XRP surged past the $3 mark for the first time in over a week, driven by mounting optimism that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may soon dismiss its appeal against Ripple Labs.
The token climbed over 4.5% in 24 hours to hit $3.04 on Thursday, according to data from Cointelegraph.
The rebound came amid growing speculation that a resolution to the years-long legal battle between the SEC and Ripple is approaching.
Bill Morgan Predicts Appeal Dismissal
Investor sentiment was further bolstered by legal commentary from Bill Morgan, an attorney closely following the case.
Posting on X, Morgan suggested that the SEC is likely to drop its appeal before the August 15 deadline set by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
“Dismissal of the appeals may happen, and is more likely to happen than not, before the 15 August deadline to report to the appeal court on the status of the appeals,” he said.
Morgan pointed out that Ripple had already agreed to dismiss its own appeal and that both sides had previously signed a conditional settlement agreement.
Although the terms of that agreement were not satisfied at the time, the groundwork remains for a conclusion if court conditions are met.
While the parties could request an extension from the court, Morgan believes this is unlikely.
Legal Milestone Could End Years-Long Battle
The upcoming joint report from Ripple and the SEC to the Second Circuit could mark a critical turning point.
If the appeal is dismissed and the court grants approval, the case may be finalized and returned to the district court for formal settlement authorization.
That would effectively bring an end to one of the longest-running legal battles in crypto history.
SEC vs Ripple: A Pivotal Case in Crypto Regulation
The SEC originally filed its lawsuit against Ripple in December 2020, accusing the company of raising $1.3 billion through unregistered securities sales via XRP.
The case has since become a central issue in debates over crypto regulation.
In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP does not constitute a security when sold to retail investors, though it is a security in institutional sales.
That ruling marked a partial win for Ripple but also resulted in a $125 million fine levied in August 2024.
Settlement Efforts Underway
Efforts to resolve the dispute have continued.
On June 12, Ripple and the SEC filed a joint motion to release the $125 million held in escrow for settlement purposes.
The proposed split would allocate $50 million to the SEC and return $75 million to Ripple, pending court approval.
If accepted, the payment would likely close the case—ending nearly five years of legal friction that has weighed heavily on XRP’s price and investor confidence.
Broader Market Implications
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences beyond Ripple.
Many in the crypto industry view it as a precedent-setting event that could clarify how digital assets are regulated in the United States.
A favorable resolution for Ripple may also encourage other crypto firms to challenge the SEC’s regulatory stance.
Bitcoin’s price may be on the verge of a major breakout as dwindling reserves on both exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) desks create an imbalance between supply and demand.
Swing trader Bedlam Capital Pres has forecast a “supply shock” that could “uncork” Bitcoin’s next major rally.
OTC Balances Near Critical Lows
Bedlam Capital Pres, a strong advocate for Bitcoin treasury company Strategy (MSTR), pointed to rapid declines in OTC desk BTC holdings as a key driver of potential price gains.
“$MSTR buys most of its BTC from OTC trade desks. MSTR bought 182,391 BTC YTD,” the trader said, referencing a Cointelegraph report.
“OTC trade desks’ collective balances are down to around 155,000 BTC. As the OTC desks run low, the demand on the public exchanges will increase, and that is what will uncork BTC’s price.”
The analysis comes as corporate Bitcoin holdings continue to climb.
On Monday alone, treasuries added 630 BTC despite Bitcoin trading near three-week lows.
Strategy, the largest public company holder of Bitcoin, has been acquiring the asset almost every week this year regardless of market price.
Exchange Reserves Bottoming Out
Glassnode data shows combined exchange balances stood at 2.919 million BTC as of Tuesday, marking a significant reduction in available supply.
This trend has coincided with long-term holders taking profits during recent price dips.
“In sum, the market has shifted from euphoria to reassessment, with oversold conditions and seller exhaustion hinting at potential for a bounce,” Glassnode noted in its Market Pulse newsletter.
“However, fragility is growing, and the structure remains vulnerable to external negative catalysts or delayed demand revival.”
Profit-Taking Still Evident
Market participants remain wary of further corrections.
Glassnode calculated over $1 billion in realized profits over a 24-hour period this week.
“$362M (≈35.8%) came from ancient coins held for 7–10 years – a rare event that may reflect internal transfers or true exits,” the firm explained.
“Another $93M came from 1–2 year holders, also marking notable profit realization.”
With OTC liquidity thinning and exchange reserves nearing multi-year lows, analysts argue that even modest demand growth could drive substantial price appreciation in the coming months.
After 15 weeks of continuous inflows, cryptocurrency investment funds saw a reversal in sentiment, posting $223 million in outflows last week.
CoinShares’ latest report attributes the drop to investor reactions following a hawkish tone from the U.S. Federal Reserve during its recent FOMC meeting.
Although the week began with $883 million in inflows, the trend reversed sharply by mid-week.
“Given we have seen US$12.2bn net inflows over the last 30 days, representing 50% of inflows for the year so far, it is perhaps understandable to see what we believe to be minor profit taking,” CoinShares stated.
Bitcoin Funds Lead the Downtrend
Bitcoin investment products bore the brunt of the shift, registering $404 million in outflows — the largest among all cryptocurrencies tracked.
Bitcoin’s historical performance in August likely played a role in the pullback, with CoinGlass data showing a median return of -7.49% for the month.
The Federal Reserve’s hawkish messaging also reduced the odds of a rate cut in September from 63% to 40%, according to Cointelegraph.
This cooled broader risk appetite, contributing to the downturn in crypto sentiment.
Analysts Look to Post-Summer Catalysts
Despite the dip, some analysts remain optimistic about a potential turnaround in the coming months.
Matrixport, in a research note published Friday, suggested that Bitcoin could rally when the U.S. Congress reconvenes after Labor Day.
“Fiscal uncertainty has historically been a powerful tailwind for hard assets, and Bitcoin remains front and center in the narrative,” the note read.
Ether Funds Continue to Attract Capital
While Bitcoin faltered, Ether funds remained resilient.
ETH-based exchange-traded products (ETPs) recorded their 15th consecutive week of positive inflows, totaling $133 million.
CoinShares pointed to “robust positive sentiment for the asset” as a key reason behind Ether’s sustained popularity among institutional investors.
This diverging trend between Bitcoin and Ether underscores the shifting preferences within the crypto investment landscape.
Altcoins Show Mixed Results
Several altcoins also managed to stay in the green.
XRP-focused funds saw $31.2 million in inflows, while Solana and Sui brought in $8.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
These results indicate that while overall sentiment has cooled, select assets continue to attract niche investor interest.
Trump Tariffs Rattle Markets, but Crypto Holds Steady
Adding to market tensions, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last Thursday introducing reciprocal import tariffs of 15% to 41% on goods from 68 countries.
The decision triggered unease across global markets, though crypto markets remained largely stable.
Stella Zlatareva, dispatch editor at Nexo, said the digital asset space saw a “recalibration” rather than a breakdown.
“The digital asset market remains firmly above $3.7 trillion, anchored by structural flows, institutional conviction and the promise of clear US regulation,” she noted.
“Altcoin stability may gradually return,” Zlatareva added, suggesting that investors are still seeing long-term potential in the sector.
As fresh tariff fears unsettle global markets, Eric Trump has reiterated his backing for Bitcoin and Ethereum, urging investors to seize the current price dip as a buying opportunity.
The son of U.S. President Donald Trump made similar remarks earlier this year when economic uncertainty was already clouded by tariff pressures.
At that time, he called it a “great time” to buy the two leading cryptocurrencies.
Market Swings Continue
Ethereum later plummeted below $1,400, hitting its lowest level since November 2023.
But a sharp reversal followed, driven by a mix of improving investor sentiment and increasing signs of corporate adoption.
By earlier this week, Ethereum had surged back to around $3,900.
However, the recovery has since stalled.
As of press time, Ethereum had pulled back to roughly $3,500, marking a 3% decline over the past 24 hours.
Bitcoin also saw a slight dip, trading near $113,500, according to CoinGecko.
Trump Family’s Crypto Exposure
Eric Trump’s vocal support for digital assets isn’t new, nor is it symbolic.
In December, he disclosed holdings in multiple cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Sui.
His involvement extends to crypto mining as well.
American Bitcoin, a mining company linked to both Eric and Donald Trump Jr., currently holds 215 BTC.
In another notable move, World Liberty Financial—a decentralized finance (DeFi) venture backed by the Trump family—reportedly acquired 77,226 ETH at an average entry price of $3,294 per coin.
Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain revealed that some of these Ethereum holdings may have been sold at a loss during the April market dip.
Legislative Tailwinds Meet Volatility
Despite short-term volatility, the broader crypto market continues to find support in pro-crypto legislative developments and institutional moves.
Still, macroeconomic concerns, particularly around renewed tariff implementations, have tempered enthusiasm.
The U.S. administration’s latest trade posturing has triggered risk aversion across equities and digital assets alike.
Eric Trump, however, appears unfazed by the pullback.
By reiterating his confidence in Ethereum and Bitcoin, he’s aligning with the growing number of institutional voices that see crypto as a long-term hedge against policy-driven economic uncertainty.
Bitcoin ended July 2025 with its most impressive monthly close to date, registering $115,800 on Coinbase, according to Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView.
Despite some turbulence caused by macroeconomic developments, the monthly candle solidified Bitcoin’s momentum and marked the first time the cryptocurrency finished a month above the $115,000 threshold.
The last-minute pullback in Bitcoin’s price did little to undermine its bullish trajectory.
Markets were shaken after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a range of new tariffs, including increasing those on Canadian imports from 25% to 35%.
These moves impacted risk assets across the board, with the S&P 500 continuing its four-day losing streak to close at 6,339.
Market Sentiment Cools Slightly
The market’s risk-off reaction was also reflected in the Fear & Greed Index, which dipped by 10 points to settle at 65 — still within the “greed” zone.
Despite these headwinds, analysts remain upbeat about Bitcoin’s trajectory.
Crypto analyst Mags interpreted the recent dip to $115,000 as a bullish retest of the neckline in an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, suggesting that the uptrend remains intact.
“The measured target of this pattern on the weekly chart is $172,000,” Mags posted on X.
“It’s just a matter of time before Bitcoin price goes vertical.”
Traders Eye August for Further Gains
Michaël van de Poppe, a well-known crypto trader and entrepreneur, echoed similar optimism about the coming months.
“The markets have started correcting, which means that it’s time to accumulate your next positions for the next run,” van de Poppe stated on X.
“Perhaps August is a month of stabilization, and we’ll go back up later in the month for Altcoins and Bitcoin.”
Price Range Remains in Bullish Territory
Bitcoin continues to trade within a tight band of $115,000 to $121,000, with data suggesting that a larger breakout remains likely.
CoinGlass reported that BTC finished July with an 8.13% gain, aligning with historical post-halving trends.
However, the month of August traditionally hasn’t been as favorable, with average returns of only 1.61%.
Post-Halving Augusts Tell a Different Story
Despite August’s usual reputation, Bitcoin has historically performed strongly during post-halving years.
In 2013, 2017, and 2021, Bitcoin saw respective August gains of 30%, 65%, and 14%.
Analyst Alpha Finder pointed this out on X, saying, “In 2017 and 2021, $BTC did massive returns in the month of August.”
Another user, Crypto B, added, “If history repeats itself, get ready for a strong August.”
While past performance is no guarantee of future results, the historical context provides further support to bullish sentiment heading into the second half of Q3.
The Trump administration remains committed to building a strategic Bitcoin reserve, despite its absence in a recent digital asset policy report.
Robert “Bo” Hines, the executive director of the US President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, reaffirmed the initiative during an appearance on the Crypto in America show.
“We do believe in accumulation,” Hines stated when asked directly about the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
He emphasized that such a reserve “has been established,” and also referenced a broader national digital assets stockpile.
According to Hines, Bitcoin holds a unique position in the digital asset space.
“Bitcoin is in a class of its own and everyone recognizes that,” he said.
Infrastructure Taking Shape Behind the Scenes
While critics noted the lack of mention of a Bitcoin reserve in the recently released White House report, Hines assured the public that efforts are still underway.
He explained that establishing the necessary infrastructure requires careful planning and significant labor.
“There are countless ways that we can accumulate,” he said.
“I think that people will be very pleased with the direction that we are going, and we’ll start moving on that in short order.”
The administration, he added, also wants to “give credence” to innovation across other blockchain ecosystems, though no specific altcoins or projects were named.
White House Focused on Broader Regulatory Framework
On Wednesday, the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets unveiled its recommendations aimed at strengthening America’s leadership in digital financial technologies.
However, the document made no reference to a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
Instead, the report emphasized the need to develop a strong and transparent regulatory framework for the industry.
“We understand the importance of the strategic Bitcoin reserve,” Hines insisted in response.
“We’re enormous fans of Bitcoin and the Bitcoin community, we want to deliver for them as well, and I’m certain that we will.”
US Government Eyes More Bitcoin
Pressed on how much Bitcoin the federal government currently holds, Hines declined to disclose exact figures.
“I can’t discuss that right now,” he said.
“There are several reasons we’re not disclosing that right now, there might be a time when we do, but I will say we want as much as we can possibly get […] and we’re going to continue to work on that.”
According to blockchain analytics firm Nansen, the US government is estimated to hold around 198,000 BTC, valued at approximately $2.35 billion.
President Trump officially signed an executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the US Digital Asset Stockpile back in March.
Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has expanded its Bitcoin holdings significantly by acquiring 21,021 BTC following a massive capital raise.
The company, which already holds the largest Bitcoin treasury among publicly traded firms, revealed on Tuesday that it made the purchase at an average price of $117,256 per coin.
This latest move brings Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 628,791 BTC.
According to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET, this is the company’s largest acquisition since the end of March.
STRC IPO Becomes Biggest US Listing of 2025
Strategy financed the purchase through its fourth preferred stock offering — STRC — raising $2.5 billion.
The firm sold 28 million shares of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock at $90 per share, significantly upsizing the deal from its initial $500 million target.
The STRC issuance is now the largest US IPO of 2025 in terms of gross proceeds, surpassing the $1 billion offering from Circle Internet Group earlier this year.
Strategic Financing Model Draws Copycats
This latest acquisition is part of Strategy’s broader approach of using capital markets to increase its Bitcoin reserves.
Over the years, the company has deployed a mix of equity offerings, debt instruments, and convertible notes to fund its Bitcoin purchases.
This strategy has inspired at least 160 public companies to add cryptocurrencies to their balance sheets.
STRC to Begin Nasdaq Trading
Strategy confirmed that STRC would begin trading on the Nasdaq on Wednesday.
This marks the first perpetual preferred security issued by a Bitcoin treasury firm to be listed on a US exchange.
STRC will offer monthly board-adjusted dividends, making it attractive to income-oriented investors.
It joins a family of similar instruments from Strategy, including STRK, STRF, and STRD — each designed to meet different investment goals, with varying yields and dividend structures.
Shares Show Modest Reaction Ahead of Earnings
Shares of Strategy (MSTR) dipped 2.26% at Tuesday’s close but slightly recovered 0.52% in after-hours trading to reach $396.70.
So far in 2025, MSTR shares are up by 31.55%, a slower pace compared to the 358.55% surge seen in 2024.
This latest Bitcoin buy comes just ahead of the company’s second-quarter earnings report, due Thursday, which will detail how its fundraising and crypto investments have impacted its financials through June 30.
Bitcoin briefly surged past $119,000 on Sunday, continuing a strong rebound after touching two-week lows near $114,500.
The price action marked a notable shift in momentum, with bulls reclaiming key levels despite recent heavy selling pressure.
Volatility Returns Near Weekly Close
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView revealed BTC/USD regaining strength as it attempted a daily close above the 10-day simple moving average.
This movement came as investors digested easing tensions between the U.S. and China, following an agreement to delay the implementation of reciprocal tariffs.
The renewed optimism supported a push above $118,000, prompting traders to focus on critical resistance levels heading into the new week.
Crypto investor Ted Pillows emphasized the significance of the $119,500 threshold.
“$BTC needs to break above $119.5K for a big move. If that doesn’t happen, this consolidation will continue,” he posted on X.
“I think BTC could break above this level next month which will start the next leg up.”
Reclaiming Lost Ground
Analyst Rekt Capital pointed to Bitcoin’s recovery into its former trading range.
“Bitcoin has Daily Closed above the blue Range Low, kickstarting a break back into the very briefly lost Range,” he shared alongside a chart analysis.
“Any dips into the Range Low (confluent with the new Higher Low) would be a retest attempt to confirm the reclaim.”
Despite the upward move, caution still lingered in the market.
Trader CrypNuevo highlighted the potential for a further drop to fill the wick left on the daily chart.
“If we zoom out, we can see that the main liquidation level is at $113.8k,” he explained.
“Consequently, I consider the downside liquidation cluster to be the natural target in the mid-term ($114.5k–$113.6k).”
Short Squeeze Risk Increases
According to CoinGlass, short sellers may face increased liquidation risk if BTC climbs higher.
The current “max pain” level for shorts is around $119,650.
Should Bitcoin retest its all-time high near $123,000, total short liquidations could exceed $1.1 billion.
Analysts now anticipate greater volatility in the coming days as the market approaches key price inflection points.
Galaxy Digital has transferred more than 10,000 Bitcoin—worth an estimated $1.2 billion—to cryptocurrency exchanges within an eight-hour window, according to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain.
This significant movement of funds comes shortly after the company received over 80,000 Bitcoin from a long-dormant wallet linked to a Satoshi-era whale.
The original wallet had not been accessed for 14 years, adding intrigue and speculation within the crypto community.
The reactivation of these early-era Bitcoin wallets occurred earlier this month.
The event took place during a period of heightened market activity, coinciding with Bitcoin reaching new all-time highs of over $122,000.
Bitcoin Price Drops Amid Sudden Supply Activity
Following these large-scale transfers, the price of Bitcoin showed signs of weakening.
Data from CoinGecko revealed that Bitcoin dropped from highs above $119,000 to trade below $116,000 late Thursday.
As of the latest update, the world’s largest cryptocurrency is trading around $115,800.
This marks a 2% drop over the past 24 hours, highlighting the market’s sensitivity to sudden increases in potential sell pressure.
Galaxy Digital’s Strategy Under Scrutiny
The decision by Galaxy Digital to move such a large volume of Bitcoin to exchanges has sparked speculation about the firm’s intentions.
While on-chain transfers to exchanges are often interpreted as preparation for selling, Galaxy Digital has not issued a public statement explaining the motivation behind the move.
The firm, led by Michael Novogratz, is known for its significant crypto holdings and has remained a key player in institutional Bitcoin investing.
This recent transfer could suggest portfolio rebalancing or strategic profit-taking amid the latest price surge.
Historic Coins Reenter Circulation
The reactivated coins were originally mined or acquired in Bitcoin’s earliest years, widely considered the “Satoshi era.”
Funds from such addresses are rarely moved, making their reappearance a noteworthy event in the crypto space.
Given their age, these coins are often considered “clean” or highly valuable due to their origin before regulatory scrutiny and widespread usage.
Their movement tends to draw market attention and can create ripple effects across investor sentiment and market dynamics.
Market Remains Volatile Amid Uncertainty
The recent market action underscores the continued volatility in the crypto sector, particularly as historical Bitcoin resurfaces and large-scale institutional moves take place.
While Bitcoin’s current dip appears minor in percentage terms, it follows a sharp ascent to record highs, making any sign of increased selling pressure closely watched.
Traders and analysts will now monitor whether Galaxy Digital’s recent transfer is followed by further sell-offs or price stabilization in the days ahead.
BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum ETF (ETHA) has rapidly become one of the world’s fastest-growing exchange-traded funds, hitting the $10 billion mark in assets under management (AUM) in just 251 days.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas shared the news on Thursday, describing ETHA’s meteoric rise as the “equivalent of a God candle,” referring to the speed and magnitude of the inflow.
ETHA now sits among the top three fastest-growing ETFs ever, a distinction it shares exclusively with other spot cryptocurrency funds.
Crypto ETFs Dominate Speed Rankings
The achievement puts ETHA ahead of many traditional ETFs, including JPMorgan’s Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ), which needed 444 days to reach $10 billion.
Balchunas’ data shows that ETHA’s success underscores the growing appetite for crypto-backed financial products.
The Ethereum-based ETF now trails only BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) in the race to $10 billion in AUM.
These three are the only ETFs to reach that benchmark faster than any other in history.
Industry Leaders Applaud Rapid Growth
Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, pointed out the broader implications of this milestone.
“We’re talking about an ETF industry that’s been around for over 3 decades and has nearly 4,400 products,” Geraci commented on X.
He noted that the top three fastest-growing ETFs are now all crypto-focused, something previously unimaginable in traditional finance circles.
Bitcoin ETFs Still in the Lead
Despite ETHA’s impressive pace, it still lags behind BlackRock’s IBIT, which reached the $10 billion mark in just 34 days following its launch in January 2024.
Fidelity’s FBTC was close behind, hitting the same milestone in just 54 days.
These two products set a blistering pace for ETHA to follow, highlighting the enormous interest in crypto ETFs since regulators opened the door to spot crypto-based funds.
Ether Inflows Surge as Bitcoin ETFs Cool Off
Investor sentiment appears to be shifting toward Ether in recent weeks.
According to SoSoValue, U.S.-listed Ether ETFs have recorded a 14-day inflow streak totaling $4.4 billion since July 3.
This surge includes a massive $726.7 million daily inflow, the largest single-day amount since the ETF’s launch last year.
Conversely, Bitcoin ETFs have shown signs of weakness.
After enjoying a 12-day inflow streak, they turned negative on July 21.
Over the next three trading days, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows of $289 million, based on SoSoValue’s data.
BlackRock Cementing Its Position in Crypto ETFs
BlackRock’s dominance in the ETF landscape, both in traditional and digital assets, continues to grow.
The firm’s success with both ETHA and IBIT reflects rising investor interest in regulated crypto exposure through mainstream investment vehicles.
ETHA’s historic climb reaffirms the significance of Ethereum’s place in institutional portfolios and positions the fund as a long-term staple for those betting on the future of blockchain technologies.