Mads Eberhardt

Bitcoin hit a record $125,700 as the Fed's rate cut, strong ETF inflows, and October seasonality drove markets higher despite the U.S. government shutdown. Swift's blockchain adoption with Consensys and CME's upcoming 24/7 crypto futures trading signal institutional embrace of digital assets.

Crypto markets experienced a sharp leverage washout as traders unwound positions following the Fed rate cut, while nine major European banks announced a euro stablecoin consortium and Morgan Stanley revealed plans to offer retail crypto trading, marking traditional finance's strategic embrace of digital assets.

The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points to 4.25%, yet long-term Treasury yields rose, creating opposing forces on crypto markets. The SEC introduced streamlined ETF approval standards potentially qualifying 12 cryptocurrencies, while UK-US officials discussed regulatory alignment to boost digital asset adoption.

Central banks take center stage this week as markets anticipate the Federal Reserve’s first potential rate cut of 2025 despite rising inflation, while BlackRock explores tokenizing ETFs on public blockchains, major banks in Hong Kong pursue stablecoin licenses, and crypto firms enjoy strong public market debuts.

Markets face mounting uncertainty as disappointing U.S. jobs data pushes unemployment to 4.3% while Trump's WLFI token commands a $20 billion valuation despite lack of products. Stripe launches its own blockchain for stablecoins amid community criticism, and Ethereum secures $40 million for institutional infrastructure.

NVIDIA's mixed earnings impacted crypto sentiment while the U.S. government published GDP data on blockchains for the first time. Ethereum's staking exit queue hit $5 billion as ETF flows favored Ethereum over Bitcoin in August. Short-term, markets will likely watch Trump's tariff ruling, Friday's jobs data, and a token launch for risk signals.

Wyoming is launching the United States’ first state-issued stablecoin, while the ECB is considering a blockchain-based euro, as USD stablecoins outnumber EUR stablecoins by a factor of 590 to 1. A dormant Bitcoin whale’s partial rotation of $2.7 billion into Ethereum is pushing Ether to new highs above $4,950.

Bitcoin hit $124,300 on benign consumer inflation before crashing as producer prices jumped, stoking tariff fears. Stripe and Circle unveiled independent blockchains, while Japan's first yen stablecoin is expected to launch this autumn. Meanwhile, Norway's wealth fund boosted indirect Bitcoin exposure 83% during the second quarter.

Ethereum hits $4,340, a four-year high, as Trump opens the $9 trillion 401(k) market to crypto and three firms hold 2.1 million Ether. The SEC clarifies liquid staking rules, and S&P Global issues its first DeFi credit rating, signaling unprecedented institutional validation for digital assets.

U.S. jobs data shocked markets as July added only 73,000 positions versus 100,000 expected, with May and June revised down by 258,000 combined. As recession fears mounted, Trump fired the labor statistics chief while his tariffs hit 60+ countries. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw record July inflows before August's sharp reversal.

U.S. Congress delivers historic crypto wins with Trump signing the GENIUS stablecoin act and passing landmark digital asset bills. Ethereum ETFs attract record $3.28 billion July inflows while BlackRock files for staking approval. Despite price rallies, Ethereum network fees remain subdued, signaling reduced onchain activity and less Ether burning.

Bitcoin rises to $122,900, driven by a tech rally and corporate treasury strategies. Congress launches “Crypto Week” with key bills, while ETFs attract large net inflows in July, with $3.38 billion to Bitcoin and $1.1 billion to Ethereum. However, markets face uncertainty as Trump announces 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico starting August 1.

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passes without the crypto tax reforms the industry hoped for, while its projected $3.3 trillion deficit impact, among other things, sends the dollar plunging 11.7% against the euro this year. Circle and Ripple pursue bank charters as markets brace for Wednesday's U.S. tariff deadline.

Middle East ceasefire propels Bitcoin up 5.8% and Ethereum up 7.9% as geopolitical risks fade. The first U.S. staked crypto ETF nears launch, signaling SEC acceptance of staking rewards, while mortgage giants prepare to accept crypto. Stablecoin supply surges by $48.85 billion, or 24%.

Geopolitical tensions rattled crypto markets as US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites triggered a weekend selloff, sending Bitcoin to $98,400. Meanwhile, the Senate's GENIUS Act passage sparked optimism in the stablecoin sector while record Ethereum staking signals strong holder conviction.