Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire “over” at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, and markets reacted almost immediately. Oil jumped 5% to over $74 a barrel, the familiar, expected risk-asset selloff ensued, and Bitcoin wasn’t spared, slipping roughly 2%. Geopolitics and crypto are more connected than ever, and this week was another reminder that macro events don’t need to mention cryptocurrencies by name to affect the market.
Nearly 40% of altcoins are now trading near their all-time lows, with liquidity thinning out everywhere except the top assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a handful of other large-cap cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor was back on X last weekend, making the case for Bitcoin’s long-term dominance, despite Strategy quietly selling 3,588 BTC for $216 million to fund dividend obligations. Make of that what you will.
Regulatory news was mostly positive this week;
- Ripple received full CASP authorization from Luxembourg’s financial regulator on July 6, clearing it to offer regulated crypto payments across all 30 EEA countries.
- Coinbase secured a UK investment services license from the FCA, unlocking equities trading for retail users and derivatives for institutional clients.
- The EU Parliament adopted a position paper calling on the Commission to assess whether DeFi, staking, and NFTs should be brought into the regulatory fold.
BlackRock announced its iShares Nasdaq-100 ETF to capitalize on increasing demand for AI-driven stocks, while South Korean telecom giant KT committed 18 trillion won (roughly $13 billion) to AI infrastructure, with blockchain and stablecoin services built into its long-term plans.
It’s been a week. Let’s unpack.
Lead Story of the Week:
Bitcoin Slips Over 2% as Trump Declares US-Iran Ceasefire Over (Read More)
President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US-Iran ceasefire is over sent Bitcoin lower on July 8, as renewed military tensions in the Middle East pushed investors away from risk assets. (Read The Full Story)
Market Highlights
- Analyst Says Nearly 40% of Altcoins Are Trading Near All-Time Lows
Nearly 40% of altcoins are now trading within 25% of their all-time lows, showing growing pressure across the crypto market as liquidity remains concentrated in a small number of assets. (Read More)
- Michael Saylor Predicts Bitcoin’s Growth As Strategy Sells Bitcoin
Strategy’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, recently stated on X that Bitcoin will evolve over the next decade by changing less at the protocol layer and mattering more everywhere else. (Read More)
- Ethereum User Loses Nearly $1 Million in USDT After Signing Phishing Approval
An Ethereum wallet holder lost nearly $1 million worth of USDT after signing a malicious token approval that allowed attackers to drain the wallet within seconds. (Read More)
- Ripple Clears Final MiCA Hurdle in Luxembourg, Opens 30 Country EU Payments Door
Ripple has secured final authorization of its CASP license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), completing its MiCA requirements and enabling fully regulated crypto-asset services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) states. (Read More)
- Coinbase Gets UK Approval to Add Stocks and Derivatives Alongside Crypto
Coinbase has received approval in the United Kingdom to offer investment services beyond cryptocurrency, allowing the exchange to add products such as equities and derivatives to its platform. (Read More)
Latest News For You
EU Parliament Wants to Expand Crypto Rules To DeFi, Staking, and NFTs (Read More)
The European Parliament has adopted a policy paper calling for the European Union to consider expanding its crypto regulatory framework beyond the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. (Read Full Story)
AI News Highlights
- BlackRock Launches Nasdaq-100 ETF as AI Stocks Keep Drawing Investors (Read More)
BlackRock is launching a new ETF tied to the Nasdaq-100, giving investors a way to invest in many of the biggest technology companies benefiting from the artificial intelligence boom.
- KT Commits $13 Billion to AI, Adds Token Platform and Stablecoin Plans (Read More)
South Korean telecom company KT commits to a $13 billion investment plan centred on AI, with blockchain token and stablecoin services included in its long-term business plans.
Market Movers
Top Gainers 📈
- TCC (TCC) +647.58%
The TCC (TCC) surged this week following viral social media hype fueled by speculation surrounding Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and renewed attention after the project’s donation to GiggleAcademy.
Top Losers 📉
- TAC (TAC) −84.31%
TAC (TAC) plunged this week after a sharp flash crash triggered by a coordinated sell-off, thin trading liquidity, and lingering concerns over the project’s security.
Source: CoinGecko
Project Spotlight
SWIFT Rolls Out Blockchain Ledger Pilot for 24/7 Cross-Border Payments
SWIFT has unveiled its blockchain-based ledger for initial live use, marking a major step toward integrating tokenized deposits into global cross-border payments.
Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence
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