Author: BTCLFGTEAM

  • what’s fueling the June crypto rally?

    what’s fueling the June crypto rally?

    Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Dogecoin rise in June rally

    • XRP open interest hits $5 billion, signalling possible breakout.
    • Dogecoin jumps above $0.20 as traders rotate into meme tokens.
    • Analysts forecast potential highs of $137K for BTC and $12K for ETH in 2025.

    The cryptocurrency market is gaining ground again in early June 2025, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Dogecoin all staging notable recoveries.

    As of Tuesday, June 3, Bitcoin is trading around $105,000, Ethereum has pushed past $2,600, XRP is testing $2.20, and Dogecoin is holding near $0.20.

    The rally follows a weekend of sharp liquidations and reflects renewed appetite among retail and institutional traders alike.

    While short squeezes and technical momentum are partly behind the surge, broader macroeconomic factors and growing speculation around crypto ETFs are playing a key role in lifting sentiment.

    Bitcoin holds firm above $105,000 as whales accumulate

    Bitcoin’s price action has rebounded strongly since the end of May, recovering from a series of declines that wiped nearly $1 billion in open interest.

    After bottoming out near $101,000, BTC reversed course with four consecutive days of gains, briefly hitting $106,560.

    As of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $105,265.

    Analysts attribute the rebound to ongoing whale accumulation, with on-chain data showing that large wallets have continued to absorb selling pressure during dips.

    Bitcoin price
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    That trend, often viewed as a precursor to further rallies, has helped BTC maintain upward momentum despite broader market fatigue.

    From a macro perspective, escalating geopolitical tensions and expectations around monetary easing have bolstered Bitcoin’s image as a non-correlated asset.

    With central banks signalling policy shifts and the US dollar weakening slightly, Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a hedge against volatility.

    Technically, Bitcoin remains supported above $103,000, with upside targets extending to $108,000 in the near term.

    If buying pressure continues, models suggest a rally toward $137,000 is possible this month, while long-term forecasts still point to a potential $400,000 valuation by 2030.

    Ethereum trades near $2,615, ETF speculation boosts sentiment

    Ethereum has rallied over 7% in the past three days, recovering from lows near $2,430 to reach a session high of $2,650.83.

    It is currently trading at under $2,610.

    Ethereum price
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    Ethereum’s price momentum is supported by growing speculation that the US Securities and Exchange Commission could approve a spot Ethereum ETF in the coming weeks.

    In addition to the ETF buzz, the Ethereum Foundation’s recent reorganisation has sparked fresh interest in the blockchain.

    A stronger focus on protocol development and staking infrastructure has drawn both institutional and retail inflows.

    Ethereum remains above its key moving averages, and chart watchers are eyeing a breakout past $2,810 to trigger further gains.

    However, previous attempts to breach that level have failed, suggesting that sustained bullish pressure is needed.

    Some models forecast Ethereum could test $6,000 this year, with upside potentially extending to $12,000 if institutional demand increases significantly.

    XRP builds pressure above $2.19 as open interest surges

    XRP is showing signs of a breakout, with the token climbing nearly 7% from weekend lows and currently hovering near $2.20.

    The price reached a daily high of $2.2229 on Tuesday, driven by a sharp increase in derivatives activity. XRP is trading at $2.21 currently.

    XRP price
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    Data shows open interest in XRP contracts nearing $5 billion, signalling high expectations of a decisive move.

    This surge in open positions has fuelled speculation of a short squeeze if prices climb higher.

    While XRP has historically seen large price movements during periods of heightened open interest, the absence of a clear catalyst—such as news on Ripple’s legal battle or an ETF approval—makes direction uncertain.

    Price models suggest XRP could reach between $4.50 and $10 by year-end if conditions align, though any downside reversal may trigger sharp corrections due to the leveraged nature of current trades.

    Dogecoin spikes to $0.2013 as traders rotate into meme coins

    Dogecoin is back in the spotlight, reaching an intraday high of $0.2013 after three straight days of gains. It is currently trading around $0.195.

    Dogecoin price
    Source: CoinMarketCap

    The move reflects a common pattern during broader crypto rallies, where profits from majors like Bitcoin and Ethereum are often redirected into higher-risk meme tokens.

    The Bollinger Bands for DOGE are widening, indicating increasing volatility.

    Traders are watching resistance near $0.2310 as the next level to break. If DOGE fails to hold support at $0.1900, a retest of $0.17 is possible.

    While DOGE remains speculative, short-term technicals suggest room for further upside if market sentiment remains bullish.

    What’s driving crypto prices higher today

    A mix of factors is behind the rally across major tokens.

    These include renewed institutional demand, technical momentum, macroeconomic concerns, and anticipation of regulatory clarity.

    The possibility of more ETF approvals and the integration of crypto in traditional finance are also boosting market confidence.

    The US Federal Reserve is expected to maintain a dovish stance in the coming months, which has weakened the dollar slightly and increased the appeal of digital assets.

    Additionally, falling bond yields and reduced inflation risks have encouraged traders to shift towards alternative investments, including crypto.

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  • Crypto ATM scams in Australia cause over AUD 3.1 million in losses

    Crypto ATM scams in Australia cause over AUD 3.1 million in losses

    Crypto ATM scams in Australia cause over AUD 3.1 million in losses

    • Over 150 unique scam reports filed with ReportCyber during the period.
    • Average loss per victim exceeded AUD 20,000.
    • Crypto ATMs in Australia surged from 40 in 2022 to over 1,800 by 2025.

    Australia is facing a fresh wave of crypto-related scams, this time involving the rapid expansion of cryptocurrency ATMs across the country.

    New data from ReportCyber shows that Australians lost over AUD 3.1 million to scams involving crypto ATMs between January 2024 and January 2025.

    The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has now issued a warning, urging greater public awareness as these frauds increasingly target vulnerable demographics, particularly those aged over 50.

    With more than 1,600 crypto ATMs now operating in the country—up from just 23 in 2019—the risk of exploitation is growing in parallel with accessibility.

    Over 150 reports filed, average loss tops AUD 20,000

    Between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, Australia’s national cybercrime reporting platform, ReportCyber, received 150 reports specifically related to crypto ATM scams. This equates to roughly one report every two and a half days.

    The total estimated losses stood at AUD 3,107,600, with an average loss of more than AUD 20,000 per incident, according to the AFP.

    Authorities suggest that these numbers may only represent a fraction of the real impact. Many victims do not report their cases due to embarrassment, unawareness, or difficulty navigating the reporting process.

    AUSTRAC, the national financial intelligence agency, revealed that around AUD 275 million flows through cryptocurrency ATMs annually in Australia.

    A significant portion of that volume is linked to fraudulent activity, although the exact figure remains unquantified.

    Lack of regulation, rising usage worsen risk

    Crypto ATMs, often situated in easily accessible places such as convenience stores or next to children’s vending machines, offer convenience at the cost of security.

    Bitcoin’s irreversible nature and the low identification requirements of many machines make them ideal tools for scammers.

    Unlike traditional bank transactions, once crypto is sent via an ATM, there is virtually no way to recover the funds.

    The problem is not isolated to Australia. In the US, the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has raised similar alarms about Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older adults.

    In Canada, authorities have previously flagged these machines as potential conduits for money laundering. The UK prosecuted an individual last year for operating an illegal Bitcoin ATM.

    Despite global efforts to crack down on misuse, regulations governing these machines remain patchy.

    Without mandatory Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures, scammers can exploit the anonymity and speed of crypto transfers to move illicit funds quickly and invisibly.

    Scammers prey on urgency, fake officials, and emotional manipulation

    Crypto ATM scams often follow well-established social engineering techniques.

    The AFP highlights that scammers typically contact victims posing as government officials, bank staff, or tech support agents.

    Some victims are lured through romance scams, investment promises, or job offers, often involving intense emotional manipulation and pressure to act urgently.

    The victim is then instructed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a crypto ATM, often while on a live call with the scammer.

    Fraudsters sometimes claim the transaction is necessary to “secure accounts” or prevent legal action.

    These tactics exploit both digital illiteracy and psychological vulnerability, especially among seniors.

    To combat these scams, the AFP and AUSTRAC recommend heightened public awareness and better education about cryptocurrency basics.

    As Bitcoin’s value continues to rise and ATM numbers grow, experts warn that the issue could worsen without coordinated regulatory intervention.

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  • Bitcoin slips below $104K on ETF outflows, decline fears mount

    Bitcoin slips below $104K on ETF outflows, decline fears mount

    Bitcoin drops below $104k amid fears of further decline as ETF outflows kick in

    • Bitcoin falls below $104K amid heavy ETF outflows.
    • Key resistance at $106K–$107K amid rebound attempts.
    • Whale selling is on the rise as retail buys surge.

    Bitcoin (BTC) has started June on the back foot, dipping below $104,000 to a low of $103,833.57 on June 2 as investors react to a fresh wave of ETF outflows and technical uncertainty.

    Despite closing May with its highest monthly close ever near $105,700, the market mood has quickly shifted, driven by signs of distribution from whales and institutional sellers.

    Bitcoin ETF outflows outweigh inflows

    The six-week streak of inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs came to an abrupt end on May 30, when funds collectively recorded a staggering $616.22 million in outflows according to Coinglass data.

    Bitcoin ETF outflows

    This reversal marks a sharp deviation from previous weeks, where ETF flows had reinforced the bullish narrative and contributed to Bitcoin’s 11% monthly gain.

    BlackRock’s IBIT, the largest fund in the cohort, leads the exit with $430.82 million in withdrawals, even though it still maintains over $69 billion in assets under management.

    Fidelity’s FBTC and ARK 21Shares’ ARKB follow suit with $113.71 million and $120.14 million in outflows, respectively, underscoring the broad-based nature of the sell-off.

    Although the total cumulative inflows across all ETFs remain positive at $44.37 billion, the sudden withdrawal suggests that investors are now acting cautiously amid growing macroeconomic and technical risks.

    Bitcoin price pullback

    On the price charts, Bitcoin’s recent pullback from $109,000 to $103,833 has brought it below the 0.786 Fibonacci retracement of the rally to its all-time high of $112,000.

    That dip reflected heavy profit-taking into the end of May, exacerbated by the rising influence of bearish technical patterns such as the death cross on the 4-hour chart.

    During Monday’s European session, BTC briefly rebounded to $105,500 but quickly stalled near $105,800 — a zone that combines the 0.618 Fibonacci level with the 100 EMA, forming a critical confluence of resistance.

    While the 20 EMA has been reclaimed, the price continues to struggle beneath the 50 EMA at $106,000, reinforcing the view that bulls face an uphill task in regaining upward momentum.

    If Bitcoin fails to break through the resistance between $106,000 and $107,000, the downside pressure could intensify, possibly dragging the asset back to the recent low near $103,200.

    Adding to the volatility is James Wynn, the controversial high-leverage trader who once again opened a $100 million BTC long at 40X leverage on Hyperliquid, with a liquidation price precariously close at $101,999.

    Wynn’s repeated attempts to go long on BTC have not only ended in substantial floating losses but have also fueled wider speculation-driven activity on the Hyperliquid platform.

    After another failed attempt by the market to liquidate him, Wynn has announced that he has decided to give perp trading a break, further amplifying concerns of exaggerated leverage in the market.

    On-chain metrics are sending diverging signals

    Meanwhile, on-chain metrics show a divergence in behaviour between whales and retail traders, with large holders reducing exposure steadily since BTC crossed $81,000.

    Retail participants, by contrast, are showing signs of buying the top, a dynamic that historically aligns with periods of short-term market corrections.

    Santiment flagged increased whale activity around the May 22 peak, noting that similar past patterns typically signal local tops rather than sustainable breakouts.

    Even though Bitcoin remains up 11% over the past month, relative strength index (RSI) signals have turned bearish, flashing clear divergence as price attempts to recover above key resistance zones.

    At the same time, broader macro conditions continue to cast a shadow, with traders watching closely for signals from the Federal Reserve amid slowing job growth and cooling inflation.

    The falling US Dollar Index could provide a short-term tailwind for Bitcoin, but analysts remain divided on whether current levels represent a springboard for a fresh rally or a prelude to further losses.

    Data from Glassnode’s MVRV ratio shows BTC is trading between critical bands that historically precede local tops, with the +1σ level near $119,400 acting as a psychological ceiling for many profit-takers.

    While some traders anticipate a bounce from the $100K support to as high as $113K, the risk of a deeper correction continues to dominate sentiment across both spot and derivative markets.

    As June unfolds, all eyes will remain fixed on ETF flows, macro indicators, and whether Bitcoin can decisively reclaim the $106,000–$107,000 band to avoid slipping further into bearish territory.



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  • Conor McGregor calls for Bitcoin strategy in Ireland

    Conor McGregor calls for Bitcoin strategy in Ireland

    Conor McGregor calls for Bitcoin strategy in Ireland amid $413B in US bank losses

    • Strategy aims to reduce financial corruption and boost sovereignty.
    • Panama–El Salvador alliance pushes for regional Bitcoin leadership.
    • US bank report highlights CRE stress, renewing Bitcoin’s safe haven appeal.

    As Ireland grapples with calls for deeper financial reform, a bold new proposal is emerging from one of the country’s most recognisable public figures.

    UFC legend and 2025 presidential hopeful Conor McGregor has suggested creating a national Bitcoin strategic reserve to empower Irish people and help eliminate financial corruption.

    His plan draws inspiration from El Salvador’s approach, where President Nayib Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender and significantly altered the country’s economic trajectory.

    Now, McGregor wants Ireland to forge a similar path—using decentralised finance to strengthen national autonomy and reduce reliance on centralised banking systems.

    McGregor’s strategy draws from El Salvador’s Bitcoin model

    McGregor announced his presidential ambitions in March 2025, shortly before floating the idea of a Bitcoin-based reserve system for Ireland.

    Posting on X, he praised President Bukele’s success in El Salvador, noting that Bitcoin adoption played a major role in reducing corruption and crime.

    McGregor’s proposal goes beyond digital asset investment—it suggests positioning Bitcoin as a foundational pillar for national monetary policy, with the reserve acting as a hedge against inflation and traditional financial sector vulnerabilities.

    The comparison to Bukele is intentional. Bukele’s government was the first in the world to declare Bitcoin legal tender, backed by a nationwide wallet rollout and state-managed reserves.

    Though not without its critics, the initiative has attracted global attention.

    McGregor believes this model could support a more transparent financial system in Ireland, one he says would put “the people’s money” back into public hands.

    Reaction on social media and beyond

    The idea sparked widespread debate online. While some praised McGregor’s forward-thinking stance, others criticised his phrasing, particularly his reference to “crypto” instead of Bitcoin specifically.

    The distinction was not lost on Bitcoin maximalists, who argued that the proposal’s credibility rests on a focus on Bitcoin’s unique decentralised qualities, not broader digital assets.

    Despite the terminology debate, interest in McGregor’s plan is growing, with his call to invite Bukele to Ireland gaining traction.

    McGregor’s campaign team has not yet released a detailed policy document, but insiders say talks are underway to explore feasibility and integration with Ireland’s existing financial framework.

    Analysts point out that any move towards incorporating Bitcoin into sovereign wealth strategies would require legislative backing, regulatory clarity, and public trust.

    Global momentum builds as LATAM plans to step up Bitcoin adoption

    Ireland isn’t the only nation contemplating a more significant role for Bitcoin.

    At the Bitcoin Conference, held earlier this month, Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi advocated for a regional Bitcoin alliance between Panama and El Salvador.

    The proposal underscores a broader shift in parts of Latin America towards Bitcoin-led economic reform, especially in countries historically impacted by currency instability or corruption.

    Mizrachi called the proposed alliance a “push for global financial freedom,” further boosting Bitcoin’s geopolitical narrative.

    This trend may increase pressure on developed nations like Ireland to reconsider their current stance on cryptocurrencies and blockchain integration in public finance.

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  • Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) presale enters final 48 hours with CEX listing buzz

    Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) presale enters final 48 hours with CEX listing buzz

    Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) presale enters final 48 hours with CEX listing buzz

    Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) remained in the spotlight this week as its presale accelerated toward the finish line.

    And with only two days left, investors are fighting to join at discounted prices before the May 31 official launch.

    The project has raised over $12.1 million from future-oriented investors, reflecting the massive appetite for unlocking Bitcoin’s $2 trillion dormant capital.

    Bitcoin Pepe Presale Chart

    Notably, Bitcoin Pepe is a one-of-a-kind meme ICO that aims to unleash BTC’s full potential through speculative undertakings such as staking, NFTs, DeFi, and meme trading.

    The prevailing Bitcoin bullish momentum, CEX listing rumors, and massive community support position BPEP for impressive performance after its debut.

    Thus, could this be the last chance to capitalize on BTC’s momentum through Solana-like functionalities?

    Let us discover more.

    BPEP’s last call at $0.0377

    Bitcoin Pepe ICO has entered its last two days, with the native coin currently trading at $0.0377.

    This remains the perfect time to grab the assets before the price discovery phase starts on live exchanges.

    The ICO remains a few hundred to reach the $12.7 million presale cap, meaning BPEP can sell out before the countdown hits zero.

    Meme enthusiasts who missed out on established projects such as Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and PEPE view Bitcoin Pepe as a rare second chance.

    Moreover, analysts believe BPEP’s unique approach will outshine top assets in the themed crypto sector.

    Some expect it to hit the $1 milestone quicker than rivals, with potential listing on leading CEXs, key partnerships, and reliance on Bitcoin’s robustness as top catalysts.

    Rumors suggest that OKX and Bybit will be among the first trading platforms to list Bitcoin Pepe once its presale ends this Saturday.

    OKX and Bybit have gained popularity (in recent years) due to their security and user-centric approaches.

    Thus, accepting Bitcoin Pepe could see top platforms like Binance and Coinbase following suit.

    While most meme projects underperform after hype-driven debuts, Bitcoin Pepe’s team has prioritized real-world use cases.

    They have signed key deals with AI, gaming, DeFi, and web3 companies, including Crypto Hunter Game, Plena Finance, and BASE’s fair launch network Catamoto.

    Such moves reflect a project prioritizing long-term growth, underscoring BPEP’s objective of transforming the meme cryptocurrency industry with top-notch utility.

    Why is Bitcoin Pepe heating up: should you join the craze?

    One of the main catalysts behind BPEP catching fire is the potential for exchange listing.

    Initial support from leading CEXs remains paramount for the success of any early-stage crypto project.

    Also, the token sees robust appetite as presale closure triggered a sense of urgency and scarcity.

    Furthermore, BPEP’s launch comes as Bitcoin explores record highs above the $110,000 vicinity.

    Bitcoin Pepe could be a lucrative investment for anyone looking for a smaller-cap token to capitalize on BTC’s potential in the coming months and years.

    You can learn more about BPEP on their official website.

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  • Pakistan to create strategic Bitcoin reserve, earmarks 2000MW for crypto mining

    Pakistan to create strategic Bitcoin reserve, earmarks 2000MW for crypto mining

    Pakistan to create strategic Bitcoin reserve, earmarks 2000MW for crypto mining

    Pakistan is set to embark on a significant foray into the cryptocurrency landscape, with the government announcing plans to establish a strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve and allocate substantial energy resources to support Bitcoin mining operations.

    The announcement, delivered by Minister of State for Blockchain and Crypto Bilal Bin Saqib at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, signals a bold new direction for the nation’s digital asset policy.

    Minister Bin Saqib revealed that Pakistan’s initiative to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve draws inspiration from similar nascent plans within US President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The US strategy reportedly involves populating its reserve, at least initially, with Bitcoin holdings seized from criminal and civil forfeitures, estimated to be around 200,000 BTC.

    He also noted that the Pakistani government is closely monitoring the US’s legislative efforts concerning stablecoins, specifically the ‘Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act,’ stating they are following it “very carefully.”

    Emphasizing a long-term commitment, Bin Saqib assured that, much like the bitcoins earmarked for the U.S. strategic reserve, Pakistan does not intend to liquidate its holdings.

    “This wallet, the national bitcoin wallet, is not for speculation or hype,” Bin Saqib declared.

    “We will be holding these bitcoins and we will never, ever sell them.”

    This HODL (Hold On for Dear Life) approach underscores a belief in Bitcoin’s enduring value and its potential as a national asset.

    Powering the future: energy allocation for mining and AI

    Beyond the strategic reserve, Pakistan is taking concrete steps to foster a domestic Bitcoin mining industry.

    Minister Bin Saqib announced that the government has earmarked a substantial 2,000 megawatts of electricity specifically for Bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers.

    This significant energy allocation is a clear invitation to global players in the crypto mining and infrastructure sectors.

    “We want to welcome all miners to come to Pakistan, all the infrastructure players to come to Pakistan and build with us,” Bin Saqib proclaimed, signaling an open-door policy aimed at attracting international investment and expertise to develop the country’s digital infrastructure.

    ‘Just the beginning’: a broader vision for crypto adoption

    According to Minister Bin Saqib, the establishment of a Bitcoin strategic reserve and the support for mining are merely the initial steps in Pakistan’s broader embrace of the cryptocurrency industry.

    He highlighted the transformative potential of digital assets for the nation’s large unbanked population.

    “We have over 100 million unbanked people. They lack tools for saving, for investment, and we want to change that. We want them to break their economic classes,” Bin Saqib explained.

    “And I really believe that crypto and blockchain can help us take that quantum leap.”

    He further articulated a vision that includes tokenizing illiquid national assets and implementing digital identification systems.

    “So Pakistan is looking for allies. Pakistan is looking for access, because Pakistan wants to build,” he concluded, emphasizing a collaborative approach to achieving these ambitious goals.

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  • Meme coins lead the way for new crypto users, Gemini finds

    Meme coins lead the way for new crypto users, Gemini finds

    Over 30% of crypto newcomers start with meme coins, says Gemini’s 2025 report

    • 94% of meme coin holders also invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum later.
    • US leads in meme coin adoption, with 31% starting their crypto journey with them.
    • Meme coins now have a combined market cap of $74.4 billion.

    Meme coins are no longer just a punchline in the crypto world.

    A new study by Gemini suggests these internet-born tokens are now the entry point for over 30% of new cryptocurrency users across key markets like the US, UK, and Australia.

    According to the State of Crypto 2025 report, meme coins such as Dogecoin and PEPE are not only attracting first-time investors but also acting as stepping stones into more established digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

    This finding highlights a broader shift in investor behaviour and growing convergence between retail trends and institutional access.

    Gemini report shows meme coins as crypto onboarding tools

    The report draws on data from 7,205 respondents across six countries and reveals that meme coins serve as early training tools for new investors.

    In the US, 31% of those who own both meme coins and traditional cryptocurrencies said they bought meme tokens first.

    The trend is mirrored across other markets, with 30% in Australia, 28% in the UK, 23% in Singapore, 22% in Italy, and 19% in France following a similar pattern.

    This shift in entry behaviour reflects meme coins’ growing role in demystifying wallets, decentralised exchanges, and tokenomics.

    Gemini’s data shows that 94% of meme coin holders eventually invest in major cryptocurrencies.

    This progression underlines the fact that meme tokens act as gateways rather than endpoints in crypto journeys.

    Institutional crypto access rises as meme coins gain ground

    The increasing legitimacy of meme coins coincides with a significant institutional push into digital assets.

    The Gemini report finds that 39% of US investors now hold crypto through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

    These regulated instruments are bringing new credibility to the space and creating overlap with retail-driven segments like meme coins.

    Combined market capitalisation for meme coins currently stands at $74.4 billion, according to CoinGecko.

    What started as parody has developed into a meaningful vertical within the broader crypto market.

    The synergy between viral meme content and professionalised investment vehicles suggests that crypto adoption is maturing in complexity and scale.

    Adding further momentum is the political backdrop in the US. President Donald Trump has voiced support for crypto, even proposing the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

    His stance aligns with a wider regulatory shift that includes approvals for spot Bitcoin ETFs.

    Together, these factors contribute to a climate that supports both the entertainment value of meme coins and the financial rigour of traditional crypto investments.

    Community engagement now drives meme coin valuation

    The latest sentiment from industry insiders supports the growing seriousness around meme coin investment.

    Justin Sun, founder of Tron and an advisor to Huobi Global, also commented on this trend.

    He highlighted that success in meme coins requires more than virality—it demands genuine community engagement.

    For Sun, this means looking beyond follower counts to actual participation and interest.

    He described meme coin projects as requiring the same level of commitment as major crypto platforms to gain traction and achieve long-term viability.

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  • Institutional adoption of Bitcoin: what’s next for big money?

    Institutional adoption of Bitcoin: what’s next for big money?

    Institutional adoption of Bitcoin: what’s next for big money?

    • BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF hits $71B, becoming the best-performing ETF in history.
    • MicroStrategy’s BTC stash grows to 580,250 coins, doubling down on corporate crypto.
    • JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley now offer Bitcoin ETFs to their clients.

    Bitcoin has truly come a long way from being a fringe experiment in its early days to now commanding center stage within the global finance arena.

    To this point, over the last couple of years itself, it seems as though every Wall Street titan has quietly become a Bitcoin holder with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), for instance, swelling to about $71 billion in assets (as of May 2025), making it the best performing ETF in history.

    Similarly, Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy, the poster child of corporate Bitcoin, now holds roughly 580,250 BTC on its balance sheet while even skeptics have changed their tune completely, with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently announcing that the bank will allow clients to buy Bitcoin (via ETFs) through their brokerage accounts (with rival Morgan Stanley offering the same spot-Bitcoin ETF access to its clients).

    Leaving the big names aside, one can see that the ongoing institutional wave has been unmistakable, with a recent CoinShares analysis reporting that by Q4 2024 professional investors at large were able to accrue $27.4 billion worth of Bitcoin ETFs in the US alone – a 114% jump from the prior quarter. 

    Moreover, asset managers and hedge funds now account for about 26.3% of all US Bitcoin ETF assets under management (up from 21.1% in Q3) as even Bitcoin’s legacy players like Grayscale have witnessed renewed interest.

    In short, capital that once sat on the sidelines has been massively reallocated into Bitcoin.

    And, forecasts suggest this is only the beginning, with a reports projecting over $120 billion of fresh institutional capital into Bitcoin by end-2025, and a staggering $300 billion by 2026, highlighting the rise of “Bitcoin-native yield strategies” allowing holders to earn yields on their BTC.

    Programmability as the foundation for a new financial frontier

    So far, most of the institutional frenzy has treated Bitcoin as a safer store of value than a programmable asset.

    However, over the last couple of years, innovations like Ordinals and the BRC-20 token standard have let people write code onto satoshis or even issue tokens directly atop the Bitcoin network (while various Layer-2s and sidechain projects have brought smart-contracts and even Liquid staking to Bitcoin).

    These aren’t just some random experiments but a taste of what’s to come, with Sygnum Bank reporting that the “DeFi on Bitcoin” revolution is one of the fast-growing, boasting over 30 projects from lending and borrowing platforms to shared-security networks. 

    Amidst all this, SatLayer has positioned itself as the universal economic layer for Bitcoin, using the flagship cryptocurrency as its backbone instead of some wrapped token.

    What that means is that any app built on top of SatLayer can be validated by Bitcoin’s own vast mining power and transparency. 

    Concretely, the team has described the result as a “Bitcoin Validated Service” (BVS), that developers can use to launch things like stablecoins, lending pools, insurance oracles, or other DeFi primitives.

    Moreover, to prove the veracity of its novel concept, Satlayer has recently integrated with a host of other popular chains. 

    For example, late last year, the project tapped into the Sui ecosystem (a high-speed L1), bringing Bitcoin’s security model there.

    The mechanism involved using Bitcoin Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) from partners like Lombard Finance and Lorenzo Protocol.

    In short, a DEX on Sui could use Bitcoin as collateral for trades, or an oracle on Sui could have its payouts guaranteed by BTC (making the currency’s trillions more accessible to new chains and financial primitives).

    The broader implications of these developments

    One may be tempted to ask the question, what does all of this mean for institutional money and real-world assets?

    For one, it positions Bitcoin as a programmable gold standard.

    Imagine tokenizing a bond or an equity on a SatLayer-secured chain such that the token’s value is ultimately backed by Bitcoin.

    Or consider a stablecoin issued via SatLayer that borrows Bitcoin’s transparency and security to reassure regulators and users. 

    These kinds of real-world asset (RWA) scenarios have always been talked about on Ethereum, but they could equally exist on the Bitcoin ecosystem as well now.

    More importantly, SatLayer also builds in the enforcement needed to prevent any malpractice as its contracts (deployed on the Babylon framework) include “slashing” logic — wherein if an operator violates rules (say by manipulating an oracle), their locked-up Bitcoin collateral can be confiscated or burned

    In effect, the platform aligns the interests of Bitcoin holders (who want security rewards) and service operators (who need Bitcoin collateral) within a single marketplace, turning BTC from a passive asset into a core component of today’s digital financial infrastructure.

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  • BTC reclaims $110k as Trump Media announces $2.5B Bitcoin treasury

    BTC reclaims $110k as Trump Media announces $2.5B Bitcoin treasury

    Trump Media Plans To Buy Bitcoin

    • Trump Media and Technology Group has announced it is raising $2.5 billion to buy Bitcoin (BTC).
    • Bitcoin price rose slightly amid the news, reclaiming the $110k level.
    • Trump Media, a Donald Trump-linked company, has entered into agreements with 50 institutional investors to raise the funds.

    Trump Media and Technology Group, a Donald Trump-linked company that’s publicly traded in the US, has announced it’s raising $2.5 billion to invest in Bitcoin (BTC).

    Bitcoin price, which had hovered around $109k before the news, jumped to above $110,000 as bulls looked to reclaim the upper hand.

    The news comes as Bitcoin 2025, a major Bitcoin conference, begins in Las Vegas, with Trump sons Eric and Trump Jr expected as speakers.

    Trump Media eyes $2.5 billion Bitcoin treasury

    Nasdaq and NYSE Texas-listed Trump Media, trading under the ticker DJT, is the operator of Trump’s social media app Truth Social as well as streaming platform Truth+ and financial technology firm Truth.Fi.

    On Tuesday, the company revealed plans to raise $2.5 billion from 50 institutional investors, with subscription agreements targeting $1.5 billion of Trump Media common stock and $1 billion in convertible senior secured notes.

    The funds raised from this private placement offering will close on May 29, 2025.

    According to the announcement, the proceeds of the offering will be used to adopt a Bitcoin treasury.

    “We view Bitcoin as an apex instrument of financial freedom, and now Trump Media will hold cryptocurrency as a crucial part of our assets. Our first acquisition of a crown jewel asset, this investment will help defend our Company against harassment and discrimination by financial institutions,” said Devin Nunes, chief executive officer and chairman of Trump Media.

    BTC on the balance sheet

    Adding Bitcoin to the Trump family-owned company’s balance sheet will see it join other publicly-traded companies that now hodl billions of dollars worth of the digital asset.

    The biggest player in this corporate frenzy for BTC is Strategy, which has amassed over $40 billion in BTC since first buying it in 2020.

    The surge in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has also seen BlackRock gobble up thousands of BTC as inflows mount.

    Crypto.com and Anchorage Digital are Trump Media’s custody providers as it embarks on this BTC treasury venture.

    Other companies to help TMTG are Yorkville Securities and Clear Street as co-lead placement agents, and Cantor Fitzgerald as financial advisor.

    Bitcoin price changed hands around $110,065 at the time of writing, just 1.7% off its all-time high of $111,970 reached on May 22, 2025.

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  • Bitcoin slips to $109K as short-term holders take $11.4B in profits

    Bitcoin slips to $109K as short-term holders take $11.4B in profits

    Bitcoin rally pauses below $110K; profit-taking by short-term holders intensifies

    • Bitcoin slipped to $109,000 Monday amid sluggish Memorial Day trading, but remains up 1.7% in 24 hours.
    • Short-term Bitcoin holders realized $11.4 billion in profits over the past 30 days, intensifying selling pressure.
    • A temporary US delay on 50% EU tariffs (until July 9) spurred overnight gains in crypto and European stocks.

    Bitcoin experienced a slight pullback to $109,000 on Monday, May 26th, navigating sluggish trading conditions as traditional US markets remained closed for the Memorial Day holiday.

    Despite this minor dip, the premier cryptocurrency maintained a position of strength, holding onto gains from a gentle weekend rise and remaining tantalizingly close to the all-time high it achieved just last week.

    While Bitcoin consolidated, the broader digital asset market saw pockets of notable activity.

    The CoinDesk 20 index, which tracks the top 20 digital coins (excluding stablecoins, memecoins, and exchange tokens), highlighted decentralized exchange Uniswap (UNI) as the day’s standout performer, with its token surging 6.6%.

    Tokens for Chainlink (LINK) and Avalanche (AVAX) also posted respectable gains of 3.3% and 3.4%, respectively.

    These gains largely materialized overnight, receiving a boost from a shift in US trade policy rhetoric.

    President Trump announced on Sunday that the implementation of proposed 50% tariffs on EU goods would be delayed until July 9.

    This was a reversal from his statement on Friday, which had called for the tariffs to take effect on June 1 and had consequently triggered a sell-off in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

    European stocks, initially shaken by the tariff threat, rebounded on this news of a temporary reprieve.

    Profit-taking wave: short-term holders cash in

    Despite the overall positive sentiment that has recently propelled Bitcoin near record highs, analysts suggest the cryptocurrency may have entered a more volatile, consolidatory phase. T

    raders are currently digesting the rapid, nearly 50% surge from the lows seen in April, according to a Monday report from Bitfinex analysts.

    A significant factor potentially capping Bitcoin’s immediate upside is an intensification of profit-taking by short-term holders.

    The Bitfinex report highlighted that this particular cohort of investors has realized a substantial $11.4 billion in cumulative profits over the past 30 days.

    This figure stands in stark contrast to the $1.2 billion in profits realized by the same group in the preceding 30-day period, indicating a significant ramp-up in cashing out gains.

    “At these levels, the risk emerges that profit-taking outpaces new demand inflows,” the Bitfinex analysts wrote.

    Unless thereʼs a corresponding rise in new capital entering the market to absorb this supply, prices may begin to stall or even retrace.

    Navigating choppy waters

    The coming days are seen as crucial in determining Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory.

    “The next few days will be key to gauge whether the dip to $106,000 has set the range lows or a bigger reset is in the cards,” the Bitfinex report stated.

    Should a more significant pullback materialize, a key level of support to monitor is the short-term holder cost basis, which currently sits around $95,000.

    This represents the average price at which this group of investors acquired their Bitcoin.

    Despite the potential for near-term choppiness and profit-taking, the underlying outlook remains constructive, according to the analysts.

    They pointed to strong inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs—totaling an impressive $5.3 billion in May so far—alongside currently low market volatility and a lack of excessive speculative froth.

    These factors, they argue, suggest that Bitcoin is likely to resume its upward trend heading into the third quarter of the year, following this potential period of consolidation.

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