-term recovery signals The daily chart shows LINK trading inside a broader downtrend after falling from earlier highs near $26–$28. The token has spent recent months largely moving within the $7–$10 region as buyers and sellers compete around the lower end of its longer-term range.

Short-term technical indicators have improved. The MACD line stood near 0.1866, above its signal line at about 0.1267, while the positive histogram pointed to improving momentum. The relative strength index was near 60.43, above both the neutral 50 level and its moving average of about 58.31.

Chainlink (LINK) price chart, source: crypto.news The readings suggest buyers have gained some control without pushing LINK into overbought territory. However, price still faces resistance between $9 and $10. A sustained move above that area could strengthen the recovery structure, while another rejection may keep LINK inside its current consolidation range.

Recent price action has followed a similar setup. LINK rose after Mantle moved its $2.5 billion Super Portal to Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol. 

Falling exchange reserves tighten available LINK supply Chainlink exchange reserves have also moved lower, according to CryptoQuant data. The total has fallen to about 125.4 million LINK, compared with levels commonly ranging between roughly 165 million and 190 million during parts of 2024 and 2025.

Lower exchange balances can mean fewer tokens are immediately available for sale. However, declining reserves alone do not prove that demand will increase. LINK continues to trade near the lower part of its multi-year price range, so stronger buying pressure would still need to appear in the price structure.

Chainlink (LINK) exchange reserves, source: CryptoQuant Derivatives data also presents a mixed picture. CoinGlass data showed trading volume rising 1.95% to about $233.74 million, while open interest slipped 0.91% to roughly $445.28 million. The combination suggests more trading activity without a matching increase in outstanding leveraged positions.

Chainlink has seen similar periods of tightening supply before. Declining exchange reserves and whale purchases have repeatedly formed part of the bullish case for LINK, though price performance has not always followed immediately.

Chainlink ecosystem activity supports the broader market case Chainlink continues to expand its role in blockchain infrastructure despite LINK’s weak longer-term price performance. Santiment has ranked the network among the leading real-world asset projects by development activity, placing it alongside Hedera at the top of the sector in recent rankings.

Institutional integrations have also continued. Mantle recently migrated its $2.5 billion Super Portal to Chainlink CCIP, while Aave selected Chainlink infrastructure for automated vault rebalancing. The number of Ethereum wallets holding LINK has also passed 900,000.

Meanwhile, U.S. investors now have regulated exchange-traded exposure to LINK. According to SoSoValue data, U.S. spot Chainlink ETFs recorded $2.68 million in net inflows on July 22, lifting cumulative net inflows to $127.83 million. 

Total trading volume reached $2.99 million for the day, while total net assets stood at $114.78 million. The first U.S. Chainlink ETF received approval to trade on NYSE Arca in December 2025, expanding institutional access to the asset.

Some analysts have set much higher long-term targets. Crypto Patel has pointed to continued ETF demand and suggested LINK could eventually reach between $50 and $100 during another strong market cycle. Those targets remain analyst projections rather than confirmed price outcomes.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Source: Binance EN

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 Spot Trading Tournament Round II where eligible users will have a chance to share a total prize pool of 200,000 USDC 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: 2026-07-23 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-30 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. Eligible Trading Pair(s) Trading pair(s): BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT How to Participate: Click the [Join Now] button on the landing page to register.Total Trading Volume reaches at least 500 USD equivalent in any of the aforementioned eligible pair(s) on Binance Spot during the Promotion Period. Users who do not meet this threshold will not qualify for any reward under this Trading Volume Tournament. Main Reward Structure: Statistical Period: 2026-07-23 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-30 10:00 (UTC)Rankings Based on the Cumulative Trading VolumeReward per Eligible Participant (in USDC Token Vouchers)1st Place6,000 USDC2nd Place5,000 USDC3rd Place4,000 USDC4th Place3,000 USDC5th Place2,000 USDC6th - 20th PlacesAn equal split of 20,000 USDC21st - 50th PlacesAn equal split of 20,000 USDC51st - 200th PlacesAn equal split of 32,000 USDC201st - 1,000th PlacesAn equal split of 28,000 USDC1,001st - 5,000th PlacesAn equal split of 40,000 USDC 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: 2026-07-23 10:00 (UTC) to 2026-07-25 10:00 (UTC)Round 2 Statistical Period: 2026-07-25 10:01 (UTC) to 2026-07-27 10:00 (UTC)Reward per Eligible Participant (in USDC Token Vouchers)1st Place6,000 USDC6,000 USDC2nd Place5,000 USDC5,000 USDC3rd Place4,000 USDC4,000 USDC4th Place3,000 USDC3,000 USDC5th Place2,000 USDC2,000 USDC 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 2026-08-13, 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 2026-08-13.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 2026-07-23 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.

AFX Trade, a decentralized perpetuals exchange built on Arbitrum, got cleaned out to the tune of $24.15 million on July 22. The attacker compromised validator signing keys for the platform’s bridge, drained USDC from the protocol, bridged it all to Ethereum, and promptly swapped it for approximately 12,467 ETH at an average price of around $1,937 per token.

The platform’s response? A public offer to let the hacker keep 30% of the stolen funds, roughly $7.2 million, if they return the remaining 70%.

What happened and how the exploit worked The attack targeted a third-party bridge operated by AFX Trade, not Arbitrum’s native bridge infrastructure. Arbitrum itself wasn’t breached, and its core bridging mechanism remains intact. The vulnerability lived in the layer AFX maintained on top of it.

The attacker gained access to validator signing keys for the AFX-operated bridge, which meant they could move funds out without restriction. The $24.15 million in USDC was bridged from Arbitrum to Ethereum and converted into ETH.

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The exploit follows a familiar playbook. A similar attack hit the Verus-Ethereum bridge back in May 2026, using a comparable method to drain funds.

Security firm Blockaid flagged the AFX Trade exploit as part of a broader cluster of attacks it labeled “Hackers Day.” Total losses from hacks during July 2026 have reached nearly $97 million.

The 30% bounty gambit AFX Trade’s decision to publicly offer the attacker a 30% bounty is increasingly standard practice in crypto exploits. The logic is straightforward: recovering 70% of stolen funds is better than recovering nothing, and on-chain forensics make it increasingly difficult to launder large sums without eventually being identified.

A growing pattern of bridge exploits Bridge attacks have been the single most lucrative attack vector in DeFi for several years running. The reason is structural: bridges hold large pools of locked assets and rely on validator sets or multisig arrangements that create concentrated points of failure.

The AFX Trade incident fits neatly into this pattern. A third-party bridge, maintained by the protocol team rather than the underlying Layer 2 network, proved to be the weak link.

The nearly $97 million in total July 2026 hack losses, as tracked by Blockaid, suggests the problem is getting worse, not better.

What this means for investors For traders using perpetual DEXs on Layer 2 networks, the AFX Trade exploit is a concrete reminder to evaluate the infrastructure underneath the trading interface. The exchange itself might have solid smart contracts for its perps engine, but if the bridge it relies on has centralized validator keys, none of that matters when the keys get compromised.

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

The Celestia Stage became into more than simply a performance venue over the course of three days. The similar ideals that brought KuCoin and Tomorrowland together—curiosity, trust, and real human connection—were reflected in the fact that it became a location where music, culture, and community came together. The first weekend of Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 has come to a conclusion, marking the successful launch of the Celestia Stage by KuCoin and the beginning of a new chapter in KuCoin’s multi-year cooperation with one of the most renowned music festivals in the world. These events took place in Belgium.

The Celestia Stage became into more than simply a performance venue over the course of three days, during which it welcomed lovers of electronic music from all over the globe that will be remembered forever. The similar ideals that brought KuCoin and Tomorrowland together—curiosity, trust, and real human connection—were reflected in the fact that it became a location where music, culture, and community came together.

Over the course of the first weekend of the festival, a multitude of internationally renowned artists, such as Yves V, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman, Diego Miranda, DJ Nano, Nico Morano, Xinobi, Öona Dahl, and Helsloot, amongst others, presented an energizing lineup that encompassed progressive house, melodic techno, and underground electronic music. This lineup created unforgettable moments for festivalgoers from all over the world.

KuCoin invited guests to experience Tomorrowland in new ways through a series of immersive community activations, which were held in addition to the performances offered by the company. People who attended the festival had the opportunity to interact with the KuCoin Guardians who were wandering about, join the exclusive waitlist for the Tomorrowland Visa KuCard (which was powered by KuCoin EU), and take part in premium experiences that were meant to promote exploration, connection, and discovery. These moments represented a common idea that the most significant experiences are not only those that we are able to see, but also those that we tend to retain with us for a considerable amount of time after the music has stopped playing.

KuCoin continues to extend the role of digital assets outside the realm of financial technology by linking Web3 with worldwide culture, entertainment, and daily experiences. KuCoin is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange and payments partner for Tomorrowland Winter and Tomorrowland Belgium 2026–2028. KuCoin’s long-term ambition is to make cryptocurrency more accessible via real-world participation and shared experiences. The premiere of the Celestia Stage is another milestone in this vision.

KuCoin is looking forward to Tomorrowland Belgium Weekend 2, which will feature an even more interactive experience, community activations, and exclusive surprises for festivalgoers from all over the world. This comes after an incredible opening weekend, during which the Celestia Stage will once again present a fresh lineup of world-class artists.

This weekend marks the beginning of the next chapter in the adventure, which now continues.

KuCoin is a prominent worldwide cryptocurrency platform that was established in 2017, and it is founded on trust and security. It now serves over 40 million users in more than 200 countries and regions internationally. This platform is well-known for its dependability and user-first attitude, and it combines cutting-edge technology, extensive liquidity, and robust security precautions in order to provide a trading experience that is completely frictionless. For the future of finance, KuCoin is committed to building a digital asset infrastructure that is transparent, compliant, and user-centric. This commitment is supported by certifications such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019. KuCoin offers access to more than 1,500 digital assets through a comprehensive product suite. In recent years, we have constructed a solid basis for worldwide compliance, which has been highlighted by significant milestones such as the registration of AUSTRAC in Australia, the acquisition of a MiCA license in Europe, and the advancement of regulatory progress in other regions.

Discover more by visiting www.kucoin.com.

KuCoin is a major global cryptocurrency platform that was established in 2017, and it is trusted by more than 40 million users across more than 200 nations and regions. In addition to providing access to more than one thousand listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet, the platform provides digital asset services that are on the cutting edge of innovation and compliance. In the European Economic Area (EEA), KuCoin does not provide any services available to its customers. In the European Economic Area (EEA), KuCoin EU is managed by KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, which has its headquarters in Vienna. KuCoin EU operates in accordance with the regulatory framework that is applicable in the EU, including MiCAR requirements concerning investor protection, market integrity, and transparency. KuCoin EU is neither the operator of a platform for trading crypto-assets, nor does it provide investing advice to its customers.

The Belgian brothers Manu and Michiel Beers established Tomorrowland twenty years ago, and the company continues to be a family-owned enterprise that is driven by a team of creative and enthusiastic individuals. The Tomorrowland brand has developed into a global entertainment brand over the course of its history.

A number of different business units make up the WEAREONE.world group. These business units include Festival & Events, Music, Experiences, Leisure, Products, and Fiction. There are now around 350 members of the team that are responsible for creating magic from the headquarters of the firm, which is located in Antwerp, Belgium, as well as local offices in Brazil, France, Ibiza, and Thailand.

In addition to being one of the most well-known and influential festival brands in the world, Tomorrowland is renowned for its ability to bring people together through the mediums of music, art, and narrative. It has inspired millions of people by providing them with remarkable experiences and a shared vision of connection.