Author: BTCLFGTEAM

  • Strategy buys 6,220 Bitcoin for $739.8M, takes total holdings past $43B

    Strategy buys 6,220 Bitcoin for $739.8M, takes total holdings past $43B

    Strategy buys 6,220 Bitcoin for $739.8M, takes total holdings past $43B

    • $740.3M raised via equity sales across four security classes.
    • 1.6M MSTR shares sold under $21B ATM authorisation.
    • Strategy’s BTC yield for 2025 stands at 20.8% year-to-date.

    Strategy has added another 6,220 Bitcoin to its corporate balance sheet, spending $739.8 million during the week ending July 20, 2025.

    The purchase was funded through the company’s ongoing at-the-market (ATM) equity offerings.

    With this latest acquisition, the firm now owns 607,770 BTC—worth over $43 billion at current prices—making it the largest institutional holder of Bitcoin worldwide.

    The firm, chaired by billionaire Michael Saylor, paid an average of $118,940 per Bitcoin in its latest purchase, as disclosed in a filing published on Monday.

    This represents a significant premium over its historical average acquisition cost of $71,756 per BTC.

    Strategy issues 1.6M MSTR shares in latest equity round

    Between July 14 and July 20, Strategy raised approximately $740.3 million across four different security classes.

    The majority of funds—$736.4 million—were generated from the sale of 1,636,373 MSTR common shares.

    The company also issued 5,441 STRK preferred shares with an 8.00% strike, raising $700,000. Another 2,000 STRF shares were sold at a 10.00% strike, bringing in $200,000. Additionally, 31,282 STRD preferred shares, also with a 10.00% stride, were issued for $3.0 million in proceeds.

    All four instruments fall under large multi-billion-dollar issuance programmes. Both the MSTR and STRK share classes are authorised for up to $21 billion each.

    These programmes demonstrate Strategy’s continued ability to convert equity into Bitcoin reserves at scale without relying on traditional financing channels.

    BTC acquisition cost shows 20.8% YTD return for Strategy

    Bitcoin prices remain significantly higher than Strategy’s average cost basis of $71,756, giving the firm a year-to-date return of 20.8% on its BTC holdings.

    At current market prices—just above $118,000—Strategy’s crypto treasury continues to outperform many traditional corporate investments.

    This yield figure is particularly notable as Bitcoin has consolidated after hitting an all-time high of $123,000 last week.

    Although prices have since pulled back slightly, the bullish market structure remains intact.

    Analysts have observed a pennant formation following BTC’s strong rally in July, typically a continuation pattern that suggests potential for further upside.

    Despite short-term market volatility, Strategy’s long-term accumulation approach has proven resilient.

    The latest purchase reinforces its strategy of treating Bitcoin as a primary treasury asset and a long-term store of value.

    Market reacts as Saylor signals continued BTC accumulation

    Michael Saylor has maintained a consistent narrative around Bitcoin being a superior store of value.

    On Saturday, just days after the most recent BTC buy, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Stay humble, stack sats.” The phrase has been interpreted as a signal that Strategy’s accumulation is far from over.

    The company’s approach, combining equity capital markets with ongoing BTC purchases, serves as a blueprint for institutional crypto exposure.

    As regulatory clarity and institutional infrastructure improve, Strategy’s model could influence how other publicly listed firms handle treasury allocation.

    Bitcoin’s latest rally, paired with corporate participation at this scale, continues to shift market sentiment toward long-term adoption.

    While the token’s price has slipped slightly from its recent peak, its resilience above the $115,000 level is being closely watched by traders and institutional investors alike.

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  • Solana price prediction: SOL targets breakout above $200

    Solana price prediction: SOL targets breakout above $200

    Solana Price Bullish

    • Solana price is above $190, with intraday highs of $192 as bulls target the psychological $200 level.
    • Analysts say SOL could explode above the $190 level amid current altcoin gains.
    • Institutional interest in Solana continues amid investment product inflows.

    Solana (SOL) is trading above $190 on Monday, breaking higher to hit its highest level since February.

    This comes as SOL gained over 14% this past week and by more than 34% in the past month, buoyed by a rally for altcoins after the GENIUS Act became law.

    With on-chain activity and technical indicators bullish, analysts say a breakout above $190 could see Solana rally hard. Other altcoins, including Ethereum, XRP, and Cardano, are also bullish.

    Solana price breaches key resistance level

    Solana has recently ticked higher amid an upward trend that excites bulls, with analysts noting it’s poised for a potential parabolic move if it breaks above a critical resistance level.

    According to an analysis by Glassnode, the next major resistance for SOL is around $190, where investors have accumulated over 8 million Solana tokens.

    Although this accumulation zone represents a significant hurdle, bulls are currently retesting it.

    Buyers have in the past 24 hours gained nearly 7% to breach the supply barrier and reach intraday highs of $191.79.

    Furthermore, Glassnode suggests breaking above this level could be key as the supply becomes less dense.

    As a thinning supply zone sits above $190, the $200 price level could be on the cards.

    SOL price forecast

    As noted, market forecasts for Solana are increasingly optimistic, with a confluence of technical and on-chain factors in favour.

    Liquidations have jumped as shorts feel the heat, accounting for over $12 million of the $16 million wiped out in the past 24 hours.

    Notably, market observers say that high market activity has often seen SOL liquidations explode on Solana-based perpetual trading platforms.

    This surge in on-chain liquidations underscores the intense trading volume and speculative interest in SOL, particularly on decentralized platforms leveraging Solana’s high-speed blockchain.

    Crypto analyst Ali Martinez says a break above $189 for SOL leaves nearly no major hurdle for bulls.

    Solana’s total value locked (TVL) amid a massive spike in decentralized finance (DeFi) adoption adds to the bullish sentiment for SOL.

    Solana-based digital asset products exchange-traded products have also been on an upward trend in terms of inflows.

    The ETPs, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), managed over $39.1 million in inflows for the past week.

    While it lagged Bitcoin’s $2.19 billion in weekly inflows, the number is a reflection of growing adoption for SOL.

    DeFi TVL on Solana has in fact jumped to $10.2 billion, hitting the milestone for the first time in nearly two years.

    The SOL price appreciation has helped push the TVL up, with Jito Sol up to $3.09 billion, Jupiter Exchange to $2.9 billion and Kamino Finance to $2.89 billion.



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  • Early PUMP investors dump 25.5 billion tokens, pocketing nearly $40 million in profit

    Early PUMP investors dump 25.5 billion tokens, pocketing nearly $40 million in profit

    Early PUMP investors dump 25.5B tokens, pocketing nearly $40M profit

    • Two wallets offloaded PUMP worth $141M the previous week.
    • The sales yielded around $39.65 million in profit.
    • The transactions (made to FalconX and CEXs) have raised concerns over Pump.fun’s token distribution.

    As the GENIUS Act fuels the altcoin season narrative, a bold move involving the recently launched PUMP coin has raised eyebrows within the cryptocurrency community.

    According to EmberCN’s July 21 X post, two wallets that participated in Pump.fun’s private placement have offloaded 25.5 billion PUMP tokens, worth approximately $141 million.

    The transaction saw the investors netting combined $39.65 million profits within a week.

    The speed and magnitude of these transfers have stirred widespread debates among crypto enthusiasts, with many questioning Pump.fun’s token distribution structure and the altcoin’s long-term price stability.

    Key investors exit PUMP

    The first wallet D6ar…Lazd secured 25 billion PUMP coins after joining the institutional round with $100 million USDC.

    Notably, this private placement mirrored a public sale as it lacked a lock-up period with the same buying price.

    That’s unusual for institutional investors.

    While the market rallied over the last week, driven by regulatory changes in the United States, this wallet sent 13 billion tokens, worth approximately $71.46 million, to a trading and liquidity platform FalconX.

    Meanwhile, the assets later moved into multiple central exchanges (CEXs).

    The investor dumped at around $0.0055 average price, accumulating $19.5 million returns in less than a week.

    The second wallet walked away with around $20.15 million with a similar approach.

    It received 12.5 billion tokens after committing $50 million USDC to the private sale.

    Meanwhile, the whale moved all the tokens to CEXs, locking in returns at $0.0056 average price per PUMP coin.

    Maximum liquidity without lock-up

    The most noticeable thing is that these private round participants didn’t have lock-up terms.

    Generally, institutional crypto purchases include vesting periods to ensure stability and discourage sudden dumps.

    In Pump.fun’s saga, large-scale investors were free to offload immediately, giving them an edge over retail players who joined later.

    Further, the community criticized for creating an irregular playing ground with equal pricing between private and public offerings.

    PUMP momentum threatened

    The altcoin has remained on investor radar since its July 12 public sale, which sold off within twelve minutes.

    While it demonstrates strength despite early backlash, the substantial dump from early participants darkens PUMP’s short-term outlook.

    The substantial sell-offs will likely impact liquidity, investor confidence, and price actions in the upcoming sessions.

    The derivatives markets data signal a weakening strength according to Coinglass.

    PUMP’s trading volume has plunged 10% to $1.11 billion, whereas a 7% dip in Open Interest indicates fading trader optimism.

    Moreover, the Pump.fun team hasn’t commented on the significant transactions or the project’s private placement structure.

    The lack of transparency could dent PUMP’s sentiments further.

    Enthusiasts will watch how the altcoin reacts to the latest on-chain developments.

    Nonetheless, broad market sentiments remain vital in shaping the altcoin’s trajectory.

    Bulls dominate the digital assets, and with Bitcoin’s declining dominance hinting at an impending altcoins season, massive rallies could absorb PUMP’s anticipated selling pressure.



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  • Kaspa price climbs 10% on Layer 2 rollout, forms double-bottom pattern

    Kaspa price climbs 10% on Layer 2 rollout, forms double-bottom pattern

    Kaspa Price Bullish

    • KAS price is up 10% in 24 hours as Kaspa mirrors other altcoins’ gains.
    • The cryptocurrency is also surging after seeing a double-bottom bounce with support near $0.05.
    • Bulls could breach resistance around $0.12 and target the $0.18-$0.20 supply zone.

    The Kaspa price has surged by 10% in the past 24 hours, reaching an intraday high of $0.105.

    Notably, this has added to weekly gains of over 18% as Kaspa rides the bullish momentum, with top cryptocurrencies Ethereum, XRP, and Solana seeing notable gains.

    BNB price has jumped to near its all-time high and could eye $1,000.

    As these top altcoins eye key technical levels, Kaspa’s upward momentum is drawing significant attention. Both market dynamics and upcoming network developments suggest bulls may not be done yet.

    Why is Kaspa price up today?

    Kaspa’s price increase aligns with a robust altcoin market.

    ETH, XRP, SOL, and BNB are all climbing toward critical resistance zones or all-time highs, adding to buying pressure for small-cap cryptocurrencies.

    However, Kaspa’s rally is not solely tied to market-wide optimism.

    A key driver is the growing anticipation surrounding the Kasplex mainnet, a significant step forward for the Kaspa Network, which is renowned for its high-speed, proof-of-work blockDAG architecture.

    The Kasplex Layer 2 public testnet, dubbed Kasplex zkEVM, has officially launched, marking a pivotal milestone in Kaspa’s roadmap.

    This fully Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible rollup leverages Kaspa’s Layer 1 (L1) for decentralized sequencing and data availability.

    Kasplex zkEVM introduces several groundbreaking features. A full EVM equivalence allows developers to deploy Ethereum-native smart contracts with minimal adjustments.

    With bridged KAS as the native testnet token, the protocol also allows for integration with standard EVM wallets like MetaMask.

    Additionally, the testnet includes a live faucet, explorer, and expanding developer tooling, fostering an environment for building decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts on Kaspa.

    This development positions Kaspa as a unique proof-of-work blockchain with Layer 2 smart contract functionality.

    Its growth potential has sparked increased interest in the KAS token, contributing to its price surge.

    KAS price: technical outlook

    From a technical perspective, Kaspa’s price action is showing bullish signals. The KAS token has formed a double-bottom pattern, a classic reversal signal.

    It indicates strong support in the $0.05-$0.06 range.

     

    Kaspa price chart by TradingView 

    This bounce has propelled the price toward a key resistance level near $0.12.

    According to the price outlook on the weekly chart, a decisive breakout above this level could open the door for buyers to target the $0.18-$0.20.

    The area might prove a crucial supply zone, with the level aligning with previous highs from July and December 2024.

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  • BNB price prediction: BNB on cusp all-time high as bulls eye $1,000

    BNB price prediction: BNB on cusp all-time high as bulls eye $1,000

    • BNB price trades above $760, having touched intraday highs of $766.
    • Having come just shy of a new all-time high, it’s possible bulls could target $1,000 next.
    • Overall, altcoin market optimism will catalyse more gains.

    BNB, the native coin of the Binance ecosystem and BNB Chain, is on the cusp of a new all-time high as price hovers near $763 on Monday morning.

    This comes amid a robust uptick for altcoins, with Ethereum exploding to $3,800 and XRP eyeing $4.00.

    While BNB has only managed a modest 2%, price is retesting last week’s resistance level amid an increase of nearly 9% in seven days.

    Despite these small gains compared to other coins, BNB is showing strong technical indicators, alongside a yearly high in Open Interest.

    BNB price nears new all-time high

    The BNB price has continued to trade higher since breaking above $640 in June.

    On Monday, July 21, the altcoin reached an intraday high of $766, a move that saw it come close to hitting its all-time high of $793 reached in December 2024.

    As noted, this rally for Binance Coin aligns with an uptick for altcoins across the broader market.

    With Bitcoin consolidating after hitting new ATH above $123k, it’s altcoins that are in the limelight this past week.

    “With Ethereum leading the way, there has been a huge jump in social media mentions of many altcoins and higher price targets,” analysts at Santiment recently posted.

    Ethereum has climbed above $3,800, and XRP is on the verge of a new all-time high.

    Bulls have pushed Solana towards $200. Elsewhere, altcoins such as Conflux (CFX) have surged significantly to lead top gainers in leading 100 coins by market cap.

    BNB’s market capitalisation has also increased amid the overall upward momentum, hitting above $106 billion as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency targets a new peak.

    BNB price prediction: is a breakout to $1,000 next?

    A look at the charts shows BNB’s bullish outlook has the support of key technical indicators.

    Combining this with prevailing market conditions could offer buyers the chance to break higher.

    Currently, hovering above $760 puts BNB just shy of the $793 peak.

    Profit taking may ensue near the ATH, but Open Interest in BNB futures has soared to a yearly high of $1.04 billion.

    Derivatives volume has also jumped to over $1.38 billion, signalling increased trader bets on the cryptocurrency.

    BNB price chart by TradingView

    The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also shows a bullish crossover, confirming sustained upward pressure.

    If BNB bulls weather the likely corrections, the next target above the all-time high will be the psychological $1,000 level.

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  • CFX price explodes 100% amid news from a major Conflux conference

    CFX price explodes 100% amid news from a major Conflux conference

    Conflux Price Up

    • Conflux price jumps more than 100% to lead top 100 coins by market cap as Ethereum eyes $4,000.
    • An altcoin rally has buoyed top coins like XRP, Solana and BNB.
    • News from a network conference in Shanghai, mainly that Conflux 3.0 is coming, has buoyed CFX bulls.

    Conflux (CFX) is trending as the top gainer in the 100 largest coins by market cap in the past 24 hours, with its price up an impressive 116%.

    CFX traded to highs of $0.24, a multi-month peak that has bulls eyeing a major breakout.

    This rally for the 81st-ranked altcoin comes amid a broader bullish flip for top cryptocurrencies, with Ethereum leading the charge as Bitcoin takes a breather.

    Part of CFX’s uptick is down to a major news announcement around Conflux 3.0, an upgrade expected to go live this August.

    Conflux 3.0 announcement triggers triple-digit uptick for CFX

    As noted, CFX ticked up by more than 100% as the Conflux price reacted to a major news announcement.

    This announcement came at the Conflux Technology & Ecosystem Conference 2025 in Shanghai, held between July 18 and 20.

    Among the key highlights of the summit was an announcement by Dr. Guang Yang, the chief technology officer of Conflux.

    Yang noted that the upgrade that rolls in the Conflux 3.0 Architecture will activate in August.

    Positive market reaction saw the altcoin post gains as mega cap cryptocurrencies edged up alongside Ethereum’s pump and XRP’s push for a new all-time high.

    Solana was also looking to break towards $200.

    The historic passage and signing into law of the GENIUS Act have contributed to this rally in cryptocurrencies.

    It’s likely the same reason Conflux, a layer-1 blockchain designed to transform stablecoin and payment infrastructure for consumer payments, has skyrocketed in the past two days.

    For Conflux, this overall bullish picture for altcoins has combined with network-specific news to catalyse the bulls’ march to highs last seen in mid-December 2024.

    Daily volume rose by more than 1050% to over $1.74 billion, while the CFX market cap climbed to over $1.13 billion.

    Conflux price outlook

    The price of Conflux has indeed jumped by 116% in the past 7 days, extending gains to 204% in the past month.

    Bulls have given up some of the gains seen when Conflux price jumped to intraday highs of $0.24.

    Conflux price chart by CoinMarketCap

    The bullish uptick has put CFX above the key supply zone around $0.18.

    It means a break above $0.30 could bring the $0.55 peak reached in March 2024 into play.

    A run to $1 or higher in the short term is likely if altcoin season is on.

    However, profit-taking may result in a revisit of key previous support levels, including $0.14 and $0.10.

    At the current price of $0.22, CFX is more than 900% up on its value of $0.021 that bears reached in January 2023.

    The Conflux token hit its all-time high above $1.70 in March 2021.



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  • US House passes three key crypto bills; market reaction muted as Bitcoin dips

    US House passes three key crypto bills; market reaction muted as Bitcoin dips

    US House passes three key crypto bills; market reaction muted as bitcoin dips

    • US House passed all three key crypto bills: the CLARITY Act, GENIUS Act, and Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
    • Despite the “historic” legislative wins, crypto markets remained flat, with Bitcoin down 0.89% to $118,849.
    • The GENIUS Act (stablecoins) is the first major crypto bill to clear both chambers and is now on President Trump’s desk.

    The US House of Representatives has delivered a week of landmark legislative victories for the cryptocurrency industry, passing all three key bills aimed at providing long-sought regulatory clarity.

    However, in a striking display of market apathy, this historic breakthrough in Washington has been met with a collective shrug from crypto traders, with prices remaining largely flat.

    In what many industry proponents are calling a watershed moment, the US House has now passed the CLARITY Act, the GENIUS Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.

    The CLARITY Act, which passed by a strong vote of 294 to 134, aims to establish clear guidelines for classifying digital assets as either securities under the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or as commodities under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

    The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which passed by a much narrower 219 to 217 vote, effectively bans the Federal Reserve from issuing or even testing a central bank digital currency without explicit Congressional approval. Both of these bills will now advance to the Senate, where their future remains uncertain.

    The most significant of the three, the GENIUS Act, which creates a regulatory framework for stablecoins, has already cleared both chambers of Congress. Having previously passed the Senate with a 68 to 30 vote, it sailed through the House this week with a decisive 308 to 122 vote.

    This bill is now on President Trump’s desk, making it the first major piece of crypto-focused legislation on track to become US law.

    Despite these monumental legislative achievements, the crypto markets have remained conspicuously unfazed. Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at $118,849, down 0.89% over the past 24 hours. Ethereum (ETH) is hovering at $3,389, down 0.27%.

    The broader altcoin market has also been mostly muted. The one notable exception is XRP, which is up over 8% on the day, continuing a strong bullish run it has maintained throughout the week.

    The market’s tepid reaction is further evidenced by liquidation data. According to Coinglass, 150,169 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with total liquidations reaching nearly $490 million.

    The largest single liquidation was a $3.21 million ETH-USDT long position on the crypto exchange HTX, a sign of the choppy, directionless trading that has characterized the market.

    A tale of two markets: crypto stalls as Wall Street soars

    The crypto market’s indifference stands in stark contrast to the exuberance seen in traditional stock markets.

    Major US indexes surged to fresh record highs on Friday, as upbeat corporate earnings and stronger-than-expected economic data lifted investor sentiment.

    The S&P 500 jumped 0.54% to a new record close of 6,297.36, marking its ninth all-time closing high of the year. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also hit its tenth record of 2025, climbing 0.74% to finish at 20,884.27, driven by strength in major tech stocks.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 229.71 points, or 0.52%, to close at 44,484.49.

    This rally in equities was supported by strong economic data, including a retail sales report for June that came in at 0.6%, beating expectations of 0.2%, and a drop in jobless claims, both signaling a still-resilient US economy.

    Strong earnings reports from companies like PepsiCo and United Airlines further boosted optimism as the second-quarter earnings season gets underway.

    This divergence highlights a curious moment in markets, where a significant, long-awaited regulatory victory for crypto has failed to generate the kind of bullish excitement currently being seen on Wall Street.

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  • Bitcoin trades near $119K after new all-time high; Coinbase rebrands wallet to ‘Base App’

    Bitcoin trades near $119K after new all-time high; Coinbase rebrands wallet to ‘Base App’

    Bitcoin trades near $119K after new all-time high; Coinbase rebrands wallet to 'Base App'

    Bitcoin is holding steady above the $118,800 mark as the market digests its recent powerful rally to a new all-time high of over $122,000.

    While on-chain data now indicates that the first wave of heavy profit-taking has begun, particularly among short-term holders sitting on significant gains, some analysts believe that historical patterns still suggest room for another push higher, though they are also warning that “overheating” signals are beginning to flash.

    In a recent report, on-chain analytics firm Glassnode highlighted that “short-term holders are now sitting on significant unrealized profits,” a condition that is pushing key indicators “towards overheated territory.”

    The Short-Term Holder Relative Unrealized Profit metric recently hit 15.4%, breaching a key statistical threshold (+1 standard deviation) before cooling slightly. Historically, this level “often marks the beginning of top formation,” according to Glassnode.

    The firm also pointed to the Realized Profit to Loss Ratio, which recently spiked to a staggering 39.8, “well above the +2 standard deviation threshold,” signaling a period of intense profit-taking from successful traders.

    Although this ratio has since declined to a more moderate 7.3, the elevated reading remains consistent with behavior typically seen in the late stages of a bull market.

    “So far, both the Percent of Spent Volume in Profit and the Realized Profit to Loss Ratio have signaled the first wave of excessive profit-taking,” the report concluded.

    While this doesn’t necessarily mark a definitive market top, Glassnode cautions that “such top formations tend to unfold across multiple waves,” with the next major resistance level for Bitcoin projected to be around the $130,000 mark.

    The great rotation: traders move into altcoins

    As Bitcoin’s near-term upside appears increasingly constrained by this profit-taking pressure, some traders are beginning to rotate their capital into major altcoins.

    Ethereum (ETH) surged an impressive 7.5% in the past 24 hours, outpacing Bitcoin and breaking out of a recent consolidation phase.

    Analysts have pointed to the recent advancement of the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin regulation bill, as a potential catalyst for ETH’s strong performance.

    Solana (SOL) also saw a significant jump, up 5%, buoyed by fresh on-chain data showing that Galaxy Digital had accumulated $55 million worth of SOL within a tight two-hour window, withdrawing the tokens from multiple centralized exchanges.

    This rotation into major altcoins like ETH and SOL suggests that while Bitcoin’s broader market structure remains intact, traders are seeking opportunities for higher returns in other parts of the crypto ecosystem.

    Coinbase’s big rebrand: from ‘Wallet’ to ‘Base App’

    In a significant development for the broader crypto ecosystem, Coinbase has officially rebranded its popular Wallet product as the ‘Base App’.

    This move confirms speculation that had been swirling since the company scrubbed its X profile earlier this week.

    The rebranding positions the app as a central gateway into the burgeoning Base ecosystem, which is now being pitched as a full-stack, on-chain platform designed for mainstream adoption.

    The rebrand was officially announced during Coinbase’s “A New Day One” event, which also unveiled a broader vision for the Base ecosystem, now built around three key pillars: the existing Layer-2 network, Base Chain; a new developer toolkit suite dubbed Base Build; and the newly launched Base App.

    Unlike its predecessor, the Coinbase Wallet, the new Base App is designed to be much more than just a place to store crypto.

    It will integrate chat functionalities, payments, trading, and a mini-app marketplace that supports a wide range of social and financial experiences.

    This is not Coinbase’s first attempt at a wallet makeover (long-time crypto users will remember its original wallet, “Toshi”), but it is arguably its most ambitious.

    With the Base ecosystem increasingly distancing itself from the parent Coinbase brand, the new app appears designed to emphasize Base’s distinct identity as a more decentralized, open ecosystem—one that is anchored in the core values of crypto but packaged in a user-friendly way for the everyday consumer.

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  • Market update: Bitcoin consolidates near $117K

    Market update: Bitcoin consolidates near $117K

    Bitcoin pulls back; AI token sector market cap hits $29.6B

    • Bitcoin (BTC) is down 1.8% but trades above $117,800 as traders take profits after recent all-time highs.
    • AI-focused crypto tokens jumped 5% overnight as big tech firms like Google and Meta announced massive infrastructure investments.
    • Google plans a $25B data center investment; a Trump-led summit saw over $90B in AI/data pledges unveiled.

    Bitcoin has taken a slight breather as the East Asian business day gets underway, dipping 1.8% but still trading firmly above the $117,800 mark at the time of writing this article.

    This pause comes as some traders take profits after a powerful run that saw the leading cryptocurrency push through multiple all-time highs.

    While bullish sentiment remains strong, with some market participants calling for even higher price targets, seasoned observers are sounding a note of caution, warning that risks are building just as quickly as market enthusiasm.

    A rally on pause?

    The current market sentiment is a mix of unbridled optimism and underlying apprehension.

    There is a palpable belief among some that the recent rally is just the beginning, with bold calls for Bitcoin to reach $160,000, $200,000, or even higher.

    However, Lennex Lai, Chief Commercial Officer at the crypto exchange OKX, warns that this very enthusiasm could be a source of risk.

    “Across platforms, we’re seeing an increase in aggressive long positions and widening funding rates as ‘Crypto Week’ headlines boost sentiment,” Lai told CoinDesk in an interview via Telegram.

    He stressed that at these elevated levels, “risks can build quickly – escalation of trade tensions with the EU, Mexico, and other trading partners could trigger sharp corrections.

    Another risk is letting euphoria drive decisions.”

    Lai pointed to a slate of upcoming macroeconomic announcements that could sway global risk sentiment and set the tone for broader markets.

    These include the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) release, as well as the US Core Producer Price Index (PPI), retail sales figures, and consumer sentiment data.

    Echoes of past volatility and a cautious professional class

    Lai’s concerns echo the findings of a recent H1 2025 market report from K33 Research, which highlighted similar risks and volatility triggers earlier this year.

    The report noted that geopolitical turmoil and trade policy uncertainty have already driven significant market swings, including a sharp 30% correction that saw Bitcoin fall to $75,000 earlier in the year.

    The K33 report also observed that “Bitcoin struggled in this de-risking period but showed subtle hints of relative strength vs equities by outperforming equities in the aftermath of Liberation Day.”

    A key indicator of underlying caution among seasoned traders has been the historically low funding rates seen amidst rising prices.

    “Annualized funding rates averaged at 4.51% throughout the half-year, the lowest average half-year funding rate since December 31, 2022,” when the post-FTX crypto winter was at its coldest, the report stated.

    This suggests that while prices have been rising, professional traders have remained wary of abrupt market reversals.

    Lennex Lai emphasized the need for a disciplined approach in this environment. “In moments like this, smart traders focus on strategy over sentiment, using discipline to manage risk,” he continued.

    “The excitement at the top is real, but those who manage their entries, exits, and funding exposure carefully are best positioned for whatever comes next.” After all, he concluded, “strong momentum doesn’t mean the market is invincible.”

    AI tokens catch a bid as big tech doubles down on infrastructure

    While Bitcoin consolidates, a different corner of the crypto market is experiencing a significant rally. AI-focused crypto tokens jumped by 5% overnight, pushing the sector’s total market capitalization to $29.6 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.

    This move comes amidst a flurry of major announcements from U.S. tech giants regarding massive investments in AI and data infrastructure, sparking renewed investor enthusiasm in both traditional equity and digital token markets.

    Google announced on Tuesday that it will invest a staggering $25 billion into data centers and AI infrastructure across the PJM electric grid, the largest in the United States.

    The company also agreed to purchase 3,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power through a $3 billion deal with Brookfield. Not to be outdone, Meta is reportedly planning “hundreds of billions” in AI data center construction, including a multi-gigawatt facility in Ohio, codenamed “Prometheus.”

    These blockbuster announcements were strategically timed around a Trump administration-led summit at Carnegie Mellon University, where over $90 billion in AI, energy, and data infrastructure pledges were unveiled.

    This overwhelmingly bullish tone on AI, from both the government and private industry, appears to be spilling over into the crypto token markets, at least for now.


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  • Bitcoin’s surge to record highs signals potential shift toward stability, says Deutsche Bank

    Bitcoin’s surge to record highs signals potential shift toward stability, says Deutsche Bank

    Bitcoin

    • Bitcoin hit a record high above $123,000, with Deutsche Bank noting a rare drop in volatility alongside the rally.
    • Analyst Marion Laboure sees signs of Bitcoin maturing as an asset, supported by regulatory clarity and institutional adoption.
    • Despite a short-term pullback, broader macro and micro factors point to a more stable, long-term trend for Bitcoin.

    Bitcoin may be entering a new phase of greater price stability, according to a recent analysis by Deutsche Bank.

    The cryptocurrency reached a record high above $123,000 on Monday, marking a roughly 75% gain from its levels in mid-November.

    Deutsche Bank analyst Marion Laboure noted that the sharp appreciation has been accompanied by a historic drop in volatility — an unusual but telling combination.

    “While excitement over the upcoming legislations has spurred Bitcoin’s sharp appreciation, it is notable that Bitcoin’s rise has also been accompanied by a historic decline in volatility levels,” Laboure wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday.

    She suggested this may point to an emerging decoupling of Bitcoin’s spot price from its traditional volatility, hinting at the digital asset’s evolution toward a more stable asset class.

    Laboure cited growing market adoption, clearer regulatory frameworks, and increased institutional involvement as contributing factors to this stabilization trend.

    Together, these dynamics are helping to shift Bitcoin away from the high-churn, speculative cycles that have historically defined its behavior.

    Regulatory and institutional tailwinds

    The record-breaking price movement comes as US lawmakers gathered for the “Crypto Week,” which investors hope will pave the way for a more supportive regulatory environment.

    While crypto legislation has long been a point of debate in Washington, proponents see this week’s discussions as a potential inflection point that could attract greater participation from institutional investors.

    In her analysis, Laboure emphasized the convergence of macro and micro factors currently driving Bitcoin’s performance.

    On the macro side, she pointed to rising geopolitical tensions, shifts in global trade policies including tariffs, and ongoing de-dollarization trends as adding complexity to traditional markets, making Bitcoin more attractive as an alternative asset.

    On the micro level, she highlighted the increasing participation of institutional investors and longer-term holding patterns among market participants.

    These trends, according to Laboure, suggest that Bitcoin’s role in portfolios is maturing.

    Rather than serving solely as a speculative tool, it is gradually being integrated into broader investment strategies.

    Short-term pullback, long-term outlook

    Despite the strong rally, Bitcoin experienced a modest retreat of over 2% in midday trading on Tuesday, falling back to around $117,000.

    However, Laboure cautioned against reading too much into short-term fluctuations, reiterating that broader adoption and regulatory clarity remain key pillars supporting the current trajectory.

    “Volatility remains inherent,” she acknowledged.

    However, the emerging conditions, from legislation and market structure to investor behavior, “suggest Bitcoin’s integration into portfolios is maturing, and potentially signals a more sustainable trend beyond previous instances of short-term market speculation.”

    As institutional interest deepens and the regulatory landscape evolves, analysts like Laboure believe Bitcoin could continue to see upward momentum while exhibiting more stable price behavior — a significant shift for an asset historically defined by extreme swings.

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