Option traders expected a rapid ETH surge above $4K by the end of July.
Bitcoin podcaster and Real Bedford FC owner Peter McCormack is taking matters into his own hands in his hometown of Bedford, UK. With rising concerns over public safety, McCormack says he’s stepping up where the police have fallen short — by paying for a group of private security guards to patrol the streets every Saturday. The town, home to around 185,800 people and located under two hours from London, has seen an increase in what McCormack calls “aggressive beggars,” shoplifting, and harassment. “The police have failed us,” he said in a post on X. “More crackheads, more aggressive beggars, more shoplifters, and therefore fewer people coming into town.” Security Teams To Patrol On Saturdays McCormack said he warned Bedford police before announcing the plan. Now, he’s personally funding a pilot program that sends 10 guards to monitor the town center every Saturday. According to him, this is all about making the streets safer for women, children, and families who no longer feel comfortable going out. Announcing my private security pilot for Bedford Town Centre – – – – – – – – – – – Starting this August, I’m personally funding a pilot project to provide private security in Bedford. Every Saturday, 10 guards will patrol the town centre and oversee safe parking at Lurke… — Peter McCormack (@PeterMcCormack) July 18, 2025 It’s not yet clear how far these guards can go in stopping crime. In the UK, taking justice into your own hands isn’t just frowned upon — it could be illegal. According to law experts at JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors, vigilantism is against the law. So while McCormack’s plan might sound bold, the details of how it will work within legal limits are still uncertain. Community Support And Football Backing McCormack isn’t just a podcast personality — he’s a visible figure in the town’s business and sports scene. He owns several businesses in Bedford and also runs Real Bedford FC, a club often referred to as the “ Bitcoin soccer team.” That nickname comes from the backing of Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, the co-founders of Gemini, who have invested in the team. To build momentum behind his crime-fighting effort, McCormack said he surveyed locals and is organizing a community meeting. He wants residents to get involved and share their experiences and ideas for making Bedford safer. Private Security Fills Gaps In Other Cities Bedford isn’t the only place looking outside traditional police forces. In San Francisco, Lieutenant Eric J. Altorfer of the city’s police department said private security is increasingly stepping in to handle public safety, especially as law enforcement struggles with staffing issues. “Private security is already playing a crucial role,” Altorfer said in May. But he stressed that for it to work, there has to be coordination between private firms and police — not conflict. As McCormack’s plan moves forward, the focus will be on how the guards are trained, how they operate, and whether they work alongside the police or against them. For now, Bedford has a Bitcoin-backed football club owner willing to spend money to make the streets safer — whether the law sees it the same way is a question still hanging in the air. Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView
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US President Donald Trump has signed the GENIUS Act, which sets clear rules for stablecoins and represents the first significant regulation of the crypto industry in the United States. On July 17, the bill was approved by the House of Representatives. That day, lawmakers passed three bills related to digital assets, including the CLARITY Act and the Anti-CBDC Act. The GENIUS Act establishes requirements for fully backing stablecoins with liquid assets and mandates annual audits for issuers whose stablecoin market capitalization exceeds $50 billion. The Act also prohibits the payment of interest or other income to stablecoin holders and sets governing rules for foreign companies operating in this sector. “The GENIUS Act creates a clear and simple regulatory framework for creating and unlocking the enormous potential of dollar-backed stablecoins,” Trump said during the signing ceremony. The signing event was attended by several industry figures, including Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Tether head Paolo Ardoino, and Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev. “You, the entire crypto community, have been ridiculed and written off for years [...] but this signing is a powerful affirmation [...] of your hard work and pioneering spirit,” the president said, addressing the audience. The GENIUS Act will take effect either six months, or 120 days after regulators issue the rules to implement it. (Clarify exact timeframe based on official text.) According to CoinGecko, Tether’s USDT continues to dominate the stablecoin sector, with a market capitalization approaching $161 billion, while Circle’s USDC has reached nearly $65 billion. Among the largest stablecoins is USD1, launched by the DeFi platform World Liberty Financial and the Trump family. Critics have repeatedly pointed out potential conflicts of interest due to the president’s ties to crypto projects, including the TRUMP meme coin.
Need to know what happened in crypto today? Here is the latest news on daily trends and events impacting Bitcoin price, blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, Web3 and crypto regulation.
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The post Coinpedia Digest: This Week’s Crypto News Highlights | 19 July, 2025 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Big week for crypto and a big one for regulation! The U.S is making fast decisions, Ripple vs SEC is back to make headlines, and fresh momentum built around some of the industry’s biggest tokens. There’s policy, price action, and just enough controversy to keep things interesting. If you missed anything, don’t worry – I’ve put the key updates in one place. Let’s dive in. #1 Gamechanger for Crypto? GENIUS Act Is Now Official It’s official: the U.S. just passed its first real stablecoin law. The GENIUS Act, a long-awaited bill to regulate dollar-backed stablecoins, was signed into law by President Trump after clearing the House with bipartisan support (308-122). The new rules require stablecoins to be backed by liquid assets like U.S. dollars and short-term Treasuries, with monthly public reserve disclosures. Trump called it “a giant step to cement the American dominance of global finance and crypto technology.” It’s the clearest signal yet that stablecoins are going mainstream; now with rules to match. #2 Trump to Allow 401(k) Investments in Crypto, Gold, and Private Equity Donald Trump is preparing to open up America’s $9 trillion retirement savings market to crypto, gold, and private equity. A new executive order, expected this week, would push regulators to clear the way for 401(k) plans to include alternative investments, not just stocks and bonds. The White House says Trump is focused on “restoring prosperity for everyday Americans.” It’s also a major win for crypto, coming after Trump backed multiple digital asset bills and rolled back restrictions on crypto in retirement accounts. #3 SC Becomes First Global Bank to Offer Regulated BTC, ETH Trading Standard Chartered just became the first global bank to offer spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum. The service, rolled out via its UK subsidiary, is aimed squarely at institutions. Clients can now trade BTC and ETH on the same system they already use for currencies. This is part of a much bigger strategy that’s been years in the making, from Zodia Custody to Libeara. As CEO Bill Winters put it: “Digital assets are a fundamental part of the evolution of financial services.” #4 No Surprise, But No Relief: CPI at 2.7% in June June’s inflation data came out this week. Consumer prices in the U.S. rose 0.3% from May, pushing the annual inflation rate to 2.7%, the highest since February. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) held steady at 2.9% year-over-year, in line with forecasts. That might sound mild, but it’s enough to keep the Fed cautious. Some categories, like household goods and electronics, saw sharp price jumps, likely reflecting new tariffs. The takeaway is that rate cuts are still likely, but probably not before September. Bitcoin reacted with a quick drop but steadied itself. #5 ₹1,500 Cr in XRP Moved Before WazirX Hack – Coinpedia Investigates A viral tweet from anonymous user @TOOFAANARMY is raising eyebrows: over ₹1,500 crore worth of XRP was moved from a WazirX-linked wallet just before the platform’s ₹2,000 crore hack. WazirX CEO Nischal Shetty tells Coinpedia it was routine user activity and cold wallet consolidation, not unusual. “We don’t have an account with Binance,” he added, pushing back on claims of direct transfers. The wallet was public on their Proof of Reserves page. For now, the claim remains unverified. #6 Grayscale Starts Process to Go Public The crypto investment firm has filed a confidential draft registration with the U.S. SEC, signaling plans for an IPO. For now, details like the number of shares and pricing are still undecided. The move won’t go forward until the SEC review is complete and market conditions are right. By choosing a confidential filing, Grayscale keeps its early plans private while testing investor interest behind the scenes. If the IPO goes ahead, it could help the company reach more investors and grow its role in traditional finance. #7 Crypto Market Cap Nears $4T, Chasing Nvidia Crypto had a massive day on Friday! The total market cap inched close to $4 trillion, driven by sharp gains in Ethereum and XRP after the U.S. House passed three major crypto bills. Bitcoin crossed $120,000 again, but ETH jumped 8% to hit $3,600, and XRP soared 20% to a new yearly high of $3.64. Binance’s CoinMarketCap puts total market cap at $3.8T, while TradingView shows $3.9T – higher than the last peak in December. As LVRG’s Nick Ruck put it, “We’re optimistic… as institutions race to advance integration with the crypto industry.” #8 Ripple vs. SEC Drags On Despite $125M Settlement Ripple has paid the full $125 million SEC penalty and it was all in cash, not XRP. That clears up recent rumours about a crypto payout. Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel confirmed the court required a cash-only settlement. But the lawsuit isn’t over yet. Both Ripple and the SEC still need to withdraw their appeals before the case officially closes. Until then, the money stays locked in escrow. They already paid in cash. Sorry. — Marc Fagel (@Marc_Fagel) July 16, 2025 Meanwhile, XRP has jumped 29% this week and is trading above $3.15, showing strong momentum. #9 Bitcoin Beats Gold as 2025’s Top Asset Bitcoin finally stole the crown! With a $123,000 price peak this week and a 30% year-to-date surge, BTC overtook gold to become 2025’s best-performing asset. But behind the breakout is a far deeper signal. As Charlie Bilello put it, “We’ve never seen these two in the number one and number two spots.” When Bitcoin and gold lead together, it might seem optimistic but it’s warning signs. People are scared and running to shelter. Something to think about… #10 Cross-Chain Crime Tripled Since 2023, Says Elliptic Crypto crime is getting harder to stop and bigger in size. A new report from Elliptic shows criminals moved over $21.8 billion through DEXs, cross-chain bridges, and swap tools this year – three times more than in 2023. Around $2.5 billion is linked to North Korean hackers, with another $300 million tied to Iranian services under U.S. sanctions. One in three investigations now involve more than three blockchains. As scams and laundering move across networks, Elliptic says full-chain visibility is the only way to keep up. In the Spotlight Here’s a few quick hits you shouldn’t miss! Citi Joins the Stablecoin Race: Jane Fraser confirms the bank is exploring its own digital token, with crypto custody and tokenized deposits also on the table amid new support from Trump’s Genius Act and relaxed Fed rules. PUMP Token Raises $600M in 12 Minutes: Solana-based platform Pump.fun launched its memecoin with explosive demand, triggering high-volume trading and speculation across spot and derivatives markets as traders scramble for exposure during the token’s distribution phase. Trump Denies Plan to Fire Fed Chair Powell: Despite reports of a draft termination letter, Trump says he’s “highly unlikely” to remove Jerome Powell , unless it’s over fraud, but criticism of rate policies continues to mount. El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings Top $760M: Despite past criticism, the country’s BTC stash has tripled in 2025, with over 6,200 coins now worth more than $760 million as Bitcoin pushes new all-time highs. DOJ Ends Polymarket Probe in Win for Crypto Bets: The betting platform is no longer under investigation by U.S. regulators, after months of scrutiny following the 2024 election and an FBI raid on CEO Shayne Coplan’s home. What’s Next for Crypto? Major shifts to expect ahead Stablecoins may move further into the financial mainstream, now backed by real rules, real reserves and the biggest banks watching closely. Institutional crypto access could widen fast if Trump’s 401(k) order goes through, bringing billions in retirement capital into play. As inflation lingers and rate cuts stall, markets may stay jumpy but crypto’s momentum suggests traders are betting big on a September pivot. The GENIUS Act’s ripple effect is already visible, with Citi and Standard Chartered both pushing deeper into tokenized finance. Regulators face pressure to keep up with crypto crime and increasingly complex laundering tactics. That’s all for now but the next shake-up is never far in crypto. Catch you next week!
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Economist Henrik Zeberg has cautioned that Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR ), formerly known as MicroStrategy stock, might implode due to its exposure to Bitcoin ( BTC ). According to Zeberg, the stock could soon present “the greatest shorting opportunity,” he said in an X post on July 18. #MSTR will be the greatest shorting opportunity of a life time! Not yet! But it is coming — Henrik Zeberg (@HenrikZeberg) July 18, 2025 Zeberg cautioned that Strategy’s deep exposure to Bitcoin may eventually crash its balance sheet, stating that every time a company adds Bitcoin to its treasury, it “plants a small bomb” in its financials. He argued that the risk isn’t if Bitcoin tumbles again, but when. According to Zeberg, such a scenario could damage not only Strategy’s market capitalization but also its cash flow, access to credit, and investor confidence. “Every time a company adds Bitcoin to its treasury, it plants a small bomb in its balance sheet. Not if BTC tumbles again — but when — those bombs go off. And when they do, they don’t just dent the market cap. They hit cash flow, credit lines, and confidence,” he added. It’s worth noting that Strategy’s pivot toward Bitcoin has been led by executive chairman Michael Saylor, who doubled down on his conviction, claiming that “the only thing better than Bitcoin is more Bitcoin.” Saylor’s bet has so far paid off, with the stock having surged approximately 3,500% over the past five years, outperforming Bitcoin’s 905% rise over the same period. MSTR short interest rising But while Strategy continues to outpace both Bitcoin and traditional market benchmarks, short sellers are taking notice. According to the latest data retrieved from Fintel by Finbold on July 19, short volume in MSTR has risen significantly. On July 18, 2025, short volume stood at 3.76 million shares out of a total trading volume of 6.74 million, resulting in a short volume ratio of 55.7%, the highest in the past ten trading days. Short interest has remained elevated throughout the period, with ratios consistently above 47% on most days, suggesting mounting bearish sentiment. MSTR short volume. Source: Fintel Meanwhile, MSTR stock is showing weakness in the short term, having ended the last trading session down over 6% to $423.22. Year-to-date, the stock has gained over 40%. MSTR YTD stock price chart. Source: Finbold Although there are concerns about Strategy’s Bitcoin plan, the company continues to add more of the asset, currently holding 601,550 BTC at an average purchase price of $66,384. Featured image via Shutterstock. The post Strategy (MSTR) will be the ‘greatest shorting opportunity of a lifetime’, warns expert appeared first on Finbold .