đ Are You Chasing New Coins? Catch the newest crypto opportunities. Be the first to buy, be the first to win! Click here to discover new altcoins! SHIB, the popular
đ Are You Chasing New Coins? Catch the newest crypto opportunities. Be the first to buy, be the first to win! Click here to discover new altcoins! The cryptocurrency market
The post The Smarter Web Company Adds 225 BTC, Boosts Holdings to 1,825 BTC appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News The Smarter Web Company PLC, a publicly listed firm in the UK, has just added 225 more Bitcoin to its reserves, as part of its long-term â10 Year Plan.â They spent about ÂŁ19.6 million on this latest purchase, paying an average of ÂŁ87,096 per Bitcoin (around $118,000). This purchase increases its total holdings to an impressive 1,825 BTC. This latest move has pushed the company up to the 26th spot on the Bitcoin 100 leaderboard, a ranking of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders. The Smarter Web Company ( #SWC $TSWCF $3M8.F) RNS Announcement: Bitcoin Purchase. Purchase of additional Bitcoin as part of "The 10 Year Plan" which includes an ongoing treasury policy of acquiring Bitcoin. Please read the RNS on our website: https://t.co/z59Xf4o42m pic.twitter.com/xpJHOYD8Dy â The Smarter Web Company (@smarterwebuk) July 25, 2025 This brings their total Bitcoin holdings to 1,825 BTC, worth over ÂŁ146 million in total. SWC reports strong performance from its Bitcoin treasury, with a year-to-date yield of 43,787% and a 30-day yield of 189%. The company also notes it has approximately ÂŁ1 million in available cash that may be used for future Bitcoin purchases. It launched âThe 10 Year Planâ on April 28, a clear strategy combining organic growth, smart acquisitions, and a Digital Assets Treasury Policy. The plan focuses on short-term organic growth, mid-term and long-term acquisition opportunities, and a forward-looking Digital Assets Treasury Policy that includes Bitcoin. It believes digital assets can help preserve value and hedge against inflation. The Smarter Web Company provides web design, development, and online marketing services. Since 2023, it has also started accepting Bitcoin as payment. The Company believes that Bitcoin will be a key part of the future global financial system. As it grows and looks at new business opportunities, it is leading the way by making Bitcoin a core part of its financial strategy through its Bitcoin Treasury Policy. The Smarter Web Company has been steadily building its Bitcoin treasury throughout July. It started with 230.05 BTC on July 1, followed by 226.42 BTC on July 7. Just days later, it added 275 BTC on July 11, and most recently, 325 BTC on July 16. This comes amidst a rising trend of companies adopting Bitcoin in their treasuries.
BitcoinWorld Shocking Sonic Airdrop Fiasco: $85M Withdrawn Amidst User Fury The cryptocurrency world thrives on innovation, community, and, often, the excitement of new token distributions. Airdrops, in particular, have become a popular mechanism for projects to decentralize ownership and reward early adopters. However, what happens when an anticipated event turns into a public relations nightmare? This is precisely the scenario that unfolded with the recent Sonic airdrop , which, instead of celebrating a successful launch, ignited a firestorm of backlash, leading to a staggering $85 million in user withdrawals. What Sparked the Sonic Airdrop Controversy? On July 18, Sonic, a promising project in the blockchain space, initiated its first airdrop, distributing 80 million tokens. The anticipation was palpable, with many users eagerly awaiting their share. However, the rollout quickly descended into chaos. The primary catalysts for the widespread user anger were twofold: Unclear Eligibility Criteria: Many participants found the rules for qualifying for the airdrop to be vague and inconsistently applied. This lack of transparency sowed seeds of doubt and frustration even before tokens were distributed. Zero Allocations for High Participation: Perhaps the most infuriating aspect for the community was the experience of numerous users who, despite actively participating in the Sonic ecosystem and contributing significantly, received a âzeroâ allocation. This felt like a betrayal, leaving dedicated supporters empty-handed. The sentiment rapidly soured, turning what should have been a moment of growth into a significant crisis of confidence for the project. This incident highlights a crucial lesson for all crypto projects: clear communication and fair distribution are paramount in maintaining community trust. The Ripple Effect: How Did the Backlash Impact Sonicâs Deposits? The immediate and most tangible consequence of the communityâs fury was a massive outflow of capital. Users, feeling cheated and disillusioned, began withdrawing their deposits en masse. According to reports from DL News, the backlash led to an astounding $85 million in withdrawals. This significant sum drastically reduced Sonicâs total deposits, dropping them to approximately $495 million from a higher pre-airdrop figure. This financial exodus is a stark reminder of the power of community sentiment in the crypto space. When trust erodes, liquidity often follows. The rapid decline in deposits not only impacts the projectâs financial stability but also sends a negative signal to potential new users and investors, potentially hindering future growth and adoption. The immediate financial hit from the Sonic airdrop controversy serves as a cautionary tale for any platform relying on user-contributed capital. Understanding the Sonic Airdrop Token Vesting Schedule Adding another layer of complexity to the Sonic airdrop situation was the token vesting schedule. While 80 million tokens were distributed, only a fraction of these were immediately accessible to recipients. Specifically: 25% Immediately Claimable: A quarter of the allocated tokens could be claimed and traded right away. This immediate liquidity, however, did little to soothe the anger of those who received no tokens at all, or those who felt their allocation was disproportionately small given their contributions. Remainder Vests Over 270 Days via NFTs: The remaining 75% of the airdropped tokens were not immediately available. Instead, they were set to vest over a period of 270 days, with access facilitated through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This mechanism, while designed to prevent immediate token dumps and encourage long-term holding, further complicated the process for users and was perceived by some as an additional hurdle, especially given the initial dissatisfaction. This vesting model, while common in the crypto space, exacerbated the negative sentiment because users were already upset about the initial allocation. Had the initial distribution been perceived as fair, the vesting schedule might have been accepted more readily. Instead, it became another point of contention. Defying Expectations: Sonicâs Plans for a Second Airdrop Season In a move that surprised many, despite the overwhelming criticism and significant financial withdrawals, Sonic announced plans for a second airdrop season. This decision, reported by DL News, presents a fascinating case study in crisis management within the crypto industry. On one hand, it could be seen as an attempt to: Re-engage the Community: A second airdrop could be an opportunity to rectify past mistakes, implement clearer rules, and potentially win back disgruntled users by offering them another chance. Demonstrate Resilience: It might signal that the project is committed to its long-term vision despite initial setbacks, showing a willingness to learn and adapt. On the other hand, some might view it with skepticism, questioning the projectâs understanding of its communityâs current sentiment. For a second airdrop to succeed, Sonic will need to meticulously address the issues that plagued the first, particularly focusing on transparency, fairness, and robust communication regarding eligibility and distribution. The success of this next phase will heavily depend on their ability to rebuild trust and prove that they have learned from the costly lessons of the first Sonic airdrop . Lessons Learned: Navigating Airdrops in the Crypto Landscape The Sonic airdrop saga offers several critical takeaways for both projects and participants in the crypto ecosystem: Transparency is Non-Negotiable: Projects must clearly define and communicate airdrop eligibility criteria, weighting mechanisms, and distribution schedules well in advance. Ambiguity breeds distrust. Community Engagement is Key: Listen to your community. User feedback, even negative, provides invaluable insights. Ignoring or downplaying concerns can lead to significant financial and reputational damage. Fairness Over Arbitrariness: Users expect airdrops to reward genuine participation and contribution. Arbitrary or perceived unfair allocations can quickly turn a supportive community into an antagonistic one. Managing Expectations: Be realistic about what an airdrop can achieve. While it can generate hype, it must be executed flawlessly to build lasting positive sentiment. Over-promising and under-delivering is a recipe for disaster. Crisis Management: When things go wrong, swift, transparent, and empathetic communication is crucial. Acknowledging mistakes and outlining corrective actions can help mitigate damage. For users, this incident serves as a reminder to conduct thorough due diligence on projects, understand airdrop mechanics, and manage expectations regarding potential rewards. Not every highly anticipated event will unfold as planned. In conclusion, the Sonic airdrop controversy is a powerful illustration of the delicate balance projects must maintain between technical execution, community management, and financial strategy. While the allure of airdrops remains strong, their successful implementation hinges on transparency, fairness, and a deep understanding of user expectations. Sonicâs journey forward, especially with the announced second airdrop season, will be a critical test of its ability to learn from its mistakes and rebuild its communityâs trust. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What caused the major backlash against the Sonic airdrop? The primary causes were unclear eligibility criteria for the airdrop and the fact that many active community members received zero token allocations despite their participation. Q2: How much money was withdrawn from Sonic after the airdrop controversy? Approximately $85 million in deposits were withdrawn from Sonic, reducing its total deposits to around $495 million. Q3: What was the token vesting schedule for the Sonic airdrop? Only 25% of the allocated tokens were immediately claimable. The remaining 75% are set to vest over 270 days, with access facilitated through NFTs. Q4: Is Sonic planning another airdrop despite the backlash? Yes, despite the criticism and withdrawals, Sonic has announced plans for a second airdrop season, as reported by DL News. Q5: What lessons can other crypto projects learn from the Sonic airdrop incident? Key lessons include the importance of clear communication, transparent eligibility rules, fair distribution, effective community engagement, and robust crisis management during airdrop events. Did you find this article insightful? Share it with your friends and fellow crypto enthusiasts on social media to spread awareness about the challenges and lessons learned from the Sonic airdrop! To learn more about the latest explore our article on key developments shaping the crypto marketâs institutional adoption. This post Shocking Sonic Airdrop Fiasco: $85M Withdrawn Amidst User Fury first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
Crypto finance firm Matrixport stated in its latest report dated July 25 that Bitcoin may have entered a seasonal correction phase typical of the summer months. Matrixport: Bitcoin Entering a Seasonal Correction, Is This a Buying Opportunity? According to the report, while Bitcoin's upside potential emerged after breaking above the key $109,410 level on July 4, technical signals in recent days suggest an increased risk of short-term declines. In its latest analysis, Matrixport pointed out that the corporate buying season has ended and the market is slowly turning towards profit realization. The âGeniusâ Bill and the Impact of US Policies Matrixport also evaluated the US government's âGENIUSâ bill, which could open a new page in digital asset regulations. This bill was described as a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at promoting a digital dollar, supporting Treasury bonds, and paving the way for a blockchain-based financial system. This development was interpreted as a signal that the US is preparing to adopt a more constructive stance in the crypto space. The report noted that investors are becoming more cautious as the second half of the summer approaches, and position reductions may accelerate. The report predicts that some large investors, in particular, may resort to profit-taking, which could put pressure on the market and lead to a gradual decline in Bitcoin's price throughout the summer. According to Matrixport, Bitcoin's struggle to break above $122,000 constitutes technical resistance. The institution noted that both technical indicators and institutional inflows are weakening, leaving a strong element lacking to support upward momentum in the short term. Conclusion: According to Matrixport's assessment, the market is currently in a correction phase. However, this could also be seen as a buying opportunity for long-term investors. If institutional inflows pick up again, Bitcoin could gain new upward momentum. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Crypto Finance Firm Matrixport Says Bitcoin May Be Entering a Summer Seasonal Correction Phase! Here Are the Details
The GENIUS Act was passed just a week ago, and already, $4 billion has poured into stablecoins. This surge shows just how quickly stablecoins are gaining traction, confirming their role as a major player in the digital asset space. Not only is this stablecoin bill a green light for the industry, but it also signals a new era for cryptocurrencies and wallets. With clearer regulations and increased institutional interest, weâre entering a phase where crypto could become a mainstream financial tool. And Best Wallet is stepping up at the perfect time. This non-custodial crypto wallet offers a secure and seamless way to manage fiat-backed cryptos, alongside other digital assets, as institutional adoption takes off. GENIUS Act Pushes Stablecoin Market Cap to $270B+ Since the GENIUS Act has been in effect, the total stablecoin market has surpassed $270B , partly driven by over $4B in new inflows. Fiat-backed stablecoins, such as $USDT and $USDC, are thriving, accounting for 85% of the entire stablecoin market. Under the GENIUS Act, issuers of these cryptos must maintain full reserves, undergo regular audits, and hold a legitimate licenseâmeasures designed to enhance trust and boost credibility in the crypto sector. Itâs a major advancement since algorithmic stablecoins (which are now banned) came into play, as theyâve proven vulnerable in the past. Just look at the Terra collapse , for instance. Yes, crypto-backed stablecoins like $DAI are still relevant, as evidenced by its $5.36B market cap . But fiat-backed ones are taking over the spotlight. Major institutions are taking notice, and Anchorage Digital is leading the charge. As the only federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, Anchorage is teaming up with Ethena Labs to launch its stablecoin issuance platform, set to introduce the highly anticipated $USDtb stablecoin. Yesterday, asset management titan WisdomTree also introduced $USDW , a regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin designed to enable dividend-paying tokenized assets. TradFi companies arenât sitting on the sidelines, either. Several major banks, including Bank of America and Citibank, are preparing to launch their own stablecoins once the regulatory dust settles. This rapid shift in market sentiment provides Best Wallet with the ideal environment to thrive. As digital assets, mainstream and stablecoins have become a core part of finance, and youâll need a secure and simple wallet to hold. Best Wallet Secures Stablecoin Investments Best Wallet makes it easy to buy, store, send, and swap fiat-backed stablecoins like $USDT, plus other major cryptos â like $ETH and $BTC â without giving up custody or control. Itâs multi-chain, multi-wallet, and fully private. It doesnât require KYC or middlemen. Hence, itâs our #1 anonymous crypto wallet . And it has lots of attractive features in the pipeline to help you up your trading stance. This includes exclusive wallet market insights so you can buy, sell, and manage crypto more effectively. One of its most standout upcoming developments, however, is Best Card. Once launched, the crypto debit card will enable you to spend your crypto on the move,hassle-free. Not forgetting that Best Walletâs also preparing to support over 60 blockchain networks, debut its own NFT gallery, rewards hub, and in-app crypto news feed. And all of these developments couldnât come at a better time â just as regulation clears and crypto goes mainstream. To get the most out of the Best Wallet ecosystem, however, youâll want to purchase $BEST , its native token. Then, you can also enjoy governance rights, lower transaction fees, higher staking rewards (currently at a 96% APY), and easier access to the best crypto presales . The demand for the token is already evident. $BEST has raised over $14M in presales, backed heavily by crypto whales, with three in particular injecting $49.5K , $25K , and $18.7K into the project. $BEST to Triple in Price as Stablecoins Go Mainstream The writing is on the wall: regulation is here, institutions are on board, and stablecoins are quickly becoming a key asset in modern finance. As this new chapter in regulated digital finance unfolds, the tools you use to interact with crypto are more essential than ever. Best Wallet is positioning itself as a major player in the space, thanks to its unwavering focus on privacy, flexibility, and powerful trading features. Still, to get the most out of this non-custodial wallet, youâll want to purchase $BEST , and you can do just that for as little as $0.025385. Though itâs best to act fast for 183% less, as the upcoming app developments could propel it to $0.072 . This isnât investment advice. DYOR and donât invest more than youâd be sad to lose.
The Ethereum price has risen by 3% in the past 24 hours, with its move to $3,716 coming as Bitcoin drops by 1.5% today. ETH is now up by 23% in a fortnight and by 53% in the last 30 days, while it also boasts a 17% increase in the past year. This latter percentage is fairly modest in comparison with other major tokens, but ETF inflows suggests that demand is steadily rising for the altcoin. It could therefore have a very strong end to the year, with the long-term Ethereum price prediction pointing towards a number as high as $50,000. Ethereum Price Prediction: Companies and ETFs Are Loading Up Fast â $50,000 Target for 2025? The recent data on Ethereum ETF inflows is quite impressive, with July witnessing a big uptick in volumes , which rose as high as $726 million on July 16. In fact, over the past five days, ETH ETF inflows have been higher than inflows for Bitcoin ETFs, suggesting that institutions are currently focusing on the altcoin. I'm about to use the F word hide yo kids ETH ETF inflows have flippened BTC inflows every day for the past 5 days Remarkable given ETH is one fourth the size pic.twitter.com/pRZ3Laeria â RYAN SÎAN ADAMS â rsa.eth (@RyanSAdams) July 24, 2025 Itâs likely that companies and institutions have been turning to Ethereum because, in relation to Bitcoin, it had remained undervalued for quite a while. It remains 24% below its ATH of $4,878, which it set back in November 2021, while it had remained below $3,000 for the entire period between February 3 and July 14. As such, thereâs still a case that it could rise considerably further before becoming overbought, with its chart today showing that it continues to maintain strong momentum. Despite look like it was going to dip, ETHâs relative strength index (yellow) has actually begun rising towards 80 in the past few hours, signalling renewed buying. Source: TradingView The same thing applies to the coinâs MACD (orange, blue), which is still at its highest position since 2021. Now is therefore a very good time to buy ETH, since even if it dips a little over the weekend, its medium-term trajectory remains upwards. As weâve written before, Ethereumâs TVL accounts for 59.5% of the entire crypto sector , and thatâs not including Ethereum-based layer-two networks. Given Ethereumâs network effects and its ongoing development, this dominance is likely to remain, which would point towards a much higher price longer term. The Ethereum price could therefore reach $4,000 by the end of August, before ending the year at around $5,000. And if it continues to attract more investment and adoption, $50,000 could be a realistic target over the next few years. Layer-Two Network Bitcoin Hyper Raises $4.8 Million Ahead of Launch: Next Big Platform? Now is an exciting time for the crypto market, and part of the reason for this is that new projects and platforms continue to emerge, helping the sector to grow. While many new projects are just meme tokens, some are platforms with serious utility and potential, with one of the most interesting of these being Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) . Bitcoin Hyper has now raised over $4.8 million in its ongoing presale, with investors bullish about its plans to launch an L2 network for Bitcoin. As a platform, Bitcoin Hyper will be Solana Virtual Machine-compatible, making it capable of high speeds and throughput. This means it will reduce the bottlenecks that can sometimes impact Bitcoinâs usability and reach, with Bitcoin Hyper aiming to develop an ecosystem that can effectively harness Bitcoinâs enormous value. The L2 will enable instant bridging between itself and Bitcoin, while it use zero-knowledge proofs to ensure privacy and efficiency. This makes it a very promising platform, with investors able to join HYPERâs presale by going to the official Bitcoin Hyper website . HYPER is currently available at $0.0124, although this price will rise intermittently until the sale ends. The post Ethereum Price Prediction: Companies and ETFs Are Loading Up Fast â $50,000 Target for 2025? appeared first on Cryptonews .
The crypto market registered a sharp decline over the past 24 hours as Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies traded in bearish territory. BTC, which traded above the $119,000 mark, lost momentum and plunged to an intraday low of $114,798 before recovering and moving to its current level. The flagship cryptocurrency is down nearly 2%, trading around $116,500. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) has had an eventful 24 hours. The worldâs second-largest cryptocurrency reached an intraday high of $3,768 on Thursday before dropping to a low of $3,586. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $3,700 and move to its current level of $3,731. Ripple (XRP) is also trading in positive territory, with the price up nearly 1%, trading around $3.13. Solana (SOL) is down over 2%, trading around $181, while Dogecoin (DOGE) is down over 2% at $0.232. Cardano (ADA) is trading in positive territory, up over 1%, while Stellar (XLM) is up almost 1%, trading around $0.424. Chainlink (LINK) , Hedera (HBAR) , Litecoin (LTC) , Toncoin (TON) , and Polkadot (DOT) also registered notable increases. Christie Debuts Crypto-Only Real Estate Team UK auction house Christie's has created a team dedicated to facilitating the use of crypto to complete real estate transactions. The move is the firmâs latest expansion of its digital asset offerings. The division, called Christieâs International Real Estate, offers customers a team of lawyers, analysts, and crypto experts to facilitate property transactions involving crypto. Christieâs International Real Estate CEO Aaron Kirman revealed that he opened the service after Christie's began making large real estate deals involving crypto, with one deal worth $65 million. The division is Christieâs latest crypto offering, with the firm having dabbled in crypto earlier as well, offering auctions for NFTs and crypto. The auction house reported $5.7 billion in sales last year, a 6% fall compared to 2023. Christie's reportedly has over $1 billion in real estate on offer, where sellers are open to accepting crypto as payment. Chris Hanley, owner of a home up for sale in Joshua Tree, stated, âAccepting cryptocurrency signals an openness to innovative buyers, some of whom are crypto millionaires and billionaires looking for real-world assets to diversify.â Crypto Liquidations Nearing $1 Billion The crypto derivatives market saw significant liquidation events, with Ripple (XRP) and Dogecoin (DOGE) registering substantial losses. According to CoinGlass, the crypto derivatives sector was hit by a wave of liquidations over the past 24 hours, with over $950 million in derivatives contracts liquidated. An overwhelming majority of positions were long positions, with bullish positions staring at $829 million worth of liquidations. However, Bitcoin (BTC) has not been impacted by the ongoing liquidations, suggesting that the drop could be a result of investors rotating capital out of altcoins. XRP fell 12% in 24 hours, dropping in tandem with the broader crypto market, which recorded a 3% decline. Analysts blamed cascading liquidations and a drop in liquidity as the reason behind XRPâs sudden decline, as over-leveraged long positions were liquidated across the market. ETH Core Developer Testifies In Roman Storm Case The Roman Storm trial continued as prosecutors rested their case, allowing the defense counsel to call an Ethereum developer as its first witness. According to media reports, Ethereum core developer Preston Van Loon testified in the case, reportedly describing Tornado Cash as a privacy tool for Ethereum. He added that he had used the mixing service four times to send ETH. Loon cited safety concerns, stating, âIf [hackers] know the scope of my assets, I can become a target.â Loonâs cross-examination was limited to questions about whether he knew Storme personally or if he had used a normal crypto platform like Coinbase. Hong Kong To Criminalise Unlicensed Stablecoin Promotions Hong Kong will begin enforcing its Stablecoin Ordinance from August 1, making it illegal to offer or promote unlicensed stablecoins to retail investors. The law introduces criminal penalties of up to 50,000 Hong Kong Dollars ($6,300) and six months in prison. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a public warning on Wednesday, urging investors to avoid unlicensed stablecoin offerings. According to HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue, the regulation aims to bring credibility and stability to the nascent stablecoin ecosystem. ZachXBT Calls Out YAP Campaigns On-chain investigator ZachXBT has hit out at Web3 projects using YAP (Your Audience Promotion) campaigns to incentivize low-level spam posts. The investigator, who has built a large following by exposing hacks and frauds, urged his followers to normalize calling out fake metrics. ZachXBT first discussed YAP campaigns in the crypto space on July 24. YAP initiatives reward users for sharing content related to a project, often resulting in low-quality, AI-generated spam on social media platforms. âAn observation I have noticed is that the easiest way for a project to dilute their brand image is by running a YAPs campaign. They currently incentivize low-value farmers who spam AI-generated posts versus attracting sticky capital and organic users.â Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis Bitcoin (BTC) registered a substantial decline during the ongoing session, extending its losses for a third day. The flagship cryptocurrency has traded in the red since Wednesday, when it fell to an intraday low of $117,303. BTC recovered from this level to reclaim $118,000 and settle at $118,794. Sellers retained control on Thursday as the price registered a marginal decline. BTC fell to a low of $$114,770 during the ongoing session before recovering and moving to its current level of $116,162. BTCâs dip below $115,000 earlier in the session was prompted by the distribution of thousands of BTC to crypto exchanges by Galaxy Digital. The drop triggered a wave of liquidations, becoming the latest chapter in the saga of the 80,000 BTC, which were last moved 14 years ago. Lookonchain noted, âBitcoin sell-off still underway! #GalaxyDigital deposited another 2,850 $BTC($330.44M) to exchanges 11 minutes ago.â With the markets in flux, RSI fell to 6/100 on 15-minute timeframes during the initial phases of the sell-off. Another trader added, âI have never seen $btc this oversold. Never. This is beyond oversold.â Despite the selloff, analysts stated that markets had not entered a state of panic. âI see the current state of the market as cautionary more than panic. Panic often has volume & considerable volatility, which we don't have currently. Time to watch for sure though.â However, some indicators suggest BTC may be showing signs of weakness, suggesting the possibility of new weekly lows in July. While the long-term outlook remains stable, BTC traders could face short-term volatility. The flagship cryptocurrency is currently showing a hidden bearish divergence between its price and the RSI. A hidden divergence occurs when the asset price makes higher highs, but the RSI forms equal or lower highs. The divergence generally indicates weakening momentum, often leading to a downside correction. BTC started the previous week on a bullish note, surging past $120,000 and reaching a new all-time high of $123,091. However, it lost momentum on Tuesday as traders locked in their profits. As a result, the price plunged to an intraday low of $115,701 before recovering to reclaim $117,000, settling at $117,682, ultimately registering a 1.70% decline. BTC rose on Wednesday, rising 0.82% to reclaim $118,000 and settle at $118,641. The price faced volatility on Thursday as buyers and sellers struggled to establish control. Buyers ultimately gained the upper hand as BTC rose 0.39% to cross $119,000 and settle at $119,101. Selling pressure returned on Friday as the price fell 1,03%, dropping to a low of $116,805 before settling at $117,877. Source: TradingView Buyers retained control over the weekend as BTC registered a marginal decline on Saturday and fell 0.48% on Sunday, settling at $117,240. The price recovered on Monday and reached an intraday high of $119,603. However, it lost momentum after reaching this level and settled at $117,397, ultimately registering a marginal increase. Bullish sentiment intensified on Tuesday as BTC rallied, rising over 2% and settling at $119,980. Selling pressure returned on Wednesday as the price fell 0.99% to an intraday low of $117,303 before settling at $118,794. Sellers retained control on Thursday as BTC fell 0.35% and settled at $118,381. Selling pressure has intensified during the ongoing session, with the price down almost 2%, trading around $116,159. Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis Ethereumâs (ETH) rally stalled this week after it failed to register substantial gains following Mondayâs high of $3,859. The price lost momentum over the next two days, dropping 0.44% on Tuesday and over 3% on Wednesday. ETH recovered on Thursday but failed to reclaim $3,800 and settled at $3,707, rising over 2%. The current session sees the price marginally up at $3,712. However, while ETH has been unable to push beyond $3,800, it has held its position above $3,500, indicating that buyers have not ceded ground to the sellers. While price action has remained subdued this week, institutional interest in ETH continues to grow. Surging interest in the asset pushed BlackRockâs iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) to reach $10 billion in assets under management, making it the fastest non-BTC ETF to reach this milestone and the third-fastest in US ETF history, behind iShares IBTC and Fidelityâs FBTC. ETHA launched in 2024 after securing approval from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Data from SoSoValue showed that Ethereum ETFs' strong monthly inflows outpaced Bitcoin ETFs. Ethereum ETFs registered strong monthly inflows totaling $4.7 billion, with ETHA leading in volume and growth. Ethereum ETFs recorded $602 million in net inflows on July 17, outpacing Bitcoin ETFs, which registered net inflows of $523 million. ETH started the previous week positively, rising 1.50% to cross $3,000 and settle at $3,015. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the price rose over 4% to $3,140. Bullish sentiment intensified on Wednesday as ETH rallied, rising over 7% to $3,374. The price continued pushing higher on Thursday, rising 3.10% and settling at $3,479. The price reached an intraday high of $3,677 on Friday. However, it could not stay at this level and settled at $3,548, ultimately registering a 3.10% increase. Source: TradingView Buyers retained control over the weekend as ETH rose 1.31% on Saturday and 4.51% on Sunday, crossing $3,700 and settling at $3,757. ETH began losing momentum on Monday but ended the day in positive territory, registering a marginal increase. Sellers took control on Tuesday as the price fell to an intraday low of $3,619 before recovering to settle at $3,747, ultimately registering a marginal decline. Selling pressure intensified on Wednesday as ETH fell over 3% and settled at $3,629. The price plunged to an intraday low of $3,512 on Thursday. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $3,700 and settle at $3,707. The current session sees ETH marginally down, trading around $3,693, having recovered from a low of $3,577. Solana (SOL) Price Analysis Solana (SOL) declined since Wednesday, losing the $200 mark and slipping to $190. The altcoin extended its losses, briefly falling below $180 during the ongoing session before recovering and moving to its current level. SOL is testing the $175 support, with analysts speculating whether it will hold or collapse. One analyst believes SOL is trending downwards as sustained bearish pressure drives the price lower. SOL raced to an intraday high of $168 on Monday (July 14) before losing momentum and settling at $162. It fell to a low of $157 on Tuesday as selling pressure intensified. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $160 and settle at $164, ultimately rising 1.08%. Bullish sentiment intensified on Wednesday as SOL rallied, rising nearly 7% to cross $170 and settling at $173. Selling pressure returned on Thursday as the price fell to a low of $168. It recovered from this level to settle at $176. Buyers retained control on Friday as SOL registered a marginal increase and settled at $177, but not before reaching an intraday high of $184. Source: TradingView Price action was mixed over the weekend as SOL registered a marginal decline on Saturday before rising 2.48% on Sunday to settle at $181. SOL started the current week on a bullish note, rising nearly 8% to cross $190 and settle at $195. The price surged past $200 on Tuesday, rising over 5% to $205. However, it lost momentum after reaching this level, plunging almost 8% on Wednesday and settling at $189. Sellers retained control on Tuesday as the price fell 3.47% to $182. The current session sees SOL down over 2%, trading around $178. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
The Bank of Russia dropped its benchmark interest rate by 2 percentage points on Friday, cutting it to 18% in a direct response to a slowing economy. This was the central bankâs second consecutive cut , following its June decision to reduce the rate from 21% to 20%, ending a rate freeze that had lasted since 2022. The new cut lines up with what analysts had been expecting and comes as wartime government spending and oil revenue begin to lose steam. From 2023 through 2024, the Russian economy managed to stay afloat despite sanctions and war-related uncertainty, largely because of high defense spending and stable crude exports. But that growth has now started to cool, and inflation, while still high, has finally started to ease. The central bank had taken interest rates to a record 21% last October to curb soaring prices, but that peak didnât last long. âIf you look at the more recent dynamics, the inflation pressure has really subsided,â said Vasily Astrov, economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies. He added, âThere are many arguments for cutting the policy rate further, and there are very few, really, for preserving the current level.â Borrowers push back as lending strains increase Inside Russia, companies and government bodies had been pressing the bank to act, warning that interest rates were too high for businesses to borrow and invest. Several banks have also reported a rise in non-performing loans , pointing to increased stress in the credit system. This growing pile of unpaid debt has added another layer of urgency to the central bankâs actions. Astrov warned that how quickly or slowly the bank cuts going forward will directly affect how bad the loan situation gets. âAt the moment I think the situation is not critical overall but if the central bank is too slow in easing or delays easing too much, the situation may become problematic,â he said. Even with inflation cooling, the central bank doesnât plan to rush into aggressive easing. Governor Elvira Nabiullina had already said back in June that any rate cuts in 2025 would happen gradually, aiming to push inflation down to a 4% target by 2026. So far, that target isnât entirely out of reach. Annual inflation had dropped to 9.4% by June, after running in double digits for much of the year. But that path could shift quickly if budget spending grows again. Central bank keeps one eye on Kremlinâs spending plans Alexandra Prokopenko, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, said the central bank could deliver âtwo or moreâ rate cuts during the autumn period, saying, âThey signaled this very clearly.â But she also noted itâs too early to say inflation is completely under control, especially if the Kremlin decides to pump more money into the economy. Prokopenko warned that the state still has access to large amounts of domestic borrowing, and if Vladimir Putin wants to keep the war going, public spending could climb again, pushing inflation right back up. âThere is a huge capacity for domestic borrowings. And if Putin has [the will] to continue the war, which he definitely has, the pace of state spending could turn pro-inflationary,â she said. âSo I think the central bank would be cautious.â While the new 18% rate brings some breathing room, it also raises fresh questions about whether Russiaâs central bank can walk the line between easing financial pressure and containing inflation, all while the Kremlinâs war machine remains active. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach cryptoâs sharpest investors and builders.