Tag: Bitcoin

  • Bitcoin options market signals ‘summer slowdown’: Glassnode

    Bitcoin options market signals ‘summer slowdown’: Glassnode

    Bitcoin Price Outlook

    • Bitcoin has experienced a significant drop in spot and futures volumes, which signals a potential summer lull.
    • Low volatility and thinning liquidity could see a consolidation phase with a potential pullback to $100,000.
    • A resurgence in trading volume could push BTC above $110k and its ATH.

    Bitcoin (BTC) continues to hover near the psychological $110,000 level as well as its all-time high, but market analysts are pointing to a potential summer slowdown.

    According to blockchain data provider Glassnode, trading volumes are experiencing a significant decline, raising questions about the cryptocurrency’s short-term trajectory.

    With spot volume dropping to $5.02 billion and futures volume falling to $31.2 billion, both the lowest in over a year, the stage appears set for a period of reduced market activity.

    BTC options markets suggest a slowdown

    Glassnode’s recent market outlook highlights a trend in the Bitcoin options market where implied volatility across all expiries (ranging from one week to six months) is approaching all-time lows.

    The analytics platform says the levels seen today are back to those seen in mid-2023.

    Reduced volatility suggests that traders are anticipating less price movement in the near term, a common occurrence during the summer months when market participants often take holidays and trading activity wanes.

    Notably, data shows a contrast between Bitcoin’s price, which has steadily climbed toward $110,000, and the diminishing spot and futures volumes.

    The volumes appear to have peaked and point to a downturn, with the divergence indicating thinning liquidity.

    The options market’s low volatility pricing reflects a cautious outlook, potentially signaling a consolidation phase as the market digests recent gains.

    Bitcoin price prediction

    A lull is further contextualized by historical patterns, and traders could be looking for profits after significant rallies.

    However, the low-volume environment also heightens the risk of sharp price swings, as even modest orders could trigger outsized reactions in a thinly traded market.

    On the bullish side, Bitcoin’s ability to hold above key support levels and near $110k despite declining volumes suggests underlying strength.

    Potentially, this strengthens long-term optimism amid institutional adoption, including likely moves by Elon Musk.

    Notably, CoinShares has shared details showing digital asset investment products saw over $1 billion in inflows last week.

    This marked the 12th consecutive week of inflows, with Bitcoin recording $790 million in inflows over the week.

    Other assets such as Ethereum saw $226 million.

    Amid this, analysts at CryptoQuant say the BTC bull run remains intact.

    However, the low implied volatility and reduced trading activity point to a consolidation range.

    BTC could thus break to a new ATH above $112k or see a short-term pullback to support.

    In this case, the psychological level of $100k will be key.



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  • Elon Musk announces his ‘America Party’ will embrace Bitcoin, criticizes Trump’s fiscal bill

    Elon Musk announces his ‘America Party’ will embrace Bitcoin, criticizes Trump’s fiscal bill

    Elon Musk announces his 'America Party' will embrace Bitcoin, criticizes Trump's fiscal bill

    Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has declared that his nascent political movement, the “America Party,” will embrace Bitcoin, stating that traditional fiat currency “is hopeless.”

    This announcement, made on the social media platform X, comes amid a deepening public rift between Musk and President Donald Trump, primarily over the administration’s fiscal policies.

    Musk’s plan to form the “America Party” appears to have been catalyzed by his strong opposition to President Trump’s massive tax and spending package, colloquially known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

    Musk has harshly criticized the legislation as being fiscally irresponsible, at one point labeling it the “debt slavery bill.”

    This disagreement has seemingly created an irreparable break between the two influential figures.

    While the America Party has not yet been officially registered and lacks an official website, Musk has used his posts and retweets from supporters to outline its core ideology.

    He envisions a party that champions a pro-tech, pro-free speech, and anti-regulation agenda, while adopting generally centrist policies on other issues.

    Musk, a long-time supporter of cryptocurrencies whose companies SpaceX and Tesla both hold Bitcoin (BTC) in their corporate treasuries, sees the digital asset as a key part of this new political vision.

    Musk has indicated on X that the party, once formally established, will not immediately field a Presidential candidate.

    Instead, its initial focus will be on contesting House and Senate races, aiming to build a political foothold from the ground up.

    President Trump, for his part, has not taken kindly to Musk’s political maneuvering.

    In a Truth Social post on Sunday evening US time, Trump fired back, stating that Musk had gone “off the rails” and had become a “TRAIN WRECK.”

    Crypto markets react to easing trade tensions

    While this political drama unfolds, the broader cryptocurrency market experienced a lift on Sunday morning.

    Major cryptocurrencies rose after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at the likelihood of upcoming trade deals being finalized before the crucial July 9 “Liberation Day” tariff deadline.

    Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market value, gained over 1%, briefly surpassing the $109,000 mark.

    Other major tokens also saw gains: payments-focused XRP and Solana’s SOL token both rose by over 2%, while the popular meme token Dogecoin (DOGE) climbed 3%, according to data from CoinDesk.

    Ethereum’s Ether (ETH), the second-largest token, rose 1.5% to $2,550.

    The tariff clock is ticking

    In an interview with CNN, Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that the US is close to finalizing several trade deals ahead of the July 9 deadline.

    This is the date when a temporary pause on higher tariffs, initially announced on April 2, is set to expire.

    “President Trump’s going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that if you don’t move things along, then on August 1, you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent said, according to Reuters.

    He clarified that July 9 remains the firm deadline for negotiations; if deals are not reached, the higher tariffs announced in early April will take effect from August 1.

    “We are saying this is when it’s happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that’s your choice,” Bessent told CNN, adding that some countries were “foot-dragging” on finalizing deals.

    This coercive tactic of imposing tariffs to rebalance trade relations and reduce the US trade deficit has been a central pillar of President Donald Trump’s economic policy since he took office earlier this year.


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  • Celsius vs Tether lawsuit moves ahead in US court over $4 billion Bitcoin sale

    Celsius vs Tether lawsuit moves ahead in US court over $4 billion Bitcoin sale

    Celsius vs Tether lawsuit moves ahead in US court over $4 billion Bitcoin sale

    • Celsius claims Tether’s 2022 Bitcoin sale broke contract terms.
    • Over 39,500 BTC were liquidated at $20,656 average price.
    • Claims include breach of contract and fraudulent transfer.

    Celsius Network’s efforts to hold Tether accountable for a $4 billion Bitcoin liquidation just cleared a major hurdle in US court.

    A bankruptcy judge has now allowed Celsius to proceed with legal action against Tether, despite the stablecoin giant’s attempts to halt the case on jurisdictional grounds.

    The lawsuit centres on claims that Tether prematurely and unfairly sold nearly 40,000 BTC during Celsius’s collapse in mid-2022, in breach of a contractual agreement and US bankruptcy laws.

    The ruling could mark a turning point for how global crypto firms are treated in American courts, especially when assets are involved that were managed, sold, or transferred through US-linked systems.

    While the court dismissed some peripheral allegations, it upheld key claims, including breach of contract and fraudulent transfer, allowing Celsius’s case to continue.

    Celsius accuses Tether of early Bitcoin liquidation breach

    The dispute dates back to June 2022, when Celsius was already reeling from the broader crypto market crash. Court filings reveal that Tether had lent money to Celsius and, in return, received collateral in Bitcoin.

    Celsius now alleges that Tether liquidated 39,500 BTC at an average price of $20,656 without providing the contractually required 10-hour notice period.

    The assets, according to Celsius, were liquidated during a time of extreme market volatility, and sold significantly below market value. Celsius claims the early sale resulted in a loss of over $4 billion based on current Bitcoin prices.

    Moreover, the company alleges that Tether later transferred the liquidated BTC to Bitfinex, a platform operated by Tether’s sister company, raising concerns around related-party dealings and asset custody.

    US court rejects Tether’s jurisdictional challenge

    In its defence, Tether had argued that the case should be thrown out because it operates from the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. The company said US courts had no jurisdiction over its business.

    However, the judge disagreed, pointing to the fact that Tether used US-based staff, bank accounts, and communication systems in its dealings with Celsius.

    The court ruled that Tether’s actions were sufficiently “domestic” to fall under US legal scrutiny.

    This decision now paves the way for Celsius to pursue several key legal charges including breach of contract, fraudulent transfer, and preferential treatment of certain creditors—allegations that strike at the core of how digital asset lenders and stablecoin issuers operate.

    Broader implications for crypto lending and stablecoin governance

    Legal experts say the outcome of this case could influence the regulatory treatment of stablecoin issuers, particularly in the US.

    If Celsius is able to demonstrate that Tether mismanaged client assets or failed to honour notice periods during market stress, it may prompt calls for stricter oversight on asset liquidation procedures, especially for offshore firms operating through US financial infrastructure.

    The case may also set a precedent for future cross-border lending disputes and clarify whether offshore crypto companies can be held accountable in US bankruptcy proceedings.

    The outcome could therefore impact how other large digital asset firms manage collateral and liquidity risk during market downturns.

    Tether grows market presence amid legal scrutiny

    Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Tether has continued to expand its footprint in the crypto sector. The company recently acquired a majority stake in Twenty One Capital, a firm associated with Strike CEO Jack Mallers.

    This move connects Tether to the third-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally.

    In another significant development, Tether transferred around 37,230 BTC—currently worth $3.9 billion—to addresses associated with its trading operations.

    The company appears to be consolidating its Bitcoin reserves even as it navigates the legal fallout from the Celsius collapse.

    Meanwhile, speculation continues over Tether’s valuation and a possible initial public offering.

    However, CEO Paolo Ardoino has denied any plans for a public listing, stating that the firm is not preparing for an IPO despite rumoured valuations nearing $500 billion.

    As the Celsius case moves into the next phase, attention will remain on how Tether responds to mounting legal pressure in one of the largest financial disputes in crypto history.

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  • Michael Saylor’s Strategy acquires $531M in Bitcoin, boosting holdings near 600,000 BTC

    Michael Saylor’s Strategy acquires $531M in Bitcoin, boosting holdings near 600,000 BTC

    AI generated image for Bitcoin in a vault

    • The average purchase price for the new acquisition was $106,801 per coin.
    • The company has now spent approximately $42.4 billion on Bitcoin since it began accumulating the crypto.
    • According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, 134 public companies now hold bitcoin on their balance sheets.

    Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the largest public holder of Bitcoin, added 4,980 BTC to its balance sheet last week, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday.

    The purchase, valued at $531.1 million, came as Bitcoin rallied from around $101,000 to above $108,000 during the final week of June, per CoinGecko data.

    The average purchase price for the new acquisition was $106,801 per coin, bringing the firm’s total Bitcoin holdings to 597,325 BTC.

    The company has now spent approximately $42.4 billion on Bitcoin since it began accumulating the cryptocurrency, with an average purchase price of $70,982 per BTC.

    The Bitcoin ‘Strategy’

    Strategy funded its latest purchase using proceeds from its active at-the-market (ATM) offerings.

    Last week, the firm sold 1,354,500 shares of its Class A common stock (MSTR) for $519.5 million.

    It also sold 276,071 shares of its Strike preferred stock (STRK) for $28.9 million and 284,225 shares of its Strife preferred stock (STRF) for $29.7 million.

    Following the latest acquisition, Strategy’s year-to-date gain in Bitcoin now totals 85,871 BTC, compared with a full-year gain of 140,538 BTC in 2024.

    That equates to a $9.5 billion BTC gain this year, according to the company’s internal figures.

    The company also reported modest increases in its yield metrics.

    Year-to-date Bitcoin yield rose by 0.5 percentage points to 19.7%, inching closer to Strategy’s goal of 25% yield by the end of 2025.

    Quarter-to-date yield also edged up by 0.4 percentage points to 7.8%.

    More BTC buys may be on the way for Strategy?

    On Sunday, Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor had again hinted at a potential upcoming bitcoin purchase, updating the company’s bitcoin portfolio tracker on Sunday with the remark, “In 21 years, you’ll wish you’d bought more.”

    The comment echoes his BTC Prague keynote, where he projected Bitcoin’s value could reach $21 million per coin within two decades.

    Between June 16 and June 22, Strategy acquired an additional 245 BTC for approximately $26 million at an average price of $105,586 per bitcoin.

    The company had slowed its purchasing pace in recent weeks as it shifted focus from its at-the-market (ATM) common stock program to issuing perpetual preferred shares to finance further acquisitions.

    The latest purchase marks a return to using the MSTR ATM after more than a month.

    According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, 134 public companies now hold bitcoin on their balance sheets, continuing the trend initiated by Saylor and MicroStrategy.

    Recent adopters include Tether-backed Twenty One, Nakamoto, Trump Media, and GameStop, alongside earlier entrants such as Semler Scientific and KULR Technology Group.

    Japanese firm Metaplanet also announced on Monday that it had added 1,005 BTC to its reserves, raising its total holdings to 13,350 BTC—surpassing those of Galaxy Digital and CleanSpark.



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  • Bitcoin rises above $107K as Trump’s fiscal policy comments boost hard assets

    Bitcoin rises above $107K as Trump’s fiscal policy comments boost hard assets

    Bitcoin rises above $107K as Trump's fiscal policy comments boost hard assets

    • Bitcoin traded above $107K Sunday as focus turned to U.S. fiscal policy and Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
    • Trump urged “cost cutting Republicans” not to “go too crazy,” promising growth will “make it all up.”
    • Expectations of sustained deficits and loose fiscal policy are bolstering the bull case for hard assets like BTC and gold.

    Bitcoin traded steadily above the $107,000 mark on Sunday, with market attention increasingly focused on fiscal policy tensions brewing in Washington.

    A recent social media post from President Donald Trump, aimed at quelling dissent within his own party over a massive tax-and-spending package, has inadvertently bolstered the bullish case for assets like Bitcoin and gold, which are often seen as hedges against fiscal profligacy.

    The latest market movements come as Bitcoin was changing hands at $107,937 as of 22:22 UTC on Sunday, up 0.54% over the past 24 hours.

    Price action remained volatile, with the cryptocurrency fluctuating between $107,194 and $108,489 during that window, according to CoinDesk Research’s technical analysis model.

    The focus shifted to US fiscal policy following a pointed message from President Trump on his Truth Social platform on June 29, 2025.

    Addressing Republican lawmakers amid a fierce internal debate over his sweeping legislative package, Trump wrote:

    For all cost cutting Republicans, of which I am one, REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with GROWTH, more than ever before.

    This statement lays bare the deep divisions within the Republican party as it struggles to unify behind the ambitious legislation, which has been dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

    The bill itself, exceeding 900 pages, is a complex mix of fiscal measures.

    It combines approximately $3.8 trillion in tax cuts with targeted spending reductions and increased funding for defense and border security.

    A key component is the aim to make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including the elimination of taxes on tips, overtime pay, and certain auto loans.

    The child tax credit would also rise to $2,200 under the Senate version, while deductions for seniors would be temporarily increased.

    To offset the cost of these tax cuts, however, Republicans have proposed significant cuts to Medicaid and nutrition programs, a move that has sparked intense debate within the party.

    Navigating a political tightrope

    The path to passing the bill is fraught with political challenges.

    Moderate Republicans, particularly those from high-tax states, are pushing for a higher cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

    In contrast, conservative factions are demanding deeper and more extensive spending cuts, with a particular focus on Medicaid.

    These internal disagreements are complicating efforts to secure the narrow Republican majorities needed in both the House and the Senate to pass the legislation, which faces uniform opposition from Democrats, who argue it disproportionately favors the wealthy and will worsen economic inequality.

    President Trump’s social media message appears to be an attempt to walk this political tightrope.

    He is urging a degree of fiscal restraint to appease conservatives while simultaneously emphasizing a supply-side economic argument: that robust economic growth will ultimately compensate for near-term revenue losses and help reduce deficits over time.

    This “growth will make it all up” approach comes as nonpartisan analysts estimate the bill could add trillions of dollars to the already substantial $36.2 trillion national debt.

    A bullish signal for Bitcoin and gold?

    This fiscal backdrop is being closely watched by market participants, with some interpreting it as a strong signal for holding hard assets.

    Crypto analyst Will Clemente’s reaction on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posted shortly after Trump’s message, captured a common sentiment among those skeptical of current fiscal policies:

    How can you read this and hold long term US treasuries at current yields lol… Also, how can you read this and not hold any Bitcoin or gold.

    Clemente’s skepticism towards long-term US Treasuries reflects a growing concern that the bill’s deficit-financed tax cuts and relatively modest spending reductions signal a loose fiscal policy that could fuel inflation and devalue the currency over time.

    In such a scenario, traditional fixed-income assets like Treasuries can become less attractive, as rising deficits and potential monetary accommodation (to finance the debt) threaten to erode the value of both principal and interest payments.

    Conversely, hard assets with limited supply, such as gold and Bitcoin, are increasingly viewed as reliable stores of value and effective hedges against inflation and fiscal irresponsibility.

    The expectation of sustained, large deficits and the clear political challenges to implementing meaningful fiscal discipline are bolstering the demand for these inflation-resistant assets.

    As the Senate races to finalize the bill before the July 4 holiday, the ongoing negotiations and the ultimate fate of this consequential fiscal package will continue to be a key driver of market sentiment.

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  • Genius Group to split $1B lawsuit proceeds between shareholders and its Bitcoin treasury

    Genius Group to split $1B lawsuit proceeds between shareholders and its Bitcoin treasury

    Genius Group to split $1B lawsuit proceeds between shareholders and Bitcoin treasury

    • Genius Group plans to split lawsuit wins between shareholder dividends and Bitcoin.
    • The company is pursuing two lawsuits seeking over $1 billion in shareholder-related damages.
    • Genius Group’s current BTC holdings stand at 100 BTC and it now targets 1,000 BTC as part of its treasury plan.

    Singapore-based edtech firm Genius Group has unveiled an ambitious plan to share potential legal windfalls from its ongoing billion-dollar lawsuits with shareholders while simultaneously deepening its investment in Bitcoin.

    In a move that could reshape the company’s financial future, the Board of Directors has approved a distribution framework that will allocate all net proceeds from its legal battles equally between direct payouts to shareholders and purchases of Bitcoin for its corporate treasury.

    This strategy marks a bold fusion of legal recourse and crypto investment, driven by a promise to compensate shareholders for damages the company alleges were inflicted by third-party misconduct.

    Genius Group is pursuing lawsuits seeking over $1B in damages

    Genius Group is actively pursuing two major lawsuits with combined damage claims exceeding $1 billion, each targeting different alleged abuses that the company says have harmed its investors.

    The first lawsuit, already filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleges violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and seeks over $750 million in damages from several individuals, including Peter Ritz, Michael Moe, Michael Carter, and former SEC Chairman John Clayton.

    According to the company, these defendants, through their roles in LZGI International and related entities, engaged in actions that caused direct financial harm to Genius Group and its shareholders.

    The second lawsuit, which is expected to be filed soon, focuses on alleged naked short-selling and spoofing activities that the company claims manipulated the trading of its shares.

    Led by attorney Wes Christian, a well-known legal figure in financial market litigation, the short-selling case is estimated to involve damages between $251 million and $263 million, with that figure expected to rise following further analysis of 2024 and 2025 trading data.

    A windfall for shareholders, if lawsuits succeed

    Genius Group has committed to splitting all net proceeds from these lawsuits evenly, with 50% allocated as special dividends to shareholders and the remaining 50% used to acquire Bitcoin.

    Chief Executive Officer Roger Hamilton emphasised that because these lawsuits seek to recover damages that directly affected shareholders, it is only fair that all recovered funds be returned to them or reinvested on their behalf.

    If the company is successful in both cases, each shareholder could receive up to $7 per share, offering a substantial return given the company’s current stock price.

    While there is no guarantee of a win in either lawsuit, the prospect of a significant payout and further crypto investment has drawn growing attention from retail traders and crypto enthusiasts alike.

    Genius Group’s Bitcoin strategy

    Genius Group’s interest in Bitcoin is not new, but the recent announcement reinforces the company’s serious intention to use BTC as a long-term treasury asset.

    Just last week, the company revealed that it had increased its corporate Bitcoin holdings by 52%, acquiring an additional 34 BTC to bring its total to 100 BTC.

    The purchases were made at an average price of approximately $100,600 per Bitcoin, amounting to an investment of more than $10 million.

    The company has stated that it intends to grow its Bitcoin holdings to 1,000 BTC over time, especially now that a previous US court restriction barring it from using investor funds to buy crypto has been lifted.

    Hamilton has framed Bitcoin as both a hedge against inflation and a vehicle for shareholder value, noting that future court winnings would also be subject to this new distribution model.

    Legal uncertainties remain

    Despite the company’s confidence, Hamilton acknowledged that there are legal uncertainties ahead, and no outcome can be guaranteed in either case.

    However, the aggressive dual-pronged strategy of rewarding investors while reinforcing a decentralised financial position has attracted renewed investor interest.

    This legal-crypto hybrid approach positions Genius Group as one of the few publicly traded companies tying shareholder dividends directly to potential lawsuit wins and Bitcoin acquisitions.

    As the cases proceed, both traders and shareholders will be watching closely, not just for court rulings but also for how Genius executes its promise to merge traditional legal settlements with modern digital asset strategies.



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  • Bitcoin rallies to $106K on Mideast ceasefire news; Circle shares continue explosive climb

    Bitcoin rallies to $106K on Mideast ceasefire news; Circle shares continue explosive climb

    Bitcoin rallies to $106K on Mideast ceasefire news; Circle shares continue explosive climb

    • Bitcoin surged past $106K late Monday after Trump announced a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” between Iran and Israel.
    • The rally marked a sharp reversal from a plunge to $98,500 just 24 hours prior; oil prices tumbled to $65.
    • Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) stock hit a record high near $299, up 750% since its IPO this month.

    A tumultuous 72 hours of price action in the cryptocurrency market culminated in a sharp rally late Monday, as Bitcoin surged past the $106,000 mark.

    The catalyst for this dramatic move was an announcement from US President Donald Trump, who took to his Truth Social platform to proclaim a “complete and total” ceasefire between Iran and Israel, offering a glimmer of de-escalation in the volatile Middle East conflict.

    The market’s reaction to President Trump’s announcement was immediate and forceful. “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now),” Trump wrote, sending a wave of relief through global markets.

    Bitcoin, which had already been showing signs of a rebound in afternoon trading, jumped nearly another 3% on the news, decisively topping $106,000.

    This represented a remarkable turnaround from just over 24 hours prior, when the leading cryptocurrency had plunged to as low as $98,500 amidst fears of a widening war.

    At the time of this report, Bitcoin’s price had slightly pulled back from its peak to around $105,300, but held onto the majority of its gains.

    The positive sentiment spilled over into traditional markets as well. US stock index futures posted gains of approximately 0.5% across the board.

    The price of crude oil, which had soared to over $75 a barrel earlier in the day on supply disruption fears, tumbled further to just $65 per barrel following the ceasefire news.

    The move in some major altcoins was even more pronounced, with Ether (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL) among those sporting impressive gains of 8%-10%.

    While there was some initial confusion in the minutes following the president’s announcement regarding the validity of the ceasefire agreement, Reuters later reported that a senior Iranian official had confirmed Tehran’s agreement to a proposed ceasefire with Israel, lending credence to the market’s optimistic reaction.

    Circle’s meteoric rise

    In a parallel and equally dramatic market story, shares of stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) continued their explosive rally on Monday, soaring to a fresh record high.

    The surge has brought the company’s market capitalization tantalizingly close to that of its flagship token, USDC, and puts it within striking distance of crypto exchange giant Coinbase (COIN).

    Shares of Circle were up another 22% at one point on Monday morning, reaching a record high just shy of $299 before relinquishing some of those gains.

    The stock ultimately closed at around $263, up a solid 9% for the session.

    Since its Initial Public Offering (IPO) earlier this month, which priced at $31 per share, Circle’s stock has appreciated by a staggering 750%.

    At its peak on Monday, Circle’s market capitalization reached roughly $60 billion.

    This figure is nearly on par with the $61.3 billion supply of its USDC stablecoin, the second-largest dollar-pegged token in circulation.

    This valuation also brings the firm remarkably close to that of crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN), which currently has a market capitalization of about $78 billion.

    Circle’s phenomenal surge this month is a clear testament to the soaring investor appetite for the fast-growing stablecoin market, a sector of the crypto industry with very few publicly-traded “pure play” investment options.

    USDC is widely used across cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and is gaining increasing popularity for payments and cross-border transactions.

    A key catalyst that has helped fuel Circle’s rally was the US Senate’s passage of the so-called GENIUS Act last week.

    This legislation, which advances a regulatory framework for the stablecoin asset class, has boosted investor confidence in the long-term viability and growth potential of the sector, which some analysts believe could reach a multi-trillion dollar valuation in the coming years.

    Despite the bullish momentum, some analysts are beginning to warn that Circle’s rally may be running ahead of its underlying fundamentals.

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  • Bitcoin Pepe price to jump soon as another firm plans major BTC purchases

    Bitcoin Pepe price to jump soon as another firm plans major BTC purchases

    Best crypto to buy as altcoin rotation favors low-caps: BRETT, BPEP, and TRX

    • With institutional adoption increasing, major cryptos are becoming less attractive to investors seeking outsized returns.
    • These investors are increasingly looking toward early-stage tokens such as Bitcoin Pepe.
    • The project’s presale has raised over $15.3 million.

    Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to a six-week low late Sunday, briefly falling below $98,500 after a US airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend heightened geopolitical tensions.

    Risk assets came under pressure as markets responded to the escalation.

    However, the dip below the $100,000 mark proved short-lived. BTC rebounded during early Monday trading, recovering to around $101,841 at the time of writing.

    Bitcoin now trades near the key psychological threshold of $100,000. A decisive close below that level could signal further downside, with the next support near Sunday’s intraday low of $98,200.

    In this volatile environment, institutional adoption remains a bright spot, with more firms looking to expand their exposure to digital assets.

    As institutional participation increases, top-tier cryptocurrencies are becoming less attractive to investors seeking outsized, asymmetric returns.

    This shift is drawing renewed interest toward early-stage tokens such as Bitcoin Pepe, which are capturing risk-on capital.

    With traders pivoting to more speculative corners of the market, assets like Bitcoin Pepe are emerging as key beneficiaries of the current momentum.

    Grant Cardone’s firm buys Bitcoin

    Real estate mogul Grant Cardone has announced Cardone Capital’s first Bitcoin purchase, marking the firm’s entry into a digital asset treasury strategy.

    Cardone Capital has added 1,000 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $101 million at current market prices, to its balance sheet.

    “First ever real estate/Bitcoin company integrated with full BTC strategy,” Cardone said in a post on X, describing the move as a combination of “the two best-in-class assets,” real estate and Bitcoin.

    He also indicated plans to add another 3,000 BTC to the firm’s holdings later this year.

    With this initial purchase, Cardone Capital surpasses mining firms Core Scientific and Cipher Mining in terms of Bitcoin holdings, according to data from BiTBO.

    Founded in 2017, Cardone Capital is a private equity real estate firm that pools investor capital to acquire multifamily residential properties.

    The firm currently manages more than 14,000 units and has an estimated $5.1 billion in assets under management.

    Bitcoin Pepe price outlook

    While Bitcoin grapples with short-term volatility, its growing institutional adoption continues to underpin overall market sentiment.

    At the same time, investors are rotating back into high-beta segments of the crypto market, with meme coins witnessing a renewed wave of inflows.

    Among the most prominent is Bitcoin Pepe, which has set itself apart by blending meme-driven appeal with a Layer 2 infrastructure narrative.

    Unlike conventional meme tokens that rely solely on viral traction, Bitcoin Pepe positions itself as the first meme-centric Layer 2 built on the Bitcoin network, seeking to deliver scalability and speed similar to Solana while anchored to Bitcoin’s base-layer security.

    The project has also secured strategic partnerships with Super Meme, Catamoto, and Plena Finance, aimed at supporting the broader utility and adoption of its ecosystem.

    Bitcoin Pepe’s presale has so far raised over $15.3 million, with its BPEP token priced at $0.0416.

    A price increase is imminent, with the next tier triggered once the presale hits $15.54 million in total funding.

    The token is slated for listing on MEXC and BitMart, with expectations that these will provide improved liquidity and visibility.

    An additional listing announcement is expected to be announced on June 30, further fueling investor interest as the presale nears completion.

    With risk appetite returning and meme coins back in focus, Bitcoin Pepe appears well-positioned to benefit from both speculative momentum and a more structurally grounded product narrative.

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  • Bitcoin trades near $105K amid low volatility; analysts offer mixed outlooks

    Bitcoin trades near $105K amid low volatility; analysts offer mixed outlooks

    Bitcoin trades near $105K amid low volatility; analysts offer mixed outlooks

    • Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $104.5K, down 2% weekly, amid market uncertainty and Mideast tension fears.
    • CryptoQuant warns BTC could revisit $92K or $81K if demand keeps falling.
    • Glassnode sees “quiet” blockchain as network maturation, with institutions driving large-value transfers.

    Bitcoin (BTC) is trading steadily above the $104,500 mark as the Asian trading week gets into full swing.

    Despite the ominous backdrop of a potential looming war in the Middle East, the leading cryptocurrency has remained relatively flat on the day with negligible price movement.

    In fact, over the past full week, Bitcoin is down only a modest 2%, according to CoinDesk market data.

    This apparent calm, however, is prompting a vigorous debate among market analysts: Is this a sign of underlying strength, or is something more precarious brewing beneath the surface?

    Three new reports released this week from prominent crypto analytics firms CryptoQuant and Glassnode, along with trading firm Flowdesk, all paint a similar picture of current surface conditions: low volatility, tight price action, and subdued on-chain activity.

    A notable shift in market dynamics is also evident, with retail participation reportedly waning while institutional players—ranging from Bitcoin ETF investors to large “whale” holders—are increasingly shaping the structure of market flows.

    It is CryptoQuant, however, that is sounding the most urgent cautionary note.

    In its June 19 report, the firm argued that Bitcoin could soon revisit the $92,000 support level, or potentially fall as low as $81,000, if current trends of deteriorating demand continue.

    According to CryptoQuant, while spot demand for Bitcoin is still increasing, it is doing so at a rate well below its established trend. Inflows into Bitcoin ETFs have reportedly dropped by more than 60% since April, and whale accumulation has halved during the same period.

    Furthermore, short-term holders, who are typically newer market participants, have shed approximately 800,000 BTC since late May.

    CryptoQuant’s demand momentum indicator, which tracks directional buying strength across key investor cohorts, is now reading a negative 2 million BTC – the lowest level ever recorded in the firm’s dataset.

    Glassnode’s counterpoint: a maturing network, not weakness

    Glassnode, while acknowledging similar on-chain signals, arrives at a far less dire conclusion.

    In its weekly on-chain update, the firm concedes that the Bitcoin blockchain is currently “quiet,” meaning that transaction counts are down, network fees are minimal, and miner revenue is subdued.

    However, Glassnode posits that this may not necessarily indicate weakness but could instead be a reflection of the network’s ongoing evolution.

    They point out that on-chain settlement volume remains high but is increasingly concentrated in large-value transfers.

    This suggests that the Bitcoin blockchain is progressively being utilized by institutions and whales for significant transactions, rather than for smaller, everyday retail activity.

    Furthermore, Glassnode notes that the derivatives market now dwarfs on-chain activity, with futures and options volumes regularly exceeding spot market volumes by a factor of 7 to 16 times.

    This shift, they argue, has brought with it more sophisticated hedging strategies, better collateral management practices, and an overall more mature, albeit less frenetic, market structure.

    The rise of crypto treasury companies: a new financial engineering?

    Adding another layer to the evolving market structure, a new report from Presto Research argues that Crypto Treasury Companies (CTCs)—such as Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy (now Strategy) and Japan’s Metaplanet—are more than just leveraged Bitcoin ETFs.

    Presto suggests they represent a new form of financial engineering that may carry less risk than many investors assume.

    Strategy’s latest capital raise, which secured nearly $1 billion via perpetual preferred shares, demonstrates how Bitcoin’s inherent volatility can be leveraged to an issuer’s advantage.

    These securities, along with convertible bonds and at-the-market equity sales, allow CTCs to fund aggressive crypto accumulation strategies without triggering the margin risks typically associated with leveraged positions.

    Presto points out that Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings are unpledged, and Metaplanet’s bonds are unsecured.

    This means that collateral liquidation—the primary trigger for past crypto industry blowups like Celsius and Three Arrows Capital—is largely absent in these structures.

    While this doesn’t eliminate risk entirely, it fundamentally changes its nature.

    The real challenge for CTCs, Presto argues, is not the crypto exposure itself but the discipline required to manage dilution, cash flow, and capital timing effectively.

    Metaplanet’s “bitcoin yield” metric, which measures BTC per fully diluted share, reflects this crucial focus on delivering shareholder value.

    As long as CTCs can adeptly manage the financial mechanics underpinning their accumulation strategies, Presto believes they will continue to earn Net Asset Value (NAV) premiums, similar to high-growth companies in traditional markets.

    However, if they miscalculate, the very tools that fuel their ascent could just as easily accelerate their fall.

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  • Bitcoin stays above $104k as Fed leaves interest rate unchanged

    Bitcoin stays above $104k as Fed leaves interest rate unchanged

    Bitcoin trades near $105K amid low volatility; analysts offer mixed outlooks

    Key takeaways

    • BTC continues to trade above the $104k level despite the ongoing Middle East crisis.
    • The U.S. Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but expects inflation to decline in the coming months.

    Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged

    The major financial news of the week took place on Wednesday, with the FOMC confirming what many analysts already predicted. The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key borrowing rate targeted in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December.

    Despite that, the apex bank stated that it expects inflation to remain elevated and sees lower economic growth ahead. Furthermore, the Fed expects to make two rate reductions later this year, as previously stated.

    Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, didn’t react to this news as the market had already priced it in. However, Bitcoin could rally higher in the near term as traders anticipate two rate cuts before the end of the year. At press time, the price of Bitcoin continues to trade around $104,700. 

    BTC could rally towards $106k amid improved technicals

    The market fundamentals continue to be poor, with the United States now increasingly involved in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. However, technical indicators favour a short-term rally for the world’s leading cryptocurrency.

    BTC surged above the 20-day exponential moving average ($105,851) on Monday. However, the bulls failed to sustain the higher level, and it dropped to the 50-day SMA on Tuesday.

    The relative strength index (RSI) is approaching the midpoint, signalling a possible rally in the near term. If Bitcoin breaks above the 20-day EMA in the short term, it could rally higher towards a new all-time high at $112k.

    However, if the bears remain in control and push the price below the 50-day SMA, the BTC/USDT pair could plunge to $100,000. Bulls will likely defend the $100k psychological level, as any drop below that could see Bitcoin test the $93k support level.

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