In today's crypto news, we see a continuing trend of mainstream corporations embracing digital assets, with a particular focus on treasury strategies and cross-border transactions.
CEA Industries' plan to establish a $500 million crypto treasury focused on Binance Coin (BNB) is indicative of a growing trend of public companies experimenting with crypto-native treasury models. This move, which aims to bridge the gap between digital assets and mainstream capital markets, could potentially provide CEA Industries with around $1.25 billion to purchase BNB. It's a significant step that other companies, particularly those operating in the Web3 space, may want to consider as part of their financial strategies.
Meanwhile, PayPal's new service, "Pay with Crypto," is set to reduce international transaction fees by 90% and simplify global commerce. This initiative could be a game-changer for businesses operating across borders, offering them increased profit margins, lower transaction fees, and near-instant access to proceeds. It's also a clear signal of PayPal's commitment to expanding stablecoin usage and enhancing financial efficiency, a trend that legal and financial professionals should monitor closely.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. Pump.fun's significant drop in market share and revenue generation serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in the crypto space. The shift in trader preference towards other meme coin launchpads has negatively impacted Pump.fun's revenue generation, underlining the importance of diversification and risk management in crypto investments.
Finally, Mitchell Askew's prediction of a slower, more institutionally driven path towards long-term growth for Bitcoin is a reminder that the crypto market is maturing. With Bitcoin's price action fundamentally changing following the launch of Spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), we can expect broader market stabilization and a shift away from extreme volatility. This evolution is likely to benefit those with long-term conviction and discourage short-term speculators and casual investors.
In conclusion, today's news underscores the importance of strategic planning, risk management, and long-term thinking in the ever-evolving crypto space. As we move forward, legal and financial professionals will need to stay informed and adaptable to navigate these developments effectively.
The following article summaries have been sourced from Decrypt, CryptoSlate, NewsBTC, and Crypto Briefing. Each summary includes a direct link to the original source.
CEA Industries, a consumer products firm, saw its shares surge by over 700% following the announcement of its plans to establish a $500 million crypto treasury focused on Binance Coin (BNB). The company, in partnership with 10x Capital and YZi Labs, aims to raise $500 million through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering. An additional $750 million in cash could be made available through exercised warrants, potentially providing CEA Industries with around $1.25 billion to purchase BNB, the fifth-largest crypto asset by market cap. The move is seen as a significant step in bridging the gap between digital assets and mainstream capital markets.
CEA Industries, which operates in the Canadian vape market, is expected to close the financing deal on July 31, after which it will begin its BNB acquisitions. The company intends to scale its holdings over the next 12 to 24 months using at-the-money (ATM) offerings and other strategies. Beyond accumulating BNB, CEA Industries also plans to explore opportunities in staking and DeFi within the BNB ecosystem to generate revenue via its treasury. The firm's shares, trading under the ticker VAPE, are up around 851% year-to-date, propelled by Monday’s gain of more than 700%.
Pump.fun, a project that became popular with meme coins last year, is experiencing a significant drop in its market share. The project's native token has been struggling, and traders are shifting their focus to other meme coin launchpads. According to data from Adam Tech, a pseudonymous data scientist, Pump.fun accounted for only 19% of tokens deployed through Solana-based launchpads on Saturday, a sharp decrease from 88% a month ago. Meanwhile, LetsBonk, a project tied to the Solana-based meme coin BONK, accounted for 69% of tokens deployed on Saturday.
The shift in trader preference has negatively impacted Pump.fun's revenue generation. The platform, which charges a 1% fee on all transactions, generated less than $200,000 in revenue on Sunday, compared to $426,000 a week before and $1 million a month ago. Despite this, Pump.fun remains the most recognizable project in the meme coin sector. However, Adam Tech warns that the project's team risks losing its reputation as a go-to platform if this trend continues.
Meanwhile, the Solana community has expressed frustration with meme coins. Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko dismissed meme coins as "digital slop," arguing that they have "no intrinsic value." Despite this, meme coin trading has demonstrated Solana's throughput capabilities, as evidenced by the surge of transactions following the unveiling of former U.S. President Donald Trump's token in January.
In a recent surge in the cryptocurrency market, altcoins have taken the lead, with BNB hitting a new all-time high and leading the major L1s. This rally comes in the wake of a trade deal between the US and EU. Galaxy has sold $9 billion worth of Bitcoin (BTC) for a Satoshi-era investor, while Ethereum (ETH) ETF inflows continue to outpace those of BTC. Crypto funds have also reached a four-week inflow all-time high.
In other news, Bit Digital has increased its share offering to $1 billion in order to purchase ETH. Sharplink has bought $295 million worth of ETH and added a BlackRock executive to its team. Trump Media has invested $300 million in a BTC options strategy, and Metaplanet has purchased $92.5 million in BTC. BTCS has also bought 14.2k ETH. Meanwhile, the CEO of Bitwise has declared the four-year crypto cycle to be dead. The Department of Justice is considering charging Dragonfly in the Tornado cash case, and MUFG is planning to tokenize a $681 million building.
PayPal has introduced a new service, "Pay with Crypto," aimed at simplifying global commerce and significantly reducing the cost of cross-border transactions. The service offers merchants a 90% reduction in international transaction fees compared to traditional credit card processors. This is achieved through instant conversions from crypto into fiat or PayPal USD (PYUSD), PayPal's native stablecoin. The platform supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, and is compatible with major wallets like Coinbase and MetaMask. PayPal estimates that this initiative will provide access to over 650 million crypto users worldwide, enabling merchants to tap into a rapidly growing digital asset economy.
In addition to reducing transaction costs, the "Pay with Crypto" service consolidates fiat and crypto payments into a single interface, offering consumers flexible payment options and enabling merchants to reach global markets. This initiative aligns with PayPal's broader efforts to expand stablecoin usage and enhance financial efficiency. The company's CEO, Alex Chriss, emphasized the potential of the program to eliminate long-standing barriers in international commerce. He highlighted the benefits for businesses, including increased profit margins, lower transaction fees, near-instant access to proceeds, and the ability to grow funds stored as PYUSD at 4% when held on PayPal.
Furthermore, PayPal has launched "PayPal World," a platform designed to connect major digital wallets and simplify cross-border commerce. The initiative will initially offer interoperability between five key players, including PayPal, Venmo, Tenpay Global, NPCI International (UPI), and Mercado Pago. This move reinforces PayPal's commitment to simplified, low-cost digital commerce, and according to Chriss, it represents the future of inclusive, borderless commerce.
Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of the Solana blockchain, has criticized memecoins and NFTs, calling them "digital slop," despite the fact that these assets are driving significant activity on his network. Yakovenko's comments, made in a July 28 post, suggest that while these assets generate excitement, their long-term value is questionable. He compared them to loot boxes in mobile games, which are often criticized for encouraging excessive spending without guaranteed returns.
The Solana co-founder's remarks were made during a heated exchange with Jesse Pollak, the creator of Coinbase’s Base network. Pollak defended digital assets launched on platforms like Zora, arguing that the culture and creativity behind such tokens give them significance beyond price movements. However, Yakovenko questioned whether it’s truly beneficial for retail investors to purchase tokens after their price has dropped, even if the underlying content is considered “valuable.” He warned that this narrative may obscure the financial risks facing everyday users who get caught in speculative cycles. Despite his criticism, Yakovenko admitted the influence of memecoins on Solana's success, likening it to Apple’s financial success being driven in part by loot box mechanics in mobile apps.
The article from CryptoSlate discusses the introduction of CryptoSlate Alpha, a membership service that requires a one-time purchase using SOL, the native token of Solana. To complete the purchase, users must connect their Solana wallet. The service appears to be aimed at providing additional features or access for members.
However, the article also includes a disclaimer, stating that by purchasing the CryptoSlate Alpha membership, users are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of their third-party digital wallet provider, as well as any applicable terms and conditions of the Access Foundation. CryptoSlate absolves itself of any responsibility or liability concerning the provision, access, use, security, integrity, value, or legal status of the user's digital wallet.
Mitchell Askew, a crypto market expert and the Head of Research at Blockware, has predicted a new trajectory for Bitcoin's future growth. According to Askew, the days of Bitcoin's parabolic bull runs and subsequent bear markets are over. Instead, he anticipates a slower, more institutionally driven path toward long-term growth. He believes Bitcoin could reach $1,000,000 within the next decade, but this growth will not be driven by explosive bull runs as seen in 2013 or 2017. Instead, Bitcoin's rise will likely unfold through a cycle of pumps followed by prolonged consolidations, discouraging short-term speculators and casual investors and benefiting those with long-term conviction.
Askew's forecast is based on his belief that Bitcoin's price action has fundamentally changed following the launch of Spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in early 2024. This marked a turning point for Bitcoin, transforming it into a more stable and institutionalized asset class. Since the approval of the Bitcoin ETF, the most significant drawdown Bitcoin has faced is about 30%, a stark contrast to the extreme volatility of the past. This shift in price swings points to broader market stabilization. In this environment, private miners, especially those affiliated with BlockwareTeam, are expected to profit steadily as Bitcoin climbs higher. Askew sees this evolution as a logical progression as Bitcoin matures into a mainstream financial asset with increasing institutional involvement.
However, Askew also warned investors against unrealistic expectations of short-term gains. He noted that expecting Bitcoin to surge to $500,000 in just five months or relying on outdated cycle theories to predict market tops is now considered unrealistic. Instead, he suggests that trying to time market tops based on past halving cycles may leave investors sidelined while Bitcoin continues its slow and steady climb.
The article titled "Ethereum Quiet Takeover: How Declining BTC Dominance Is Fueling ETH’s Rise" on NewsBTC, is a personal narrative of Godspower Owie, a crypto enthusiast and employee of Bitcoinnist and NewsBTC news outlets. Owie shares his journey into the world of cryptocurrency, which began three years ago when a friend's successful investment piqued his interest. Despite the market's volatility, Owie's passion for the field has remained unwavering, and he believes that growth in this area leads to excellence.
Owie's story is not just about his professional journey, but also about his personal life. He credits his supportive family for his resilience and his colleagues for their shared dedication to the growth of the companies they work for. He also shares his love for exploring new places, learning new things, and meeting new people. Football is his favorite outdoor activity, and he also enjoys singing, dancing, acting, and fashion. Owie aspires to be a boss someday, leading a team just as he has been led by great people. He acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains determined to reach the top with the support of his family, friends, and faith.
PayPal has made a significant move in the cryptocurrency market by accepting over 100 different types of coins from US merchants, according to NewsBTC. This development is a significant step in the mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies, and it is expected to have a profound impact on the market. The move is likely to increase the accessibility and usability of various cryptocurrencies, which could potentially lead to an increase in their value.
The article also provides a detailed profile of Christian, a seasoned journalist and editor at NewsBTC. Christian's journey in journalism began in academia, where he developed a love for storytelling. He worked in various newspapers in Canada and South Korea before settling in a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines. His interest in cryptocurrency led him to NewsBTC, where he simplifies complex crypto topics for the masses. Christian is also a motorbike enthusiast and a pet lover, owning two cats and a dog. He believes that a good meal is the secret to a great article and unwinds after a long day with some rum mixed with milk while watching movies. Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC and is grateful to be part of the organization.
Mill City Ventures III, a US finance firm catering to high-net-worth individuals and small-cap companies, has secured investor commitments amounting to $450 million. This funding will be used to implement its Sui-centric crypto treasury strategy. The private investment round was led by London-based hedge fund Karatage Opportunities and the Sui Foundation, which is responsible for the development and adoption of the Sui blockchain. Other investors include Galaxy Digital, Pantera Capital, Electric Capital, GSR, Protagonist, Arrington Capital, dao5, and more. Galaxy Asset Management will oversee the crypto treasury.
Upon closing, which is expected around July 31, 2025, Mill City plans to allocate approximately 98% of the net proceeds to acquire SUI, the native token of the Sui blockchain. The tokens will be purchased through a mix of open market activity, institutional deal flow, and a negotiated agreement with the Sui Foundation. The remaining 2% of the funds will be used to support Mill City's short-term lending business. Stephen Mackintosh, the proposed Chief Investment Officer of Mill City and General Partner at Karatage, believes that the Sui blockchain is well-positioned for mass adoption due to its speed, efficiency, and technical architecture capable of supporting AI workloads while maintaining security and decentralization.
Mill City's new strategy is part of a growing trend of public companies experimenting with crypto-native treasury models, following the path of Bitcoin-treasury firms like Strategy or MARA Holdings. Other companies, including DeFi Technologies and Lion Group Holdings, also hold SUI on their balance sheets. DeFi Technologies holds SUI as its second-largest digital asset in its corporate treasury, actively monetizing its SUI holdings through asset management, trading, and staking activities. Lion Group Holding, listed on Nasdaq, expanded its crypto treasury to $9.6 million by acquiring over 1 million SUI tokens alongside other major tokens such as SOL and HYPE.
PayPal has launched a new service, 'Pay with Crypto,' that allows US merchants to accept and send payments in over 100 different cryptocurrencies. The service, which is set to roll out in the coming weeks, is expected to cut cross-border transaction fees by up to 90%. PayPal CEO Alex Chriss said the service aims to tackle two significant hurdles to global business expansion: high transaction costs and complex payment infrastructure. The service is designed to simplify cross-border commerce, reduce costs, and bridge the gap between crypto and fiat economies, thereby unlocking global growth opportunities for businesses.
The 'Pay with Crypto' platform supports major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, XRP, BNB, Solana, and USDC. It also integrates with popular wallets like Coinbase, OKX, Binance, Kraken, Phantom, MetaMask, and Exodus. The service will charge a transaction rate of 0.99% until July 31, 2026, a rate significantly lower than traditional international credit card processing fees. Furthermore, merchants can earn 4% rewards when holding PayPal USD (PYUSD) on the platform. The new service is expected to open access to a $3 trillion market by enabling instant conversion between crypto, stablecoins, and fiat currencies, connecting merchants to over 650 million crypto users worldwide.
MARA Holdings has successfully raised $950 million through a zero-interest convertible senior notes offering, surpassing its initial target of $850 million. The funds raised will primarily be used to acquire more Bitcoin and support the company's general corporate activities. The offering was met with strong demand from institutional investors, leading to the deal being upsized. MARA also granted initial purchasers a 13-day option to buy up to an additional $200 million in notes.
After deducting initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions, MARA received approximately $940 million in net proceeds. From this, over $18 million was used to repurchase $19 million in 2026 convertible notes, and around $37 million was allocated towards capped call hedges to mitigate potential dilution. The remaining proceeds will be used to support MARA's core Bitcoin acquisition strategy and other corporate purposes, which may include working capital, strategic acquisitions, asset expansion, and repayment of other outstanding obligations. Currently, MARA holds approximately 50,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $6 billion based on current market prices. The anticipated purchase following the completion of its note offering is set to reinforce its position as the second-largest corporate Bitcoin holder.
