The much awaited U.S. CPI report will be released today, and crypto traders are preparing for a volatile session. With the crypto market already down 0.3% to $2.16 trillion and Bitcoin trading near $62,400, today’s inflation data could decide whether the next move is a rally or another sell off.
June CPI Report According to Polymarket, June CPI is expected to increase 0.2% from the previous month, lower than the 0.5% rise recorded in May. On a yearly basis, inflation is expected to ease to 3.8%, down from 4.2% in the previous reading.
Investors will also closely watch the Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, as it is one of the Federal Reserve’s key inflation measures.
If inflation comes in lower than expected, it could ease pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates again. That would likely improve investor confidence and support Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.
However, a higher-than-expected reading could increase fears of another rate hike and put pressure on crypto prices.
Fed Officials Are Watching Inflation CloselyFederal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller recently warned that another strong inflation report would be taken seriously.
“If I get another higher one, I’m going to treat that as a signal, not noise.”
He also stressed that inflation has remained above the Fed’s 2% target for several months and cannot simply be ignored.
Following his comments, the CME FedWatch Tool now shows a 51.6% probability of another Fed rate hike in September, adding more uncertainty to financial markets.
Crypto Market Awaits a Volatile SessionMajor cryptocurrencies have dropped ahead of today’s report. As of now, Bitcoin is trading near $62,400, while Ethereum, XRP, and several other large-cap tokens have also posted losses over the past 24 hours.
Apart from inflation, investors are also keeping an eye on rising U.S.-Iran tensions, which could keep inflation elevated and influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
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Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
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Video footage showing smoke billowing from Bushehr Airport after US military strikes on Tuesday has added another layer of uncertainty to an already jittery global market. Bitcoin responded the way it usually does when missiles start flying: it went down.
The cryptocurrency dropped to approximately $61,688 as traders processed the implications of sustained US military operations targeting sites in and around Iran’s Bushehr province, a region that happens to sit at the crossroads of nuclear infrastructure and critical energy supply chains.
What happened in Bushehr US strikes targeted military sites in the Bushehr area over a multi-day campaign running from July 9 to July 12. The latest footage, showing an explosion and rising smoke at Bushehr Airport, is the most visceral evidence yet of the campaign’s scope.
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This isn’t the first time the airport has been hit. Back on March 3, an earlier round of strikes destroyed an Iran Air Airbus A319 sitting on the tarmac.
Iranian officials have reported no immediate casualties at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant itself, which sits nearby and has been a focal point of international concern for decades.
The broader concern isn’t just about the nuclear facility. Bushehr and the nearby Asaluyeh region are home to significant energy infrastructure, including gas processing facilities that feed into global supply chains.
Why crypto cares about missiles in Iran The drop to $61,688 reflects a pattern that crypto veterans have seen before. Geopolitical shocks tend to trigger an initial sell-off as traders de-risk, sometimes followed by a recovery once the dust settles.
Risk aversion during these episodes tends to be indiscriminate. Traders pull capital from crypto not because they think Bitcoin is directly affected by Iranian military infrastructure, but because portfolio managers and algorithmic trading systems treat heightened geopolitical uncertainty as a signal to rotate into safer positions. Treasury bonds and the US dollar tend to benefit. Bitcoin and altcoins tend to suffer.
The energy angle matters more than you think The Asaluyeh gas complex, located along the Persian Gulf coast not far from Bushehr, is one of the largest natural gas processing sites in the world. It’s the onshore terminus for Iran’s South Pars gas field, which contains roughly 8% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves.
The absence of any direct impact on crypto-native protocols or blockchain infrastructure is worth noting. No exchanges have reported disruptions. No DeFi protocols have been affected. The damage here is purely sentiment-driven.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, a registered investment advisor (RIA) based in Orlando, Florida, has disclosed that it holds shares of the Franklin XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).
In its latest 13F filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company reported holding 964 shares of the ETF, valued at around $11,000 at press time. The firm boasts $1.35-$1.4 billion in assets under management (AUM) and is currently ranked among the top 500 RIAs in the US and named to the Best Financial Advisory Firms list.
Source: sec.gov
XRP ETFs attract institutional interestA similar Virginia-based firm, Main Street Group, also disclosed XRP exposure. According to its Q2 2026 regulatory filing, the firm holds 5,261 shares (valued at roughly $58,292 at the time of writing) in the Canary XRP ETF.
Additional firms with exposure in various XRP ETFs include Larson Financial Group ($1.8 million), Q3 Asset Management ($430,000), and Hurley Capital ($135,000). These firms join more prominent players like Flow Traders, whose XRP ETF is worth $1.93 million and makes up the largest institutional XRP ETF portfolio.
While the amount of funds invested varies, the above filings indicate increased institutional interest in XRP ETFs. According to MarketBeat, institutional investors purchased over 160,000 XRP ETF shares in the last 24 months. In the past year, inflows into these investment vehicles have totaled $2.50 million with zero outflows.
Source: MarketBeat
Token price is not reflective of ETF inflowsDespite rising institutional investment in XRP ETFs, the token itself is down 62.16% over the past year, trading at $1.06. Investor anticipation of US Fed interest hikes to curb inflation has also caused a recent market downturn, with XRP down over 3% in the past day.
Source: CoinMarketCap
That said, there just may be a silver lining, since the token has printed a chart similar to one from a time when it surged by 60,000%.
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Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
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Bulls have been waiting for Ethereum to deliver a bullish technical signal for a long time. ETH has successfully broken out of a declining trendline that had capped every attempt at recovery since May after spending weeks stuck beneath short-term resistance. The move is one of the most significant technical advancements Ethereum has seen in recent months, even though it is not yet sufficient to signal the beginning of a full-scale bull market.
In the vicinity of the $1,750–$1,800 range, Ethereum was able to break above the declining resistance line that connected a string of lower highs. This is noteworthy because, ever since the rejection from the $2,400 area earlier in the year, the pattern has been strengthening bearish momentum. Ethereum is currently holding above its 50-day EMA at $1,740, and price action is stabilizing around $1,790.
ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewAdditionally, the 100-day EMA at $1,755 has been reclaimed, forming a supportive cluster below current price levels. The market structure observed throughout June, when ETH remained in the downtrend, is noticeably different from this. The improving outlook is reinforced by momentum indicators.
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The RSI has risen above 53, indicating increasing buying pressure and firmly entering bullish territory. In contrast to earlier attempts at a rebound, the current move has not caused the RSI to enter an overbought state, allowing for further upside if buyers continue to be active. The next challenge is just around the corner.
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The psychologically significant $1,800-$1,850 range, which has frequently served as resistance over the past few months, is drawing closer to Ethereum. The bullish case would be strengthened by a clear move above that area, which might also lead to an advance toward the 200-day EMA at $2,220. It is still important to keep an eye on volume.
Although the breakout is technically sound, increased trading activity would provide more evidence that larger market players and institutions, as opposed to just short-term traders, are backing the move.
There has been no complete reversal of the general trend. Ethereum is still trading beneath the long-term resistance structure set earlier this year and remains far below its 200-day moving average. However, the short-term picture is significantly altered by the successful trendline breakout.
Confidence in XRPXRP's wider recovery attempt might not be finished despite recent weakness and another rejection close to local resistance. Even though the asset is still stuck below important moving averages and is trading close to the $1.07 mark, there are a number of indicators suggesting that the market has not completely given up on the possibility of a bigger recovery. The chart doesn't appear very confident at first glance.
At $1.11 for the 50-day EMA, $1.15 for the 100-day EMA, and $1.26 for the 200-day EMA, XRP is still below these benchmarks. Such a configuration usually indicates that sellers are still in control of the longer-term trend and reflects a bearish market structure. However, the moving averages alone don't fully capture the complexity of the current situation.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe psychologically significant $1.00 area has been consistently defended by XRP since the sharp drop in June. Bears' attempts to force a clear breakdown have all been thwarted by buying activity, resulting in a comparatively stable support zone. Despite weeks of pressure, XRP has avoided hitting new lows, which suggests that selling momentum is gradually waning.
A fascinating tale is also told by volume. Selling volume has been continuously dropping, but buying activity is still insufficient to cause a breakout. This frequently occurs during accumulation phases, when market participants are less inclined to sell at low prices. The RSI is currently in the neutral 40-45 range.
This indicates that XRP is far from overheated and has potential for a recovery move if overall market conditions improve, even though it does not indicate bullish momentum. Reclaiming the 50-day EMA remains the bulls' primary goal. A successful move above $1.11 would probably draw in more momentum traders and open the door to the resistance zone between $1.15 and $1.20.
After that, the 200-day EMA at around $1.26 emerges as the primary technical obstacle. The current setup is notable because, despite trading below significant resistance levels, XRP is not accelerating downward. Rather, price action has begun a period of consolidation above support.
Bitcoin makes it back for nowBTC has risen back toward the $63,000-$64,000 range after rising from lows close to $58,000. This puts it directly below a significant resistance cluster that may dictate the market's next big move. The 50-day exponential moving average, which is currently close to $64,600, is the most immediate challenge.
Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin has tested this level several times but has been unable to produce a clear breakout. Sellers have been drawn in at each rejection, highlighting the significance of this area. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why the likelihood of a resistance break is rising.
First, since the June bottom, Bitcoin has been able to set a string of higher lows. Instead of retreating to the $58,000 support area, buyers have continuously intervened at increasingly higher prices. This behavior frequently indicates growing confidence and accumulation beneath resistance.
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Second, momentum indicators are improving over time. The daily RSI is approaching the neutral 50 level after recovering from oversold territory. It shows that the bearish momentum that dominated June has significantly decreased, even though it is not yet a fully bullish signal.
The broader market structure also supports a breakout. Bitcoin spent a few weeks consolidating after the sharp drop from the $82,000 area. Before making another directional move, markets usually need to go through these stages of consolidation. The longer Bitcoin stays above important support levels without hitting new lows, the more pressure builds against surrounding resistance.
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Traders should not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, however. Even if Bitcoin surpasses the 50-day EMA, there will be more resistance near the 100-day EMA, which is located at $68,600. Above that, the 200-day EMA at approximately $74,700 remains the final line separating the market from a complete trend reversal.
Volume continues to be an issue. In contrast to the significant selling volume observed during the June crash, recent recovery attempts have involved comparatively low trading activity. During any breakout attempt, bulls would prefer to see a discernible increase in participation.
For the time being, Bitcoin does not appear to be actively rejected by resistance; instead, it seems to be coiling beneath it. A close above the $64,500–$65,000 range would greatly boost sentiment and might lead to a move toward $68,000. The technical setup indicates that Bitcoin's chances of breaking resistance are improving every day, even though confirmation is still required.
Ethereum has registered a notable technical development after breaking above a declining trendline that restricted its price recovery since May. For weeks, ETH had traded below short-term resistance, but the latest price surge marks one of the most significant movements for the asset in recent months. However, analysts caution that this action does not, on its own, signal the start of a new bull market.
Ethereum breaks key trendlineETH surpassed the downward resistance in the $1,750–$1,800 region, moving beyond a line that connected a sequence of lower highs set over previous months. This breakout comes on the heels of a long-running bearish pattern that had intensified following a rejection from the $2,400 level earlier in the year. Currently, ETH is holding above its 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $1,740, and its price is consolidating near $1,790.
The asset has also reclaimed the 100-day EMA at $1,755, creating a supportive zone beneath the current price. This shift marks a departure from the more bearish market structure seen in June when ETH remained in a downtrend. Supporting indicators, such as momentum metrics, add to this improving outlook.
The relative strength index (RSI) has lifted past 53, pointing to increasing buying interest and a move into bullish territory. The indicator has not entered overbought conditions, which leaves room for additional upside if demand persists. The next test for Ethereum is approaching quickly.
Major resistance sits in the $1,800–$1,850 range—a level that has repeatedly capped previous rallies in recent months. If ETH achieves a decisive move above this band, it could target its 200-day EMA near $2,220. However, trading volume remains closely scrutinized.
Although the breakout is promising from a technical perspective, increased trading activity would provide further confirmation that larger institutional participants are backing the move rather than only short-term traders.
ETH price has broken out above key resistance, and if supported by higher volume, it could signal broader trend improvement for Ethereum in the coming weeks.
Despite the recent upswing, ETH is still trading below the long-term resistance established earlier this year and remains well under its 200-day moving average. Still, the short-term narrative has shifted with the successful trendline breakout.
XRP defends critical supportXRP, developed by Ripple Labs, is showing attempts at a broader recovery despite recent weakness and rejection near local resistance. While XRP currently trades just above $1.07 and remains under its key moving averages, several market indicators still hint at persistent recovery potential.
The 50-day EMA at $1.11, 100-day EMA at $1.15, and 200-day EMA at $1.26 each continue to act as resistance above XRP’s current level, suggesting a predominantly bearish long-term outlook. However, these averages do not fully represent the current buying activity near psychological support.
Since the steep decline in June, the $1.00 zone has proven to be a strong support area. Attempts to push XRP below this level have failed, indicating solid demand and suggesting that downward momentum may be fading. Notably, XRP has managed to avoid fresh lows in the face of sustained pressure.
Volume patterns are also revealing. Selling activity has steadily decreased, but current levels of buyer participation remain insufficient to trigger a breakout. This environment often reflects accumulation, where investors refrain from selling at lower levels.
The RSI stands between 40 and 45, signaling neither oversold nor overbought conditions and leaving open the possibility for a rebound if market sentiment improves. Reclaiming the 50-day EMA at $1.11 is an immediate target for bulls and a move above it could open the path toward the $1.15–$1.20 resistance area. Should this rally continue, the 200-day EMA at $1.26 is the next major technical hurdle.
Ripple Labs is a US-based technology company focusing on digital payment protocols and the development of XRP, a digital asset used for cross-border financial transfers.
Mini dictionary: Exponential Moving Average (EMA), a technical indicator that gives greater weight to more recent price data and is used to gauge short- and long-term market trends.
Interestingly, XRP is consolidating above support, showing resilience despite trading below all major resistance zones.
Bitcoin eyes major resistanceBitcoin (BTC) has rebounded toward the $63,000–$64,000 range after recovering from lows near $58,000. The move places Bitcoin immediately below a key resistance cluster that could determine the asset’s short-term trajectory. The 50-day EMA, currently at $64,600, represents the next technical challenge for bulls.
BTC has approached this level several times recently, but each attempt resulted in sellers regaining control. This repeated rejection underscores the significance of the current resistance zone, but several signals now point toward increasing odds of a breakthrough.
AssetCurrent Price AreaKey Resistance Level50-day EMA200-day EMAEthereum (ETH)$1,790$1,800-$1,850$1,740$2,220XRP$1.07$1.11-$1.20$1.11$1.26Bitcoin (BTC)$63,000-$64,000$64,500-$65,000$64,600$74,700BTC has set higher lows since its June bottom, with buyers stepping in at elevated prices instead of letting it drop back to $58,000. This price action hints at persistent accumulation and growing confidence among investors. Momentum indicators, such as the daily RSI, are improving and now approach the neutral 50 level, showing that bearish momentum has eased, even if bullish signals are not fully confirmed.
The market structure reinforces the breakout potential. After consolidating since the crash from $82,000, Bitcoin’s failure to make new lows increases the upward pressure on resistance. Yet, substantial challenges remain, including the 100-day EMA at $68,600 and the 200-day EMA at about $74,700.
Volume trends are still subdued. The sizable selling volume seen during the June drop has yet to be matched by buying activity in recovery attempts, so traders are watching for increased participation to support a breakout.
Bitcoin is consolidating below the $64,500–$65,000 resistance range, and a close above this level could quickly shift the broader sentiment and set the stage for a move toward $68,000.
Currently, BTC appears to be gathering strength immediately beneath major resistance without facing strong rejections. The technical picture suggests that the chances of a breakout are improving, although more confirmation is needed.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Ripple Chief Technology Officer Emeritus David Schwartz has argued that the regulator repeatedly portrayed XRP itself as a security before courts rejected that position.
The discussion unfolded on X in response to former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, who argued that the agency's legal case centered on Ripple's sales of XRP rather than on the token itself.
"To prove a violation of Sec. 5, they needed to establish Ripple sold XRP as a security; and they say exactly that," Fagel wrote. "They might have to take that on when suing exchanges, but not here."
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Schwartz disagreed, accusing Fagel of oversimplifying the SEC's position.
"I agree. The problem is that you are falsely characterizing the argument they are making as a different argument they are not making."
He specifically challenged Fagel's assertion that "their only legal argument was that Ripple sold it as a security." "But that's not true," Schwartz said. "You are ignoring the entire thrust of their argument, their statements around it, and the pushback they got from the court. This is an attempt at completely rewriting history."
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According to Schwartz, the SEC's public messaging and legal filings went well beyond alleging that Ripple conducted unregistered securities offerings.
"The complaint itself frequently refers to XRP itself as the security. The SEC's press release frequently refers to XRP itself as the security," he wrote.
Fagel acknowledged that the SEC's messaging may not have always reflected the nuances of its legal arguments.
"I'm not defending what I think was a lack of nuance in how the SEC framed its legal theories; it certainly felt like their points evolved over time," Fagel said. "But ultimately the Ripple case came down to whether it sold XRP as securities."
Schwartz countered that this framing overlooks what he considers one of Ripple's biggest courtroom victories.
"Right, but let's not forget that's because the courts soundly rejected the SEC's arguments (both to the courts and to the public) to the contrary," he wrote. "That was, correctly, understood to be a substantial victory at the time."
A three-year anniversary The exchange revisits one of the central issues surrounding the SEC's 2020 lawsuit against Ripple. Three years ago, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions, while institutional sales of XRP to sophisticated investors did violate federal securities laws.
The mixed ruling was widely viewed as a partial victory for Ripple.
The decision held that XRP itself is not a security and found that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. Judge Torres reasoned that retail buyers on secondary markets could not have known they were purchasing tokens from Ripple and therefore lacked a reasonable expectation of profits based on Ripple's efforts under the Howey Test.
Key Takeaways XRP currently trades near $1.09, experiencing a monthly decline exceeding 6% Large transactions exceeding $1 million on XRP Ledger plunged from approximately 70 to merely 2 Technical indicators show predominant sell signals with most moving averages positioned above current price levels Critical support zone between $1.00 and $0.95 draws intense trader focus Breaking beneath $0.90 might trigger extended downside movement toward $0.44 Ripple’s XRP currently maintains a position slightly above $1.09 on Bitstamp, though the prevailing momentum has trended downward for several weeks. The digital asset has declined 2.23% during the last 24 hours, shed 4.24% across the previous week, and dropped 6.83% throughout the past month.
XRP Price The downward trajectory traces back to August 2025, when XRP reached a swing peak of $3.66. From that point forward, the momentum has remained consistently negative.
Market participants are now intensely monitoring the $1.00 support threshold. This level represented a significant breakout point approximately two years prior, establishing its historical significance for numerous traders.
Examining the four-hour timeframe reveals XRP nearing additional support around $0.95. Technical analysts have identified what appears to be an ending diagonal formation — a chart pattern frequently associated with trend exhaustion.
Market commentator @ew-forecast observed the pattern “could signal that selling pressure is starting to mature,” while emphasizing that the overall market structure continues to display bearish characteristics without definitive reversal confirmation.
Major Holder Activity Reaches Extreme Lows Blockchain metrics are drawing considerable attention. Based on Santiment information shared by analyst Ali Martinez, daily XRP Ledger transactions valued above $1 million plummeted from roughly 70 earlier this week to a mere 2.
Whale activity on the $XRP Ledger has cooled significantly.
The number of transactions worth more than $1 million has dropped from 70 over the past week to just 2 today. pic.twitter.com/th3C7vEkT2
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) July 12, 2026
This dramatic decline doesn’t necessarily indicate major holders are liquidating positions. Rather, it suggests significant inactivity — institutional players appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach before committing to new positions.
Open Interest metrics have similarly contracted, reflecting hesitancy among futures traders to establish aggressive directional wagers. Exchange reserve data shows a downward trajectory as well, potentially suggesting accumulation behavior, though not necessarily indicating imminent price appreciation.
Analyst Celal Kucuker shared observations on X, drawing attention to an RSI divergence pattern forming on XRP. His assessment was direct: “A strong rally could be about to begin.” While the divergence merits attention, it hasn’t yet catalyzed substantial buying interest.
Technical Readings Maintain Negative Bias TradingView’s aggregate assessment for XRP registers as Neutral, though deeper examination reveals 14 sell indicators, 10 neutral readings, and only 2 buy signals. The RSI currently measures 43.45, positioned beneath the neutral threshold of 50. The ADX registers 14.74, indicating the present trend demonstrates limited directional momentum.
Critical Price Levels Under Observation The majority of exponential and simple moving averages — spanning from the 10-period through the 200-period EMA — remain positioned above the current trading price, collectively generating sell signals. The 200-period EMA stands at $1.468, considerably above XRP’s present valuation.
Source: TradingView Significant support zones include $1.00, $0.95, $0.85, and $0.60. Should price action breach below $0.90, the subsequent substantial support level could extend as low as $0.44, according to historical drawdown patterns from earlier cycles identified by analyst Chart Nerd.
Resistance consolidates between $1.10 and $1.13, where multiple moving averages intersect.
The latest blockchain data confirms whale activity has reached historically suppressed levels for this timeframe, with only 2 substantial transactions documented on the XRP Ledger during the most recent session.
Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance have formed a strategic partnership to expand institutional XRP finance in Japan.
Summary
Doppler and SBI Digital Finance will build regulated institutional XRP infrastructure for Japan’s financial market. The partnership targets lending, liquidity, collateral management and tokenized assets rather than retail trading services. SBI’s broader crypto strategy includes exchanges, stablecoins, payments, rewards and institutional market infrastructure projects. The companies announced the agreement on July 13, saying they will work on digital asset infrastructure for professional market participants.
The partnership combines Doppler’s tokenized capital market systems with SBI Digital Finance’s institutional network and crypto lending experience. The announcement did not disclose financial terms, launch dates, named clients or a specific product ready for release.
Partnership targets institutional XRP infrastructure Doppler and SBI Digital Finance plan to support infrastructure for XRP and other digital assets in Japan. Their stated work areas include institutional solutions for XRP, tokenized assets and wider tokenized financial markets, subject to applicable Japanese rules. The services could target banks, funds and professional trading firms.
Doppler Finance X SBI Digital Finance
Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Institutional XRP Finance in Japan
The partnership brings together Doppler’s digital asset infrastructure and SBI Digital Finance’s institutional market… pic.twitter.com/pTSyxkXgYM
— Doppler Finance (@doppler_fi) July 14, 2026 The companies said institutional demand now reaches beyond custody. They expect market participants to seek systems for liquidity, financing, collateral management and better use of capital. The partnership focuses on those functions rather than retail trading or a new consumer XRP service.
SBI Digital Finance brings lending experience SBI Digital Finance operates HashHub Lending, a Japan-based service for lending crypto assets. Doppler said the company brings market relationships, risk controls and operational experience that could support products designed for institutions.
Rox, Doppler Finance’s head of institutions, said the company aims to “transform digital assets from passive holdings into productive financial capital.” The statement presents that goal as a development plan. It does not confirm that institutions can already access a new XRP lending, yield or collateral product through the partnership.
Agreement extends Doppler’s work with SBI companies The new agreement follows an earlier link between Doppler and another SBI business. In December 2025, SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler signed a memorandum to explore XRP-based yield infrastructure and real-world asset tokenization on the XRP Ledger. The partners selected SBI Digital Markets to provide institutional custody for that initiative.
The July partnership names SBI Digital Finance, a separate lending-focused company within the wider SBI network. Doppler has not explained whether the two agreements will share products, custody arrangements or customers. Both initiatives center on regulated infrastructure intended to give institutions more ways to use XRP and tokenized assets.
SBI expands Japan’s regulated digital asset network Japan already hosts a broad SBI-led XRP ecosystem. As previously reported, SBI companies have supported regulated prepaid tokens on the XRP Ledger, RLUSD distribution, tokenized bonds with XRP rewards and other payment and investment services. The latest partnership adds lending and capital-market infrastructure to that wider activity.
SBI has also expanded its exchange and institutional market reach. The group moved to acquire Bitbank after SBI VC Trade absorbed Bitpoint Japan. Separately, SBI led EDX Markets’ $76 million funding round for institutional trading, clearing and settlement infrastructure.
Related activity has also drawn XRP-focused firms toward Japan. As reported by crypto.news, Evernorth recently opened a Japanese-language presence while pursuing a planned public XRP treasury. SBI committed $200 million to the proposed transaction, although Evernorth did not announce a new Japanese license, office or product.
The Doppler partnership remains at the development stage. Neither company identified lending rates, supported assets beyond XRP, collateral terms, custody providers or an expected launch window. Future announcements will need to define the services institutions can use and the regulatory approvals required in Japan.
XRP has become the most bullish major cryptocurrency on social media, according to on-chain analytics platform Santiment.
Despite recent price weakness, retail traders are showing the highest level of fear of missing out (FOMO) in five weeks.
XRP Tops Social Sentiment Rankings Santiment Intelligence reported that XRP recorded a positive-to-negative commentary ratio of 3.02-to-1 on Monday, the highest among the three largest cryptocurrencies it tracks.
Ethereum ranked second at 2.31-to-1, while Bitcoin remained comparatively neutral at 1.40-to-1.
The firm said market sentiment has shifted away from fear, but optimism is not evenly distributed across major assets. XRP has entered what Santiment described as a “major FOMO” zone, while Ethereum shows only mild FOMO.
Bullish Sentiment Rises Despite Price Weakness The surge in bullish commentary comes even as XRP’s price and that of Ethereum have struggled to maintain recent gains. Santiment noted that Bitcoin and Ethereum started Monday’s session higher before giving back those gains. XRP also faced selling pressure despite the rise in positive social sentiment.
For context, XRP’s price reached $1.1180 three days ago but has since fallen to just above $1.05, raising the risk of dropping below $1. XRP is now down 5.56% over the past week and more than 6% over the past month.
The analytics platform warned that rising optimism during a price decline can increase short-term downside risks.
“Crypto typically moves opposite to what the crowd is loudly expecting,” Santiment said.
The firm added that excessive bullishness around XRP or Ethereum while prices are falling could delay a recovery or lead to additional selling pressure.
Unlike XRP, Ethereum’s price still maintains a positive weekly performance and is up 6.24% over the past month. However, on a year-to-date basis, ETH is down 40%, while XRP has fallen even further, declining more than 42%.
Bitcoin Cautious Mood May Be More Constructive By comparison, Santiment said Bitcoin’s more balanced sentiment could provide a healthier setup for future gains.
The firm noted that markets often have more room to rally when retail traders are not overly optimistic. Bitcoin’s lower positive-to-negative commentary ratio suggests investors remain relatively cautious, unlike the stronger retail enthusiasm surrounding XRP and Ethereum.
Santiment’s findings are based on its Positive vs. Negative Commentary Ratio, a social sentiment metric that tracks bullish and bearish discussions across major crypto-related social media platforms.
Bitcoin is currently trading at around $62,500, down 1.2% over the past week and 2.7% over the past month.
Before the latest pullback, the market had shown signs of improvement, with Bitcoin approaching $65,000. However, amid the overall cautious sentiment, the market has started to retrace once again.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has challenged claims that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission focused only on Ripple’s sales of XRP.
Summary
David Schwartz says the SEC repeatedly portrayed XRP itself as a security during Ripple litigation. Marc Fagel argues the case ultimately tested whether Ripple sold XRP through unregistered securities offerings. The 2023 ruling separated XRP tokens from transactions, rejecting programmatic sales while penalizing institutional deals. He said the agency’s complaint and public statements repeatedly described XRP itself as a security before the court rejected parts of that broader position.
The exchange followed comments from former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, who said the case ultimately turned on whether Ripple sold XRP through unregistered securities offerings. Schwartz argued that this summary leaves out the regulator’s original language and the court’s response to it.
Schwartz disputes narrower reading of SEC case In a July 14 X exchange, Fagel said the SEC needed to prove that Ripple sold XRP as a security to establish a Section 5 violation. He added that the agency did not need to decide every secondary-market transaction in its case against Ripple.
Schwartz agreed that Ripple’s sales mattered but rejected the claim that this was the regulator’s only argument. He wrote, “The complaint itself frequently refers to XRP itself as the security.” He called the narrower retelling “an attempt at completely rewriting history.”
You are ignoring the entire thrust of their argument, their statements around it, and the pushback they got from the court. This is an attempt at completely rewriting history.
The complaint itself frequently refers to XRP itself as the security. The SEC's press release… pic.twitter.com/pjF6Ku0Jbf
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 13, 2026 SEC complaint used broad language around XRP The SEC’s December 2020 complaint said Ripple and its executives sold more than 14.6 billion units of a “digital asset security called XRP.” The regulator alleged that the sales raised more than $1.38 billion without registration or an exemption.
The SEC’s public announcement focused on Ripple’s alleged unregistered offering and its executives’ personal sales. Fagel later acknowledged that the agency’s messaging lacked nuance and that its points appeared to change during the case. He maintained that the final legal question concerned Ripple’s XRP transactions.
Court separated the token from each transaction Judge Analisa Torres drew a distinction between XRP and the contracts or schemes used to sell it. Her July 2023 order said XRP, as a digital token, was not “in and of itself” a contract, transaction or scheme that met the Howey test.
The court then reviewed Ripple’s sales by category. It found that about $728.9 million in direct institutional sales constituted unregistered investment contracts. Programmatic exchange sales did not meet the same test because buyers did not know whether Ripple or another holder sold the tokens.
Ripple case ended with split ruling intact The SEC and Ripple dismissed their appeals in August 2025, formally ending the civil case. The final judgment kept a $125.04 million penalty and a permanent injunction tied to future unregistered institutional sales.
Notably, the XRP community marked July 13 as the third anniversary of the 2023 ruling. The decision protected Ripple’s programmatic exchange sales while leaving its institutional transactions subject to securities law.
Related reporting showed that Ripple considered closing after the SEC filed its complaint. The company continued the case and spent about $150 million on its legal defense, according to Ripple executives, as reported by crypto.news.
Schwartz said the court’s rejection of the SEC’s broader position formed a major part of Ripple’s victory. Fagel said the outcome still centered on whether Ripple’s sales qualified as securities transactions. Their exchange reflects a lasting dispute over the agency’s legal burden, public wording and the ruling that followed. That distinction still shapes how XRP’s legal history is described.
Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty commemorated the third anniversary of the company’s pivotal court victory, emphasizing, “Happy XRP IS NOT A SECURITY Day.” Ripple Labs, the blockchain-based payments company that created XRP, spotlighted this milestone as one of the most influential legal moments in the cryptocurrency industry.
Landmark SEC lawsuit shapes US crypto regulationThe anniversary marks three years since US District Judge Analisa Torres ruled on July 13, 2023, in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) case against Ripple. Judge Torres rejected the SEC’s broad assertion that XRP, the digital asset at the center of the dispute, was itself a security.
The court differentiated between the sale of XRP and the token itself, concluding that programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. Buyers in those transactions had no direct connection to Ripple, nor a reasonable expectation of profits based solely on Ripple’s actions.
However, Judge Torres found that Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP did violate securities laws, based on how they were marketed and sold to sophisticated buyers. Despite this, the judgment clarified that XRP itself is not, by default, a security.
This dual finding created a significant precedent in US crypto regulation, weakening the SEC’s broader strategy of treating most digital assets as securities and affecting ongoing and future regulatory cases.
The outcome also increased pressure on US lawmakers to deliver comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation, with industry voices intensifying calls for Congress to define clear rules, rather than relying on enforcement-led or litigation-based approaches.
Judge Torres specified that “Ripple’s programmatic sales of XRP did not result in an investment contract,” underscoring that the nature of the transaction, not the token itself, determines whether securities laws apply.
XRP holders and legal advocacy highlightedCrypto attorney John Deaton, known for representing digital asset investors, acknowledged the critical support over 75,000 XRP holders provided throughout the lengthy SEC case. Their advocacy aided Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen as they defended against regulatory scrutiny.
Judge Torres cited Deaton’s amicus brief and referenced nearly 4,000 affidavits submitted by XRP holders, highlighting tangible community involvement in the legal proceedings.
Deaton also noted that his arguments, previously raised in the LBRY case, were echoed by the judge. In his submission for Ripple, Deaton stressed that digital tokens such as XRP merely represent lines of code and do not, by themselves, meet the definition of a security.
Three years following the decision, the Ripple case stands as a cornerstone in US crypto legal history, heavily influencing debates about the regulatory status of digital assets across the financial sector.
Deaton emphasized that recognizing XRP as software code rather than a security set a transformative standard for how courts and regulators approach digital tokens in the US.
Mini dictionary: Amicus brief: A legal document submitted to a court by someone who is not a party to the case, offering information or expertise relevant to the issues being considered.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
Geopolitical tensions have once again rattled financial markets, but institutional investors are showing signs of returning to crypto, with particular interest in Crypto ETFs as a way to gain exposure. Bitcoin held above $62,500 while Ethereum traded near $1,700 despite fresh uncertainty after U.S. strikes on Iran and Tehran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
The steady price action, along with improving ETF flows, suggests large investors are continuing to build positions rather than exiting the market.
Crypto ETFs End 8-Week Outflow StreakAccording to The Kobeissi Letter, crypto investment products attracted $281.8 million in net inflows last week, ending an eight-week streak of more than $7 billion in outflows.
Bitcoin funds accounted for $197.4 million, while Ethereum investment products added another $84.4 million. Even so, the recovery remains early. Total 12-month ETF inflows now stand at around $1 billion, far below the $10 billion recorded in April and the $12 billion peak seen in October 2025.
The report noted that buyers are beginning to return, but this is “buyers dipping a toe, not a full cycle turn yet.”
BlackRock Continues to Lead Bitcoin DemandInstitutional demand remained heavily concentrated in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
According to Farside Investors, IBIT attracted $291.9 million in fresh capital last week, more than offsetting outflows from Grayscale, ARK 21Shares, and Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETFs.
Bitcoin also held above $62,000 despite oil prices climbing 4–5% following Middle East tensions, highlighting the asset’s resilience during a period of broader macro uncertainty.
XRP, SOL and HYPE ETFs See Fresh InterestInstitutional activity also extended beyond Bitcoin.
According to SoSoValue, XRP ETFs recorded $7.18 million in net inflows. Virginia-based Main Street Group disclosed holdings of 5,261 shares of the Canary XRP ETF, valued at roughly $58,292. Other institutional investors include Larson Financial Group ($1.8 million), Q3 Asset Management ($430,000), Hurley Capital ($135,000), and Flow Traders, which currently holds the largest reported XRP ETF position at $1.93 million.
Meanwhile, Solana ETFs attracted $930,430 in net inflows, while HYPE ETFs added $10.36 million, reflecting growing institutional interest across select altcoins.
Analyst Warns $61K Remains the Key LevelCrypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe said Bitcoin’s overall structure has not changed much, but short-term weakness is becoming more visible.
I don't think much has changed on #Bitcoin, yet.
However, there's clearly a lack of strength, as;
– Yields are going up.
– Oil is going up.
– Nasdaq is going down.
There's also a clear bearish divergence (and bullish divergence) at play.
Matter of question of which one is… pic.twitter.com/BxX4mKhzea
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) July 13, 2026 He pointed to rising bond yields, higher oil prices, and a weaker Nasdaq as signs that risk assets remain under pressure. Van de Poppe expects Bitcoin could briefly fall below $61,000 in July to form a triple bottom before recovering.
According to the analyst, the $61,000 level remains the most important support to hold, as losing it could trigger another wave of downside momentum.
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CASHCAT’s market cap briefly surpassed $200 million, rising over 20% in 24 hours.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood Chain meme coin CASHCAT briefly exceeded $200 million in market capitalization, and has now retreated to $192 million, posting a more than 20% 24-hour gain with a 24-hour trading volume of $40.3 million. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coins are subject to extreme price volatility, and investors should exercise caution regarding associated risks.
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Global crude oil prices continue to rise, with both U.S. WTI and Brent crude up 3% on the day.
According to Bitget market data, Brent crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $85.31 per barrel. WTI crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $80.14 per barrel. Trump posted a statement yesterday saying that the US will immediately resume the blockade of Iran and impose a 20% fee on cargo transportation.
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Market sources: Samsung is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the U.S.
According to market sources, Samsung is holding preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the United States.
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Goldman Sachs: Hong Kong's market has entered the AI era, and equity financing volume is expected to reach a new high this year.
Wang Yajun, Head of Equity Capital Markets for Goldman Sachs Asia (ex-Japan), noted that Hong Kong’s market has entered the AI era, yet major stock indices have not fully reflected the impact of AI-related enterprises. This explains the contrast between this year’s red-hot IPO fundraising and the relatively lackluster performance of secondary market indices. Wang forecasts that Hong Kong’s total equity financing and IPO fundraising scale will both reach new highs in 2026. Since the start of this year, AI has become the most active investment theme in Hong Kong’s stock market: the most actively traded, best-performing, and largest fundraising stocks are all AI-related, though index constituent adjustments lag behind. Regarding AI industry valuations, Wang believes that sustained growth in AI demand will drive continued expansion of capital expenditures on infrastructure such as computing power, chips, and storage, and the industry still has room for growth in capital spending. As China’s AI industrial chain continues to improve, more AI enterprises are expected to list in Hong Kong or on the STAR Market in the second half of the year.
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The funding rate of SK Hynix-related contracts on Hyperliquid surged more than 130% within one hour.
Hyperliquid platform’s SK Hynix-linked contracts SKHX and SKHY have seen extremely robust trading activity, with a combined 24-hour trading volume of $1.836 billion, surpassing Bitcoin (BTC) to become the platform’s most active asset by trading volume. SKHX alone notched a 24-hour volume of $1.63 billion and open interest (OI) of $635 million, while SKHY posted a 24-hour volume of $206 million and OI of $101 million. SKHY still trades at a roughly 26% premium to SKHX. Notably, SKHX’s funding rate surged sharply in just one hour: it jumped from +0.0064% to +0.0151%, a rise of over 130%. Concurrently, the contract’s trading volume dipped slightly from $1.663 billion to $1.604 billion, and its open interest fell from $638.6 million to $627.1 million. A sharp spike in funding rates typically signals a rapid rise in bullish sentiment, as long positions flood the market—traders holding long positions face higher costs to maintain their bets, reflecting intensifying long-short battles in SKHX contracts and growing speculative enthusiasm for SK Hynix’s US-listed assets.
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The United States launched a five-hour continuous air raid on Iran, in retaliation for Iran's bombing of a U.S. military base in Jordan.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. military air base in Jordan and called on Jordanian citizens to resist the U.S. military presence there. Jordanian authorities said its air defense systems successfully intercepted four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, and the incident caused no casualties or property damage. In response, U.S. Central Command, with authorization from President Donald Trump, carried out approximately five hours of continuous airstrikes on targets inside Iran. This marked the third consecutive night of large-scale U.S. military strikes against Iran. According to Iranian media reports, multiple targets including the port of Bandar Abbas were struck, with some naval maintenance facilities damaged. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Trump recently proposed that the U.S. would take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and planned to impose a 20% fee on goods transiting the waterway, sparking widespread international controversy. Affected by the escalating situation in the Middle East, international oil prices rose nearly 3% at one point, as markets worry that shipping risks in the strait will further exacerbate global energy supply tensions.
The U.S. government transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime on Monday, according to blockchain data.
Summary
U.S. government wallets transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime. The Bitcoin movement renewed questions about compliance with Trump’s strategic reserve order banning government sales. Coinbase Prime supports custody and trading, so the transfers do not prove an immediate liquidation. The move renewed questions about how federal agencies plan to handle crypto covered by President Donald Trump’s reserve policy.
The transfers included about 3,940 BTC worth roughly $244 million and around 30,000 ETH valued near $53 million at the time. Arkham’s government wallet tracker recorded the movements, although changing market prices can alter their dollar value.
Seized Bitcoin and Ether reach Coinbase Prime Galaxy Research head Alex Thorn linked the Bitcoin to seizures involving Ryan Farace, known online as “Xanaxman,” and the closed BTC-e exchange.
“These coin movements were comprised of coins seized from Ryan Farace and defunct crypto exchange BTC-e,” Thorn said.
these coin movements were comprised of coins seized from ryan farace (“xanaxman”) and defunct crypto exchange btc-e
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) July 13, 2026 The Ether came from wallets tied to Brian Krewson, an Oracle employee connected to a federal case involving crypto storage and money laundering. The transfers brought assets from several enforcement cases into an institutional platform used by government agencies and large investors.
Transfer does not confirm a government sale A deposit to Coinbase Prime can allow trading, but it does not prove that officials plan to sell the assets. Coinbase Prime provides custody, execution, financing and staking services. Federal agencies may use the platform to consolidate wallets or move assets into managed custody.
The U.S. Marshals Service selected Coinbase Prime in 2024 to safeguard and trade certain forfeited digital assets. Government wallets have since sent funds to the platform several times. As reported by crypto.news, authorities moved nearly $984,000 in FTX and Alameda-linked crypto in June, with about $768,000 reaching Coinbase Prime.
Trump reserve order limits Bitcoin sales Trump’s March 2025 executive order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate stockpile for other digital assets. The order says Bitcoin placed in the reserve “shall not be sold” and must remain a U.S. reserve asset.
The order also allows some exceptions under existing law. Agencies may return assets to verified victims, use them for law enforcement work or follow a court order. Ether and other non-Bitcoin holdings fall under the separate digital asset stockpile, where the Treasury can set stewardship plans within its legal authority.
Reserve structure remains unsettled The latest movement comes while federal agencies still debate who should manage the Bitcoin reserve.Treasury and Commerce have discussed control of seized BTC while officials review custody, legal authority and the need for new legislation.
Government-linked wallets still hold about $20.5 billion in crypto, based on current tracker estimates. Bitcoin accounts for most of the total, with roughly 325,000 BTC. The wallets also hold Ether, Tether, wrapped Bitcoin and other seized assets, although public trackers may not identify every federal address.
The recorded balance can change quickly because crypto prices move throughout the day. It can also change when courts order restitution, agencies transfer custody, or investigators identify new wallets. Public dashboards therefore provide estimates rather than a complete official federal accounting.
The Monday transfers ranked among the largest government-linked moves to Coinbase Prime in 2026. In April,a federal wallet sent 2.438 BTC from a separate criminal case to the platform.
On-chain records show where funds moved, but they do not reveal the government’s final instructions to Coinbase Prime. A confirmed sale would require further wallet activity, trading records or an official statement. Until then, the transaction remains a custody or asset-management move rather than proof of liquidation.
This is a general announcement. Products and services referred to here may not be available in your region. Fellow Binancians, Binance will perform wallet maintenance for Ethereum Network (ETH) at 2026-07-16 06:00 (UTC). To support the wallet maintenance, deposits and withdrawals on Ethereum Network (ETH) will be suspended starting from 2026-07-16 05:55 (UTC), and be resumed when the maintenance is complete. The maintenance will take about one hour. Please note: The trading of token(s) on the aforementioned network will not be impacted.Binance will handle all technical requirements involved for all users.Deposits and withdrawals for token(s) on the aforementioned network will be reopened once the upgraded network is deemed to be stable. No further announcement will be posted.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 2026-07-14
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
Key Highlights BitMine acquired 27,801 ETH over the past week, pushing its total reserves to 5.77 million ETH valued at approximately $10.25 billion US spot Ethereum ETFs saw $84.42 million in net inflows, marking the first positive week after eight consecutive weeks of capital outflows ETH dropped beneath $1,800 following escalated U.S.-Iran military tensions that drove oil prices above $74 and sparked risk-off market behavior Critical support remains established at $1,750; breaching resistance at $1,825–$1,850 could push prices toward $2,140 according to daily chart double-bottom formations $81.75 million worth of positions were liquidated over 24 hours, with long positions accounting for $57 million of the total Ethereum continues to trade in the vicinity of $1,760 after dipping under the $1,800 threshold amid heightened U.S.-Iran military confrontation. Recent American airstrikes against Iranian targets propelled crude oil prices approximately 4% higher to surpass $74 per barrel, prompting investors to retreat from risky assets such as cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum (ETH) Price Iranian officials reported strikes on U.S. military installations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan as retaliatory measures. Growing concerns surrounding the strategic Strait of Hormuz corridor intensified downward pressure across global financial markets.
ETH retreated roughly 3.6% from its Monday session peak of $1,837. Market participants continue to protect the $1,750 price floor for the time being.
Corporate Accumulation Gains Momentum BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) increased its Ethereum reserves by 27,801 ETH throughout the previous week. This acquisition brings the company’s aggregate holdings to 5.77 million ETH, representing an estimated market value of $10.25 billion.
BitMine Buys 27,801 ETH, Holdings Reach 5.77M ETH
BitMine said it acquired 27,801 ETH over the past week, lifting total holdings to 5,770,038 ETH, or about 4.8% of Ethereum’s supply, and has staked 4,917,189 ETH. As of July 12, the company also held $482 million in cash and… pic.twitter.com/mPIsOLFZ9c
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 13, 2026
BitMine’s Chairman Thomas Lee disclosed that projected annualized staking revenue has reached $242 million. The organization has allocated 4.91 million ETH — representing approximately 85% of total reserves — to its Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN), which is currently generating a 7-day annualized staking yield of 2.70%.
The Nevada-based enterprise reports it has achieved 96% completion toward its strategic objective of controlling 5% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply.
US spot Ethereum ETFs registered $84.42 million in net capital inflows during the past week, based on SoSoValue tracking data. This represents the first positive weekly performance following two consecutive months of withdrawals.
Market Analyst Perspectives Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez indicated he would establish long positions on ETH upon a decisive break above $1,850. This price level corresponds with a significant short liquidation concentration zone between $1,840 and $1,860 identified in CoinGlass data, where forced short closure could potentially accelerate upward momentum.
Analyst Ted Pillows observed on July 13 that ETH maintaining support above $1,750 represents an encouraging signal, suggesting a potential rally toward $2,000 if this foundation persists.
Cryptocurrency analyst Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) commented that despite broader market headwinds, ETH “isn’t bothered” and is “showing a lot of strength” relative to Bitcoin. He highlighted improving momentum in the ETH/BTC trading pair and referenced the forthcoming Clarity Act as a possible positive trigger.
Despite the overall weakness, $ETH isn't bothered.
It's showing a lot of strength, as it continues to go up.
A lot of momentum in this one against #Bitcoin and I'm sure this will continue to last, given that the Clarity Act seems to be on the horizon. pic.twitter.com/ifVq8TRbLD
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) July 13, 2026
Examining the daily timeframe, a prospective double-bottom formation with troughs around $1,505 continues to hold. A validated breakout above $1,825 would establish a technical price objective in the vicinity of $2,140.
ETH currently trades beneath both its 50-day EMA positioned at $1,798 and its 100-day EMA located at $1,946. The MACD indicator maintains elevation above its signal line, while the Chaikin Money Flow registers approximately 0.10, indicating positive territory.
$81.75 million in aggregate liquidations struck the marketplace within a 24-hour window, with $57 million stemming from leveraged long positions, according to Coinglass data.
CASHCAT’s market cap briefly surpassed $200 million, rising over 20% in 24 hours.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood Chain meme coin CASHCAT briefly exceeded $200 million in market capitalization, and has now retreated to $192 million, posting a more than 20% 24-hour gain with a 24-hour trading volume of $40.3 million. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coins are subject to extreme price volatility, and investors should exercise caution regarding associated risks.
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Global crude oil prices continue to rise, with both U.S. WTI and Brent crude up 3% on the day.
According to Bitget market data, Brent crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $85.31 per barrel. WTI crude oil rose 3.00% intraday to $80.14 per barrel. Trump posted a statement yesterday saying that the US will immediately resume the blockade of Iran and impose a 20% fee on cargo transportation.
14 minutes ago
Market sources: Samsung is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the U.S.
According to market sources, Samsung is holding preliminary discussions regarding a potential stock sale in the United States.
14 minutes ago
Goldman Sachs: Hong Kong's market has entered the AI era, and equity financing volume is expected to reach a new high this year.
Wang Yajun, Head of Equity Capital Markets for Goldman Sachs Asia (ex-Japan), noted that Hong Kong’s market has entered the AI era, yet major stock indices have not fully reflected the impact of AI-related enterprises. This explains the contrast between this year’s red-hot IPO fundraising and the relatively lackluster performance of secondary market indices. Wang forecasts that Hong Kong’s total equity financing and IPO fundraising scale will both reach new highs in 2026. Since the start of this year, AI has become the most active investment theme in Hong Kong’s stock market: the most actively traded, best-performing, and largest fundraising stocks are all AI-related, though index constituent adjustments lag behind. Regarding AI industry valuations, Wang believes that sustained growth in AI demand will drive continued expansion of capital expenditures on infrastructure such as computing power, chips, and storage, and the industry still has room for growth in capital spending. As China’s AI industrial chain continues to improve, more AI enterprises are expected to list in Hong Kong or on the STAR Market in the second half of the year.
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The funding rate of SK Hynix-related contracts on Hyperliquid surged more than 130% within one hour.
Hyperliquid platform’s SK Hynix-linked contracts SKHX and SKHY have seen extremely robust trading activity, with a combined 24-hour trading volume of $1.836 billion, surpassing Bitcoin (BTC) to become the platform’s most active asset by trading volume. SKHX alone notched a 24-hour volume of $1.63 billion and open interest (OI) of $635 million, while SKHY posted a 24-hour volume of $206 million and OI of $101 million. SKHY still trades at a roughly 26% premium to SKHX. Notably, SKHX’s funding rate surged sharply in just one hour: it jumped from +0.0064% to +0.0151%, a rise of over 130%. Concurrently, the contract’s trading volume dipped slightly from $1.663 billion to $1.604 billion, and its open interest fell from $638.6 million to $627.1 million. A sharp spike in funding rates typically signals a rapid rise in bullish sentiment, as long positions flood the market—traders holding long positions face higher costs to maintain their bets, reflecting intensifying long-short battles in SKHX contracts and growing speculative enthusiasm for SK Hynix’s US-listed assets.
14 minutes ago
The United States launched a five-hour continuous air raid on Iran, in retaliation for Iran's bombing of a U.S. military base in Jordan.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. military air base in Jordan and called on Jordanian citizens to resist the U.S. military presence there. Jordanian authorities said its air defense systems successfully intercepted four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace, and the incident caused no casualties or property damage. In response, U.S. Central Command, with authorization from President Donald Trump, carried out approximately five hours of continuous airstrikes on targets inside Iran. This marked the third consecutive night of large-scale U.S. military strikes against Iran. According to Iranian media reports, multiple targets including the port of Bandar Abbas were struck, with some naval maintenance facilities damaged. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Trump recently proposed that the U.S. would take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and planned to impose a 20% fee on goods transiting the waterway, sparking widespread international controversy. Affected by the escalating situation in the Middle East, international oil prices rose nearly 3% at one point, as markets worry that shipping risks in the strait will further exacerbate global energy supply tensions.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
Key Takeaways Federal authorities transferred approximately 3,940 BTC (valued at ~$244M) and roughly 30,014 ETH (~$53M) to Coinbase Prime this week The Bitcoin originated from seizures connected to Ryan Farace (alias “Xanaxman”) and the shuttered BTC-e exchange; Ethereum traces back to a money laundering investigation involving an Oracle employee This transaction prompts scrutiny regarding Trump’s executive directive from March 2025 that prohibits liquidation of confiscated Bitcoin Transfers to Coinbase Prime don’t necessarily signal an impending sale — the service provides custody and portfolio management capabilities Federal crypto holdings remain substantial at approximately $20.5 billion, with around 325,000 BTC in storage Federal authorities orchestrated a substantial movement of confiscated cryptocurrency assets to Coinbase Prime this week, with blockchain intelligence platform Arkham documenting the transactions. The operation involved approximately 3,940 Bitcoin valued at roughly $244 million alongside about 30,014 Ethereum worth near $53 million.
The Bitcoin portion traces back to law enforcement actions against Ryan Farace, who operated under the alias “Xanaxman,” plus assets recovered from BTC-e, a cryptocurrency exchange that ceased operations. Galaxy Research’s director Alex Thorn publicly verified these origins.
The Ether portion originated from addresses associated with Brian Krewson, an Oracle corporation employee implicated in federal proceedings concerning cryptocurrency custody and financial crimes totaling approximately $54 million. These movements consolidated assets from multiple enforcement actions onto one institutional-grade platform.
Is the Government Planning to Liquidate These Assets? Moving cryptocurrency to Coinbase Prime doesn’t automatically indicate an impending liquidation. This platform delivers comprehensive services including secure storage, trading capabilities, financing options, and staking functionality. Federal departments may simply be reorganizing their holdings or transitioning assets into professionally managed custody arrangements.
The United States Marshals Service selected Coinbase Prime during 2024 as their designated platform for securing and potentially trading confiscated digital currencies. Government-controlled addresses have executed multiple transfers to this platform since then. This week’s operation represents one of the most substantial government-related movements to the platform recorded in 2026.
Previously in June, government-affiliated wallets dispatched approximately $768,000 in cryptocurrency connected to the FTX and Alameda Research collapse to Coinbase Prime. Earlier in April, approximately 8.2 Bitcoin associated with the notorious 2016 Bitfinex security breach was similarly transferred.
Implications of Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Directive These cryptocurrency movements attract heightened scrutiny due to Trump’s executive directive issued in March 2025. This presidential order established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve with explicit language mandating that Bitcoin included within this reserve “shall not be sold.”
However, the directive incorporates specific exemptions. Federal agencies maintain authorization to restore assets to confirmed victims, deploy them for investigative purposes, or comply with judicial mandates. Ethereum and alternative digital currencies fall under a distinct digital asset inventory, where Treasury officials possess discretion in establishing management protocols.
The reserve’s operational framework remains under development. Treasury and Commerce departments continue negotiations regarding administrative responsibility for the Bitcoin reserve, addressing questions surrounding custody arrangements, regulatory jurisdiction, and potential legislative requirements.
Government-controlled cryptocurrency wallets currently contain an estimated $20.5 billion in digital assets. Bitcoin comprises the majority of these holdings, totaling roughly 325,000 BTC. Additional holdings include Ethereum, Tether, wrapped Bitcoin, and various other confiscated cryptocurrencies.
Blockchain transparency reveals where funds traveled, but not the specific instructions provided to Coinbase Prime. Definitive evidence of liquidation would require subsequent wallet transactions, exchange records, or formal government announcements. Until such confirmation emerges, analysts interpret this transfer as a custodial reorganization.
Robinhood Chain has renewed debate over how much value Ethereum captures from Layer 2 networks.
Summary
Robinhood Chain generated $843,000 in fees while paying Ethereum about $1,600 for settlement and availability. Critics say the revenue gap weakens Ethereum’s value capture despite rising activity across Layer 2s. Supporters argue Robinhood’s tokenized stocks could bring millions of new users into Ethereum-based financial markets. Ethereum Daily said users paid about $843,000 in fees, while the chain sent roughly $1,600 to Ethereum for data availability and settlement.
Lorenzo Valente, a crypto analyst and contributor at ARK Invest, used an earlier snapshot showing about $816,000 in revenue and $1,538 in Ethereum costs. He estimated that Robinhood retained 89%, Arbitrum received 10%, and Ethereum captured 0.15%. The different totals likely reflect when each account collected the data.
Fee split renews debate over Ethereum’s Layer 2 model Valente said the figures support two views of ETH. Higher activity can increase the asset’s use as gas, collateral and settlement money. However, Layer 2 networks may keep most user fees, leaving Ethereum with limited direct income from the transactions they process.
The Robinhood Chain is the cleanest case study of what happened to ETH's economics over time.
Since inception, @RobinhoodApp Chain has grossed ~$816K in revenue.@Arbitrum, the middleware provider, takes 10%: ~$80K.
Arbitrum then pays Ethereum for settlement: $1,538.
The… pic.twitter.com/Jc8k4yi60M
— Lorenzo Valente (@LorenzoARK) July 13, 2026 “Ethereum won this deal on merit. It’s just not pricing it right,” he wrote.
Robinhood Chain uses Arbitrum technology and posts data to Ethereum. Its licensing structure sends 10% of protocol net revenue to the Arbitrum ecosystem, including 8% for the DAO treasury and 2% for developer support.
Tokenized stocks strengthen the distribution case Ethereum Daily argued that direct fees show only part of Robinhood Chain’s potential value. Robinhood launched Stock Tokens through Robinhood Wallet in more than 120 countries. Eligible users can trade them around the clock and use them in decentralized applications, including lending pools and collateral markets.
That reach could bring traditional investors into onchain markets through Apple and Nvidia-linked products. Users who begin with tokenized equities may later use decentralized exchanges, stablecoins, lending services and perpetual futures. The outcome still depends on demand, liquidity and continued product access.
Joseph Lubin supports low Ethereum fees Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin defended the low-fee model. He wrote, “Ethereum L1 revenue fees should stay low to foster growth.” Lubin expects more companies to build across Ethereum mainnet, Layer 2 networks and private Ethereum-compatible chains in coming years.
His case focuses on wider ETH demand rather than immediate settlement income. More networks may use ETH for gas, collateral and staking. Mainnet transactions can also burn ETH. Still, the approach leaves an open question over whether Ethereum receives enough revenue from businesses operating above it.
Robinhood Chain records fast early growth Robinhood launched the public mainnet on July 1 as an Ethereum Layer 2 built with Arbitrum. The company designed the network for real-world assets, trading and decentralized finance. Uniswap, Chainlink, Morpho and other providers supported the chain at launch.
As previously reported, Robinhood Chain passed $70 million in bridged Ether and $100 million in total value locked. Daily Uniswap volume later reached about $500 million, while the network processed millions of transactions. Lending products and incentive-linked strategies supplied early liquidity.
Separately, a crypto.news review found that the network produced $570 million in early trading volume against about $21.7 million in launch-day liquidity. The figures showed strong initial activity while raising questions about liquidity depth and whether usage will continue after early rewards decline.
The debate separates direct fee capture from wider network value. Ethereum receives a small share of Robinhood Chain’s user fees, while Arbitrum and Robinhood retain more. Ethereum may still gain through ETH use, settlement demand and new onchain users, but those benefits depend on sustained activity.
Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin has emphasized the importance of maintaining low Layer 1 fees to drive adoption and enhance the long-term value of the Ethereum network. Lubin argued that low transaction costs, coupled with increased network activity, staking, and ETH burning, could strengthen Ethereum’s competitive position as a leading blockchain platform. This comes as Ethereum’s L1 fees have dropped to a historic low of approximately $0.09–$0.10 per transaction, partly due to the recent Glamsterdam upgrade and the shift of activity to Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Base. Lubin’s comments are seen as a strategic push to position Ethereum’s L1 as a low-cost settlement layer, supporting its deflationary potential during periods of high activity.
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Key Takeaways Lubin’s advocacy for low Ethereum L1 fees appears consistent with promoting broader network adoption. The reduction in transaction fees suggests a strategic emphasis on Ethereum’s scalability and deflationary potential. Pricing suggests market participants may view Lubin’s comments as supportive of Ethereum’s long-term value. What to Watch Markets will be observing the impact of Lubin’s comments on Ethereum’s adoption and price trajectory. Key indicators include changes in staking participation and ETH burning rates, which could influence perceptions of Ethereum’s deflationary potential. Any further upgrades or shifts in network activity to Layer 2 solutions may also provide insights into Ethereum’s scalability strategy and its implications for future price movements.
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Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h December 31, 2026 1.7% — — View market → December 31, 2026 2.4% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3% — — View market → December 31, 2026 3.2% — — View market → December 31, 2026 5.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 9.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 15.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 3.1% — — View market → January 1 2027 4.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 7% — — View market → January 1 2027 62% — — View market → January 1 2027 7.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 2.9% — — View market → January 1 2027 24.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 31.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 12.5% — — View market → January 1 2027 70.5% — — View market →
Bitcoin's more balanced sentiment stands in contrast to the growing enthusiasm surrounding Ethereum and XRP.
ETH and XRP traders have become notably more optimistic, with market intelligence firm Santiment reporting the highest levels of fear of missing out (FOMO) for both assets in the past five weeks.
The change in tune has come even with prices struggling to build sustained momentum, raising the possibility that bullish sentiment may be running ahead of market performance.
XRP Leads Sentiment Spike While BTC Stays Balanced According to a July 13 X post by Santiment, XRP’s bull-to-bear ratio sat at 3.02, meaning that there were more than three positive posts online for every negative one. Ethereum wasn’t far behind at 2.31, placing it in what the analytics platform described as “slight FOMO territory.” As for Bitcoin (BTC), it posted a much lower 1.40, suggesting that traders were relatively neutral about it.
Both BTC and ETH opened relatively strong on Monday but faded as the day went on, with Santiment pointing out that crowds tend to get loud at the wrong moment.
“Crypto typically moves opposite to what the crowd is loudly expecting,” the firm wrote. “When traders get too bullish on XRP or ETH while prices are already dipping, it can create short-term downside risk or at least slow the rebound.”
However, it argued that Bitcoin’s flatter reading may give it more room for a rally since the crowd hasn’t fully bought into the “higher prices next” trade yet. This assessment was echoed by trader Xaif Crypto, who also argued that BTC’s calmer sentiment “means more room to run,” while the heavier optimism surrounding XRP and ETH could limit their immediate recovery.
Looking at the price actions of the three assets, XRP had slipped below $1.08, a resistance level highlighted by analyst Cryptorphic, and was trading around $1.07 at the time of writing, a roughly 5% drop in the last seven days and almost 7% over the past month. According to the analyst, the token is quite vulnerable as long as it trades beneath $1.08, with even lower prices seeming likely.
On its part, ETH has held up better and was trading closer to $1,800 than $1,700, having gained a modest 1% over one week and more than 6% in the last 30 days. It did move briefly above $1,800 over the weekend before pulling back, although several market watchers have expressed optimism that the current level could see the asset push up to $2,500.
You may also like: Here’s Why Robinhood Chain Is Ultra Bullish for ETH Despite Cannibalizing Revenue 3 Years After The Key Ripple-SEC Ruling: How XRP Went From SEC Target to Institutional Asset South Korea Stock Crash Could Drag Bitcoin Below Key Support: Analyst Meanwhile, Bitcoin dipped slightly in the last day after starting July rather strongly when it rebounded from around $57,700 to $64,000. It is currently changing hands below $63,000, with wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 BTC adding 11,000 BTC in the last week, suggesting that dip demand hasn’t dried up despite weeks of choppy trading.
Optimism Faces Mixed On-Chain and ETF Signals While traders have become excited about XRP, the asset has had to contend with cooling institutional and whale activity, marked by spot XRP ETFs recording their first week of net outflows in more than 2 months.
Furthermore, on-chain data also showed a significant drop in XRP transactions of more than $1 million, which have gone from 70 to only 2 in about a week, while wallet creation on the XRP Ledger has also slowed compared with earlier in the year.
While institutional investors continue to show interest in the cryptocurrency market, there has been a noticeable decline in individual investor engagement on social media. According to recent data, the volume of posts using the keywords “Bitcoin” and “Ethereum” on X (formerly Twitter) has fallen to its lowest level in the last 12 months.
Daily posts about Bitcoin have dropped to around 130,000, while posts about Ethereum have fallen to around 40,000. These levels represent the lowest social media activity seen since 2020, when institutional interest was just beginning to emerge.
Tweet volume is considered one of the key indicators measuring the level of interest of individual investors in the market. This metric reveals not the amount of capital entering the market, but how much investors are talking about specific assets. The current situation is noteworthy because, despite social media interest falling back to 2020 levels, institutional investors’ interest in cryptocurrencies is conversely accelerating.
In 2020, Bitcoin and Ethereum hadn’t yet fully entered Wall Street’s radar, spot ETFs hadn’t been approved, and holding crypto assets on corporate balance sheets wasn’t widespread. Today, the picture has changed dramatically. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs manage billions of dollars in funds, and asset tokenization holds a significant place on the agenda of traditional finance conferences and major financial institutions.
Analysts believe this development could signal that institutional adoption may now be able to progress independently of individual investor interest. However, historical data shows that low levels of social media engagement often coincide with periods when prices are trading sideways or pulling back.
According to experts, as the crypto ecosystem matures, price movements and infrastructure investments may not require as much intense individual investor interest as in past bull cycles.
However, the renewed increase in individual investor participation remains a crucial factor in strengthening both trading volumes and market momentum. Therefore, social media data continues to be closely monitored as an indicator of market sentiment.
*This is not investment advice.
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Cardano’s biggest holders are loading up on ADA like it’s a clearance sale. And given the token’s price action over the past year, that comparison isn’t far off.
On-chain data from Santiment shows that wallets holding at least 1 million ADA have amassed a combined balance of roughly 25.1 billion tokens, accounting for approximately 67.5% of Cardano’s circulating supply. That’s the highest concentration since July 2020, more than five years ago, when the broader crypto market was still warming up for its next bull cycle.
Whales buy, retail sells The accumulation trend among major stakeholders has been consistent since December 2023. One cohort alone has added hundreds of millions of tokens even as ADA’s price cratered. The token has fallen more than 70% over the preceding nine months and dropped over 20% year-to-date in 2026, trading at approximately $0.27 in mid-May with a market cap hovering around $10 billion.
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Smaller retail wallets, meanwhile, have been doing the exact opposite. Net selling among these holders has accelerated, with larger wallets scooping up over 150 million ADA in early 2026 during the retail sell-off.
On-chain metrics tell a different story Total value locked in Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem stood at just $137 million as of mid-May 2026. That’s a brutal 80% decline from its December 2024 peak of $686 million. For context, $137 million in TVL puts Cardano well behind dozens of competing chains, including several that launched years after it.
Daily decentralized exchange volume on the network hovers around $2 million. That’s not a typo. Two million dollars in daily DEX volume for a blockchain with a $10 billion market cap suggests that very few people are actually using Cardano for trading or financial applications right now.
Low DEX volume means low fees, which means low revenue for the network, which means the fundamental value proposition of the chain as a productive DeFi ecosystem looks thin. The whale accumulation, then, doesn’t appear to be driven by current utility. It looks more like a long-duration bet, a wager that Cardano’s value will eventually catch up to the conviction these holders are expressing with their wallets.
What this means for investors Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem losing 80% of its TVL in roughly 18 months is not something that gets fixed by a handful of whales sitting on large bags.
The $137 million TVL figure is particularly noteworthy because it suggests capital is actively leaving Cardano’s ecosystem for other chains. In a multi-chain world where developers and users can easily migrate to Ethereum, Solana, or newer Layer 2 networks, declining TVL is a competitive red flag, not just a cyclical dip.
At $0.27, ADA is priced like the market has serious doubts about that timeline. The whales, apparently, disagree. Someone is going to be very right, and someone is going to be very wrong.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Cardano (ADA) continues to face selling pressure, despite fresh efforts to boost its ecosystem, as technical and on-chain indicators remain weak. The cryptocurrency is trading at $0.1585, representing a 2.22% decline over the past 24 hours. This comes as traders appear focused on a bearish market structure and falling participation.
Cardano’s price struggles despite new ecosystem initiativeThe Cardano Foundation, a non-profit organization behind the Cardano blockchain, has announced an upcoming partnership event with the University of Zürich, scheduled for July 21. The Cardano x University of Zürich Meetup aims to promote blockchain education and enhance developer involvement, with a series of talks on how student ideas can evolve into shipped projects.
This initiative highlights the foundation’s investment in long-term ecosystem development and the growth of real-world adoption through academic engagement. However, it has not yet had a noticeable impact on ADA’s price, as market participants continue to react primarily to short-term technical signals.
Cardano Foundation representatives emphasized the event will showcase “Four talks on turning a student idea into a shipped project,” aiming to connect students, innovators, and professionals in the blockchain space with hands-on experience from industry founders.
Collaborations between academic institutions and blockchain networks have become increasingly essential for driving research, nurturing the next generation of developers, and supporting the creation of innovative solutions within blockchain ecosystems.
Mini dictionary: Cardano Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Cardano’s technology, adoption, and ecosystem through research, education, and public engagement.
Bears sustain control as technical and on-chain signals softenTechnical analysis indicates that ADA continues to trade below key moving averages. The 50-day moving average stands at $0.1774 and the 200-day at $0.2610, both well above current price levels, reinforcing a broad bearish trend. Strong resistance appears between $0.1726 and $0.1774, while immediate support can be found at $0.1578.
Momentum indicators also show weakness. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram is shrinking, with the MACD and signal lines converging, pointing to fading bullish momentum. Sustained price recovery would likely require a decisive move above these technical resistance levels.
Derivatives market activity highlights a decline in trader conviction. According to CoinGlass, open interest in ADA has dropped to about $390 million, down from over $500 million earlier in July. Trading volumes have also decreased since the early-month surge.
DateOpen InterestTrading VolumeEarly JulyOver $500 millionHighCurrent$390 millionModerateOn-chain activity measured by DefiLlama also underlines a drop in network participation, with active addresses and total value locked (TVL) continuing a downward trajectory. Such trends signal reduced user engagement, complicating ADA’s path to price recovery for now.
For buyers to regain control, ADA must reclaim $0.1726 and cross above the 50-day moving average. Conversely, a fall below the $0.1578 support could accelerate selling pressure.
Long-term outlook remains focused on education and adoptionWhile the University of Zürich collaboration strengthens the long-term outlook for Cardano’s ecosystem, current sentiment remains subdued. Market participants are focused on weakening technical indicators and declining on-chain activity, rather than near-term catalysts.
The Cardano Foundation continues to invest in partnerships and educational initiatives, aiming to build future developer capacity and foster real-world blockchain adoption. However, market volatility persists and traders are advised to monitor developments closely before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Key Highlights Cardano is currently priced at approximately $0.158, reflecting a weekly decline exceeding 14% Major holders with 100K–100M ADA have added 320 million tokens to their portfolios since early July Large stakeholder balances have reached their most elevated point since early 2023 Futures market indicators reveal bearish positioning through negative funding rates and subdued long positions A sustained move above $0.18–$0.20 is needed to shift momentum toward bulls Cardano (ADA) continues to face downward pressure on Monday, hovering around the $0.158 mark following a sharp weekly decline of over 14%. The cryptocurrency is currently positioned beneath critical moving average indicators, with near-term technical momentum showing weakness.
Cardano (ADA) Price However, amid the bearish price action, substantial wallet addresses are actively accumulating. According to analytics from Santiment, addresses containing between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have collectively acquired 320 million tokens starting from July 7. The aggregate balance held by these significant stakeholders has climbed above 25.6 billion ADA — marking the highest concentration since February 2023.
Meanwhile, smaller investors are heading in the reverse direction. Addresses holding under 100 ADA have reduced their positions by roughly 0.7% throughout the last four months.
Santiment’s official X account specifically addressed this divergence: “Strong hands are adding while the chart still looks uncomfortable.” Their analysis emphasized that whale and shark-tier wallets are absorbing available supply even as retail participants grow impatient, characterizing it as among the more constructive technical configurations ADA has displayed this year. The platform also referenced ongoing development momentum including Leios testnet initiatives, Hydra scaling enhancements, and Mithril advancement.
✍️ TL;DR: Cardano’s key stakeholder holdings reach a 3.5 year high
📊 Metrics Used: Supply Distribution
🔗 Live Chart: https://t.co/9lzM6kxdcb
🦈 Cardano’s 100K to 100M ADA wallets now hold more than 25.6B coins, their highest level since February, 2023.
📉 Retail is doing the… pic.twitter.com/7iHLl5xyHT
— Santiment Intelligence (@SantimentData) July 13, 2026
Futures Market Indicators Show Bearish Sentiment The Open Interest for ADA futures contracts has declined to $385 million, marking an ongoing downtrend. The OI-Weighted Funding Rate transitioned into negative territory on Friday and currently stands at -0.0028% as of Monday, indicating that short position holders are compensating longs — a characteristic signal of bearish market positioning.
Source: Coinglass The long-to-short ratio has fallen to 0.79, approaching its lowest reading in more than 30 days. When this metric drops below 1.0, it reflects greater trader conviction in downward price movement compared to upward expectations.
The Relative Strength Index is currently positioned near 42, while the MACD indicator is drifting toward the neutral zero line. Overhead resistance levels include the 50-day EMA at $0.181, the 100-day EMA near $0.211, and the 200-day EMA at $0.280.
Critical Price Levels Under Market Observation Cardano is currently consolidating around the $0.16 level, which market participants are viewing as immediate support. Should this floor maintain, initial recovery objectives include $0.17 followed by $0.18. A decisive break above $0.20 would represent more substantial evidence that buyers are regaining market control.
Source: TradingView For downside scenarios, $0.150 represents the subsequent support threshold. A breach of that level would bring the $0.13–$0.14 range into consideration as a potential deeper accumulation zone.
Several technical analysts are tracking ADA’s movement within a descending channel pattern that may function as a consolidation phase preceding another upward attempt. A breakout above this channel formation would reactivate $0.18 and subsequently $0.20 as realistic targets.
The $6.8 billion market capitalization threshold is also drawing attention. Recapturing that valuation level is viewed as a significant catalyst for initiating a broader price recovery.
As of July 14, 2026, ADA’s major stakeholder holdings maintain their 3.5-year peak position.
Cardano (ADA) continued to come under pressure on Monday, trading near $0.158 after recording a steep loss of more than 14% in just one week. The coin is still positioned below key moving averages, as technical momentum indicators suggest that bearish sentiment prevails in the short term.
Major holders accumulate as price fallsDespite the recent price drop, large ADA holders have been actively increasing their positions. Blockchain analytics firm Santiment reported that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA collectively acquired an additional 320 million tokens since July 7. As a result, this group’s total balance surpassed 25.6 billion ADA, marking its highest level since February 2023.
In contrast, smaller retail investors have trimmed their exposure. Addresses with less than 100 ADA reduced their holdings by approximately 0.7% over the past four months, reflecting a lack of confidence among retail participants as prices continue to slide.
Santiment commented that stronger hands are accumulating while the overall price chart remains challenging. The firm highlighted ongoing development activity within the Cardano ecosystem, citing the Leios testnet, Hydra scaling upgrades, and progress with Mithril.
Mini dictionary: Santiment is a blockchain analytics platform that provides data on cryptocurrency metrics, including on-chain activity, supply distribution, and investor behavior.
Holder CategoryRecent ChangeTotal HoldingsWhales (100,000–100 million ADA)+320 million ADA since July 725.6 billion ADA (highest since Feb 2023)Retail (<100 ADA)-0.7% in 4 monthsN/AFutures and technical signals remain negativeOn the derivatives front, indicators continue to reflect a bearish outlook. Open interest for ADA futures dropped to $385 million, continuing a multi-week decline. The OI-weighted funding rate turned negative Friday and reached -0.0028% by Monday, meaning traders holding short positions are paying their long counterparts—an indicator often associated with negative sentiment.
Cardano’s long-to-short ratio slipped to 0.79, marking its lowest reading in over a month. When this ratio falls below 1.0, it signals that more traders expect further downside, outweighing those who anticipate gains.
Other momentum indicators remain weak. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers near 42, a level often interpreted as neutral-to-bearish, while the MACD indicator is trending toward its zero line, suggesting a lack of clear upward momentum.
Key levels watched for potential reversalADA is consolidating around $0.16, regarded as crucial support by market participants. If this level holds, initial upside targets include $0.17 and then $0.18. A sustained move above $0.20 would provide a stronger signal that bulls are regaining the upper hand.
On the downside, $0.150 serves as immediate support, while a breach could open the path toward the $0.13 to $0.14 zone. Some analysts also monitor a descending channel pattern, viewing it as a possible base for a future reversal. Breaking out of this formation would likely reactivate resistance levels at $0.18 and then $0.20.
Cardano’s market capitalization, which currently sits below $6.8 billion, is also under scrutiny. Reclaiming this level may prove pivotal for triggering a broader recovery.
By July 14, 2026, major ADA stakeholders continued to maintain their largest combined holdings in three and a half years, defying the broader market’s negative trend.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Bolivia is evaluating a framework to integrate USDT into its national payments system as a regulated alternative to the boliviano and U.S. dollar.Crypto usage has spiked in the country, with transaction volumes hitting $430 million in the year after the central bank removed restrictions in mid-2024.Official adoption will require rigorous anti-money laundering controls because Bolivia remains on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list.Bolivia is considering adding Tether's USDT stablecoin to its national payments system, marking another step in the country's shift from banning crypto transactions to allowing regulated digital asset use.
Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza said at a press conference on Monday that the government is evaluating whether USDT could circulate alongside the boliviano, the country’s fiat currency, and the U.S. dollar.
The proposal remains under technical review and the government has not published implementation rules or granted the stablecoin legal-tender status, local news outlet La Razón reported.
Officials are developing a framework for banks, digital wallets and payment providers, according to Espinoza. Any rollout would require stronger anti-money laundering controls as Bolivia remains on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list, which subjects the country to increased monitoring over shortcomings in its financial crime regime.
The proposal comes amid a sharp rise in crypto adoption after Bolivia's central bank lifted restrictions on transactions in June 2024. Central bank data shows that crypto transaction volume climbed from $46.5 million in the first half of 2024 to $294 million during the same period last year. Total transaction volume rose 630% after restrictions were removed, the central bank has said.
Demand has increased as businesses and consumers look for alternatives to scarce U.S. dollars in the country. Bolivia ended its long-standing fixed dollar peg and moved to a floating exchange rate earlier this year.
State energy company YPFB announced plans last year to use crypto for energy imports, while Bolivia's central bank has also looked to El Salvador for help with its crypto regulatory framework.
State-controlled Banco Unión and its Yasta wallet start letting customers buy USDT through EFY Finance in April for international payments and remittances.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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CASHCAT’s market cap briefly surpassed $200 million, rising over 20% in 24 hours.
According to GMGN market data, the Robinhood Chain meme coin CASHCAT briefly exceeded $200 million in market capitalization, and has now retreated to $192 million, posting a more than 20% 24-hour gain with a 24-hour trading volume of $40.3 million. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coins are subject to extreme price volatility, and investors should exercise caution regarding associated risks.
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Hyundai Motor's US and Mexican units completed a pilot cross-border treasury transfer using Tether's USDT stablecoin, settling a $20,000 payment in about seven minutes on the Avalanche blockchain.
According to Tether, Hyundai Motor America converted the funds into USDT, transferred the stablecoin to Hyundai Motor Mexico and converted it back into US dollars. The transfer and verification process took about seven minutes, compared with three to four hours or more for a traditional cross-border bank transfer.
Tether said the pilot used Axiym's settlement infrastructure, while Hyundai Card designed the remittance structure and oversaw the regulatory, compliance, accounting and operational requirements needed to support the proof of concept.
The pilot was designed to evaluate whether stablecoin-based settlement could be integrated into existing corporate treasury operations without changing governance, compliance or accounting processes. The next phase will expand testing to additional payment corridors and local currency settlements as the companies evaluate broader enterprise treasury workflows.
Corporate treasury emerges as key stablecoin use caseCorporate treasury has become an increasingly important focus for stablecoin companies, with firms rolling out products designed to support cross-border payments, liquidity management and intercompany settlement.
In April, treasury management software provider Kyriba partnered with Circle to integrate the USDC stablecoin into its enterprise treasury platform. The collaboration allows treasury teams to manage stablecoin balances alongside cash positions, settle eligible cross-border and intercompany payments in near-real time, and access liquidity outside traditional banking hours using existing treasury workflows and approval controls.
A Bitso Business report published this month found stablecoin transaction volumes processed on its platform increased 81% year over year in the first half of 2026, driven by demand for real-time settlement, treasury management and cross-border liquidity solutions. More than 60% of new business clients onboarded during the period were financial institutions, including banks and licensed payment providers.
Business surveys also point to growing enterprise adoption. A June Paybis report found that 22.5% of surveyed businesses already use stablecoins for international payments or plan to within the next 12 months. Citing McKinsey research, the report said business-to-business transactions accounted for roughly 60% of the estimated $390 billion in global stablecoin payment volume in 2025.
The enterprise push comes as the stablecoin market continues to grow. Total stablecoin market capitalization has climbed to about $312.3 billion, up roughly 21.5% from $257.1 billion a year earlier, according to DefiLlama, with Tether's USDT remaining the largest stablecoin by market value.
Source: Defillama
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Bolivia is considering making Bolivia USDT an official part of its national payment system, circulating the Tether stablecoin alongside the U.S. dollar and the boliviano. The move signals a dramatic policy shift as the country battles a prolonged foreign-currency shortage. Local banks Banco Unión and Banco FIE are already offering USDT-related services, suggesting the groundwork for wider adoption is firmly in place.
Bolivia’s Dollar Crisis Fuels the Case for USDT Bolivia has been under severe foreign currency pressures for the past few years. With the reduction in gas production and exports, dollar reserves have also been depleted, and businesses and importers are short of hard currency.
The first formal move by the government was in March 2025 when the state energy company YPFB was authorized to accept crypto payments for fuel imports during the severe dollar crisis.
Adoption of the USDT in Bolivia had penetrated further into daily use by June 2025. CEO of Tether Paolo Ardoino posted images of retail stores in Bolivia selling various consumer goods, including dairy products and chocolate, for USDT.
Crypto analyst CryptoPatel summed it up on X: “When your currency fails, bring in the stable one.”
When your currency fails, bring in the stable one
— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) July 13, 2026
The large number of USDT users in Bolivian retail stores demonstrated that, rather than regulation, economic necessity was driving people to opt for the digital dollar over the boliviano.
Bolivia’s current foreign currency reserves figure and the boliviano black-market premium vs. official rate Banks Already Onboard, What Official Status Would Mean Banco Unión and Banco FIE already offer services related to the USDT in Bolivia; therefore, the banking infrastructure is already well established.
Official circulation status would regularize the situation as it exists in practice, thus making remittance more rapid, transaction costs lower, and providing a tracking alternative to the black-market dollar trade.
That credibility argument is reinforced by Tether’s own push for institutional trust: in March 2026, the company engaged KPMG to conduct a full audit of its $185 billion USDT reserves.
The goal is to move beyond years of debate over its reserve support and make a statement about its efforts to construct transparency that is suitable for exactly that type of sovereign-level integration.
The strategic significance of Tether’s potential move is great for Bolivia. This would be the first Latin American nation to officially add USDT as a payment option at the same time as fiat currencies.
That focus is sharpening; Tether recently wound down its aUSDT product to concentrate resources on core USDT, underlining how central the flagship stablecoin is to its global expansion.
Other emerging-market economies with similar dollar shortages, such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, will be closely observing Bolivia’s experiment, analysts note.
DATA POINT NEEDED: USDT total market cap and circulating supply figure for context on adoption scale
There is still a big question about regulatory clarity. There are no formal terms of integration confirmed by the Central Bank of Bolivia, nor is there any legislative framework confirmed.
But the government’s desire for this change seems greater than it has ever been in the country’s brief but fast-evolving crypto history.
See our picks for newly launched cryptos worth watching this month.
The central bank says data-analytics tools caught high-volume Tether transactions structured to dodge disclosure, and it has handed the cases to the securities regulator that oversees digital assets.
Posted July 13, 2026 at 1:14 pm EST.
Thailand’s central bank is targeting crypto transactions as part of a broader crackdown on illicit finance.
Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said over the weekend that the bank and the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission are using data-analytics tools to audit abnormally high-volume trades in stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT, according to local news outlet Thansettakij.
Early reviews have already flagged transactions that appear structured to conceal ownership or move money outside normal banking channels, Ratanakorn said, according to Thansettakij. The central bank has handed those findings to the SEC, which holds direct statutory authority over digital assets in Thailand, for possible enforcement.
“The measures we are implementing are not short-term fixes; they require the continuous deployment of multiple parallel strategies,” Ratanakorn was quoted as saying.
The stablecoin audit is one strand of a broad crackdown on what Thai officials call the grey economy, the flow of suspicious cash across the region. Since April, anyone withdrawing 5 million baht (about $150,000) or more in cash has had to give their bank a commercial reason for it, a step the BOT credits with reducing large withdrawals by about 35%. From the fourth quarter, depositors bringing in the same amount may have to declare where the money came from. Regulators have also tightened reporting on gold trading, where monthly withdrawals fell from about 4,000 kilograms to 700, and closed thousands of accounts used as “mules” for online-gambling flows.
Thai police in collaboration with Interpol recently identified a romance-scam laundering network in which a single wallet allegedly controlled by a suspect aged 20 moved more than $122.5 million in 10 months.
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Bolivia’s government is evaluating whether to integrate Tether‘s USDT stablecoin into the country’s national payments system. If adopted, USDT could be used alongside the boliviano and the US dollar for domestic transactions. As of now, USDT has not received legal tender status, and officials have not published rules for its rollout.
Government assesses potential for USDT adoptionEconomy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza stated that officials are performing a detailed technical assessment of the proposal to include USDT in the financial system. The Ministry of Economy is also drafting regulatory guidelines for banks, digital wallets, and payment service providers on how they might manage stablecoin payments in a controlled environment.
Authorities have not issued a timeline for potential implementation or outlined specific operating standards. Regulatory teams are examining how USDT transactions would comply with current financial, currency, and anti-money laundering regulations. These reviews will play a decisive role in determining the stablecoin’s integration into Bolivia’s payments infrastructure.
Espinoza emphasized that the government is reviewing both the technical and regulatory aspects of allowing USDT to function within the national financial ecosystem.
Integrating USDT would necessitate enhanced oversight and reporting standards for participating banks and payment processors. Bolivia remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list due to existing gaps in its frameworks for combating financial crime. As a result, the government will likely require stronger controls on all cryptocurrency-related transactions.
Mini dictionary: Financial Action Task Force (FATF): An international organization that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing worldwide.
Digital asset activity surges after regulatory changesBolivia’s central bank lifted previous restrictions on cryptocurrency transactions in June 2024. Following this move, digital asset activity in the country climbed significantly. Transaction volumes reached $294 million in the second half of last year, compared to $46.5 million during the first half of 2024. The central bank attributed a 630% increase in transaction volume to the end of these restrictions, reflecting a rising appetite for digital assets throughout the national financial market.
PeriodTransaction VolumeFirst half of 2024$46.5 millionSecond half of 2024$294 millionThe spike in demand for digital currencies has been fueled by ongoing foreign currency shortages and a transition from a fixed dollar exchange rate to a floating system earlier this year. As the availability of US dollars becomes restricted, businesses and individuals have turned to alternatives such as stablecoins for both domestic and cross-border payments.
Pilot projects from state companies and banksState-owned Banco Unión, a major Bolivian financial institution, expanded its Yasta digital wallet in April to include USDT purchase options. Through a partnership with EFY Finance, this service enables customers to use USDT for remittances and international transfers, marking one of the country’s first regulated avenues for stablecoin transactions.
The national oil and gas company YPFB last year revealed plans to utilize cryptocurrency for purchasing imported energy. Meanwhile, the central bank has sought technical advice from El Salvador, which implemented a national digital asset framework after recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender. These developments indicate a broader official interest in digital finance and managed crypto adoption. However, any further expansion will first require the completion of technical reviews and formal publication of operating standards for USDT.
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.
In brief Bolivia is assessing the potential to include USDT alongside other forms of payment in the nation. The nation removed a block on crypto transactions in 2024 and is still working on a way to regulate crypto assets. From July 2024 to June 2025, it facilitated more than $14.8 billion in crypto transaction volumes. Bolivia’s economy is stabilizing, and now it is investigating the potential inclusion of Tether’s dollar-backed stablecoin USDT as a form of payment in the nation, according to a local news report from La Razón.
The report stems from a Friday briefing from Bolivia’s Minister of Economy, José Gabriel Espinoza Yáñez, who highlighted the care that must be taken as part of the assessment.
“Remember that Bolivia is on the [Financial Action Task Force] gray list, yet another consequence of the problems they left us with in the past, and these crypto assets must be carefully evaluated,” he said in the press conference, per the publication.
“We are working on regulations to govern their use for those who have adopted them, in many cases out of necessity, and know how to use them properly,” he added.
The FATF lists, black and grey, identify nations that have deficiencies in their ability to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. On the grey list, Bolivia is under increased monitoring by the FATF, but it is deemed to be “committed to resolving” the issues quickly.
"The Bolivian economy today is considerably different from what we found eight months ago,” said Espinoza Yáñez in a statement. “The measures we implemented are part of a plan designed before we took office, and the results are beginning to validate that approach.”
The South American nation removed a block on crypto transactions in 2024, helping to fuel explosive crypto growth in Latin America, which recorded almost $1.5 trillion in transactions over a three-year stretch ending June 2025, according to data from Chainalysis.
During the period from July 2024 to June 2025, the nation ranked eighth among its Latin American peers with $14.8 billion in transactions, outpacing others like Ecuador and Puerto Rico in the process.
In October 2024, one of the nation’s biggest banks—Banco Bisa—kick-started its crypto custody services, allowing its members to store and transfer USDT, but no other crypto assets.
“USDT is more and more used as a cornerstone within several emerging markets economies,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino posted on X following news reports about Bolivia’s consideration.
The leading stablecoin by market cap, USDT ranks third among all crypto assets with a market capitalization of more than $184 billion.
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In brief Bolivia is assessing the potential to include USDT alongside other forms of payment in the nation. The nation removed a block on crypto transactions in 2024 and is still working on a way to regulate crypto assets. From July 2024 to June 2025, it facilitated more than $14.8 billion in crypto transaction volumes. Bolivia’s economy is stabilizing, and now it is investigating the potential inclusion of Tether’s dollar-backed stablecoin USDT as a form of payment in the nation, according to a local news report from La Razón.
The report stems from a Friday briefing from Bolivia’s Minister of Economy, José Gabriel Espinoza Yáñez, who highlighted the care that must be taken as part of the assessment.
“Remember that Bolivia is on the [Financial Action Task Force] gray list, yet another consequence of the problems they left us with in the past, and these crypto assets must be carefully evaluated,” he said in the press conference, per the publication.
“We are working on regulations to govern their use for those who have adopted them, in many cases out of necessity, and know how to use them properly,” he added.
The FATF lists, black and grey, identify nations that have deficiencies in their ability to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. On the grey list, Bolivia is under increased monitoring by the FATF, but it is deemed to be “committed to resolving” the issues quickly.
"The Bolivian economy today is considerably different from what we found eight months ago,” said Espinoza Yáñez in a statement. “The measures we implemented are part of a plan designed before we took office, and the results are beginning to validate that approach.”
The South American nation removed a block on crypto transactions in 2024, helping to fuel explosive crypto growth in Latin America, which recorded almost $1.5 trillion in transactions over a three-year stretch ending June 2025, according to data from Chainalysis.
During the period from July 2024 to June 2025, the nation ranked eighth among its Latin American peers with $14.8 billion in transactions, outpacing others like Ecuador and Puerto Rico in the process.
In October 2024, one of the nation’s biggest banks—Banco Bisa—kick-started its crypto custody services, allowing its members to store and transfer USDT, but no other crypto assets.
“USDT is more and more used as a cornerstone within several emerging markets economies,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino posted on X following news reports about Bolivia’s consideration.
The leading stablecoin by market cap, USDT ranks third among all crypto assets with a market capitalization of more than $184 billion.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
Bolivia has moved closer to recognizing Tether’s USDT as an official payment option alongside the boliviano and the U.S. dollar as the country continues to grapple with a prolonged shortage of foreign currency.
Summary
Bolivia is considering recognizing USDT as an official payment option alongside the boliviano and U.S. dollar. Local banks already support USDT services as the country struggles with a prolonged dollar shortage. Tether is expanding institutional use of USDT while pursuing stronger reserve transparency through a KPMG audit. According to reports from Bolivia, government officials are weighing a proposal that would allow USDT to circulate as part of the national payment system, a step that would formalize a practice already taking shape across parts of the country’s financial sector.
If approved, the move would make Bolivia the first Latin American nation to officially recognize USDT as a payment option alongside its domestic currency and the U.S. dollar.
Years of declining natural gas production and exports have steadily reduced Bolivia’s dollar reserves, leaving businesses and importers struggling to secure foreign currency. The shortage has pushed authorities to explore alternative payment methods, with crypto gradually becoming part of that strategy instead of remaining a niche financial product.
Dollar shortages have accelerated USDT adoption The government’s first major crypto-related measure came in March 2025, when state-owned energy company YPFB received authorization to use cryptocurrency payments for fuel imports during the country’s worsening dollar shortage.
Retail adoption followed soon after. In June 2025, Tether chief executive Paolo Ardoino shared images on social media showing Bolivian stores listing everyday products, including dairy goods and chocolate, with prices displayed in USDT.
The posts suggested stablecoins were already being used for ordinary purchases rather than remaining limited to investment activity.
Crypto analyst CryptoPatel later argued on X that economic conditions, rather than regulation, were encouraging people to move toward stable assets, writing, “When your currency fails, bring in the stable one.”
His comments accompanied growing evidence that many consumers were choosing the dollar-pegged stablecoin as access to physical U.S. dollars became increasingly difficult.
Meanwhile, Bolivia’s banking sector has already begun supporting the ecosystem. Local lenders Banco Unión and Banco FIE currently provide services linked to USDT, indicating that much of the financial infrastructure needed for wider adoption is already in place.
Formal recognition would instead establish a regulatory framework around an existing trend, potentially making remittances faster, lowering transaction costs and offering an alternative to informal dollar markets.
Tether expands institutional use of USDT Outside Bolivia, Tether has continued promoting USDT for larger financial transactions. As previously reported by crypto.news, Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Mexico completed a pilot cross-border treasury payment using USDT on the Avalanche blockchain.
According to Tether, Hyundai Motor America converted U.S. dollars into USDT before transferring the stablecoin to its Mexican subsidiary, where it was exchanged back into U.S. dollars.
The company said the $20,000 transfer, including verification, was completed in about seven minutes, compared with three to four hours or longer for a conventional bank transfer.
Institutional credibility has also become a focus for the stablecoin issuer. In March 2026, Tether appointed KPMG to conduct a full audit of reserves backing roughly $185 billion worth of USDT. The company said the audit is intended to strengthen confidence in the token’s reserve backing following years of scrutiny over its transparency.
Operationally, Tether has concentrated its stablecoin strategy around USDT after discontinuing its aUSDT product, reinforcing the flagship token’s role in its international business.
Despite growing momentum, Bolivia has not yet finalized the legal framework for integrating USDT into its payment system. Neither the Central Bank of Bolivia nor lawmakers have published formal implementation rules.
Still, reports indicate the proposal has advanced further than previous crypto initiatives in the country, while other emerging economies facing persistent dollar shortages are expected by analysts to watch Bolivia’s experience closely.
Bolivia is weighing the possibility of allowing Tether’s USDT stablecoin as an official form of payment, following recent steps to open its financial sector to digital assets. The move comes as the country’s government pursues broader regulation for crypto assets, after lifting a longstanding ban on cryptocurrency transactions earlier in 2024.
Government weighs integration of stablecoinsBolivia’s Minister of Economy, José Gabriel Espinoza Yáñez, addressed the topic in a press briefing on Friday. He explained that careful oversight is needed, as the country remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list,” which identifies states facing challenges in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism measures but committed to resolving such issues.
Espinoza Yáñez stated that new regulations are being developed to manage the use of crypto assets, especially for citizens who have already adopted such tools, often out of necessity. “We are working on regulations to govern their use for those who have adopted them, in many cases out of necessity, and know how to use them properly,” he said.
“Remember that Bolivia is on the [Financial Action Task Force] gray list, yet another consequence of the problems they left us with in the past, and these crypto assets must be carefully evaluated,” Espinoza Yáñez highlighted during the press conference.
He pointed to progress in economic management, noting improvements since the new administration took office. According to Espinoza Yáñez, these advancements result from plans implemented before the current government started, now yielding positive effects.
Crypto volumes reach multibillion-dollar levelsThe South American country’s gradual policy shift led to increased crypto transaction volumes. From July 2024 to June 2025, Bolivia facilitated more than $14.8 billion in crypto trading, according to current data compiled by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
These numbers place Bolivia eighth among Latin American nations for crypto usage, outpacing Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and several neighbors during the same period. Chainalysis recorded $1.5 trillion in cumulative crypto transactions across Latin America in the three years leading up to June 2025.
CountryCrypto transaction volume (July 2024 – June 2025)Regional rankBrazilTop-ranked1ArgentinaHigh2Bolivia$14.8 billion8EcuadorLower than BoliviaBelow 8Puerto RicoLower than BoliviaBelow 8In October 2024, major lender Banco Bisa, recognized as one of Bolivia’s largest financial institutions, launched crypto custody services limited to USDT. The service permits customers to store and transfer the stablecoin but does not cover other digital assets.
Mini dictionary: Banco Bisa – One of the largest commercial banks in Bolivia, providing a wide range of financial services, including banking, insurance, and, since 2024, crypto custody for USDT.
USDT’s rising influence in emerging marketsTether’s USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has become increasingly popular in emerging markets due to its dollar peg and liquidity benefits. The coin ranks third among all crypto assets, with a market capitalization exceeding $184 billion.
After reports on Bolivia’s potential adoption, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino commented that USDT is gaining ground as a financial mainstay in several emerging economies.
USDT is increasingly used as a cornerstone within several emerging markets economies, the Tether CEO posted on X.
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.
Bolivia’s government has begun exploring the possibility of integrating Tether’s USDT stablecoin into the national payments system, a move that would have been unimaginable just two years ago when the country maintained one of the strictest total bans on cryptocurrency activity in the hemisphere. According to the original report, this policy shift comes after crypto transaction volumes jumped to $430 million in the year following the central bank’s decision to remove restrictions in mid-2024. The figure signals a rapid reorientation of everyday financial behavior in a country where traditional banking access remains uneven and confidence in local monetary instruments is fragile.
The number isn’t just a headline—it reflects actual settlement flows in a dollarized informal economy that has long relied on physical cash and unregulated exchange houses. Stablecoins like USDT already function as de facto digital dollars across many emerging markets, but Bolivia’s consideration of a formal government-endorsed integration would be a first. It would place a sovereign payments apparatus squarely on top of a privately issued stablecoin, a concept that blurs the line between state-sanctioned rails and permissionless digital currency protocols.
The Road from Ban to Boom Bolivia’s relationship with crypto was aggressively hostile for nearly a decade. In 2014, the financial regulator issued a blanket prohibition on any cryptocurrency use, citing risks to monetary sovereignty and consumer protection. Banks were forbidden from facilitating crypto transactions, and even private peer-to-peer trading operated in a legal gray zone that exposed users to enforcement risk. That stance held firm even as neighbors like Argentina and Brazil saw explosive stablecoin adoption.
Then, in mid-2024, the central bank abruptly lifted the restrictions. The reversal wasn’t accompanied by a lengthy public debate or a major legislative overhaul—it was an administrative policy update. But the effects were immediate. Within twelve months, $430 million in crypto volumes moved through the economy, much of it channeled through USDT on low-cost layer-1 networks. The demand wasn’t speculative. It was transactional. People were paying for services, settling invoices, and moving remittance money across borders without using the conventional banking corridor.
The government’s current exploration of USDT integration is being treated as a natural next step. It mirrors other recent crypto payment integrations in emerging markets, such as Sui’s partnership with Nigerian fintech Paga, which aims to bring digital assets into everyday transactions for a population familiar with mobile money but excluded from dollar-denominated banking. Bolivia’s path is less about technology hype and more about practical necessity: the boliviano’s long-term depreciation has made foreign currency a household survival tool, and USDT offers a digital bypass.
Why Tether’s USDT Specifically? Tether dominates the stablecoin market in Latin America not because of marketing campaigns but because it’s already the preferred dollar substitute in informal economies. In Bolivia, users aren’t trading exotic derivative products; they’re using USDT on mobile wallets and peer-to-peer platforms to store value and move money. The coin’s liquidity depth and wide exchange support mean a street-level vendor in La Paz can accept a USDT payment and convert it locally with minimal friction. No central bank digital currency prototype has achieved that kind of organic penetration in the region.
The proposal being studied would elevate USDT from a parallel tool to a recognized component of the national payments system. That would mean payment processors, utility companies, and possibly tax collection systems could be wired to accept or settle in USDT. For a government that still struggles to maintain a unified exchange rate and grapples with dollar scarcity, this could stabilize daily commerce. But the legal architecture is untested. Tether is a private issuer domiciled outside Bolivia, and its reserves—while transparent—are not subject to local monetary authority oversight.
While Bolivia’s pivot toward stablecoins remains a domestic experiment, it contrasts sharply with the ongoing regulatory battles in the United States, where banks are fighting to kill a landmark crypto bill just days before a Senate vote. The difference in approaches reveals how advanced economies and developing nations are moving in opposite directions on stablecoin regulation. In Washington, the focus is on containing perceived systemic risk. In La Paz, the calculus is simpler: millions of people are already using USDT, and the state can either ignore it or build a bridge.
What This Signals for Stablecoin Adoption The real significance of Bolivia’s USDT exploration isn’t the $430 million figure—it’s the precedent of a government actively building infrastructure around a private stablecoin instead of fighting it. This hasn’t happened even in El Salvador, where Bitcoin is legal tender but not widely used for daily payments. If Bolivia moves forward, it would create a template for other dollarized economies: integrate what citizens already trust, and accept the trade-offs.
The broader tokenization of real-world assets, now exceeding $20 billion on-chain, has shown that stablecoins like USDT are foundational to the digital dollar ecosystem. But a national payments integration would move the asset class from a trading settlement layer into the real economy at scale. That brings new questions: what happens during a network congestion event? Who handles dispute resolution? And how does the government enforce anti-money laundering rules when value moves on public blockchains?
These are not insurmountable problems, but they require a regulatory posture that Bolivia hasn’t built yet. The central bank’s initial ban was a blunt instrument; the post-2024 openness has been driven largely by market reality. Now the hard institutional work begins. Treasury officials will need to decide whether USDT is treated like foreign currency, a payment instrument, or something entirely new. The answer will shape tax treatment, reporting requirements, and consumer protection frameworks—and it could influence how other Latin American regulators approach stablecoin policy in the next cycle.
What remains uncertain is whether Tether itself will need to register locally or provide real-time reserve attestation specific to Bolivia’s requirements. The company has navigated similar demands in other jurisdictions, but a national payments role would expose USDT’s operational infrastructure to direct government scrutiny in a way that peer-to-peer trading never did. How that negotiation unfolds will tell market participants whether Bolivia’s experiment becomes a model or a cautionary tale.
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Key Takeaways Bolivia’s government is examining regulations to grant Tether’s USDT official status as a payment method alongside its national currency and the US dollar The initiative stems from an acute scarcity of American dollars following the country’s decision to drop its decade-long fixed exchange rate Two domestic financial institutions, Banco Unión and Banco FIE, currently provide USDT-related services, establishing existing infrastructure Chainalysis data shows Bolivia processed $14.8 billion in cryptocurrency transactions during a 12-month period according to their 2025 Latin America analysis Approval would make Bolivia the first country in Latin America to officially integrate USDT into its payment ecosystem alongside traditional currencies Bolivia’s government is exploring a regulatory pathway that would grant Tether’s USDT formal recognition as an accepted payment instrument, positioning the stablecoin alongside both the boliviano and American dollar within the nation’s monetary framework.
Bolivia Considers Integrating USDT Into National Payment System
According to CriptoNoticias, Bolivia’s Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza said the government is technically evaluating whether to incorporate USDT into the national payment system, allowing it to circulate… pic.twitter.com/KqEdecODO0
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 13, 2026
During a Monday press briefing, Economy and Public Finance Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza disclosed that authorities are evaluating a regulatory structure for implementation. According to Espinoza, USDT would function “as just another currency” for daily transactions, encompassing payments, savings accounts, and commercial activities.
The proposed framework remains in the assessment phase without formal implementation. Neither legislative ratification nor endorsement from the Central Bank of Bolivia has been publicly announced.
Currency Crisis Fueling Stablecoin Interest Bolivia faces mounting foreign exchange constraints that have intensified over recent years. Declining natural gas output has reduced export income, depleting dollar stockpiles and creating hardship for businesses and import-dependent sectors.
For nearly ten years, Bolivia upheld a fixed rate of 6.86 bolivianos to one US dollar before discontinuing the peg this year. Following abandonment of the official rate, an unofficial foreign exchange market materialized, where dollars command significantly higher prices than government rates.
This pricing disparity has driven Bolivian citizens toward dollar-equivalent options. USDT has increasingly served this function, with brick-and-mortar retailers now accepting the stablecoin for routine purchases spanning dairy items to confectionery, as highlighted by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino in June 2025.
The state petroleum enterprise YPFB received authorization to process cryptocurrency payments for fuel procurement in March 2025, representing the administration’s initial formal recognition of digital assets.
Financial System Already Supports Stablecoin Operations Banco Unión and Banco FIE, two Bolivian banking institutions, currently facilitate USDT-based services. This existing framework means substantial infrastructure for broader implementation is already operational.
Granting official recognition would legitimize current market practices. Benefits could include reduced transaction fees, accelerated remittance processing, and a transparent substitute for underground dollar exchanges.
Bolivia reversed its cryptocurrency prohibition in 2024. Following President Rodrigo Paz Pereira’s inauguration in late 2025, his administration committed to incorporating digital currencies into regulated financial channels, including authorizing banks to deliver crypto-based products.
Successful deployment would require robust measures against financial crimes. Bolivia continues under Financial Action Task Force enhanced monitoring due to identified deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
Tether commissioned KPMG in March 2026 for a comprehensive reserve audit covering assets exceeding $184 billion. Industry observers interpret this initiative as positioning for government-level adoption.
Chainalysis documented $14.8 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume from Bolivia across a 12-month measurement period in their 2025 Latin America assessment, positioning the nation among the region’s significant crypto markets.
Should authorities proceed with adoption, Bolivia would establish precedent as Latin America’s first nation to officially recognize USDT as a payment instrument alongside government-issued currency.
Bolivia’s government is considering new regulations that would grant Tether‘s USDT stablecoin official status as an accepted payment method, placing it alongside the national currency, the boliviano, and the US dollar within the nation’s payment ecosystem.
Government evaluates integration of USDTSpeaking at a press conference, Economy and Public Finance Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza announced that authorities are conducting a technical review of whether USDT can be adopted into the national payment system. Espinoza stated that USDT could function similarly to existing currencies, facilitating everyday transactions, commercial payments, and savings accounts.
Espinoza noted that the government is technically evaluating how USDT could be incorporated into the country’s payment system, allowing for its use in a range of financial activities.
The proposal is currently under internal review. No legislation or Central Bank of Bolivia approval has been finalized or made public regarding this initiative.
Currency crisis drives demand for stablecoinsBolivia continues to struggle with a shortage of US dollars, following years of declining natural gas exports and economic uncertainty. The country recently ended its long-held fixed exchange rate of 6.86 bolivianos per dollar, leading to the emergence of an unofficial market with significantly higher dollar prices than official rates.
As the gap between official and street exchange rates widened, residents increasingly turned to dollar-pegged alternatives such as USDT. In recent months, merchants in Bolivia have begun accepting USDT for routine purchases including groceries and confectionery items. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino observed this trend in June 2025.
Earlier in March 2025, YPFB, Bolivia’s state-owned petroleum company, received government approval to accept cryptocurrency payments for fuel shipments, marking the administration’s first move to formally recognize digital assets.
Banks and infrastructure supporting USDT adoptionBolivia’s banking sector is already adapting to the growing use of stablecoins. Banco Unión and Banco FIE, two leading domestic banks, have launched USDT-related services, providing an established foundation for wider stablecoin adoption in the financial system.
Granting USDT official payment status could legitimize widespread stablecoin use, reduce transaction fees, and improve transparency in exchange markets, particularly when compared to informal dollar trading in the shadow economy.
The Bolivian government reversed a nationwide ban on crypto assets in 2024. Following President Rodrigo Paz Pereira’s inauguration at the end of 2025, the administration committed to integrating digital assets into regulated financial channels by permitting banks to offer crypto-based products.
To ensure security, authorities would need to enforce strict measures to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. Bolivia remains under Financial Action Task Force enhanced monitoring for gaps in its anti-financial crime regime.
Tether, the issuer of USDT, appointed KPMG in March 2026 to conduct a reserve audit covering over $184 billion in assets. Industry analysts view this as a move to prepare Tether for compatibility with formal government regulations.
Bolivia’s place in Latin America’s crypto landscapeChainalysis, a blockchain analytics firm, reported that Bolivia recorded $14.8 billion in cryptocurrency transactions over a 12-month period in its 2025 Latin America overview. This positions Bolivia among the region’s most significant crypto markets.
If Bolivia finalizes official approval for USDT, it would become the first country in Latin America to formally add the stablecoin to its payment system, allowing transactions alongside traditional government-issued money.
Mini dictionary: Tether (USDT) is a blockchain-based stablecoin whose value is pegged to the US dollar. It is widely used globally to provide a digital equivalent of cash, often serving as an alternative in countries facing local currency instability.
CountryOfficial Status of USDTAnnual Crypto Volume (12 months, 2025)BoliviaUnder consideration$14.8 billionOther Latin American countriesNo official recognitionVariesDisclaimer: 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.
Getting crypto into your bank account has always felt like one too many steps. You sell on an exchange, wait for the withdrawal, pay a fee somewhere in the middle, and hope nothing breaks. Oobit just cut out most of that process for TRX holders.
The Tether-backed payments app announced on March 1, 2026 that users can now send TRX directly from self-custodial wallets to bank accounts via SEPA in Europe, ACH in the United States, and Faster Payments in the United Kingdom. Transfers settle in seconds, with no swaps required and no third-party intermediaries involved.
What Oobit actually built here The feature connects crypto wallets directly to traditional banking rails, three of them specifically, covering the major fiat corridors in Europe, the US, and the UK.
SEPA handles euro-denominated transfers across most of Europe. ACH is the backbone of US dollar bank payments. Faster Payments is the UK’s near-instant pound sterling network.
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The architecture routes transactions through DTR and leverages a partnership with DePay for execution. The absence of an intermediate swap is the notable part. Most crypto-to-bank pathways require converting to a stablecoin or fiat on an exchange first, which adds time, fees, and counterparty exposure. Oobit’s approach removes that layer.
This TRX-specific announcement builds on a broader rollout Oobit made just days earlier. On February 24, 2026, the company launched wallet-to-bank transfers supporting multiple tokens including BTC, ETH, USDT, and TRX. The March 1 announcement zeroed in on TRX specifically, signaling a deliberate push to deepen the TRON ecosystem’s integration with traditional finance.
Why TRON and why now Oobit is not a new name in the TRON ecosystem. The two have worked together previously on Tap and Pay functionality and merchant spending features, meaning this wallet-to-bank integration is the next step in an existing relationship rather than a cold start.
Oobit operates across more than 80 countries and supports transactions in over 180 countries. A wallet-to-bank feature that spans SEPA, ACH, and Faster Payments simultaneously covers most of the world’s retail banking population.
What this means for TRX holders and the broader market For investors holding TRX, the practical upgrade is straightforward. Liquidity becomes easier to access. You no longer need an account on a centralized exchange to convert your position to spendable fiat.
The Tether connection also deserves a mention. Tether, the issuer of USDT and one of the most influential entities in crypto infrastructure, backing Oobit gives the company both credibility and a natural distribution channel. USDT is already the dominant stablecoin on TRON. Having Tether-backed tooling that makes TRX more spendable and more liquid reinforces the network’s position as a payments layer.
The risk worth watching is regulatory. Direct crypto-to-bank transfers sit at the intersection of two heavily regulated industries. Banking regulators in the EU, US, and UK all have views on how fiat exits from crypto should be structured, and those views are not always consistent. Oobit will need to maintain compliance across all three payment rail jurisdictions simultaneously.
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Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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AI oracle APRO, backed by YZi Labs, announced that Lista DAO has joined its Multi-Oracle Resilience Program (MORE), an initiative designed to eliminate the risk of single oracle attacks and boost price stability across the ecosystem. Under the partnership, APRO will provide Lista DAO with price feed services for Binance bStocks—Binance’s recently launched tokenized US stock products. The new coverage adds six trading pairs: MSFTB, METAB, LITEB, PLTRB, QQQB, SKHYB; existing pairs already listed include SNDKB, MUB, TSLAB, NVDAB, CRCLB, SPCXB, and other assets. APRO currently delivers the most comprehensive and stable price data support in the bStocks space, and will continue to expand integrations with more bStocks products while deepening its engagement in the BNB Chain ecosystem.
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