In this week's crypto news, we see a continued interplay between market dynamics and regulatory shifts, with both factors shaping the landscape for institutional investors.
Large Bitcoin holders, including Galaxy Digital, moved $3.7 billion worth of Bitcoin to exchanges, leading to a significant increase in selling pressure. Despite this, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains at 70, indicating that investors are not yet in fear mode. This suggests that while short-term market fluctuations may induce selling pressure, the overall sentiment remains bullish.
In Hong Kong, OSL Group, the city's first licensed digital asset exchange, is raising funds to capitalize on the early demand for compliant stablecoin rails in Asia. This move coincides with the implementation of Hong Kong's stablecoin bill, which will introduce a licensing framework for fiat-referenced stablecoins. This development hints at the growing importance of regulatory clarity in driving institutional adoption and the shift from experimentation to execution in the crypto space.
In gaming, "Off the Grid" has begun allowing players to trade in-game NFT skins on the popular marketplace OpenSea. This integration could lead to "real money" flowing into the skin economy, demonstrating how blockchain technology is reshaping traditional gaming models and creating new avenues for monetization.
On the regulatory front, the recent passage of the GENIUS Act and Clarity Act by the US Congress provides much-needed legal clarity for decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and digital assets, encouraging US-based innovation and capital flows into the space. This evolving regulatory framework removes one of the biggest barriers for institutional adoption of Ethereum and DeFi, setting the stage for a potentially explosive rally if current momentum holds.
Lastly, the partnership between Bybit and Tether to promote cryptocurrency adoption in Brazil highlights the growing importance of strategic collaborations in expanding the reach of digital assets. By coupling institutional partnerships with educational initiatives, this collaboration aims to normalize the use of cryptocurrency and bridge traditional finance with digital assets.
As we navigate the evolving crypto landscape, it is crucial to stay informed and understand the interplay between market dynamics, regulatory shifts, and strategic collaborations. These factors will continue to shape the future of the crypto space and create new opportunities for institutional investors.
The following article summaries have been sourced from Decrypt, CryptoSlate, NewsBTC, and Crypto Briefing. Each summary includes a direct link to the original source.
Large Bitcoin holders, including Galaxy Digital, moved $3.7 billion worth of Bitcoin to exchanges on Friday, leading to a significant increase in selling pressure. Analysts noted that 26,100 BTC was sold at a loss by short-term holders. This resulted in a 1.8% drop in Bitcoin's value to $116,365, while trading volume surged 37% to $131.6 billion within 24 hours. Over $531 million in options positions were liquidated, mainly long positions. However, analysts believe this could potentially establish a healthier market foundation.
Despite the increased selling pressure, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains at 70, indicating that investors are not yet in fear mode. Bitcoin traded mostly sideways this week, despite a midweek rout that curtailed a rally for altcoins XRP and Solana. Institutional investors began to reverse the trend, with net deposits of $226 million into Bitcoin ETFs on Thursday. However, traders withdrew a total of $285 million from the BTC funds from Monday through Wednesday, indicating a downward trend for the week.
Hong Kong-based OSL Group, the city's first licensed digital asset exchange, has announced plans to raise HK$2.36 billion (approximately US$300 million) to fund acquisitions, global expansion, and a significant push into stablecoin and payment infrastructure. About 30% of the proceeds, or HK$700 million, will be allocated towards global business and new business initiatives, including payment and stablecoin initiatives. This move is seen as a strategic positioning of OSL to capitalize on the early demand for compliant stablecoin rails in Asia, particularly in light of the upcoming rollout of Hong Kong's stablecoin law.
The timing of OSL's fundraising coincides with the implementation of Hong Kong's stablecoin bill, which is set to take effect next week. The bill, passed earlier in May, will introduce a licensing framework for fiat-referenced stablecoins issued to the public in Hong Kong. Moreover, a licensing regime for over-the-counter (OTC) crypto trading is expected to be established before the end of the year. Observers believe that Hong Kong's clear regulatory framework is driving a shift from experimentation to execution in the crypto space. This is evidenced by the increasing interest of licensed firms in stablecoin development, which is seen as a bridge for broader digital asset use cases, including settlement, tokenization, and on-chain liquidity.
Avalanche shooter game "Off the Grid" has begun allowing players to trade in-game NFT skins on the popular marketplace OpenSea. In less than a day, nearly $30,000 worth of skin sales were processed on the secondary market, with one skin selling for over $1,600. The game, which was initially run exclusively on the GUNZ testnet, an Avalanche L1 network, has been transitioning players to the mainnet since March. Those on the mainnet have been able to trade in-game skins on the GUNZ marketplace, and the ability to sell skins on OpenSea is seen as a significant achievement for players.
The game was also launched on popular PC platform Steam last week, resulting in a daily average of 7,298 players accessing the game. The Steam version of the game uses the GUNZ testnet exclusively, leading to a 46.6% spike in GUNZ testnet transactions over the first two days of the game's presence on Steam. This, combined with the OpenSea launch, has been transformative for the game, according to avid skin collector MoneyMagician. They believe the OpenSea integration is even more crucial than the Steam launch, as it could lead to "real money" flowing into the skin economy.
At the time of writing, Off the Grid has seen a trading volume of 967,200 GUN, or $29,417, on OpenSea. However, these figures are not significantly higher than those seen before OpenSea trading. This could be due to the phased rollout of Off the Grid on OpenSea, with July 2024 subscribers to its battle pass being the first to "export" NFTs to the secondary market. Furthermore, to import the skins back into the game, players must complete a know-your-customer (KYC) process. Despite this, anyone can purchase Off the Grid skins on OpenSea, greatly expanding the buyer audience.
The article titled "Capital shifts to stablecoins as DeFi protocols bleed TVL" from CryptoSlate discusses the recent trend of capital moving towards stablecoins as decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols experience a decrease in Total Value Locked (TVL). However, the provided text does not offer any specific details or data about this trend, making it impossible to provide a comprehensive summary.
The text primarily explains the process of purchasing a CryptoSlate Alpha membership using SOL, the native token of Solana. It emphasizes that by purchasing this membership, users agree to abide by the terms and conditions of their third-party digital wallet provider and the Access Foundation. CryptoSlate disclaims any responsibility or liability concerning the provision, access, use, security, integrity, value, or legal status of the user's digital wallet.
Justin Sun, founder of the Tron blockchain, has announced an ambitious goal for Tron Inc. to join the Nasdaq 100 index within the next three years. This announcement comes shortly after Tron Inc.'s debut on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, where Sun, serving as the company’s Global Advisor, rang the opening bell to mark the milestone. The firm, which trades under the ticker symbol “TRON,” is the result of a rebranding of SRM Entertainment, signaling a significant shift in business direction from entertainment to blockchain infrastructure, specifically the Tron ecosystem.
As part of its revised strategy, Tron Inc. plans to build a portfolio centered around the native TRX asset, aligning its financial reserves with the network’s growth. This move supports Sun’s vision of positioning the company as a key player in the digital asset economy. This corporate evolution coincides with robust performance across the blockchain network. According to a report by CryptoRank, TRON has maintained strong fundamentals throughout 2025, fueled by steady user growth and increased stablecoin activity. The network processed over 784 million transactions in Q2 2025, securing a top-five spot among blockchain networks by transaction volume during the first half of 2025. This heightened activity translated into significant financial success for the blockchain, generating nearly $1 billion in on-chain revenue during Q2 2025, setting a new record.
Bitcoin's price has seen a sharp dip in the past 24 hours, dropping nearly 3% to around $115,376, marking its lowest point in two weeks. This decline follows a recent peak of approximately $119,291 on July 24, erasing almost $4,000 in value within a day. The sudden drop is believed to be linked to large Bitcoin holders, such as asset management firm Galaxy Digital, taking significant profits. Galaxy Digital reportedly moved nearly 30,000 BTC from its wallets in a single day, with most of the coins, valued at least $1.15 billion, being sent to centralized exchanges like Binance and over-the-counter trading platforms.
Despite the significant outflows, Galaxy Digital still holds 18,504 BTC, worth about $2.14 billion at current prices. The size and speed of these transfers have raised concerns about potential further selloffs in the near term. Valentin Fournier, lead research analyst at BRN, noted that the market is cooling off after a heated stretch, with trading momentum weakening and new ETF inflows slowing down. He sees this as a potentially healthy reset and expects further weakness that could take Bitcoin down towards the $110,000 support zone over the next few sessions.
The downward pressure has also affected altcoins, with major assets like XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin recording losses in line with Bitcoin's slump. However, Ethereum emerged as a rare gainer during this period, up by around 2% to $3,722. Dean Chen, a crypto analyst at Bitunix, attributed the broader market's pullback to profit-taking behavior after an extended rally. He emphasized that the move is likely a liquidity sweep aimed at overleveraged long positions, suggesting that we are still in a consolidation phase rather than entering a full-fledged bear market.
Ethereum is demonstrating renewed strength after a brief pullback, with the price action indicating a potential return of bullish momentum. After reaching a recent high of $3,860, Ethereum experienced a dip to the $3,500 zone, a key level that quickly attracted buying interest. Now, Ethereum is pushing to reclaim the $3,700 range. On-chain data from Santiment reveals that whales have been aggressively accumulating Ethereum throughout the pullback, suggesting that institutional players are positioning themselves for the next phase of the rally. This surge in accumulation has historically been a precursor to sustained upward trends.
Ethereum's bullish momentum is further bolstered by aggressive accumulation from major investors. Analyst Ali Martinez reports that whales have purchased more than 1.13 million Ethereum, worth approximately $4.18 billion, over the past two weeks. This surge in buying activity marks one of the most significant accumulation phases in recent months and signals rising confidence among institutional players. The accumulation comes at a critical time for Ethereum, which has been consolidating near the $3,700 level after a brief pullback from its $3,860 high.
In addition to market behavior, macro and regulatory shifts are also favoring Ethereum and the broader altcoin market. The recent passage of the GENIUS Act and Clarity Act by the US Congress marks a pivotal moment for crypto legislation. These new laws provide much-needed legal clarity for decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and digital assets, encouraging US-based innovation and capital flows into the space. This evolving regulatory framework removes one of the biggest barriers for institutional adoption of Ethereum and DeFi. With clearer rules and a growing appetite for Ethereum among whales, the stage is set for a potentially explosive rally if current momentum holds.
The article titled "Solana In The Danger Zone – Will $175 Support Hold Or Collapse?" from NewsBTC, is a personal narrative by Godspower Owie, a crypto enthusiast and employee of Bitcoinnist and NewsBTC news outlets. Born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria, Owie was introduced to the world of cryptocurrency three years ago by a friend who had made significant gains from his crypto investments. Intrigued by his friend's journey and the potential risks and rewards of the crypto market, Owie decided to delve into the field.
Owie's journey in the crypto landscape has been marked by ups and downs, but his passion for the field has remained unwavering. He believes in the importance of growth and strives for excellence in his work. He enjoys working with his colleagues at Bitcoinnist and NewsBTC, and is committed to contributing to the growth of these companies. Owie aspires to be a leader in the field, with people working under his guidance, just as he has worked under others. Despite acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, Owie remains optimistic about his future in the crypto world, supported by his faith, family, and friends.
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has suggested that Bitcoin's traditional four-year cycle has been disrupted by the influence of large-scale investors. He previously misjudged a market peak a few months ago and has since revised his understanding of the market's behavior. The introduction of Bitcoin Spot ETFs and the involvement of corporate treasuries are reportedly altering the dynamics of the market. In the first half of the year, treasury companies purchased twice the amount of Bitcoin as ETFs. This demonstrates the power of substantial investment to fill the void when experienced whales exit the market.
Ki Young Ju initially raised concerns in March when Bitcoin was valued at about $83,000 and all on-chain metrics were declining. However, Bitcoin's resilience surprised many when it bounced back from an April retest, surpassing its January high by May and reaching $112,000. By this month, Bitcoin had even touched $123,000 before cooling off, prompting Young Ju to admit his error and express gratitude to investors for highlighting his mistake. He now believes that the old cycle theory is no longer relevant as institutional investors do not behave like retail buyers.
Prominent figures in the crypto industry, including Michael Saylor, Samson Mow, and Binance CEO CZ, share this perspective. They predict that this cycle could potentially propel Bitcoin to $1 million. They view the influx of institutional investment as a stabilizing force rather than a source of speculation. This dual demand from public companies and spot ETFs has established a solid base for prices and reduced the influence of large whales.
Bybit, a leading crypto exchange, and Tether, the company behind the world's largest stablecoin, USDT, have announced a partnership aimed at promoting cryptocurrency adoption in Brazil. The collaboration will involve institutional partnerships, educational initiatives, and events, according to a press release issued on Friday. As part of the partnership, Bybit and Tether will co-sponsor Blockchain Rio, a major blockchain, web3, and digital finance event in Latin America. New users who register on Bybit during the event will receive an exclusive USDT bonus.
The companies are also in talks with Visit Rio to incorporate cryptocurrency into the city's tourism sector. This would involve offering discounts and USDT bonuses to tourists who use digital assets for local services and purchases. Bybit also has plans to launch a national educational program, which will include "Learn to Earn" campaigns, workshops, university meetups, and seminars aimed at students, developers, and entrepreneurs. Bybit's Country Manager for Brazil, Israel Buzaym, expressed confidence in the willingness of Brazilians to adopt new technologies. He believes the partnership with Tether will increase trust and liquidity, thereby normalizing the use of cryptocurrency. This partnership follows Bybit's recent expansion in Brazil, which saw the launch of Bybit Pay and Bybit Card to bridge traditional finance with digital assets.
Robinhood, a popular trading platform, has added Hedera (HBAR) to its US trading platform, according to a recent announcement. This move is part of Robinhood's ongoing expansion of its crypto trading offerings, which already includes legacy altcoins such as XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). These coins were relisted in November 2024, following a period of crypto-friendly regulatory momentum under the Trump administration. Prior to its US listing, HBAR and Lido Finance (LDO) were introduced to UK users in January.
In addition to established coins, Robinhood has also ventured into meme coins, listing Pepe (PEPE), Pengu (PENGU), Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT), and Popcat (POPCAT) earlier this year. The platform has further diversified its offerings by adding Arbitrum, an Ethereum layer 2 token designed to enable faster and more cost-effective Ethereum transactions. The listing of HBAR on Robinhood led to a surge in its value, with the token trading at $0.25, up 3.5% over 24 hours at the time of writing.
A South Korean man, currently on probation for a previous fraud conviction, has been arrested for running a $60 million Ponzi scheme. The man, known as Mr. A, and his six accomplices reportedly defrauded over 2,200 investors between October 2020 and January 2022. The group held promotional events in Gangnam, Seoul, where they claimed to run businesses in artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. They promised returns of 300 percent, attracting investors whose contributions ranged from approximately $770 to $770,000.
The operation followed the typical Ponzi scheme model, using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier participants until the scheme eventually collapsed. Mr. A recruited family members and acquaintances to handle various aspects of the operation, including finance, IT, marketing, and investor recruitment. The police began investigating in September 2022 after receiving complaints, leading to a two-month manhunt when the suspect disappeared before his pretrial hearing. It was revealed that Mr. A had been serving a two-year suspended sentence from July 2021 for a similar fraud scheme when he launched this new operation. The police spokesperson emphasized the severity of Ponzi schemes, noting that many victims were aged 50-70 and unfamiliar with AI or crypto technologies.
